So when Temeraire and Laurence once more serve King and Country, it is in the knowledge that their support is only tolerated – and that in certain quarters they are held indirectly responsible for the whole mess, anyhow…Īs the story rolls over almost without a break from the previous books, I recommend that you read them all before embarking on this latest volume, which will be a joy if you haven’t yet encountered this very popular series. As Napoleon’s forces breach the Channel defences and invade southern England, it is clear that Napoleon intends to occupy London. However, their fates pale into insignificance against the desperate conditions that Britain now faces. While his captain, Will Laurence, has been condemned to hang for treason. Banished to the breeding grounds from active military service and constantly missing his human companion, Laurence, he finally begins to count the cost of his decision to help the French dragons. She gives her fans yet another completely different twist to the ongoing tale – a feat not always successfully achieved by multi-book authors. Together they have experienced a variety of adventures in different surroundings with plenty of fighting – both set-piece battles and skirmishes – and both characters have become ever closer and more aware of each other. His handler, Laurence, was destined for a distinguished naval career – until he accidentally happened to be present when Temeraire hatched and was chosen by the dragon to be his companion.

The main protagonists in her series include a rare, highly prized Celestial dragon, called Temeraire, who was snatched from a French ship as an egg. Novik revisits the Napoleonic era, with its wars and resulting widespread social dislocation – but also includes into the mix dragons that are bonded to humans from the moment they hatch, and then trained to become part of the French and English fighting machine. If you enjoy alternative histories and have a weakness of dragons of any size and shape – then this is a must-read series.

Temeraire series order