linnaea's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
ccpprrjj's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
ashleighbeanxo's review against another edition
2.0
*Sigh* I wish I had liked this book..
Last year, His Majesty's Dragon was one of my biggest surprises. I did not expect a book about the Napoleonic war (a subject I know very little about) involving dragons to be so good. I knew I had to continue with the series, but unfortunately I just didn't like this book.
Maybe it was the fact that the majority of this book is set in a ship and there isn't a lot happening, whereas the first book was action-packed and you had some great bonding moments between Laurence and Temeraire. I think this book lacked both those things.
Unfortunately I can't see myself progressing through this series. :(
Last year, His Majesty's Dragon was one of my biggest surprises. I did not expect a book about the Napoleonic war (a subject I know very little about) involving dragons to be so good. I knew I had to continue with the series, but unfortunately I just didn't like this book.
Maybe it was the fact that the majority of this book is set in a ship and there isn't a lot happening, whereas the first book was action-packed and you had some great bonding moments between Laurence and Temeraire. I think this book lacked both those things.
Unfortunately I can't see myself progressing through this series. :(
jack1291's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
swansandroses's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
magicdrop's review against another edition
4.0
So far this is good not as good as 1 but we will see.
natycuac's review against another edition
3.0
No estoy muy segura de qué opinar sobre este libro, me gusta? claro que sí, pero creo que me cansa un poco. A pesar de que hay momentos de aventura y emoción el ritmo sigue siendo lento dentro de lo que la historia puede dar.
Por supuesto que hay mil cosas que analizar, partiendo por lo "revolucionario" que es Temerario, pero también en parte porque nos vemos metidos de lleno en un lugar que tiene otras reglas, otra forma de ver la interacción de dragones y humanos que parece prehistórica en lo que ya conocimos.
Por otro lado, un viaje en barco que abarca la mitad del libro? Un poco triste y cansino, a pesar de que tiene sus encantos, creo que me habría muerto si es que no llegaban jamás a donde debían llegar.
Pero independiente de todo, quiero seguir leyendo, quiero ver donde termina esta historia.
Por supuesto que hay mil cosas que analizar, partiendo por lo "revolucionario" que es Temerario, pero también en parte porque nos vemos metidos de lleno en un lugar que tiene otras reglas, otra forma de ver la interacción de dragones y humanos que parece prehistórica en lo que ya conocimos.
Por otro lado, un viaje en barco que abarca la mitad del libro? Un poco triste y cansino, a pesar de que tiene sus encantos, creo que me habría muerto si es que no llegaban jamás a donde debían llegar.
Pero independiente de todo, quiero seguir leyendo, quiero ver donde termina esta historia.
samwescott's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
I didn't love this one quite as much as the first, mostly because I didn't find the setting (on the boat or in China) quite as compelling as the first (on the front lines with friends). It was sad to see Temeraire so isolated for a lot of the book, even if it was mended eventually with some very interesting knowledge about other Imperials and Celestials.
I'll admit, I was also a little flinchy about the depiction of the Chinese, since they are so othered in the Napoleonic setting and because so much of the plot is about clashing cultures. But I think the depictions were specific and personable enough to keep from the book making any sweeping generalizations or relying on stereotypes.
And I still adore the relationship between Laurence and Temeraire. It's so intimate and loving, but I like that this book was able to reveal some points of tension and strain. I thought the eventual solution to the Chinese objection was a little... easy. It felt a bit silly. But if that fixes the problem ad lets the story move on, I'm into it and I am SO stoked for our little Jacobin Temeraire to start getting fussy about dragon rights in England. That potential storyline is like catnip to me and I can't wait to get there!
I'll admit, I was also a little flinchy about the depiction of the Chinese, since they are so othered in the Napoleonic setting and because so much of the plot is about clashing cultures. But I think the depictions were specific and personable enough to keep from the book making any sweeping generalizations or relying on stereotypes.
And I still adore the relationship between Laurence and Temeraire. It's so intimate and loving, but I like that this book was able to reveal some points of tension and strain. I thought the eventual solution to the Chinese objection was a little... easy. It felt a bit silly. But if that fixes the problem ad lets the story move on, I'm into it and I am SO stoked for our little Jacobin Temeraire to start getting fussy about dragon rights in England. That potential storyline is like catnip to me and I can't wait to get there!
poisonenvy's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My fourth readthrough. I do not know where my reviews for previous readthroughs went (perhaps attached to the SubPress edition; why reviews aren't carried over through different editions is beyond me).
I dont think I have anything new to say. It's my fourth time reading the book: that should say enough.
I dont think I have anything new to say. It's my fourth time reading the book: that should say enough.
priya_haha's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.5