Wish I Had A Dragon

Book Review
His Majesty's Dragon (Temeraire, Book 1)
Naomi Novik

Dragons are creatures of fantasy. They exist mostly in fantasy worlds in books and movies. They usually have bat-like wings, four legs, long neck, long tail, steel-like hide and if they're really special, they breathe fire. In this book, Naomi Novik has managed to create an interesting twist to dragon lore. What if dragons exist in this world? You know, as in, the world we live in right now? Novik has chosen the time of the Napoleonic War as the period where she put her dragon story to writing. And in the usual convention, dragons have only one rider. Not this time. Novik has applied the concept of naval battle to aerial battle. Instead of ships, a captain and his/her crew ride on top of a dragon. Battles are fought in the sky, with captains and crews clinging on to their dragons by means of harness and board enemy dragons just like in naval battle. But instead of plunging to the sea should they miss their jump, the crew is faced with the prospect of falling down to Earth to their death. Such is the law of gravity.

The story started with Laurence, a captain in the British Naval corps, accidentally coming across a dragon egg on a French ship he and his crew just boarded and defeated. As can be predicted, the egg hatches and the dragon chose him as her captain. This seemingly "innocent" episode turned out to be a life-changing experience for Laurence for a person who has been chosen by a dragon must abandon his or her previous life/occupation and be called into the service of British' aerial corps. Thus Laurence, reluctantly at first, must leave behind his sea-faring life and join the service of the corps and lead the kind of life he did not expect to lead.

Novik has successfully applied the concept of naval battles into aerial battles, certainly with modifications since the sky consists of a whole different substance than the sea. The results are captivating battles told in utmost detail, in the atmosphere/settings pertaining to that of the Napoleonic War. Add to that the fact that these dragons can converse in human languages, are highly intelligent, and show emotions not unlike that of humans, and you have an intriguing story on your hands.

Also of special interest to readers is Laurence relationship with his dragon, Temeraire. Readers will be fascinated as these two characters develops a bond of trust and loyalty as the story progresses. Novik has put special affection in the telling of these characters relationship with each other.

Novik has made an excellent beginning to a series that will surely be loved by many fantasy fans. I, for one, will surely be following the stories of Laurence and Temeraire in Novik's future Temeraire books.