Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
Del Rey (New York, 2016). 1st edition, 1st printing. 400 pages. $28.00.
Description
"With the acclaimed Temeraire novels, New York Times bestselling author Naomi Novik has created a fantasy series like no other, combining the high-flying appeal of Anne McCaffrey's Pern saga and the swashbuckling derring-do of Patrick O'Brian's historical seafaring adventures. Now, with League of Dragons, Novik brings the imaginative tour de force that has captivated millions to an unforgettable finish. Napoleon's invasion of Russia has been roundly thwarted. But even as Capt. William Laurence and the dragon Temeraire pursue the retreating enemy through an unforgiving winter, Napoleon is raising a new force, and he'll soon have enough men and dragons to resume the offensive. While the emperor regroups, the allies have an opportunity to strike first and defeat him once and for all--if internal struggles and petty squabbles don't tear them apart. Aware of his weakened position, Napoleon has promised the dragons of every country--and the ferals, loyal only to themselves--vast new rights and powers if they fight under his banner. It is an offer eagerly embraced from Asia to Africa--and even by England, whose dragons have long rankled at their disrespectful treatment. But Laurence and his faithful dragon soon discover that the wily Napoleon has one more gambit at the ready--one that that may win him the war, and the world. Praise for Naomi Novik and her Novels of Temeraire "Novik's influences run the gamut from Jane Austen to Patrick O'Brian, with a side trip through Anne McCaffrey. Her books are completely involving and probably addictive, their central conceit explored in clever detail with a great deal of wit and historical insight."--San Francisco Chronicle "These are beautifully written novels: not only fresh, original, and fast-paced, but full of wonderful characters with real heart."--Peter Jackson "A gripping adventure full of rich detail and the impossible wonder of gilded fantasy."--Entertainment Weekly "A new writer is soaring on the wings of a dragon."--The New York Times "A glorious series whose future status as a genre classic is now assured."--SF Reviews "If you've never read these novels, now is the time to start."--io9 "Enthralling reading."--Time"-- "The final adventure in the New York Times bestselling Temeraire series. 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. Lawrence and the dragon Temeraire pursue the fleeing French army back west, but are demoralized when Napoleon makes it back to Paris unscathed. Worse, they soon learn that the French have stolen Termeraire and Iskierka's egg. Now, it is do or die, as our heroes not only need to save Temeraire's offspring but also to stop Napoleon for good!"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member beserene
This is the last book in the Temeraire series, which is set in the Napoleonic era and imagines that the nations of the world have an airforce... of dragons. The whole series is a delight, a perfect mash-up of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey and Maturin novels with a touch of Jane Austen and a whole lot of
I've read this last installment twice now and I find it to be a satisfying end to the series, though of course I wish we could spend more time and more books with these delightful characters. Those who were perhaps put off with the priggishness of our main character, William Laurence, in the first book or so would hardly recognize him by this last volume; one of the joys of the series has been to see our POV characters evolve. Novik does a wonderful job showing how the forces of the fantasy elements she has added would shape not just the world but the people (and dragons) within it, and here we see the culmination of that character development as the partnership between Laurence and Temeraire has reached its maturity, following the logic of the world but also the individual loyalty and intelligence that Novik brought forward consistently since book one. It's nice to see such steady, well-rounded character development in books that are situated in the context of war.
Speaking of war, this book still features its fair share of aerial combat and dragon-back warfare, action sequences which fire the imagination and propel the reader through sometimes-dense prose (though I enjoy Novik's writing style, not everyone does). It also showcases, more than ever, the social implications surrounding dragons as a part of global society. I love seeing the dragons put themselves forward and Temeraire and his friends are, as always, both charming and compelling. Overall, a worthy close to a series that no fan ever wanted to end.
