Second in the Temeraire series. This was excellent! Well written, exciting, fun, and of course I love the dragons! All the characters have taken on lives of their own, both human and draconic. And I'm quite impressed by the way Novik has managed to incorporate dragons into the "real" history of many countries to create these stories -- she really makes it work.

Great story, great details, and I'm very interested to see what Temeraire gets up to in the next installment! Very highly recommended to anyone who enjoys fantasy or dragon stories!

Share/Like this Review?

Another outstanding entry into the Temeraire series, an alternate history where dragons exist during the period of the Napoleonic wars. Set during the long voyage to and arrival in China, the intricacies and intrigues of the Chinese Imperial court are set side by side with the community of Chinese dragons. This series is pure magic, with well drawn characters (including the dragons), rich historic settings and wonderful plotting. Unlike most sophomore books, this one maintains the quality of the first, advances the world arc and tells a clean resolved story of its own.

Share/Like this Review?

The first book was a pleasant surprise, and I really enjoyed the second book as well. It's such an inventive alternate history. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series--Ms. Novik has done a great job of keeping me guessing and wondering what is going to come next.

Share/Like this Review?

Second in the Temeraire fantasy series, which is sort of alternative history, too--set during the Napoleonic wars with the added feature of having dragons exist--as weapons of war! I have to say I didn't like this book as well as the first in series--I suspect because I am not real big on naval battles/naval war history, and this book took place almost exclusively on a dragon transport ship as Laurence and Temeraire are being escorted back to China. Since Temeraire is a Chinese Celestial dragon, the Chinese Emperor has demanded his return to the native country and Laurence accompanies her, certain that he will be forcibly parted from his partner at voyage's end. I still enjoyed the book--it's rare that a book with dragons doesn't enthrall me--and will definitely read the next in series...it's just that the descriptions of the ship, naval battles and all that sailor/naval stuff left me a bit cold.

Share/Like this Review?

Excellent, very well written. Wonderful plot, characters are interesting, action is well played and gripping. Loved it!

Share/Like this Review?

This is a continuing story of Laurence and his dragon, Temeraire. Captain of the HMS Reliant, Laurence and his crew had previously found a French ship and confiscated its cargo, which included a precious unhatched dragon's egg. When the egg hatched, the dragon bonded with Laurence who left to Navy to join Britain's Aerial Corps. Like all new recruits, they fought Bonaparte's forces, to prove their value to queen and country.

As the story unfolds China finds that the dragon's egg, a gift for Napoleon, is now in Britian. Prince Yongxing and his delegation represent the emperor and come to Britain to claim Temeraire, a Celestial dragon, that is supposed to bond only to princes and kings. However, Laurence will not relinquish Temeraire nor Temeraire will give up his captain. But the British powers that be insist that the dragon be returned to China. The bonding of dragon and man means that Laurence must travel to the Far East or face the gallows in Britain. It's a months long trip filled with danger, a hurricane and other terrors. Whe they reach the Chinese emperor's court they find other dangers. Laurence must survive several assassination attempts until the culprit is unmasked.

The author skillfully blends an 1801 worldw in a fantasy with intelligent dragons. Battles ensue, suspense builds and the reader learns more about the growing bond between Temeraire and Laurence. Still a young dragon, Temeraire grows bigger and bigger. With maturity, the relationship between dragon and man grows in depth. It's a fine, fine readby a talented author.

Share/Like this Review?

Bravo for Naomi Novik! I have now read all the Temeraire books and love them. My only complaint was simple if you have a Dragon transport why would the sailors not be at ease with dragons? And get huffy over transporting them? It made no real sense to me

Share/Like this Review?

A soon to be classic series based on a mixture of dragons and Napoleonic Sea Stories. (a la Hornblower). This is #2 and the books should be read in order since there is a lot of continuity. This plot takes the dragon Temeraire and his rider Capt. William Laurence to China, where they discover a society based on equality between humans and dragons.

Share/Like this Review?