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A review by bumblemee
Drachenbrut by Naomi Novik
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
5.0
I am a simple asexual girlie: You give me dragons -> I am happy.
I first read this book in 2008, when I was 12, and remembered it as one of my favorite books ever. Given that I remembered very little of what actually happened though, I decided to finally reread it - and I am so happy to say I still love it.
Are there a lot of things I'd be annoyed at if I read it for the first time now? Yes. Did I care now? Not really. I see why I loved this book so much when I was younger, even though I am pretty sure in hindsight that a lot of things went over my head, starting with all those french names I wouldn't have been able to translate or know how to pronounce and ending with any actual knowledge concerning the Napoleonic Wars. (Sad to say the latter hasn't changed, history isn't my thing, I fear.)
Still, if you write a story about dragons forming an unbreakable bond with their riders, you got my attention instantly. I fell in love again with every one of those bonds - except for one of them of courselooking at you, Rankin, you absolute asshole . I got really attached to the dragons in particular, they are simply wonderful. I cried so hard when Levitas died, he was so such a sweetheart.
Laurence is one of those well-rounded characters that are hard to not like. He is full of benevolent sexism (given the time period that's accurate though, I guess) and a little arrogant at times, but you can tell that he has a big heart. His aspiration to always be a Gentleman and his helplessness in social situations that are awkward for him are a little cute even. These flaws just make him a believable character. I also love how good he is with children, it warms my heart.
Same goes for Temeraire. He also thinks a bit too highly of himself sometimes, but you can't hold it against him. In the end he's just so, so wonderful. It was always very entertaining to see how his intelligence and his view of the world clashed with the way humans build their society. I really hope this develops further and humans start to see that dragons should indeed have more of a say in a lot of things. They treat them with respect and see them as friends in a lot of ways, but in the end, humans still feel entitled to see dragons as some kind of super-pet. ... As said, I hope that changes as the series goes on. (I dnf-ed the second one back then, because I thought it was boring. I'll try again.)
The plot was interesting and found a good balance between exposition, letting Laurence adjust to his new situation, and an exciting plot around the Napleonic Wars going on.
I first read this book in 2008, when I was 12, and remembered it as one of my favorite books ever. Given that I remembered very little of what actually happened though, I decided to finally reread it - and I am so happy to say I still love it.
Are there a lot of things I'd be annoyed at if I read it for the first time now? Yes. Did I care now? Not really. I see why I loved this book so much when I was younger, even though I am pretty sure in hindsight that a lot of things went over my head, starting with all those french names I wouldn't have been able to translate or know how to pronounce and ending with any actual knowledge concerning the Napoleonic Wars. (Sad to say the latter hasn't changed, history isn't my thing, I fear.)
Still, if you write a story about dragons forming an unbreakable bond with their riders, you got my attention instantly. I fell in love again with every one of those bonds - except for one of them of course
Laurence is one of those well-rounded characters that are hard to not like. He is full of benevolent sexism (given the time period that's accurate though, I guess) and a little arrogant at times, but you can tell that he has a big heart. His aspiration to always be a Gentleman and his helplessness in social situations that are awkward for him are a little cute even. These flaws just make him a believable character. I also love how good he is with children, it warms my heart.
Same goes for Temeraire. He also thinks a bit too highly of himself sometimes, but you can't hold it against him. In the end he's just so, so wonderful. It was always very entertaining to see how his intelligence and his view of the world clashed with the way humans build their society. I really hope this develops further and humans start to see that dragons should indeed have more of a say in a lot of things. They treat them with respect and see them as friends in a lot of ways, but in the end, humans still feel entitled to see dragons as some kind of super-pet. ... As said, I hope that changes as the series goes on. (I dnf-ed the second one back then, because I thought it was boring. I'll try again.)
The plot was interesting and found a good balance between exposition, letting Laurence adjust to his new situation, and an exciting plot around the Napleonic Wars going on.