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Temeraire

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Temeraire

By: Naomi Novik
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

Naomi Novik’s stunning series of novels follow the adventures of Captain William Laurence and his fighting dragon Temeraire as they are thrown together to fight for Britain during the turbulent time of the Napoleonic Wars.

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.

©2006 Naomi Novik (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Science Fiction War & Military Dragons Heartfelt War

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Critic reviews

"I took a jaundiced view of dragon books until Novik won me over with her first novel. the combination of military history, sympathetic characters, and engaging style makes this series great, intelligent fun." (The Times)

"Plenty of intrigue, swordplay, exotic locations, plausible invention. In short a treat." (The Telegraph)

"These are beautifully written novels, not only fresh, original and fast-paced, but full of wonderful characters with real heart." (Peter Jackson)
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Naomi Novik is a genius. This is gripping from the very first minute and I couldn’t put it down. I love Temeraire so much as a character, he is just so funny and likeable. He and Lawrence just make the best team, and getting inducted into the world of the Air Corps has been ridiculously good fun. Not only could I not put this one down, in the space of a fortnight I’ve already gotten onto number four! Must be one of my favourite series ever.

A mix of sharpe and eragon - what’s not to love?!

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Great characters and such an original story. well read. looking forward to the rest. Great book.

love this book. such a great original story.

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The premise is interesting, I liked all the characters, and it's a pleasant enough light read. But I really found the plot lacking, there just didn't seem much point to anything, so it was hard to get invested.

Okay, but not super gripping

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It is a well written book with great characters and narrated brilliantly by Simon Vance.

Fantastic, absolutely loved it!

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This is a gem of a series. The first book in particular is a joy but the next two (that's how far I've got so far) are refreshing to listen to as well. The richness of the vocabulary is just magical and the story and the relationship between Temeraire and his Captain are both uplifting. In fact, he's a breath of fresh air to all he meets but the politics of the humans gives us all something deep to think about.

Magical and Uplifting.

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When you look at the ingredients that Naomi Novik has stirred into her Termeraire pot it simply shouldn't work. Yet somehow not only does it work but it does so beautifully. Just as Novik's magnificently described dragon battles stretch the laws of physics in ways that would have Newton himself pelting her with apples so her mixing of dragons with the Napoleonic wars may have fantasy and military history purists trying to throttle her with the hair they've just ripped from their heads! But I don't think she worries too much about the purists!

The way that she infuses her dragons and their aviators into the real historical events of the period is stunning because somehow it's easy to accept that it was dragons more than fire ships that scattered the Spanish Armada! Not long through the book somehow this anachronistic RAF feels natural especially imbued as it is with the stoical stiff upper-lipped mannerisms of the time. Somehow Novik brings her wonderful dragons into the period while channeling the spirit of the Battle of Britain, it's heroic stuff.

The lead character or rather lead human character, Laurence, wouldn't be out of place of course in a Hornblower or Thomas Kydd novel though through his impeccable gentlemanly manners there is just a spark of a certain Captain Sharpe that rises to the fore as one particular villain is brought summarily to book! If among all these historical shenanigans there is a genuine core to this book it is the beautifully detailed relationship between Laurence and Temeraire who proves to be something a bit special even among his fellow dragons. There is genuine warmth which will give these books a much wider appeal than one containing just the more military and bloodthirsty aspects.

Simon Vance is a very successful match for Novik's writing. He brings the nobility to Lawrence and a lot of that relationship warmth and character to the varied cast making this a surprisingly good package. I wasn't originally going to try this series but on the recommendation of a friend I did and that's something I'm very glad about. The second book is due out on the 3rd January and I suspect will do much to chase away any post new year blues!

Dragon-infused Napoleonic War!

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I had already read this when it was first published, and Mr Vance’s reading only adds to the wonder of this book... I’m looking forward to listening to him read the other eight books now 😳😁

Novik is the Priestess of Dragonlore

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I bought the book 10 years ago and for whatever reason it was left on the shelf to gather dust. More fool me.

What a great story. You’re carried along at a good pace and the narration is spot - very much in keeping with the period it’s set in.

A cracking story

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Absolutely love all the books in these series, although the first is the best as is often the case. Lorene & temeraire as such a likeable care with solid morals are lovely personalities. I enjoy the history as well and its clear the written has done a lot of research in order to write this book.

If you looking for a fantasy book that also takes you back in time and will make you smile and want to keep listing then this is a must listen.

Addicted!

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well.. the best fantasy I've ever listened** to. took me until the seventh book to realize Lawrence is actually spelled Laurence, but that's besides the point.

This series has it all. I'm at loss for words. Just buy it, you won't regret it I promise.

Some of the best fantasy I've ever read

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