Victory of Eagles, Naomi Novik

 

Victory of Eagles by Naomi Novik is the next book in the Temerairi series.

Started: 5/7/2023
Completed: 5/10/2023
Recommendation: Mild Recommendation
Recommended By: Nobody

Review:

I did not enjoy this book.  It is gloomy.  It receives a recommendation solely because it is part of the series and I assume that the book is needed to move the series forward.  Were it stand alone, I would not recommend it and if I ever come to read the series again, I am relatively certain I would skip it.  That view may change based on future books in the series, but it would take some serious dependencies that I simply do not currently understand to encourage me to read it again.

The Golden Enclaves, Naomi Novik

 The Golden Enclaves by Naomi Novik is the third book in The Scholomance.

Started: 10/16/2022
Completed: 10/19/2022
Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Recommended By: Nobody

Words for which I sought help:

numpty -- a stupid or ineffectual person

Review:

True to it's predecessors, this book was a quick read.  Novik takes you to another world, immerses you in characters who grow and change as the books develop, and unceremoniously dumps you at the end, hungry for more.  This book was a little more predictable then the previous ones, but that is fine, it is not a mystery.  I could swiftly drop back into this series if Novik decides to create another.

The Last Graduate, Naomi Novik

 

The Last Graduate by Naomi Novik is the next in the Scholomance series.

Started: 11/26/2021
Completed: 11/29/2021
Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Recommended By: Nobody

Review:

I really enjoyed this coming of age story.  The characters developed well and their odd adaptations to an odd reality was done very well.  The cliff hanger, however, is going to drive me crazy for a year.  ARRRGH!

Empire of Ivory, Naomi Novik

 

Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik is the next book in the Temeraire series.

Started: 3/31/2021
Completed: 4/2/2021
Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Recommended By: Nobody

Words for which I sought Help:

hauteur -- haughtiness of manner; disdainful pride

Review:

These books are simply a good tale told well.  I get great pleasure from both the twisted effort to be honorable and the logic chopping insights of those not caught in a system of proprietary politeness.  More than once I smiled at the pleasure of a good turn of phrase and the excellent, fidgety efforts behind both formality and niceness (as distinguished from kindness).

A Deadly Education, Naomi Novik

 

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik is by Naomi Novik so I'm going to read it.  It is the first book of The Scholomance trilogy.

Started: 10/13/2020
Completed: 10/15/2020
Recommendation: Recommended
Recommended By: Nobody

Review:

I really like Naomi Novik and this book was no disappointment.  While this is a look, once more, at a wizard school, it is refreshing.  It is a well crafted story that is a story, not a mystery.  It is a look at characters...a look at people.  Of course, they are under terrible circumstances.  It is a story of life and death, but it is an interesting look at how individuals, both popular and unpopular, struggle in their own circumstances.  It is kind of a "Survivor" style of book.  Well worth the time.

Black Powder War, Naomi Novik

Black Powder War by Naomi Novik is the third book in the Temeraire series.

Started: 1/8/2020
Completed: 1/11/2020
Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Recommended By: Nobody

Review:

I really like Naomi Novik's writing style.  In addition, it is a pleasure to see how dragons might have been used as part of a Napoleonic army.  It was also good to see that not every battle is won.  I also really like the way that Novik is using dragons to explore slavery.  Just a great book in a great series.

Spinning Silver, Naomi Novik

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik is not a clear a sequel to Uprooted, but may occur in a similar world.

Started: 9/6/2019

Completed: 9/9/2019

Recommendation: Highly Recommended

Recommended By: Nobody

Review:

A wonderful novel that takes a side-ways look at the traditional Rumpelstiltskin.  As usual, stepping into a Novik world is a treat and the characters are rich.  The story line is compelling and this story is told from many different perspectives which enriches the story telling.

Throne of Jade, Naomi Novik

Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik is a sequel to His Majesty's Dragon which I enjoyed very much.

Started: 8/26/2019

Completed: 9/1/2019

Recommendation: Highly Recommended

Recommended By: Nobody

Review:

The austerity of English nobles in the 1800s is less on evidence in this book, but the concept of the dragon as part of everyday life in Chinese nobility is addressed.  The book is far less about aerial battles and more about machinations with the Chinese court which is equally enjoyable.  The plots and sub-plots are well executed and the clear move of adding another dragon to the British ranks from China is well established.  Also, the idea of dragons hoarding their wealth is now explained and a mechanism for it in a society which is starkly different from Tolkien established.  The major characters are enriched and a small portion of minor characters meet their ends leaving many ways for the author to go in the next book.  I particularly enjoyed the concept of dragons getting involved in poetry.

Uprooted, Naomi Novik

Uprooted by Naomi Novik has been on my list for quite a few years (ever since reading His Majesty's Dragon).  It seems likely that a television series based on this book and its sequel are in the works.

Started:  8/5/2019
Completed: 8/11/2019
Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Recommended By:  Nobody

Review:

What a wonderful read!  Really enjoyed it.  I enjoyed the approach to magic which viewed it as enhancing that which already exists.  The story was good and it was fun.  It was also great to hear a story that has Baba Yaga as a positive influence--the witch you kind of like.

His Majesty's Dragon, Naomi Novik

His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik is a book I've had sitting on my kindle for years.  Not sure how or why I picked it up.  It might be because it was nominated for a Hugo Award.

Started:  7/2/2013

Completed: 7/12/2013

Recommendation: Really good, fun, read

Recommended By:  No idea

Review:

WHAT A GREAT STORY!  Dragons as ships of the air is a great concept.  The real problem, however, is how they can't be "disposable."  What if they bond with their Captain and only work well with the person to whom they are bonded?  What if they are rare?  Oh, man, now you have a story.  There is Napoleon, too.  1700s formality meets "Top Gun" aces/dragons.  The dragons can be wicked smart as well.  Fantastic concept, beautiful execution...oh, yeah, I'm gonna read the next one.