A complete retelling of Jane Austin books from Pride and Prejudice to Emma. Dragons are front and centre in this retelling. A roller coaster of emotions is rung from you with a complete surprise ending. I would recommend following in order to get the full experience.
You will wait impatiently for the next retelling.
Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This is one I did not finish.

The name of Jane Austen is very tenuously used in the front of this story.

I found the story boring, too complicated with far to many names.

Not for me.

A gritty Gaslamp fantasy adventure set in Jane Austen’s England introduces new players, a darker plot, and, of course, more fiery dragon action. M Verant’s colorful worldbuilding, nuanced characters, and suspenseful plot made for another enthralling read right to the very last tantalizing page.

Emma’s Dragon is the second installment in a read in order series.

While the first book, Miss Bennet’s Dragon, stuck closer to the original Pride & Prejudice storyline, Emma’s Dragon introduces an Emma Woodhouse much like the original, but the few other Emma characters are little like their original counterparts. Not a bad thing, just something to keep in mind.

Emma’s Dragon divides the focus between three main lead women characters- Emma Woodhouse, the newest on the scene, Elizabeth Bennet Darcy, and Mary Bennet.

Emma Woodhouse is a vastly different character from Elizabeth Darcy and her sister, Mary. Both the Bennet sisters are forces of nature in their own way. Elizabeth has a powerful connection with draca and is paired along with her husband to a dragon because she is a great wyve. Emma is also a great wyve, they learn quickly, like Darcy’s sister Georgiana who has an affinity for song magic, but Emma’s great wyve dragon magic takes a bit to tease out. She exudes confidence on the outside while trembles with fear and insecurity on the inside. I found her both likeable and insufferable in turn. The insufferable part was her determination to ‘fix’ Harriet and her life (just like my reaction to the original for doing the same thing) and pretend that the racial bigotry Harriet and Mr. Knighley, also of African descent, is not important as simply marrying well to attain social standing. Her strength of heart is also tested in the final scenes when the conflict rising through the book finally explodes with danger and tragedy for our intrepid band of good people and their draca.

I focused on Emma in this review, but there are strong story threads that follow the Darcy family and Mary Bennet, too. A lot of moving parts in this book that were never rushed nor confusing, but paced out well. This is a middle book so it finishes off some of the plot threads and leaves others there to pull readers forward into the next book which I think will be the grand finale.

All in all, the plot is in a dark, desperate place right now and I liked how the story got there. This is Gaslamp fantasy at its best and I can heartily recommend it to Austen lovers, dragon fantasy fans, or those who like an exciting historical with fantasy elements.

3.5 ⭐️— This book claimed that could be read as a standalone but truth be told I was confused all the damn time. Which one is which, whose is whose, and what the hell is going on, throughout the book probably? However, the writing is good enough for Jane Austen's Fantasy novel.

The Writing and storyline for fantasy inspired Jane Austen kind of book, this author did its job well. It was beautiful in the context of literature in their own style. However, I just do not understand when this book claimed can be read as a standalone which I think was quite a rubbish. OK, I get a glimpse of it in some of the storylines but for a complete whole-full of the story of this book, truth be told you guys truly need to read the first book and continued the story from that part. Also, because of the confusing era while I read this book, it makes me bored all the damn time and it was a pretty tough job to finish it as well. Nevertheless, the Main Story of this book focusing is “the strength is within you, the other outside factor is just the helper”.

Other than that, this book's main story is focusing on three characters; Emma, Lizzy, and Mary I do hate character povs and this book have three of them. Not only does it makes me confused because whose POV is this supposed to be, but sometimes, while in one of those characters' pov, it feels like I read another person's storyline which is annoying. In addition, the main point is about Yuanchi is supposed to be Emma’s dragon but got bounded by Lizzy, meanwhile, Lizzy is supposed to be bounded by Fenu. Even so, the war between England, French, and America was also the main focus of the storyline in that era with a spice of fantasy on Jane Austen.

