OK, so I feel redeemed in my esteem of this author. Her last book was tough to get through in some places but this one comes barreling at you like a 3...moreOK, so I feel redeemed in my esteem of this author. Her last book was tough to get through in some places but this one comes barreling at you like a 30 ton dragon with full crew and doesn't let up. She finally starts to explore the internal war going on inside Captain Lawrence's heart between what he knows is right (read: slavery) and what his duty to his King and Country compels him to.
At the same time, Temeraire begins to understand just what it might mean to be human. He starts to grow up and manages to see the world, if briefly, as a man does. Unfiltered by the dragon's typically territorial and selfish nature.
I just love Mercedes Lackey. Her books aren't world-shaking or challenging, but they present a level of comfort that makes them pure joy to read. This...moreI just love Mercedes Lackey. Her books aren't world-shaking or challenging, but they present a level of comfort that makes them pure joy to read. This was the story of Puss-in-Boots translated to late 19th century England. Her reimagining of the shapeshifting monster that is the villain of the original tale is wonderful.(less)
This is one of those books that makes me regret how history is taught in our education system. The story takes place in an alternate world history whe...moreThis is one of those books that makes me regret how history is taught in our education system. The story takes place in an alternate world history where dragons are real. The time is during Napoleon's nigh-unstoppable rampage across Europe. It is fascinating to read about what is essentially the air-pirate corps of WWI 100 years before airplanes were developed.
In addition to the intriguing historical ramifications, the characters are wonderful. I was totally drawn in by the intimate relationship that Lawrence and the dragon Temeraire develop. Particularly since they behave as a devoted married couple when sex is not part of the equation. It was warming to see that two males could develop and express such deep emotion without sex being part of the equation.
I couldn't stop reading once I started and am deep into the second book as I write this.(less)
So, Temeraire is a Chinese dragon. And in this book the Chinese show up demanding the return of one of their holy Celestials, but don't want to take L...moreSo, Temeraire is a Chinese dragon. And in this book the Chinese show up demanding the return of one of their holy Celestials, but don't want to take Lawrence along with the deal.
Lots of prickly cultural pride is thrown about on both sides and the relationship between Lawrence and Temeraire is tested. But this book got five stars from me for one reason. About two thirds of the story takes place during the months-long sea voyage on the dragon transport ship. Now that type of story can sometimes drag and get tedious. This book had impeccable timing in that each time I was on the verge of being bored with the ins and outs of ship drama, something heart-racing and exciting happened that jump-started the story again. So I was never bored but always in a constant state of dramatic tension, which I loved.(less)
This was another foray into the foreign culture and politics of the Napoleonic era, this time exploring first Istanbul and the Turkish people and then...moreThis was another foray into the foreign culture and politics of the Napoleonic era, this time exploring first Istanbul and the Turkish people and then moving north to the crushing military defeat suffered by the Prussians at Napoleon's hands.
I'm sorry to say I think the author fell prey to her own fascination with the military history of the time and lost sight of what the reader's personal interests might be. The second part of the book, the Prussian campaign, dragged considerably. The endless descriptions of troop movements and the crushing weight of poor conditions and lack of food on the troops were given too much attention and slowed down the pace of the book.
That being said, there was much about this book I loved. The colorful and prickly Sultan and his court, the addition of dragon eggs to be protected and cared for, a vengeful Celestial bent not on killing Temeraire, but on stripping him of everything in his life he values were compelling story elements and very exciting to read about.
Also, Lawrence's evolution of mind was the most interesting aspect of the book. He gradually began to see the plight of dragons in Europe through Temeraire's eyes and is evolving more and more into the world's first human activist for dragon rights. Very interesting and appealing to my idealist sensibilities.(less)
It's a young adult book, so a very quick read. But the Faerie she creates has the edge to it that I always like to see in good stories about the Good...moreIt's a young adult book, so a very quick read. But the Faerie she creates has the edge to it that I always like to see in good stories about the Good Folk.(less)
This whole series had a concept that just tickled me pink. The idea that the mythic archetypes throughout history (Death, Time, Nature, War, Fate) wer...moreThis whole series had a concept that just tickled me pink. The idea that the mythic archetypes throughout history (Death, Time, Nature, War, Fate) were just bureaucratic offices held by joe shmo people like you and me. The first book sucked me in completely. The mental image of Charon wielding a switchblade scythe against a pack of hellhounds still puts a grin to my face.(less)
This book was fascinating to read because the main character lives backwards in time and the story is told from his perspective. He has some interesti...moreThis book was fascinating to read because the main character lives backwards in time and the story is told from his perspective. He has some interesting moments where he meets himself and imparts wisdom that he has yet to learn.(less)
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