Scan barcode
A review by frootlupo
Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Throne of Jade is fine.
The second instalment of the Temeraire series didn’t have anything wrong with it, it just also didn’t have anything that stands out greatly as well. His Majesty’s Dragon (the first in the series) carried a fun whimsy and interesting stakes that propelled the book forward despite somewhat clunky character work. This book smooths out much of the clunkiness but also removes a lot of the fun and whimsy.
Much of the book is devoted to politicking - which, believe it or not, is not the thing I’m looking for when I pick up a book about the napoleonic wars with dragons. There are precisely 3 moments of any action at all, and the longest by far DOESN’T HAVE ANY DRAGONS. I want more dragons in my dragon book!
All that to say, it certainly wasn’t a bad book, just not what I was looking for when I grabbed it. I’ll likely still read the 3rd book, but I’m not currently sold on the series.
The second instalment of the Temeraire series didn’t have anything wrong with it, it just also didn’t have anything that stands out greatly as well. His Majesty’s Dragon (the first in the series) carried a fun whimsy and interesting stakes that propelled the book forward despite somewhat clunky character work. This book smooths out much of the clunkiness but also removes a lot of the fun and whimsy.
Much of the book is devoted to politicking - which, believe it or not, is not the thing I’m looking for when I pick up a book about the napoleonic wars with dragons. There are precisely 3 moments of any action at all, and the longest by far DOESN’T HAVE ANY DRAGONS. I want more dragons in my dragon book!
All that to say, it certainly wasn’t a bad book, just not what I was looking for when I grabbed it. I’ll likely still read the 3rd book, but I’m not currently sold on the series.