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Temeraire #3
Black Powder War
Picking up where book two left off (in China, Macau) Captain Will Laurence and his extraordinary dragon, Temeraire, are ordered to retrieve and escort a precious cargo of valuable dragon eggs from Istanbul to England. They take the Old Silk Road from China to Istanbul, crossing deserts and mountains. En route to England, they help the beleaguered Prussians battle Napoleon.
365 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 30, 2006
1570 people are currently reading
14613 people want to read
About the author
Naomi Novik
70 books35.4k followersAn avid reader of fantasy literature since age six, when she first made her way through The Lord of the Rings, Naomi Novik is also a history buff with a particular interest in the Napoleonic era and a fondness for the work of Patrick O’Brian and Jane Austen. She studied English literature at Brown University, and did graduate work in computer science at Columbia University before leaving to participate in the design and development of the computer game Neverwinter Nights: Shadow of Undrentide. Over the course of a brief winter sojourn spent working on the game in Edmonton, Canada (accompanied by a truly alarming coat that now lives brooding in the depths of her closet), she realized she preferred writing to programming, and on returning to New York, decided to try her hand at novels.
Naomi lives in New York City with her husband and six computers. Her website is at naominovik.com
Naomi lives in New York City with her husband and six computers. Her website is at naominovik.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,300 reviews
July 26, 2017
I read this book a week or more ago and forgot all about a review. See, I'm losing it!
I didn't love this one as much as the first two but anything with Temeraire & Laurence is still great ♥
I didn't love this one as much as the first two but anything with Temeraire & Laurence is still great ♥
March 30, 2020
3.5 stars - while book 2 was a drag and had me questioning continuing with the series, this book returned to what I enjoy about this series! Some new dragons joined the mix that have me very intrigued.
November 29, 2018
Be glad and rejoice, my Little Barnacles, for I am no longer going to write never-ending crappy non-reviews of all the books I read!
All you have to know about this book/series is:
① It is light and cute and fluffy and I love it ergo my reputation is ruined but I don't give a shrimp what you Silly Arthropods think so there. QED and stuff.
② Temeraire and Laurence are MINE. DUH.
③ Napoleon sucks.
④ Temeraire and Laurence are MINE. DUH.
⑤ Sneaking into Other People's Harems (OPH™) will always get you in trouble. Just ask [spoiler spoiler spoiler] and [spoiler spoiler spoiler] here.
⑥ Temeraire and Laurence are MINE. DUH.
⑦ The books is this series kinda sorta make me feel like this:
⑧ Temeraire and Laurence are MINE. DUH.
⑨ The books is this series also kinda sorta make me feel like this:
You are most welcome.
· Book 1: His Majesty's Dragon ★★★★
· Book 2 Throne Of Jade ★★★★
All you have to know about this book/series is:
① It is light and cute and fluffy and I love it ergo my reputation is ruined but I don't give a shrimp what you Silly Arthropods think so there. QED and stuff.
② Temeraire and Laurence are MINE. DUH.
③ Napoleon sucks.
④ Temeraire and Laurence are MINE. DUH.
⑤ Sneaking into Other People's Harems (OPH™) will always get you in trouble. Just ask [spoiler spoiler spoiler] and [spoiler spoiler spoiler] here.
⑥ Temeraire and Laurence are MINE. DUH.
⑦ The books is this series kinda sorta make me feel like this:
⑧ Temeraire and Laurence are MINE. DUH.
⑨ The books is this series also kinda sorta make me feel like this:
You are most welcome.
· Book 1: His Majesty's Dragon ★★★★
· Book 2 Throne Of Jade ★★★★
February 2, 2008
This was another foray into the foreign culture and politics of the Napoleonic era, this time exploring first Istanbul and the Turkish people and then moving north to the crushing military defeat suffered by the Prussians at Napoleon's hands.
I'm sorry to say I think the author fell prey to her own fascination with the military history of the time and lost sight of what the reader's personal interests might be. The second part of the book, the Prussian campaign, dragged considerably. The endless descriptions of troop movements and the crushing weight of poor conditions and lack of food on the troops were given too much attention and slowed down the pace of the book.
That being said, there was much about this book I loved. The colorful and prickly Sultan and his court, the addition of dragon eggs to be protected and cared for, a vengeful Celestial bent not on killing Temeraire, but on stripping him of everything in his life he values were compelling story elements and very exciting to read about.
Also, Lawrence's evolution of mind was the most interesting aspect of the book. He gradually began to see the plight of dragons in Europe through Temeraire's eyes and is evolving more and more into the world's first human activist for dragon rights. Very interesting and appealing to my idealist sensibilities.
I'm sorry to say I think the author fell prey to her own fascination with the military history of the time and lost sight of what the reader's personal interests might be. The second part of the book, the Prussian campaign, dragged considerably. The endless descriptions of troop movements and the crushing weight of poor conditions and lack of food on the troops were given too much attention and slowed down the pace of the book.
That being said, there was much about this book I loved. The colorful and prickly Sultan and his court, the addition of dragon eggs to be protected and cared for, a vengeful Celestial bent not on killing Temeraire, but on stripping him of everything in his life he values were compelling story elements and very exciting to read about.
Also, Lawrence's evolution of mind was the most interesting aspect of the book. He gradually began to see the plight of dragons in Europe through Temeraire's eyes and is evolving more and more into the world's first human activist for dragon rights. Very interesting and appealing to my idealist sensibilities.
August 17, 2025
After a bit slow second book the story is gaining momentum.
More action, more battles, more interesting interactions and encounters. The world of dragons is getting bigger and Temeraire seems to be leading a revolution.
The writing style is still very good and Novik is great in using fantasy elements for political and social critic - this is a book about the war on tyranny but not just Napoleon's.
More action, more battles, more interesting interactions and encounters. The world of dragons is getting bigger and Temeraire seems to be leading a revolution.
The writing style is still very good and Novik is great in using fantasy elements for political and social critic - this is a book about the war on tyranny but not just Napoleon's.
October 1, 2018
Mini Review: Another enjoyable installment in the Temeraire series. The military angle became a little more prominent in this book, but I didn’t mind it as much as I might have in most other circumstances because of one important thing: no matter what else is going on in the story, Novik never forgets to keep the dragons at the center of attention. She always brings it back to them, highlighting the novelty and fun, and I’m certain that’s why I’m always engaged during sections that would be a detriment to any other story (lengthy travel scenes, lots of dialogue, and battle sequences – I should clarify that I love military strategy and combat in general, but after the thousandth and one battle scenes in all things fantasy, they start to sound the same… I lose interest unless it’s done with a unique twist). Overall, I’m still very much in love with the dragons in this series, and am eager to find out where the story goes next. I’ll be picking up a copy of book #4 as soon as possible! :)
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.nikihawkes.com
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.nikihawkes.com
February 17, 2021
Fantastic! On to the next!
August 19, 2015
Sadly, the third book in the Temeraire series just wasn't quite in the same league as the two previous entries. Part of this is likely due to over-exposure, since I am reading them in succession with no breaks, and the other part is that this tale feels a lot like a transition piece (the pause, obligatory plate stomp, and then the windup before the pitch). Which is fine, as the journey to China took so very long in book 2, and to have a repeat journey on the way back in the very next book would have been dreadful to work through. Add in some urgency, questionable sailing conditions, and Laurence & Temeraire's anxiousness to get home, and voila!, instant plot progression.
What follows is more of what we've gotten used to with Naomi Novik's writing; deep and thoughtful discussions between man & dragon, interludes with some of the supporting cast, and some battles for good measure. Helpful distractions this time around come in the form of Tharkay, a mixed heritage guide who needs to be elevated to a much more prominent role (his character is conflicted, capable, and thoroughly engaging), some feral dragons met along the way, and a returning antagonist from book 2.
What we also get here is a view of the Prussian involvement in the Napoleonic Wars (events changed obviously to suit the inclusion of dragons), but still accurate enough to their reliance on outdated tactics and the stolid assurance on those tactics by the Prussian officers. Needless to say, outdated tactics do not for a victory make... It's accurate enough, in spirit at least, that avid historians shouldn't cry "foul". The Prussian Queen makes for a great distraction, albeit one who's there and gone in a flash.
And yeah, that's about it. Laurence and Temeraire are engaging as always, the crew have brief moments to shine as per usual, and the danger is always real (supporting characters don't always make it out alive or unscathed). Oh, and then there's the...ahhhh...new addition to the fold, who is MOST welcome (honestly, this should have happened sooner). I can't wait to see how this new addition works into the narrative in the future novels.
So yeah, not a bad book by any means, but definitely not up to par. We had to get our crew back to England somehow, I guess, and at least we get some action and adventure along the way (as opposed to many more months at sea again).
What follows is more of what we've gotten used to with Naomi Novik's writing; deep and thoughtful discussions between man & dragon, interludes with some of the supporting cast, and some battles for good measure. Helpful distractions this time around come in the form of Tharkay, a mixed heritage guide who needs to be elevated to a much more prominent role (his character is conflicted, capable, and thoroughly engaging), some feral dragons met along the way, and a returning antagonist from book 2.
What we also get here is a view of the Prussian involvement in the Napoleonic Wars (events changed obviously to suit the inclusion of dragons), but still accurate enough to their reliance on outdated tactics and the stolid assurance on those tactics by the Prussian officers. Needless to say, outdated tactics do not for a victory make... It's accurate enough, in spirit at least, that avid historians shouldn't cry "foul". The Prussian Queen makes for a great distraction, albeit one who's there and gone in a flash.
And yeah, that's about it. Laurence and Temeraire are engaging as always, the crew have brief moments to shine as per usual, and the danger is always real (supporting characters don't always make it out alive or unscathed). Oh, and then there's the...ahhhh...new addition to the fold, who is MOST welcome (honestly, this should have happened sooner). I can't wait to see how this new addition works into the narrative in the future novels.
So yeah, not a bad book by any means, but definitely not up to par. We had to get our crew back to England somehow, I guess, and at least we get some action and adventure along the way (as opposed to many more months at sea again).
January 8, 2014
TEMERAIRE IS BACK, BITCHES!
So yeah, my worries about this series going downhill after Throne of Jade were completely unnecessary!
A few mindblowingly awesometacular things Black Powder War brough to this series:
-Tharkay. That is all. Tharkay alone is enough reason to read this series. Without spoiling anything about him, I can pretty much guarantee that you will find Tharkay, in and of himself, mindblowingly awesometacular.
-The trip around the world was way, way better executed in this book. It gave us some seriously awesome scenes, and the world-building in this series is downright astounding.
-SOOO many awesome fight scenes. SOOOO much funny! SOOO much intrigue, drama, love and just-ansjalcnasf!!!
-Lien and Napoleon Bonaparte are working together. Awesome team up is awesome!
-Dear god, the men in this series! Laurence - the stoic, heroic, bloody sexy gentleman I fell in love with in book 1 - is back, along with his lovable Second in Command Granby, and now we have Tharkay too! (READ. THIS. SERIES. IT GAVE US THARKAY!)
-Iskierka! To avoid spoilers, I will say only two words: EPIC WIN!
And that, folks, in only the tip of the iceberg! If I was to list all the awesome things about this series, I would be here all night, but I'm sleep-deprived as it is. I will, however, end on this note:
PETER FUCKING JACKSON HAS OPTIONED THIS SERIES!!! HE'S DEBATING WHETHER TO MAKE IT A MOVIE OR A SERIES! I BEG OF YOU! I WOULD WATCH THAT SHIT TO DEATH! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!
So yeah, my worries about this series going downhill after Throne of Jade were completely unnecessary!
A few mindblowingly awesometacular things Black Powder War brough to this series:
-Tharkay. That is all. Tharkay alone is enough reason to read this series. Without spoiling anything about him, I can pretty much guarantee that you will find Tharkay, in and of himself, mindblowingly awesometacular.
-The trip around the world was way, way better executed in this book. It gave us some seriously awesome scenes, and the world-building in this series is downright astounding.
-SOOO many awesome fight scenes. SOOOO much funny! SOOO much intrigue, drama, love and just-ansjalcnasf!!!
-Lien and Napoleon Bonaparte are working together. Awesome team up is awesome!
-Dear god, the men in this series! Laurence - the stoic, heroic, bloody sexy gentleman I fell in love with in book 1 - is back, along with his lovable Second in Command Granby, and now we have Tharkay too! (READ. THIS. SERIES. IT GAVE US THARKAY!)
-Iskierka! To avoid spoilers, I will say only two words: EPIC WIN!
And that, folks, in only the tip of the iceberg! If I was to list all the awesome things about this series, I would be here all night, but I'm sleep-deprived as it is. I will, however, end on this note:
PETER FUCKING JACKSON HAS OPTIONED THIS SERIES!!! HE'S DEBATING WHETHER TO MAKE IT A MOVIE OR A SERIES! I BEG OF YOU! I WOULD WATCH THAT SHIT TO DEATH! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!
