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bookwyrm76's review against another edition
4.0
I have friends who claim to not be fantasy readers, but continually end up loving and choosing a fantasy book as their favorite of the year. I always tell them that they should just get over themselves and admit to being a fantasy reader. Well, I'm kind of finding myself in that situation with military fiction and historic fiction fantasy. I pretty much loath historical fiction, though I love history. I, also, never thought of myself as a military fiction fan, but the last few I've read for work I have really enjoyed. Why this applied to His Majesty's Dragon? Well it fits in both catagories.
Set during the Napolianic Wars in a version of our world where the the British Royal Navy has the help of an airforce who ride dragons. Novik created interesting characters, both human and dragon, and maintained a nice balance between historic details and plot. One of the weaknesses I generally find in historic fiction is digressions on period details which intrupt the story. The parallel problem in fantasy is digressions on world building or mechanics of how the world works. Novak does a great job of giving enough detail through action, character attitude, and necessary dialog between characters to allow the reader to understand and feel the setting of the novel without bogging down the plot.
I finished this novel and promptply went to add book two, three, etc on my Nook wishlist. I was lucky enough to get book two on NY ComicCon! It's still in my to-read pile because of work obligations, but I'm still looking forward into reading more of this series.
Set during the Napolianic Wars in a version of our world where the the British Royal Navy has the help of an airforce who ride dragons. Novik created interesting characters, both human and dragon, and maintained a nice balance between historic details and plot. One of the weaknesses I generally find in historic fiction is digressions on period details which intrupt the story. The parallel problem in fantasy is digressions on world building or mechanics of how the world works. Novak does a great job of giving enough detail through action, character attitude, and necessary dialog between characters to allow the reader to understand and feel the setting of the novel without bogging down the plot.
I finished this novel and promptply went to add book two, three, etc on my Nook wishlist. I was lucky enough to get book two on NY ComicCon! It's still in my to-read pile because of work obligations, but I'm still looking forward into reading more of this series.
jennkei's review against another edition
4.0
Not sure about the style of writing which is specific to this time period but dragons! With squads! 3.5 stars.
kewwy's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
phodosanatka's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
deepseadragon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
paperpaladin's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Having loved most other things that Novik has written, I was curious about her Temeraire series. Having now read the first book it is just okay. It is compentently written by an author that I like which is nice but outside of that there isn't much that I super love. Laurence is a Marty-Stu. He is the best at everything and always a gentleman. The plot was okay but nothing terribly surprising happened. I am curious to read the next book but it is not high on my priority list.
My rating system
1 - Did not enjoy
2 - Not irredeemable but has too many flaws to say I enjoyed
3 - Enjoyed it
4 - Great book but didn't love it
5 - Amazing book
My rating system
1 - Did not enjoy
2 - Not irredeemable but has too many flaws to say I enjoyed
3 - Enjoyed it
4 - Great book but didn't love it
5 - Amazing book
tombennett72's review against another edition
4.0
What an excellent story. This is a proper page turner which stands being read quickly (two days in my case). Great characters, an exciting story, and a clever use of history as the backdrop to the tale.
Can't wait to read the next one!
Can't wait to read the next one!
sallad96's review against another edition
honestly I was just super bored and I never wanted to read
ginjafox's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? N/A
4.75
s_everson'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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Blood
Moderate: Violence and War