The Iron Dragon's Daughter

by Michael Swanwick
The Iron Dragon's Daughter cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Fantasy, Young Adult
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Technical
  • ID: 9014
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-22
  • ISBN: 9780380730469
  • Publisher: Eos
  • Published: 1997-01-01
  • Reviews: 3

The Iron Dragon's Daughter tells the heartrending story of a changeling child who is kidnapped to a realm of malls and machines, enslaved in a vast, infernal factory. Her journey of escape and self-education is fraught with tormenting visions of the life she was denied, making her quest to understand this alien world both compelling and tragic./n/nThis novel, named a New York Times notable book of 1994, blends elements of fantasy and dystopian themes, exploring the harsh realities of a mechanical world and the resilience of a young girl seeking her place in it.

Reviews
The Bookbag · 2025-12-22
excellent 4.50

The book is an excellent novel with a powerful and almost brutal vision. The writing transcends the confines of the genre.

This review highlights the book's powerful and almost brutal vision, praising the writing for transcending the confines of the fantasy genre. The reviewer finds the book to be excellent, with a strong and compelling narrative that stands out. The book's inventiveness and the way it blends different elements are particularly noted, making it a standout read. The reviewer appreciates the book's creativity and the way it pushes boundaries, making it a memorable and impactful read.

Quick quotes

    An excellent novel with a powerful, almost brutal vision.

    The writing transcends the confines of the genre.

    The book's inventiveness and boundary-pushing make it a memorable and impactful read.

Jeroen's Thoughts · 2021-02-15
intriguing 4.50

The book is a dark and imaginative tale that blends fantasy and industrial elements in a unique way. The protagonist's journey is both compelling and disturbing.

This review highlights the book's dark and imaginative setting, particularly the Dickensian factory where Jane works. The blend of fantasy and industrial elements creates a unique and unsettling atmosphere. The protagonist's journey is both compelling and disturbing, with a strong focus on her growth and the challenges she faces. The reviewer appreciates the book's creativity and the way it pushes boundaries, making it a standout in the fantasy genre.

Quick quotes

    A dark and imaginative tale that blends fantasy and industrial elements in a unique way.

    The protagonist's journey is both compelling and disturbing.

    The book's creativity and boundary-pushing make it a standout in the fantasy genre.

Black Gate · 2016-05-04
outrageous 4.00

The book is a wild and creative ride filled with madness, sex, and absurdity. It's a unique and outrageous feat of imagination.

This review praises the book's wild and creative storytelling, highlighting its blend of madness, sex, and absurdity. The reviewer finds the book to be a unique and outrageous feat of imagination, with a mix of elements that make it stand out. The book's creativity and willingness to push boundaries are particularly noted, making it a memorable read. The reviewer appreciates the book's inventiveness and the way it challenges traditional fantasy tropes.

Quick quotes

    An outrageous feat of creativity that shocks and tickles by turns with madness, sex and absurdity all squashed in together.

    A wild and creative ride filled with unique and outrageous elements.

    The book's inventiveness and boundary-pushing make it a memorable read.

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