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McCaffrey successfully kept a longer and much more complex series going and managed excellent upbeat endings for all of her books. She needs to revisit the work of an author who has obviously influenced her concept of dragons: Anne McCaffrey. In five novels, each time she fails to resolve important questions, trying to ensure that the reader will sign up to buy the next book.
And this book, fifth in Naomi Novik's wonderful series, marks an interesting reversal in the relationship between the dragon Temeraire and his human captain, William Laurence. Although events in the war soon free Laurence and reunite dragon and captain, now Temeraire has to grapple with the despair Laurence feels over being ostracized and the guilt and depression from betraying his country. Temeraire is one of the most intriguing heroes in fantasy today.
This book is packed with great battles and sweeping action, but the heart of it lies in Temeraire's inability to understand the abstract concepts like honor, duty, devotion to country that are the motivating forces in his human's life.My main complaint with this author is her inability to write a clean ending. I think with a little effort Novik could give us a little more resolution than she does. In the previous four books, Laurence has struggled to understand the point of view of his dragon charge and has done so with loyalty and winning affection.So much so, that at the end of book IV, Laurence yields to his dragon's urging and the pair of them take an antidote to France to stem the epidemic of a dragon-killing disease.
For this action, Laurence is condemned as a traitor.
Cannot wait for the next to come out. This series has been a delight, each an every book, fun, gripping, and a really good read.
Novik to write the next book in the series to see how Laurence and Temeraire stir up the penal colony in Australia.Throne of Jade (Temeraire) This read really set the next story line up. I can't wait for Ms.
The book was shipped on the promised date and arrived quickly in perfect condition. This was a pre-ordered book, that is it was ordered prior to being available, with a promised future ship date.
Things move a little fast, and while I understand the necessity of some chapters following Temeraire's point of view I can't say that I liked the change.If you are new to the series, go buy His Majesty's Dragon and entry a very unique historical fiction world, with just a splash of fantasy. If you are a fan of the Temeraire series then this is a must have. But I must say that it is not the best in the series.
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