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Throne of Jade
(Temeraire #2)
by
Temeraire * Book 2
When Britain intercepted a French ship and its precious cargo–an unhatched dragon’s egg–Capt. Will Laurence of HMS Reliant unexpectedly became master and commander of the noble dragon he named Temeraire. As new recruits in Britain’s Aerial Corps, man and dragon soon proved their mettle in daring combat against Bonaparte’s invading forces.
Now China has ...more
When Britain intercepted a French ship and its precious cargo–an unhatched dragon’s egg–Capt. Will Laurence of HMS Reliant unexpectedly became master and commander of the noble dragon he named Temeraire. As new recruits in Britain’s Aerial Corps, man and dragon soon proved their mettle in daring combat against Bonaparte’s invading forces.
Now China has ...more
Audiobook, 0 pages
Published
July 31st 2007
by Random House Audio
(first published April 25th 2006)
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Showing 1-30
Start your review of Throne of Jade (Temeraire, #2)
Mar 20, 2017
Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
own,
fantasy-all
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
This was supposed to be my St. Patrick's Day book (green) read, but I still read it in March so it still counts =)
I love Temeraire and Laurence so much ! A man and his dragon, what's not to love !
Now the Chinese want Temeraire back. I think it's stupid as everyone stated, they had given the egg away to the French and just because Laurence ship took over the one with the egg in it doesn't mean they deserve to get Temeraire back. BUT . . . that's not what ...more
This was supposed to be my St. Patrick's Day book (green) read, but I still read it in March so it still counts =)
I love Temeraire and Laurence so much ! A man and his dragon, what's not to love !
Now the Chinese want Temeraire back. I think it's stupid as everyone stated, they had given the egg away to the French and just because Laurence ship took over the one with the egg in it doesn't mean they deserve to get Temeraire back. BUT . . . that's not what ...more
Oct 11, 2015
✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Introducing…Throne of Jade: the pros and cons.
Yes, I'm starting with the cons, so what? This is my review, I do want I want.
The pace is slow.
Wait. No. It's not slow. It's painfully slow. That kind of painfully slow:
There isn't much action.
There is so little action here that Laurence reading to Temeraire at night feels like a major event. Exciting, right?
There is a story, but it's not that gripping.
Laurence, Temeraire and friends are on a boat to China. It takes them a long time to get to ...more
Yes, I'm starting with the cons, so what? This is my review, I do want I want.
The pace is slow.
Wait. No. It's not slow. It's painfully slow. That kind of painfully slow:
There isn't much action.
There is so little action here that Laurence reading to Temeraire at night feels like a major event. Exciting, right?
There is a story, but it's not that gripping.
Laurence, Temeraire and friends are on a boat to China. It takes them a long time to get to ...more
This was much slower than the first book and the pacing was overall off, with lots of meandering and a rushed ending. It was enjoyable in a quiet way, but I hope the rest of the books in the series pick up as I prefer to have a bit more action with these stories.
Dec 20, 2015
Robin (Bridge Four)
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
ya,
buddy-read
Buddy Read with my Dragon loving peeps at Buddies Books and Baubles
There are parts of this book I really enjoyed and then there are parts of this book that totally bored me. Naomi Novak’s writing is always beautiful and detailed and had I not read Uprooted before starting this series I might not have had such high expectations but alas I did and so I wanted something more.
Throne of Jade is a lot more about cultural differences, social acceptances and politicking. Unlike His Majesty’s Dragon ...more
There are parts of this book I really enjoyed and then there are parts of this book that totally bored me. Naomi Novak’s writing is always beautiful and detailed and had I not read Uprooted before starting this series I might not have had such high expectations but alas I did and so I wanted something more.
Throne of Jade is a lot more about cultural differences, social acceptances and politicking. Unlike His Majesty’s Dragon ...more
I have never audiobook'd a whole series before, but I might have to for this one because Simon Vance is simply amazing. He should read all the books that way I could enjoy them all, even the ones I probably wouldn't like--pretty sure he could make me like 'em. So 5 stars for him and 4 stars for the book itself because, honestly, I don't know how far I'd get or how much I'd enjoy if I'd read these books on my own.
