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dontpanic42's review against another edition
5.0
Perhaps a bit rushed at the end, but I’ll give it a full five stars anyway as a very satisfying conclusion to a wonderful series.
hagbard_celine's review against another edition
3.0
An ok and basically satisfying ending.
Having reached the end of this series, I find myself simultaneously impressed by the author's comprehensive alternative history and disappointed by its lack of radicalism. This is a fundamentally *liberal* book, concerned with bourgeois rights and dignities (and utterly preoccupied by honor), and the anti-colonialism appears only as a happy accident, it seems. The grand ideological triumph of the series is for British dragons to become thoroughly middle class and respectable parliamentarians. Oh well. It is an underwhelming (if practical) vision of liberation.
Having reached the end of this series, I find myself simultaneously impressed by the author's comprehensive alternative history and disappointed by its lack of radicalism. This is a fundamentally *liberal* book, concerned with bourgeois rights and dignities (and utterly preoccupied by honor), and the anti-colonialism appears only as a happy accident, it seems. The grand ideological triumph of the series is for British dragons to become thoroughly middle class and respectable parliamentarians. Oh well. It is an underwhelming (if practical) vision of liberation.
stalwart's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent conclusion to a rousing series
There are so many excellent aspects of this book and this series to focus on: well-drawn characters, exciting adventure, and clever world-building. But what particularly struck me in this book was Novik's expertise at shifting tone. One page you're on dragon back in the middle of the smoke and blood of a furious battle, the next page you find yourself immersed in political intrigue and logistics, only to conclude the chapter with rollicking domestic comedy worthy of Jane Austen. Simply superb.
There are so many excellent aspects of this book and this series to focus on: well-drawn characters, exciting adventure, and clever world-building. But what particularly struck me in this book was Novik's expertise at shifting tone. One page you're on dragon back in the middle of the smoke and blood of a furious battle, the next page you find yourself immersed in political intrigue and logistics, only to conclude the chapter with rollicking domestic comedy worthy of Jane Austen. Simply superb.
kerstincullen's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful farewell tour of all the good things about Temeraire. A great conclusion of a very enjoyable series.
claire_loves_books's review against another edition
4.0
Great finish to a good series. It’s more fun and less miserble than some of the previous book. Laurence is still a fairly miserable person, he’s so bound by honour that he is constantly self assessing, self-hating and worrying, I really with he’d just lighten up a bit more. I’ve been waiting for The Egg to hatch so the was a fun plot line as well.
smmrmmrmmr's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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
4.5
Excellent conclusion, although it is a little upsetting that dragons get parliamentary representation before women
tellingetienne's review against another edition
4.0
Solid ending to the series, although the series as a whole was very awkwardly paced.
doceon's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent ending to a compulsively readable series. Novik's gift for dialogue is on full display, her characterization is on point, and her world feels rich and full and lived-in. Good, good stuff.
jenny_mac's review against another edition
4.0
I shall miss the Temeraire world, hopefully the door has been left open for future visits.
Consistent and engrossing world building combined with nuanced characterisations have been a hallmark of this series for me. A lovely series that I shall revisit.
Consistent and engrossing world building combined with nuanced characterisations have been a hallmark of this series for me. A lovely series that I shall revisit.