The Dragons of Kellynch

Jane Austen's Dragons, Book 5

By: Maria Grace

Narrated by: Benjamin Fife

Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

In order to secure her future, a young lady must marry well.

One would think Anne Elliot, a baronet’s daughter, would find the marriage mart far easier to navigate than a more ordinary woman. One would be wrong.

After refusing a poor, but otherwise perfect sailor, on the advice of her friend Lady Russell, Anne finds an unhappy choice before her: marry deathly dull Charles Musgrove or hope against hope that another suitable proposal might come her way before she becomes a spinster on the shelf.

Anne’s disgracefully independent choice to refuse Charles’ offer turns her world entirely arsey-varsey and not in the expected turned upside down sort of way. She begins to see things...hear things...things like dragons.

And once one sees dragons, one talks to them. And when one talks to them, nothing is ever the same again.

Must a young lady marry well if she hears dragons?

A must-listen gas lamp dragon fantasy! Jane Austen meets Anne McCaffrey with a touch of Harry Potter!

©2020 Maria Grace (P)2020 Maria Grace

Look forward to listening to all in this series

This is the fifth book I have read/listened to by this author (all were in this series) and I would listen to another. I am enjoying how she has tweaked Jane Austen’s story to include the dragons. The first book follows the original story’s wording quite closely in parts and each subsequent one has taken portions of it and expanded. I love how she has been, even after this many books, able to still use the basis of the original story to go forward with the dragon concept.——-

I look forward to listening to this entire series series. ——-

This is the eleventh book I have listened to by this narrator ( Benjamin Fife ). He has now become synonymous with these characters for me. I like his interpretation of the dragon voices and he does very well with both male and female character voices. His tone of voice and slight accent is perfect for these pre-Victorian era stories. ——-

There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence, or swearing. ——-

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

Glad the Author ventured into another Austen novel

After introducing dragons to the world of Pride and Prejudice, this newest addition to the series takes us into the story of Persuasion where Anne Elliot has never recovered from her broken engagement with Captain Wentworth. However, when she learns (later in life than is expected) that she can hear dragons and is in line to be the next keeper of the dragon of Kellynch, everything changes. Lady Russell wants her to marry Charles Musgrove, the Blue Order wants her to marry the heir to Kellynch, the heir has other ideas, and Anne just wants to learn more about dragons and this new world where women might be treated as equals to men regardless of marital status. She also learns that she has a voice and can speak up for herself and what is right.

I enjoyed this audiobook a great deal. The narration by Benjamin Fife was superb as always. The characters in the story were definitely Austen's characters, but they developed based on their interaction with the dragons which was interesting to watch. Lady Russell's transformation was particularly surprising and entertaining. It was a bit confusing that Anne's sisters were named Elizabeth and Mary (since the earlier books included sisters Elizabeth and Mary Bennett), but we can blame Austen for that. I loved all the new things still to be discovered about the dragons in this saga and look forward to the rest of the story.

I received a free audiobook from StoryOrigin and have reviewed it willingly.

A worthy successor, though harder to get into.

Although not nearly as complex as the previous books in the 'Jane Austen's Dragons' series, this book is a reasonably worthy successor that manages to merge the travails of regency husband-hunting with the perils of coming into hearing dragons late in life.

As always, Benjamin Fife gives us an absolutely phenomenal performance. His accents are near-perfect, his voices impeccable, and his sense of rhythm and pacing are second to none. There are few audiobook narrators in the same league as Benjamin.

Now, in fairness, I struggled to get into this book. Although I should have, I didn't bother to read the description. I was so thoroughly engrossed by the previous books that I didn't think it was necesssary. So, naturally, I was caught off guard by the switch in main characters. I really liked Elizabeth, but Anne just doesn't have the same... likeability for me.

Admittedly, there are story reasons for this, which do make sense, but because of it, as a character she just didn't work for me.

That said, however, there are a number of well-drawn characters that really bring the book and the world to life. Although there isn't a lot about the Blue Order in this one, what there is does give us a deeper understanding of the Order and how it works.

I think a lot of my frustration is that, because it does take Anne so long to get on board with the idea of dragons (and hearing them) being real, I spent quite a bit of time just urging the book to "get on with it" and get to the point. I had a much easier time getting into the first book because the dragons were a natural facet pretty much from page one.

