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sciamachy7's review against another edition
5.0
If I could give this book 10/5 stars, I would. Where the I even begin
laughatlantis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
4.75
smurfy'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
j4nck3's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
hnells's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
4.5
This book was really fun! I really loved the alternate history framing as well as the thoughtful incorporation of dragons into the real-world setting and events. I loved the way that dragons are conceptualized and depicted in this book, and I think that the way that Novik situates them within the world is incredibly interesting and skillful, incorporating public perception of them, intimate knowledge gained by Laurence, and the historical contexts of their existence.
Also, I think part of the reason that this book worked so well for me as a frequent reader of historical fiction was that Novik does a great job of mimicking 19th-century writing in BOTH the dialog and the prose style. I think this extra attention to detail really helps to ground the fantastical elements in the time period, and also I just really appreciate the effort and dedication to craft on a personal level.
As for the characters and plot, I found Laurence and Temeraire both to be very charming, and I greatly enjoyed seeing their relationship develop over the course of the book. I also think it was a good choice to make Laurence somewhat stuffy and dedicated to propriety as these traits really helped to illustrate the differences between polite society and the Aerial Corps. Also, I just always love a character who is kind of uptight and extremely committed to the idea of doing one's duty.
I really enjoyed this book and am definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
Also, I think part of the reason that this book worked so well for me as a frequent reader of historical fiction was that Novik does a great job of mimicking 19th-century writing in BOTH the dialog and the prose style. I think this extra attention to detail really helps to ground the fantastical elements in the time period, and also I just really appreciate the effort and dedication to craft on a personal level.
As for the characters and plot, I found Laurence and Temeraire both to be very charming, and I greatly enjoyed seeing their relationship develop over the course of the book. I also think it was a good choice to make Laurence somewhat stuffy and dedicated to propriety as these traits really helped to illustrate the differences between polite society and the Aerial Corps. Also, I just always love a character who is kind of uptight and extremely committed to the idea of doing one's duty.
I really enjoyed this book and am definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
midday_pigeon's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
calbowen's review against another edition
1.0
Yeah - OK - So, I love Dragons and Fantasy and Alternate History, so what could go wrong -
First, the fact that they "found" a dragon egg in the naval battle, meh, ok - I wil buy that
Second, the fact that this has never happened before, so no one knew what to do, Sure ...
Third, a new born egg taken from Brazil (or there abouts) and is a Chinese Imperial (as far as they can tell) and stolen from the French - yet, as soon as it hatches, it speaks Perfect English - WHAT?!?!?
But Still, I buy into it, because Dragon's are really smart, and apperently learn your entire language by breathing in the air that you exhale, I don't know...
Then, they train in Aviation, which that is what I wanted to read about and it was exciting, and the fact that the Male Captain calls his Male Dragon DEAR is not an issue, though not what I would do, but then, the problem becomes HUGE...
After the basics of aviation, there is a crew assigned to the dragon, which I thought at first, well yeah, airplanes have crews to get them ready, why not Dragons ... but Aviators in the First World War FLEW ALONE - the ground crew started the plane and loaded the weapons and fuel and gear and maintained reapiars, but no one else was on the plane with the pilot and MAYBE a tail gunner in later years - but a whole frigging crew - no - sorry - wonderful as this series may be, I can NOT buy into a dragon holding MANY crew members and flying comfortably and eating a sheep - that big of a dragon would eat WA-A-AY more then that - I think that the ambition got away from the concept, and ruined what could have been and should have been a good story, to novel, to series ... for me anyway.
First, the fact that they "found" a dragon egg in the naval battle, meh, ok - I wil buy that
Second, the fact that this has never happened before, so no one knew what to do, Sure ...
Third, a new born egg taken from Brazil (or there abouts) and is a Chinese Imperial (as far as they can tell) and stolen from the French - yet, as soon as it hatches, it speaks Perfect English - WHAT?!?!?
But Still, I buy into it, because Dragon's are really smart, and apperently learn your entire language by breathing in the air that you exhale, I don't know...
Then, they train in Aviation, which that is what I wanted to read about and it was exciting, and the fact that the Male Captain calls his Male Dragon DEAR is not an issue, though not what I would do, but then, the problem becomes HUGE...
After the basics of aviation, there is a crew assigned to the dragon, which I thought at first, well yeah, airplanes have crews to get them ready, why not Dragons ... but Aviators in the First World War FLEW ALONE - the ground crew started the plane and loaded the weapons and fuel and gear and maintained reapiars, but no one else was on the plane with the pilot and MAYBE a tail gunner in later years - but a whole frigging crew - no - sorry - wonderful as this series may be, I can NOT buy into a dragon holding MANY crew members and flying comfortably and eating a sheep - that big of a dragon would eat WA-A-AY more then that - I think that the ambition got away from the concept, and ruined what could have been and should have been a good story, to novel, to series ... for me anyway.
tvoor15's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5