The writing is very descriptive, with long passages about early-19th Century culture ...more
The writing is very descriptive, with long passages about early-19th Century culture ...more
A fun read, but not quite as captivating as the first book. We got an interesting look at shipboard life as they travel for a long time, which made the book drag a bit, but not too much. The story had some twists & turns, some quite unexpected. From the long build up, it seemed to end quickly & completely, much to my surprise. A bit too abruptly & neatly, perhaps. I look forward to reading the next book, which I have, but I won't be reading it next. I don't feel I HAVE to read the
...more
May 29, 2018
Niki Hawkes - The Obsessive Bookseller
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Throne of Jade offered a relaxing continuation to the story, containing all of the elements I enjoyed in His Majesty’s Dragon. “Relaxing” might seem like an odd term to attribute to a military dragon story, but the smooth writing and slow pacing had me snuggling into my seat under a pile of blankets, enjoying what I would earnestly call a true “armchair adventure.” Exciting action scenes are spliced throughout the tale, but for the most part my expectations for this series has developed into a
...more
Two important things I must establish before getting on with the actual review:
1. This is absolutely one of the best Simon Vance performances I have ever listened to. His Temeraire is not what I imagined when I read the first book myself, but it forever will be now. Vance expertly captured every nuance of the young dragon with Chinese roots.
2. This is what Temeraire looks like in my head. Deal with it.
As I discovered in reading the previous book in the Temeraire series, His Majesty's Dragon, ...more
1. This is absolutely one of the best Simon Vance performances I have ever listened to. His Temeraire is not what I imagined when I read the first book myself, but it forever will be now. Vance expertly captured every nuance of the young dragon with Chinese roots.
2. This is what Temeraire looks like in my head. Deal with it.
As I discovered in reading the previous book in the Temeraire series, His Majesty's Dragon, ...more
I've read reviews that say this second book in the Temeraire series is boring... I would have to disagree. There are sea monsters, battles, assassination attemps, intrigue, and an allusion to dragon sex. What's not to love???
In this second book in the Temeraire series, Laurence and Temeraire must travel to China. In the first book it was discovered that Temeraire was a Chinese dragon meant as a gift to the French. Now, the Chinese apparently want their dragon back and they will stop at nothing ...more
In this second book in the Temeraire series, Laurence and Temeraire must travel to China. In the first book it was discovered that Temeraire was a Chinese dragon meant as a gift to the French. Now, the Chinese apparently want their dragon back and they will stop at nothing ...more
Another book that I have been putting off writing a review for, because I did not enjoy it nearly as much as I thought I would.
The story has enough of Temeraire and Will to satisfy, and plenty more in the form new dragons, a new country, great action and interesting history, but it really tested my patience.
My chief complaint, is that most of the book was a journey and NOTHING happened in between, apart from a single interesting incident involving a sea-serpent. It was a chore turning pages and ...more
The story has enough of Temeraire and Will to satisfy, and plenty more in the form new dragons, a new country, great action and interesting history, but it really tested my patience.
My chief complaint, is that most of the book was a journey and NOTHING happened in between, apart from a single interesting incident involving a sea-serpent. It was a chore turning pages and ...more
I just really love these books and the Laurence/Temeraire relationship is phenomenal <3 The fact that they branched out from the typical European/British setting and went all the way to China for this book was fantastic.
3.5/5.0 stars. I liked it well enough, especially all the parts with Temeraire and Lawrence, but it did get a little slow for me in the middle. The ending was better, and I look forward to continuing the series.
*** 4 ***
A buddy read with my buddies from BBB and loving it!
I thought I knew dragons, since I am well versed on Dragon behavior due to my rich PNR expertise. I already knew that DRAGONS are petulant, temperamental, strong willed, gorgeous, smart, always hungry, and charming. Now I see they get sick and act like babies, just like real men do, get preconceived notions, are ready to get into a fight at the slightest provocation, and like spicy foods :-) I am glad there is much more to learn ...more
A buddy read with my buddies from BBB and loving it!
I thought I knew dragons, since I am well versed on Dragon behavior due to my rich PNR expertise. I already knew that DRAGONS are petulant, temperamental, strong willed, gorgeous, smart, always hungry, and charming. Now I see they get sick and act like babies, just like real men do, get preconceived notions, are ready to get into a fight at the slightest provocation, and like spicy foods :-) I am glad there is much more to learn ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
A bit slow, even compared to the first one which was already fairly slow going. This book seems to exist solely for the purpose of world building. We learn a great deal about the differences in Chinese and British cultures, mostly with how they treat dragons and not much else.
