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Huffer

No resolution

Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2018

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I liked this book. In spite of misgivings about dragon stories being appropriate for an Austen inspired romance, it was well done. Most of the main characters are completely done over to fit in with the dragon theme, and I can't say that I like all the changes. Mr. Bennett is not nice and annoying. Jane Bennett is starry eyed and kind of a simpleton, though that may be explained in a further book. Elizabeth is still a strong woman, but is too willing to be manipulated and abused by her father and her father's dragon.

The book ends suddenly with no resolution to any of the important issues. This, of course, means there is no choice but to purchase the next volume. Now I feel as if I have been manipulated and abused! Thank goodness I like this author or I would be even more upset.

S. L. Majczan

Dragons here, dragons there; do you spy a dragon anywhere?

Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2016

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My problem with this book is that I was hooked with reading the chapter postings on the author's blog and thus paid no attention to the fact that this is Book 1...in how many?

Much of the story follows canon but we are first introduced the the connections between humans and dragons and the treaty which maintains peace between the two species. Then there are humans who hear and can talk to dragons. Elizabeth has inherited the role of Dragon Keeper from her father and thus is also under rule to marry Collins as he will inherit Longbourn and its wyvern dragon, Longbourn.

Darcy comes to Hertfordshire mainly due to the fact that his firedrake egg has been stolen and if it hatches without immediately imprinting on a human it will then hunt and kill humans and lead to another war.

Much of the story has to do with first the various sub species of dragon and their behaviors and how they communicate with each other and humans. Secondly there is the matter of searching for the egg among households, among caverns, valleys, casks and chests; one such search almost killing off our two principal characters.

Darcy and Elizabeth find that although they have to respect the roles each has with their dragon acquaintances they have all the misunderstandings and conflicts we know of from canon. Darcy finds that Elizabeth has learned through instinct and observation much from which the world of dragon-hearers could benefit. While Elizabeth must not only tolerate Darcy and help in his search, she has her future planned for her and can only accept it and get comfort from all the various forms of dragons who have learned to love her and desire to be in her company.

I just hate to have to wait to read the next book.

terri

More of a chapter than a book.

Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2019

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I had trouble getting into all of the dragon stuff at the beginning however was at some point hooked by the strong character of Elizabeth and her relationship with Mr. Gardiner. I found the dynamic between these 2 and Mr. Bennet very interesting. And of course Darcy. I did have some issues however. First of all this is not a complete book as a Trilogy would suggest. It is a chapter or a part of a longer story. Secondly I felt like many characters were simplified to make room for all of the dragon details and felt a bit flat. Jane has no bearing on the story, and Mr. Bingley is equally unnecessary. I think the book is choppy as it is all fantasy and this rich dragon tale and then she throws in a conversation/scene straight from the book. I found myself skipping over these to get to the more original parts.
I also think that Elizabeth, who is presented as such a strong and intuitive woman would not be so easily fooled by Wickham. She knows he was bringing the extra supplies and he tells her he was connected to Pemberly. And still falls for his tale of woe?
I am interested in what is going to happen and now feel like I have to read all three to get some answers. But I hope it is still a love story at heart.

Marianne O. SchmidtTop Contributor: Eye Makeup

Tatzlewurms, Wyverns, and Darcy, Oh My!

Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2016

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First, I have to,say that ordinarily, I am over the paranormal aspects of fiction, so initially I wavered back and forth, but I finally decided to give this book a chance. I am so glad that I did. Maria Grace has crafted a wonderfully readable and compelling universe where dragons and humans coexist, and peacefully, for the main part. It was a brilliantly crafted story, and so fascinating, that I did little else but read it obsessively for hours. Elizabeth and her father are dragon keepers, or Dragon Friends. They have the ability to hear and interact with dragons, and to care for them. They have a ferocious Wyvern named Longbourn who lives in a cavern on their estate. He is somewhat of a martinet and quite spoiled, demanding a lot of Elizabeth's time and attention. He has decided that she must marry Mister Collins, the estate's heir, because it will keep Elizabeth at Longbourn and forever under his scaly thumb. as in canon, Mister Bennet is Mister Bennet: whatever makes his life easier, he will do, and forcing Elizabeth to fall in with the dragon, Longbourn's plans is all part and parcel of his personality. He can be a loving father unless it interferes with his wants and desires, and then he becomes selfish. What he wants, as usual, is to live his own life without much care for anyone else's. I liked it that Maria has brought out that aspect in his personality, because too often we don't consider him for what he is. He and the dragon, Longbourn, are well suited to,each other, because they are both selfish, demanding and incapable of seeing anyone's viewpoint, but their own. The estate dragons are always named after the estate they live on. There is also a Pemberley dragon and a Rosings dragon, and the dragons are much like their Keeprs. There is a treaty between humans and dragons that also dictates aspects of their interactions, and because of that treaty, the estate dragons can run their Keeper's lives. Longbourn is insisting on Elizabeth marrying Collins, just as Rosings insists on Darcy marrying Anne de Bourgh. And you thought Lady Catherine was the only dragon in P&P.