Show More
dragons and their affiliated fantasy trope. Though the series as a whole is a little uneven, it holds up to rereading very well, which I can attest to since I keep rereading it every year. Yeah, it's a favorite. I've read this last installment twice now and I find it to be a satisfying end to the series, though of course I wish we could spend more time and more books with these delightful characters. Those who were perhaps put off with the priggishness of our main character, William Laurence, in the first book or so would hardly recognize him by this last volume; one of the joys of the series has been to see our POV characters evolve. Novik does a wonderful job showing how the forces of the fantasy elements she has added would shape not just the world but the people (and dragons) within it, and here we see the culmination of that character development as the partnership between Laurence and Temeraire has reached its maturity, following the logic of the world but also the individual loyalty and intelligence that Novik brought forward consistently since book one. It's nice to see such steady, well-rounded character development in books that are situated in the context of war.
Speaking of war, this book still features its fair share of aerial combat and dragon-back warfare, action sequences which fire the imagination and propel the reader through sometimes-dense prose (though I enjoy Novik's writing style, not everyone does). It also showcases, more than ever, the social implications surrounding dragons as a part of global society. I love seeing the dragons put themselves forward and Temeraire and his friends are, as always, both charming and compelling. Overall, a worthy close to a series that no fan ever wanted to end.
Show Less
LibraryThing member cyderry
This was the final installment of the adventures of Captain Laurence and his celestial Dragon, Temeraire. It is sad to think that Temeraire is no longer fighting against the injustices aimed at the dragons in this alternative Napoleonic history. The battles told and the friendships forged make one
I hank the author Naomi Novik for his wonderful series, and wish her success with her future writings - I will be checking them out!
Show More
wonder why that aren't such magnificent creatures in our world. Ah, but books can bring so much to life!I hank the author Naomi Novik for his wonderful series, and wish her success with her future writings - I will be checking them out!
Show Less
LibraryThing member rivkat
The final book of Temeraire needs to get a lot done, and it does, sometimes by skipping past battles and skirmishes that we didn’t necessarily need to read about (though battle fans will probably miss them) and just having Laurence and Temeraire discuss the outcome. With Napoleon bolstered by the
Show More
Chinese Imperial Tien and an alliance with the Empress of the Incas, one key question is whether even the great Russian generals January and February can prevent his ultimate conquest of Europe. Another is whether dragons should help or hinder him, since his treatment of dragons is far better than other European nations’, a fact of which Temeraire is increasingly sensible. The happy ending is a little contrived, but given what it took to get there, it’s hard to begrudge either Laurence or Temeraire their laurels, and the coincidences are certainly no worse than that found in Austen or a Hornblower book. Show Less
LibraryThing member JBD1
A suitable and satisfying final volume. Sad to say goodbye to these characters, but I've enjoyed the ride tremendously.
LibraryThing member infjsarah
The Temeraire series has been a mixed ride. The first few books were fantastic and really enjoyable. But then there was a bit of a dip. But I really enjoyed the final book of the sequence. There's no doubt that Ms Novik can write. If anything the final book seemed "short" as if she wanted to wrap
Show More
it up quickly. But the war came to an end and Temeraire and Lawrence found a place they could call home. Show Less
LibraryThing member alexyskwan
A satisfying end to a great series
The last book in the Temeraire series, but I'm glad I stuck with it through all these years. Wonderful world building and I love Temeraire, almost as much as Will Laurence does. And omg, he ended up living with Tharkay, and he calls Tharkay by his given name. Be
The last book in the Temeraire series, but I'm glad I stuck with it through all these years. Wonderful world building and I love Temeraire, almost as much as Will Laurence does. And omg, he ended up living with Tharkay, and he calls Tharkay by his given name. Be
Show More
still, my heart. Show Less
LibraryThing member phyllis2779
This was an excellent finale to the series. Although I would love to see Temeraire as a member of Parliament. But I read somewhere that this was the final book, so I guess I won't find out what happens to all these characters, human and dragon alike. This was was very suspenseful book and sometimes
Show More
I couldn't put it down when I needed to. The characters are always sharply drawn and the military scenes well described. Show Less
LibraryThing member mamzel
Wrapping up the wonderful story of Lawrence, now an Admiral, and Temeraire, we rejoin them as they chase Napoleon back to France. Word has reached them however, of an enormous collection of dragon eggs waiting to be hatched behind French lines. How do they expect to feed and train all those
Warfare these days is much simpler since large engines of war do not have a sense of pride or love of trinkets. And dragons sure do have a love of trinkets. Temeraire uses this to bring ferals and other dragons together to finally bring an end to Napoleon.
