His Majesty's Dragon
By Naomi Novik
Published March 2006
See synopsis and editorial opinions on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
The book uses a pretty classic dragon-human relationship: a dragon chooses and bonds with a rider for life and the dragon has a utilitarian role in society as an intelligent beast working in tandem with mankind. The personalities of the dragons are also typical - a kind of omniscient, selfless devotee, keenly aware and deeply involved in the rider's thoughts and emotions.
What makes the book stand out is the alternate history setting of the Napoleonic Wars, where dragons are prized as the main components of an airforce that battles alongside the ships and infantry of the age. Another interesting idea is that dragon breeds vary geographically, so a French dragon has slightly different build and innate skills than say a British or Chinese one. More advanced specimens become commanders and trainers, others are relegated to messenger or pack mule roles.
The main character is a British Naval Officer who bonds to Temeraire, a rare, incredibly intelligent Oriental breed, after collecting his egg as booty from a ship raid. Temeraire and his rider, William Laurence, join the British Aerial Corps and the story follows their training and battles. There's an overarching plot concerning betrayal and evil French scheming, but that takes a back seat to the author's ruminations on life in the Corps and the mechanics of dragon fighting.
Slow and wordy in some spots, overall the book is an OK read. Temeraire is actually the most interesting character, though some of the side cast provide entertainment. The world could be more captivating and I really couldn't find a comfortable rhythm in the prose. I know there are two other books in the series and I'd be willing to give the author another chance (this was a debut novel after all), but I definitely hope to see some improvement in the next installment.
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