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League of Dragons

Dec 27, 2024
1 min read

League of Dragons

(Temeraire 9)

Naomi Novik

Storygraph

Goodreads

Dates Read

Dec 26 - 27

2024

Listened via Hoopla

12 hours, 12 minutes

Blurb:

The deadly campaign in Russia has cost both Napoleon and those allied against him. Napoleon has been denied his victory . . . but at a terrible price. Laurence and the dragon Temeraire pursue the fleeing French army west but are demoralized when Napoleon makes it back to Paris unscathed. Worse, they soon learn that the French have stolen Temeraire and Iskierka's egg. Now it is do or die, as our heroes need not only to save Temeraire's offspring but also to stop Napoleon for good.

Pre Read Thoughts:

Russia is cold and there's no food this drives Napoleon back I bet.

Finished:

So the hatchling has Iskierka's personality. I love it. and she has both their abilities.

I'm glad they ended the war together and back home in England. Dragons now have rights yaya.

Also I'm very interested in where the relationship with Tharkay is going to go. It seems interesting how deep that bromance goes.

Blood of Tyrants

Dec 26, 2024
2 min read

Blood of Tyrants

(Temeraire 8)

Naomi Novik

Storygraph

Goodreads

Dates Read

Dec 25-26

2024

Listened via Hoopla

13 hours, 48 minutes

Blurb:

Shipwrecked and cast ashore in Japan with no memory of Temeraire or his own experiences as an English aviator, Laurence finds himself tangled in deadly political intrigues that threaten not only his own life but England’s already precarious position in the Far East. Age-old enmities and suspicions have turned the entire region into a powder keg ready to erupt at the slightest spark—a spark that Laurence and Temeraire may unwittingly provide, leaving Britain faced with new enemies just when they most desperately need allies instead.

For to the west, another, wider conflagration looms. Napoleon has turned on his former ally, the emperor Alexander of Russia, and is even now leading the largest army the world has ever seen to add that country to his list of conquests. It is there, outside the gates of Moscow, that a reunited Laurence and Temeraire—along with some unexpected allies and old friends—will face their ultimate challenge...and learn whether or not there are stronger ties than memory.

Pre Read Thoughts:

To China I guess off on another adventure.

Finished:

So we spent a decent amount of time in Japan where Laurence had forgotten everything except how to speak Chinese. Although in his state of amnesia even Will thought that Emily was his child. (Which she might as well be at this point she's spent more time with him than with her own mother.) Miss Pemberton is a nice lady and I love that she is very serious about her job or chaperoning to the point of learning how to shoot and fence. Poor Hammond being followed by his own dragon who keeps wanting him to start a family.

I found it interesting that seeing Tharkay was what gave Laurence his memories back. Do I sense more bromance.

One thing I do remember about the Napoleonic wars is that Russia survived because of its harsh winter and there was no food for soldiers. This book ended with winter starting.

Crucible of Gold

Dec 25, 2024
2 min read

Crucible of Gold

(Temeraire 7)

Naomi Novik

Storygraph

Goodreads

Dates Read

Dec 23-25

2024

Listened to audio via Spotify Premium

9 hours, 54 minutes

Blurb:

For Laurence and Temeraire, put out to pasture in Australia, it seems their part in the war has come to an end just when they are needed most. But perhaps they are no longer alone in this opinion. Newly allied with the powerful African empire of the Tswana, the French have occupied Spain and brought revolution and bloodshed to Brazil, threatening Britain’s last desperate hope to defeat Napoleon.

And now the government that sidelined them has decided they have the best chance at negotiating a peace with the angry Tswana, who have besieged the Portuguese royal family in Rio—and thus offer to reinstate Laurence to his former rank and seniority as a captain in the Aerial Corps. Temeraire is delighted by this sudden reversal of fortune, but Laurence is by no means sanguine, knowing from experience that personal honor and duty to one’s country do not always run on parallel tracks.

Nonetheless, the pair embark for Brazil, only to meet with a string of unmitigated disasters that force them to make an unexpected landing in the hostile territory of the Incan empire, where they face new unanticipated dangers.

Now with the success of the mission balanced on a razor’s edge, and failure looking more likely by the minute, the unexpected arrival of an old enemy will tip the scales toward ruin. Yet even in the midst of disaster, opportunity may lurk—for one bold enough to grasp it.

Favorite Character:

Still Iskierka

Pre Read Thoughts:

We're settled in our home why are we going back.

Finished:

Hammond came back just to drag us to South America. I can't believe we lost Riley and the Allegiance and more than half our crew. The Incan dragons are interesting though looking more like birds than reptiles. They protect their people and work with them. Creating an alliance with the Tswana was an interesting touch especially since the Incan empress married Napoleon.