This book review was part of a podcast discussion.
Listen to the episode here.
Do you know what makes everything better? Dragons. This books takes the Napoleonic wars and adds dragons and everything is 100% more awesome. This story follows Captain Will Laurence as he develops from a naval captain to a dragon-riding recruit of the Air Corps in the fight against the French. I loved the interactions with his dragon, Temeraire, and the twist the dragons added to the historical fiction. However, I do not think that this book will be for everyone.
The relationship between Laurence and Temeraire was one of the sweetest things I have ever read in fiction. You can feel the mutual love between dragon and rider. Laurence goes out of his way to buy expensive gold chains so that Temeraire is comfortable and feels like he has a horde. Laurence also reads to Temeraire most every night. While Temeraire and Laurence relationship is in the forefront, you can also feel the love between the love between the other dragonrider pairs. I was joyful of the care Novik took to build up the relationships of rider and dragon.
This book is Earth’s history but with dragons. This twist to history made me ask so many questions and to continue on with the series. My main negative point is that this is not a book for everyone. Most of the book explores the relationship between Laurence and Temeraire, leaving most of the “action” until the end of the novel. It was very character-driven versus plot-driven.
I very much enjoyed this novel and plan to continue with the series. If you love dragons, brilliant relationships, and character-driven story this is a story for you.
South Carolina
I am new podcaster who has been enjoying the fantasy genre for many, many… many years. I will read most any fantasy book but high and steampunk are my favorite subgenres.
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