Jun
13
Author: Naomi Novik
Pages: 384
Year Published: 2006
While the premise of His Majesty’s Dragon is rather simple: what if dragons were used as an “air force,” during the Napoleonic Wars, Naomi’s Novik’s execution of the concept is wonderfully entertaining.
The story begins with the capture of a dragon egg from a French frigate by a British warship captained by William Laurence. That incident proves to change his fortunes when, upon hatching, the dragon chooses him as his “handler,” a bond between dragon and human that is essential. What follows next is Laurence’s adventures as he works his way through the Aerial Corps’ training and his first engagements in battle with his dragon, Temeraire.
Interestingly enough, although the book is set during the Regency and the characters (especially Laurence) seem to delight in speaking with rigid formality, I found the book quite easy to read. Novik keeps the story moving while at the same time she gives her character’s depth through dramatizing them, rather than describing them.
On the whole, I can thoroughly recommend His Majesty’s Dragon. A good adventure story with a rather novel concept, it’s perfect for an afternoon’s read.
Other participants in the “52 in 52″ meme who reviewed books recently include:
- Jeremy reviews Diablo Cody’s Candy Girl.
- Jamie reviews Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett.
- Heliologue reviews Mark Haddon’s A Spot of Bother.
-K
