Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Empire of Ivory

Empire of Ivory
By Naomi Novik
Del Rey, 2007. 404 pgs. Fantasy.

How would the Napoleonic wars between Britain and France have been different if dragons had been involved? In Novik’s vividly detailed alternate history novel, dragons not only exist, but make-up a division of the British Royal Army known as the Aerial Corps. Empire of Ivory, is the 4th book in a wonderfully entertaining series telling the adventures of Temeraire, a Celestial Chinese Dragon and his aviator, former British Navy Captain Will Laurence.

The British Aerial Corps has recently been decimated by a highly contagious dragon disease which Temeraire is the only dragon who is immune. This sends Temeraire and Laurence off on a quest to Africa to hopefully find the cure.

The Temeraire series is my new favorite fantasy series. I love the historical detail, but the characters are truly what make this a must read for any fantasy reader.

AJ

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