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Jane Austen's Dragons #12

Here There Be Dragons

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" A top fun comfort read."~ Gail CarrigerLife was definitely better when one’s fondest dreams came true.Better, indeed, for newly made baronet, Sir Frederick Wentworth. Enjoying a title, a sea-side estate, a dragon to Keep, and most importantly, marriage to his dearest Anne, life was far better than he dreamed it could be.Better, but not easier.Stubborn local sea dragons refuse to talk, much less entertain a treaty with the Blue Order. The Order’s patience is wearing thin, and the local Order magistrate—impertinent, ineffective, and downright hostile toward all things cold-blooded or female, only makes matters worse.Lady Anne Wentworth, Special Liaison for the Blue Order, not being cold-blooded, but being female, finds her duties impeded at every turn. She tolerates his machinations until the delayed arrival of an urgent letter calls her across the county. If only she is not too late…Naturally, upon Anne’s departure, relations with the local sea dragons shift from becalmed to turbulent, threatening the fragile balance of Blue Order peace. Can Wentworth tame the gale-force dragon storm threatening to capsize the life he holds dear?A fresh new gas lamp fantasy adventure in the engrossingly intricate world of Jane Austen’s Dragons. Anne McCaffrey meets Jane Austen, a perfect mix for dragon lovers and regency-era fans alike.Book 12 in the Jane Austen's Dragons series.

357 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 1, 2023

About the author

Maria Grace

92 books285 followers
Six time BRAG Medallion Honoree, #1 Best-selling Historical Fantasy author Maria Grace has her PhD in Educational Psychology and is a 16-year veteran of the university classroom where she taught courses in human growth and development, learning, test development and counseling. None of which have anything to do with her undergraduate studies in economics/sociology/managerial studies/behavior sciences. She pretends to be a mild-mannered writer/cat-lady, but most of her vacations require helmets and waivers or historical costumes, usually not at the same time.

She stumbled into Jane Austen fan-dom in the mid '90s with Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility film, having somehow graduated HS without ever having read Austen. It was only a short leap then to consume all of Austen's works, in all their various media forms. In the hopes of discovering more works by Austen, she stumbled into the fan fiction forums, which naturally led to asking 'What if...' herself. Twenty nine books later, she still asks that question.

She writes gaslamp fantasy, historical romance and non-fiction to help justify her research addiction.

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5 stars
225 (61%)
4 stars
106 (29%)
3 stars
30 (8%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
330 reviews5 followers
June 18, 2023
Brilliant continuation to the series!

As with the rest of the editions to this series, it leaves me wanting more, More Please! I finished in the wee hours last night, well, early this morning, and blurry-eyed fell asleep very satisfied and yet wishing I could read the next chapter in the morning to find out what's next.

This story primarily involves Anne and Frederick Wentworth, and Kellynch the estate dragon at Kellynch-by-the-sea as they settle in to their new home and responsibilities. Those responsibilities and and an unexpected obligation disrupt their 'should be idyllic new life,' and what drives the plot. We are introduced to some very well-written new characters both heroes and villains, and some really pains-in-the-back-sides. Errrrr! There were several I wanted to throttle, but I loved the new character, Balen.

I could get all philosophical, politically current events, and emotional relationship blabbing here, as I ponder over the story and think that; 'I see what She's doing here,' but I won't. That would involve too many spoilers. I'll leave it to say that this addition does not disappoint. The last part of the book left me with my heart in my throat. I want the next edition, as in yesterday! I can't help reading the story imagining I'm hearing Benjamin Fife's voice for the much anticipated audio version. I highly recommend this book, but also urge anyone new to the series to start at the beginning. In fact, I want to go binge read/listen to the whole series again myself.

I received an ARC of this book with no obligation to review.
Profile Image for emeraldragonlady (Maddie).
362 reviews3 followers
June 5, 2024
Wow, we jumped from two different points of view between and Wentworth and her husband with two major plot lines in the whole book which I bet are going to help set up the rest of the books in the series. Really engaging keeps moving. Doesn’t really slow down or fall flat at any point I highly recommend for all Jane Austen fans and all dragon fans.
Profile Image for Teresita.
1,032 reviews10 followers
June 5, 2023
An incredible adventure!

