I want a dragon.
I want a dragon.
I want a dragon.
No, but seriously, I want a dragon.
His Majesty’s Dragon is a really unique and exciting first book in a series with which I’ll definitely continue. I walked into it with no background, other than a friend’s recommendation, and it actually took me by surprise, with quite a bit of delight.
So, some background here: Will Laurence is a seasoned captain for the British Navy during the Napoleanic Wars. His crew captures a French vessel on which they discover a dragon egg. This is a big deal, because dragon eggs are a hot commodity, but also NBD, because dragons exist in this universe, and there’s a whole military Corps of aviators trained to fly these dragons into combat. The early stakes come from the fact that when dragons hatch, they have to bond with a human before hunting, otherwise they’ll never make that bond, and we have to bond with our dragons so they can fight for the nation. What’s that gross thing that Jacob and Renesme (right? that’s a name, right? no? but it still made it into published fiction? anyway…) have in Twilight? That’s how it is with dragons. And this one finds himself drawn to Laurence, which ends up triggering a chain reaction that results in Laurence immediately having to quit the Navy and draft into the Corps, effectively leaving his fiancé, family and position in society, starting a whole new unexpected adventure.
It’s a really wonderful world, this alternate dragon-including world. I loved the formality and protocol of the military in turn-of-the-19th-century Europe combined with the total magic of dragons. In additional to fun female-empowerment stuff that’s going on, and fun fake science-y stuff, Laurence is a terrific hero in the making, a fish out of water forced to pivot into a world and career that he never wanted, and which never wanted him. He’s a spoiler and a maverick (see what I did there? because he flies?).
And his dragon, who he names Temeraire, is the damn bomb. He’s intelligent, feeling, young and curious, noble as hell, and deeply loyal. As are most of the dragons. I texted my friend who recommended the series, and said “He’s like [my dog]!” Which is only wishful thinking, because IF ONLY my dog would speak to me with words, and IF ONLY I could curl up on his forearm and read to him late into the night.
I really hooked into the emotional experiences of these creatures. I found myself crying on the subway when one passed away. And actually, the parts I didn’t like were the battles, because you know those French dragons that the British Corps are battling are just as feeling and smart and loyal, and noble. I hated the idea of any of them being hurt, to the point where I almost bailed out of the battle scenes to jump ahead to safety.
Onward with it. Hopefully into peacetime.
I’ve wanted to read these books for years now. I own the first four. The last one is being published this year, I think, so I might just wait for that and then read all of them in a row like a crazy person.
Do it! Book 2 wasn’t avail from my library when I finished #1, and now I’m plugging through The Stand, which is awesome, but super long!! The library notified me last night that Temeraire 2 is ready for me, and I’m so torn.
I’ve had the stand “up next” on my TBR for over a year. It’s so big it freaks me out. I’m having a mental block about it!
I keep telling myself I’m going to listen to the audiobook of The Stand (came highly recommended) but the damn thing is 48 hours long!
Do it, you guys! I’m a little more than halfway through now, and it really is the Ur-text for everything that’s popular right now. And also is a love letter to HG Wells. And also is really good. Oh, cool, review complete. :-P
I really, really loved this book too (in no small part because, omg, Temeraire is the BEST) but only liked the second book and never finished third. But if you (or another Cannonballer!) read the rest of the series and tell me it picks up again I will happily dive back in because this first book was SO GOOD and I would love more books like it.
You know, I think that was my experience as well. I remember LOVING the first one. I know I read the second and maybe even the third but I just stopped for some reason because I know I haven’t finished them. Maybe the whole series is due for a re-read.
I’m definitely going to read them all, so stay tuned for all those reviews! There’s a final book still-to-come, that people seem to be freaking out waiting for. I think sometime later this year?