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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
Throne of Jade, the second installment in Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series, expands the scope of its Napoleonic-era alternate history, moving beyond Britain’s military campaigns to explore the complex cultural and political landscape of China. Where His Majesty’s Dragon introduced us to the deep bond between Captain Laurence and the extraordinary dragon Temeraire, this sequel forces both into an unfamiliar world where their assumptions—about duty, governance, and the nature of freedom—are challenged at every turn.
The novel follows Laurence and Temeraire as they are sent on a politically fraught journey to China, where the emperor and his court demand Temeraire’s return. The stakes are high: Britain, desperate to maintain good relations with the powerful Chinese empire, sees little reason to refuse. But Temeraire, possessing an intelligence and independence far beyond what the English military is accustomed to in dragons, resists the idea of being treated as property. His growing awareness of the systemic injustices in England—both against dragons and human beings—fuels one of the novel’s most compelling tensions.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is the cultural exchange between the Chinese and English characters, particularly regarding their treatment of dragons. Unlike Britain, where dragons are essentially military assets, China integrates them into society with dignity and respect. Dragons hold bureaucratic positions, receive education, and engage in diplomacy. The contrast forces Laurence to reckon with the reality that British dragons—no matter how noble their service—are treated as second-class beings, their freedoms sharply curtailed. Through Temeraire’s eyes, the injustice becomes undeniable, and it was fascinating to watch him challenge Laurence’s long-held beliefs about duty and hierarchy.
The book also provided an unexpected historical revelation for me in the meaning of “kowtow.” I had known of the word, but Novik’s description of its deep cultural and political significance—especially in the context of European diplomats refusing to perform it—highlighted the arrogance embedded in Western imperial assumptions. The act of bowing one’s head to the ground wasn’t merely about subjugation but about acknowledging interconnected social and political obligations. That moment underscored just how vast the ideological gulf was between British and Chinese perspectives.
The novel also takes on the transatlantic slave trade, drawing explicit parallels between Britain’s treatment of dragons and its justification for enslaving human beings. Temeraire, unburdened by human rationalizations, immediately sees the hypocrisy in the British military’s restrictions on dragons—who are deemed too dangerous, too independent, too much in need of control. When he learns about slavery, he is horrified, and his conversation with Laurence on the subject is one of the most powerful in the book. Laurence, despite his loyalty to Britain, is forced to acknowledge that the moral justifications for these systems don’t hold up under scrutiny. This subplot adds another layer to Temeraire’s evolution: he is not simply a soldier’s companion but a revolutionary mind beginning to question the structures of power that shape his world.
If His Majesty’s Dragon was largely about adventure and camaraderie, Throne of Jade introduces deeper philosophical and ethical dilemmas, setting the stage for what promises to be an increasingly complex and politically rich series. While the pacing occasionally slows under the weight of diplomatic intrigue, the richness of the worldbuilding and the depth of character development more than compensate.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series and am eager to see where Novik takes it next.
The novel follows Laurence and Temeraire as they are sent on a politically fraught journey to China, where the emperor and his court demand Temeraire’s return. The stakes are high: Britain, desperate to maintain good relations with the powerful Chinese empire, sees little reason to refuse. But Temeraire, possessing an intelligence and independence far beyond what the English military is accustomed to in dragons, resists the idea of being treated as property. His growing awareness of the systemic injustices in England—both against dragons and human beings—fuels one of the novel’s most compelling tensions.
One of the most striking aspects of the book is the cultural exchange between the Chinese and English characters, particularly regarding their treatment of dragons. Unlike Britain, where dragons are essentially military assets, China integrates them into society with dignity and respect. Dragons hold bureaucratic positions, receive education, and engage in diplomacy. The contrast forces Laurence to reckon with the reality that British dragons—no matter how noble their service—are treated as second-class beings, their freedoms sharply curtailed. Through Temeraire’s eyes, the injustice becomes undeniable, and it was fascinating to watch him challenge Laurence’s long-held beliefs about duty and hierarchy.
The book also provided an unexpected historical revelation for me in the meaning of “kowtow.” I had known of the word, but Novik’s description of its deep cultural and political significance—especially in the context of European diplomats refusing to perform it—highlighted the arrogance embedded in Western imperial assumptions. The act of bowing one’s head to the ground wasn’t merely about subjugation but about acknowledging interconnected social and political obligations. That moment underscored just how vast the ideological gulf was between British and Chinese perspectives.
The novel also takes on the transatlantic slave trade, drawing explicit parallels between Britain’s treatment of dragons and its justification for enslaving human beings. Temeraire, unburdened by human rationalizations, immediately sees the hypocrisy in the British military’s restrictions on dragons—who are deemed too dangerous, too independent, too much in need of control. When he learns about slavery, he is horrified, and his conversation with Laurence on the subject is one of the most powerful in the book. Laurence, despite his loyalty to Britain, is forced to acknowledge that the moral justifications for these systems don’t hold up under scrutiny. This subplot adds another layer to Temeraire’s evolution: he is not simply a soldier’s companion but a revolutionary mind beginning to question the structures of power that shape his world.
If His Majesty’s Dragon was largely about adventure and camaraderie, Throne of Jade introduces deeper philosophical and ethical dilemmas, setting the stage for what promises to be an increasingly complex and politically rich series. While the pacing occasionally slows under the weight of diplomatic intrigue, the richness of the worldbuilding and the depth of character development more than compensate.
I am thoroughly enjoying this series and am eager to see where Novik takes it next.
This one was a bit harder to get through than the first one but I think that is because I wasn't ready for the emotional upheaval all the characters were trying to deal with.
adventurous
informative
reflective
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
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
Oh Temaire... doin' the dirty with Mei while Laurence and crew were fighting for their lifes. Can't wait to read #3!
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
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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