Status
Available
Series
Collection
Publication
Del Rey (2014), Edition: Illustrated, 512 pages
Description
Fantasy. Fiction. Literature. Historical Fiction. Naomi Novik's beloved Temeraire series, a brilliant combination of fantasy and history that reimagines the Napoleonic wars as fought with the aid of intelligent dragons, is a twenty-first-century classic. From the first volume, His Majesty's Dragon, readers have been entranced by the globe-spanning adventures of the resolute Capt. William Laurence and his brave but impulsive dragon, Temeraire. Now, in Blood of Tyrants, the penultimate volume of the series, Novik is at the very height of her powers as she brings her story to its widest, most colorful canvas yet. 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.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member elenaj
Delightful - this book is so much more fun than the last two or three, for reasons I can't talk about without MAJOR PLOT spoilers:
So the amnesia plot was genius. Unlikely in and of itself, but I am reading a series of novels about talking dragons - I am perfectly happy to accept amnesia when it
It all gets heavier and less fun for me when they arrive in Russia, and continues to get darker as the book goes on - the last 20 or so pages were hard to read, because I was quite sure it was going to all go badly even before it did. And now how are we all going to deal with the wait until the next (and I think final) book? Hopefully with fanfic - don't let me down, internet!
ETA: The major spoilery plot point of the first third of the book seems to be a love it or hate it thing, based, I suspect, on what you're reading for. I'm reading for relationships first, shenanigans second, and battles not really very much at all - if you're reading for battles first and relationships not very much at all, you'll probably like the last third of this book best and the first third least.
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gets us back to a wonderfully confused Laurence cast adrift and friendless, getting by on politeness, cunning, honor and luck. This is the BEST Laurence, and so much more fun than the depressed Laurence we've had since at least Book 5. And then all the feels with Laurence and Temeraire having amnesisa-driven misunderstandings, but really even amnesiac Laurence loves Temeraire and omg it is the best. And delightful new characters and old favorites and crazy shenanigans. It all gets heavier and less fun for me when they arrive in Russia, and continues to get darker as the book goes on - the last 20 or so pages were hard to read, because I was quite sure it was going to all go badly even before it did. And now how are we all going to deal with the wait until the next (and I think final) book? Hopefully with fanfic - don't let me down, internet!
ETA: The major spoilery plot point of the first third of the book seems to be a love it or hate it thing, based, I suspect, on what you're reading for. I'm reading for relationships first, shenanigans second, and battles not really very much at all - if you're reading for battles first and relationships not very much at all, you'll probably like the last third of this book best and the first third least.
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LibraryThing member infjsarah
I do enjoy this series though it is nothing like as good as it used to be.
LibraryThing member JBD1
NB: Minor spoilers.
The penultimate volume in the Temeraire series, I'm sorry to say. This one sets up a final book very well, leaving matters at something of a cliffhanger (perhaps that sort of has to be the way of it, in such a case).
We begin in Japan, where Laurence has been shipwrecked and
We do get some good battling here, as Laurence and Temeraire find themselves at the head of an impressive formation of Chinese dragons sent to assist on the Russian front. And as typically in these stories, we see how dragons are treated (or mistreated) in other human societies.
In impatience, now, for the last battle ...
The penultimate volume in the Temeraire series, I'm sorry to say. This one sets up a final book very well, leaving matters at something of a cliffhanger (perhaps that sort of has to be the way of it, in such a case).
We begin in Japan, where Laurence has been shipwrecked and
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knocked about to such a degree that he's entirely lost his memory of the previous eight years. This situation continues through much of the book as he struggles to regain his memories. I'm not sure quite how well this plot angle worked overall, as it mostly served to allow Novik to fill in background from previous books for the reader. And then the whole thing just sort of seems to fade away into nothing ... but perhaps that's the idea.We do get some good battling here, as Laurence and Temeraire find themselves at the head of an impressive formation of Chinese dragons sent to assist on the Russian front. And as typically in these stories, we see how dragons are treated (or mistreated) in other human societies.
In impatience, now, for the last battle ...
