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cowardlyteaman's review against another edition
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Now, I absolutely loved the first two books of this series, but what the hell happened here? What is Novik even writing about anymore?
This was boring. It was a drag. I can name two events from this book that help my attention for approximately five pages in total. Jesus Christ, I don't even know what to say. The only reason I didn't DNF this, was because I'd already DNF'ed three books already and had to prove to myself that I wasn't the problem.
Still, I enjoyed the introduction of the characters Tharkay and Iskierka. I do wish that Novik would give side characters more attention, because I still can't distinguish between all of Laurence's crewmates. I love the personalities given to him and Temeraire, so I'd love to explore their dynamic with the other characters further...
I'll wait a bit before I try the fourth book. Hopefully, this resentment has thawed somewhat by that time.
I can't even give warnings, because literally nothing happened.
This was boring. It was a drag. I can name two events from this book that help my attention for approximately five pages in total. Jesus Christ, I don't even know what to say. The only reason I didn't DNF this, was because I'd already DNF'ed three books already and had to prove to myself that I wasn't the problem.
Still, I enjoyed the introduction of the characters Tharkay and Iskierka. I do wish that Novik would give side characters more attention, because I still can't distinguish between all of Laurence's crewmates. I love the personalities given to him and Temeraire, so I'd love to explore their dynamic with the other characters further...
I'll wait a bit before I try the fourth book. Hopefully, this resentment has thawed somewhat by that time.
I can't even give warnings, because literally nothing happened.
lonestar91's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
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
4.0
epsilonecho's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
megsmarchant's review against another edition
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
captain_cupkirk's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
sir_dagonet's review against another edition
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hegoodrich's review against another edition
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
4.0
catpingu's review against another edition
adventurous
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
2.5
Nothing against the overall story, it's just that miles and miles of travel gets kind of boring. We need it to show how Laurence and Temeraire are developing and maturing into their roles and bi-nationality, but my goal was to read something fun with dragons and this one was just a lot, a lot of journeying and travel. And politicians. Political buttholes.
A few weeks after imperial prince Yongxing's death, Temeraire and Laurence set off from China to return home to Britain. Unexpectedly, their departure is sped up due to unexpected orders to travel to Istanbul and transport three dragon eggs back to Britain via overland travel through deserts and enemy lines. There is no time to delay, as Napoleon's forces encroach upon the surrounding countries and one of the eggs is close to hatching. Temeraire and Laurence may be facing their most challenging battles yet.
A lot of ground is covered metaphorically and literally throughout the course of this book. Literally, the crew is flying from Peking across China, through two deserts, crossing into Persia, then into Istanbul to Prussia and finally somehow, closer to the Channel home. Metaphorically, Temeraire's learned about how much better life is in China and would love to improve it for his friends and compatriots back home in England. Laurence is thoroughly preoccupied with diplomatic matters as the British ambassadors have, ahem, been assassinated or evacuated from the countries he's been arriving in; so, he's in charge of trying not to cause international incidentswith no help from his crewmates sneaking into the Sultan's harem, among other activities , maintaining discipline and military order as they journey through battle, curbing Temeraire's radical revolutionary thoughts about dragon rights, and of course, following orders.
Temeraire is now two years old and he's had so much adventure, compounded by the fact that as a Celestial he's genetically more intelligent and a faster learner than the other Western breeds, his sense of self and place in society is thrown into complete turmoil when he realizes how respected dragons are in the East. He and Laurence have come to an understanding in the previous book, but in this book he's trying to translate his new experience and ideas to a continent in turmoil and with a completely different value system in-place for their dragons. He's probably the equivalent of a middle-schooler, or a pre-teen with all his brooding and sulking and optimistic naivete.
