Gill M

This is book one of Maria Grace's Jane Austen's Dragons series. It can be read first, but reading book four, A Proper Introduction to Dragons would be preferable entry to the series. You need to read books one, two and three to get the entire story.
This combines a Pride and Prejudice variation, with fantasy about dragons. It will appeal to both JAFF readers and fans of fantasy.

Regency England is overrun by dragons. Most people are entirely unaware, because they cannot hear them and are persuaded not to see them. Those with the ability to hear dragons work in the Blue Order, to support the Pendragon Treaty that keeps the peace between human and dragon kind. Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn is part of the Blue Order and a junior keeper, assisting her father in taking care of their dragon.

Into the local area comes Mr Bingley and his friend Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley. Darcy is part of the Blue Order and his estate Pemberley once belonged to the old dragon Pemberley. The dragon died five years ago, when he inherited the estate. The new dragon has not yet hatched. The first firedrake egg to hatch in a century is a precious thing. Then it is stolen!

Darcy has traced the egg to Hertfordshire and is desperate to find it. Time is of the essence. Eggs must hatch in the presence of a Keeper, so that it imprints and accepts humans. Otherwise the dragon will be wild and very dangerous! Such a dragon will face a dragon slayer for the protection of all.

Elizabeth is drawn to dragons and they to her. Her easy relationships and instinctive knowledge of how best to interact with dragons, surprises Darcy. He soon comes to value her skills and acknowledge he needs her help.
Unfortunately, Darcy does not make a good impression on the local residents. Elizabeth finds him arrogant and conceited. Will they be able to work together to find the egg and save the dragon?

The story focusses on Elizabeth, Mr Darcy, Mr Bennet and the many dragons. Although the rest of the Bennets are included, only Mary has a role, as she learns to manage dragons. Mr Bennet continues to be an antagonistic curmudgeon. Elizabeth is a strong character, who knows her value. She is however, thoroughly exasperated by the dismissive attitudes of her father and possibly Darcy. The dragon characters are well drawn and engaging. I think the dragons are probably the most appealing characters in the book.

This is a great story and the hatching scenes are thrilling. The ending leaves you desperate to know what happens next. Book two awaits! I would recommend it to all fans of JAFF and fantasy.

This whole series is narrated by Benjamin Fife. His narration is very good, his voice warm and pleasing to listen to. His female voices are convincing and his dragon voices are excellent.

I look forward to more stories by Maria Grace.

I received a free copy of this audiobook via StoryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.

Review also posted on my blog

https://myjaffobsession.blogspot.com/2022/04/to-marry-and-to-meddle-by-martha-waters.html

Lord Julian Belfry is the second son of a marquess. Unfortunately, choosing to own a rather vulgar theatre has lead to scandal. When his father orders him to sell it, he chooses to cut himself off from his family, rather than submit.
In the following years he has worked hard to make the theatre successful and now he wants it to be respectable.

When he meets Lady Emily Turner, he is impressed by her ability to retain a reputation for respectability, despite scandals in her own family.

Julian suggests a marriage of convenience and explains that her respectability is an asset that he values. Essentially, her job will great a gloss of respectability over him and his business.

Emily has spent her life bending to her mother's opinion and duty to the family. Her reward is a dowry gambled away by her father and a suitor who is blackmailing her father.
Julian's offer has to be an improvement.

Marriage to Julian gives her freedom from her family, but the cause of “respectability” means regular exposure to Society. Many of Society dislike Julian, so Emily faces spite, scorn and an uphill battle.

Emily wants to be involved with the theatre, but struggles to convince Julian.
Emily gradually starts to overcome her conditioned reticence and expresses her opinions as never before.

Each work hard to make the marriage work, as the business arrangement becomes something much more personal.

A pleasing story, with a satisfying conclusion.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.

Mary Wollstonecraft fought for justice. equality and the chance to live life to its fullest.

This is an imagining of Mary Wollstonecraft's life; the mother of Mary Shelley, and arguably the world's first feminist.
The book starts in August, 1797, when Mary's labour begins on a fine summer's day. Her first birth had been quick and easy. She expected her second to be even more straightforward. However, after her baby girl, her second daughter, is delivered, both mother and child fight for survival.
The story proceeds as Mary weaves the tale of her life to bind her frail daughter close and to give herself a reason to fight, even as her own strength wanes.
The life she describes is exceptional. A life lived against the conventions and restrictions of her time, as she demanded equality for herself and all women.

This is a captivating insight into the life of Mary Wollstonecraft.
It is fascinating, heart-breaking, lyrical and poignant.

This is a wonderful book, that should not be missed.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.