Reviews

Black Powder War by Naomi Novik

amandasbookclub's review against another edition

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4.0

This series is just so much fun!

starsal's review

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4.0

I enjoy Temeraire and Laurence's adventures quite a lot, but this book was the slowest going I've read so far. It seemed to be mainly a placeholder, setting up the next few books. The character interactions are as amusing as ever, but much of the book seems to be taken up with waiting around for other things to happen, and feeling frustrated. I read through this one anxious to get to the next one, not really savoring it for itself.

laurelbard's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

3.5

Another fun installment, this one was not as well paced as the second, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I am intrigued by Tharkay; I hope we see more of him throughout the series! I was also tickled that Laurence met a Sephardic Jew in Turkey. 

bridget1499's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

kajtljn's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional 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? It's complicated

4.0

pewpewnicorn's review against another edition

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adventurous slow-paced

4.0

ragonmoss's review against another edition

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3.0

I felt like this was a diversion between China and England and I'm more interested in what will happen when Temeraire gets back to England and advocates for change for dragons. It wasn't quite as compelling, I felt like it could possibly have been skipped or shortened. Still, engaging enough!

mychemicalseal's review against another edition

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5.0

(a reread) I forgot how much happens in this book. Laurence and his future 'landlord', Iskierka the terrible beast (affectionate), the PRUSSIANS. Temeraire getting marinated briefly , what a wild ride 

upstartreader's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5 As usual, Naomi Novak has created a marvel of alternative history and fantasy but..
In spite of her clear, crisp writing and meticulous historical research, I found it difficult to maintain my interest in the respected intrigues, escapes, battles, etc. Somehow, I felt emotionally disconnected from the characters, as if this were ground already covered in the previous books.

aileen_odwyer's review against another edition

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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? No

3.0