It has been an interesting ride and I wish that I had been in a frame of mind to appreciate it more. I seem to have had enough of the bickering creatures and battle scenes.
Show More
creatures? Warfare these days is much simpler since large engines of war do not have a sense of pride or love of trinkets. And dragons sure do have a love of trinkets. Temeraire uses this to bring ferals and other dragons together to finally bring an end to Napoleon.
It has been an interesting ride and I wish that I had been in a frame of mind to appreciate it more. I seem to have had enough of the bickering creatures and battle scenes.
Show Less
LibraryThing member nbmars
Note: Some minimal spoilers for previous books.
This is the ninth and concluding volume of Novik’s historical fantasy series set during the English/French Napoleonic Wars, with each side mustering aerial forces made up of dragons and their navigational teams. The saga in particular centers around
In this book, we learn of the final battles against Napoleon, and of how the dragons came to terms with their new numbers, as well as with their new relationship to mankind.
I wondered how Novik would conclude her long series, and it was no doubt inevitable that she would end it with Napoleon’s exile to St. Helena. Many other issues are similarly “resolved” but for the most part I was somewhat disappointed in them. Ning, the hatchling from the mating of Temeraire and Iskierka, is a bit of a terror, which I suppose must be imagined, considering the mother, but she did not seem to have any of the redeeming qualities of Temeraire. And whereas the immediate fate of Laurence and Temeraire is laid out, there are open questions about the rest of their crew, their friends, and about Laurence’s future with anyone aside from Temeraire; I did like the windup of the relationship with Tharkay, however.
In all, I felt this book was a bit of a disappointment. It wasn’t totally disappointing, of course; one is glad, after all the previous books, to get back together with “old friends” and see how they are faring. But the action was a bit slower than other books, and I must admit I shared with Temeraire the desire to see Laurence with some hatchlings of his own.
Evaluation: Much from previous books is brought to a satisfactory conclusion in this last of the series. Nevertheless, one can't help but be sad to see the series come to an end.
This is the ninth and concluding volume of Novik’s historical fantasy series set during the English/French Napoleonic Wars, with each side mustering aerial forces made up of dragons and their navigational teams. The saga in particular centers around
Show More
the naval captain Will Laurence, who unexpectedly becomes an aerial captain of a dragon, whom Laurence named Temeraire (pronounced, according to the author, as Tem-uh-rare).In this book, we learn of the final battles against Napoleon, and of how the dragons came to terms with their new numbers, as well as with their new relationship to mankind.
I wondered how Novik would conclude her long series, and it was no doubt inevitable that she would end it with Napoleon’s exile to St. Helena. Many other issues are similarly “resolved” but for the most part I was somewhat disappointed in them. Ning, the hatchling from the mating of Temeraire and Iskierka, is a bit of a terror, which I suppose must be imagined, considering the mother, but she did not seem to have any of the redeeming qualities of Temeraire. And whereas the immediate fate of Laurence and Temeraire is laid out, there are open questions about the rest of their crew, their friends, and about Laurence’s future with anyone aside from Temeraire; I did like the windup of the relationship with Tharkay, however.
In all, I felt this book was a bit of a disappointment. It wasn’t totally disappointing, of course; one is glad, after all the previous books, to get back together with “old friends” and see how they are faring. But the action was a bit slower than other books, and I must admit I shared with Temeraire the desire to see Laurence with some hatchlings of his own.
