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A review by machadamia
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
4.0
An unexpectedly cozy book about dragons.
Going into it, I have to admit that I was expecting some world ending things to happen but when I realised that it is a more intimate storyabout the relationship between the dragon and Laurence, I was all the more happy for it. Cozy books are really my jam.
Laurence has always shown to be akind and caring man with good capabilities as a leader and a navy man. I love that they established that at the start so that later on, we would have basis for why he chooses to bond with Temeraire against what he wishes to do. Temeraire is so incredibly smart and curious. He starts out sort of like a baby to be fed and accompanied then becomes a peer to Laurence and the change in dynamics is so apparent.
I think it's interesting that Novik decided to write that "imprinting" on a dragon isbad at first, because that is so different from what we are used to reading. And then later, we see that dragon riders actually love it because of the bond. Of course there are bad sorts but then mostly they are good. And I do love that most of the cast members are good people who we love. My favourite bits are definitely when he goes in and changes things, they grumbled at first but nothing bad happens and they start to adopt his habits because the dragons genuinely loves it. It's like they really want the best for the dragons. It's like a very cute parent child relationship depiction but also a very endearing peer to peer relationship.
I also love that she is using actual historical events (the Napoleonic wars) to be the background of the story. It is both familiar and yet foreign enough with the dragons' involvement to pique the readers' interest and keep us reading.
I would 100% read this again and probably have a go at the next few books which I hope is as good as this one!
Going into it, I have to admit that I was expecting some world ending things to happen but when I realised that it is a more intimate story
Laurence has always shown to be a
I think it's interesting that Novik decided to write that "imprinting" on a dragon is
I also love that she is using actual historical events (the Napoleonic wars) to be the background of the story. It is both familiar and yet foreign enough with the dragons' involvement to pique the readers' interest and keep us reading.
I would 100% read this again and probably have a go at the next few books which I hope is as good as this one!