The Tropic of Serpents

The Tropic of Serpents by Marie Brennen

Sequel to A Natural History of Dragons

3.0 Stars

This sequel to A Natural History of Dragons, take place on an alternate Earth where Scirland seems to be England. The setting is reminiscent of Mary Robinette Kowal's Glamour series or Jane Austin's novels. There is no magic or futuristic technology, but dragons exist. They inhabit this world in a variety of species and the young widow Isabella Camherst is determined to learn as much as possible about them in a world where women are not scholars and do not travel without their husbands or other male relatives.

Isabella, her colleague Tom Wilker and her protégé Natalie Oscott go to the jungles of Eriga, a place that is analogous to the African jungle. Here, they have quite an adventure and get caught up in the politics of the time. The tale is predictable, but entertaining. Once the reader acclimates to the writing style, which one would expect of an older woman from Victorian England, the book is a quick and delightful read.