In the Labyrinth of Drakes: A Memoir by Lady Trent

by Marie Brennan

Overview

In the Labyrinth of Drakes, the thrilling new book in the acclaimed fantasy series from Marie Brennan, the glamorous Lady Trent takes her adventurous explorations to the deserts of Akhia.

Even those who take no interest in the field of dragon naturalism have heard of Lady Trent's expedition to the inhospitable deserts of Akhia. Her discoveries there are the stuff of romantic legend, catapulting her from scholarly obscurity to worldwide fame. The details of her personal life during that time are hardly less private, having provided fodder for gossips in several countries.

As is so often the case in the career of this illustrious woman, the public story is far from complete. In this, the fourth volume of her memoirs, Lady Trent relates how she acquired her position with the Royal Scirling Army; how foreign saboteurs imperiled both her work and her well-being; and how her determined pursuit of knowledge took her into the deepest reaches of the Labyrinth of Drakes, where the chance action of a dragon set the stage for her greatest achievement yet.

The Lady Trent Memoirs
1. A Natural History of Dragons
2. The Tropic of Serpents
3. Voyage of the Basilisk
4. In the Labyrinth of Drakes
5. Within the Sanctuary of Wings

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780765377647
Publisher:	Tor Publishing Group
Publication date:	03/14/2017
Series:	Memoirs of Lady Trent Series , #4
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	36,065
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Marie Brennan habitually pillages her background in anthropology, archaeology, and folklore for fictional purposes. She is the author of the Onyx Court series, the Doppelganger duology of Warrior and Witch, and the urban fantasy Lies and Prophecy, as well as more than thirty short stories. The first book in the Lady Trent Memoirs series, A Natural History of Dragons, was nominated for a World Fantasy Award for Best Novel.

Editorial Reviews

"A thoroughly absorbing conclusion to this refreshingly different and consistently intriguing pentalogy"—Kirkus Reviews on Within the Sanctuary of Wings

"This mix of scientific and fantastic creatures remains in fine form." —Publishers Weekly, on In the Labyrinth of Drakes

"These chronicles have the power of fabulous and historic voyages, along with a wry wit that refuses to accept the standard notions of any era—past, present, or future."—Locus on The Memoirs of Lady Trent series

“Isabella, Lady Trent, narrates her astounding adventures from volume to volume, blending Victorian pastiche and alternate-world fantasy with a distinctly pulp sensibility…now is the time to get acquainted.”—NPR on The Voyage of the Basilisk

"Discoveries about the connections between dragons and humans mix with bone-punk technology, and revelations crash like waves in a satisfying conclusion." —Publisher's Weekly on Voyage of the Basilisk

"Smart and nuanced...Overwhelmingly fun and a perfectly delightful [summer] read."—io9 on The Tropic of Serpents

"Uncompromisingly honest and forthright [and] narrated in Brennan's usual crisp, vivid style.... Reader, lose no time in making Isabella's acquaintance." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on The Tropic of Serpents

"If you've ever secretly wished dragons were real, this story is for you. Fans of Naomi Novik and Mary Robinette Kowal will especially enjoy this book." —RT Book Reviews on A Natural History of Dragons

From the Publisher

01/25/2016
In the solid fourth book of the Lady Trent series (after Voyage of the Basilisk), Lady Isabella Trent looks back at a time when she and long-time friend Tom Wilker are tapped to lead a military-research program to breed dragons. Facing off against sexism, assassins, and her own conflicted feelings, Trent discovers more than she expects. Brennan maintains the parallels to Victorian-era Earth within a fantasy setting, but occasionally strains to show the resemblance, as in the desert portion of her world run by Sheiks who follow an Islamic-style religion. Trent is forced to think closely about her beliefs, the purity of her research, and just what sort of relationship she wants with archaeologist Suhail, who returns here in a different role from past encounters. It’s a time of changes for the main character, but this mix of scientific and fantastic creatures remains in fine form. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

04/15/2016
It is a pleasure to go on another adventure with Lady Trent, naturalist and dragon enthusiast, in a fantasy version of Victorian times. In this outing, she is asked to head up a dragon breeding program in the desert. There she again encounters archaeologist Suhail, whom readers will remember as a possible love interest from The Voyage of the Basilisk.—MM

Library Journal

07/01/2016
Gr 9 Up—This installment continues the adventures of Isabella—Lady Trent—the world's foremost dragon naturalist and the woman responsible for taking the study of dragons out of myth and into proper science. Presented as published volumes of her private memoirs, this series follows Lady Trent's life as she bucks society's expectations for young women and compromises her future prospects at a proper marriage and her own safety as she travels the world to study dragons. This book chronicles her adventures in the dangerous deserts of Akhia, where she has been sent by the Royal Scirling Army to investigate a case of dragon breeding. YA librarians may have missed out on Brennan's series, since it is published as adult fiction. However, there is great crossover potential. Give to teens who love dragons or archaeology and those who are seeking a story starring an independent, smart female Indiana Jones-like heroine.

School Library Journal