You don’t notice this as much as you might, however, because what the novel is really about is how the trust and friendship that Laurence and Temeraire have built up is tested in new and interesting ways. This novel is much more a character story than the first novel in the series, and as such the action comes a bit inconsistently throughout the novel. That is exactly how it would have gone down.” It’s not only the realism of the setting that sets this novel apart, but also the characterization and particularly the interaction between Laurence and Temeraire. Having read Throne of Jade I can only say, “Yes. I thought this was particularly true in the juxtaposition between the way dragons are treated and how they integrate into society in China versus how they do so in Europe. She skillfully crafts a believable version of what the world would have been like in 1806 if dragons were well known throughout the world. One place where Novik excels in this novel, and I think it’s a very subtle thing, is in realistically imagining her world. But where this really shines is how Novik uses the backdrop of her alternative history to explore issues that are incredibly relevant to our world today. The Chinese want Temeraire back, and - of course - the dragon will have none of being separated from Laurence. This novel, the second entry in the series, sees Laurence and Temeraire traveling to China on a sensitive mission. Naomi Novik’s Throne of Jade is a wonderful addition to her alternate history fantasy series.
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