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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Temeraire (and his captain) have their eyes opened to how the world might be...
(I read this book and the next two in a day and a half so they're all really blurred but I think that's a testament to how easy to read and enjoyable they are)
(I read this book and the next two in a day and a half so they're all really blurred but I think that's a testament to how easy to read and enjoyable they are)
In Throne of Jade, like many second novels, the honeymoon period has ended, and Laurence and Temeraire's relationship is tested. The Chinese have come calling, insulted that their rare, precious, and exclusively fit for an emperor Celestial breed of dragon has fallen into the hands of an ordinary soldier versus more illustrious company. In an attempt to keep trade open with the East, England orders Temeraire to China and Laurence at least gets to accompany him. Naturally, their relationship is tested. Lung Tien Chiang (Temeraire's Chinese name) was bred for royalty, and the Chinese prince Yongxing wishes to woo him with jewels, learning, and status. Once among his kind, temptations naturally increase for Temeraire.
The scope of this novel allows Temeraire, Laurence, and crew to leave England and ultimately make the perilous, extended journey to China. Seeing another country reimagined in regards to how dragons would be treated and fit into their culture was fascinatingly done. As backwards as China treated its women ("queer and shuffling gait" indeed), they are much more enlightened in their treatment of dragons: with many different breeds designed to fulfill various roles and allowing dragons to choose their companions only after extensive education and maturity.
Despite Temeraire and Laurence's tension throughout the novel, at the end, I loved Temeraire's rationale for returning home.
The scope of this novel allows Temeraire, Laurence, and crew to leave England and ultimately make the perilous, extended journey to China. Seeing another country reimagined in regards to how dragons would be treated and fit into their culture was fascinatingly done. As backwards as China treated its women ("queer and shuffling gait" indeed), they are much more enlightened in their treatment of dragons: with many different breeds designed to fulfill various roles and allowing dragons to choose their companions only after extensive education and maturity.
Despite Temeraire and Laurence's tension throughout the novel, at the end, I loved Temeraire's rationale for returning home.
I didn't find this book as enthralling as the first, so it took me quite awhile to read it. There didn't really seem to be much in the way of structure; the plot was just a flow of things that happened. It was only right near the end that I found things to be exciting. Nevertheless, I will continue reading the series to see how it develops.
adventurous
emotional
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
Very good! I liked it a bit less than I liked the first one, but the politicking and the intrigue is definitely compelling.
After an interesting (promising but lacking) first instalment, this second book simply dragged. I was involved with the character progression until about half way then the writing felt jaded to me... Reading some reviews of the next few books it doesn't seem to get a whole lot better so I'm leaving this one here, unfortunately.