August 14, 2024
Pueeeees. No me aburrí ni nada de eso. Estaba entretenida y quería saber qué pasaba, sobre todo con la dragona rencorosa (que tenía sus motivos, vale. Pero tenía una forma horrible de gestionar el dolor).
Aunque me gustaron bastante los dragones salvajes y la forma de "reclutarlos"😂, eso fue una parte ínfima del total de la trama que, sin estar mal, era bastante corriente.
Es como si esta saga fuera perdiendo un poco de brillo cada vez y ya casi no le queda brillo que perder. Si sigue así se va a convertir en un agujero negro. GL (Restos de serie. Temerario)
Aunque me gustaron bastante los dragones salvajes y la forma de "reclutarlos"😂, eso fue una parte ínfima del total de la trama que, sin estar mal, era bastante corriente.
Es como si esta saga fuera perdiendo un poco de brillo cada vez y ya casi no le queda brillo que perder. Si sigue así se va a convertir en un agujero negro. GL (Restos de serie. Temerario)
November 11, 2017
Plotwise, I didn't like this one as much as the first 2 books in the series. It was a bit weak and it dragged at times. But it had charm!
The interaction between different races of dragons, the bond between Temeraire and his crew, the description of wild dragons after their first taste of cow...these were truly wonderful.
And Temeraire's new little friend, tiny and fierce and absolutely adorable is the star of this book! For her sake alone, this whole part of Temeraire's journey is entirely worth it! I'm looking forward to seeing her all grown up.
The interaction between different races of dragons, the bond between Temeraire and his crew, the description of wild dragons after their first taste of cow...these were truly wonderful.
And Temeraire's new little friend, tiny and fierce and absolutely adorable is the star of this book! For her sake alone, this whole part of Temeraire's journey is entirely worth it! I'm looking forward to seeing her all grown up.
February 2, 2013
Black Powder War has a definite "middle of a series" flavor about it--not unlike trying to read one of the Aubrey-Maturins. It reads a lot more like a series of unrelated episodes than one big plot. But as with Patrick O'Brian, if you think about it as one big ongoing story, that makes it less jarring! Plus, there's lots more goodness here with Novik's dragons, interesting glimpses into how more cultures besides Britain treat their dragons, and some new and entertaining characters both human and draconic.
I was a trifle surprised that this book came out to be a lot more along the lines of "two disparate plots smooshed together into one book" rather than one big plot. You have Plot Number 1, which is Laurence and Temeraire going to Turkey to get the three dragon eggs, and Plot Number 2, which is Laurence and Temeraire having to stop over on the way home to help the Austrians fight off Napoleon. There is no particular overall resolution, either--no great victory achieved in the fighting--and ultimately Laurence and Temeraire head home to Britain because there's not much else they can do. But as I mentioned above, realizing that this episodic, "middle of a series" feel is something I've seen before in Patrick O'Brian made it much less jarring.
I do feel like we had a bit too much of a rush from Plot 1 to Plot 2, nevertheless. There were plenty of interesting hints dropped about why the Turks were balking on surrendering the eggs, and about the fate of the British ambassador--but none of that ever got played out to my satisfaction, and instead we just went to Laurence deciding that they were just going to steal the eggs and hightail it away as fast as possible. Not that I think that was out of character for him necessarily (and I was at least pleased to see him fretting about whether he was going to get in trouble for that impulsive decision, later), but I really did rather want to know what the heck was up with that. And whether the hints dropped about Laurence's orders to pick up the eggs in the first place were bogus.
Writing-wise, the book didn't throw me any of those occasional moments of music in the prose that I saw in His Majesty's Dragon, but that was quite all right. There was plenty for me to like here, and first and foremost, there was a whole new pile of information about the dragons of the world. I particularly liked the revelation of at least one and possibly more dragon languages--including mentioning of sounds in them that human throats cannot produce. Which is absolutely right, and, as Temeraire exulted, is additional evidence that dragons are in fact Sentients. Temeraire in fact expresses the hope that the knowledge that dragons are making their own languages can help convince British society to treat them as equals--and I very much hope that we'll see Temeraire getting to fight that fight.
Similarly, I loved the introduction of the feral dragons led by Arkady. They were admittedly a ragtag kind of band, and perhaps not the most sterling example of what dragons on their own might do in establishing their own society. But on the other hand, I expect it could be argued that given humanity's dominance of the planet, dragons don't have much room to establish their own society to any huge detail. We certainly see dragons with a higher standard of living in Throne of Jade--but I think that's almost more because dragons are living alongside humans, and we have no real idea of how much societal development there is because of dragons thinking up things, and how much of it is humanity doing so.
Quite a bit of goodness involving the Chinese dragon Lien, too. I really like that she is shaping up as an antagonist in her own right, and that she is going out and seizing her own fate even if it's because she's motivated to turn Laurence and Temeraire's lives into a living hell. This, too, is absolutely right in a setting where the dragons are People. We need to see dragons who can do exactly this kind of thing, rather than relying upon human companions to be in charge of them.
Hands down, though, the best of the new dragon characters is Iskierka! I absolutely loved her, I loved that she was a female, I loved that Granby finally got his dragon, and I loved that Temeraire was actually jealous of surrendering him to Iskierka as her captain. Someone on was giggling over Novik taking the term "spitfire" literally with this little hellion, and I have to giggle over that myself. I particularly had to laugh and laugh at the fleeting reference to her accidentally charring her own food--which was done exactly right, just a quick mention and *boom*, move on, just fast enough to leave you a hysterical visual of a baby dragon looking bemused at the ashy mess she's made of her meal. ;) That's a fan art opportunity if I ever saw one!
Meanwhile, on the human side of things, I also liked Tharkay as a character and how he eventually shaped up to be almost a parallel to the dragons--not allowed to be considered a true equal of Respectable Society (read: white and British :P ) because of his mixed race, yet too useful to really be cast aside. I didn't blame him in the slightest for being bitter, and I appreciated that Laurence eventually got the clue and reached an accord with him. And I really liked that Tharkay did in fact go back and get the ferals. I was sad to see his eagle get bumped off, though. Sniff.
And I liked the glimpses we had of Napoleon as well as the Austrian monarchs, which put a more immediate face upon the ongoing war. I especially liked the exchange that Laurence managed to overhear between Lien and Napoleon (even though it was awfully convenient that he was in the right place at the right time to see that).