The Issues I Gathered:
➊ Providing charity is a virtue
➋ Chinese heritage, somehow the draca and the knowledge about them especially is focusing on the Chinese heritage and culture imo. It was good and has a good knowledge of that part.
➌ Women's Issue – probably patriarchy all over because of how this book represents. For example, when Lizzy was seen as someone not able to vote for her own voice, she need wait for Mr. Darcy's voice before speaking in the meetings. Also, marriage is the main focus of how women would be respected.
➍ People of color seem to address their friends by their surname to show respect rather than on the first name basis because they see themselves as their slaves. People of color here represent Black people's treatment of the white supremacist environment. It was heartbreaking and the truth is told, I feel like I want to stab white people's (in this story) brains but then I remembered which era this book held.
➎ People's dresses. It wasn’t uncommon for how people dressed in this certain era can show people which class they are in. It also can be categorized as classism in its own way.
➏ The strength is within you, the outside factor is just presumptions. In this specific part, Emma is the wyfe of healing, she needs to believe in herself. Her journey to be the wyfe of healing is not an easy path but it was because she cannot accept the truth about her own power. Also, the eternal factor of needing to be bounded with Yuanchi is just an assumption because once Emma accepts her own power, she is unbeatable.
➐ What you desire and others are different, do not ask them to gain your own desire and you denied that it isn’t yours. In this part, Emma always pursued her (I forgot the name already. Sorry!) to get married to the gentleman Emma’s perspective but this lady always refused because it wasn’t her main intention to do in her life.
➑ Coping mechanism; music
➒ White supremacy, should I write more???

Things I approved for this book:
➊ Knowledge about Dragons/ Draca and how they work in this certain eras. It gives me internal goosebumps until all of my vision disappears (ok that’s hyperbole). But, dragons always have a way with my heart, and when it was Fenu or Yuanchi's presence in the book mentioned, I just… dead… inside…
➋ The writing pretty good enough for Jane Austen's Fantasy
➌ The emotions between the binding of Draca and the wyfe. I feel the attachment between the binding between Lizzy and Yuanchi even though well, they weren’t supposed to be bonded. But, this makes me want to read about how the first book goes and how they meet or anything else related to those 2!! Nothing breaks me other than the love and connection between Lizzy and Yuanchi in this part and the longing of Fenu to be bonded with his wyfe!
➍ The world-building is just amazing!

The thing I Disapproved: Claimed can be read as standalone? → dude, I was confused all the damn time

Overall, I was confused all the damn time throughout the book but this book holds its own way to my heart when it comes to the relationship between Yuanchi, Lizzy, Emma, and Fenu. The writing and the storyline actually went well with the flow if I do understand what’s happening in the first book. I also dislike these three characters' povs which makes me annoyed even more. However, this book has its flaws and good things for the first book I read from this author. Thank you netgalley for giving me privilege to read this before publication date.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book!

To people who know me it will be no surprise that I love both epic fantasy worlds inhabited by fearsome dragons, and the classic novels where the most fearsome creature to behold must surely be an accomplished woman. The Jane Austen fantasy series combines the two admirably. After reading the first book, Miss Bennet's Dragon, I couldn't wait to dive right into book 2!

In Emma's Dragon we meet Emma, as you would expect from reading the title. It is not a retelling of Jane Austen's Emma with dragons, but instead her story interweaves with that of the Darcy family. We do see some familiar faces, like Harriet and Mr. Knightley. Besides them, we also get to see a little more of Mary and Georgiana. All of them together must figure out what it means to be a great wyfe, to save both the dragons, themselves and the whole of England.

Is this book a classic like the novels by Jane Austen? Well, not really. Is it highly entertaining and does it keep you on the edge of your seat? Yes! I enjoyed reading this book a lot and I for one cannot wait to find out how the story concludes in book 3!

Emma’s Dragon is the second book in M.Verant’s award-winning Jane Austen Fantasy series. It is a sequel to Miss Bennet’s Dragon.

At the end of the first book, Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy marry and bind with the formidable dragon, Yuánchi, thus thwarting Napoleon’s plans for England.

In Emma’s Dragon, we are introduced to Emma Woodhouse, a woman burdened by many secrets. Her own father’s indiscretions, the machinations of her brother in law to steal her inheritance and most of all her mental afflictions.

Her gift should be healing but without being bound to a dragon, she lacks sufficient power. Instead her “gift” curses her with, what we would know as obsessive compulsive disorder.

Emma meets the Darcys and discovers that she should have been the one to bind with Yuánchi, the deadly dragon coveted by both Emperor Napoleon and England’s Secretary of War.

The story unfolds in London, with dark forces kidnapping wyves and dosing them with Night Crawler venom. Those who survive become a weapon for a racist, misogynistic and ultimately traitorous group called Britain Awake.

That weapon is turned upon Elizabeth Darcy and then used to summon a terrifying behemoth with a fractured mind.

The cast of characters runs from Royalty to orphans, with a mix of races as befits a story which addresses both racial and class prejudice.

The most prominent characters are the Great Wyves, women of strength and courage, Elizabeth, Emma, Mary and Georgiana.

The survival of all will depend upon them.

