raeanne's review against another edition
1.0
Tried to get through it but couldn't. It was too weird imagining dragons in this society. And I hate the virginity inclusion.
weskstarzec's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
silquesoleil's review against another edition
3.0
read for the 2015 reading challenge: A book by an author you've never read before
The blurb of this book promises “You have never read a novel like Tooth and Claw” and I can’t claim that this is a lie, but the question that one has to ask themselves is: do I want to read a novel like this? Somehow, the concept of a common regency era novel whose main characters are all dragons is less interesting once you actually get to read this because those are dragons, you know, you could have done much more fun things with those.
As I had noticed when reading Temeraire, soft-spoken and well-mannered dragons are kind of not that much fun. Especially not when the females of the species are bound by the same oppressive bullshit that can be found in all Western historical novels. So after an initial disappointment, the book turned out to be an okay read, a very light read: the plot comes together neatly, even if it is a bit predictable at times and it contains a court case that escalates quicker than an Ace Attorney game.
It’s no Jane Eyre, of course, hell, it’s even debatable if it really deserves to be called “Pride and Prejudice of the dragon world” and there were half-hearted attempts made to design it a bit more progressive – all of the relevant dragon maidens are described as ‘radical’ free-thinkers (I liked Sebeth most because Sebeth literally gave no fucks, u go, girl, u go flounce your pink) although that doesn’t really go anywhere. Haner gets involved with the abolition movement, but doesn’t actually get to do much in terms of social justice.
So, one should be aware, that it’s essentially a romance novel and not much more.
The blurb of this book promises “You have never read a novel like Tooth and Claw” and I can’t claim that this is a lie, but the question that one has to ask themselves is: do I want to read a novel like this? Somehow, the concept of a common regency era novel whose main characters are all dragons is less interesting once you actually get to read this because those are dragons, you know, you could have done much more fun things with those.
As I had noticed when reading Temeraire, soft-spoken and well-mannered dragons are kind of not that much fun. Especially not when the females of the species are bound by the same oppressive bullshit that can be found in all Western historical novels. So after an initial disappointment, the book turned out to be an okay read, a very light read: the plot comes together neatly, even if it is a bit predictable at times and it contains a court case that escalates quicker than an Ace Attorney game.
It’s no Jane Eyre, of course, hell, it’s even debatable if it really deserves to be called “Pride and Prejudice of the dragon world” and there were half-hearted attempts made to design it a bit more progressive – all of the relevant dragon maidens are described as ‘radical’ free-thinkers (I liked Sebeth most because Sebeth literally gave no fucks, u go, girl, u go flounce your pink) although that doesn’t really go anywhere. Haner gets involved with the abolition movement, but doesn’t actually get to do much in terms of social justice.
So, one should be aware, that it’s essentially a romance novel and not much more.
paula7's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
coffee_and_wool's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
econsidine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A classic Victorian-style social drama about a high society family in turmoil after the death of their patriarch leaves them in disagreement over their inheritance.
Except that everyone is a dragon and the inheritance dispute is mainly over who gets to eat what part, and how much, of their father's body.
It's the rare combo of a top-notch premise and flawless execution. It's dry humor social commentary with a highly creative world. It's the best of Jane Austen and the best of Anne McCaffrey rolled into one delightful story. It's a reminder that, for all our social graces and scripts, it's all just obscuring true animalistic instincts and monstrous threats. And the dragons canonically wear hats.
Except that everyone is a dragon and the inheritance dispute is mainly over who gets to eat what part, and how much, of their father's body.
It's the rare combo of a top-notch premise and flawless execution. It's dry humor social commentary with a highly creative world. It's the best of Jane Austen and the best of Anne McCaffrey rolled into one delightful story. It's a reminder that, for all our social graces and scripts, it's all just obscuring true animalistic instincts and monstrous threats. And the dragons canonically wear hats.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Death of parent, Death, Violence, Child death, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Classism, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual harassment, Trafficking, Grief, and Confinement
msliz's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
meltingpenguins's review against another edition
2.0
This was an odd read. One could call it 'Jane Austen with Dragons' but that'd be only half the truth. It reads more as if it originally was a regular historical drama/romance and half-way through the author decided to replace all humans with dragons, plus adding in some dragon-y stuff for good measure. Forgetting in the process that suspension if disbelief takes a bit of a nosedive when several dragons suddenly ride a regular train or horse-drawn carriage. Also the story ends rather suddenly.
ladythana's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death, Death of parent, and Child death
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Confinement, Religious bigotry, and Sexual assault