And I liked that the fighting in the second half of the book did not in fact result in victory--because it makes for good storytelling to see Laurence and Temeraire have to deal with defeat as well as victory, especially Temeraire.
All in all, not my favorite of the Novik books so far, but definitely still solid!
I was a trifle surprised that this book came out to be a lot more along the lines of "two disparate plots smooshed together into one book" rather than one big plot. You have Plot Number 1, which is Laurence and Temeraire going to Turkey to get the three dragon eggs, and Plot Number 2, which is Laurence and Temeraire having to stop over on the way home to help the Austrians fight off Napoleon. There is no particular overall resolution, either--no great victory achieved in the fighting--and ultimately Laurence and Temeraire head home to Britain because there's not much else they can do. But as I mentioned above, realizing that this episodic, "middle of a series" feel is something I've seen before in Patrick O'Brian made it much less jarring.
I do feel like we had a bit too much of a rush from Plot 1 to Plot 2, nevertheless. There were plenty of interesting hints dropped about why the Turks were balking on surrendering the eggs, and about the fate of the British ambassador--but none of that ever got played out to my satisfaction, and instead we just went to Laurence deciding that they were just going to steal the eggs and hightail it away as fast as possible. Not that I think that was out of character for him necessarily (and I was at least pleased to see him fretting about whether he was going to get in trouble for that impulsive decision, later), but I really did rather want to know what the heck was up with that. And whether the hints dropped about Laurence's orders to pick up the eggs in the first place were bogus.
Writing-wise, the book didn't throw me any of those occasional moments of music in the prose that I saw in His Majesty's Dragon, but that was quite all right. There was plenty for me to like here, and first and foremost, there was a whole new pile of information about the dragons of the world. I particularly liked the revelation of at least one and possibly more dragon languages--including mentioning of sounds in them that human throats cannot produce. Which is absolutely right, and, as Temeraire exulted, is additional evidence that dragons are in fact Sentients. Temeraire in fact expresses the hope that the knowledge that dragons are making their own languages can help convince British society to treat them as equals--and I very much hope that we'll see Temeraire getting to fight that fight.
Similarly, I loved the introduction of the feral dragons led by Arkady. They were admittedly a ragtag kind of band, and perhaps not the most sterling example of what dragons on their own might do in establishing their own society. But on the other hand, I expect it could be argued that given humanity's dominance of the planet, dragons don't have much room to establish their own society to any huge detail. We certainly see dragons with a higher standard of living in Throne of Jade--but I think that's almost more because dragons are living alongside humans, and we have no real idea of how much societal development there is because of dragons thinking up things, and how much of it is humanity doing so.
Quite a bit of goodness involving the Chinese dragon Lien, too. I really like that she is shaping up as an antagonist in her own right, and that she is going out and seizing her own fate even if it's because she's motivated to turn Laurence and Temeraire's lives into a living hell. This, too, is absolutely right in a setting where the dragons are People. We need to see dragons who can do exactly this kind of thing, rather than relying upon human companions to be in charge of them.
Hands down, though, the best of the new dragon characters is Iskierka! I absolutely loved her, I loved that she was a female, I loved that Granby finally got his dragon, and I loved that Temeraire was actually jealous of surrendering him to Iskierka as her captain. Someone on was giggling over Novik taking the term "spitfire" literally with this little hellion, and I have to giggle over that myself. I particularly had to laugh and laugh at the fleeting reference to her accidentally charring her own food--which was done exactly right, just a quick mention and *boom*, move on, just fast enough to leave you a hysterical visual of a baby dragon looking bemused at the ashy mess she's made of her meal. ;) That's a fan art opportunity if I ever saw one!
Meanwhile, on the human side of things, I also liked Tharkay as a character and how he eventually shaped up to be almost a parallel to the dragons--not allowed to be considered a true equal of Respectable Society (read: white and British :P ) because of his mixed race, yet too useful to really be cast aside. I didn't blame him in the slightest for being bitter, and I appreciated that Laurence eventually got the clue and reached an accord with him. And I really liked that Tharkay did in fact go back and get the ferals. I was sad to see his eagle get bumped off, though. Sniff.
And I liked the glimpses we had of Napoleon as well as the Austrian monarchs, which put a more immediate face upon the ongoing war. I especially liked the exchange that Laurence managed to overhear between Lien and Napoleon (even though it was awfully convenient that he was in the right place at the right time to see that).
And I liked that the fighting in the second half of the book did not in fact result in victory--because it makes for good storytelling to see Laurence and Temeraire have to deal with defeat as well as victory, especially Temeraire.
All in all, not my favorite of the Novik books so far, but definitely still solid!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2017
A fascinating journey with a rousing finish. (Also amusing how easily one takes England's side; down with the tyrant Napoleon!)
April 18, 2021
An excellent addition to the series and probably my favourite so far.
December 6, 2022
Un poquito repetitivo y aburrido pero me ha encantado conocer mejor el caracter de Temerario y tengo muchas ganas de saber cómo continua, sobre todo por cierta dragona blanca 😱
December 23, 2013
I am seriously becoming progressively more disenchanted with this series the longer I continue reading. The faults seem to magnify and the good points seem to dwindle the more I read.
These books seem more like a historical recounting rather than story. Before, in the other two books, the focus was more on the characters and the world. But now, the main importance seems more about political ideologies and the war between France and the world. Perhaps it is because I don't habitually enjoy historical fiction, but I find most of the book dry and plot-less. The end does pick up though.
I know it's important for the series that Temeraire pushes for dragon rights and equality and all that good stuff, but good grief, I'm getting sick of it. It's like I'm reading the Social Contract or something. Not to mention his naivety is getting a little grating. It's expected and completely in character, but argh it's getting frustrating to the point where I personally think it becomes more of a flaw in the character design.
Also, the bond between Temeraire and Laurence is also becoming less believable as the series progresses. They are basically inseparable, but there has been so many events that seems to make them disagree and split apart. And yet, there are no real compromising scenes of philosophical agreement or discussion of such personal differences, there is no resolution to their disagreement. Instead, they rely on the initial bond to keep them together and in harmony. Which is more of an easy excuse to mend any problems.
I'm starting to get annoyed at Laurence and his stiff-necked formality. I just love reading about his one-sided understanding of how the world works and how duty and authority is the meaning to life, basically. Ah, excuse my dripping sarcasm. Sigh, I don't hate him. But it's just that sometimes Laurence is a hard main character to love.
