Who needs fighter jets? (Temeraire - Naomi Novik)

Member Name: broomstick27

Product:	Temeraire - Naomi Novik
Date:	21/09/08 (75 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A good enjoyable read

Disadvantages: Very difficult to put down

This is the first in the a series of novels by Naomi Novik and indeed her first novel, and what a promising start.

<B>Plot Outline</B>

The book is set during the Napoleonic war. My history is not good (sorry Mr Bonner) but I'm guessing it is not exactly an accurate account of the wars!

It starts when naval captain William Laurence's ship takes a French ship thereby securing itself a dragon egg. The dragon hatches soon after and takes a liking to Laurence. In the line of duty Laurence is forced to abandon his known and accepted life in the Navy for a life as a social outcast in the Aerial Corps. The dragon, Temeraire, is very intelligent and quickly becomes a worthwhile and much loved companion. His size and rare breed surely help to install some pride in Laurence about handling such a beast.

Once on land Temeraire and Laurence go to Scotland to begin training in aerial combat. Laurence finds himself having to prove himself as a worthy Aerial Corps Captain and struggles to get along with the other captains due to his own prejudices and theirs.

It is not too long before he and Temeraire are involved in a great battle with the French dragons, the result of which is the end of the book although no the last we will see of these characters.

<B>Main Characters</B>

<I>Captain William Laurence</I>, known throughout much of the book as merely "Laurence" although as "Will" during scenes with his family, has spent all his life in the Navy. He comes from an upper class family and socialises almost exclusively in these circles. He has grown up to view the Aerial Corps with some disdain, a view common to the upper classes and Navy alike due to the lower classes of the riders and their usual dishevelled appearance. During the book we see Laurence struggle to fit into a life so different from what he is used to and though he never loses some of his Navy habits, by the end he is so much a part of the Aerial Corps that he finds it hard to get along with his old Navy comrades and family circle.

<I>Temeraire</I>, the dragon, is really the other main character in this book. Avery intelligent and rare dragon, Temeraire is definitely a character in his own right and not just Laurence's beast. Indeed it was Temeraire who chose Laurence as his handler soon after he hatched. Temeraire has a passion for jewellry and books which Laurence indulges often. He likes to learn about battles, science and mathematics among other things. He struggles, however, with Laurence's explanations of human laws and the concept of duty but the latter, at least, becomes clear during battle.

There are many other characters in this novel from Naval officers to Laurence's family to Aerial Corps officers and ground and air crews. I will not describe any of these in detail as none are really more important than any other and it is Laurence's reactions and relationships to this myriad of characters that is key to the book.

<B>Price</B> £5.99 from Amazon

I really enjoyed this book and found myself disappointed every time my train arrived at the station and I had to stop reading. I will be reading the second book in the series as soon as I can so expect the review shortly.

Summary: Great fun to read, especially if you have a soft spot for dragons!