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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
When I was going through Act II of this book, I was considering to myself: do I think this is a 4-star book? It wasn't that the story wasn't gripping; it was, quite so, to the point where I got irritated when I came to the end of a chapter and *needed* to continue reading, and couldn't because...well, life.
What, then, was the reason I was dabbling with deducting a star? In part, it was because my irritation stemmed from the fact that I always felt things would pick up in the next chapter, the next chapter, the next chapter. For some reason, even though most of these books have had something of slow-burning plots, this one seemed to plod along during chapters and then take a big leap at the end of them. Thus, I consumed the story very quickly, but I did so in this haphazard, unenjoyable fashion.
I still give it five stars for the wonderful characters: Temeraire at the forefront, of course, a brilliantly-written creature, and worthy of a top-tier place in the Dragon Hall of Fame; Laurence, who had much more growth in this one, and of whom I am whole-heartedly a fan; Mrs. Erasmus; Lily, Maximus, and the other dragons in Temeraire's formation; Admiral Roland; Demane and Sipho; and many others besides.
I would write more, as I do have more positive things to say about it, but it is late, and I should be asleep. I will leave it at this: if you consider yourself in any way, shape, or form a dragon aficionado, you need to read this entire series!
What, then, was the reason I was dabbling with deducting a star? In part, it was because my irritation stemmed from the fact that I always felt things would pick up in the next chapter, the next chapter, the next chapter. For some reason, even though most of these books have had something of slow-burning plots, this one seemed to plod along during chapters and then take a big leap at the end of them. Thus, I consumed the story very quickly, but I did so in this haphazard, unenjoyable fashion.
I still give it five stars for the wonderful characters: Temeraire at the forefront, of course, a brilliantly-written creature, and worthy of a top-tier place in the Dragon Hall of Fame; Laurence, who had much more growth in this one, and of whom I am whole-heartedly a fan; Mrs. Erasmus; Lily, Maximus, and the other dragons in Temeraire's formation; Admiral Roland; Demane and Sipho; and many others besides.
I would write more, as I do have more positive things to say about it, but it is late, and I should be asleep. I will leave it at this: if you consider yourself in any way, shape, or form a dragon aficionado, you need to read this entire series!
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My library book is expiring today and I'm not going to renew it. I've only read about halfway through but I'm not upset about not finishing it nor am I reading as fast as I can to beat the deadline. So far I thought this one was better than the last two, and I liked getting to see the English dragons again. However, I'm going to take a break for now. I'm sure I'll come back to these though because I do want to know what happens and these character have a way of sticking with you. I just wish it was more fun to read the books than to think about them afterwards.
This series does a wonderful job of examining the ways that people's ideals and morality change over time and as they experience more of the world, and this book embraces that goal fully.
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ok this book has a slow beginning but is one of the funniest in the series (if you find poor Laurence being mortified funny, which I do). The middle is fairly good and then in the last fifty pages or so Novik really puts her foot down and the plot goes rocketing along! So much happens!!!
I must say reading this in the initial stages of the covid-19 pandemic was wild!
Some of the events that happen in this book are quite difficult as it deals heavily with racism and slavery and this makes some of the main character's actions leave a bitter taste when you consider the implications.
Also warning for the saddest ending ever. Those last few lines were painful to read!!
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Lots of adventure in Africa. Huuuuuuge cliffhanger ending. Comments on slavery and female emancipation alike.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Confinement, Slavery, Violence
Minor: Genocide, Gore, Sexism
I am having such difficulty with these books. Or to get back into this series at least. Even if I enjoy the writing, the story and the characters. I just can‘t seem to focus when I am reading it (or listen to it). But I am still going to try to continue on with it, to see if future books will be able to re-capture that magic