Also, I know this is a big selling point for many of Maria Grace's readers, but for me the constant politicking and min/maxing involved in a regency noblewoman hunting for a husband (or her family trying to do it for her) is ... wearying. I enjoyed the flow of the first three books largely because Elizabeth considered herself so far above all that. And while I can see what appears to be an attempt to make Anne similar in that regard (if not the same), it unfortunately just makes her come across as petulant and childish because ... well ... she doesn't seem to have a good reason to be above it.

She has this nebulous feeling of not wanting to do as is expected of her, but there's no reason I can see for her to think of things any differently than any other young woman in her position.

All that aside, there are some interesting things going on, particularly with the estate dragon and a few mysteries that I will not spoil here.

Overall, as always, building believable characters that feel compelling and real is Maria Grace's greatest strength. Almost every character that appears in the book has a unique personality and their own goals. No one is there just to serve the plot. Of course, having not read the original source material, I can't say if this is Grace's doing or Austen's (except in the cases of the dragons, of course), but it makes for good reading either way.

My biggest complaint is the one that I had for the first three books about Elizabeth Bennet as well. In short, it comes down to the fact that this book is not a complete story but a fraction of one. The first three books were, in sum, one story, and I suspect that will be the case here as well. Which is borne out by the shortness of each book. For audiobooks consumers like myself, that makes them a hard sell no matter how well written they are.

I think if I were to make one suggestion to the author/publisher, it would be to stop adapting one Jane Austen book into three books and make them one book as they should be. I know I'm not the only reader/listener who is frustrated by coming to the end of a book only to realize that you're only holding half (or less) of a complete story.

I Want More!!!!

More, I want more! These books are addicting. Not only is the writing wonderful and believable, the narration is a perfect fit. I can’t wait for more.

Ann Elliot discovers that she can hear dragons, and she also learns that her mother’s best friend has a secret. Ann gets to see the sleeping estate dragon, Kellynich. Her father is not pleased with her new abilities, and refuses to introduce her to the Blue Order, which is required. What will she do? She’s also met with marriage proposals that she cannot bring herself to accept. Will she become a spinster?

Frederick Wentworth has found himself a dragon, which he names Laconia, after his ship. He and Laconia get along well. The Blue Order approves of the match.

Will fate reunite Ann and Frederick? Will Kellynich, the dragon, accept Ann as a junior keeper? I can’t wait for the next book to see what happens.

This book provides such a wonderful blend of Austen and fantasy. The classic and the new flow seamlessly together. I highly recommend this book.

I received a copy of this book from the narrator. I thank him for his generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.

Frustratingly Addictive

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Anne has some major decisions to make. Like many women she wants to marry for love but when she finally comes into her dragon hearing she is faced with an ultimatum. Is there any chance to marry for love? Or is her hand going to be forced? Oh what a cliffhanger! When the book ended I was so surprised that I even said out load “that can’t be the end!!?” I can’t wait for the next book!

A look at a different family in the same era.

I am often reminded by reading books, how the life of all females have changed, over the past 200 years. Without independent thinking and acting women, how are lives could be very different.
Yes, this is a story of such a strong willed young woman, but she has another new ability, that of 'hearing' dragons.
I was confused when I started this book, with the names of the daughters the same as the Bennett sisters. However, the Elliott family is very different from those we met in other episodes of this series, although the thing to tie this story to the previous is the "Hearing" of dragons.
This is a cliffhanger, in so far as it doesn't resolve all issues in this episode.

Persuasion Mixed with Dragons

This is a fun series. I love the addition of dragons and dragon speakers to some of my favorite Jane Austin classics. My only complaint with this book is that it has a very abrupt ending in the middle of the story that leaves you needing the next book to complete it (which is also not out yet on Audible 🙁). The narrator does a wonderful job with the characters and voices, and really was an asset to the story.

—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Jane Austen's Persuasion with Dragons - an Excelle

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First thing you need to know - even though this is book 5 in the series, this is actually an excellent jumping on point.

The first 3 books in the series were Pride and Prejudice and Dragons. The 4th was a prequel to that trilogy. This is the fist part of Persuasion and Dragons.

Persuasion has always been a frustrating Austen novel for me. Anne Elliot is likeable enough and I want her to be happy but she has let too many people around her dictate major decisions for her. This has bene the source of great unhappiness. This reinvention blends the dragon mythology that Marie Grace has invented to make this a tale of a young woman coming into power and prominence in an unexpected way - being out of her depth and seeking the help and guidance of those that should serve as mentors in this new world. It elevates the story and actually blends the themes even better than with Pride and Prejudice. There are some delightful twists and I eagerly look forward to the next part.

