Throne of Jade (Temeraire Series #2) »

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.

The first book in this the Temeraire series was hailed "terrifically entertaining" by Stephen King and here, in the second book, Novik returns with a superbly written story that once again blends historical fiction and high fantasy. When Britain intercepted a French ship and its precious cargo an unhatched dragon's egg Capt. Will Laurence of HMS Reliant unexpectedly became master and commander of the noble dragon he named Temeraire. As new recruits in Britain's Aerial Corps, man and dragon soon proved their mettle in daring combat against Bonaparte's invading forces.

Now China has discovered that its rare gift, intended for Napoleon, has fallen into British hands and an angry Chinese delegation vows to reclaim the remarkable beast. But Laurence refuses to cooperate. Facing the gallows for his defiance, Laurence has no choice but to accompany Temeraire back to the Far East a long voyage fraught with peril, intrigue, and the untold terrors of the deep. Yet once the pair...

VOYA

Novik continues the Napoleonic War era adventures of British Captain Will Laurence and his dragon Temeraire, first encountered in His Majesty's Dragon (Del Rey, 2006/VOYA August 2006). The two met when Laurence captured a French ship and its cargo-an unhatched Chinese dragon egg. In Throne of Jade, China has found out that their egg, meant as a gift to Napoleon, is now a dragon fighting for Britain, and they demand Temeraire's return. Laurence will not give up his companion, and Temeraire will not be separated from his Captain. The only way to save diplomatic relations is for Laurence and Temeraire to journey to China and seek an audience with the Emperor himself. This trek necessitates a long, perilous sea voyage, cumulating in a visit to China that opens both Laurence's and Temeraire's eyes to new relations between mankind and dragonkind. The pair's exploits continue in Black Powder War, as they travel overland from China to Istanbul on orders from the British government to claim three dragon eggs. Novik broadens her world by creating feral dragon characters that are used to comic effect. Temeraire and his crew end up trapped in Prussia for a good portion of the novel, encountering enemies old and new, including Napoleon himself. As in her first novel, Novik creates a complete eighteenth-century world full of intriguing historical details and gorgeous language. In Throne of Jade, the reader gets not only wonderful descriptions of China's land, customs, and food but also fully formed characters and their relationships. This middle title is a page-turner. Black Powder War, however, slows things down a tad. Except for the final battle with Napoleon (inwhich Novik creates one of the most intriguing depictions of the man that this reviewer has ever read (he is in one small scene and he steals the show), the book tends to cover the landscape in greater depth than the characters. Readers might want more time with Temeraire, Laurence, and their crew and less with the scenery. But that minor complaint shows how good Novik is at creating compelling, likeable, believable characters with whom readers want to spend a lot of time. Hungry fantasy readers will devour these titles and be happy to know that more are on the way.