Reviews

El Dragón de Su Majestad by Naomi Novik

illiteratebrownbear's review against another edition

5.0

This was a really entertaining read, the relationship between Laurence and Temeraire is so wholesome and genuine. It's heartwarming and hilarious while Temeraire begins to understand the world he's been born into.

The setting is *chefs kiss*. I certainly never knew I needed historical fiction featuring dragons but God damnit I'm ready to devour the whole series.

dianareadsalot's review against another edition

4.0

Dragons!!!!

krenglish's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

henne's review against another edition

Tried so hard. Was so bored.
Too much descriptions of unnecessary stuff, not enough world building.
And I really did not warm up to Laurence that has a stick up is ass the whole time.

elaine707's review against another edition

adventurous informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

England vs. France during Napoleon’s era but add dragons. 

Extra star for the bond between dragon and human. Kinda dry at times. It’s reads like a historical fiction but with dragons for real

tonlewkel's review against another edition

adventurous

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

kestrttn's review against another edition

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

5.0

kagey's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted 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? No

3.75

diya13's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

byrdy's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This book was a suggestion for my book club and immediately intrigued me. Dragons and the Napoleonic Wars? Yes, please! I have not read much fiction featuring dragons, but I really enjoyed this.  I will say, probably because this is the first in a series, there is not a lot of action/plot, and I felt pretty disconnected from the main character, Laurence. We are not in his head very much. But Novik is really good at setting a scene, and you can tell she focused attention on period dialogue and how dragons might exist in this world. The dragons are the best part, and the battle scenes are terrific. They made me think of the Horatio Hornblower series (a compliment). I think it's worth giving this book a try if you aren't sure about the fantasy genre. You will stay grounded in historical fact while dipping your toes into the fantastic.  Just think about the dragons in this book as big, flying, talking dogs. :)