Reviews

Black Powder War by Naomi Novik

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

longgonewriter's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I had the Extraction theme from Helldivers 2 playing on loop in my head for the last handful of pages - for me, that is all the endorsement this book needs.

I did have to check - for those of us unaware of the arc of the Napoleonic campaigns, I think it's not exactly a spoiler to say that Napoleon didn't get stopped until like 1812, and this book takes place in 1806.

writeronherway's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

4.5

maplebear79's review

adventurous slow-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

3.5

apollinares's review

adventurous emotional inspiring 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

4.75

I'm practically inhaling this series. With every book, the world feels yet more immersive, the characters - more fleshed out. 

I can't wait for the next one! 

kassiani's review against another edition

3.75

After hating the Chinese, time for Laurence to dislike the Turks!
Honestly I’m becoming increasingly annoyed at Laurence (he’s so wooden, and his only character trait lately seems to be his ‘patriotism’), and I enjoy almost every other recurring character better than him. Very intrigued by Tharkay who keeps saving the day even though he’s treated like shit (even when he was mourning his eagle!), and I still adore Temeraire and random dragon lore. 
Advancing on Temeraire’s dragon liberation efforts : honestly, I’m very disappointed in Laurence’s obtuseness at regarding the English treatment of dragons as anything other than slavery, almost making the reader complicit. Absolutely typical if disappointing that he only made false promises to help T’s cause because of course the war takes precedence over any kind of liberation or better treatment. Except why should sentient creatures risk their lives without pay for an empire that treats them like slaves, any rebellion meaning they are sent to ‘breeding grounds’ or put down as feral? 

arashiblack's review against another edition

5.0

What a great book!! With an unexpected ending!! I'm looking forward to the next one!! <3

cdomonoske's review against another edition

adventurous slow-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

3.5

lambders's review against another edition

4.0

Another spectacular addition to the Temeraire series. The audio books for this series is so, so amazing... I cannot get enough! 

(Also, Iskierka is so adorable!! I can't wait to see more of this tiny, sassy, fire-breathing bundle of joy in the next book :D) 

northbailey's review against another edition

2.0

The story line for this third in the series was mostly dull. Dragon eggs to care for gave it a little interest, but the most thoughtful part was Lawrence's struggles to really understand the place of dragons in society and what his country could or would do to welcome them as persons.