# Scales and Sensibility

By Stephanie Burgis · Regency Dragons, book 1

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/scales-and-sensibility-6cb58997/

Elinor Tregarth’s position as a poor relation at Hathergill Hall leaves her little room to object to her cousin’s behavior. Leaving with Penelope’s mistreated pet dragon gives her a new problem: a magical masquerade, complicated by her attraction to the man courting Penelope.

## What makes it funny?

Pet dragons are essential social accessories in this version of Regency England, but a frightened one can ruin a dress. Elinor’s attempt at a dignified exit ends in dragon slime, while her aunt hears an angry outburst as an announcement about tea.

### The comedy at work

Etiquette requires Elinor to stay polite around people whose absurd behavior she can see perfectly well. A tiny anxious dragon disrupts the appearances everyone works so hard to maintain, and a magical disguise gives her more appearances to keep up.

### Try this if…

Regency manners, gossip and romantic scheming take up more room than explanations of magic. Readers drawn to social comedy with a sweet romance have a heroine trying to protect her sisters as well as find a future for herself.

### Good to know

The romance is between humans. The opening includes bereavement, financial dependence, unkind relatives and cruelty to the pet dragon, alongside the bodily messes he causes.

## What to expect

- Genre: Fantasy · Historical · Romance
- On the shelf: Cozy fantasy · Historical romance · Romantasy · Romantic comedy
- Kind of humor: Farce · Parody · Situational comedy
- The atmosphere: Cozy · Warmhearted
- Audience: Adult
- Format: Novel
- Published: 2021

## A few distinguishing details

- Pet dragons as Regency status symbols
- A poor relation caught in a magical masquerade

## Sources & further reading

- Review: [Fantasy Book Critic review](https://fantasybookcritic.blogspot.com/2023/01/spfbo-finalist-review-scales.html)
- Reading sample: [Opening chapter](https://www.stephanieburgis.com/books/scales-and-sensibility/chapter-one)
- Author commentary: [Author](https://www.stephanieburgis.com/books/scales-and-sensibility)
- Author commentary: [Author publication announcement](https://www.stephanieburgis.com/2021/12/two-new-stories-for-adults-scales-and-sensibility-and-spellcloaked)
- Review: [Books, Bones & Buffy review](https://booksbonesbuffy.com/2021/09/23/scales-and-sensibility-by-stephanie-burgis)