Scan barcode
mkatinsky's review against another edition
2.0
Ugh. I really enjoy Novik's later fantasy writing, but she clearly cut her teeth on these Napoleonic dragon series and they are amateurish and melodramatic. I gave up in the second book of the series.
possibilityleft's review against another edition
5.0
Oh man, why did I wait so long to read these books? It's delicious alternate history and endearing dragons and I have the biggest crush on Laurence. But in non-fangirly talk, the story was well-written, and most of the battles kept my attention well (which is difficult to do for me in any media). The building of the alternate history was fascinating and the style was engaging and memorable. I loved all of the characters, and how real Temeraire felt. I cannot wait to get the other books in this series.
spmcleroy's review
4.0
Great Historical Fantasy. This is a complation of the three first books in this series. I felt it dipped a little with the middle book, but took up my interest again with the third.
sayobel's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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? No
5.0
jselliot's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Essentially this review, but skewed a little higher: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/2610f102-0de2-47f9-8743-94cd6a2fb899
see_sadie_read's review against another edition
4.0
His Majesty's Dragon - 5★
Oh, I quite enjoyed this one. I found the contrast between Laurence's prim Navy ways and life with an unpredictable dragon endearing. I enjoyed watching his growing affection for Temeraire and Temeraire's honest open love. I did find some of it predictable and it didn't really have much of an ending, since this is the first of a much longer series. But I'm looking forward to book two.
Throne of Jade - 3.5★
I still loved the characters and the writing and the world-building (dragon species, etc) was still astounding, but honestly I found this book a bit dull. The vast majority was comprised of traveling. While there were a few battles with [insert opponent here], most were just random encounters in the course of oceanic transport. There were very few events of actual importance to the plot. What little there was, was crowded in the last 1/4 or so of the book. Even then, Laurence's reticence to push people/dragons for further information left the reader wanting information. Still a good book, but I didn't enjoy it anywhere near as much as the first.
Black Powder War - 3.5★
My review of this Black Powder War is very much the same as Throne of Jade. I adored His Majesty's Dragon, but though I still enjoyed the writing, characters and world building of these latter books, the continued shift toward the war and politics as the primary focus of the story bored me. Plus, the fact that the books all seem to end without conclusion is annoying. I'm just not willing to dedicate myself to 5 more books in the hope of an ending. And that's if the 8th book, published just this year, is an actual conclusion, as opposed to just the most recent book with more to come. So having reached the last page of my third 300+ book in the series I am calling it quits.
Again, the voice of these characters is wonderful. Novik has really created very detailed draconic strata based largely on dragon size and ability. There is a lot of subtle humour and history is deftly merged with fantasy. So for the right reader this is probably a full-on five star book, as book one was for me. I, however, can't drag my rating up that high for something I wasn't less disappointed in.
lizshayne's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Reread because my Mystery Maccabee is a fan and I was trying to get the color right for something and then I just got sucked in.
I’ve definitely read a good amount of this series and definitely have not read all of it. Maybe I’ll finish it this time…
Dragon and naval battles are fun, and it’s fascinating seeing Novik’s evolution as a writer.
I’ve definitely read a good amount of this series and definitely have not read all of it. Maybe I’ll finish it this time…
Dragon and naval battles are fun, and it’s fascinating seeing Novik’s evolution as a writer.
juliemawesome's review against another edition
4.0
This was a re-read as I attempt to read all the way through to the end of the series. Turns out the omnibus had a much shorter hold list on Overdrive than the first book! And since I've already read it, I couldn't re-add it to GoodReads anyway, so the omnibus let me do that. Heh. There's a short story at the end that I'm not sure is included in book 3 either.
Dragons! Great Britain! China! More dragons!
If you like dragons, or the royal navy, or British history, or history in general, or military fantasy, or dragons, well, I just don't know why you haven't read this yet.
To contrast a little with the Seafort Saga, this is a sexist society that also manages to be a feminist book. As the main character finds his views of women challenged here and there, bit by bit.
Onward to book 4!
Dragons! Great Britain! China! More dragons!
If you like dragons, or the royal navy, or British history, or history in general, or military fantasy, or dragons, well, I just don't know why you haven't read this yet.
To contrast a little with the Seafort Saga, this is a sexist society that also manages to be a feminist book. As the main character finds his views of women challenged here and there, bit by bit.
Onward to book 4!
sleeping_while_awake's review against another edition
3.0
I have mixed feelings about these three books.
His Majesty's Dragon was a great story and I could barely put it down. The whole experience of Laurence and Temeraire first meeting and training together made me excited for what was to come.
Throne of Jade created the background for Temeraire, the type of dragon he is, and a major enemy that appears in the next book. However, the pace slowed down dramatically. Spending the whole book in China didn't seem like the best use of time - maybe historically speaking Novik needed that span of time before the next battles begun?
Black Powder War took me forever to get through. The style of Novik's sentences really started to wear on me. For some reason, I found it challenging to follow and I couldn't read it with ease. The overland journey was boring and I thought about not finishing it. Once Laurence gets back to Europe, things get interesting again! I liked the end.
I like the premise - dragons and Napoleonic wars. I don't mind reading historical fiction, even in regards to battles and wars, but for some reason everything in between is so drawn out that it's hard to keep engaged in the story.
Laurence is hard to like. He is really stiff and didn't make much progression over three books. He is dutiful and noble - super straightlaced! He needs a love interest! I had a hard time distinguishing among all the characters. Minor ones were always dying and quite frankly I couldn't even remember who they were during the scene.
I would have liked more of the impact of dragons on the world. Some folklore or popular culture? The battle scenes were my favorite, but they seem sparse compared to everything else.
His Majesty's Dragon was a great story and I could barely put it down. The whole experience of Laurence and Temeraire first meeting and training together made me excited for what was to come.
Throne of Jade created the background for Temeraire, the type of dragon he is, and a major enemy that appears in the next book. However, the pace slowed down dramatically. Spending the whole book in China didn't seem like the best use of time - maybe historically speaking Novik needed that span of time before the next battles begun?
Black Powder War took me forever to get through. The style of Novik's sentences really started to wear on me. For some reason, I found it challenging to follow and I couldn't read it with ease. The overland journey was boring and I thought about not finishing it. Once Laurence gets back to Europe, things get interesting again! I liked the end.
I like the premise - dragons and Napoleonic wars. I don't mind reading historical fiction, even in regards to battles and wars, but for some reason everything in between is so drawn out that it's hard to keep engaged in the story.
Laurence is hard to like. He is really stiff and didn't make much progression over three books. He is dutiful and noble - super straightlaced! He needs a love interest! I had a hard time distinguishing among all the characters. Minor ones were always dying and quite frankly I couldn't even remember who they were during the scene.
I would have liked more of the impact of dragons on the world. Some folklore or popular culture? The battle scenes were my favorite, but they seem sparse compared to everything else.
kueltzo's review against another edition
4.0
NNot much for historical fiction, but I couldn't help but enjoy this trilogy