Evaluation: Much from previous books is brought to a satisfactory conclusion in this last of the series. Nevertheless, one can't help but be sad to see the series come to an end.
Show Less
LibraryThing member PardaMustang
***This book was reviewed for San Francisco Book Review (hardcopy), and for NetGalley (ebook)***
League of Dragons heralds the end of Novik’s stunning Temeraire series. Laurence and Temeraire, along with their crew, and a host of Russian dragons, pursue Napoleon as he retreats to France after a
Like the previous books, large swathes of time and space are crossed. Laurence survives the Russian campaign, only to end up captured by the French, along with Granby and Iskeirka. Yet, Napoleon still respects Laurence and treats him as an honoured prisoner, more a guest really. Nice though it be, a gilded cage is still a cage, and the prisoners manage to escape. Temeraire and Laurence have more adventures and battles. The book’s end sees the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars, with Bonaparte’s exile. Napoleon is a favourite historical personage of mine, and this book, and the series as a whole, gives a new perspective. He is ambitious, certainly, yet a sympathetic character nonetheless.
I devoured this book. I love this series and was so bummed this was the last book. When I finished, I sat in a kind of stupefied state that I get when a really grand series comes to its inevitable denouement. I've enjoyed this most marvelous journey with Temeraire and crew over the years.
I would so love to see these turned to movies. Indeed, from the first, I've always pictured Laurence as Russell Crowe a lá the Master and Commander movie, and Granby to me has always been Christian Bale, as he was in the movie Equilibrium. I will miss the sweet anticipation of new Temeraire adventures, yet there is a certain satisfaction that the series is ended, and I can revisit as often as I desire. The long waits are over (now if only GRR Martin would wrap up the Song of Ice and Fire series before I die of old age….)
Though set on an alternate world, one with dragons, the tone and voice of the story remind me of Patrick O’Brian’s 'Master and Commander series. I felt fully immersed in the language and customs of Temeraire’s time. Novik does a brilliant job of bringing this era to life.
One thing I really love about the entire series is the dragon politics that develop because of Temeraire’s different personality, and his egg upbringing. This intensifies after his visit to China, where dragons and people interact in a very different manner. Dragons in China are regarded as people, as sentient beings with intelligence, which just seems logical to me. I also love all the varied dragon types encountered over the years, and making appearances in this spectacular finale.
🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻 Highly recommended if you enjoy dragons! And alternate world fiction. And dragons!! Or historical fiction/fantasy, especially of the Napoleonic War. Did I mention DRAGONS!?
League of Dragons heralds the end of Novik’s stunning Temeraire series. Laurence and Temeraire, along with their crew, and a host of Russian dragons, pursue Napoleon as he retreats to France after a
Show More
decisive route on the part of the allied nations. Brutal weather chases defenders and invaders alike as a Russian winter begins to sink its claws into the land. Dragons and humans begin to succumb to the below freezing temperatures. Novik described these conditions, wrought, no doubt, by the global 'Little Ice Age', in such a manner that I felt I was there. Like the previous books, large swathes of time and space are crossed. Laurence survives the Russian campaign, only to end up captured by the French, along with Granby and Iskeirka. Yet, Napoleon still respects Laurence and treats him as an honoured prisoner, more a guest really. Nice though it be, a gilded cage is still a cage, and the prisoners manage to escape. Temeraire and Laurence have more adventures and battles. The book’s end sees the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars, with Bonaparte’s exile. Napoleon is a favourite historical personage of mine, and this book, and the series as a whole, gives a new perspective. He is ambitious, certainly, yet a sympathetic character nonetheless.
I devoured this book. I love this series and was so bummed this was the last book. When I finished, I sat in a kind of stupefied state that I get when a really grand series comes to its inevitable denouement. I've enjoyed this most marvelous journey with Temeraire and crew over the years.