Darcy has a dragon egg that is about to hatch, but it is stolen from him by exactly the one person you would guess! He sets off to find the egg and in the process goes to stay with Bingley at Netherfield. The story pretty much follows canon and also branches off into pure fantasy. This is an exceptionally well crafted story with amazing creatures, whose personalities are just as big as they are. The dragons all have very distinct personalities and their interactions with their Friends and Keepers are just plain fun and fascinating. In this book, Mary and the Gardiners all can hear dragons and interact with them. I loved reading about the Fire dragons, tiny bird like dragons. They reminded me of my conure, who also is smart, funny, a bit manipulative, and who also has a very annoying habit of biting!

Elizabeth and Darcy have all their preconceived notions of the other playing out against a background of dragons and a fascinating universe. Each dragon has it's own likes and dislikes, some get along, some don't. They were almost like people - big scaly people, but people all the same. The plotting and writing are excellent, and Austen's familiar words and story are skillfully woven into a big, amazing fantastic tapestry. Like all of Maria's stories there is an interesting premise, familiar and new characters, snappy dialogue, and a healthy does of snark. It was incredibly fun to read.

Elizabeth and Mary are designated as Friends, Darcy and Bennet are Keepers. Bennet wants to retire because of infirmity and an overriding interest in scholarship and dragon lore, which means Elizabeth is going to be named Keeper. It is in Bennet's and Longbourn's selfish interests to keep Elizabeth tied down to the estate and the dragon. Changes however are in the air, and long held dragon beliefs are falling away. Dragons are beginning to understand humans better and are realizing that that they need to loosen the reins a bit. It is hinted that the new treaty with the dragons will cede the humans more control of their own lives, with less input, and interference from the dragons. Once the treaty is signed, Mister Bennet and Longbourn can no longer dictate who Elizabeth will marry. So it is in their interests to force her to marry Collins. I kept hoping that he and/or Wickham would be eaten by a dragon, but so far, no such luck. This is the first in a projected series, with the second book set to launch in early 2017. I am completely hooked, and I will buy all of them and take this fantastic journey along with our much loved old and new characters. I honestly can not say enough good things about this book. It is engaging, fascinating, witty and breath taking. Mind. Blown. Even if you aren't into fantasy and sci-fi, give this book a chance. I certainly am not, but Maria made a believe ever of me. A lot of us dislike a story that plays out over several books, but for this to be one book would have made for a huge download. I like that there will be some different stories and adventures, and normally, I would be the first one to complain. This book has given me a lot to think about, and it had some laugh out loud moments. I am glad it has ended for now, because we are getting our house ready to sell and I can't keep stealing away with my Kindle for hours at a time!

Top reviews from other countries

Gail Morton

Pride & Prejudice & .......Pern! what a combo!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 16, 2019

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I love dragons and historical romances.....so how fantastic is it that a clever author has combined the two into a jolly good story. I loved that the story-line follows mostly to the book (P & P) with some good tweaks and insights and the Pern side having dragons with separate personalities. I'm downloading the next in the series as soon as I finish typing this.
Thank you so much Ms Grace for sharing your world with us.

Glynis

Wonderful details

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 6, 2019

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I waited for the whole series including the prequel before reading.
I loved this book where Darcy is searching for his stolen dragon egg and has to accept the help of Elizabeth (grudgingly given). Obviously they don’t seem to get on at the start but hopefully things will improve.

C. Saunders

Quite a clever use of Pride and Prejudice

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 12, 2019

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Entertaining idea to introduced symbiosis between humans and dragons in the context of P&P. I didn't always like some of the wording e.g. I cannot imagine Elizabeth smirking, but an overall jolly work. Would not be averse to reading part 2

Reader

Pemberley and Dragons, love it.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2016

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I love this variation. Mr Darcy is on a quest and needs help from Longbourn, but not from Miss Elizabeth Bennet who he finds irrelevant to the task and frankly her companion of sorts annoys him, the longer he remains in her company, the more he admires her and like Pride and Prejudice, things are never easy for Darcy and Elizabeth. I was on an emotional rollercoaster ride with this book, I was trying very hard not to cry at one point. Please bring out the next book soon.

Jan Tucker

Brilliant book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 3, 2021

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I have just read this and the following 5 Pride & Prejudice books - fabulous. Highly recommended. A whole new world of dragons set in P&P backdrop.

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