And then the plot. Where is the plot???? (I know it's not good writing, but I use so many question marks because I am that desperate!) I'm getting bored of how slow the book is progressing. It seems we stop in every single city and wind up having problems that are so easily solved in the end, but somehow it takes a couple hundred pages. It's getting to the point where I contemplate skipping every fifty pages to see if I would even miss anything important.
Oh yes, yes. I'm just ranting about my problems with the book. Sure, there are some good points too. It's all the same stuff as the first two books. Novik writes well, she has a strong understanding of how to write characters and hidden emotions, and etc.
At first I had also written off the battles because the fighting in the first two books were hardly interesting, being more about forced action and historical references. But surprisingly, I enjoyed most of the war scenes towards the end simply because they seemed to be contain more about strategy and decision making more than a mere battle. Unfortunately, dragon battle is just as ridiculous as it was in the first book. Similarly, the ending always seems to be a dragon-ex-machina and they mysteriously get out of an impossibly battle situation, no problem. Bah.
Ultimately, I just can't get over the problems that seem to be growing in size. Or maybe I just have a magnifying glass glued to my eyes as I read the book, who knows.
Or maybe it's because I'm reading this series one right after the other without much pause - and maybe Novik's slow paced books need a year in between so you can build up the patience to read through it without wanting to slam your head on the wall because the story moves so slowly.
Who knows.
Regardless, two and a half stars, because it is strong writing. Rounded down because I am so frustrated. Might round up later if I'm feeling less annoyed later, but I doubt it.
I don't think I will pick up the next book. Maybe not for another year and I build up the curiosity of what happens next. Maybe.
These books seem more like a historical recounting rather than story. Before, in the other two books, the focus was more on the characters and the world. But now, the main importance seems more about political ideologies and the war between France and the world. Perhaps it is because I don't habitually enjoy historical fiction, but I find most of the book dry and plot-less. The end does pick up though.
I know it's important for the series that Temeraire pushes for dragon rights and equality and all that good stuff, but good grief, I'm getting sick of it. It's like I'm reading the Social Contract or something. Not to mention his naivety is getting a little grating. It's expected and completely in character, but argh it's getting frustrating to the point where I personally think it becomes more of a flaw in the character design.
Also, the bond between Temeraire and Laurence is also becoming less believable as the series progresses. They are basically inseparable, but there has been so many events that seems to make them disagree and split apart. And yet, there are no real compromising scenes of philosophical agreement or discussion of such personal differences, there is no resolution to their disagreement. Instead, they rely on the initial bond to keep them together and in harmony. Which is more of an easy excuse to mend any problems.
I'm starting to get annoyed at Laurence and his stiff-necked formality. I just love reading about his one-sided understanding of how the world works and how duty and authority is the meaning to life, basically. Ah, excuse my dripping sarcasm. Sigh, I don't hate him. But it's just that sometimes Laurence is a hard main character to love.
And then the plot. Where is the plot???? (I know it's not good writing, but I use so many question marks because I am that desperate!) I'm getting bored of how slow the book is progressing. It seems we stop in every single city and wind up having problems that are so easily solved in the end, but somehow it takes a couple hundred pages. It's getting to the point where I contemplate skipping every fifty pages to see if I would even miss anything important.
Oh yes, yes. I'm just ranting about my problems with the book. Sure, there are some good points too. It's all the same stuff as the first two books. Novik writes well, she has a strong understanding of how to write characters and hidden emotions, and etc.
At first I had also written off the battles because the fighting in the first two books were hardly interesting, being more about forced action and historical references. But surprisingly, I enjoyed most of the war scenes towards the end simply because they seemed to be contain more about strategy and decision making more than a mere battle. Unfortunately, dragon battle is just as ridiculous as it was in the first book. Similarly, the ending always seems to be a dragon-ex-machina and they mysteriously get out of an impossibly battle situation, no problem. Bah.
Ultimately, I just can't get over the problems that seem to be growing in size. Or maybe I just have a magnifying glass glued to my eyes as I read the book, who knows.
Or maybe it's because I'm reading this series one right after the other without much pause - and maybe Novik's slow paced books need a year in between so you can build up the patience to read through it without wanting to slam your head on the wall because the story moves so slowly.
Who knows.
Regardless, two and a half stars, because it is strong writing. Rounded down because I am so frustrated. Might round up later if I'm feeling less annoyed later, but I doubt it.
I don't think I will pick up the next book. Maybe not for another year and I build up the curiosity of what happens next. Maybe.
July 3, 2015
I'm still enjoying this series, but I think the spark, that initial sense of magic and wonderment I first felt when I read His Majesty's Dragon, has faded.
I believe the ongoing war against Napoleon and the action-filled aerial dragon battles are meant to be the focus and highlight of these books, and that unique premise certainly sets this series apart from much of the other fantasy offerings out there. But if I'm to be completely honest, while reading this third book, I found myself constantly fighting the urge to skim over the fight scenes.
It's not that I don't find them well-written or interesting; but for me the best part has always been the forming and strengthening of the bond between Lawrence and Temeraire. That was what made His Majesty's Dragon a five star read for me, but it was even obvious by the end of that first book in the series that the captain and his dragon would be loyal to the death to each other and inseparable.
There's nowhere else for that relationship to go, and so we are left with their debates regarding the treatment and rights of dragons as the only source of tension between them, if that could even count as a conflict. I'm looking forward to see where this thread will take us as I continue with the series, but it still pales in comparison to that fascinating dynamic they had in the first book.
I believe the ongoing war against Napoleon and the action-filled aerial dragon battles are meant to be the focus and highlight of these books, and that unique premise certainly sets this series apart from much of the other fantasy offerings out there. But if I'm to be completely honest, while reading this third book, I found myself constantly fighting the urge to skim over the fight scenes.
It's not that I don't find them well-written or interesting; but for me the best part has always been the forming and strengthening of the bond between Lawrence and Temeraire. That was what made His Majesty's Dragon a five star read for me, but it was even obvious by the end of that first book in the series that the captain and his dragon would be loyal to the death to each other and inseparable.
There's nowhere else for that relationship to go, and so we are left with their debates regarding the treatment and rights of dragons as the only source of tension between them, if that could even count as a conflict. I'm looking forward to see where this thread will take us as I continue with the series, but it still pales in comparison to that fascinating dynamic they had in the first book.
