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Reader Reviews | |
Review by Chrissi (100206) Rating (9/10) Review
by Chrissi He names the dragonet Temeraire after a distinguished ship and after dealing with his resentment at the choice he has had to make, he and Temeraire become close. Temeraire's lineage is unknown but it is known that the Chinese Dragon breeders value intelligence over weapon-like attributes, and this becomes obvious when Temeraire and Laurence spend time together reading books on all sorts of subjects. It is these moments, with the two sitting quietly that are really quite special – initially Laurence feels isolated from his naval companions until he and Temeraire develop their relationship. Upon arriving in England, on his way with Temeraire to the Training School, he visits his family home at Woollaton Park. I could visualise this scene - it is strange when you come across a place that you know, and (us both being from Nottinghamshire) we know Woollaton, having been there on class outings and family walks. It is a lovely place, whether Naomi Novik has visited it I don't know but it added a certain something for me. Once Laurence and Temeraire arrive at the Training place in Scotland, he enters a new and different society, with people who feel that it is improper that he should have come by Temeraire without any training or experience. It is a difficult time for Laurence and Temeraire who find it hard to settle to flying drills and tests after their previous freedoms at sea. It is the flying scenes that have left an impression - as we see the relationship developing, there are moments when you are so happy for the two of them. When they first fly together, and Laurence, initially so morose, whoops with ungentlemanly fervour, or when Temeraire shows his true capabilities, it is written so well that you just want to carry on reading. I
finished this very quickly because I didn't want to put it down,
and when I finished I felt bereft. I can't wait for the next instalment
of their adventures. I sincerely hope that there will be many
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