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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
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:
Complicated
I love this series, but this is not my favorite book in it. Lawrence is not a stupid man, but he's a very stupid character in this particular volume
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A fun sequel to the first book in this series. Laurence, Temeraire, and their crew travel to China at the behest of the emperor. Lots of boat stuff which is fun to read. There is even a big ass sea serpent which attacks then which is an exciting addition to the lore. The imagining of the Chinese treatment of dragons and how it differs from England is really fascinating. Political intrigue and death threats to Laurence abound in this novel, which is very enjoyable to me. Temeraire is too smart for his own good, which leaves him torn between the much more honourable life of a Celestial dragon in China, and his loyalty to Laurence who is in part loyal to Britain, even if their treatment of dragons seems dismal in comparison. I found this to be a really interesting way of exploring the depths of both characters and their relationship to each other and their ideas of duty and honour.
Need to look into how historically accurate this interpretation of China during the Napoleonic wars is (obviously barring the dragons…).
Need to look into how historically accurate this interpretation of China during the Napoleonic wars is (obviously barring the dragons…).
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I would hardly like to give this book anything less than five stars, as I started it immediately upon finishing its precedent and did not stop until I was finished.
The resolution of the ongoing climax seemed...a bit a abrupt, and occurred without any apparent input from the principals - I should have liked for Laurence and Temeraire to have actively contributed, rather than simply making the most of an offhand remark from a character that had not been present for several chapters.
The resolution of the ongoing climax seemed...a bit a abrupt, and occurred without any apparent input from the principals - I should have liked for Laurence and Temeraire to have actively contributed, rather than simply making the most of an offhand remark from a character that had not been present for several chapters.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-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:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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:
Complicated
I really enjoyed this one! For me, what makes the Temeraire series so great is how seamlessly Novik blends historical fiction and fantasy -- you really feel as if this could be an alternate history of the Napoleonic Wars. The depictions of historical events, in-flight battles, etc. is realistic, gritty.
I would definitely recommend listening to this one on audiobook. My main issue with His Majesty's Dragon (the previous book in the Termeraire series) was that it was a bit dense. Novik packs in a lot of detail & the plot can really drag, but those problems seem to vanish when listening to the audio version (thanks to Maria for the recommendation)!!
This second in the series could not surpass the first's tales of bonding with a young dragon, yet it was interesting to learn more of Temeraire's homeland and the way dragons live there.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes