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sayhar13's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Slavery, Pregnancy, Vomit, Violence, and Racism
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Racism, Slavery, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Violence, and Animal death
Minor: Genocide, Vomit, and Pregnancy
emeraldrina's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Trafficking, Pregnancy, Colonisation, Blood, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Animal death, Vomit, and Violence
deckofdragons's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Slavery, Colonisation, and Racism
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Vomit and Alcohol
szuum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Animal death, Colonisation, Slavery, Death, Kidnapping, and Racism
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Pregnancy
bookbelle5_17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
By Naomi Novik
In the fourth installment of this adventurous series, Laurence and Temeraire have returned to England only to discover the other dragons, including Lily and Maximus, are deathly ill. Laurence learns that they might find a possible cure for the dragons on the continent of Africa. Upon arrival and finding the mushrooms that could cure the dragons, they find themselves in the middle of war between African tribes.
In this story, we find our characters in a hostile environment as they are despised by the African people for being British and stealing mushrooms off their land. This plot gives the reader a more brutal story by having Laurence and some of the aviators being captured, enslaved, and Laurence himself is tortured for information. Novik gives enough detail that you understand what’s going on, but not too graphic. It is an examination of the trade situation, especially the slave trade. Laurence and Temeraire don’t support the slave trade, but this tribe sees them as guilty putting them in an uncomfortable and dangerous situation. Novik’s writing still continues to have a Victorian feel, but it is a fast-paced story, but we aren’t taken to Africa until the second part. I would have liked to spend more time on the continent but the nature of the plot wouldn’t allow it. The story also explores the struggle of a female aviators, especially with the character of Catherine Harcourt. She has an intimate relationship with Riley that results in her getting pregnant and Laurence himself is conflicted, because Riley is still his friend. Catherine refuses to give up her dragon and in her mind that’s what Riley will ask of her. This story looks at some more series issues of the time, not just the war with Bonaparte, but it is written in a way that’s not too heavy.
Graphic: Pregnancy and Slavery
rini's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Animal death, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Pregnancy, Racism, Slavery, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Blood
Minor: Cannibalism
azurelunatic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
Graphic: Kidnapping and Physical abuse
Moderate: Animal death and Slavery
Minor: Vomit and Pregnancy