Throne of Jade (Temeraire, #2) in Pick-a-Shelf

Apr 24, 2020 Tien rated it it was ok

Shelves: fantasy

I can't seem to get engaged with this instalment of Temeraire. I enjoyed the first book very much as it was action-packed & the bromance provided the lighter relief. Even as the first bit of this book was rather exciting with a suspenseful circumstance whereby others were seeking to split this partnership and the action following, the rest, I found a little bit of a let down. It is more like a court intrigue novel without there actually being a court (except at the very end). I just couldn't get ...more

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Oct 03, 2014 D.G. rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, audiobook, reviewed

**3.5 stars**

Really good sequel. In this one, we have Laurence and Temeraire going to China, once it was discovered that Temeraire is a unique breed of dragon that the Chinese keep for the Imperial family. The Chinese are furious that "lowly" Laurence became Temeraire's aviator and demand him back.

The best parts of the book are Temeraire's and Laurence's discussions on freedom. Once Laurence gets to China, he discovers that the Chinese treat their dragons like sentient beings that can make their ...more

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Mar 28, 2009 BJ Rose rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, fantasy, historical

I was really looking forward to the continuation of the Temeraire series, but midway through this book I doubted that it would rate any more than a tepid 3* rating. His Majesty's Dragon ended with the information that Temeraire was a Celestial dragon that the Chinese now wanted back. They had given the dragon egg to the French (and we learn the reason for this near the end of this book), but now state that a Celestial deserves a handler with royal blood, and Laurence definitely does not fit that ...more

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Jun 18, 2009 Sandy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-thriller

I got a Kindle a few months ago and immediately searched for free and cheap books. Amazon, in its wisdom, has this book's Kindle version available for free. I got a bunch of free books, finally settled on this book and –– took off on a ride that hasn't stopped yet. I'm done reading the series, but my husband is enthralled.

I inhaled this amazing,journey of imagination and fine writing, soared to the next book, on and on.

"Bet you can't read just one." That's what Amazon is saying with its pricing ...more

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Apr 21, 2022 Catsalive rated it liked it

Shelves: 2022

This one is a bit too heavy on the sea voyages & battles - made for quite a slog at times. It reminded me of Patrick O'Brian's Master & Commander and I see that he is one of Novik's favourite authors. I did enjoy Laurence & Temeraire's story, though, & all the shenanigans in China. I love that Temeraire is dying to get home to England & change the lot of the dragons there, & his naivete in thinking it will be a doddle to change all those hidebound old men's minds. I'll have a break before readin ...more

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Mar 03, 2022 Joanna rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobooks, historical-fiction, 2022-read, fantasy-sci-fi

Really enjoyed this second book about Temeraire and Captain Lawrence. This book was more about Chinese politics than about the European front, but I found it fascinating. There was definitely less action in this sequel than in the first book. Here, a lot of time was spent on the boat meandering its way to China, then standing around in China trying to figure out whether they were going to separate Temeraire from Captain Lawrence.

The history and setting appeal to my husband, who rarely reads cont ...more

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Feb 28, 2018 emily rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, owned-physical, fiction-historical, alternate-history-or-universe, 2018, when-the-war-came

There were parts of this I really enjoyed, but it felt slow. I tuned out to it at times and came back after 20 minutes to discover I hadn't missed anything important. The narrator's voice worked for this story way better than either of the other books I've listened to him narrate (Children of Dune and The Girl in the Spider's Web) though admittedly this was a better book than either of those. I like alternate history but the Napoleonic wars aren't my favorite period, which may affect how investe ...more

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Jun 05, 2011 Nicole rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, 2011

I find this series fascinting, it's an alternate history in which dragons are incorporated into the world, and the military force that the British are using to fight off Napoleon. In this particular book takes place in China where dragons are integrated into every aspect of society. It's a fun, what if. ...more

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Jul 05, 2014 Bea rated it really liked it

Ok, I admit to enjoying the fantasy genre. It touches that child in me who wants to believe that wonderful things are out there. These dragons and their tenders have grasped my imagination and I find myself really involved with their stories. More, please, Ms. Novik.

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