Reviews

This book drags on (geddit???!!) a bit, as the journey is long and uneventful; there doesn't seem to be any real danger. There's no doubt they will make it to China, and no doubt Tem and Laurence will stay together. it's the how that causes suspense. Personally I think it could have done with several more fistfights, a shipwreck or two, one of the people they need for negotiations being killed - something in the rising action to make us say, "well crap they're not gonna make it out of this one!" Instead it is quite straightforward, which is all right but not amazing.

the writing, like the first in the series, imitates the style of the era it's written in. I find this delightful, as it makes me feel like it's a real account. and though it can slow the narration and dialogue the action scenes are perfectly engaging nonetheless. The descriptions and atmospheres of the foreign settings and foods are rich and colorful!

I hope to see more character development for the side characters as the series goes on. Laurence was pretty disagreeable in this chapter, but he's a thoroughly decent fellow and admits his mistakes and biases later on. this was actually a very strong point for me: patriotic Laurence has to acknowledge that the way they treat dragons in China is better, and Britain is crappy in comparison. Anyway Temeraire was great as always but despite all the side characters being there no one else stood out to me.

It was still a good read on the basis of the writing, dragons, and cultural exploration. I had fun, and Im loving the next one already.

Note after reading up to book 6: Definitely glad I read it even if it wasn't perfect, because this voyage turns out to be very influential to Tem and Laurence and changes the direction of everything! Important book.

jenny_hedberg's review against another edition

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3.0

Riktigt bra. Laurence slåss om Temeraires tillgivenhet tillsammans med den kinesiske kejsaren som vill ha tillbaka Temeraire till Kina. Även om jag tycker att Laurence skulle kunna lita lite mer på sin drake och sluta vara så självisk. Även om jag förstar hans oro för att mista Temeraire tycker jag att han måste låta Temeraire utforska den kultur och plats han kommer ifrån.