There are some nice conversations between Temeraire and Lawrence, a couple gripping battle scenes, and some cute childish antics on the part of our lovable dragon of war. Overall though, not much of a plot, but it does ...more
There are some nice conversations between Temeraire and Lawrence, a couple gripping battle scenes, and some cute childish antics on the part of our lovable dragon of war. Overall though, not much of a plot, but it does ...more
Once again, I have to admonish my past self for only giving this second Temeraire book a measly 3 stars. I think I was in the "new to Goodreads, must add EVERYTHING I've ever read!" mode, and just arbitrarily scored this so I could move on to the next addition to the list. But for whatever reason, I am glad that I got the reread under my belt, as this deserves more than 3 stars for sure. It may not be a 5 star read, and also isn't quite as good as His Majesty's Dragon, but it's still a fantastic
...more
Jan 16, 2017
Johanna
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
will-maybe-continue,
fantasy
What can I say about this? It goes on as the first book ended and in the same style.
To me it feels like the Temeraire series is a gigantic road trip. The plot isn't really there. It is more a trip with some goal, occasionally interrupted by some random action sequence/attack by someone or something and finally ending with a significant fight, only to have everything wrapped up rather nicely so the heros can continue on their journey.
My biggest gripe is actually the lack of real plot. On occasion ...more
To me it feels like the Temeraire series is a gigantic road trip. The plot isn't really there. It is more a trip with some goal, occasionally interrupted by some random action sequence/attack by someone or something and finally ending with a significant fight, only to have everything wrapped up rather nicely so the heros can continue on their journey.
My biggest gripe is actually the lack of real plot. On occasion ...more
3.5 that I'm rounding up because I love Temeraire. This one was rather like war - long stretches of boredom punctuated by insane action. I kid, a little - I actually love the slowness of these books, but this one did have me wondering at the overall plot. Nonetheless, lots of fun!
*This completes my Potions O.W.L. for the Magical Readathon 2019 as it's the 'Next ingredient' a.k.a. a sequel*
I have to say, I really enjoyed the first in this series when I picked it up a while back, and this one I also found to be a wonderful adventure. It's a slow-moving and character-driven series, which focuses on Lawrence and Temeraire, a man and his friend, a Celestial Dragon. The Temeraire we learned to love in book 1 is back, and he has just as much sass and sense as before. He's ...more
I have to say, I really enjoyed the first in this series when I picked it up a while back, and this one I also found to be a wonderful adventure. It's a slow-moving and character-driven series, which focuses on Lawrence and Temeraire, a man and his friend, a Celestial Dragon. The Temeraire we learned to love in book 1 is back, and he has just as much sass and sense as before. He's ...more
Jul 16, 2014
Kaethe Douglas
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
adventure,
dragons,
native-peoples,
fantasy,
gods,
first-contact,
friendship,
domesticity,
fiction,
social-issues
Novik goes from strength to strength. Because Temeraire is naive but intelligent, she has the opportunity to question all the wrongs of Regency British society and colonialism, and to defend them according to the beliefs of the time. Maybe there are other writers who can evoke so much about time and place and character from the difficulty of finding suitable evening wear, but most writers overlook such prosaic material, particularly in a series that has war and adventure at its core. Brilliant
...more
Aug 02, 2015
Valentina Markasović
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-croatian,
fantasy
While the pace of the book was considerably slower than in the first one, I still enjoyed it immensely. The journey to China was long but it paid off, since we learned a lot about the history and characteristics of dragons. It definitely had a more scholar feeling to it, especially near the end.
May 10, 2019
Sir Anni
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy-buddy-reads
3.5 Stars
...more
I’m beginning to think of this series as sort of eating M&M’s. That are good for you. I kinda want to give them 5-stars, and maybe I should, but reading them tires me in some way. Maybe that is because I stay up late into the wee hours reading them. I really like inserting dragons into history, and this series does it well. But it is much more than just making sense (and fun) of Victorian sensibilities. Actually, the author does a very good job of putting you inside the head of someone who
...more
Audiobook narrated by Simon Vance
In Book two of this series, the Chinese have learned that the gift they were sending to Napoleon (an unhatched dragon’s egg) was intercepted by the British. Now a delegation arrives demanding the return of the Celestial dragon, which, by tradition, can only belong to a member of the royal family. But Capt Laurence is not about to turn Temeraire over; and the dragon does not want to be parted from his beloved Laurence. So the two travel to the Far East to plead ...more
In Book two of this series, the Chinese have learned that the gift they were sending to Napoleon (an unhatched dragon’s egg) was intercepted by the British. Now a delegation arrives demanding the return of the Celestial dragon, which, by tradition, can only belong to a member of the royal family. But Capt Laurence is not about to turn Temeraire over; and the dragon does not want to be parted from his beloved Laurence. So the two travel to the Far East to plead ...more
Patrick O'Brien meets Anne MacCaffrey. Apparently this picks up right where the first book ended. It's been five years, sounds about right from what I remember.
