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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
slow-paced
This is a perfect example of a thing that is no longer a thing: Chinoiserie. In the Regency/Napoleonic era in which this book is basically set, there was a tremendous vogue for all things prettily fake-Chinese -- which produced some remarkable pieces of decorative art while at the same time constituting the most trivializing kind of Orientalism. Think "inscrutable Chinamen with incomprehensible motivations spinning sinister plots in the Forbidden City" and you have the right idea.
That said, the non-PC part of me quite enjoyed this second episode in the series! After all, even Karl Marx famously confessed to loving the art of the ancient Greeks despite knowing perfectly well that it was only made possible by wholesale slavery.
One of the revelations of this volume is that Temeraire is developing into the Stephen Maturin of the series. It turns out that in China dragons (at least the higher sort) are considered scholars and companions rather than property or at best a particularly troublesome form of cavalry. You can see how this seed of thought -- considered gross Jacobinism by even the other British aviators -- is going to blossom in future volumes.
However I had an unusually hard time parsing "who did what" in this plot, probably because so much of it happens behind the scenes and driven by inscrutable Orientals. Like all Chinoiserie that lack of motivational depth ultimately leads to a less than satisfying artistic result.
That said, the non-PC part of me quite enjoyed this second episode in the series! After all, even Karl Marx famously confessed to loving the art of the ancient Greeks despite knowing perfectly well that it was only made possible by wholesale slavery.
One of the revelations of this volume is that Temeraire is developing into the Stephen Maturin of the series. It turns out that in China dragons (at least the higher sort) are considered scholars and companions rather than property or at best a particularly troublesome form of cavalry. You can see how this seed of thought -- considered gross Jacobinism by even the other British aviators -- is going to blossom in future volumes.
However I had an unusually hard time parsing "who did what" in this plot, probably because so much of it happens behind the scenes and driven by inscrutable Orientals. Like all Chinoiserie that lack of motivational depth ultimately leads to a less than satisfying artistic result.
I devoured these books as soon as I discovered them. Loved seeing the world through the eyes of Laurence and Temeraire. Fascinating world-building, very inventive.
Overall this book was quite enjoyable and I will definitely continue with this series. The only problem I had was the pacing; part of that may be due to the narration style, which can feel a little dry at times though I know it rings true to the time period, and part of it is just the plot of this installment. They spend so much time at sea and the interesting, exciting parts all mostly seemed to happen at the end once they finally reach China.
That being said, I have a lot of pros about this story. I think the world-building and the way dragons are inserted seamlessly into history is absolutely fantastic. The culture and issues raised by Temeraire about how dragons are treated felt legitimate and ongoing, and I'm hoping we get to see more in later books. Temeraire and Laurence's bond is a wonderful thing to read, but I greatly appreciated the conflict and doubt that occurred in this story, as it added more dimension to Laurence while feeling natural and realistic. Temeraire himself is, of course, the very best part of the story and I absolutely love his dialogue and mannerisms. Altogether, a fair installment, a great premise, and a good amount of anticipation for the next book.
That being said, I have a lot of pros about this story. I think the world-building and the way dragons are inserted seamlessly into history is absolutely fantastic. The culture and issues raised by Temeraire about how dragons are treated felt legitimate and ongoing, and I'm hoping we get to see more in later books. Temeraire and Laurence's bond is a wonderful thing to read, but I greatly appreciated the conflict and doubt that occurred in this story, as it added more dimension to Laurence while feeling natural and realistic. Temeraire himself is, of course, the very best part of the story and I absolutely love his dialogue and mannerisms. Altogether, a fair installment, a great premise, and a good amount of anticipation for the next book.
adventurous
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
love this series
I really enjoy Temeraire and his relationship with his captain, Laurence, and there were some interesting points in this book, especially once they reach China. BUT this novel had serious pacing problems and lacked much a plot right up until the end. I will still read the next one because liking the characters is the most important thing to me, but if it doesn't improve I'll probably end it there.
I'm gonna be hones, I listened to the audiobook on 2x speed and for most of it my brain was just off. I really don't like politcal fantasy and this book was very much that. This book was mostly just court politics and them being on a boat to China. And to be honest, there are many characters in this book and I still don't know who's who. When people died, I did not care. I literally didn't remember who they were. Sometimes a little description would be nice. Especially at the beginning of the book. It's very ambitious that Novik thinks we remember all the characters by name only. Anyway, I really liked the friendship between Laurance and Temeraire as usual. It seems to me that this book will follow seperate plots per book with the overarching thread of the Napoleonic wars. I haven't decided yet if I want to continue. If I didn't have the audiobooks to my disposal I would have definitely already quit. It just isn't that interesting to me. Normally I read this stories mostly for the characters. Even though I really like Laurance and Temeraire, the rest of the characters leave me cold. There's also barely any real development. There was like a slight tension between them but it gets quickly resolved. Temeraire has loved Laurance unconditionally since the very beginning-like all dragons and their handlers- so there's no real development in their relationship. Laurance is just as perfect as always. He actually annoys me a bit lol.
Super disturbing that temeraire has dragon sex though. I know that's he's like matured in dragon years and stuff, but I still saw him as a child. But I guess it wil come back later? Maybe like a seperate arch that temeraire has a child? I would so not enjoy that lol.
Super disturbing that temeraire has dragon sex though. I know that's he's like matured in dragon years and stuff, but I still saw him as a child. But I guess it wil come back later? Maybe like a seperate arch that temeraire has a child? I would so not enjoy that lol.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
After the battle over the channel with the French aerial troop transports, China discovered that England had gotten its present for Napolean. They are not pleased. China has sent a delegation to retrieve the dragon and have every intention of doing so without bringing his captain along.
Through some well timed events and the political savvy of a young ambassador, Britain succeeds in getting Lawrence on the transport to China with Temeraire. The bond between Temeraire and Lawrence is very strong. There's a real brotherly love between them that is fun and refreshing to see.
Along the way they encounter the slave trade, bad weather, and other deadly perils along the way. Once they get to China, everything know about dragons is turned on its head. The Chinese have long been known for their mastery at training Dragons, and they way they go about it shows that every assumption and story told in England about Dragons is utterly false.
It's fun to see the dragons in different areas of the world and how different cultures have raised the dragons so differently.
An enjoyable read!
To see more reviews check out my blog: This Sporadic Life
Through some well timed events and the political savvy of a young ambassador, Britain succeeds in getting Lawrence on the transport to China with Temeraire. The bond between Temeraire and Lawrence is very strong. There's a real brotherly love between them that is fun and refreshing to see.
Along the way they encounter the slave trade, bad weather, and other deadly perils along the way. Once they get to China, everything know about dragons is turned on its head. The Chinese have long been known for their mastery at training Dragons, and they way they go about it shows that every assumption and story told in England about Dragons is utterly false.
It's fun to see the dragons in different areas of the world and how different cultures have raised the dragons so differently.
An enjoyable read!
To see more reviews check out my blog: This Sporadic Life