On the HahaFiction shelf
Scales and Sensibility
Regency Dragons · Book 1 · 2021
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.
From the author’s blurb
“She certainly never meant to kidnap her awful cousin Penelope’s pet dragon.”Read the full description at Stephanie Burgis, author description
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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.
A few distinguishing details
- Pet dragons as Regency status symbols
- A poor relation caught in a magical masquerade
More funny cozy fantasy
Sources & further reading
- Fantasy Book Critic review
Review
- Opening chapter
Reading sample
- Author
Author commentary
- Author publication announcement
Author commentary
- Books, Bones & Buffy review
Review
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