I read this after reading Naomi Novik's Spinning Silver and Uprooted (I know, I'm going backwards) and she is now 3 for 3 in my opinion. Very different storytelling styles in each work, but she pulls it all off with books that are both page-turners and deeply fulfilling reads. ( )

I’m puzzled by this novel, which seems in some ways like a children’s book, although it gets a bit more adult in its later stages. I don’t think it’s deliberately aimed at children, though it’s hard to be sure. There are references to the sex lives of the aviators, but no sex scenes.

It’s a story of bonding between man and dragon in the context of the Napoleonic Wars—an alternative version of the Napoleonic Wars in which all countries have dragons and use them as an air force.

The story makes pleasant enough reading, and I’d normally be willing to give it three stars, but I’m bothered by two gross implausibilities that the author expects us to swallow.

1. Partway through the book, we’re told that the dragon Temeraire learned first fluent French and then fluent English by listening to the sounds outside his shell before hatching; so he hatches with full command of both languages. This is not just implausible, it’s completely impossible. No-one, not even a dragon, can learn a language just by listening to the sound of it, without ever having seen anything of the world except the inside of an egg. You can’t link words to objects and actions when you know nothing of those objects and actions, never having seen them.

2. The dragons clearly have human intelligence, or something very close to it. But they’re surprisingly willing to be commanded by humans and to risk their lives in human wars. Temeraire shows traces of scepticism at times, but when needed he goes into battle with the rest. I’d have expected more organization among the dragons in their own interests—a dragon trade union, or perhaps a secret society of dragons, trying to organize a country of their own somewhere. ( )

9/10
Alternate history more than fantasy as the dragons in His Majesty's Dragon are not really magical, although they are intelligent and verbal. Will Laurence, Navy captain, unexpectedly becomes a captain in the British Air Corps, flying a dragon, at the time of the Napoleonic Wars. As he learns about his dragon, Temeraire, so does the reader. The story unfolds with only a few surprises, but it is well-paced and engaging. The relationship between Laurence and Temeraire is the heart of the story, but the supporting characters, both human and draconic, are also fleshed out over the course of the book. Looking forward to continuing the series. ( )

Am considering because it is in answer to the prompt of Becky Chambers and Goblin Emperor and because: "There's some conflict (it's the Napoleonic Wars Dragons), but mostly it's about the strong bond between the dragon and his rider and doing what's right."

Naval Captain Will Laurence captures a French frigate in the Napoleonic Wars and discovers it contains a special shipment, a dragon's egg. Weeks away from land it hatches and chooses Laurence for its handler changing his career path from Navy to Aerial Corps. The story is an alternate history where pretty much everything else is the same with the addition of dragons. Laurence and his dragon, Temeraire are sent to Scotland for training. Laurence's formal naval lifestyle is at odds with the laid-back informality of the fliers. Gradually through the learning process he and Temeraire develop a group of friends. Eventually they are pulled back into the war and the defense of the English Channel.

The more I read the greater I enjoyed the story. The kind of brusque formal writing style that gradually loosened up seems to parallel the MC's personal attitude. The bond between Laurence and Temeraire is prime and endearing. The aerial battles were exciting and well written. I had no trouble imagining the scenes. The character development was interesting and logical; even though some were mythical in nature they were believable. I am looking forward to reading more in this series. ( )