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LibraryThing member silverarrowknits
This book was generously donated by Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra for review.
This book begins with Laurence and Temeraire having separate adventures in Japan. This is because prior to the beginning of this book, Laurence has been shipwrecked and separated from his friends. After
This book was like a breath of fresh air into the Temeraire series. Unlike most of the previous books that had dragon culture be at the forefront of each book and adventure/Napoleonic Wars just kind of happened, the adventure and Napoleonic Wars were the focus of the book. Although I find how difference cultures view dragons, this series is about the Napoleonic Wars, so I was excited for Temeraire and company to fight the French.
I must admit that I really like the interactions between Laurence with no memory with the other characters. I especially liked seeing how Laurence felt about all of his misadventures over the last several years without the influence of Temeraire's opinions (I feel like Laurence indulged Temeraire a bit much at times). I also enjoyed watching Laurence squirm when he thought a certain midshipman was related to him.
My one critique of the book was regarding how the book was put together. At times the book felt a bit choppy and seemed to jump quickly from one scene to another. I read an ARC; however, so this may have been cleaned up in the final edition. Also, the last 1/3-1/4 of the book felt like it should have been a separate book altogether. The book didn't end with its typical big battle scene and Laurence and the gang take off for a completely different locale. I wonder if Novik was told to finish up the series, and therefore was forced to condense an entire book into 100 pages.
Overall, this was a fun book. I cannot wait for the final installment of the Temeraire series.
This book begins with Laurence and Temeraire having separate adventures in Japan. This is because prior to the beginning of this book, Laurence has been shipwrecked and separated from his friends. After
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some misadventures, Laurence and Temeraire finally rediscover one another; however, Laurence has lost his memory of his time as an aviator and does not know who Temeraire is. This memory loss causes Laurence to learn about all of his difficulties over the years all at one and then to have a conversation with Temeraire about his role in these misdeeds.This book was like a breath of fresh air into the Temeraire series. Unlike most of the previous books that had dragon culture be at the forefront of each book and adventure/Napoleonic Wars just kind of happened, the adventure and Napoleonic Wars were the focus of the book. Although I find how difference cultures view dragons, this series is about the Napoleonic Wars, so I was excited for Temeraire and company to fight the French.
I must admit that I really like the interactions between Laurence with no memory with the other characters. I especially liked seeing how Laurence felt about all of his misadventures over the last several years without the influence of Temeraire's opinions (I feel like Laurence indulged Temeraire a bit much at times). I also enjoyed watching Laurence squirm when he thought a certain midshipman was related to him.
My one critique of the book was regarding how the book was put together. At times the book felt a bit choppy and seemed to jump quickly from one scene to another. I read an ARC; however, so this may have been cleaned up in the final edition. Also, the last 1/3-1/4 of the book felt like it should have been a separate book altogether. The book didn't end with its typical big battle scene and Laurence and the gang take off for a completely different locale. I wonder if Novik was told to finish up the series, and therefore was forced to condense an entire book into 100 pages.
Overall, this was a fun book. I cannot wait for the final installment of the Temeraire series.
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LibraryThing member mamzel
Captain Lawrence awakes to find himself on a beach not knowing where he is and suffering from amnesia. He is found by a Japanese lord and is held while he tries to remember how he came to be in his current circumstances. Thus begins the eighth episode of his adventures with the spectacular dragon,
As can be expected, they are reunited and Laurence's friends slowly share his past with him careful not to have him despair of mistakes of his history. After escaping Japan they continue on their original journey to China to reunite Temeraire with his roots, reaffirm the relationship with the Emperor, and try to recruit dragons to fight in Russia against Napoleon.
As they join forces with the Russians, they discover they have a wholly different relationship with their dragons. Much of our story describes the battle against Napoleon as he drives on to Moscow. The reader is treated to the wonderfully imaginative descriptions of battles utilizing and defending against dragons.
The series continues to be a fascinating alternative history with the added fantasy angle of dragons. The dragons themselves have as varied personalities as the humans they serve/work with. It will be with great sadness tinging my anticipation of the final episode.
