priya_haha's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
isoney's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lynnleon86's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
zoemaja's review
5.0
I was nervous about this because a memory loss plot can be so irritating. But I should have trusted N.N. to do this, as she does everything, perfectly. It did not distract from the story and all the issues involved. Loved this book and I am very sad that I only have one left to read.
kitvaria_sarene's review
4.0
This was one of the better ones of the series!
Something actually completely unexpected happens and shakes up the trodden path a bit! We get to see even more new cultures, and it feels a bit deeper again than just flying all over Australia...
I can't believe it was the second to last, I miss them all already, even though I still have book 9 left...
Something actually completely unexpected happens and shakes up the trodden path a bit! We get to see even more new cultures, and it feels a bit deeper again than just flying all over Australia...
I can't believe it was the second to last, I miss them all already, even though I still have book 9 left...
littlelynn's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This wasn’t the where I stopped enjoying the series, but it was definitely the book where I noticed how sharply my enjoyment has been declining.
Much as I love Novik and am a big fan of her work in general, I think these books have lost their way. The plot of at least seven of the books has been basically the same: Laurence and Tem end up in some new place, we discover a new culture and their relationship with dragons, then we have a pop at napoleon. I’m just a little weary of it.
Add to that I’ve found it harder and harder each book to pretend that I’m rooting for Britain in all of this. Enough actual history is involved that Britain is awful because colonialism was absolutely awful. Maybe you could get me to still root for Britain in the Napoleonic Wars on the basis that France had a large hand in colonialism too. Except that, Napoleon is running around like the dragon welfare service while Britain and its allies treat them like crap. And given that the dragons are 90% of all I care about in these books (the other 10% is Tharkay and the Rolands lol) I’ve reached a point where I actively want Britain to lose.
I’ll read the last one because there’s only one to go and I hold out hope for a better ending, but unless the plot turns away from British patriotism and towards dragon liberation, then I’m probably going to be disappointed with the conclusion.
On a side note: I don’t mind if Laurence ends up with Jane because she’s great, but the Tharkay/Laurence was strong with this instalment and that I was here for.
Much as I love Novik and am a big fan of her work in general, I think these books have lost their way. The plot of at least seven of the books has been basically the same: Laurence and Tem end up in some new place, we discover a new culture and their relationship with dragons, then we have a pop at napoleon. I’m just a little weary of it.
Add to that I’ve found it harder and harder each book to pretend that I’m rooting for Britain in all of this. Enough actual history is involved that Britain is awful because colonialism was absolutely awful. Maybe you could get me to still root for Britain in the Napoleonic Wars on the basis that France had a large hand in colonialism too. Except that, Napoleon is running around like the dragon welfare service while Britain and its allies treat them like crap. And given that the dragons are 90% of all I care about in these books (the other 10% is Tharkay and the Rolands lol) I’ve reached a point where I actively want Britain to lose.
I’ll read the last one because there’s only one to go and I hold out hope for a better ending, but unless the plot turns away from British patriotism and towards dragon liberation, then I’m probably going to be disappointed with the conclusion.
On a side note: I don’t mind if Laurence ends up with Jane because she’s great, but the Tharkay/Laurence was strong with this instalment and that I was here for.
cook_memorial_public_library's review
4.0
Recommended by Jo. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sblood%20of%20tyrants%20novik__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold