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cosmicllama 's review for:
Empire of Ivory
by Naomi Novik
This book was a sort of resounding Meh. I've had issues staying interested with the previous books as there always seems to be a major plot point that is just sort of danced around until the final 50 or so pages. Not to mention the fact that the presence of dragon's has not affected the balance of power in the world at all throughout all of history feels tedious (though I am probably nit picky about this fact).
Ultimately, I felt that Black Powder War was going to be a turnaround point as it felt like the characters were making decisions and pushing the plot forward. Empire of Ivory felt like a return to Throne of Jade's storytelling where the reader knew what had to be done and the space in between needed to be filled. Empire of Ivory started strong with the end of flight to England and delved deeper into the politics of high society in England. This is where Novik really shines. Her writing style lends itself to really getting into the detail and the conservative nature of politics at the time. The relative ease with which the upper classes were able to write off dragon's as animals throughout all of the books was well thought out and ingrained in the reader a sense of impatience with the status quo.
The biggest problem I had with this though is that Laurence, though incredibly fond of Temeraire rarely seems to fight for him. He's so boring and caught up within British officer culture that I find it hard to relate to someone who loves their friend so much, but offers little to help him beyond "there is a war on dear, we can't expect to make life better yet". Empire of Ivory does little to help this view of Laurence as he does make a huge decision at the end of the book, only to pull a Lassie like moment, deflating the world changing decision he made.
Overall this book probably sealed the deal on not wanting to read more of the series. I want to know what happens, but I feel like all the extra baggage that comes with it isn't worth the effort.
Ultimately, I felt that Black Powder War was going to be a turnaround point as it felt like the characters were making decisions and pushing the plot forward. Empire of Ivory felt like a return to Throne of Jade's storytelling where the reader knew what had to be done and the space in between needed to be filled. Empire of Ivory started strong with the end of flight to England and delved deeper into the politics of high society in England. This is where Novik really shines. Her writing style lends itself to really getting into the detail and the conservative nature of politics at the time. The relative ease with which the upper classes were able to write off dragon's as animals throughout all of the books was well thought out and ingrained in the reader a sense of impatience with the status quo.
The biggest problem I had with this though is that Laurence, though incredibly fond of Temeraire rarely seems to fight for him. He's so boring and caught up within British officer culture that I find it hard to relate to someone who loves their friend so much, but offers little to help him beyond "there is a war on dear, we can't expect to make life better yet". Empire of Ivory does little to help this view of Laurence as he does make a huge decision at the end of the book, only to pull a Lassie like moment, deflating the world changing decision he made.
Overall this book probably sealed the deal on not wanting to read more of the series. I want to know what happens, but I feel like all the extra baggage that comes with it isn't worth the effort.