Emma’s Dragon is a fast-paced and exciting read, and it is sure to please fans of both Jane Austen and fantasy fiction.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. All views expressed are my own.

My first absolute recommendation is to read the first book before this one or you will lost with the politics and laws ruling this world.
After while Miss Bennet’s Dragon follows in some way the canon story, this one is purely a fantasy with Jane Austen’s characters.

It takes place after the ending of the first book, and put on the spotlight Emma, the author’s version of the Austen’s character.
But the story is not only told from her point of view, as it continues with Lizzy and it also offers Mary ( with Georgiana) some time under the spotlight.

And while I read the first book as a variation of Pride and Prejudice, this book is much different despite the presence of Austen’s characters.
The romances are mostly relegated to the background as the action and politic take precedence.
Nonetheless this series is a must read for for any fantasy lover.
4 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 kisses

I have been granted an advance copy by the author, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

At once I love and am furious with this book. M. Verant sweeps the reader into an alternate version of regency England that contains dragons and draca. The addition of Emma to the world of Pride & Prejudice is skillful. I enjoyed reading the book but the ending… It leaves the reader hanging and the afterword does not offer relief in the form of reassurance that the next piece of story is coming.
Reader you will love this book but be warned, the ending will leave you wanting to throw the book across the room. Don’t do it you’ll damage your ereader.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to enjoy a brilliant world of story.

We pick up the tale with Emma and Harriet arriving in London to attend Mary Bennett's salon about the rights of every woman to bind Draca, when Lizzy meets Emma she immediately knows that she's another of the great wyves but then the meeting and specifically Lizzy are attacked by armed men.
Lizzie, Mary, Georgiana, Darcy, Knightley, Harriet and Emma all wind up in the Darcy's home where we find out that Lizzie is bound to the wrong dragon. Yuanchi should have been bound to Emma as she is the great wyfe of healing while Lizzy is the great wyfe of war. However bindings are for life so there is no way to fix this and that's just the beginning of this story.
I'm so happy to be back in this world of what if Austen was set during the Napoleonic wars and there were dragons, though Emma is my least favorite Austin character/story the author makes some vital changes to the characters, Emma has severe OCD, while Harriet and Mr. Knightley are both black, Mr. Knightley is also a musician giving all three characters far more depth and interest. There's more as well but I don't want to spoil anything in my excitement :)

I loved Miss Bennet's Dragon so much that I was sure this one would not disappoint. I was wrong. Like the prequel I expected the family story of Emma with dragons and possibly a cameo from characters in the first book.

This is a crossover introducing so many plots and problems it gets confusing after a while. But the storytelling is so rich I couldn't help but want to read it.

This is the sequel to Miss Bennet’s Dragon, which is half-Pride and Prejudice retelling with dragons (something I’m discovering to be a surprisingly common sub-genre?), half-full-on Napoleonic War fantasy. Emma’s Dragon mostly follows on from the latter of those, but now incorporating a few characters and elements from Emma. This book is trying to do a lot. There’s the Austen retelling part, the dragons, and the war aspect, as well as dealing with issues including racism, populism, and mental illness (OCD) – and sometimes it feels like a little bit too much.

In terms of the Austen elements: this book is mainly dual-POV from Elizabeth Darcy (née Bennet) and Emma Woodhouse, with the occasional chapter from Mary Bennet. One of my favourite parts of the first book was Lizzy and Mary’s relationship, which is much closer than in Pride and Prejudice, so I was glad to see that continue here. I also loved getting to see Lizzy and Mr Darcy supporting each other and working as a team.

Pretty much the only things that are taken from Emma are Emma and Harriet’s relationship, and the presence of a character named George Knightley who is critical of how Emma treats Harriet (but otherwise entirely different from his original). (There’s also John Knightley, but that aspect is even more drastically changed, such that it might as well be entirely new.) Making both Harriet and Mr Knightley Black was an interesting choice, and I liked the way Emma’s treatment of Harriet is adapted into a commentary on white saviourism, but Emma’s stubbornness and lack of wisdom with regard to Harriet is one of the things about Austen’s original story that most frustrates me, so the fact that that was the main part of the story that’s adapted here didn’t really endear me to this version of Emma.

Giving Emma OCD was also a Choice. I can’t speak to the accuracy of the representation, or whether the techniques suggested to Emma for managing it are actually effective, but I will say that I felt a little weird about it being (sort of) caused by Emma’s magic – especially when the author’s note outright says that it includes ‘unrealistic aspects’, and seems to imply that it’s not an ownvoices portrayal from the author.

