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A review by kathytwitch
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a new take - the Napoleonic Wars, with dragons. Enjoyable book!! Our dragon hero is a complex and wonderful character. I love how the human hero has to come to terms with his own prejudices, when a dragon turns his life upside down. There's a whole crew involved in flying a dragon into battle, which is a twist I haven't seen before.
For my own part, this series stirred an interest in the Napoleonic Wars. I had primarily been interested in this time period because of Admiral Lord Nelson and the activity of the British fleet. This first book in the series, though, diverted my attention to the land war in Europe, as Napoleon rolled over the continent much like Hitler did in the next century. I always appreciate when historical fiction draws me to research more history, even when that fiction is describing an alternate history.
This series seems slightly reminiscent of Anne McCaffrey's dragon books. The storyline is distinctly different, no copycat here. Yet the way interactions with dragons reshape some of the fundamental rules of human society reminds me of Pern, and the differences between the land holds and the dragon weyrs.
For my own part, this series stirred an interest in the Napoleonic Wars. I had primarily been interested in this time period because of Admiral Lord Nelson and the activity of the British fleet. This first book in the series, though, diverted my attention to the land war in Europe, as Napoleon rolled over the continent much like Hitler did in the next century. I always appreciate when historical fiction draws me to research more history, even when that fiction is describing an alternate history.
This series seems slightly reminiscent of Anne McCaffrey's dragon books. The storyline is distinctly different, no copycat here. Yet the way interactions with dragons reshape some of the fundamental rules of human society reminds me of Pern, and the differences between the land holds and the dragon weyrs.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
These are books about war. There are battles, and there is death, sometimes of young people. The conditions in the British Navy and on the battlefield are not glossed over. I wouldn't recommend this series for kids. There are bedroom scenes that mostly take place off camera.