gdikrum's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
liviascarlett's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
celey's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
slow-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
4.0
A great second book - really delves deep into the broader world of the Napoleonic era with dragons. Lots of action at the end, and lots of political maneuvering.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: War
Many battle deaths, but not described in gory detail and the impact of which is honestly shown.lizbethandthelifeinbetween's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Very solid 4-dtar read! I read the first book over 6 years ago and still remember it vividly. I've finally committed to continuing the series with help from my library <3
This series is so inventive, and Novik's writing is charming. Unlike most dragon books out there.
I wasn't a huge fan of all the seafaring, but I adored the world expansion and I'm so excited to continue the series.
This series is so inventive, and Novik's writing is charming. Unlike most dragon books out there.
I wasn't a huge fan of all the seafaring, but I adored the world expansion and I'm so excited to continue the series.
alexandra_avital's review against another edition
3.0
The pacing was off and it lacked the plot and character development of the first one. I’ll give the third a go before I give up on the series...
gracemxz'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
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
pilardo's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.25
I hate to say this about a Naomi Novik book, but this book was BORING. How does a war fought with dragons become such a slog to read through? Really disappointed that this didn’t live up to the experience of the first book, which hooked me so deeply that I read it in one sitting.
Throughout the book, the pacing was really questionable. It seemed that there would be stretches of several chapters where nothing happened, then an overly quick resolution that left me feeling unsatisfied and underwhelmed by the problems the characters faced. This was especially frustrating for the end of the book. A “solution” is brought up by one of the characters, but it doesn’t address any of Laurence’s concerns. The book also ends in a way that makes me assume Temeraire is returning to England, even though the entire plot was about how the Emperor would never let that happen. The ending seemed rushed and improbable, based on how stressed everyone was for the whole story.
Also - there is a really fine line between being accurate to the attitudes of the time period, and perpetuating racist stereotypes. I’m not an expert on modern or historical Chinese culture, so I don’t have any specific qualms, but I will say that it made this book supremely uncomfortable to read at times. I am clearly supposed to be rooting for Laurence and his crew, but they are openly and proudly racist. But at least he doesn’t like slavery! Even though he’s too spineless to say that out loud to people who do! Clearly that makes it all okay.
Throughout the book, the pacing was really questionable. It seemed that there would be stretches of several chapters where nothing happened, then an overly quick resolution that left me feeling unsatisfied and underwhelmed by the problems the characters faced. This was especially frustrating for the end of the book. A “solution” is brought up by one of the characters, but it doesn’t address any of Laurence’s concerns. The book also ends in a way that makes me assume Temeraire is returning to England, even though the entire plot was about how the Emperor would never let that happen. The ending seemed rushed and improbable, based on how stressed everyone was for the whole story.
Also - there is a really fine line between being accurate to the attitudes of the time period, and perpetuating racist stereotypes. I’m not an expert on modern or historical Chinese culture, so I don’t have any specific qualms, but I will say that it made this book supremely uncomfortable to read at times. I am clearly supposed to be rooting for Laurence and his crew, but they are openly and proudly racist. But at least he doesn’t like slavery! Even though he’s too spineless to say that out loud to people who do! Clearly that makes it all okay.
fencewalker's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.0
marinda91's review
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
jacalata's review
4.0
Manages to tell an engaging story with characters I care about and plausible motivations that can't just be predicted away.