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geniusscientist's review against another edition
3.0
This was perfectly fine again, very pleasant. Though this time there were like NO female characters and I'm starting to get a little worried that the author isn't as concerned about that sort of thing as I am.
artistsallie's review against another edition
2.0
Not my favorite of the series so far. It wasn't "bad" but the pacing felt very strange and slower than the previous couple of books. I feel like those who are more familiar with the progression of the Napoleonic Wars would have a lot of fun with the mentions of the Prussians/specific military campaigns, but since Lawrence and Temeraire seemed to take a back seat for a large part of the book, I wasn't as invested. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the representation in the section taking place in Instanbul.
Tharkay was my favorite part of this book and I hope that he gets more pages devoted to him in future entries.
The setup for the next book looks really promising, so I am still looking forward to continuing the series when Lawrence can finally start to put his experiences into practice.
Tharkay was my favorite part of this book and I hope that he gets more pages devoted to him in future entries.
The setup for the next book looks really promising, so I am still looking forward to continuing the series when Lawrence can finally start to put his experiences into practice.
troutgirl's review against another edition
After the silk and jewels of China, Temeraire and his crew embark on a grueling overland traversal of the entire Eurasian continent from Beijing to London via Tibet, Turkey, and Germany. And speaking of grueling... this third episode in the series was so lacking in entertainment value that I think I'm done with the whole enterprise.
Granted, the particular theme of the novel is frustration, as lifelong military man Will Laurence learns to deal with missions which require diplomacy and patience. But the net effect is a plot that is 80% sitting around or distance trekking, often in the company of the grossest stereotypes of Ottoman and Prussian character, until some coincidence or other releases the team from house arrest.
There is one intriguing character, a young Jewish woman who acts as a business agent to the women of the Sultan's harem, but she basically serves as one of the aforementioned coincidences and then disappears forever. Oh, actually there's another cool new character: Napoleon himself.
Also... not to be unkind, but the author seems to be indulging more and more in what _The Incredibles_ called "monologuing". There is one scene here that is so incredibly cringeworthy I almost quit right then and there -- particularly as it seemed especially out of character for this particular villain to do anything so vulgarly DIRECT. I would have expected something more sublime, like poems written in blood and delivered by dying eagles at regular intervals.
Granted, the particular theme of the novel is frustration, as lifelong military man Will Laurence learns to deal with missions which require diplomacy and patience. But the net effect is a plot that is 80% sitting around or distance trekking, often in the company of the grossest stereotypes of Ottoman and Prussian character, until some coincidence or other releases the team from house arrest.
There is one intriguing character, a young Jewish woman who acts as a business agent to the women of the Sultan's harem, but she basically serves as one of the aforementioned coincidences and then disappears forever. Oh, actually there's another cool new character: Napoleon himself.
Also... not to be unkind, but the author seems to be indulging more and more in what _The Incredibles_ called "monologuing". There is one scene here that is so incredibly cringeworthy I almost quit right then and there -- particularly as it seemed especially out of character for this particular villain to do anything so vulgarly DIRECT. I would have expected something more sublime, like poems written in blood and delivered by dying eagles at regular intervals.
doglady_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
docbecky's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bibliophobe's review against another edition
4.0
With the journey to China over, Lawrence receives pressing orders to pick up some dragon eggs in Istanbul. With the importance of dragons to the war, especially new breeds and the possibility of adding a fire breather to the English bloodlines, the crew know that the mission is of utmost importance to their nation.
The only problem with this mission is the great distance and the impossible timeline. With how soon they received the new orders from England, it was quite clear the orders were sent before they reached China, lending to the urgency of the new orders.
In order to reach their goal they have to hire a questionable guide to cover great distances over many deserts on the way to Istanbul. Their new guide disappears without anyone noticing and returns as he pleases. He speaks languages they don't understand and befriends wild dragons. In every way he raises the the suspicions of the whole team. Whose side is he on? What is his objective? Will they reach the eggs in time?
The story is quite enjoyable and fun to read.
To see more reviews check out my blog: This Sporadic Life
The only problem with this mission is the great distance and the impossible timeline. With how soon they received the new orders from England, it was quite clear the orders were sent before they reached China, lending to the urgency of the new orders.
In order to reach their goal they have to hire a questionable guide to cover great distances over many deserts on the way to Istanbul. Their new guide disappears without anyone noticing and returns as he pleases. He speaks languages they don't understand and befriends wild dragons. In every way he raises the the suspicions of the whole team. Whose side is he on? What is his objective? Will they reach the eggs in time?
The story is quite enjoyable and fun to read.
To see more reviews check out my blog: This Sporadic Life
ozanreads's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
mac_kinleyb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kalix_glaeser's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0