Empire of Ivory (Temeraire Series #4) »

An avid reader of fantasy literature since age six, when she first made her way through The Lord of the Rings, Naomi Novik is also a history buff with a particular interest in the Napoleonic era and a fondness for the work of Patrick O’Brian and Jane Austen. She studied English literature at Brown University, and did graduate work in computer science at Columbia University before leaving to participate in the design and development of the computer game Neverwinter Nights: Shadow of Undrentide.

Fourth book in the series starring Temeraire, the fighting dragon, and Capt. Will Laurence. The series has been optioned by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson!

An illness is striking down England's Aerial Corps dragons one by one. Even many of the strongest have died, and the surgeons have no cure. When Temeraire and his ragtag band of fellows return from their desperate flight across Asia and Europe, they are kept sequestered for their own safety?--but Izkierka, their valuable Turkish fire-breathing dragon, is stricken. In desperate hopes of finding a cure before Napoleon realizes that England is vulnerable, Temeraire, Laurence, and a small group journey to Africa in search of aid.

Publishers Weekly

In Novik's earlier fantasies (His Majesty's Dragon, etc.), readers soared to Europe and Asia on the wings of an intriguing premise: How would the Napoleonic Wars have played out if dragons not only existed, but participated in the war effort? The fourth part of Novik's engrossing answer sweeps readers off to Africa, where the cure to the disease that has decimated England's dragon forces may be found. The African adventures of British captain Will Laurence, his dragon Temeraire and their bedraggled band of aerial corps make up the book's latter half, which showcases Novik's knack for weaving dragons and dragon lore into a vivid, well-researched historical tapestry. In Africa's wild interior, dragons shepherd and feed from elephant caravans while protecting the native villagers. This protection includes waging war against England's slave-seeking colonists, a clash that Laurence and his band may not escape unscathed. Novik fills the conflict's lead-up with lengthy meditations on dragon civil rights and England's abolition movement, making for a fitful, pedantic first half. But most will find the richness of Novik's developing world-and characters-to be worthy compensation for the slow start. (Oct.)