In His Majesty's Service
An omnibus edition of His Majesty's Dragon, Throne of Jade and Black Powder War. This omnibus edition also contains an exclusive short story "In Autumn, a White Dragon Looks Over the Wide River".
Together in one volume, here are the first three novels in Naomi Novik’s New York Times bestsellingTemeraire series, combining the gripping history of the Napoleonic era, the thrill of Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern books, and the excitement of Patrick O’Brian’s seafaring adventures. In His Majesty’s Service also includes an exclusive original Temeraire short story.
Capt. Will Laurence is serving with honor in the British Navy when his ship captures a French frigate harboring most a unusual cargo – an incalculably valuable dragon egg. When the egg hatches, Laurence unexpectedly becomes the master of the young dragon Temeraire and finds himself on an extraordinary journey that will shatter his orderly, respectable life and alter the course of his nation’s history.
Thrust into England’s Aerial Corps, Laurence and Temeraire undergo rigorous training while staving off French forces intent on breaching British soil. But the pair has more than France to contend with when China learns that an imperial dragon intended for Napoleon – Temeraire himself – has fallen into British hands. The emperor summons the new pilot and his dragon to the Far East, a long voyage fraught with peril and intrigue. From England’s shores to China’s palaces, from the Silk Road’s outer limits to the embattled borders of Prussia and Poland, Laurence and Temeraire must defend their partnership and their country from powerful adversaries around the globe. But can they succeed against the massed forces of Bonaparte’s implacable army?
Naomi Novik
Naomi Novik is a name that resonates deeply within the world of fantasy, known for her ability to blend the fantastical with rich, immersive storytelling that challenges the boundaries of the genre. With an imagination as vast as the worlds she creates, Novik has become one of the most celebrated voices in contemporary speculative fiction, captivating readers with tales that balance intricate world-building with deeply human characters.
Born in New York City, Novik's early love for history and mythology found its natural outlet in her writing. Her passion for fantasy was sparked by childhood stories of dragons, magic, and adventure. It’s no surprise, then, that her debut novel, His Majesty's Dragon, introduced the world to one of the most distinctive dragon-centric tales in modern fantasy. Set in an alternate history where dragons serve as military assets during the Napoleonic Wars, the book became an instant favorite, hailed for its originality and its mix of history, adventure, and the enchanting presence of dragons. Novik's work is marked by her seamless blend of the historical and the fantastical, using both to illuminate complex themes of power, loyalty, and sacrifice.
Temeraire
A British naval captain and a fighting dragon named Temeraire form one of the most popular partnerships in recent fantasy history. Set during the Napoleonic era, as Napoleon's forces are capturing more and more territory on the European mainland, the series follows the heroic efforts of Britain's Aerial Corps to protect their island home.
Temeraire consists of nine primary books, and includes two additional books that complement the series but are not considered mandatory reads. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.