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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
I'm not sure exactly what my expectations of this series but I can't say that I'm addicted to it at all. I felt that this book sort of went off the rail a bit. Firstly, they went away to look for a cure for a dragon cold that's killing all the dragons. I found the setting rather interesting in this part of Africa with their own dragon culture but then I felt the end of that adventure to be rather un-satisfying. Then followed what could be an exciting twist! I'm not sure I like how that's handled either though... still, it hasn't quite ended as it is to be continued in the next book.
I think I probably don't find this book enthralling because it feels disjointed as there seems to be stories and each could've stood alone as short stories. The beginning of the novel was to finish off the story that was in the last book then the middle was a story for this book and followed by a start of the next story to be finished in the next book. Still... dragons! I'll try one more book...
I think I probably don't find this book enthralling because it feels disjointed as there seems to be stories and each could've stood alone as short stories. The beginning of the novel was to finish off the story that was in the last book then the middle was a story for this book and followed by a start of the next story to be finished in the next book. Still... dragons! I'll try one more book...
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Dragons, Napoleonic wars, plague, and the overthrow of European colonists in Africa - what's not to enjoy?
Could have benefited from more Iskierka, because I love her, and the ending is an absolute cliffhanger - so glad I already have the next one waiting!
Could have benefited from more Iskierka, because I love her, and the ending is an absolute cliffhanger - so glad I already have the next one waiting!
The fourth star is the result of the last 50 pages. It redeemed the very slow pace of the narrative for me. I still feel that both the third and fourth book could have been merged and made stronger together than alone.
Oh the perfidy of war and the corrupt scent of power and ambition. To go through all of the pain in Africa and to come home to a new government and to find out it has set the motion of genocide on its way is what saved the book for me.
Oh the perfidy of war and the corrupt scent of power and ambition. To go through all of the pain in Africa and to come home to a new government and to find out it has set the motion of genocide on its way is what saved the book for me.
Having returned at least from their long journey to China and back, Temeraire and Laurence are met with terrible news: a wasting disease plagues all the dragons in the UK, slowly killing them. This illness, first thought to have been a common cold as mentioned in book 3, has grounded all dragons in the country, and they lie around waiting for their death. The only ray of hope there is, is that Temeraire caught the same cold while traveling to China and he survived it. Temeraire and Laurence's new mission is to once again leave England, to try and find a cure for this plague.
This series just keeps getting me more and more excited to read on! There are so many things going on in this book, and the cliffhanger at the end has me all but rushing to get at the next book. I think what I like the most about this series, other than the wonderful characters, is the world-building. It's clear that Novik thought long and hard about how life here on Earth would differ if dragons were about. Colonialism isn't as easy if all sides have intelligent dragons to aid them, that's all I'm saying. Can't wait to read the next book!
This series just keeps getting me more and more excited to read on! There are so many things going on in this book, and the cliffhanger at the end has me all but rushing to get at the next book. I think what I like the most about this series, other than the wonderful characters, is the world-building. It's clear that Novik thought long and hard about how life here on Earth would differ if dragons were about. Colonialism isn't as easy if all sides have intelligent dragons to aid them, that's all I'm saying. Can't wait to read the next book!
Basically, I read this series because I have a weakness for books that center around a friendship. Laurence and Temeraire do not disappoint, especially in the final third of this book. Individually, Temeraire continues to be amazing and Laurence's extreme sense of propriety was particularly amusing in this book. Novik manages to pack a lot into this book--the dragon plague, the slave trade, the treatment of dragons, and a trip through parts of Africa to try to find a cure.
adventurous
emotional
tense
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:
N/A
Definitely my favorite of the Temeraire books yet, including the first. There's a depth of subject matter here that surpasses the previous books. It deals with the tricky issue of race and slavery in a way that is unique and skillful. And then towards the end it just stunned me and now I've got the next book on the way from Amazon because there's no way I'm waiting.
adventurous
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:
No
This book was much better paced, a lot happens. It was nice to visit new places and explore along with Temeraire. He is such a dear, I love him. Be warned it ends on a cliffhanger though.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Empire of Ivory is the fourth book in the Temeraire series, an alternate reality in which dragons were the aerial force during the Napoleonic Wars. Ironically for our current state of the world, this installment follows a pandemic which has struck the dragons, rendering them incapable of performing their duties and forcing them into quarantine grounds, leaving the war and their lives in question.
I loved this book! It had me gasping out loud as Temeraire and Laurence travel from Britain to Africa and navigate hopeless bureaucratic red-tape. Morality has a huge part to play in Empire of Ivory, which was interesting to watch unfold as our main character Laurence is a staunchly unwavering man committed to duty. Reading his inner turmoil as he must call into question his oaths and loyalty to the Crown added a further level of depth to this entertaining novel.
Above all, I love Temeraire and Laurence’s relationship. I often describe this series as a slower-paced, quieter fantasy read compared to many high epics, but I truly love it just as much for the fantastic dragon-rider relationship it portrays, and how Novik calls into question the political ramifications surrounding the obedience of dragons and shows the struggle for independence.