As far as the fantasy elements, I found the draca lore a bit difficult to follow in this one. The blend of Chinese and Egyptian references felt a little confused, and I had a bit of a hard time following the significance and implications of all the magic visions that Lizzy and Emma kept having. The main villain was a fairly one-dimensional too: he was essentially just a racist and bigoted far-right populist – which I suppose isn’t unrealistic, but felt a little unsatisfying, especially when the plot started off so focussed on invasion from Napoleon and the French, and then abruptly pivoted to be dealing with a right-wing insurrection within England that was almost entirely separate.

Overall it wasn’t a bad book, and there were definitely some elements that I appreciated, but in totality I didn’t have quite as good a time with it as the first book, and I don’t know if I’ll be interested in reading the finale.

CW: racism, chronic illness, OCD, grief

Emma's Dragon is the followup to Miss Bennet's Dragon, the second in the Jane Austen Fantasy series by M. Verant. The first book was a faithful retelling of Pride and Prejudice (with dragons) up until Darcy's proposal, when it diverged to include the deaths of two Bennets, treason, and dragon mind control. The series has well-established and maintained fantasy world building, which extends itself to this book. Emma's Dragon feels like the second book in a fantasy series, introducing new characters and conflicts and ending with an ambiguous victory based on tragic circumstances.

The book is not "Emma with dragons," nor is it a lighthearted gaslamp fantasy. It feels more like Naomi Novik's Temeraire series than anything else, as the draca are enlisted in the Napoleonic War. We appreciated the serious fantasy take on P&P in the first book, but above anything else it was still a romance between Lizzy and Darcy. This book is definitively a fantasy, with the romance taking a back seat. (We do realize that in Emma, Knightly was not an avowed suitor, but they were close friends and interacted frequently. Here, Emma meets Knightly for the first time in London, and their romance has very little ground to grow from.)

We recommend this book if you enjoy more serious gaslamp fantasy. A familiarity with Jane Austen's works will help, but it's not enough to read the book as a standalone - you definitely need to have read Miss Bennet's Dragon to get into Emma's Dragon.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

An interesting idea combining a historical fiction setting with a fantasy dragon story. I loved the dragon story and world building but thought the connection to a classic novel was a bit tenuous. Names and relationships were used but characters didn't come across well so I really didn't see the point other than marketing. I would have preferred it if the author had just created their own world from scratch. I found it a bit too complicated at times as they were trying too hard to involve all the original characters. Not the easiest if reads.

I loved the first book so much, so I was so excited to see the sequel and let me tell you, it does not disappoint. I loved how the Pride and Prejudice theme from the first story, seamlessly transitioned into an Emma retelling in the second book. I can't wait to read more from this series.

"The award-winning fantasy reinvention of Jane Austen continues.

Emma Woodhouse needs a dragon. Her life depends on it. But Emma's dragon is claimed...by Elizabeth Darcy.

When Emma Woodhouse meets newly wed Elizabeth, a brush of their gloved hands unmasks the Darcys' fantastic secret. Emma has discovered Yu nchi, the deadly dragon coveted by both Emperor Napoleon and England's Secretary of War.

Luckily, secrets are nothing new for Emma. She has her own: a deathbed promise, and a clever plan to achieve it. The Darcys' power, forbidden to her, might even help.

But clever plans can go astray. As treason stalks a royal ball, an avenging queen rises to ravage England. Survival rests on a fabled alliance: Emma and her secrets, Elizabeth and her dragon, and the magical music of Mary Bennet and Georgiana Darcy.

Will Emma, Elizabeth, and Mary unravel the mystery of the great wyves in time to save England and themselves?

Emma's Dragon is the second book in the award-winning Jane Austen Fantasy series. This boldly original story is filled with magical dragons, strong heroines, and a brilliantly reimagined Regency that challenges barriers of class, race, and love.

Don't miss this thrilling, romantic fantasy."

I just found out about this series and with my love of all things Regency Magic I feel like my life is now complete.

With thanks to Netgalley and Acerbic Press for my ARC.

I enjoyed the first book and continued to search for the next book in the series, so was delighted to be invited to review it. Emma’s Dragon did not disappoint! The writing was detailed, lush with description and drew the reader into the tale.

The continuation of Lizzy and Darcy’s story is seamlessly woven into Emma Woodhouse’s. Containing brilliant world building and compelling characters (you either love or loathe the main characters) the second title in the ‘Jane Austen Fantasy’ series scintillates as it entrances the reader.

Warning: do not start reading late at night or when you don’t have time to finish this book because it will weave its spell and ensorcel you until you do.

