Victory of Eagles (Temeraire, Book 5)
by Naomi Novik
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Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
everyone, but read the first four first
So, at the end of Empire of Ivory, Laurence and Temeraire agree to commit treason to deliver a cure to a draconic plague to France -- Temeraire feeling that the lives of thousands of innocent dragons isn't worth victory of the war, and Laurence agreeing. Laurence then wishes to return to Britain, despite knowing he will be imprisoned or hanged for it, and Temeraire confined -- his own honor prevents him from staying in Europe, eit...more
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Read in August, 2008
I don't know the whole story, but Naomi Novik started by writing fanfiction. That's really cool. It makes me appreciate her novels in a way I don't think I would other authors. Novik went through the writing process in a public way--fanfiction is out there for anyone to read, but not only that, she actually took this book to thank her beta readers and numerous fans (of which, I am one, but not until after Black Powder War came out and her fanfic-y days were past). How often do Real Life Aut...more
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Read in July, 2008
recommended to Causeways by:
MerrinThis review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in July, 2008
As absolutely expected, Victory of Eagles, the fifth installment in Naomi Novik's Temeraire series, is first-rate.
This time around Napoleon's forces have made it to England--and so by necessity, the plot is pretty much action from the word go. Temeraire and Laurence must deal with the consequences of certain actions taken at the end of Book Four, which are quite uncomfortable for them both. I won't go into details so as not to spoil the ending of Book Four; suffice to say that said ac...more
This time around Napoleon's forces have made it to England--and so by necessity, the plot is pretty much action from the word go. Temeraire and Laurence must deal with the consequences of certain actions taken at the end of Book Four, which are quite uncomfortable for them both. I won't go into details so as not to spoil the ending of Book Four; suffice to say that said ac...more
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Read in August, 2008
recommends it for:
fantasy fans of historical fiction
Naomi Novik continues her winning alternative history series with Victory of Eagles. For those fantasy fans who have not read any of her books, you should venture to the local library and get into the books because they are a wonderful combination of history and fantasy.
In the last novel in this series, Laurence and Termeraire (his dragon) discovered a cure for an epidemic that was killing all of the dragons. Laurence brought a cure back to England but the lords decided in a little smallpox...more
In the last novel in this series, Laurence and Termeraire (his dragon) discovered a cure for an epidemic that was killing all of the dragons. Laurence brought a cure back to England but the lords decided in a little smallpox...more
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Read in August, 2008
recommends it for:
Fantasy Buffs, Fans of Napoleonic History
This series falls under the catagory of guilty pleasures combining fantasy, Horatio Hornblower-esque sea adventure with a reasonably accurate rendering of the culture, personalities, and politics critical to understandining the Napoleonic era.
Naomi Novik tends to indulge a bit too much in maudlin sentiment for my own taste. Being ex-military myself, I often find the musings of the main protagonist at odds with those understandings of warfare common to most professional soldiers. The agoniz...more
Naomi Novik tends to indulge a bit too much in maudlin sentiment for my own taste. Being ex-military myself, I often find the musings of the main protagonist at odds with those understandings of warfare common to most professional soldiers. The agoniz...more
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Read in August, 2008
Really another amazing entry in this series. What Naomi Novik has done is juxtapose dragons as a sapient species, serving both as beast of war and as true companion, amidst an air force (Aerial Corps) in Napoleonic times. I find her take on dragons to be irresistably believable-- they are not sage, otherworldy creatures, but reflect the full continuum of greed, self-interest, nobility, intelligence, and character... just like humans.
I also like how she has altered the Napoleonic war and re...more
I also like how she has altered the Napoleonic war and re...more
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Read in August, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in July, 2008
recommends it for:
Napoleon buffs, dragon lovers
since this is the fifth book, the characters are pretty much established and it's becoming Novik's job to see how much we can stretch the characters and their relationships. the book is pretty slow starting, but that matches the situation that occurred at the end of book 4. i enjoyed it, but the reason i only gave it 3 stars is because the war between England and France is coming to a close...and what will the next book be about if not war? what does a dragon military crew do in peacetime? i gue...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in August, 2008
recommended to Rachel by:
Me!recommends it for: Everyone!
Wonderful addition to the Temeraire series- there is little I can say about this fabulous author that hasn't already been said, but I was delighted to get a signed copy of this book. Novik came to my local book emporium (yay!) and not only signed the book but personalized it *and* drew a little picture of Temeraire! With sparkly gel pen, no less!
I will buy this author's books the moment they come out and can't wait for the next installment!
This book offered the first chapters written ful...more
I will buy this author's books the moment they come out and can't wait for the next installment!