Intrigue, investigation, discoveries, and, most importantly, lots of interesting dragons! A very fast paced story with an amazing plot. A must read!
Profile Image for Kessa Turnbull.
82 reviews1 follower
June 4, 2023
Very possibly the best battle I've ever read

2 fronts, 1 in the water, all with large numbers of dragons playing a critical role but needing to be invisible. I can easily imagine so very many variations where the details were overwhelming and I ended up absolutely riveted. And all with such polite regency manners! I'd have declared it impossible and been proven absolutely wrong. I very much enjoyed this series already. Now I can easily say I adore it and will grudgingly be forced to add it to the extremely short list of series that actively keep me in suspense between releases. At least there are worse fates!
Profile Image for Susan May.
681 reviews12 followers
August 30, 2023
These stories are so awesome. I only listen to the audible version because the narrator is fantastic and his voices make for a truly amazing story. I just love the characters and the dragons
So much going on in this one. Ann gets a letter and learns that a dear family friend is ill and may pass. The cockatrix requesting her to visit had caused Ann a lot of grief in the past. Ann had mixed feelings about going. She finallay agreed and left for her trip. Meanwhile at home, Wentworth was dealing with the sea dragons that refused to any kind of treaty with the Blue Order. There was also a territory dispute going on between two sea dragons. One of them was his very own dragon. There was also more dragon smuggling going on as well. On Ann's trip she made a dragon friend named Balen who was taken by the smugglers. They soon learned that Ann was not to be messed with. Also Wentworth had the ride of his life during the sea dragon battle. A great story that I absolutely adored.
Profile Image for Tina M.
601 reviews2 followers
June 24, 2024
A Lot Of Action!

Multiple plots going on at once, along with trying to remember the rather lengthy history behind the previous 11 other books in the series

Requires a far amount of concentration to remember, and to keep it all together. As various events, characters, personalities, and exchanges, all come together in this latest add-on to this complex montage of a series, it’s not one to just skim through-you’d be lost before too much time had passed if you chose to approach it this way.

One of the negatives, although it has nothing to do with the actual writing of the book, is all the links at the end. I couldn’t turn a page without my browser popping open to one various link or other. I was attempting to close the book down. What a pain!

I do so much love the dragons though! ♥️
Profile Image for Arwen Lynch.
Author 5 books61 followers
June 9, 2023
delightful and unexpected

First, I enjoyed this book perhaps even more than the first few. Anne is the perfect heroine. She’s no Mary Sue. She listens, thinks, then acts accordingly.

The introduction of this new greater cockatrice was really well done. And of course, Laconia and his offspring should be in every book henceforth.

The Sage never shows up in this book. I found that strangely appealing. As much as I love her, Elizabeth tends to overwhelm. Anne and Wentworth needed their story.

All in all, I was delighted with this book. Keeping series going can be difficult. Maria Grace does so effortlessly with this book. She expands her universe while remaining true to the spirit of Austen.
Profile Image for Julia.
1,103 reviews37 followers
July 8, 2023
I've been enjoying this series, but this one didn't grab me as much. It is very plot-oriented rather than character development. The story depends on previous events, so to the extent that I didn't remember some of the previous parts it was harder to follow. A lot of the plot is about the sea dragons (who aren't represented in the Blue Order or covered in the Pendragon Accords.

The chapters alternate between Anne and Wentworth, despite them now being married and both being keepers to Kellynch. This was probably supposed to escalate the tension due to cliff-hangers after each chapter, but I found it frustrating. I might try re-reading the alternate chapters to get the full Anne story and then go back to the other chapters for the rest of it.
27 reviews
June 11, 2023
A Page-Turner Beginning to End

I absolutely adore this series (and I reread the entirety of it twice waiting for this release), and I still think this was the best edge of seat experience the author has written. Grace’s masterful storytelling continues in the newest of Jane Austen’s dragons, picking up with Wentworth and Anne this time. With new characters, new insights into existing characters, and continued drama from the known protagonists, the story continues its way into the complex storytelling few authors can hope to maintain with such skill. Truly worth a non stop read
Profile Image for K.D. Grace.
Author 81 books147 followers
August 1, 2023
I quickly devoured the first eleven books of Maria Grace's Blue Order novels because who wouldn't be intrigued by books involving Jane Austen's beloved characters and dragons?! BUT to race through all the novels and wait with bated breath for the next means the novels were far not just intriguing. They were awesome. And Here There Be Dragons -- book twelve -- certainly did not disappoint, thus my lack of sleep last night. Anne and Wentworth and their dragon friends have never been more fun -- and gripping! The only downside was that now I have to wait for novel 13! Write faster, Ms. Grace! I need more dragons and Persuasion!
2,102 reviews18 followers
June 14, 2023
Book 12 in the wonderful Jane Austen with dragons series.
This book focuses on Captain Wentworth and Anne as they settle into their new abode in Lyme Regis. A host of returning characters including all your favorite dragons - and some new ones including a particularly large new one to give new twists.
Love how many original quotes from Austen slip in - I know I don’t catch them all!
Love seeing Anne and Frederick’s relationship develops!
Keep on writing!!!!
748 reviews8 followers
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June 14, 2023
Avid Reader