I would so love to see these turned to movies. Indeed, from the first, I've always pictured Laurence as Russell Crowe a lá the Master and Commander movie, and Granby to me has always been Christian Bale, as he was in the movie Equilibrium. I will miss the sweet anticipation of new Temeraire adventures, yet there is a certain satisfaction that the series is ended, and I can revisit as often as I desire. The long waits are over (now if only GRR Martin would wrap up the Song of Ice and Fire series before I die of old age….)
Though set on an alternate world, one with dragons, the tone and voice of the story remind me of Patrick O’Brian’s 'Master and Commander series. I felt fully immersed in the language and customs of Temeraire’s time. Novik does a brilliant job of bringing this era to life.
One thing I really love about the entire series is the dragon politics that develop because of Temeraire’s different personality, and his egg upbringing. This intensifies after his visit to China, where dragons and people interact in a very different manner. Dragons in China are regarded as people, as sentient beings with intelligence, which just seems logical to me. I also love all the varied dragon types encountered over the years, and making appearances in this spectacular finale.
🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻 Highly recommended if you enjoy dragons! And alternate world fiction. And dragons!! Or historical fiction/fantasy, especially of the Napoleonic War. Did I mention DRAGONS!?
Show Less
LibraryThing member readinggeek451
The final Temeraire book brings the series to a rousing and completely satisfying conclusion. Napoleon's forces have been driven back from Russia, hard-set by the freezing winter. But the allied forces are weak and scattered, and Napoleon has plans to raise thousands more dragons and recruit all
The final shape of Europe is not what it is in our timeline, but then it couldn't be.
Highly recommended for fans of the series.
Show More
the dragons of the world to his cause. With the shabby treatment of dragons in Britain and Russia, his proposed Compact is very appealing to many. Prospects for those opposing Napoleon look grim.The final shape of Europe is not what it is in our timeline, but then it couldn't be.
Highly recommended for fans of the series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member gypsysmom
I am sad that this is the last book in the Temeraire series. Maybe Naomi Novik will consider writing more about Temeraire in the future. After all, dragons live a very long time. There must be many more stories that can be told even if Napoleon has been banished from Europe.
Yes, this final book has
So, this is a bittersweet occasion for me. I didn't want the series to end but I thought it was a satisfactory way to conclude this charming fantasy.
Yes, this final book has
Show More
Temeraire and Laurence (now an Admiral) in on the defeat and capture of the Emperor Napoleon. Before that comes about, however, Napoleon captures the egg that Temeraire and Iskierka had made and left with the Chinese when they went off to fight Napoleon in the last book. The two chase after the egg and end up in Napoleon's dragon egg nursery where there are thousands of eggs being readied to be added to Napoleon's forces. The egg hatches just as Temeraire and Iskierka are attempting to whisk it away. The resulting dragonet has qualities of both parents which means she can breath fire and the Divine Wind. She also has a mind of her own and her help in defeating Napoleon is not a foregone conclusion. Ning is never going to take anyone's counsel, not even her progenitors, and she is firmly determined to choose her captain from among the world's rulers. Will it be the Crown Prince of China, Napoleon's son or the English Prince of Wales? Time will tell but Ning will be quiet until she has assessed all the pros and cons.So, this is a bittersweet occasion for me. I didn't want the series to end but I thought it was a satisfactory way to conclude this charming fantasy.
Show Less
LibraryThing member quondame
Rather on the light side, Wm. Lawrence makes his way to Admiral by being in the Tsar’s favor and due to no treachery of his own captures Napoleon after being captured by him. Ning hatches as a seasoned and cynical creature - how was and is Temeraire so simple? Sort of rushed through with too much
Show More
told from after the incidents with incursions as if whenever NN hit a narrative difficulty she just jumped past it and rear view mirrored it. This is the last one and though I often found WL & T tiresome, I shall miss them. Show Less
LibraryThing member bell7
Laurence and Temeraire continue with the Russians after giving Napoleon a huge defeat, but the brilliant strategist makes it back to France. Then Temeraire and Iskierka discover that their egg has been stolen by the French, and might be in danger.