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Temeraire. As can be expected, they are reunited and Laurence's friends slowly share his past with him careful not to have him despair of mistakes of his history. After escaping Japan they continue on their original journey to China to reunite Temeraire with his roots, reaffirm the relationship with the Emperor, and try to recruit dragons to fight in Russia against Napoleon.
As they join forces with the Russians, they discover they have a wholly different relationship with their dragons. Much of our story describes the battle against Napoleon as he drives on to Moscow. The reader is treated to the wonderfully imaginative descriptions of battles utilizing and defending against dragons.
The series continues to be a fascinating alternative history with the added fantasy angle of dragons. The dragons themselves have as varied personalities as the humans they serve/work with. It will be with great sadness tinging my anticipation of the final episode.
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LibraryThing member Janientrelac
Things are looking up, this is a much better book than the last two. The Amnesia is a bit irritating, how often is it used in plots? but it does illuminate the changes in Laurence's character especially to him self.
LibraryThing member rrainer
I hate to say it, but this is probably my least favourite of the Temeraire books. Part of that is that I'm really not keen on amnesia as a trope, in general. But part is that it all felt very disconnected. There didn't seem to be a narrative point to Laurence's amnesia, nor to the opening sojourn
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in Japan other than to demonstrate that Japan exists. Even if it comes together in the final book, the fact remains that this book is the weaker for it. Show Less
LibraryThing member alexyskwan
The only thing I want to say is that with Laurence's thoughts on homosexuality explicitly stated, it's much harder to slash him now.
Yes, I have a one-tracked mind, why do you ask?
Seriously though, I didn't like the amnesia bit that much (thought it serves nothing except to re-familiarize the
But can someone please write some Granby/Little fic? Especially since it's canon now.
Yes, I have a one-tracked mind, why do you ask?
Seriously though, I didn't like the amnesia bit that much (thought it serves nothing except to re-familiarize the
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readers with Laurence's progress the last few years), though I did enjoy the romp in Japan and the political intrigue in China. The battle in Russia is fine, though not entirely to my taste. Strange, since the Napoleonic War is the main theme of these books.But can someone please write some Granby/Little fic? Especially since it's canon now.
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LibraryThing member bgknighton
Napoleon has the luck of the devil -- and the foolishness of the Russians to thank for his success in this novel.
LibraryThing member phyllis2779
Great installment in the Temeraire series. Loved the alternate history aspects of this one, with Napoleon invading Russia and Wellington on the peninsula. I keep trying to remember my 19th century British/English to see how the history Novik is writing either fits or is different. Great stuff.
LibraryThing member Turrean
My absolute favorite part of this series is how Novik produces different versions of human-dragon interaction whenever she shifts the setting. Readers got to see a variety of possible iterations, including Russian, Chinese, British, Incan, and others. I am generally impatient with "main character
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has amnesia" plots; though in this case it did highlight the substantial development of conscience in the main character regarding the treatment of dragonkind in his own culture. I'll be sorry to see this series end. Show Less
LibraryThing member ellen.w
If you like this series as a whole, you will probably like this entry. Not particularly strong on plot, but more glimpses into how different countries treat their dragons -- always one of the more interesting bits of worldbuilding -- and lots of good character interactions. I savored this book
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rather than gulping it down, and was sad to come to the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member ellen.w
If you like this series as a whole, you will probably like this entry. Not particularly strong on plot, but more glimpses into how different countries treat their dragons -- always one of the more interesting bits of worldbuilding -- and lots of good character interactions. I savored this book
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rather than gulping it down, and was sad to come to the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member jamespurcell
Better than last. Characters more wooden and predictable, almost formulaic.
LibraryThing member rivkat
Temeraire back in China, but separated from Laurence—who has amnesia! And that’s only the first hundred pages. There are battles, and treachery, and Temeraire’s jealousy over Laurence’s affections. Then a renewed battle with Napoleon, where once again we learn that there is no right side in
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a conflict where only conquerors contend, and that if we had to pick one, Laurence’s side probably wouldn’t be it. Also, the ending manages to be both a cliffhanger and what I’m certain is a sly reference to Game of Thrones. Show Less
LibraryThing member WaltNoise
Blood of Tyrants is Naomi Novik's latest Temeraire Novel. Laurence and Temeraire travel from japan, to China, and across Russia.
