At the time I read this book, I didn't have the habit of writing reviews. However, after reading the #2 and #3 books that changed. 
 If anyone is still trying to decide whether they should give it a try or not, my advice is a huge YES in big fat letters. 
 You can definitely judge this book by its cover - the amazing art of Todd Lockwood is found not only on the cover but also inside the book - which is thrilling for a fellow artist such as myself. 
 This is one of those series in which the sequels just get better than the previous volumes. It starts out with a beautiful concept - a Victorian-inspired setting, using real world references and turning them into fictional locations for the world building, where dragons exist not as the usual terrifying and magical beasts, but more like reptilian predators with special features that make them an exciting object for scientific study. All this written in the memoir format, and revolving around the main character's life and career progression. 
 Isabella is a woman born to an upper class family in a society where women aren't even permitted to wear pants, let alone go out into the field, venturing through exotic countries, getting dirty and producing scientific knowledge. This social context combined with her passion for dragons create a rich character full of strength, who not only has the guts to dissect specimens and draw everything she sees, but also to withstand male oppression and fight for justice and equality. 
 I strongly identify with her (except that she's much braver and richer than me), not only ideologically but also because her passions and hobbies are also my own - dragons (in my case, also dinosaurs and paleontology), field sketching, scientific illustration, taxonomy, ecology. 
 Despite being inspired by our 19th century, Marie Brennan cleverly approaches LGBT issues without overlooking details and being careful about using terms and words that would be anachronistic, even though this isn't a major element in the books (it becomes bigger in the 3rd). 
 The writing style is delicious, and Isabella's personality is very entertaining - imagine a Victorian lady, not so ladylike, with a sarcastic tone and a rebellious attitude. Even better - READ IT!