Laurence, meanwhile, is finding himself having to handle matters he normally wouldn't need to handle because hierarchy; there's always someone else there doing all the flower diplomatic work. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and I personally think Laurence would be a great general because of how he's handled all the absurdity and ridiculousness of politicians lining their own pockets and saving their own necks. He's very much a soldier/disciplinarian/military man, and seeing how other countries and governments operate from a closer perspective has allowed him to see the own flaws in Parliament more clearly. And while he does like disobeying orders or chain of command, it's clear from Temeraire and his own observations that imbeciles can be found in every Western country and every Western country is willing to turn a blind eye when it comes to dragon rights and power.
I liked watching how Temeraire is now absorbing new languages like the dragon language Durzaghno matter what that essayiest at the back of this book says, it is definitely its own language! Take a linguistics course buddy! , and how he's nursemaiding the dragon eggs sorry about the one that was lost, but Iszierka is hilariously fiery! Think Andarna from Fourth Wing haha, childish belligerence mixed with covetous firepower , and how his wake-up call from Laurence has made him realize he needs to adapt or at least moderate his ideas about dragon reform, to fit within the current geopolitical environment, before he can call for major changes post-war. Thankfully, because Lien is seeking vengeance and allied with the French, re-organizing their transportation strategy that's allowed Napoleon to defeat the Russians, I'm hoping Laurence and Temeraire will be able to bring this up as a prime example to the government that dragons and humans can live in harmony .
The new character Tharkey...they're definitely going to make him the mysterious man of the Orient living in Britain and doing mysterious Oriental things, and also disappearing to do his own thing. Also a great guide and translator and whatnot because Laurence is unconsciously hopeless without a great spy on-hand.
A few weeks after imperial prince Yongxing's death, Temeraire and Laurence set off from China to return home to Britain. Unexpectedly, their departure is sped up due to unexpected orders to travel to Istanbul and transport three dragon eggs back to Britain via overland travel through deserts and enemy lines. There is no time to delay, as Napoleon's forces encroach upon the surrounding countries and one of the eggs is close to hatching. Temeraire and Laurence may be facing their most challenging battles yet.
A lot of ground is covered metaphorically and literally throughout the course of this book. Literally, the crew is flying from Peking across China, through two deserts, crossing into Persia, then into Istanbul to Prussia and finally somehow, closer to the Channel home. Metaphorically, Temeraire's learned about how much better life is in China and would love to improve it for his friends and compatriots back home in England. Laurence is thoroughly preoccupied with diplomatic matters as the British ambassadors have, ahem, been assassinated or evacuated from the countries he's been arriving in; so, he's in charge of trying not to cause international incidents
Temeraire is now two years old and he's had so much adventure, compounded by the fact that as a Celestial he's genetically more intelligent and a faster learner than the other Western breeds, his sense of self and place in society is thrown into complete turmoil when he realizes how respected dragons are in the East. He and Laurence have come to an understanding in the previous book, but in this book he's trying to translate his new experience and ideas to a continent in turmoil and with a completely different value system in-place for their dragons. He's probably the equivalent of a middle-schooler, or a pre-teen with all his brooding and sulking and optimistic naivete.
Laurence, meanwhile, is finding himself having to handle matters he normally wouldn't need to handle because hierarchy; there's always someone else there doing all the flower diplomatic work. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and I personally think Laurence would be a great general because of how he's handled all the absurdity and ridiculousness of politicians lining their own pockets and saving their own necks. He's very much a soldier/disciplinarian/military man, and seeing how other countries and governments operate from a closer perspective has allowed him to see the own flaws in Parliament more clearly. And while he does like disobeying orders or chain of command, it's clear from Temeraire and his own observations that imbeciles can be found in every Western country and every Western country is willing to turn a blind eye when it comes to dragon rights and power.
I liked watching how Temeraire is now absorbing new languages like the dragon language Durzagh
The new character Tharkey...they're definitely going to make him the mysterious man of the Orient living in Britain and doing mysterious Oriental things, and also disappearing to do his own thing. Also a great guide and translator and whatnot because Laurence is unconsciously hopeless without a great spy on-hand.
mirificmoxie's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5