This ninth and final book in the series is a
This ninth and final book in the series is a
Show More
satisfying end. This sprawling series has brought us all across the world - the only continents not visited by our characters are North America (which is nonetheless mentioned) and Antartica. Several characters make a reappearance here as the final denouement between Napoleon's forces and all others comes to a head. Several of the battles were disconcertingly off screen, with new chapters starting the action afterwards and looking back, or somewhere in the middle, a narrative decision I can't quite figure out. That aside, I really enjoyed seeing how everything came together in the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member jamespurcell
The story became quite disinteresting so I gave up after 100 pages.
LibraryThing member bgknighton
Napoleon has been at his trickiest -- he has found a way to bring the dragons over to his side. He holds out the promise of equal rights to the dragons. But his past and politics are the end of him.
LibraryThing member Chris.Bulin
A string, if not entirely satisfying end to the series. I really wavered between 3 and 4 stars on this but ultimately, the writing won.
LibraryThing member ritaer
Novik winds up her epic of intelligent dragons, cultural differences and a re-envisioned Napoleonic war. Things look bad when Napoleon tries to recruit dragons worldwide with promises of civil rights and assigned territories. Lawrence and Temeraire continue to battle his troops while diplomacy and
Show More
the plans of other nations lead to a final outcome. Show Less
LibraryThing member Spurts
A fitting finale to the Temeraire series.
In many ways, satisfying even. Completion. Maybe not exactly as predicted or everything wanted, but fitting and makes sense for the storyline and characters.
But, oh my, am I sorrowed to see this series end.
I'm not sure what else I can say that wouldn't be a
I will be missing Laurence and Temeraire. The series ended with them settling into a new chapter of their lives ( not at all a cliffhanger but clearly lives go on); maybe someday the author will pursue that.
In many ways, satisfying even. Completion. Maybe not exactly as predicted or everything wanted, but fitting and makes sense for the storyline and characters.
But, oh my, am I sorrowed to see this series end.
I'm not sure what else I can say that wouldn't be a
Show More
spoiler or endless fangirl gushing.I will be missing Laurence and Temeraire. The series ended with them settling into a new chapter of their lives ( not at all a cliffhanger but clearly lives go on); maybe someday the author will pursue that.
Show Less
LibraryThing member hskey
I can't help but be disappointed. The first 3/4 is just terrific and reminded me of the earlier books in the series where anything seemed possible with the creativity surrounding the dragons, the Napoleonic Wars and changes to society based around that idea.
But since about book 5 or 6 the series
As a series, I think it's wasted potential and nowhere near the quality of the first book or something like Uprooted. I felt the same way about Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell - another alternate history fantasy novel around this time period/setting. Great idea, but I didn't love the direction and it went on for too long.
Still, I did enjoy the series overall (3500 pages, I better have!). The banter between dragons is hilarious, some of the action scenes are absolutely incredible, Novik is a wizard when it comes to dialogue and Temeraire is an unforgettable character.
But since about book 5 or 6 the series
Show More
just sort of lost me. I rarely outright disagree with an author's story/plot choices, but this is going to be one of those times. Laurence and Temeraire's relationship is one of the driving forces of the plot, but somewhere along the way Laurence becomes a complete wet blanket (the amnesia in book 8 is tiresome) and many of the threads I wanted to see the story follow just get shut off. As a series, I think it's wasted potential and nowhere near the quality of the first book or something like Uprooted. I felt the same way about Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell - another alternate history fantasy novel around this time period/setting. Great idea, but I didn't love the direction and it went on for too long.
Still, I did enjoy the series overall (3500 pages, I better have!). The banter between dragons is hilarious, some of the action scenes are absolutely incredible, Novik is a wizard when it comes to dialogue and Temeraire is an unforgettable character.
Show Less
Awards
Audie Award (Finalist — Fantasy — 2017)
Dragon Award (Winner — 2016)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Teen — 2016)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2016
Physical description
380 p.; 9.5 inches
ISBN
9780345522924