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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
I have no idea how I feel about this book. Despite only being a little longer than the other books in the series so much happen. Which leads into my first complaint about this book is that a lot happen but it all was done in the slowest way possible. The story was dragged down by the tedious day to day tasks that were often repeated to show the passage of time and with the addition of annoying subplots that only slowed down the story more
That all being said I think this book added a lot of interesting things that will make the rest of the book in the series better and it left on one hell of a cliffhanger. So I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Also, Laurence and Temeraire's relationship is so pure and always makes these book enjoyable.
Spoiler
The fight with Riley, I get why it happened, especially since they spent most of the book in Africa and would be confronting the slave trade up close and personal. But seeing how as all it did was add pages of being told that they were still not talking it didn't add anything to the story. Also, Harcourt’s pregnancy was really unnecessary. I mean I got what she was going for, to show that the Aviators are very different from mainstream society, but it was unnecessary she established that with Jane in the first book.That all being said I think this book added a lot of interesting things that will make the rest of the book in the series better and it left on one hell of a cliffhanger
Spoiler
Laurence and Temeraire heading back to England to be hanged for treason for preventing the genocide of French dragons
So up until now the Napoleonic stuff mirrored what happened in real life kind of closely, I thought, but I don't remember Napoleon occupying England, so here's where I start to get stressed because I don't know how things are going to end. And I hate that.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Encore de chouettes aventures. J'aime énormément découvrir comment les dragons sont traités dans d'autres pays, c'est très intéressant de voir des cultures différentes. Je trouve ce monde très riche et intéressant, chapeau à l'autrice !
Au niveau de l'histoire, c'est un peu plat par rapport aux 1ers tomes mais ça ne m'a pas tellement dérangé.
Par contre, le cliff de fin va me faire lire la suite dans pas longtemps. :)
Au niveau de l'histoire, c'est un peu plat par rapport aux 1ers tomes mais ça ne m'a pas tellement dérangé.
Par contre, le cliff de fin va me faire lire la suite dans pas longtemps. :)
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Slavery
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, Blood
Minor: Genocide, Vomit, Pregnancy
This novel accomplished two things: by the end, it made it clear to me that politics, British dragons and the Napoleonic wars, as a backdrop that allows for the development of the characters and their relations, work much better for me than any locales Novik chooses, and it finally made me like Laurence after a period of relative neutrality (the last 15% particularly - such a marked improvement, and the writing really made his characterisation come through). Admittedly, when it comes to that last part, my brain suddenly deciding to cast Aidan Turner [think Poldark] as Laurence might have helped.
I enjoyed the beginning a lot, with its dire straits for the dragons, and Jane's growing relationship with Laurence. The subsequent part, with the African adventures, was much more boring, save for the ancestor dragons. It didn't include enough interactions between dragons, and although the climax was sufficiently dramatic, too much of the outcome seemed already pre-determined for me to care about the stakes.
And then the ending - it was the best I've read of Temeraire so far. The last couple of chapters featured some of the tensest situations, best characterisation and interactions, dilemmas we could actually get behind. It was enough to make me start reading the next volume immediately.
Spoiler
His decision to oppose the British government and to bring the cure to French dragons was in character and so was his subsequent willingness to accept the punishment. And somehow Novik's writing really made that decision seem weighty, and the relationship between him and Temeraire has finally delivered on its promise, as a result. That, and I thought the writing was particularly affecting in those fifteen percent).I enjoyed the beginning a lot, with its dire straits for the dragons, and Jane's growing relationship with Laurence. The subsequent part, with the African adventures, was much more boring, save for the ancestor dragons. It didn't include enough interactions between dragons, and although the climax was sufficiently dramatic, too much of the outcome seemed already pre-determined for me to care about the stakes.
And then the ending - it was the best I've read of Temeraire so far. The last couple of chapters featured some of the tensest situations, best characterisation and interactions, dilemmas we could actually get behind. It was enough to make me start reading the next volume immediately.
Spoiler
(If only we could keep it up instead of visiting as many more continents as possible in the next volumes....)
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No