Reviews

Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik

Only show reviews with written explanations

baestation's review

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adventurous funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

5.0

eetorr99's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense slow-paced

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

3.5

My favorite things about this book:
-Iskierka being a lil sh*t
-Emily Roland, who is good and pure
-Laurence trying to be a perfect gentleman while no one around him gives a heck
-Laurence is everyone's dad
-Laurence worrying about his dragon's eternal soul
-Laurence x neckcloth OTP 5ever
-"Maximus is breathing." (I screAMED)
-ladies even in the 19th century with more casual, practical views on sex & marriage (tbh Laurence is the most prudish character and it's beautiful)
-more culture exploration and alternate histories because dragons!!! I really want to see the worldwide implications of how colonialism went in this universe bc it's hinted that South America never fell and the Inca Empire is still alive. What is going on over there??? tell me!!
-also includes POC characters and takes on racism, colonialism, & slavery, which are issues a lot of historical/fantasy writers like to avoid
-unlike book 2, this whole chapter of the series was a tangle of plot twists. Something changes every 5 pages and it ends up far, far away from where it started which was great! Could not put this book down.

My least favorite thing about this book:
stop!! with! the! cliffhangers!! i'm dying!!

fitzofinspiration's review

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adventurous emotional sad 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? No

5.0

stephpalko's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense slow-paced

4.0

melissah's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

4.0

mrs_bonaventure's review against another edition

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5.0

The series is going strong.
Guest appearance by the Admiral Lord Nelson and some interesting divergences from known history are starting to emerge (in this universe he didn't die at Trafalgar...)
As ever - history - with dragons! Who talk! What's not to like?