I definitely enjoyed Anne's and Bale's adventures! Anne needed a friend, and she is no longer under the thumb of Mr. Allendale, the magistrate who really had no loyalty to Order and clearly didn't care for women except in their roles. Wentworth, Kellylynch, Corn, and Wall had their hands full as well. I look forward to reading how things are handled between Chesil and Cornwall and the Order. Plus the heir to Kellylynch is six months away too. How intriguing!
January 12, 2024
Loved it

I do so love these books. I start one, and that's it until the last page. I
then I desperately want to start the next book. I haven't enjoyed a series this much in years. So very well written. Excellent world building. Wonderful characters, both dragon & human. Can't wait for the next installment.
19 reviews
June 9, 2023
Warm and Enchanting Read

Here be there be dragons lives up to Maria Grace’s previous books. Her characters are well fleshed out with great attention to their interactions with one another. I love Maria’s books because they always leave you wanting more.
Profile Image for Traci Otte.
494 reviews6 followers
July 19, 2023
How does she do it?!?

Each book is more exciting than the last, the plots more intricate, the danger more… uh… dangerous… Fortunately, Ms. Grace is more eloquent than I, and I am grateful for that. I can’t wait until the next installment!
102 reviews1 follower
July 26, 2023
Excellent

Very nice 12th book in the series! Although a logical place for a pause in the stories, I look forward to additional reading of additional adventures by those introduced in Jane Austen's Dragons series!
Profile Image for LaShunda.
543 reviews1 follower
August 1, 2023
Awesome!

This cannot possible be the last book in the series! There is so much more I need to know in this world. This book is excellent and feels like a beginning rather than an end. A fantastic read. I want more.
19 reviews
August 7, 2023
Surprisingly I love these books

I was not expecting to like these books because of being set in a prim and proper English time but thought I would give it a try. I absolutely LOVE them! I read until finished in every spare moment I have!
936 reviews1 follower
May 17, 2024
dragons

Always enjoy a good dragon story. This series has been entertaining. Only a few issues, the main being the use of the same or similar names for different characters. Anne,Mary and Elizabeth.
178 reviews2 followers
August 9, 2024
Sags little

Here There Be Dragons, by Maria Grace, is part of the excellent Jane Austen's Dragons series. It continues the story of Anne Elliot and her handsome Captain Wentworth after they have been married. It has a very exciting beginning and then says a little in the middle before finishing with heart-stopping dual crises. I can't wait to read the next book!
432 reviews4 followers
June 5, 2023
Half agony, half hope

Trouble in the water, bad men on the lands. Sounds like a ballad, but oh no, it is happening... Battles, struggles and deaths!

This will continue... Oh my!
46 reviews
June 6, 2023
Excellent

Another engaging story about warm-bloods and cold-bloods. And the end leaves the way open for more exciting tales of the Blue Order. Not to be missed.
5 reviews
June 10, 2023
Wonderful as usual!

I’ve read all of this series and enjoyed every one. I’m so looking forward to the next book of Jane Austen’s dragons fantasy adventures.
Profile Image for Jill.
Author 146 books5 followers
June 17, 2023
A good tale, as always. I like Anne (and now, Balan). But I really want the overall plot to MOVE more!
Profile Image for Sam.
141 reviews16 followers
November 30, 2023
I have loved this series so far and eagerly await the next book in the series. I hope there is a next book anyways. The story doesn’t seem finished yet.
26 reviews
May 6, 2024
Really excellent! A game changer for the series!
It was so good to be back with the Wentworths in this book, see them settling in to their new estate with Kellynch, and planning for bringing the sea dragons into the Blue Order.
But nothing ever goes smoothly when dragons are involved.

I really enjoyed getting to know the new cockatrix, Balen. And there were some jaw-dropping scenes with the sea dragons.

Just really really excellent.

Reread 2024
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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