May 9, 2021
I never would have guessed that I could be this fond of a series about the Napoleonic Wars. This volume has Temeraire and Laurence and crew traveling back overland from China. The action is just intermittent enough for us to take in the scenery, the privations of each leg, to really relax and catch our breath before BAM! we're right back in the thick. My world history is sorely lacking, so I asked the Spouse to fill me in on some of the background. I love these books, and the burgeoning rights of dragonkind cause. I love that Laurence knows full well how long it will take to earn legal reforms as well as sympathy for the cause, but that he is growing to realize how important the ideal is. Fantasy with a social conscience: yum.
Library copy.
9/19/2011
Library copy.
9/19/2011
October 3, 2015
I liked this volume more, in spite of the more developed military sections - Tharkay & Iskierka make for great additions to the cast of characters. I'm much more excited to continue the series (though I still plan to take a break and read a few different books first).
November 8, 2019
Cook güzeldi, arka arkaya okumak yerine araya kitap alıp okumalı zira üst üste okunursa sıkıcı gelebilir...küçük ateş püsküren yeni favorim😍
July 10, 2015
After reading the series, I've decided Captain Riley is incompetent, bigoted, and immature, and I question Laurence's people-reading skills in promoting him to captain.
I'm learning more about the Napoleonic War from this series, despite the fictional dragons. It's a pretty decent alternate history, romanticized of course, but close enough in some scenes to the "truth" to trigger my interest (so I look things up, comparing the historic account with the fictional). I like the way Novik writes, despite her overuse of the word "isolate" as an adjective.
Setting: 1806. Team Temeraire takes Marco Polo's old Silk Road out of China, to Turkey, to Prussia. The book ends directly after the siege of Danzig (Gdańsk).
I liked this story, even if the pacing got bogged down in Prussian campaigning (by committee, with outdated strategies). Loved the characters. Here be dragons! Huzzah for the beast-baby Iskierka and for shrewd, swaggering Arkady! I got a chill from that scene between Temeraire and ice-cold Lien. Yikes.
And here we meet the inscrutable Tharkay, half-Nepalese, half-British, fully ostracized. Totally hot.
Cried at the end, when
I'm learning more about the Napoleonic War from this series, despite the fictional dragons. It's a pretty decent alternate history, romanticized of course, but close enough in some scenes to the "truth" to trigger my interest (so I look things up, comparing the historic account with the fictional). I like the way Novik writes, despite her overuse of the word "isolate" as an adjective.
Setting: 1806. Team Temeraire takes Marco Polo's old Silk Road out of China, to Turkey, to Prussia. The book ends directly after the siege of Danzig (Gdańsk).
I liked this story, even if the pacing got bogged down in Prussian campaigning (by committee, with outdated strategies). Loved the characters. Here be dragons! Huzzah for the beast-baby Iskierka and for shrewd, swaggering Arkady! I got a chill from that scene between Temeraire and ice-cold Lien. Yikes.
And here we meet the inscrutable Tharkay, half-Nepalese, half-British, fully ostracized. Totally hot.
Cried at the end, when
June 22, 2017
21/6/2017
Trigger warnings: lots and lots and LOTS of animals get slaughtered and fed to dragons. Deaths by falling. War. Dragon masturbation. That one's not a trigger warning so much as a heads up because it's freaking weird.
Anyway.
I stand by pretty much everything I said last time. I think I found the pacing a little slower this time around? I liked the second half but I don't think I *loved* it?? That said, Iskierka is fucking fabulous and I love her.
21/5/2012
Plot summary: Temeraire, his captain, William Laurence, and his crew are back on ship, ready to sail back to England from China, when a letter is received ordering them to Istanbul to collect three dragon eggs England has purchased. When the ship catches fire, they decide to travel overland and encounter many dangers. Upon arrival in Istanbul, they are more or less taken prisoner, and refused the eggs. They ultimately escape, and are en route home when they become involved in the Prussian land war against Napoleon.
Thoughts: I wasn't a big fan of the first half of this book. It seemed like things were getting very formulaic. You know, some kind of journey, Temeraire eats some livestock, there's a very minor battle in which a crew member you've never heard of is killed. Rinse and repeat. But the second half? I loved. From taking the eggs and escaping from Istanbul to the battles against Napoleon to their final return to Great Britain, I loved it all. Sure, there was more of the "Temeraire eats some livestock" stuff, and I'm sure some crew members died. (Given the rate at which crew members die in this series, I'm astonished that ANYONE lived for long enough to become an aviator!) But there was a lot more action, and the plot didn't seem as much like it was plodding along without purpose.
I think it was the addition of Iskierka and the ferals towards the end of the book that made me love this as much as I loved the first book. Iskierka is brilliant, with her "I may be tiny but I can kill them all! What do you mean you won't let me?? YOU DON'T LET ME HAVE ANY FUN, WAAAAAH!!" attitude to life. And I think it's the personalities of the other dragons that Throne of Jade was missing.
I'll definitely be getting hold of Empire of Ivory at the library!
Trigger warnings: lots and lots and LOTS of animals get slaughtered and fed to dragons. Deaths by falling. War. Dragon masturbation. That one's not a trigger warning so much as a heads up because it's freaking weird.
Anyway.
I stand by pretty much everything I said last time. I think I found the pacing a little slower this time around? I liked the second half but I don't think I *loved* it?? That said, Iskierka is fucking fabulous and I love her.
21/5/2012
Plot summary: Temeraire, his captain, William Laurence, and his crew are back on ship, ready to sail back to England from China, when a letter is received ordering them to Istanbul to collect three dragon eggs England has purchased. When the ship catches fire, they decide to travel overland and encounter many dangers. Upon arrival in Istanbul, they are more or less taken prisoner, and refused the eggs. They ultimately escape, and are en route home when they become involved in the Prussian land war against Napoleon.
Thoughts: I wasn't a big fan of the first half of this book. It seemed like things were getting very formulaic. You know, some kind of journey, Temeraire eats some livestock, there's a very minor battle in which a crew member you've never heard of is killed. Rinse and repeat. But the second half? I loved. From taking the eggs and escaping from Istanbul to the battles against Napoleon to their final return to Great Britain, I loved it all. Sure, there was more of the "Temeraire eats some livestock" stuff, and I'm sure some crew members died. (Given the rate at which crew members die in this series, I'm astonished that ANYONE lived for long enough to become an aviator!) But there was a lot more action, and the plot didn't seem as much like it was plodding along without purpose.
I think it was the addition of Iskierka and the ferals towards the end of the book that made me love this as much as I loved the first book. Iskierka is brilliant, with her "I may be tiny but I can kill them all! What do you mean you won't let me?? YOU DON'T LET ME HAVE ANY FUN, WAAAAAH!!" attitude to life. And I think it's the personalities of the other dragons that Throne of Jade was missing.
