Miss Bennett’s Dragon by M. Verant
I first read Miss Bennett’s Dragon by M. Verant as a 2025 Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Award (BBNYA) panelist.
BBNYA is an annual Indie book award hosted and judged completely by book bloggers from all over the world. Miss Bennet’s Dragon ended up being the 10th place BBNYA 2025 finalist!
About BBNYA
BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 (17 in 2025) finalists and one overall winner.
If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website or take a peek over on Twitter.
Book details
Page Count: 372 Pages
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Age Category: Adult
Date Published: 28 April 2021
Amazon Link: Canada, USA, UK
Goodreads Link
The Story Graph Link
Blurb
War threatens England, but Elizabeth Bennet’s battles are closer to home. She’s managing the family estate for her ailing father.
Insufferable gentlemen keep bursting in to propose marriage. And most dangerous of all, she’s hiding a forbidden skill. Elizabeth can speak to draca, the small, fire-breathing dragons kept by gentry as frivolous status symbols.
When Napoleon’s spies attempt to steal draca, the distant war threatens even cosy Hertfordshire. Elizabeth seeks the aid of Mr. Darcy, the proud man whose proposal she once scorned. Amid the breath-taking halls of Pemberley, she discovers the truth: she is not the first woman to speak with draca. But with her secret revealed, the dark history of Pemberley tears her and Mr. Darcy apart.
One hope remains: her dangerous affinity to draca. But does she dare to trust legends and lost songs? And when a terrible betrayal threatens the man she loves, does she have a choice?
Miss Bennet’s Dragon is the first book in the award-winning Jane Austen Fantasy trilogy. For fans of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, and of course Jane Austen.
Author bio
M. Verant writes noblebright fantasy and sci-fi that’s exciting, romantic, and celebrates diversity and empowerment. His latest work is Emma’s Dragon, Book 2 in the award-winning Jane Austen Fantasy series. Dragons of the Great Wyves, Book 3 of the trilogy, is next, followed by Tiger Seed, a contemporary fantasy rooted in ancient Indus history. He collects Jane Austen paraphernalia and two-legged dragons while dodging wild turkeys in the San Francisco Bay Area. You can follow him on Bluesky or contact him via his website.
My review
I found the eBook itself was beautifully designed, illustrated, and written. The layout enhances the story, making it a delight to read.
This Pride and Prejudice-inspired fantasy, featuring wyverns and draca, blends gorgeous descriptions with a contemporary tone of voice, thus presenting a brilliant and original concept. I enjoyed reading all the way through as it was thoroughly engaging.
The characters are likeable, multidimensional, and dynamic. Lizzy and the rest of the Bennet sisters are truly endearing! I found myself really rooting for Lizzy (and Jane just a little). I loved Mary and Lydia’s characterisations. And of course, the modern take on the relationship between Lizzy and Darcy captivated me immediately.
Aside from a little confusion near the end – so much was going on, I perhaps misunderstood something – I have no complaints!
Otherwise, I adored the story. I read it in 2 days and the preview for the next instalment has me dying for more!
