I don't much enjoy writing reviews of books I less than liked, nor do I like reading them. They end up filled with bitterness or an egotistical detailed statement of what 'good' and 'bad' writing is and attack on why the reviewed book is 'bad.' Truly, few books are really good or bad. They just aren't for you or are for you. And, when I find myself in a book that I realize is no longer for me, or is not the right time in my life to read, I will move on and find another. These past couple of days I found myself halfway through two books that I realized I wasn't much enjoying and so, valuing my time, I put them down. For I rather enjoy more, have a feed and life filled with good memories, epic tales of adventure and reads that otherwise make me think deeply or feel completely submerged in beautiful storytelling. Few times will I press on through a book of the sort that isn't working for me, the exceptions being if it's for a book club pick (because I find it worth it to be a part of the discussion) or if I purchased it. In this case, I purchased this book. 
 I purchased this book having wanted to read it for some time. I found it so clever and such a fresh idea to both take an approach to dragons in a scientific way, to study them, and also to write a work of fiction as a memoir, a look back on one woman's life. Not to mention, I love strong female leads who admit their weaknesses but are stubborn enough to further fight and prove what they are capable of. Plus, I was infatuated with the cover. Probably one of my favorite book covers. 
 And maybe it was the cover that I went in with expectations and maybe it was my expectations that led me to not enjoy this book as much as I hoped to. For I expected to have many more encounters with dragons, with such a prominent cover and synopsis regarding the study of them. But, when there were, it was more of a swoop in and vanish scenario, which left me wanting more. Going in excited about the way it was told, as a memoir, I found it was that very telling of the past that made me feel less interested, less connected. I, for some reason, couldn't attach myself to the characters or story. I never felt that bit of adventure that I feel any tale involving dragons should contain. 
 With that, I would recommend it to readers of fantasy because, as I say, not every book is for everyone but there is a book for everyone and this may be the book for you. Give it a shot and see. But if it's not, and you don't feel obligated to read it, as I did, then pass and find another. Life is too short and we can only fit in so many books. So try and fill it with those that make you eager to give them praise and allow you to fall deeper in love with storytelling.