Throne of Jade

Naomi Novik

Second in the Temeraire trilogy, this story begins shortly after the events in the preceding novel His Majesty's Dragon.. Novik again captures the period perfectly, seamlessly introducing her dragons into the Napoleanic Era.

Temeraire is a Celestial dragon, the most highly-prized of all draconic breeds; famed for their intelligence, agility and most of all for the Divine Wind - their terrible roar capable of shattering the heavy timbers of war ships. He was meant to be the companion of Napolean himself not to be a companion for a mere English officer. The Chinese are very angry, and demand his return, forcibly separating him from Captain Laurence. Temeraire balks at the separation and in a show of power demolishes the building in which he is being held. In the end it is decided that Laurence will accompany him to China, where it is assumed that Temeraire will come to his senses.

On the journey, several attempts are made on Laurence's life to no avail. The plottings and machinations only become worse once they arrive in China as the Chinese use means both fair and foul try to come between Laurence and his dragon. Eventually a resolution is achieved which allows the pair to remain together formally. Temeraire is astonished to find that dragons are honored members of society in China, earning their own money, and taught literacy. Being of a philosophical bent, this encourages him to speak out against the injustice done to the dragons of England much to Laurence's chagrin, as Laurence can't deny the inequity, even though Laurence is afraid that attempts at change will be futile. Having discovered how much nicer life is in China for dragons, will Temeraire willingly return to England?

Novik has written another highly character driven novel which keeps the pages turning as the reader has to discover what will happen next. This episode has less focus on combat than the first, but still manages to provide enough action to be exciting. It also deepens and develops the relationship between Capt. Laurence and Temeraire, adding depth and yet another dimension to the story.