Slow start. Old-fashioned feel to it, meshes well with other period-dramas I have read of that time. The naval jargon sounds true. I like that there are different types of dragons, it gives lots of options and keeps them interesting.
Excellent world-building, great scenic descriptions. Good fight and battle scenes. Great travel narrative.
...more
Slow start. Old-fashioned feel to it, meshes well with other period-dramas I have read of that time. The naval jargon sounds true. I like that there are different types of dragons, it gives lots of options and keeps them interesting.
Excellent world-building, great scenic descriptions. Good fight and battle scenes. Great travel narrative.
...more
Mar 24, 2019
Bea
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
adult-fantasy,
female-authors
I enjoyed this not quite as much as book one because I found the plot a bit weaker.
Still a cute and easy read, though.
Still a cute and easy read, though.
3.5 (some spoilers ahead)
So this series falls into the "it's not you it's me"category. I just found myself being bored, although I will admit that the ending was pretty great. I understand that sea voyages are not that interesting and the writer tried to make it better by making random battles, but it just didn't work for me. During the battles a lot of minor charachters died, and I felt like we were supposed to be sad about their deaths, but they hadn't been in the book long enough to actually ...more
So this series falls into the "it's not you it's me"category. I just found myself being bored, although I will admit that the ending was pretty great. I understand that sea voyages are not that interesting and the writer tried to make it better by making random battles, but it just didn't work for me. During the battles a lot of minor charachters died, and I felt like we were supposed to be sad about their deaths, but they hadn't been in the book long enough to actually ...more
I found the ending a bit underwhelming and the plot in this one a bit too slow. The first one is definitely better. Still loving Laurence and Temeraire though.
Jun 14, 2017
YouKneeK
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
completed-series
This is the second book in the Temeraire series. The first book in a series has an advantage, at least in my case. If it’s written well, and especially if it takes a different approach than anything I’ve read before, its “newness factor” gives it an edge. The second book is a better test of whether I’ll be able to sustain my interest in the series.
I really enjoyed this book. I’m especially still enjoying the characters. Also, something about Novik’s writing style just holds my interest well. I ...more
I really enjoyed this book. I’m especially still enjoying the characters. Also, something about Novik’s writing style just holds my interest well. I ...more
Dec 03, 2015
Roberta Jayne
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2015,
historical-fiction
2.5 stars. While I still love Temeraire and am definitely going to read the next book in this series, I have to admit that I was shockingly disappointed by this second instalment. The eloquent writing style and the craft that went into creating characters and locations in this book were enjoyable things to experience, yet I was incredibly frustrated nonetheless. The first half of the book was very, very slow - and I don't know if that's because the book had pacing issues or because I kept
...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fantasy Buddy Reads: Throne of Jade [Apr 25, 2019] | 43 | 23 | May 11, 2019 07:19PM | |
| Nothing But Readi...: Novik, Naomi--Throne of Jade informal buddy read starts July 24, 2018 | 13 | 146 | Jul 31, 2018 12:30PM | |
| Fantasy Buddy Reads: Throne of Jade [Oct 1, 2017] | 71 | 54 | Dec 06, 2017 01:51AM | |
| Play Book Tag: Throne of Jade (Temeraire #2), by Naomi Novik | 3 | 15 | Jun 06, 2017 10:24AM | |
| Fantasy Book Club...: Temeraire #2 Throne of Jade SPOILERS What did you think? | 14 | 30 | Mar 15, 2017 07:26AM |
Readers also enjoyed
An avid reader of fantasy literature since age six, when she first made her way through The Lord of the Rings, Naomi Novik is also a history buff with a particular interest in the Napoleonic era and a fondness for the work of Patrick O’Brian and Jane Austen. She studied English literature at Brown University, and did graduate work in computer science at Columbia University before leaving to
...more
Other books in the series
Temeraire
(9 books)
2 trivia questions
More quizzes & trivia...
“I am very tired of this Government, which I have never seen, and which is always insisting that I must do disagreeable things, and does no good to anybody.”
—
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“Those men want to take Laurence from me, and put him in prison, and execute him, and I will not let them, ever, and I do not care if Laurence tells me not to squash you," he added, fiercely, to Lord Barham.
— Temeraire”
—
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More quotes…
— Temeraire”
