Black Powder War

There's no denying these are well-written, well-conceived books. There's also no denying that no matter how cute and radicalised the dragon is and how stalwart and sympathetic his officer is, I still sneakily want Napoleon to win. I'm not proud of it, I would have thought myself above such primal nationalist urges, but there it is. The Wild Geese are in there somewhere fighting for liberty! What was left of them at that point, which wasn't much. Oh well. I swear I didn't have this problem with Patrick O'Brian. But throw in a dragon, apparently, and the blood of Wolfe Tone stirs. Weird.

Black Powder War - Novak
Audio performance by Simon Vance
3 stars

This is the third book in this series. I’d decided after the 2nd book that I wouldn’t continue reading the series. I was probably right about that. This book dragged me down. I felt oppressed by a constant sense of futility and disaster. I kept hoping for a bit of humor between Temeraire and the feral dragons, but there was very little to put a spark into the grueling silk road journey back to the European battleground. Sadly, I really think I am done with this series. I did enjoy the first book and I should have stopped there.

Black Powder War was a much slower start for me than the first two in the series, but I ended up liking it a lot--I actually think Novik did some pretty interesting things with pacing throughout this one, and I dig her willingness to try new things in the series. I also enjoyed the new characters (dragon and human) introduced here and expect/hope to see them again in future installments. I miss Jane Roland, though!

Third in the Temeraire series, Laurence and Temeraire are ordered home via Istanbul, to pick up a precious cargo. They set out on an epic overland journey from China, meeting feral dragons, and not a few unfriendly peoples and governments along the way.

A fast-paced, masterfully written continuation of the saga. This one doesn't hold up as its own story quite as well as the other two, but well worth reading to continue the story. Temeraire is a unique voice in fiction -- he is so innocent and guileless, but as he becomes more aware of the reality of the world and his own place in it (and his own abilities/power) the plot, as they say, thickens. This is not "mere" fantasy-fiction (which I have nothing against, incidentally) but a subtle show more political and social commentary wrapped in an irresistible package of adventure and alternate history at its utmost. show less

Another fine effort from Naomi Novik, as we accompany our favorite dragon and his trusty companions overland from Macau to Istanul, where they are charged with retrieving three precious dragon eggs and delivering them safely to England. But, of course, nothing can go so simply, and Temeraire and Laurence find themselves in quite a pickle as Napoleon and his allies (including a particularly nasty dragon readers will remember from Throne of Jade) make their way across Europe.

While Novik's dragons continue to be more interesting than her human characters, I've decided I'm okay with that. I was reading this one on a plane, and looking out the window over the clouds as I read, I found myself daydreaming of what a dragon formation in flight show more would look like ... show less

****Third in the Temeraire series; spoiler alert for the first two books, His Majesty's Dragon and Throne of Jade****

Will Laurence and his dragon, Temeraire, are suddenly recalled from China by orders from the aerial corp: they are to return by way of Turkey to pick up dragon eggs that Britain sorely needs in their fight against Napoleon. But of course, nothing is ever straightforward in war and political machinations between nations. Meanwhile, Lien is still enraged by her prince's death and is plotting revenge on Temeraire.

I'm continuing my reread of the earlier Temeraire books in an attempt to get caught up on the series, and am thoroughly enjoying revisiting these stories. I read and listened to this one in turns; the audiobooks are show more read by Simon Vance and excellently so. Perhaps because the majority of the book is a journey (just like the second) or because it was drawn out over several weeks while I listened, I don't like it quite as well as the first two books. The story continues to develop the characters and shows Laurence's evolving views on the treatment of dragons as he and Temeraire continue their travels and conversations. show less

Digital audiobook narrated by Simon Vance

Book number three in the marvelous series featuring Captain Will Laurence and his dragon, Temeraire. Following their exploits in China (book two), they’ve received special orders to escort three precious dragon eggs purchased from the Ottoman Empire from Istanbul back to England. It is important that the eggs arrive in England before they hatch. But they are waylaid several times, due in part to the schemes employed by the Chinese dragon Lien. Capt. Laurence and Temeraire have little choice but to launch an offensive against Bonaparte’s forces.

I love this series and this episode has more of the aerial “dog fights” that first entranced me in book one. I love that Novik used the show more Napoleonic War as the background to this story, while building on the legends of dragons and their varied traits. Temeraire is a marvel; intelligent, fluent in multiple languages, an astute observer and a skilled warrior. He is also devoted to Will and their relationship is an important part of the series.

I listened to the audio, masterfully performed by Simon Vance. I love the voice he gives Temeraire. And especially enjoyed the way he interpreted the latest dragon to join their adventures, the hatchling Iskierka. show less