Empire of Ivory (Temeraire, Book 4)

I read and enjoyed the preceding novels in the Temeraire series, but as the third one drew to a close I was starting to lose enthusiasm. This new and exciting volume in the series brought me back, and I'm eagerly anticipating the next one. In the third volume of the series, the Napoleonic war and endless military action was increasingly dominating the story over the things that I found more interesting: the speculative history, in a parallel world where dragons existed; the education of a young dragon and his growing awareness of the injustice of his own situation; the parallels between slavery and the condition of dragons; the through and engaging presentation of the culture and manners and assumptions of the period. The battles are exciting but, at least for me, I was finding them a bit too much: like the descriptions of actual Quidditch matches in the Harry Potter series (that J.K. Rowling thankfully relegated to the background in the last few books) -- the first few are exciting but after a while I begin to feel I just want to know the outcome and move on with the story ... I know I may be in the minority on both of these fronts. In any case, the latest edition has a lot more of exactly what I like from the series. A mysterious illness draws Temeraire and crew back to Africa for a longer and more dangerous visit, and along the way Temeraire's growing awareness of social and political matters forces Laurence to become more circumspect, to take a stand on issues about which he would prefer neutrality, and it gets him into heaps of trouble. British expansionism, and nationalistic appeals for unjust practices and military tactics, are seen as not the obvious goods they were sometimes taken to be. Slavery, sexism, colonialism, are all brought up as themes to be questioned in the course of the story -- and done so lightly and masterfully, similar to the ways in which J.K. Rowling deals with similar themes, and not with a heavy handed or moralizing approach that might be taken by lesser writers. I like novels to raise issues, but I don't like to be preached to by novelists, and Naomi Novik raises a wide range of issues in this novel without preaching and without losing track of an engaging set of events. This is definitely five star fantasy. I can't wait for the next one -- and given the dramatic ending of this volume the next one promises to begin in the thick of things.

I have really enjoyed this series, and I liked this book a great deal. It ends with one heck of a cliffhanger. It has been taking a lot of hits in reviews because of that, and I have to admit my reaction when I got to the end was "How long am I going to have to wait to find out what happens?" But - don't let the cliffhanger keep you from snapping up this book. One of the things I have liked best about the series is Temeraire's personality. He's altruistic and childish, brilliant and naive, in equal measures and very straightforward, never hesitating to speak his mind when he thinks some wrong needs to be righted. He thinks people should pay attention to his arguments because they are Right, not because he's a dragon the size of a battleship who could do them considerable harm if they cross him. A major sub-plot running through all the books is the maturing of his understanding of how the world works, and how to make changes in a world that's not perfect. It's both a loss of innocence and a coming of age thing and Novik does a nice job of handling it. Will Laurence, on the other hand, is a mature Naval Officer when we meet him. He's not jaded, but he's seen the way the world really works, which is different than the way it should work, and just accepts that difference as a fact of life. He is a good person, but very much a man of his time, and there are some things he just does not question. Temeraire's idealism has been breaking down some of his assumptions about the way the world should be, and the power people have to changes things, from the very start of their friendship. That comes to a head at the end of the book, which is what leads to the cliffhanger. Because of the major psychological jump Laurence makes at the end of the book, the cliffhanger is the perfectly correct emotional break point for the plot. Am I steamed I have to wait to find out what happens- Yes. Do I think the cliffhanger ruins the book - Not at all.

Empire of Ivory is the latest volume of what is informally called "the Dragon Riders of Britannia" and, like the previous three, is a joy to read. The premise of the series is that dragons exist and coexist with humans. It is the height of the Napoleonic Wars and the great battles which are fought on land and sea are also fought in the air with each combatant nation deploying squadrons of dragons. The changes that have been wrought are subtle, mainly having to do with dragons being a great equalizer between European countries and countries, such as China, which fell under European domination in our time line. For instance, the history of the slave trade takes an unexpected turn when an African kingdom shows up with its own dragons. There is reference to an Incan country, apparently unmolested by the Spaniards. The great dragon Temeraire and his rider, Captain Will Laurence (a man with a far greater social consciousness than Hornblower or Aubrey), are faced with a crisis as a mysterious plague sweeps through the dragons upon which Britain depends for her defense. Their quest for a cure takes them to unexpected places, but in geography and in the human (and dragon) heart. Meanwhile, Napoleon and his undefeated legions await across the Channel. There's loads of historical detail, with appearances by such people as Admiral Nelson (having survived Trafalgar) and the great reformer Wilberforce. The story, with the before mentioned cliffhanger, makes one aching for the next volume.

I have fallen in love with Novik's work for a long time, and I was waiting for this new book since I pre-ordered months ago. She did not disappoint. Although the "cure" is exactly what I predicted, the means of obtaining sufficient quantities is utterly thrilling and unique. Laurence's nobility is unparalleled yet believable. The dragons, especially Temeraire, are fully fleshed out beings, whose minds work in a different way, but have undeniable intelligence and unswerving loyalty to those they love. All the characters, dragon and human, are multi-faceted. The main conflict in the book, between the British trying to cure their dragons and the Tswana trying to defend their homeland, is absolutely captivating. You cheer for both sides. To create such a conflict is true talent. The end is heartbreaking and I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait for the next book! Truly a masterpiece of fantasy and alternate reality.

I must admit, I haven't been this thrilled over a fantasy series since, oh, it must be the early 1990's. But ever since the first book in Naomi Novik's series about an alternate Earth where the Napoleonic Wars have taken to the skies, I've been hooked. Enough to where I dived right into the latest release as soon as it landed on my doorstep (after, of course, finishing what I had in hand first). I simply had to know what happened next! Picking right up where Black Powder War left off, this novel opens with a literal bang, as Temeraire with the pack of feral dragons are fighting off a French raiding party off the coast of Scotland. After a year abroad dealing with wandering in deserts, thrust into the middle of a battle with Napoleon, and discovering a foe that is more than a match for Temeraire, all that the dragon and his gallant companion, Captain Will Laurence are looking for is a well-earned rest. But dire news is awaiting them on the ground. A mysterious illness has swept through the coverts of England and Scotland, striking down dragons and their crews alike. Only a few have managed to survive, and worst still, if the French were to discover that England is virtually undefended, all could be lost. Temeraire is fortunate enough to be unaffected by the disease, but even a Celestial dragon can't protect all of Britain... Now with several old friends, Temeraire and Laurence are off to Africa to find an elusive cure in a desperate bid against time. Arriving in Capetown, in southern Africa, isn't without a few twists either -- Laurence discovers that his friendship with the new Captain of the Allegiance is shattered beyond repair when an African freedman and his family join them, with an intent to be missionaries. Other complications are in store as well, as Laurence finds himself questioning the role of colonialism and slavery, scattered among the hunt for the elusive cure. But once they find that vital ingredient, trouble decends quickly as Laurence, Catherine Harcourt, Emily Roland and the others find out that Africa isn't nearly as primitive as they think. A fabulous kingdom lays in its heart, protected by dragons who have forged a unique bond with their people, and other surprises await. New characters are introduced as well, and one that I enjoyed in particular is Mrs. Erasmus, the missionary's wife, who is to play quite a role in the upcoming story. Intriguing too are the two young boys that Laurence and Temeraire encounter as well with their very talented dog. It's a feature that I like about Novik's story so far, that she can take our preconcieved notions and twist them entirely into something new, without making it all too unbelievable. She also isn't shy about showing bigotry and racism in all of their ugly twists. While happily, she doesn't dwell overly long on this, they do play an important part in the story, and when the novel builds to the climax where Laurence is questioning the morality of his superiors, the reader is