SkrivarSara - Tales from an Aspiring Writer

But just as you know, I'm still tired. I slept too long this morning;P

*****
Title: His Majesty's Dragon, Throne of Jade, Black Powder War and Empire of Ivory
Author: Naomi Novik
Genres: Historic Fantasy, Alternative Universe

Set in an Alternative Universe, the Temeraire series explore a big What if: What if the Napoleon Wars were fought with dragons? Captain William Laurence was an officer in the British Navy, and wished no other life. But when he and his crew captured a French ship, they discovered a dragon egg that was nearly hatching. The newly-born dragonet then choose Laurence as his captain, and Laurence was not a Naval officer anymore, but one in the Aerial Corps. He gave the dragonet the name Temeraire, and together they fought against France, travelled to China after the dicovery that Temeraire was a very rare Celestial dragon, in China they uncovered a plot against the Emperor's live, got  the albino Celestial Lien as a deadly enemy, travelled back to England through Istanbul and there stole two dragon eggs belonging to England, fought in the battle of Jena and Auerstadt, lost it and came home to England, only to dicover that all their dragon friends were ill in an apparently uncureable illness. For finding a remedy, they had to travel to Africa, where they where captured by an African tribe, escaped and came back to England with a cure. The British leading officers had decided to spread the Plague to France, from where the illness surely would spread to the rest of Europe. Unable to stand it, Laurence and Temeraire commited treason and took the cure to France.

The story centers around the relationship between Laurence and Temeraire, and it is very well developed. Laurence is a very law-abiding man, loyal to the king and the army. Temeraire, however, is quick to see wrongdoings against dragons, and have a will to revolutionize it. The relationship is strong in that way that they compromize for each other: Laurence agrees that there are things that need changing, and Temeraire follow his captain's lead when he think it is to much. The loyalty and love between them is very apparent throughout the books, and I could not hepl to love them too.

There are also historic people in the books, Napoleon and Nelson probably the most famous. Laurence's father, Lord Allendale, is supporting Wilberforce and Clarkson's ideas about abolition, and the Swedish soon-to-be-king Bernadotte is mentioned in a passing reference. For a history nerd like me, it is quite fun to read about them this way.

The story's pace is not the quickest, except in the battles, but that is not a drawback. Temeraires relationship with Temeraire is more important, and Novik flashes out most of the other characters nicely. The story is written in third person, Laurence's point of view, but Temeraires character is well formed and Novik gives even secondary characters their own voice.

All in all, the story gets five stars, and it is only for me to wait for Victory of Eagles, the next book. I can hardly wait.

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So, I have begin to write on the Cinderella-rewrite, so hopefully, it's up next. I have a full day tomorrow - I'm going to college! Wish me luck.

Sincerely Sara