When I read a review of the first novel of this series, I didn't think I'd be interested. Although I enjoy alternative history and military sci-fi, dragons in the
In Novik's world, intelligent dragons share (and sometimes dispute) humanity's status as dominant species. Her world is very well-thought out and internally consistent. The various cultures of men and dragons, and how they interact, are fascinating. Not only military tactics and technology, but much of society and its mores is vastly different in this world.
In Novik's universe, the Napoleonic Wars are raging, as happened in ours, but are complicated by a greatly changed geopolitical situation. China is the strongest world power, and the Inca Empire and that of the Tswana in Africa are flourishing. Apparently, dragons trumped gunpowder when European adventurers showed up.
The plot and characterization is superb. Novik is a great writer. Start with the first novel, His Majesty's Dragon, to understand and enjoy this complex world.
When I read a review of the first novel of this series, I didn't think I'd be interested. Although I enjoy alternative history and military sci-fi, dragons in the
Show More
Napoleonic Wars didn't seem that great an idea. I was wrong, very wrong.In Novik's world, intelligent dragons share (and sometimes dispute) humanity's status as dominant species. Her world is very well-thought out and internally consistent. The various cultures of men and dragons, and how they interact, are fascinating. Not only military tactics and technology, but much of society and its mores is vastly different in this world.
In Novik's universe, the Napoleonic Wars are raging, as happened in ours, but are complicated by a greatly changed geopolitical situation. China is the strongest world power, and the Inca Empire and that of the Tswana in Africa are flourishing. Apparently, dragons trumped gunpowder when European adventurers showed up.
The plot and characterization is superb. Novik is a great writer. Start with the first novel, His Majesty's Dragon, to understand and enjoy this complex world.
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LibraryThing member auntieknickers
I hold fantasy to a very high standard, so I read very little of it and am always thrilled when I discover a new writer who meets my standards. That happened several years back when I read a review of Naomi Novik's first Temeraire novel. The premise -- what if the Napoleonic Wars had been fought
Blood of Tyrants, announced as the penultimate book in the series, opens with aviator Will Laurence cast ashore in Japan after a shipwreck, alone and partially amnesiac. In his mind he is still a naval officer with only the vaguest acquaintance with dragons. Rescued by a Japanese nobleman, he is then held prisoner -- for the Japanese do not want foreigners in their country and particularly distrust the British for their alliance with China. Meanwhile, back on the dragon transport, Temeraire, also injured, is consumed with anxiety for his beloved Captain Laurence.
As in the earlier books, Will and Temeraire cover a lot of ground in Blood of Tyrants, winding up in Russia as Napoleon invades Moscow. I happen also to be re-reading War and Peace right now, and I must say the military passages in Tolstoy would be a lot easier to get through if Lev Nikolaevich had had dragons.
Once again, Novik has delivered a fine mixture of history and fantasy mixed with ideas about friendship, freedom, and personal honor. I shall be sorry to see this series end. Highly recommended.
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with the addition of dragon air forces -- is an excellent catalyst for both exciting action and thoughtful rumination.Blood of Tyrants, announced as the penultimate book in the series, opens with aviator Will Laurence cast ashore in Japan after a shipwreck, alone and partially amnesiac. In his mind he is still a naval officer with only the vaguest acquaintance with dragons. Rescued by a Japanese nobleman, he is then held prisoner -- for the Japanese do not want foreigners in their country and particularly distrust the British for their alliance with China. Meanwhile, back on the dragon transport, Temeraire, also injured, is consumed with anxiety for his beloved Captain Laurence.
As in the earlier books, Will and Temeraire cover a lot of ground in Blood of Tyrants, winding up in Russia as Napoleon invades Moscow. I happen also to be re-reading War and Peace right now, and I must say the military passages in Tolstoy would be a lot easier to get through if Lev Nikolaevich had had dragons.
