In the first novel of the New York Times bestselling Temeraire series, a rare bond is formed between a young man and a dragon, and together they must battle in the Napoleonic Wars.
“A terrifically entertaining fantasy novel.”—Stephen King
Aerial combat brings a thrilling new dimension to the Napoleonic Wars as valiant warriors rise to Britain’s defense by taking to the skies . . . not aboard aircraft but atop the mighty backs of fighting dragons.
When HMS Reliant captures a French frigate and seizes its precious cargo, an unhatched dragon egg, fate sweeps Capt. Will Laurence from his seafaring life into an uncertain future–and an unexpected kinship with a most extraordinary creature. Thrust into the rarified world of the Aerial Corps as master of the dragon Temeraire, he will face a crash course in the daring tactics of airborne battle. For as France’s own dragon-borne forces rally to breach British soil in Bonaparte’s boldest gambit, Laurence and Temeraire must soar into their own baptism of fire.
“Just when you think you’ve seen every variation possible on the dragon story, along comes Naomi Novik. . . . Her wonderful Temeraire is a dragon for the ages.”—Terry Brooks
Don’t miss any of Naomi Novik’s magical Temeraire series
HIS MAJESTY’S DRAGON • THRONE OF JADE • BLACK POWDER WAR • EMPIRE OF IVORY • VICTORY OF EAGLES • TONGUES OF SERPENTS • CRUCIBLE OF GOLD • BLOOD OF TYRANTS • LEAGUE OF DRAGONS
Worth trying, draws you in
"The concept of this is an alternate history based around a dragon riding military force in british empire times for defending Britain against Napolean. It works really well! It's a great read. Through circumstances, the main character Laurence ends up having to take care of a young dragon and train it into the Aerial branch of the British military to defend the country against the increasingly powerful Napoleon, who has his own dragon force. So the story is all about Laurence facing the challenges of having to do his duty to care for this dragon, which takes him away from a promising Navy career, yet he finds himself coming to sincerely care for it. The dragon Temeraire on it's own is a great, distinct, well written character and seeing the arc him and Laurence go on is interesting and compelling. Things stay pretty fast paced, and the writing effectively draws you in. It's satisfying and well told. The tone is at times serious but never really dark, which is a nice change of pace. There is something comforting about reading british characters non-cynically wanting to do their duty and do the right thing that adds a lot to the whole experience. Great read overall, worth a try."
