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The Tropic of Serpents

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The Tropic of Serpents

By: Marie Brennan
Narrated by: Kate Reading
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About this listen

Three years after her journey through Vystrana, the illustrious (and occasionally scandalous) Lady Trent defies convention to embark on an expedition to the war-torn continent of Eriga, home of the legendary swamp-wyrm.

Accompanied by an old associate and a runaway heiress, Isabella must brave oppressive heat and other hazards in order to satisfy her fascination with all things draconian. Her courage, resourcefulness, and scientific curiosity will be tested as never before.

©2013 Bryn Neuenschwander (P)2014 Macmillan Audio Classics Fantasy Fiction

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Critic reviews

"Uncompromisingly honest and forthright...with a heroine at once admirable, formidable and captivating. Reader, lose no time in making Isabella’s acquaintance." (KIRKUS)
"Lady Trent makes for an intrepid and pleasingly independent protagonist, mastering challenges both emotional and physical." ( Publishers Weekly)
All stars
Most relevant
Another well-written and delightful adventure, charmingly narrated by Kate Reading. I'm looking forward to listening to the next one already.

Another delightful adventure

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Victorian gentility, studied humour, a dig at colonialism, perfect narration and dragons! What more could anyone want?

another charmer

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In terra incognita there be dragons, but you have to go and look to find them. The trials and tribulations of Lady Trent going to a foreign country; where everything is strange, the climate is so hot and humid, unlike the temperate climate of home, and even the customs and peoples are exotic, making the job-in-hand more difficult, never mind the problems of your companions on the expedition too. This seems like a journal by a contemporary of the intrepid C19th Victorian traveller Isabella Bird.,

It is fun to piece facts and fiction and enjoy the blending of the two. The narrator is just right for what I imagine the character of Lady Trent to be, something of an enlightened woman of her age with, of course an obsession for dragons driving her and everything for her. As this is true for may of us today, it is easy to identify and sympathies with the many frustrations and problems she encounters on her journey as well as her triumphs.

There be dragons

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In this book, Lady Isabella has well and truly established herself as a naturalist; everything in her life leads her away from the memory of loss from her past, towards her passion and desire to study dragons. The challenges and dangers she encounters on her expedition - not to mention the author’s clever critique on colonialism - are enough to keep you listening for hours, before you even realise it. While not as interesting at times as book 1 for me, I loved the tone and the focus on dragon species, the lore and the world building, both flawless. All the names of characters and the like in this world were at times a bit tedious, due to the info dumping, but getting past those…adventure awaits. Far more political than its predecessor, a unique twist on bringing such different elements to life, from dragons to polite lords’ and ladies’ society, from political war-torn continents and emerging industrialist societies, to the imaginary world inhabited by several species of fantastic creatures.

A real treat: expedition to study dragons and so much more

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I really enjoyed this and Marie's previous book. Not exactly high fantasy but gripping and interesting, with the novel style of a scientific memoir. I particularly enjoyed the representation of power and powerlessness over the politics that affect the main character. I think more books should use this style and I look forward listening to the next book.

An interesting story

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