Temeraire
Published in US as His Majesty's Dragon.
Locus Award for Best First Novel 2007, Hugo Award nominee 2007.
As Napoleon's tenacious infantry rampages across Europe and his armada lies in wait for Nelson's smaller fleet, the war does not rage on land and water alone. Squadrons of aviators swarm the skies – a deadly shield for the cumbersome canon-firing vessels. Raining fire and acid upon their enemies, they engage in a swift, violent combat with flying tooth and claw… for these aviators ride dragons.
Captain Laurence is a satisfied man with a respectable commission aboard the ship Reliant. His career is born from a love for the sea and he takes his duty very seriously.
Months before the battle of Trafalgar, on patrol in the Atlantic, The Reliant takes a small French frigate, storm-damaged and possessing a fierce crew unwilling to surrender as easily as they should. On board Laurence finds a dragon egg – a great prize as England is in sore need.
Having spent months on a slow journey from Asia, the egg hatches. A sinewy new-born emerges from the fragmented shell, ignores his harness-bearer, approaches Laurence and changes his life.
Hatchling dragons must be put in a harness immediately otherwise the dragon-young become hard to control – fit only for the breeding colonies. The person chosen to first harness the beast must be an aviator, for the dragon will accept no other captain. The life of an aviator is not a desirable one; reviled by fashionable society, they live hard, lonely lives bound to duty and they frequently die young. Laurence must now join them; duty demands it, though his heart is broken.
But, more astonishing than the dragonet – named Temeraire by Laurence – are the documents found with him, documents addressed to Napoleon from the greatest, most skilled dragon-breeders in the world – the Chinese.
The dragon Temeraire was meant for the Emperor Napoleon himself and promises to grow into no ordinary creature.
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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.
Reviews and Comments
I usually dislike alternative history, but after a recommendation I tried this book out. And I was happy to notice that instead of history lesson of Napoleon's war, we'll get a splendid story of growth and very deep friendship. It's also fascinating how the characters in the book have manners and ways of speaking of the period. Splendid again. I do recommend this book to anyone who can stand bit of history and lot's of dragons.