dead_unicorn 's review for:

Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik

3.0

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I have no idea how I feel about this book. Despite only being a little longer than the other books in the series so much happen. Which leads into my first complaint about this book is that a lot happen but it all was done in the slowest way possible. The story was dragged down by the tedious day to day tasks that were often repeated to show the passage of time and with the addition of annoying subplots that only slowed down the story more

Spoiler

The fight with Riley, I get why it happened, especially since they spent most of the book in Africa and would be confronting the slave trade up close and personal. But seeing how as all it did was add pages of being told that they were still not talking it didn't add anything to the story. Also, Harcourt’s pregnancy was really unnecessary. I mean I got what she was going for, to show that the Aviators are very different from mainstream society, but it was unnecessary she established that with Jane in the first book.

That all being said I think this book added a lot of interesting things that will make the rest of the book in the series better and it left on one hell of a cliffhanger

Spoiler

Laurence and Temeraire heading back to England to be hanged for treason for preventing the genocide of French dragons

. So I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Also, Laurence and Temeraire's relationship is so pure and always makes these book enjoyable.