Tip: for maximum enjoyment read Miss Bennett’s Dragon first!

I received an ARC copy from netgallery and my opinions are my own. I will be the first to tell you, anything having to do with a Jane Austen retelling, I will read it and this one didn't disappoint! I will admit that I didn't read the first one, but I felt like the author did an amazing job helping a reader understand what is going on. This book combines all your favorite Jane Austen characters and draws you into a world of dragons and powers. You don't want to miss this amazing book!

I really don't like giving negative feedback, but this book is touted as being an expansion on Jane Austen's world....all the characters from Pride and Prejudice are there, along with Emma, Harriet, and Mr. Knightley. But don't read this if you are hoping to encounter the traditional characters you know and love. The names and many relationships are preserved, but somehow John Knightley is a villain. Confident and beautiful Emma Woodhouse is now insecure and plagued with visions of doom (reminiscent of Mr. Woodhouse in Austen's original.) Mary Bennet is an outspoken feminist who actually shows up to a party in a beautiful dress and is renowned for her music.

Essentially, the author just lifted the names of Austen's characters, and then plunked everyone down in London amongst wyverns and dragons (which WAS fun, I agree.) The story was slow moving and did not hold my attention. I was really disappointed in this book!

The perks: creative story idea (though why not just write your story and give your characters their own names?) and no foul language..

My Rating: 5+

Intense. Riveting. Enthralling. Downright Amazing!

"Offer respect, not rescue, and she will triumph." (quote from the book)

Right from the start, I was swept away and transported back into the world created by Mr. Verant in his first book, 'Miss Bennet's Dragon', a retelling of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice infused with draca, wyfe bindings and the Napoleonic war.

"I am Emma Woodhouse. I have three secrets." (quote from the book)

Emma Woodhouse (handsome, clever, and rich...'Emma' by Jane Austen) arrives in London with her good friend, Harriet Smith, where they attend Mary Bennet and Georgiana Darcy's 'Musical Salon and Social Discourse upon Feminine Power, the Right of All Women to Bind, and other Topics'. Emma is determined to find a way for Harriet to be allowed to bind, as 'no gentleman would marry a woman forbidden to bind draca.' Harriet Smith in this story is a black woman. With introductions to Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy and her husband, Emma is distracted by her response to them. But no sooner are introductions made when all hell breaks loose. The intensity of the story is set and we learn two of Emma's secrets and a revelation about the Darcy's. This is just the first chapter and so much is at stake.

"I do not want to vanish into the shadows. People vanish too easily." (quote from the book)

This story is told from two main perspectives, Emma Woodhouse and Elizabeth Darcy. However, Mary Bennet is given her due as well and it is powerful. I enjoyed each of their perspectives as the saga unfolds. A web of political intrigue, great losses in the war effort, treason, Royal artifacts and abduction of wyves makes our heroines search for answers much more dangerous and difficult. Throw the control of draca into the mix, and it becomes downright deadly.

"My wyfe of war is claimed by another. She is hidden. Drowned in your song." (quote from the book)

There is no way my review can do justice to all that this book encompasses. But I will say, that in my opinion, Emma Woodhouse was an excellent Jane Austen character choice. Although she is clever, she was indulged, naive and believes herself to be right in how she is helping Harriet. I felt the interactions between all the characters was well developed and realistic. And like Elizabeth in book one, Emma needs to find her place in the world outside of her little village of Highbury to grow and learn from her mistakes. Elizabeth's role was a tour de force and one that still leaves me in wonder. But Emma's journey, along with the others, is far from over...it is just beginning.

"To sound our claim,
the three wyves came:
of healing, wise
of song, who cries
of war, Arise."

I highly recommend 'Emma's Dragon (Jane Austen Fantasy #2)' but strongly suggest you read 'Miss Bennet's Dragon' first in order to fully appreciate and understand the full scope and complexity of this amazing saga!

Thank you to Acerbic Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. I am voluntarily leaving my review.

I did a re-read of Miss Bennett’s dragon before starting this. And I was so glad I did, if anything I enjoyed it more the second time round.

Emma originally seemed to be an odd choice (to me anyway).

She’s so different to Elizabeth. Manipulative, naive, privileged, overconfident etc. so while I loved the original book Emma it took me a while (a long while) to accept Emma in this.

But once I’d stopped sulking I found I really enjoyed it. And towards the end I was glued to my kindle.

There’s a lot going on here. Apart from the obvious there’s the war, social injustice and slavery. I’m really hoping there isn’t a long wait until the next book.

I voluntarily read a review copy thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.