His Majesty's Dragon

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His Majesty's Dragon is a debut novel by Naomi Novik and to anticipate myself, I can't wait for the next. Ms. Novik creates an interesting, indeed startling world of the Napoleonic Wars. Her premise is about as interesting as it comes.

Set this squarely on your SF shelves--that's right, not fantasy, but SF in the Anne McCaffrey tradition of Dragons not in the realm of folklore but scientifically studied, bred, and kept entities. In Novik's world, Dragons have been our companions for several centuries and of relatively recent date, we've learned how to harness, ride, and use them in warfare.

An English sea-captain, in the course of taking a light French clipper, is appalled at the carnage the French Captain allowed and is inclined to treat him poorly until he discovers in the hold an unhatched dragon egg. Said egg is hardening and it is a sign that it will soon hatch. At hatching a kind of imprinting or bonding occurs, or the dragon become a rogue. The dragon hatched can speak fluently and makes his or her own choice as to rider.

The aerial corps for reasons you discover in the course of the book is not looked well upon by services outside. And Laurence has no desire to join, but Termeraire (the Dragon) has quite a different intent--and so the story starts.

Except for a few rough places, the prose is smooth and efficient--never magnificent, but certainly up to its goal. The story is light, fluff, but very entertaining, and there are a couple of thought-provoking moments--mostly when the author isn't trying so hard to make for thought-provoking.

Both Linda and I were absolutely enthralled and read it very quickly. For fans of SF AND Patrick O'Brian you cannot hope for better. Although, be warned, there is nothing of the complexity, thickness, or opacity of O'Brian's prose; nor is there the depth of characterization and world building some claim for O'Brian. (I cannot speak authoritatively on the matter because I still haven't managed to finish even one book in O'Brian's series.) This is intended to be light entertainment, and as such, fits the bill perfectly.

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9 Comments

Dear Steven,

We agree!

I loved it, and will buy the rest of the series, but I will certainly wait for the paperback (which I never did with the Patrick O'Brians).

In other words, a good read. But perhaps a single good read , not a book to cherish forever and re-read on a regular basis. (that could change, though, if the rest of the series gains depth).

Being a long-time McCaffrey fan it took me a little while to switch my brain from dragon-as-beast-ridden-by-one to dragon-manned-by-crew, but I have to admit, that was part of the fun. The regular exercise of "top-men" exchanging places with "bell(y)-men" was highly original and entertaining and struck me as being very Royal Navy.

:)

I can't tell you how heartened I was to read that you've never read one of O'Brien's books but still liked this one. It sounded so interesting yet I have disliked O'Brien's books so much (he can't hold a candle to Kenneth Roberts who I think I must write about soon). I'll put this one on my reading list. Thanks!

Dear Julie,

I like Kenneth Roberts very much, I also like Raphael Sabatini. I often wonder if my difficult with O'Brian is not my general disinterest in the details with which his stories are fleshed out. I like Scaramouche and Captain Blood, but I've never cottoned to O'Brian's characters. I recognize a loveliness and taut sensibility about the prose, and I would very much like to like him, but I just haven't been able to make the leap.

I look forward to whatever you may have to say about Roberts. We'll compare notes.

shalom,

Steven

Dear Talmida,

I suspect you may be right, although there is a certain depth to the interrelationship, which carried out fully may provide for interesting re-reading. But they are probably not for multiple rereadings. They are the cotton candy of the book world. Although I suspect that I'd take one to the beach with me (were I inclined to read on a beach--frankly I just don't get that concept at all. You drive all the way to a beach to read? Why not just stay home and read. But then, my beachgoing. . . you know what, this is a separate post unto itself one day.

Anyway, I'm glad you liked it as well.

shalom,

Steven

Dear Steven,

Today was my eldest daughter's first day working at the bookstore (final exams over at last!). She just walked in the door with a copy of Throne of Jade, the second in the series, and the first purchase using her employee discount!!

With a 30 percent discount on books, I'm not sure who'll have made more money at the end of the summer -- my daughter, or the bookstore!

:)


Dear Talmida,

That's exciting news indeed. My wife called me at work with it yesterday as well. And the third book is due out at the end of May. I hope the second bears out expectations developed in the first. We'll proably try to get it this weekend. Let me know if you enjoy it.

shalom,

Steven

Steven, you get the prize for being the only person I know who has ever heard of (much less read) Kenneth Roberts! And then you also like Georgette Heyer! I KNEW we were soul mates (despite my lack of understanding in comtemplio prayer! ha!). :-D

Dear Julie,

Oh yes. Boon Island, Rabble in Arms, Oliver Wiswell, Northwest Passage, Arundel, and Captain Caution are all books I recall from 6,7, and 8th grade. Parts of Rabble in Arms still surface, and I love his portrayal of revolutionary times better than that of ANY successor. Your mention of the books makes me want to take them up again. Thanks.

shalom,

Steven

Oh, no! Not ANOTHER book for the list...

BTW, I have read all 20 of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin books. I kind of skimmed through the technical parts I didn't completely understand. Some were easier to "get into" than others--O'Brian is a slow starter.

BTW, you might also enjoy George RR Martin's "Clash of Thrones" series. It's a projected 7-book series and Book 4 was finally released last November.

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This page contains a single entry by Steven Riddle published on April 27, 2006 9:08 AM.

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