Title: His Majesty’s Dragon
Author: Naomi Novik
Series: Temeraire #1
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
The Overview: Aerial combat brings a thrilling new dimension to the Napoleonic Wars as valiant warriors ride mighty fighting dragons, bred for size or speed. When HMS Reliant captures a French frigate and seizes the precious cargo, an unhatched dragon egg, fate sweeps Captain Will Laurence from his seafaring life into an uncertain future – and an unexpected kinship with a most extraordinary creature. Thrust into the rarified world of the Aerial Corps as master of the dragon Temeraire, he will face a crash course in the daring tactics of airborne battle. For as France’s own dragon-borne forces rally to breach British soil in Bonaparte’s boldest gambit, Laurence and Temeraire must soar into their own baptism of fire. -Goodreads
The Review:
Woe is me for not having read this years ago!
I had this amazing dragon book sitting unread on my shelf for over 10 years… and I’m surprised no one revoked my membership to the dragon obsession club (not a real thing). In all fairness, the way people described this book and series gave me a very different impression than what the first book actually entailed. They’d say, “it’s an alternate military history, but with dragons.” I’m sure that description is completely accurate for the series as a whole, but had someone mentioned even briefly that His Majesty’s Dragon was less about alt-history as a focus (even though that was an essential setting component) and more about the forming bond between a man and his dragon, I’d have been on board the Temeraire ship years ago. Unfortunately first impressions caused me to hold off. When it came out I was in the middle of college and the last thing I wanted to do was put down one text book and pick up another (even if the new one had dragons). I thought I’d be bored with the historical elements and recycled battle scenes. All the discussions I’d had about it with customers made me think I was getting into a dry historical retelling that took itself too seriously. This is SO NOT THE CASE!!
The relationship between man and dragon is 100% the appeal of the book for me. It’s a slowly paced plot that focuses on the bond and establishes the groundwork for what’s to come. Because of the aforementioned expectations for the series, I’m certain some ventured in looking for battle sequences, military strategy, and loads of historical references, but were bored with their lack (which is an irony considering my boredom might have stemmed from those things being present if I’d read it 10 years ago). As I said, perhaps the series as a whole will offer those things, but for me this book offered perfect immersion into what it’s like to be a dragonrider (or Aerialist) in training.
Now that my tastes have broadened, I’m actually looking forward to seeing the historical immersion in future books, but that alone wouldn’t have been enough to get me to pick up the series. The dragons are my main motivation. Not only was Temeraire a fascinating creature, but so were the many other varieties of dragons (aka Niki’s dragon heaven). I loved the training aspects and can’t wait to see those put into good use, I loved the commander of the training encampment (you’ll see), and I loved the relationships and dynamics beginning to form between all the trainees and their dragons. Basically, this is the book I’ve been hounding to find all my life. 😭
The slow burn of this novel might have bored a few people, but I reveled in every single moment. It had me so wrapped up, I even shed a tear or two (I can’t remember the last time a book made me cry). The combination of a fantastic main character, sentient dragons (filled with awesomeness), and the overall theme of the series set His Majesty’s Dragon up as one of the best books I’ve read in a while. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next one!
Recommendations: Read this book if you like dragons. It’s a bonus if you also like alt-history. ;P
Other books you might like:
-
- A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
-
- The Emperor’s Blades by Brian Staveley
-
- The Sweetest Dark by Shana Abe
-
- Joust by Mercedes Lackey
-
- Dragon Weather by Lawrence Watt-Evans
The Obsessive Bookseller 
Great review, Niki! I really need to read some more books with dragons in it. This sounds really lovely. I look for emotional and moving stuff to read, so hopefully I’ll have a similar reaction to it when I finally am able to get to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! :) this is definitely one I feel comfortable recommending with enthusiasm. I hound for good dragon books and this one fit the bill perfectly. I wouldn’t call the entire thing moving, per se, but a few things got me in the feels lol.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, you just wait. You’ll get Alt-His out your ears in the later books.
That’s why I stopped. What I got in this first book was not continued for the rest of the series. Not that I’m bitter or angry at being betrayed mind you ;-)
LikeLike
Haha, the old bait and switch. I remember you saying that’s why you stopped. I’m not sure how I’ll feel about it. 10 years ago no way, but nowadays I might be able to enjoy it. Maybe. We’ll see. :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many other people enjoyed the series, so the odds are definitely in your favor. And as you say, your tastes have matured. I’d say the likelihood of success is looking up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope so… fingers crossed. I’m kind of looking forward to the whole 9 books if I can get into it.
Is alt history just usually not you jam, or was it something specific about this one you didn’t like? As I mentioned, if it weren’t for the dragons I wouldn’t be interested at all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t like regular history, so Alt-His is like making your favorite sweet, in this case fantasy, brussel sprout flavored :-)
I only like Alt-His if I don’t know it is Alt-His :-D :-D
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha I know exactly what you mean. I’m of the same mindset with this. I like knowing things so I can beat trivia, but that’s the extent of my motivation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, the ‘dragon obsession club’ is totally a thing! I might be its unofficial president ;-) (you can join!).
Loved your review – I wasn’t into the alt-history fact either and a bit concerned, but happy to see that it was more about the characters themselves and their relationships. Temeraire is such a sweetheart! I remember getting a bit emotional as well..
LikeLike
Ooh!! I’ll totally join. :)
Thank you! :) The relationships were everything for me so far. It’s funny – awful things happen to characters all the time in books, but hurt a dragon and I’m a mess haha. He is a sweetheart, that’s a great way to describe him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this book! Unfortunately the series starts going downhill after this, but the relationship between Lawrence and Temeraire will forever make my heart melt. And the scene they first meet will always be one of my favorite moments ever.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah bummer, I was really hopeful that the rest of the series would have the same appeal. Even so, I’m really glad to have read this first one – I agree about Lawrence and Temeraire.
LikeLike
This is a book that’s been on my to buy wishlist for ages. It’s interesting to hear that it was a similar case for you as well! Also good to see a fellow dragon lover giving it the nod. Maybe it will finally push me to pick it up. :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
A big nod! It’s definitely worth reading. I’m a bit wary at all the cautionary advice about the rest of the series, but this first one is a slow-paced gem. :)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful Blog you have Niki
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! It has been a few years in the making. :)
LikeLike
This book was on my TBR shelf for the longest time, and I was so surprise by it when I finally got over the military history thing. It was wonderful and I cried a little, too. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Thanks for the great review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes that’s exactly how I felt about it! I’m told the military history gets heavier the further you get, but I’m so enamored with Temeraire and Lawrence that I think I’ll be able to handle it. I’m glad I’m not the only one who got a little choked up lol. :)
LikeLike
Pingback: Top Ten Books I’ve Read So Far in 2018! | The Obsessive Bookseller
Pingback: Book Review: Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik | The Obsessive Bookseller