Once again, Novik has delivered a fine mixture of history and fantasy mixed with ideas about friendship, freedom, and personal honor. I shall be sorry to see this series end. Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member cyderry
Temeraire has returned to the Orient but before he can reach China he must recover Laurence who has amnesia and been captured by te Japanese.
As the stories of Temeraire continue, we see this special dragon taking on human traits - jealousy in this episode. Great fun!
As the stories of Temeraire continue, we see this special dragon taking on human traits - jealousy in this episode. Great fun!
LibraryThing member lquilter
As with many reviews, I'm no fan of amnesia subplots, and this one seemed especially pointless. I imagine that there is a row of dominoes that Novik set up for the last book, that required some implausible decisions on Laurence's part, and amnesia was the only way she could make it work. We'll
The second half of the book was more entertaining, and I always really enjoy her descriptions of the Napoleonic wars, reenvisioned with dragon tactics and dragon civil liberties. So the Grande Armée's invasion of Russia involved some interesting opportunities to turn Russian history on a dragon's head: For instance, the crucial supply issue was somewhat reversed, with the Chinese dragons to feed. There were some creative adaptations to history, too. With Napoleon allied with the Incan Empire, it made sense that China would have to be brought in as a counter-balance. I also thought the French turning of the mistreated Russian dragons against them was a nice echo of the treatment of serfs in Russia. And I appreciated the classic cliffhangering -- winter falls in Russia, during a French retreat that has left Russia devastated and in chaos.
I did appreciate that this book took us back to the heart of the Napoleonic Wars, because I think that's one of Novik's core strengths. The Australia, Africa, and South America chapters were entertaining as explorations of the world, but felt like distractions to me.
World-building is still a strength -- imagining the different societies and histories with dragons in the mix. And I am so happy that it avoided the common American fixation with alternate history, in which somehow the plucky Americans are central to everything. Instead, the Americans are provincial traders, almost isolationist! But they definitely have some improvements over President Jackson. (-:
Can't wait for the next one!
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see!The second half of the book was more entertaining, and I always really enjoy her descriptions of the Napoleonic wars, reenvisioned with dragon tactics and dragon civil liberties. So the Grande Armée's invasion of Russia involved some interesting opportunities to turn Russian history on a dragon's head: For instance, the crucial supply issue was somewhat reversed, with the Chinese dragons to feed. There were some creative adaptations to history, too. With Napoleon allied with the Incan Empire, it made sense that China would have to be brought in as a counter-balance. I also thought the French turning of the mistreated Russian dragons against them was a nice echo of the treatment of serfs in Russia. And I appreciated the classic cliffhangering -- winter falls in Russia, during a French retreat that has left Russia devastated and in chaos.
I did appreciate that this book took us back to the heart of the Napoleonic Wars, because I think that's one of Novik's core strengths. The Australia, Africa, and South America chapters were entertaining as explorations of the world, but felt like distractions to me.
World-building is still a strength -- imagining the different societies and histories with dragons in the mix. And I am so happy that it avoided the common American fixation with alternate history, in which somehow the plucky Americans are central to everything. Instead, the Americans are provincial traders, almost isolationist! But they definitely have some improvements over President Jackson. (-:
Can't wait for the next one!
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LibraryThing member hskey
This is about where I'm ready to get off.
I don't think the quality of writing was the problem, but rather the story choices and the decision to make this a 9 book series instead of a leaner 3 or 4 books series really dampened my enjoyment of it. Much like the last few books, there are staggeringly
A few really interesting potential thought experiments brought up in the first few books never seem to materialize, it's just Laurence and Temeraire globetrotting instead of the plot getting on with it.
I'm still interested in the last book, but no longer excited for it. Temeraire is still an unforgettable character and I love the relationship between Laurence and his dragon, but the 8th book in the series really soured me on the whole ordeal.