This book offered the first chapters written ful...more
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Read in July, 2008
It could merely have been a history-lover's foray into a genre of little repute. Instead, Naomi Novik has crafted a series that will forever dominate all who follow and aspire to a fraction of the depth she has created in her telling of the story of William Laurence and Temeraire, a series that undoubtably heralds the next movement of subgenre within fantasy.
This hardcover debut easily retrieves the threads of history, battle, politics, and honor that left us hanging viciously at the end...more
This hardcover debut easily retrieves the threads of history, battle, politics, and honor that left us hanging viciously at the end...more
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Read in August, 2008
I really enjoyed this! --- spoilers ---
Where Empire of Ivory suffers major pacing problems, Victory of Eagles hurtles along into an exciting series of battles and wonderful growth of the various dragons as individuals. The description of the setting and the world around the characters seemed much more vibrant to me in this book, too. I wish I'd been more convinced by Laurence's mopeyness, and the Tharkay-ex-machina is a trope I'd love Novik to stay far, far away from, but the payoff of th...more
Where Empire of Ivory suffers major pacing problems, Victory of Eagles hurtles along into an exciting series of battles and wonderful growth of the various dragons as individuals. The description of the setting and the world around the characters seemed much more vibrant to me in this book, too. I wish I'd been more convinced by Laurence's mopeyness, and the Tharkay-ex-machina is a trope I'd love Novik to stay far, far away from, but the payoff of th...more
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Read in August, 2008
I have to say, I love Laurence's completely absurd sense of honor. I'm also rather fond of everything involving Tharkay and his level-headed awareness that everyone's waiting for an excuse to brand him a savage.
The writing in this one seemed to be kicked up a notch, enough to make me slow down and pay attention--which is good, because I tend to tumble ahead to see what happens, even though the things I like the most in these books are almost always the little moments between characters. I'm ...more
The writing in this one seemed to be kicked up a notch, enough to make me slow down and pay attention--which is good, because I tend to tumble ahead to see what happens, even though the things I like the most in these books are almost always the little moments between characters. I'm ...more
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Read in July, 2008
Fifth in the marvelous series started in "His Majesty's Dragon". This not an upbeat book: Laurence and his dragon companion Temeraire are in disgrace, with Laurence under a death sentence for treason (see "Empire of Ivory") and Temeraire banished to the breeding grounds in Wales. Then Napoleon invades and everything changes. Every man (and dragon) is needed to combat the invading forces. A lot of action with a rousing battle at the end. And a lot of soul searching for Lau
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Though much darker than the previous four in the series, I still found Victory of Eagles to be a seriously fun read. Laurence's emo (though utterly justified) gets old after a while, but Temeraire's confusion over said emo is amusing, and his efforts at bringing the dragons into the democratic process was probably my favourite part of the book. Plus I can't wait to see how Iskierka and Temeraire finally get together. I'm shipping dragons, y'all. Damn you, Naomi Novik!
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Read in July, 2008
As good as the first time...when I read His Majesty's Dragon (Temeraire #1).
Laurence's character was really developed here. I'd say this book gives a great portrayal on the bond between Temeraire and his captain, with emotional turmoil and all.
The actions were great, esp. with the help of old dragons & some ferals. Iskierka was amusing as always. Too bad there's only little formation flying. I miss having lots of Dulcia, Nitidus, Messoria & Immortalis :(
The next book should b...more
Laurence's character was really developed here. I'd say this book gives a great portrayal on the bond between Temeraire and his captain, with emotional turmoil and all.
The actions were great, esp. with the help of old dragons & some ferals. Iskierka was amusing as always. Too bad there's only little formation flying. I miss having lots of Dulcia, Nitidus, Messoria & Immortalis :(
The next book should b...more
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Read in June, 2008
recommends it for:
older teens and adults
If you like dragons And you like history, the two have been combined in this series, in an alternate history, where dragons are used in the wars of Europe in the time of Napoleon Bonaparte. Very detailed descriptions of what those battles might have been like are pretty descriptive and might be too much for some people, but you also feel the angst of the characters and these extremely intelligent dragons as they must obey orders. And now Peter Jackson has taken an option to make this series in...more
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Read in August, 2008
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Read in July, 2008
I was pleased by this, the fifth novel in Novik's Temeraire series. I had been putting it off, because I was so disappointed in the fourth book, and I was afraid we would suddenly go haring off to America for no reason or something else in this one. But it kept the focus strongly on both England and the unique dragon culture, while infusing it all with enough social strictures, strategy, and politics to appeal to my love of all those things in fiction. A proper successor to Black Powder War....more
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