REVIEW: His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik
Dear. Ms Novik,
What can I say but “wow.” No, I guess “Wow!” would be a better way to phrase it. You’ve created a stunning new world with vivid characters, action and scenery. My colleague Jane has already filled our readers in on the plot so I’ll head straight into my thoughts on various aspects of the story.
I really enjoyed how you filled us in on the backstory without dropping it in huge chunks on our heads. I never felt lost or confused nor got bored wading through masses of information at one time. I loved the various names for the dragon breeds and how they were just as important as individual characters with their own quirks and charms. Temerarie is wonderful but I’m glad you made him a bit mulish about flying endless flight patterns and smug about his beautiful new breast collar. We’re none of us perfect, right?
I do agree with many readers that you’ve developed a wonderful air equivalent to the many Napoleonic Naval series in print. Laurence is a man to whom honor and duty are more important than his life, even if he does sometimes have trouble adequately conveying their importance to his dragon partner. ;) I also liked the fact that you made both Laurence and Temerarie outsiders in the new world they inhabit and that each has to earn respect. And you’ve melded your world seamlessly into historic fact. Brava!
I’m also intrigued by the fact thatonly women can bond with a certain dragon breed.This certainly adds a new flavor to this type of series and is one I applaud. I was laughing when Captain Roland explained just what England might be asking of him as his duty in about 10 years. You also had me weepingat the sad fate of poor little Levitus. He was such a lovely character and I was cheering for him to have a better outcome. I suppose this means that asshole Rankin will appear to cause trouble at a later point?
I am taking a few points off because of all the time spent on the training. That slowed the story down too much and in the end, I saw very little of the training in evidence in the battle sequences. Maybe it will play into future books. But still this one earns a solid A- grade from me and the hope that we will be treated to more than three books in this series.
~Jayne
Jane thought it was an A too.
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Yes, poor Levitus :( I also got all choked up by a certain dragon swinging his head back and forth. She completely convinces me of the strong man-dragon bonds.
Levitus was a great part of the story, as sad as it was. It added a realness to the tale.
Yes, it did add some realism. Especially since so many dragons were getting injured in battle. Guess they all couldn’t recover. And it also showed how strong the dragon/handler bond really was.
I was sad at the fate that certain dragon would have to face due to his handler’s actions, Jorrie.
One also wonders how the Rankin family line of handlers stopped working with Celeritas. Was it due to Rankin’s mother filling his head with ideas, or however Celeritas phrased that?