His Majesty's Dragon (Temeraire, #1) in The Alternative Worlds

Feb 10, 2009 Kara Babcock rated it liked it

Shelves: alternate-history, historical-fiction, own, hugo-nominee, 2012-read, 2014-read, fantasy, from-library, british-historical

Have you ever taken a good, long look at the Napoleonic Wars and thought, “These are cool, but they could really use more dragons”? Naomi Novik did, so she wrote a book about it.

That’s really all you need to know about the Temeraire series: if it doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, then it’s not going to change your mind about dragons or about the Napoleonic Wars. But if it sounds awesome, then you’re in for a treat. I originally gave this five stars when I added it to Goodreads, having read it ...more

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Nov 15, 2008 Brad rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, historical

It would be easy to slip into hyperbole about His Majesty's Dragon, so before I get to the hyperbole I want to make it clear that while I did enjoy Naomi Novik's story of dragon riding in Napoleonic Europe, it is not the most amazing book ever. Although I will probably continue in the series, it isn't at the top of my to read list.

Now for the hyperbole.

His Majesty's Dragon is very entertaining. Novik sweeps us into the world of her dragonriders and delivers action at a perfect pitch, even makin ...more

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Jul 07, 2010 Sandi rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, 2010, e-books

Call me crazy, but I like fantasy novels to be plausible. I like magic as long as it has an explanation or usage that seems "realistic" within its own fictional world. Mythological creatures need to make some sort of sense.

When Barnes & Noble offered the first book of Naomi Novik's Temeraire series as one of its Free Fridays books, I wasn't going to pass up a chance to read it for free. It has received so much praise from people who know their fantasy. I just have to say that it was okay, but it Call me crazy, but I like fantasy novels to be plausible. I like magic as long as it has an explanation or usage that seems "realistic" within its own fictional world. Mythological creatures need to make some sort of sense.

When Barnes & Noble offered the first book of Naomi Novik's Temeraire series as one of its Free Fridays books, I wasn't going to pass up a chance to read it for free. It has received so much praise from people who know their fantasy. I just have to say that it was okay, but it didn't wow me. The first part was really good, but it started dragging enough in the middle and the end that I started questioning the world Novik created and it started seeming really implausible.

The first thing that got me was the way dragons are hatched with a full command of the English language or whatever language they are exposed to in the egg. They not only know human language, they speak it. I'm pretty sure dragon physiology would not allow them to speak any human language. Novik doesn't even use the telepathic communication angle that other writers have used to work around this.

The second thing that got me was the feeding of dragons. They seemed to subsist on very little given their size and there were always plenty of cows and sheep around to keep them fed. Given the number of dragons in captivity, it seems like it would take an awful lot of resources to keep those dragons fed. I'm sure the environmental impact wouldn't be pretty.

I also wasn't convinced by the battle scenes. It just seems like it was impossibly difficult to fight a war from the back of a dragon, especially with all the harnesses.

There was a lot more that didn't convince me, but I won't go into it. However, I will say that Novik's formal prose was perfectly suited to the period of His Majesty's Dragon. She got the language right and never slipped into modern usage.

If you love dragons, you might love this take on them. I'm not a big fan though. This book was okay, but not great. I don't think I'll be reading the rest. ...more

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Jul 14, 2008 Terry rated it did not like it

Shelves: fantasy

Aubrey-Maturin fan fiction meets My-Little-Dragon-Pony, Friendship is Magic! Blech.

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Apr 01, 2009 Nicky rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, historical-fiction-alternatehistory, dragons

Temeraire (or His Majesty's Dragon outside the UK) is basically a lot of fun. I read it very quickly, and while it reminded me of other books about dragons (McCaffrey came to mind, obviously) it made a world of its own. The exclusion from society in coverts reminded me of the weyrs in McCaffrey's books, as did the importance of the hatching, but the dragons themselves are different. There are different breeds, much like dogs, and they speak aloud, not telepathically. The dragons are as much char ...more

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Jan 19, 2013 Michelle rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, historical-fantasy, award_winner, ebook, free, women-in-genre-challenge, dragons-beasties

this may be the ultimate of all wish-fulfillment fantasy books. yeah, fiction offers the opportunity to be picked for hogwarts, or travel through a wardrobe to narnia, OR have a super best friend bond with your highly intelligent talking (literate!) flying dragon. there's a clear winner there.

the back of book blurb tells you everything you need to know: the napoleonic wars are being fought adragonback as much as asea, and a naval captain has to abruptly switch from the latter to the former. i ca ...more

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Nov 20, 2008 bsc rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, read-2008, audiobook, fantasy

Quite entertaining. Novik did a good job bringing the dragons to life. They were, by far, the most affecting characters of this book. I don't typically enjoy fantasy and dragons but I liked the setting of the Napoleonic Wars so I gave it a shot. Pretty good. 3.5 stars. ...more

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Sep 12, 2016 Suz rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical, fantasy, alternate, non-men-sff-authors, kindle, military

A super fun alt-history fantasy book with a slightly different take on dragons. It takes place in Britain during the Napoleonic wars and our protag (who isn't the dragon) is a Navy-man who finds himself in the undesirable position of having a dragon attach itself to him.

