R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 8/11/2014 + 1438 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

When William Laurence, captain of the English Reliant, and his crew capture a French ship they find a prize without par in this alternate version of the Napoleonic wars. It's a dragon egg. However, events spiral beyond Laurence's imagination when the hatching dragon he names Temeraire chooses Laurence for his captain. He must forsake his beloved navy in lieu of the air corps which is a service apart and quite different from all he has known as a naval officer. So begins a series featuring the dragon corps or more specifically, Temeraire and William Laurence. His Majesty's Dragon is the first and weaves a solid base for this delightful duo. Perhaps this is my favorite of the three in this collection as I enjoyed watching them develop their bond and learn to fight Napoleon's forces.

Throne of Jade follows and finds Termeraire and Laurence off to China. It seems that Temeraire is of a rare dragon breed meant only to serve emperors which is why the egg was on its way to Emperor Napoleon. The Chinese demand that he be returned to China and English politicians seeking to placate them agree. When Temeraire refuses to abandon Laurence, the two find themselves embroiled in yet more political intrigue. Discovering that a Chinese prince is plotting to overthrow the current emperor, they find themselves at the heart of a dangerous plan that almost costs Laurence his life.

Black Powder War is perhaps ill named. Avoiding death, Laurence and Temeraire's next adventure finds themselves pursuing the trail of three valuable dragon eggs that have been purchased from the Ottoman Empire. Arriving in Istanbul to escort the eggs to England, they encounter delay after delay. When at last they manage to remove the eggs from their hidden place, they encounter an unlikely foe, Lien, a white dragon whose captain was the prince plotting the Chinese overthrow. Her motive is revenge because she believes that Temeraire is responsible for her captain's death. She joins Napoleon's forces lending her experience and exquisite intellect to the battles with England.

This adventure series is most entertaining and well done. The dragon air corps illustrates an imaginative depth for an alternate history that keeps the reader involved from one volume to the next. While I did not like the character, Lien, (my bias), she does make a formidable foe. And, I felt that the author did not continue to develop the character of Temeraire as well as she might in the final volume. Nevertheless I can't help recommending this series. It's fun, well done and so entertaining. One can't help but wonder what if....

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