Reviews

Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik

roseybot's review

4.0

Wow. So much happened in this book and I still am processing it. I'm waiting for the next book to come in from the library with bated breath because of the ending that this book provides.

I felt like the middle dragged a little, but only a little, and it was definitely interesting to see yet another way that the relationship between dragons and people could be set up.

Super ready for the next book. I NEED IT.

readerkai's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

readingelli's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Slavery, Death, Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder

Moderate: Vomit, Racism, and War

Colonialism, imperialism

tjwallace04's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense fast-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

 

Phew, what a wild ride! "Empire of Ivory" is my favorite Temeraire book since the first one! It started with a bang, and the action and excitement never flagged for me. We find intrigue, dragon escapades galore, moral quandaries, mystery illnesses, relationship issues, friendship drama, bravery and kindness, cruelty and despair, and all of it is spread out over the framework of well-researched history that makes the reader feel like you are really situated in the early 1800s during the Napaloeonic awards (+ dragons, of course). Temeraire is at his best - thoughtful, funny, sweet and loyal. And I felt like Laurence's character is given more depth. His thoughts about marriage and loyalty to his country were complicated, messy, and thus particularly interesting. The look at the slave trade was really thoughtfully-done, and I feel like this book set up some interesting potential alliances and enemies for future books in the series (and in some cases, I am not sure whether they would be allies OR enemies). And that ending! "Empire of Ivory" has a great cliffhanger, but it felt less manipulative than some I have encountered recently in contemporary fantasy. I almost want to pick up the next book immediately.

I read most of "Empire of Ivory" in one sitting instead of taking my normal Saturday afternoon nap, and you KNOW a book is fun for me to forego napping. Ok, maybe YOU don't know. My husband and kids know. Weekend naps are life. But so are brave, winsome dragons and meticulously-done alternate histories. 😄

 

storiesofmagic's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

enbypirate's review

4.0

I liked it, going to Africa was fun, Novik's one F-bomb per book still drives me up the wall, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book when time allows.

james_the_ginge's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

kstewart_ray's review

adventurous challenging hopeful tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

sechurae's review against another edition

4.75

Re-read on audio. Some amazing scenes in this book; aviators eyeing each other to see who the father of Harcourt's child, and of course Laurence's worst day of his life. Laurence's attitude towards Lethabo was a little more exasperating the second time around, knowing the direction it's going in, but obviously in character.

emmah_h's review against another edition

emotional sad tense slow-paced

4.5