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A review by righteousridel
Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik
5.0
The Temeraire series is a wonderful set of buddy-adventures across the world, which is unfortunate because the marketing for the Temeraire series failed miserably by focusing on the Napoleonic warfare aspect. This is not military fiction, and instead captures that strange Age of Sail culture of 'civilized war' alongside a realistic treatment of dragons.
I had forgotten how amusing the scenes were where dragons caught a cold, but to see that elevated to the key threat within this novel was very satisfying. As always, I'll avoid spoilers, but both the title and the back of book makes it obvious that Empire of Ivory is an African adventure. This, similar to the last few novels, offers the reader a chance to explore Naomi Novik's deep worldbuilding through the eyes of Lawrence and Temeraire. We learn plenty of the African continent, the colonial Empires and the impact of slavery (in conjunction with dragons).
In fact, I appreciate Naomi Novik's treatment of slavery and the abolition movement. It's neither ignored, nor plastered over with modern 21st century sensibilities. I think it's a good balance of condemning the practice while accepting how fundamentally it secured European dominance.
Highly recommended.
What really elevated this novel above the rest was the final Act though. Both the use of contagion as a weapon of war and Lawrence's decision, added an element of tension and personal stakes that I realized was lacking. Effectively the last few novels had been very easy reads, because I was never really worried for our two friends. They explored the world and went on fun adventures, and sure some of the sidekicks died, but these two were never in trouble.
But finally, we have some real tension. I wish that Lawrence didn't choose to return to Britain, because it felt like a cheap attempt for the author to return things back to the status quo. I'll leave my critique for the next novel, but I want change. What Lawrence did should not be forgiven.
I guess I'll have to see what happens in the next novel.
I had forgotten how amusing the scenes were where dragons caught a cold, but to see that elevated to the key threat within this novel was very satisfying. As always, I'll avoid spoilers, but both the title and the back of book makes it obvious that Empire of Ivory is an African adventure. This, similar to the last few novels, offers the reader a chance to explore Naomi Novik's deep worldbuilding through the eyes of Lawrence and Temeraire. We learn plenty of the African continent, the colonial Empires and the impact of slavery (in conjunction with dragons).
In fact, I appreciate Naomi Novik's treatment of slavery and the abolition movement. It's neither ignored, nor plastered over with modern 21st century sensibilities. I think it's a good balance of condemning the practice while accepting how fundamentally it secured European dominance.
Highly recommended.
Spoiler
The following is in spoiler tags, and I say so since some Goodreads clients may not respect it. You've been warned:What really elevated this novel above the rest was the final Act though. Both the use of contagion as a weapon of war and Lawrence's decision, added an element of tension and personal stakes that I realized was lacking. Effectively the last few novels had been very easy reads, because I was never really worried for our two friends. They explored the world and went on fun adventures, and sure some of the sidekicks died, but these two were never in trouble.
But finally, we have some real tension. I wish that Lawrence didn't choose to return to Britain, because it felt like a cheap attempt for the author to return things back to the status quo. I'll leave my critique for the next novel, but I want change. What Lawrence did should not be forgiven.
I guess I'll have to see what happens in the next novel.