I’m not a fan of most modern fantasy books, largely due to the fact that their “cookbook” styled stories, with little originality or are just poorly written (ie. R. A. Salvatore). So when I first heard of the premise of “His Majesty’s Dragon,” I wasn’t enthused.
But after a few recommendations, I decided to go to my local Barnes and read the first paragraph. I was sold. Not only is Naomi Novik a phenomenal writer, her style and imaginative world will suck you in… and never let go.
The book is the first of a 4-part series called “Temeraire.” It is set during the Napoleonic wars. There’s one unique catch: there’s dragons. The nations of Europe have Air Forces comprised of dragons, something that has survived since the Roman Ages. A British naval office by chance discovers a rare dragon, captured by the French, and is plunged into this new life as a dragon rider.
The amazing draw of this story is the relationship between Captain Laurence and his dragon, Temeraire. They develop a close bond, something like a man and his dog–but on another level. Temeraire is intelligent and sweet and fiercely devoted to his master.
You learn about this world along with Laurence and Temeraire. Novik’s prose is powerful and description and incredibly “in tune” with the era. Pick up this book and you will soon be searching for the sequels.
My only complaint is that stupid iBooks doesn’t haven’t the series yet!
Get it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/His-Majestys-Dragon-Temeraire-Book/dp/0345481283/ref=sr_1_7?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1280755318&sr=1-7
Peter Jackson has the movie rights to the series, not that he’ll ever get around to making it. Also, Salvatore has some of the best, if not THE best dwarves in all fantasy. His dark elves are gay though.
cool. thanks for sharing! and hey, do you have a kindle? (you can email me to let me know.) i’ve been curious about them; thought about checkin them out. but i feel like i’m old fashioned, i just love the whole actual book thing, ya know. but i’ve been curious as to how the kindle is…..
It WOULD be a good movie, especially now with the strange success of “How To Train Your Dragon.” The one book I’ve read of Salvatore’s didn’t have dwarves in it (or they were evil)–the rest of the book was fairly hackneyed and cliche.
@Sarah, I the Kindle iPhone app, but I don’t like it. iPhone has its own “iBooks” app that is great, but like I said in the post, it doesn’t have any of Novik’s work. I actually have the paperback of it.
It’s pretty unfair to judge an author on just one book. That’s like judging an artist on just one painting. I’m not saying he’s a great writer but his creation, the dark elf Drizzt Do’Urden, is one of the few enduring characters to come out of fantasy books in the past 2 decades (stupid, over-powered character that he is) I suggest reading some of his dark elf books before casting judgement on his whole body of work by having read just one book.
I knew that comment was going to get me in trouble with someone 😛
Just be glad it’s me, some fantasy book lovers would cut your throat with their replica Drizzt swords if they read this. http://www.replicadungeon.com/icingdeath-twinkle-swords.html …when you’re characters have replica waepons made after them then you can curse R.A. down to the pit of doom.
that’s really a sub-culture I want to avoid. Tolkien never pushed such a thing!
and let those R.A. fans bring it on!
Tolkien never pushed such a thing because he lived in a totally different era, now he’d be all about Tolkien-con. Well, maybe not but either way he doesn’t live in our times and we don’t live in his. Today”s “sub-cultures” are just a rabid fan base, what creator doesn’t want that? (as long as they don’t stalk you)
perhaps. maybe i can market star-covered pointed hats.