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aileen_odwyer'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? No
3.0
subplotkudzu's review against another edition
4.0
As we move through the series I find I really enjoy three things:
1) how travel is its own character in this - something to be explored and discussed rather than glossed over, which does wonders for capturing the feel of the time period
2) how Novik set up Lawrence to be on the right side of moral history just by placing him with the other people who in real life occupied that space, but that his growth is not sudden or painless. He still has a lot of unlearning to do.
and
3) I can very seldom guess where any of this is going to go, which is great!
Novik continues her very enjoyable alt history here, and I loved watching the Prussian campaign of the Napoleonic wards play out from the losing side and the sheer shock clearly displayed about what was happening. It may start to strain credulity that Temerarie's falling into Lawrence's hands is the inciting incident that shifts the alt-history off of its parallel path to our own, but I suppose he is the star of this particular show.
1) how travel is its own character in this - something to be explored and discussed rather than glossed over, which does wonders for capturing the feel of the time period
2) how Novik set up Lawrence to be on the right side of moral history just by placing him with the other people who in real life occupied that space, but that his growth is not sudden or painless. He still has a lot of unlearning to do.
and
3) I can very seldom guess where any of this is going to go, which is great!
Novik continues her very enjoyable alt history here, and I loved watching the Prussian campaign of the Napoleonic wards play out from the losing side and the sheer shock clearly displayed about what was happening. It may start to strain credulity that Temerarie's falling into Lawrence's hands is the inciting incident that shifts the alt-history off of its parallel path to our own, but I suppose he is the star of this particular show.
slwest382's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
4.75
janyriy's review against another edition
4.0
4.2 ⭐️
Their way back from China leads Laurence and Temeraire not over sea, but over land, along the old silk road. They pass deserts & mountains and go through Istanbul, only to end up stuck in Prussia with two unhatched eggs and Napoleon driving their forces across the continent. The last part of the book is a bit of a slog and a long series of defeats, but Novik still manages to inject some humour into it.
Overall, the book is a lot grimmer than than the first, but I don't mind the tone, I think it's very fitting. And I like that these historic events were not twisted to make the protags look better or like some special heroes that just swoop in and save everyone.
Also, there's such a sense of adventure in these books, one that I haven't felt in a while, and so far I'm not getting tired of it!
Their way back from China leads Laurence and Temeraire not over sea, but over land, along the old silk road. They pass deserts & mountains and go through Istanbul, only to end up stuck in Prussia with two unhatched eggs and Napoleon driving their forces across the continent. The last part of the book is a bit of a slog and a long series of defeats, but Novik still manages to inject some humour into it.
Overall, the book is a lot grimmer than than the first, but I don't mind the tone, I think it's very fitting. And I like that these historic events were not twisted to make the protags look better or like some special heroes that just swoop in and save everyone.
Also, there's such a sense of adventure in these books, one that I haven't felt in a while, and so far I'm not getting tired of it!
hippahop's review against another edition
2.0
decided not to keep reading after the umpteenth time a person was referred to as "Oriental." Maybe I just can't read historical fiction if that kind of accuracy is to be expected? I don't see the need to keep derogatory descriptions when we're already in a fantasy world though
bmcmele's review against another edition
4.0
This one felt like a moving-the-plot forward. But I still look forward to the next one.
lbullene's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Napoleonic wars with dragons: now with more ethical discussions and cultural clashes!
leglegleglegleg's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
znorgaard's review against another edition
4.0
The Temeraire series has really hit its stride with this book.
After their adventures in China, Captain Laurence and his dragon Temeraire (along with their crew) must make the perilous journey from China to Istanbul where they'll find themselves once more embroiled in the Napoleonic War. This book is fast paced, full of adventure, success, and failure. You'll meet new characters and grow to love old ones - which is a one area I felt the previous books fell a little short. Feral dragons, desert crossings, bold new tactics, fierce battles, and narrow escapes come together to shape an outstanding narrative. There are fewer of the subtle insults and verbal jousts that I came to love in the previous books because so much time is spent on the road, but it's still wonderful to read when it does make an appearance.
After their adventures in China, Captain Laurence and his dragon Temeraire (along with their crew) must make the perilous journey from China to Istanbul where they'll find themselves once more embroiled in the Napoleonic War. This book is fast paced, full of adventure, success, and failure. You'll meet new characters and grow to love old ones - which is a one area I felt the previous books fell a little short. Feral dragons, desert crossings, bold new tactics, fierce battles, and narrow escapes come together to shape an outstanding narrative. There are fewer of the subtle insults and verbal jousts that I came to love in the previous books because so much time is spent on the road, but it's still wonderful to read when it does make an appearance.
witch_dagger's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75