Reviews tagging 'Slavery'

De jaden troon by Naomi Novik

19 reviews

saltycoffee's review against another edition

adventurous 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? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexism, Slavery, Trafficking, Colonisation, and War

Moderate: Animal death and Classism

Minor: Child death

studiomikarts's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I enjoyed this book just as much as the previous one! In fact, it began so smoothly, following immediately the concluding events of the first book, that it didn't even feel like a separate thing. I'm not sure I've ever felt that way when reading other book series before, even my favorites like Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings. Some of the things that were especially well done in this volume included the tension at the beginning (enough to keep me reading, but not so much as to be annoying), all of the action scenes, Temeraire's amusing bloodthirstiness somehow harmoniously married to his deep compassion for other living things, and Lawrence's constant show of character flaws that miraculously do not make him any less likeable as a protagonist. Excited to get reading volume 3!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Death, and Blood

Minor: Slavery, Violence, and War

cowardlyteaman's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful informative tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I really liked this book! I must say that I really like Novik's writing style.
Although it wasn't a big topic in the book, the way the colonial slavery is treated concerning Laurence and Temeraire's opinion on it, I think is handled well considering that the main theme of this book isn't slavery in Africa. Laurence is disgusted by the concept, obviously, as we wouldn't want to read about a hero who supports such a thing. Temeraire asks questions about it, and is quite honestly appalled by the idea; and I enjoy the way the duo later reflects around the difference between their role in the army and what slavery is, and how they can't compare themselves to that.
We're not really given much depth into the Chinese main characters, though, which I suppose could be something to mention. However, the way Laurence slowly starts to learn more about Chinese culture concerning dragons and women, too, and starts questioning the ways of his own nation, I really like! The character development he goes through about women and dragons is honestly so interesting to read.
This series had a good balance between some light humour and serious themes. I don't feel like the humour is inappropriate set in this world. There are fittingly placed action scenes when things start to feel slow, and they *most of the time* have something to do with the story.
Very good read. :)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Racism, Slavery, Violence, and War

Moderate: Misogyny

apersonfromflorida's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, and Violence

Moderate: Animal death and Gun violence

Minor: Animal cruelty, Misogyny, and Slavery

szuum'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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Death, Racism, and Violence

Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Slavery

readandfindout's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

4.0

Style/writing: 4 stars
Themes: 4 stars
Characters: 4.5 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars
Worldbuilding: 4 stars

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Slavery, and Violence

Minor: Death, Misogyny, and Racism

veeronald's review against another edition

adventurous challenging informative reflective relaxing slow-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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Murder

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Xenophobia, Blood, and Trafficking

ruthh's review against another edition

• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence

Moderate: Racism and Slavery

kathytwitch's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Another intriguing twist on the Napoleonic Wars, this story actually departs the continent for long, eventful sea voyage on a diplomatic mission to China. Our young dragon seemed well satisfied with his lot in life as a member of His Majesty's Aerial Corps, until he sees how the other half lives. The difference between the honor the intelligent dragons are awarded in China and the fear and suspicion with which they are regarded in England cannot be missed, either by a brilliant dragon or a discerning reader. I don't think this book will be the last to address this discrepancy. Our characters continue to unfold new facets, I am very much enjoying this series so far.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Confinement, Slavery, and Violence

Minor: Death and Sexual content

There's less battlefield violence than in the first book, and more intrigue and subtlety, but there are still scenes of violence and death. This is especially the case when the protagonists try to escape an extended house arrest. None of this violence is treated casually, and it does serve to further the plot line. On a long sea voyage, our dragon hero learns about the human slave trade, and being the intelligent creature that he is, he starts to form some revolutionary ideas about the treatment of dragons. This treatment is much different in China, the setting of this story, than in England, the starting point of this journey. Again, this practice (slavery) is not glossed over, nor is it defended, as the abolition movement in England is strong at this time (at least in regard to human slavery. ) While most of the bedroom scenes are again behind closed doors, the interactions of human lovers in this book are more noticeable than in the previous volume. However, the development of our dragon hero into a mature adult is a bit more obvious. While he is off screen to do his fatherly duty in China, it's clear that he's involved in an intimate relationship with a lady dragon.