Tooth and Claw

3.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews

Summary
A period romance in the style of Jane Austen, but with dragons.

Review
Jo Walton, as she admits in the introduction, really wanted to write a Victorian novel, not much modernized. I'd argue that she hits more of a prior period, and that this is essentially Sense and Sensibility with dragons. The novel is perfectly competent, but unfortunately lacks Austen's sparkle and humor.

The bones of the plot are very familiar, and often felt like they were forced a little too hard into the skin of the dragons involved. Beyond the fact that they eat each other (and they fly, have claws, etc.) there wasn't that much in the story that was really dragon-dependent, and the eating therefore often felt startling and artificial. There's an interesting backstory to the whole thing – a history of conquest by and then freedom from humans, but we don't learn enough about it to satisfy.

Despite its somewhat juryrigged nature, the story did keep me turning the pages. The characters are engaging, and there's a good balance of social strategy and ethical philosophy (freeing servants from literal bondage). There aren't many surprises here, but it's still fun to see it all develop. I'm not sure it's a book we needed, but it's enjoyable. If it fits your parameters, you'll enjoy this. Otherwise, I think you'd be happier with a true Georgian/Regency/Victorian novel or with a fantasy world with deeper worldbuilding.

I've previously read Jo Walton's Farthing (essentially the Mitford family, if I recall) and found it equally competent, but not really to my taste. I'd hoped a dragon-focused book might work better for me, but I'm not sold. I have one more Walton book in my pile, and I hope that one will rely less on props.

The story took a while to really get into gear, but this was great. I expected pastiche but this was much more, some interesting worldbuilding!

My notes read: “P&P&Dragons!”, but really this is the Jane Austin-esque mannerpunk of [b:Sense and Sensibility 14935 Sense and Sensibility Jane Austen https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1397245675l/14935.SY75.jpg 2809709] rather than [b:Pride and Prejudice 1885 Pride and Prejudice Jane Austen https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320399351l/1885.SY75.jpg 3060926]. And the time is deliciously Victorian than Regency. And, of course, the ladies to be married off are dragons.That aside, this is a lovely book. I loved the intricate dragon society – as much if not more intricate than the actual upper-class English society that actually existed – and the utter unconcern with death that forms part of it. Victorian death culture is fascinating, and in dragon society where it's expected you will eat your elders (and your weakling young), death is treated in a way that extends the Victorian fascination and acceptance of it. (I recently published a paper on death culture so it particularly stands out for me).Walton gently and lovingly pokes fun at Austin in a way that will amuse Austin readers. The chapter titles count the number of proposals, confessions, and deaths. I listened to the audio version so I can't exactly recall the titles but they were along the lines of A Second Proposal or A Fourth Proposal and a Second Confession, or A Second Deathbed. Finally, the narrator confesses they have lost the count, which was perhaps the most amusing part of the story.The young sisters to be married off (and you know they will be married off, that's how it works) have perhaps the least agency in the book, but I forgive their wallflowerness simply because it is in the style of Austin. I probably shouldn't, because I don't forgive other fantasy books the things that annoy me simply because “that's what actually happened” in the time period in which they are based, but, eh.Also, because I am into that sort of thing, the side-story of underground heresy was particularly of interest to me, although if you have no interest in Church and Reformation history it won't make any difference to your appreciation of the story.If you're into mannerpunk and Austin, I completely recommend this.

It took a little while for me to get into Tooth and Claw, but after the first two or three chapters I found it quite thoroughly engaging. It can be difficult to envision dragons riding trains and writing letters and it is a VERY literal book, but it is absolutely delightful with endearing characters!

8.5/10 - Highly Recommended

Full Review: http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2016/09/review-of-tooth-and-claw-by-jo-walton/