I'll definitely be getting hold of Empire of Ivory at the library!
September 18, 2018
So much joy!
This part had great highlights and trying to hide that I mostly mean introducing a new character (two, to be exact) is not what I mean would be a fat lie. One would be too big of a spoiler to talk about while the other is there quite quickly to entertain the readers with his specific charm. My sister said he was written exactly the way so that everyone and their mother were supposed to fall for him while reading and well, it’s working, I guess. For me and for some members of the cast, too. Yes, I’m trying really hard not to squeal and I fail.
We also get some new part of the world described and as the areas mentioned have been close to my heart for years, I enjoyed it a lot. There is also a whole bag of adventures and some war, as maybe you remember that there is this Napoleon guy and half of the world is on fire… I admit I forgot and wasn’t really depressed about it. Anyway, it doesn’t mean it was painful to read. Naomi Novik can write about almost everything and I would be happy (a big almost, let me pass to volume 8 and my biggest rant there is…)
And what is most important to me is our main hero, of course, and Laurence get some really nice development here. I love how he changes ever so slightly but the change is there and it’s more and more visible without being too aggressive. His relationship with Temeraire continues to be precious and I loved all mentions of him being a Chinese Prince.
And now I’m making myself want to reread the series!
This part had great highlights and trying to hide that I mostly mean introducing a new character (two, to be exact) is not what I mean would be a fat lie. One would be too big of a spoiler to talk about while the other is there quite quickly to entertain the readers with his specific charm. My sister said he was written exactly the way so that everyone and their mother were supposed to fall for him while reading and well, it’s working, I guess. For me and for some members of the cast, too. Yes, I’m trying really hard not to squeal and I fail.
We also get some new part of the world described and as the areas mentioned have been close to my heart for years, I enjoyed it a lot. There is also a whole bag of adventures and some war, as maybe you remember that there is this Napoleon guy and half of the world is on fire… I admit I forgot and wasn’t really depressed about it. Anyway, it doesn’t mean it was painful to read. Naomi Novik can write about almost everything and I would be happy (a big almost, let me pass to volume 8 and my biggest rant there is…)
And what is most important to me is our main hero, of course, and Laurence get some really nice development here. I love how he changes ever so slightly but the change is there and it’s more and more visible without being too aggressive. His relationship with Temeraire continues to be precious and I loved all mentions of him being a Chinese Prince.
And now I’m making myself want to reread the series!
May 20, 2019
3.5 Stars 🌟
January 3, 2023
3.5 again, I shouldn't be all shocked Pikachu about this but this one was extra war-y and it turns out I find that highly depressing.
But anyways, in this one: Temeraire and Laurence get an urgent call to leave china and pick up some eggs from Istanbul. Then they find themselves deeply entangled in the ground war through Prussia.
I really liked the travel and Istanbul parts. I don't know what about my brain loves the specific details of how travel works but idk it works for me. But maybe it was just the ferals and how fun they were.
I also continued to love to see other cultures and their adaption of dragons. We did not get to spend as much time in Istanbul and with its people as I would have liked (and now that I am into the next book a little surprised by the lack of consequences by what takes place here).
Then we get to the Prussia war and the book turns into a straight war novel with campaigns, logistics, and strategies. Which I guess I enjoy when I'm not in the perspective of the losing side (is it a spoiler when it's real events?).
I enjoyed our new character Tharkay, but I'll say the continued trend of killing one of the team that I barely know, continues. There are only so many left and the emotional impact seems lessened every time even by the characters. I do wish we could get more about the people involved than just tossed around names until they die.
Temeraire and Laurence and their relationship continues to be the heart and soul of the novel and has some lovely moments throughout. Love Laurence learning along with Temeraire and seeing the problems in his own society.
Overall, still generally enjoying these but getting some burnout.
But anyways, in this one: Temeraire and Laurence get an urgent call to leave china and pick up some eggs from Istanbul. Then they find themselves deeply entangled in the ground war through Prussia.
I really liked the travel and Istanbul parts. I don't know what about my brain loves the specific details of how travel works but idk it works for me. But maybe it was just the ferals and how fun they were.
I also continued to love to see other cultures and their adaption of dragons. We did not get to spend as much time in Istanbul and with its people as I would have liked (and now that I am into the next book a little surprised by the lack of consequences by what takes place here).
Then we get to the Prussia war and the book turns into a straight war novel with campaigns, logistics, and strategies. Which I guess I enjoy when I'm not in the perspective of the losing side (is it a spoiler when it's real events?).
I enjoyed our new character Tharkay, but I'll say the continued trend of killing one of the team that I barely know, continues. There are only so many left and the emotional impact seems lessened every time even by the characters. I do wish we could get more about the people involved than just tossed around names until they die.
Temeraire and Laurence and their relationship continues to be the heart and soul of the novel and has some lovely moments throughout. Love Laurence learning along with Temeraire and seeing the problems in his own society.
Overall, still generally enjoying these but getting some burnout.
June 13, 2018
I'm a bit late on this review, so I will keep it simple.
Is this book as charming as the previous two?
Why, yes it is.
Is this book as good as the previous two?
Not so much.
Is this book entertaining?
That depends on your idea of entertaining. If you want to read something in the realm of historical fiction, which is slow moving and more concerned with wordplay than anything else, this is the book for you.
However, if you want something that has more of a fantasy element, then I would suggest you look for something else.
I love historical fiction, so I will continue on with this series. And I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious as to how this series will end.
(Sometimes, love of a character can make you keep reading even if the story is lacking.)
Is this book as charming as the previous two?
Why, yes it is.
Is this book as good as the previous two?
Not so much.
Is this book entertaining?
That depends on your idea of entertaining. If you want to read something in the realm of historical fiction, which is slow moving and more concerned with wordplay than anything else, this is the book for you.
However, if you want something that has more of a fantasy element, then I would suggest you look for something else.
I love historical fiction, so I will continue on with this series. And I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious as to how this series will end.
(Sometimes, love of a character can make you keep reading even if the story is lacking.)
