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A review by catpingu
Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik
adventurous
reflective
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
4.0
As expected another brilliant adventure for Temeraire and Laurence as they both learn about Temeraire's heritage and Napoleon Bonaparte's encroaching military takeover.
A special envoy from China has come to persuade the British government to return Temeraire. However, Temeraire and Laurence are determined not to be parted. They've weathered the Air Corps' previous attempts to match Temeraire to an aircorpsman, they're certainly ready to refuse a foreign government as well. However, for diplomatic reasons, Temeraire and Laurence are invited to court with the Emperor of China to plead their case; thus, undergoing a long and eventful sea voyage to the Far East.
I thought the first book was going to have the most action. Nope, it's definitely this one! The first book is growing pains, learning about the culture and dragon husbandry and setting the tone for a war against Napoleon with dragons. And while we've only heard that dragon rearing in China is superior, we finally get to see evidence of it in this book and wow wow wowit's like Dinotopia! Independent, studious, contributing dragons! Smart, gloriously adorned, and living in harmony with humans in the big city. It's such a departure from the West that I fully expect the rest of the series to be Temeraire turning into a politician for dragon rights. Except, maybe, to continue to allow them to serve because he finds it fun .
Naomi Novik did an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of how dragons are portrayed differently between Western and Eastern media. In the West, they are firebreathing ferocious beasts preying on livestock and humans. In the East, they are dignified and powerful heralds of heaven and symbolically equivalent to the emperor himself. I imagine this to be the true adopted/immigrant experience for Temeraire, and I'm eager to see how he develops; we're able to see growth in both Laurence and Temeraire,who is still growing more wise with each new experience and even gets busy with a cute Imperial named Mei! While for Laurence, he has grown more relaxed and open-minded compared to the tightly-jacked British naval officer he was before.
Most of the book takes place at sea; after all the sea voyage from England to China is nothing to sneeze at, especially when it's all done by boat and to be removed from Napolean's forces. We all remember how Temeraire was literally hatched on the sea; well, more sea antics for him!
I will say though, being so heavily flooded with both British and Chinese attitudes towards politics and polite society makes me want to reread [book:Babel|57945316].
A special envoy from China has come to persuade the British government to return Temeraire. However, Temeraire and Laurence are determined not to be parted. They've weathered the Air Corps' previous attempts to match Temeraire to an aircorpsman, they're certainly ready to refuse a foreign government as well. However, for diplomatic reasons, Temeraire and Laurence are invited to court with the Emperor of China to plead their case; thus, undergoing a long and eventful sea voyage to the Far East.
I thought the first book was going to have the most action. Nope, it's definitely this one! The first book is growing pains, learning about the culture and dragon husbandry and setting the tone for a war against Napoleon with dragons. And while we've only heard that dragon rearing in China is superior, we finally get to see evidence of it in this book and wow wow wow
Naomi Novik did an excellent job of painting a vivid picture of how dragons are portrayed differently between Western and Eastern media. In the West, they are firebreathing ferocious beasts preying on livestock and humans. In the East, they are dignified and powerful heralds of heaven and symbolically equivalent to the emperor himself. I imagine this to be the true adopted/immigrant experience for Temeraire, and I'm eager to see how he develops; we're able to see growth in both Laurence and Temeraire,
Most of the book takes place at sea; after all the sea voyage from England to China is nothing to sneeze at, especially when it's all done by boat and to be removed from Napolean's forces. We all remember how Temeraire was literally hatched on the sea; well, more sea antics for him!
I will say though, being so heavily flooded with both British and Chinese attitudes towards politics and polite society makes me want to reread [book:Babel|57945316].