He names the dragon Temeraire and he's off to join the Air-Force and train and learn about the world of dragons that he never knew about.

The relationship between Temeraire and Laurence is just freakin' adorable. And Temeraire is ...more

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Jan 02, 2013 Daniel Roy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: sf, alternate-history, wwe-wogf, fantasy

Now that's what I call a fantasy adventure! The premise—Napoleonic Wars with dragons—is a bit over the top, but there is enough genuine emotion and excitement on display to suspend disbelief without any second thought. I mean; who needs verisimilitude? There's dragons fighting over the Channel!

"It's just some light reading" is a phrase often heard when defending books that lack depth, tight plotting, or engaging characters. His Majesty's Dragon is the proof that a lighthearted tale is no excuse Now that's what I call a fantasy adventure! The premise—Napoleonic Wars with dragons—is a bit over the top, but there is enough genuine emotion and excitement on display to suspend disbelief without any second thought. I mean; who needs verisimilitude? There's dragons fighting over the Channel!

"It's just some light reading" is a phrase often heard when defending books that lack depth, tight plotting, or engaging characters. His Majesty's Dragon is the proof that a lighthearted tale is no excuse for shoddy writing. Yes, the story of Laurence and Temeraire is a light read: there is no philosophical treatise on the meaning of existence, no innovation in the turn of a phrase. But that doesn't make it "just" a popcorn book. The characters are engaging, and the story is written with enough tenderness and care that it is easy to fall in love with the characters.

What really anchors the story is the relationship between Captain Laurence and his companion of fortune, the dragon Temeraire. It's heartwarming to see them grow closer together, and their friendship is often touching and genuine. Let's call it what it is: an inter-species bromance. Laurence by himself is not that engaging a character; he's a bit stiff-lipped, and always offended by this or that breach of etiquette. But his genuine love for Temeraire, and the way this love ends up affecting other dragons, is really great to read. I couldn't help laughing at the gruff relationship between Maximus and Berkley, for instance, or shed a tear for poor Levitas.

I have a theory that male SF writers tend to focus on external conflicts, with interpersonal relationships playing a supporting role in the dramatic structure of a story, whereas the situation is reversed with women. His Majesty's Dragon supports this assertion: the book is much less about the war with Napoleon, and much more about relationships between the characters, and how the existence of dragons shapes their lives. The majority of the novel concerns itself with the growing relationship between Temeraire and Laurence, and their integration in the Corps. Oh, there is plenty of action, especially in the third act, and it was engaging and original, too. But it's clear that it's the relationships between captains and dragons that Mrs. Novik wanted to write about. It's a great thing, too, because it makes the story engaging in a way that would have been missing if it had only been about aerial combat between giant flying lizards.

All in all, a satisfying read with engaging characters and a unique, well-constructed setting. A lot of thought went into integrating dragons into the context of the Napoleonic Wars, and the result was satisfying. I'll definitely check out the sequel. ...more

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May 18, 2011 Courtney rated it really liked it

Loves this whole series. I want a dragon of my won! Interesting look at Britain and Napolean ere / battles. Alternate history done well.

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Sep 21, 2007 Jackie "the Librarian" rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adultfiction, fantasy

Terrific mix of fantasy and historical fiction. Temeraire, a very Pern-like dragon, is captured while still in the egg by a British naval captain. They bond while en voyage back to England, and the captain becomes one of the looked-down upon dragon riders of England, who are becoming vital in the war with France.
I loved the relationship between the good and honorable captain and Temeraire, whose fine mind and intellectual curiosity make a delight.
Highly recommended for all dragon lovers.

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May 07, 2009 Caitie (caitiegirlreads) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, 2018-reads

A very refreshing novel,

Dragons? Napoleonic Wars? Together in the same story? That, to me, was quite original. These aren't your Dragons of Pern. A captivating alternative history that will make you laugh and send you on an adventure. :) ...more

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