[Bengoshi-San]

She'll be doing a book release signing at one of the B&N stores here in Manhattan tomorrow and I am considering purchasing "Victory of Eagles", which is book 5 in the Temeraire Series.

I haven't read any of the prior books in the series and I am relatively new to the Science-Fiction/Fantasy book genre so any input would be appreciated.

If I get this book, I would be looking to get the first four and read them chronologically. From what I have read about her on Amazon.com, she's a good author and her books always get 4+ stars in reviews.

Thanks in advance for the input.

[Trinuviel]

I afraid bokk 5 won't make much sense if you haven't read the previous ones. But I will recommend the series. It's an alternate history version of the Napoleonic wars - with dragons. The dragon Temeraire is delightful character and the series as a whole is very enjoyable. It is not profound fantasy, but a light and enjoyable read, mainly because of the care Novik takes with the realtion of captain Laurence and his dragon Temeraire.

Hope this is helpful.

[JamesL]

I agree with the above post: don't dive in with book five, as the characters and their relationships are already well-established, and subsequently you may not pick up on certain things.

The books are reasonably lightweight, enjoyable reads. The writing style is not for everyone, but there is plenty to enjoy here.

In my opinion the first novel is a little weak, but the second and third novels definitely up the ante. Book four was a bit disappointing in my opinion, but I'll definitely be checking out the new novel. Plus the UK covers are really cool. :D

[Bengoshi-San]

I just went on my lunch break and purchased His Majesty's Dragon, which is the first in the series and it looks to be excellent.

I didn't know she worked on the game Neverwinter Nights for PC. Brilliant woman.

I look forward to meeting her tomorrow.

[Eventine]

I've read the first four books, and generally they're pretty light, entertaining reads. My main issue with the series is that books 2 - 4 read a bit like travelogues designed to show of various parts of the world and the dragons therein. I've seen some indication this may change with book five, hopefully that's the case - otherwise I'll be tempted to stop reading the series.

[mjolnir]

Personally I really enjoy Novik's series, particularly because of her detailed remodelling of early 19th century society and warfare with dragons factored in, and the characters of Lawrence and Temeraire, but there are a couple of things that may make it annoying in the long run. As Evantine mentions, books 2 through 4 read a lot like travellogue: "go to exotic locale and check out dragons there, -- ooooh, pretty dragons!" Thus far I've actually really dug the societies Novik's showcased, but the tendency towards world travel does take the focus off of the war in Europe, which is a strong point of His Majesty's Dragon. Though I of course haven't read it yet Victory of Eagles looks to rectify this problem by focusing on events in England. I could not be more happy with this and look forward very much to getting my hands on the book.

Another problem that's going to become a real dealbreaker if it keeps coming up is the cliffhangers. Novik has been fairly open with her intention that this series run, eventually, to an unspecified number of installments greater than ten. This would be cool except that each book in and of itself is fairly light and slender, and being left hanging waiting for a story that can be so engrossing over a really extended number of installments is enough to drive a reader mad. Another series with this issue is Jim Butcher's phenomenal and insanely addictive Dresden Files, though the Dresden novels at least have the advantage of wrapping up the immediate conflict fairly completely at the end of each book. Novik often doesn't do this. Books 3 and 4, [Black Powder War, and Empire of Ivory], end on outright cliffhangers, and they're wicked ones too. If our characters are going to be left dangling in the middle of a major military action, [this does happen], or otherwise in danger of their lives at the end of every book, I for one am not sure how long I can take it.

All that being said I do like them very much. They are what I believe is called "compulsively readable", truly a joy to sit down with. The characters are fairly engaging, [particularly Lawrence, Temeraire, and the other dragons, -- other secondary figures are less fully drawn but still enjoyable], and the action is pulse-pounding when it comes.
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[joacqin]

I think I have read the first three or possible four books in the series, not completely sure. Novik in no way writes great literature, she writes quite entertaining, easily read books. The comparison to the Dresden files is apt, both series of books are not very good if you look at them objectively but you just flow through them fast and easy and forget them almost as fast. The light snack of the fantasy genre or something. ;)

[mjolnir]

I actually think The Dresden Files has a little bit more going on than a first glance might indicate, particularly as a hero tale and a series of novels with a very strong and consistent moral center. This becomes particularly apparent in the newer hardcovers. It's just that more or less the same moral ground is covered every time, which means that thematically the series is a bit of a one-trick pony. Butcher has thus far managed to come up with new and touching ways to tackle his favourite issues, [heroism, protecting those who cannot protect themselves, drawing moral lines beyond which you do not step, etc], and seems to be starting to add in some new ones such as family. Butcher's prose is intoxicating because of Dresden's wise-cracking voice, and the fast lucid pace of the story, rather than because its poetry or anything, but if you look at some of the small more reflective passages in the books I think you'll find that the man can really write when he has to. [Search for a couple of bits in White Night during which Harry plays guitar, though these bits are valuable mostly in context.]