July 6, 2024
This is the third book in the Temeraire Series, which reimagines the Napoleonic Wars with the addition of dragons. In this book, Captain Will Laurence and his bonded dragon Temeraire travel from China (where we left them at the end of book two) to the Ottoman Empire, then on to fight in Europe with the Prussians against Napoleon. I am not normally a fan of fantasy books, but I very much enjoyed this one. I think the combination of historical fiction and fantasy really works well here. The Sultan’s city is beautifully described, and the battle scenes are vivid. I particularly enjoyed the caretaking of the dragon eggs The relationship between Laurence and Temeraire remains a highlight, and these characters are so well drawn that they seem “real” despite the fact that one of them is a dragon. Laurence is such an upstanding guy with a sense of duty and loyalty. Temeraire’s character experiences growth here, with his determination to eliminate dragon servitude. This source of conflict promises to deepen in future books. I find this entire series delightful so far, and well worth my time. Next up is Empire of Ivory, which I hope to get to soon.
December 18, 2022
Después de su peligrosa y desgraciada aventura en China, Laurence y Temerario reciben la orden de recoger y escoltar tres valiosos huevos de dragón que Inglaterra ha comprado al Imperio Otomano. Así, sin perder ni un minuto, emprenden su camino a Estambul antes de que los huevos explosionen, pero no será un trayecto fácil, por no hablar de que deberán afrentarse a una inesperada amenaza: la dragona china Lien, que culpa a Temerario de la muerte de su amo, ha jurado aliarse con su mayor enemigo para vengarse de él.
Probablemente este haya sido el que menos me ha gustado de las tres novelas que llevo por ahora de Temerario, y es que aunque empieza muy bien y con la promesa de esa gran aventura, y el trayecto por el desierto ha sido bastante interesante, cuando al fin llegan a Estambul... se me empezó a hacer bastante pesado y aburrido, tal vez porque echaba en falta más protagonismo por parte de Temerario, y más diálogos entre este y Laurence, que es lo que más me gusta de esta historia, porque ambos personajes son maravillosos.
No voy a decir que la trama haya estado mal, porque cuenta con mucha acción y giros argumentales, mucha estrategia para enfrentarse a los oponentes, para la guerra, y la lucha con Napoleón, pero es que se me hace muy tediosa esa parte, y nunca acabo de entender bien lo que está ocurriendo durante las batallas. Además, en esta ocasión, sentía que la historia no terminaba de avanzar, como si se hubiese atascado.
Reseña completa: http://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/202...
Probablemente este haya sido el que menos me ha gustado de las tres novelas que llevo por ahora de Temerario, y es que aunque empieza muy bien y con la promesa de esa gran aventura, y el trayecto por el desierto ha sido bastante interesante, cuando al fin llegan a Estambul... se me empezó a hacer bastante pesado y aburrido, tal vez porque echaba en falta más protagonismo por parte de Temerario, y más diálogos entre este y Laurence, que es lo que más me gusta de esta historia, porque ambos personajes son maravillosos.
No voy a decir que la trama haya estado mal, porque cuenta con mucha acción y giros argumentales, mucha estrategia para enfrentarse a los oponentes, para la guerra, y la lucha con Napoleón, pero es que se me hace muy tediosa esa parte, y nunca acabo de entender bien lo que está ocurriendo durante las batallas. Además, en esta ocasión, sentía que la historia no terminaba de avanzar, como si se hubiese atascado.
Reseña completa: http://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com/202...
November 29, 2023
Digital audiobook narrated by Simon Vance
Book number three in the marvelous series featuring Captain Will Laurence and his dragon, Temeraire. Following their exploits in China (book two), they’ve received special orders to escort three precious dragon eggs purchased from the Ottoman Empire from Istanbul back to England. It is important that the eggs arrive in England before they hatch. But they are waylaid several times, due in part to the schemes employed by the Chinese dragon Lien. Capt. Laurence and Temeraire have little choice but to launch an offensive against Bonaparte’s forces.
I love this series and this episode has more of the aerial “dog fights” that first entranced me in book one. I love that Novik used the Napoleonic War as the background to this story, while building on the legends of dragons and their varied traits. Temeraire is a marvel; intelligent, fluent in multiple languages, an astute observer and a skilled warrior. He is also devoted to Will and their relationship is an important part of the series.
I listened to the audio, masterfully performed by Simon Vance. I love the voice he gives Temeraire. And especially enjoyed the way he interpreted .
Book number three in the marvelous series featuring Captain Will Laurence and his dragon, Temeraire. Following their exploits in China (book two), they’ve received special orders to escort three precious dragon eggs purchased from the Ottoman Empire from Istanbul back to England. It is important that the eggs arrive in England before they hatch. But they are waylaid several times, due in part to the schemes employed by the Chinese dragon Lien. Capt. Laurence and Temeraire have little choice but to launch an offensive against Bonaparte’s forces.
I love this series and this episode has more of the aerial “dog fights” that first entranced me in book one. I love that Novik used the Napoleonic War as the background to this story, while building on the legends of dragons and their varied traits. Temeraire is a marvel; intelligent, fluent in multiple languages, an astute observer and a skilled warrior. He is also devoted to Will and their relationship is an important part of the series.
I listened to the audio, masterfully performed by Simon Vance. I love the voice he gives Temeraire. And especially enjoyed the way he interpreted .
August 29, 2015
This series is a goddamn delight.
It's very rare for me to read more than one book in a series, simply because I have lots of author friends and I want to experience their works. Usually I read book one and move on to the next, simply because of time limitations (I will grow old and someday die with a huge to-be-read pile sitting on the nightstand next to my death bed, because people are rude and keep writing good books). Novik's Temeraire series, however, has taken over my iPhone for running, walking, and my apartment has never been cleaner because I find excuses to "pick up" so that I can listen to the audiobooks a little more.
Like war stories? Like dragons? Like books about deep, unshakable friendships? This is for you.
The only flaw so far is that both the human main characters (Lawrence) and the dragon main character (Temeraire) are both "good people" to the core and don't seem to have any personal flaws. They are thrust into enough morally ambiguous situations, though, that it makes up for it.
It's very rare for me to read more than one book in a series, simply because I have lots of author friends and I want to experience their works. Usually I read book one and move on to the next, simply because of time limitations (I will grow old and someday die with a huge to-be-read pile sitting on the nightstand next to my death bed, because people are rude and keep writing good books). Novik's Temeraire series, however, has taken over my iPhone for running, walking, and my apartment has never been cleaner because I find excuses to "pick up" so that I can listen to the audiobooks a little more.
Like war stories? Like dragons? Like books about deep, unshakable friendships? This is for you.
The only flaw so far is that both the human main characters (Lawrence) and the dragon main character (Temeraire) are both "good people" to the core and don't seem to have any personal flaws. They are thrust into enough morally ambiguous situations, though, that it makes up for it.
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