Throne of Jade [Apr 12, 2020]

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Throne of Jade - Naomi Novik

April 12, 2020.
Requested by Narilka.

[Narilka]

Thanks Jenna!

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Narilka wrote: "Thanks Jenna!"

You're welcome!

[Elizabeth]

I'm going to be a few days late starting this one.

[Narilka]

No problem. In that case I think I'll delay too :)

[Elizabeth]

I'm hoping to start Wednesday if you want to start then, if I'm able to start earlier I'll let you know

[Narilka]

I'm starting this one tonight. Feel free to jump in any time.

[Elizabeth]

I'm sorry Narilka, but I really don't think I'm going to have time for this one. I way over booked myself for this month. I'm already reading 2 BR books, and one that's not. Then I have another BR starting tomorrow. Of those this one is the one I'm feeling the least inclined to read at the moment. I may read it within the next couple months and be able to read later books in the series with you if you don't continue immediately. (But don't hold back on my account. I'm not sure when I will get to it)

[Narilka]

No problem. This thread will stay up for a while so you can always come back if you decide to read this later.

[Narilka]

Through Ch 3. After my last book these chapters feel soooo long :) (view spoiler)[It's been 3 years since I read the first book and it's been very easy to get right back into this world.

It did amaze me though that those idiots thought they could make Laurence give up Temeriare or that Temeraire would give up his captain. Good thing those guys figured it out before it got bad. Somehow Temeriare on a rampage doesn't sound like a good idea. (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

I took a short diversion for some comfort reads and am back to this again.

[Siobhan]

Narilka wrote: "Through Ch 3. After my last book these chapters feel soooo long :) I.."

Haha damn right, what were they thinking?! :)

Hope you enjoy this!

[Narilka]

CH 4-5 (view spoiler)[That was one hell of an ambush/sea battle. How dare they harm Temeriare :( Great timing for the other dragons to spot them and help with the battle. (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Almost done with Ch 7 (view spoiler)[I am amazed at how much time they're spending on the voyage. I was kind of hoping to see more of China and their dragons. Maybe in the second half of the book?

I really don't like Yongxing and his continued attempts to separate Laurence/Temeraire. That has GOT to stop. Very cool that Temeraire can speak Chinese though. And he is enjoying poetry :) I could see him as a dragon poet given enough time.

Yeah, I really want the voyage portion over with. And please say book 3 doesn't have a long voyage for them to get back to England. (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Narilka wrote: "Almost done with Ch 7 I am .."

(view spoiler)[I loved Temeraire enjoying poetry and speaking Chinese! He's a genius! :D

This long voyage was the worst part of the book for me. I think it's the worst example of it in the series, so once you're past that you're winning. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Siobhan wrote: "Spoiler stuff...."

It's almost half the book so far. I honestly thought we'd see a little along with the Ch 4-5 things then fast fowrard to reaching the destination and on to the real meat of the story :D Thanks for confirming it's only this book. I already have book 3 in my TBR and was wondering.

[Siobhan]

Narilka wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Spoiler stuff...."

It's almost half the book so far. I honestly thought we'd see a little along with the Ch 4-5 things then fast fowrard to reaching the destination and on to the r..."

Of course there are other journeys, but not as tedious as this! As far as I remember! :)

[Dustin]

Siobhan wrote: "Of course there are other journeys, but not as tedious as this! As far as I remember! :) .."

IDK. I enjoyed this one, the first and second time. The journey in 6 tends to be the series breaker for many.

[Siobhan]

Dustin wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Of course there are other journeys, but not as tedious as this! As far as I remember! :) .."

IDK. I enjoyed this one, the first and second time. The journey in 6 tends to be the se..."

Very good memory! I can't remember which journey is in 6. But you're right I think that was the weakest book overall. I loved book 7 though, so again, worth pushing through! :)

[Narilka]

Finished Ch 11 (view spoiler)[And we are still at sea! At least they've made it to China. There's not a whole lot of book left to explore the country and culture if they don't finish the voyage soon. As much as I love Temeraire and Laurance's relationship, this book has been a tedious read so far. I have a bad feeling this is going to lead to a rushed ending. I hope I'm wrong.

The first peek at a Chinese dragon was very cool though too short!

I did like, and found sad, the sea serpent part. I wonder if they could raise some from egg. That would be an amazing Navy.

Temeraire brings up some interesting points of the dragons almost being like slaves. I wonder if this is explored more later. It's quite a moral dilemma. I like how it made Laurence think about things. Really, why cant they be paid? I'm sure there are plenty of jewelry and gem merchants who would make a killing at making shinies for the dragons to covet :D Why not let the dragons do their own shopping in a specific part of "dragon town" or something? Such a neat idea. (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

I finished. Giving it 3.5 stars rounded down. The uneven pacing definitely hampered my enjoyment overall. Still, the story filled the Temeraire-sized hole in my heart I didn't realize I had :) (view spoiler)[The story really got going once they hit main land China. OMG I want to see a dragon city so bad!!! I hope Temeraire and Laurence are able to take some of those ideas back to England to give the other dragons options. So very sweet the present Temeraire presented to Laurence. I also thought the solution for the Emperor to adopt Laurence quite elegant. Wish I'd thought of it! (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Narilka wrote: "I finished. Giving it 3.5 stars rounded down. The uneven pacing definitely hampered my enjoyment overall. Still, the story filled the Temeraire-sized hole in my heart I didn't realize I had :) [spo..."

Glad you enjoyed it overall! I thought the ending was worth the slog :D

[Dustin]

Siobhan wrote: "I think that was the weakest book overall"

Aside from one new dragon, I can't think of any critical developments that readers need to know before continuing onto the next book. You really could just skip it. I don't hate it, I enjoy all the books, but for people who just casually enjoy the series, it's probably best to read a summary and skip to 7 than get bored with the series.

[Narilka]

@Dustin You mean #6 is skipable?