Peter Jackson loves His Majesty's Dragon, so will you!
Written: Dec 17 '06
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Military fantasy, dragons, British
Cons: I guess I wanted one fewer battle in exchange for more heart.
The Bottom Line: If you like British naval history, alternate history, fantasy, military fantasy, or dragons, then you need to read this.
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| Jellyn's Full Review: Naomi Novik - His Majesty's Dragon |
His Majesty's Dragon is the first of Naomi Novik's Temeraire fantasy series. To put it briefly, it's Anne McCaffrey's Pern crossed with Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series (ie, Master and Commander). If you like British naval history and dragons, then why haven't you read this book yet?
I almost don't like to talk about this much, as it'll give away all the fun of reading the book and finding out the plot, characters, and other details yourself. So maybe just skim this review.
Setting
This is an alternate history fantasy world where the British navy is at war with France, but they've got more than ships and armies fighting on their side. They have dragons. But so do the French. This series asks, 'If dragons existed, how would they have been used by humanity?'
Plot
Ship's captain Will Laurence was living the life of any British naval captain. He was seeing to his ship and his crew, and fighting the French for king, country, and prize money. Until he won in battle the cargo of a French ship, which included a dragon egg. Normally this would be a great prize and worth a hefty bonus when brought into port, but this egg is close to hatching. If a dragon hatches and doesn't take to anyone, it'll go wild and be of little use to the military.
Lots are drawn, as no one wants to disrupt their naval career for the more disreputable life of an aviator. Ultimately, however, it's the Captain himself who the young dragonet takes to. Laurence's life is uprooted as he now has to learn how to fight atop a dragon. Though it's not so different from the life of a naval captain. A dragon has its own crew; both a ground crew and a flight crew.
Laurence and Temeraire together learn what it's like to fight for king and country from the air.
Thoughts
The background and plot is actually rather more rich than what I've described above. Novik has really given some thought behind the whole change in both history and society that dragons would bring about. These are not McCaffrey's dragons.
I really enjoyed this book for what it is. However, I did feel it a little lacking, for me, in the area of.. I don't know, perhaps emotion, or character relationships. So it's very good, but I could wish for a bit more.. something.
I also really liked the cover. It's beautiful and intriguing, and gets right to the heart of the book.
Extra Reason to Read It
No less than Peter Jackson has bought the rights to turn this series into a movie. It should be AWESOME.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Jellyn
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Location: New Hampshire
Reviews written: 210
Trusted by: 48 members
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