Benjamin Fife creates such a pleasant listening experience. Even with the dragon voices and sound effects. The first half of the story sadly did not give us nearly so many of those instances as we're used to since Anne was only becoming acquainted with the dragon world- but the second half did make up for that.

Delightful retelling of Persuasion

We meet Anne Elliot in this retelling of Persuasion. Anne is older than most girls when she discovers that she can hear dragons. This discovery is utterly overwhelming to the poor girl. She is the only person in her family that can hear dragons other than her late mother. Can she get an audience with the Blue Order to make herself known as is required by law? On the marriage front, things are very complicated. I don’t want to spoil anything, but this definitely has my attention.

At first, I was not happy that this is a completely different storyline. But I must admit that I was pulled in. Now, I must know what happens to Anne Elliot next! I love that she is willing to stand up for her right to be happy, even if it is too late to marry the man she loves. There is a book 6 that has not yet been released on audio. It appears to be the conclusion of Book 5.

Jane Austen’s Dragons is a delightful series by Maria Grace. Dragons and humans live side by side throughout the world. As dragons have the ability to influence what people think they are seeing, most people have no idea that dragons even exist. Only a special few humans have the ability to talk with dragons and see them for what they truly are. This is a magnificent retelling of Jane Austen’s amazing stories.

The narrator, Benjamin Fife, is perfect for this series. I got lost in Jane Austen’s world and didn’t want to come up for air. Easter Egg – Click here to read an interview between Maria Grace and Benjamin Fife. You must read the paragraph above the Longbourn blooper real link and then listen to the 30-second clip. I laughed out loud!

Source - I was given a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Michele, AudiobookLife.com

Great Series

I love these stories. Lots of adventure & dragons. The characters are wonderful. The voices for them was great! I can never read one of the books because I have listened to books 1 thru 5 on audible. Without this narrator it would not be the same. When is book 6 available on audible?

A great cast of new characters!

At first, I was thrown by the character names. We still have an Elizabeth and a Mary but this time around Elizabeth is the eldest, deaf to dragons and rather full of herself. Mary again is much different from the Mary of the Pride and Prejudice variation. On the other hand the second born, Ann is perfect. A late bloomer, she's dumped into the world of dragons with an unsupportive family that is negligent in their keeper tasks. I can't wait to see how Ms. Grace will further the romance of this storyline with Ann's ex.

Dragons of Persuasion

Although I am not familiar with Jane Austen’s Persuasion, I had previously listened to Maria Grace’s variation of Pride and Prejudice and thought I would give her variation of Persuasion a try. I really enjoyed this story, and look forward to listening to the second part in Kellynch: Dragon Persuasion. The narration by Benjamin Fife was excellent, as always.
I was given a free copy of this audiobook in return for an honest review.

A prelude to Persuasion

The fun continues with Grace taking on one of my all time favorite Austen novels: Persuasion.
An intriguing world infusing dragons with Jane Austen's characters really adds a whole new dynamic and dimension to the tales we all know and love. I loved Grace's Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion promises to be just as compelling and captivating.
This book makes a fabulous introduction and teaser piece, drawing you into the backstory that precedes where Austen's book begins, while adding a few twists and turns, as Grace elaborates on Anne's past and cleverly weaves within it her belated awakening to dragon hearing. This opens her up to a more colourfully vivid world, previously kept hidden and shrouded in secrets, giving her a new found thread of confidence and mastery over herself worth that has always laid dormant until now.
The narration really brings to life Anne's confusion, sense of discovery and her wrestle to follow her heart over duty. All while finding her feet, fighting her family's snooty disdain, pining for and regretting declining Wentworth and inserting her authority as junior keeper to Kellynch, as she puzzles out the rules and strictures of the Blue Order. Meanwhile, tantalising us with Wentworth's sea faring history, with his new found dragon companion, while bringing the two together in mutual mindful yearning and 'what if' only.
A great little teaser creating the backstory for Anne and Wentworth to come back together.
I do have this in e-book format too but there is just something wonderful about the way Fife gives voice to the characters that adds real charm and depth. Can't wait for the drama to unfold and the story to really begin in the next installment! A welcome addition to the series!!

good start of a new "chapter"

switching the story to a new main character and a different setting makes for a fun change, though the book is a bit on the short side.

Great narration and a fun story.