Natural History of Dragons (Tropic of Serpents)

In "Tropic of Serpents," Marie Brennan continues the memoirs of Lady Trent, now Mrs. Camherst, and Isabella, obsessed with studying dragons. Three years after her adventures in the mountains, she, against the wishes of her family and social norms, sets off on an expedition to the continent of Eriga—a hot, turbulent land engulfed in war and full of mysteries. Her goal is to study the exotic dragon species native to the tropics: the elusive swamp dragons, the secretive tree dragons, and the swift steppe dragons.

Isabella isn't traveling alone: ​​she's accompanied by an old research partner and a runaway heiress of a noble family, whose connections and knowledge prove invaluable. The journey leads through dangerous lands nicknamed the Green Hell: dense jungles, swampy swamps, and sun-baked savannas. The climate becomes an enemy no less dangerous than predators: sweltering heat, poisonous insects, and fevers sap the party's strength, while a lack of supplies and constant threats force the heroes to use their ingenuity.

Scientific work goes hand in hand with adventure: Isabella makes sketches, records dragon habits, and collects specimens, but her methods and her very role as a female scientist provoke resentment in conservative circles. Political intrigue is added to this: local authorities and rival expeditions see her research as a threat or a tool for their own ends. Isabella must navigate diplomacy, risk, and her own curiosity not only to survive but also to gain new knowledge about dragons—creatures that, in this world, are not magic, but objects of rigorous science.

The climax occurs deep in the jungle, where Isabella encounters the most dangerous and rare species—swamp dragons. Their behavior challenges previous theories, and an attempt to observe them turns into a test of endurance. In the finale, the heroine not only uncovers new data but also cements her reputation, proving that science requires not only intelligence but also courage.
This was the second part of The Natural History of Dragons (Tropic of Serpents)