The Voyage of the Basilisk by Marie Brennan
Series: The Memoirs of Lady Trent
Genre: Fantasy
Maturity Level: 3
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Rating: ⋆⋆⋆⋆
Devoted readers of Lady Trent’s earlier memoirs, A Natural History of Dragons and The Tropic of Serpents, may believe themselves already acquainted with the particulars of her historic voyage aboard the Royal Survey Ship Basilisk, but the true story of that illuminating, harrowing, and scandalous journey has never been revealed—until now. Six years after her perilous exploits in Eriga, Isabella embarks on her most ambitious expedition yet: a two-year trip around the world to study all manner of dragons in every place they might be found. From feathered serpents sunning themselves in the ruins of a fallen civilization to the mighty sea serpents of the tropics, these creatures are a source of both endless fascination and frequent peril. Accompanying her is not only her young son, Jake, but a chivalrous foreign archaeologist whose interests converge with Isabella’s in ways both professional and personal.
Science is, of course, the primary objective of the voyage, but Isabella’s life is rarely so simple. She must cope with storms, shipwrecks, intrigue, and warfare, even as she makes a discovery that offers a revolutionary new insight into the ancient history of dragons.
The Voyage of the Basilisk is in the same vein as the earlier novels in the series, so how you felt about those would definitely determine whether you liked this one. If you HAVEN’T read A Natural History of Dragons, definitely read that first. This novel could stand alone, I guess, but would be enjoyed better as part of the series. Continue reading “Review: The Voyage of the Basilisk”