I don't think the quality of writing was the problem, but rather the story choices and the decision to make this a 9 book series instead of a leaner 3 or 4 books series really dampened my enjoyment of it. Much like the last few books, there are staggeringly
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boring sections where the plot seems to take a few steps backward after teasing us with great potential. The middle section of Blood of Tyrants is quite good, but the first and last third force me to question if this book was necessary at all. A few really interesting potential thought experiments brought up in the first few books never seem to materialize, it's just Laurence and Temeraire globetrotting instead of the plot getting on with it.
I'm still interested in the last book, but no longer excited for it. Temeraire is still an unforgettable character and I love the relationship between Laurence and his dragon, but the 8th book in the series really soured me on the whole ordeal.
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LibraryThing member 2wonderY
has Lawrence and Temeraire in Japan, China and Russia. Thankfully, we are spared the long travel segments. I'm recently exhausted by those. The first half of the book has a twisty device - Lawrence has amnesia from a head blow and near drowning. He gets to consider his previous actions from outside
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himself; as well as acknowledge his gut connection with Temeraire without remembering any of their history. Show Less
LibraryThing member imyril
Kicking off with a trope I hate (amnesia: the best way to spin out a story that has run out of steam, yes?), Tyrants pushes on with the latter-series focus of going Around the World in 80 Dragons.
At least half the novel feels like filler, rather than a meaningful contribution to plot and/or
For what it's worth, I enjoyed the interlude in China - if that had been expanded to fill the whole book, I'd have been mostly happy. Instead, I was mostly bored, which isn't a great recommendation. Although I guess at least this one didn't make me furious, so that's a thing.
Full review
At least half the novel feels like filler, rather than a meaningful contribution to plot and/or
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character arcs. It also reminds me of my core concern when I first started reading Temeraire: I don't remotely like military novels of any persuasion. The final act (the Russian campaign against Napoleon) was hard going, and leaves me awfully close to cheering for Napoleon as I honestly can't see much to celebrate about any of his opponents. Frankly, I don't care HOW hard Murat considered his actions at the end there; I'd give him a medal.For what it's worth, I enjoyed the interlude in China - if that had been expanded to fill the whole book, I'd have been mostly happy. Instead, I was mostly bored, which isn't a great recommendation. Although I guess at least this one didn't make me furious, so that's a thing.
Full review
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LibraryThing member bell7
Laurence and Temeraire are on their way back to China, but are separated in a storm that washes Laurence up on Japan's shore with no memory of the last eight years.
I had a really tough time getting into this installment. The first 100 pages are him and Temeraire separated from each other (again),
I had a really tough time getting into this installment. The first 100 pages are him and Temeraire separated from each other (again),
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and some of the plot choices just left me scratching my head. Why are we suddenly introduced to more characters in another country? Unless there's some reason that makes sense in book 9 alone, there seemed absolutely no reason for him to be in Japan at all. And I kept trying to find a good reason for Laurence to have lost his memory, or some insight that we could get from it, but all it ever really seemed to do was make much more explicit what had already been clear from reading the other books in the series - that Laurence has become a different man, not one who will blindly follow his superior officers' commands in duty, but one who has a moral compass that dictates his actions even when it goes against authority. The final third of the book had the bulk of the action, but it was too little, too late at that point. Show Less
LibraryThing member wishanem
The latest (and penultimate) book in this series.
This book is split into three related short story arcs, and my interest in them varied pretty widely. The first one leans heavily on a trope I find really tired, and it doesn't really go away until the last portion of the book.
For people who haven't
This book is split into three related short story arcs, and my interest in them varied pretty widely. The first one leans heavily on a trope I find really tired, and it doesn't really go away until the last portion of the book.
For people who haven't
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read any books in the series yet, definitely start at the beginning. Much of the pleasure of these books comes from following the development of two specific characters. Show Less
LibraryThing member Spurts
Part II and III excellent; Part I can be skipped (angst-y wandering around with amnesia in Japan without seemingly to fit into storyline at all unless the next book in series makes some unlikely use of it).
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2013-08-13
Physical description
6.86 inches
ISBN
0345522907 / 9780345522900