I think Novik's got similar things going on: she's trying to go deeper places, [though not so much as Butcher], and is just stretching out and serializing this subtextual level of the story along with the ever-increasing number of installments. In both cases I think we'll have to wait until the sequences are closer to completion to know whether the whole created justifies the shameless serialization and vast number of books.

That said, so far as the actual reading of the books goes yes they are certainly "light snacks". There are parts of Empire of Ivory which I honestly do not remember, and I only read it six months ago. I find that parts of both series have really stayed with me, though.
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[Bengoshi-San]

I just returned home from her first book signing. She read parts of a future work called "Vicci", which was very entertaining. It was funny and amazing at the same time.

I began reading His Majesty's Dragon yesterday and already 2 chapters in. It's witty and very well written, yet simple and elegant.

She is a really cool, calm person and she hinted that she is currently talking with Peter Jackson about a film. She couldn't give us any more information.

:)

[Bengoshi-San]

Personally I really enjoy Novik's series, particularly because of her detailed remodelling of early 19th century society and warfare with dragons factored in, and the characters of Lawrence and Temeraire, but there are a couple of things that may make it annoying in the long run. As Evantine mentions, books 2 through 4 read a lot like travellogue: "go to exotic locale and check out dragons there, -- ooooh, pretty dragons!" Thus far I've actually really dug the societies Novik's showcased, but the tendency towards world travel does take the focus off of the war in Europe, which is a strong point of His Majesty's Dragon. Though I of course haven't read it yet Victory of Eagles looks to rectify this problem by focusing on events in England. I could not be more happy with this and look forward very much to getting my hands on the book.

Another problem that's going to become a real dealbreaker if it keeps coming up is the cliffhangers. Novik has been fairly open with her intention that this series run, eventually, to an unspecified number of installments greater than ten. This would be cool except that each book in and of itself is fairly light and slender, and being left hanging waiting for a story that can be so engrossing over a really extended number of installments is enough to drive a reader mad. Another series with this issue is Jim Butcher's phenomenal and insanely addictive Dresden Files, though the Dresden novels at least have the advantage of wrapping up the immediate conflict fairly completely at the end of each book. Novik often doesn't do this. Books 3 and 4, [Black Powder War, and Empire of Ivory], end on outright cliffhangers, and they're wicked ones too. If our characters are going to be left dangling in the middle of a major military action, [this does happen], or otherwise in danger of their lives at the end of every book, I for one am not sure how long I can take it.

All that being said I do like them very much. They are what I believe is called "compulsively readable", truly a joy to sit down with. The characters are fairly engaging, [particularly Lawrence, Temeraire, and the other dragons, -- other secondary figures are less fully drawn but still enjoyable], and the action is pulse-pounding when it comes.

Your comments are well thought out and make sense. I don't know how much I can honestly agree with you on having only read 40 pages or so, but so far.. I agree with you on the characterizations and the action scenes. She really pulls them off well.

In the Q&A session today after her reading, someone in the audience had asked her about the African's that came in at one point and abruptly removed from the book (excuse my accuracy, this happens in a later book, none of which I have read.. yet) and if they will play any role later. She answered that they will return at some point later and play a very large role.

She also mentioned that the most recent book which came out yesterday, Victory of Eagles, is supposed to wrap up more loose ends, but not all of them.

Additionally, the reading she did of "Vicci" or "Vinci" (can't remember the name exactly), was of a different series and said her focus would be around the first dragon egg found. The passage she read contained a significant amount of comedy, because she introduces Antony, a whimsical, gambling drunkard, orgy-having fool who comes upon a duel with a large dragon. During that duel, he happens to kill the dragon to everyone's astonishment.

After the battle with the dragon, he finds a dragon egg and takes it with him. She (dragon) finally hatches and grows and all sorts of humor and drama ensue. It's really amusing because Antony is the least responsible person, yet is put in this role of guardian for this female dragon. lol.

I hope I don't spoil anything for the big fans of hers out there. She smiled and signed both books that I have of hers (book 1, book 5) and I shook her hand and wished her much luck.