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William Laurence, prestigious naval captain, captures a French vessel in 1804 which is carrying a rare dragon egg. The creature hatches and bonds to Laurence, who hesitantly names him Temeraire and resigns himself to the sacrifice of life in the Aerial Corps (who are considered to be rowdy and undisciplined). However, even as he is shocked by the female captains and loose formality of the Corps, Laurence comes to form a deep bond with Temeraire, and the inseparable pair and their new friends serve Britain through the war. Daring adventure and fascinating characters abound.
A captain who is part of the Queen's Navy discovers a dragon egg aboard a french ship. The egg hatches and the dragon, amazingly, attaches to the captain, who must now become an aviary.
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Add a CommentI liked this book but I honestly felt that not much happened.
This was fun, and although a military historical fantasy novel, it was still lighthearted at times! I wouldn't rush into the next one, but I would definitely read more set in this world. I want to get to know some of the other captains and their dragons.
I'm not much of a fantasy reader in general, but I absolutely LOVED this book, the first in a 9-book series that reimagines the Napoleonic wars as fought by talking dragons and their human handlers! I'm a sucker for books that nail the style and tone of another era, and Naomi Novik weaves her story with beautiful, period-appropriate language. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
I honestly love this series. I would recommend this for teens or adults. A beautiful mix of nautical, historical, and dragons. For me this got me very interested in the time period. Also from a genealogical stand point learning who our ancestors were and where they lived during the late 18th early 19th century.
full review https://readingovertheshoulder.com/2016/11/30/his-majestys-dragon-temeraire-series-by-naomi-novik/
I enjoyed this, but not enough to get the next book in the series.
Really enjoyed it!
Such an enjoyable book. It really got me excited for the rest of the series. The relationship Laurence and the dragon, Temeraire, have is developed in such a fun way. It is a historical fiction of the Napoleonic Wars, but with Dragons!! What's not to love?
I am not a fantasy enthusiast, but this was very enjoyable! The first chapter was a bit hard to get through, but after that, the relationship between man and dragon was very compelling. I am going to read the rest of the series with joy and anticipation.
This series is so amazing. Full of action and adventure, but plenty to think about too. I'm now on the fifth book and they have all been excellent. Now my 13-year old son is reading them. I think they are fine for teens. There is a small amount of bad language (not by the main characters), nothing teens haven't heard already. There is a love affair but no details (couple kisses, then end up in same bed in morning).
Book one started really strong I recommend you read it for one of the more interesting takes on dragons in fantasy. It's a fast-paced, exciting military fantasy in an alternate Napoleonic war period where talking dragons are used in place of ships. The first 3 books are quite strong and definitely worth reading I'd even say they belong on the Great Fantasy Books list) but then, sadly, the series crumbles to pieces.