I loved the beginning of this book, and quickly started to lose interest about 20% in. I powered through and it didn’t get better until maybe the last 5 percent, I love the world building and nature, there was a Circe-esque feeling to the beginning.
But..
I don’t like battle scenes in general whatsoever. There was so much war and fighting but it ultimately felt low stakes because it was hard to care much about any characters. And the romance is insane! the guy is verbally abusive and their relationship never develops in any way but physically. Overall it was a slog.
Honestly confused why this book is so highly praised, but there are bits that I like a lot. are any of her other books more like the beginning of the story? Also, I read this because it was recommended for those who enjoyed the winternight trilogy (loved her prose and world, but bored by the action scenes once again lol)
by owowow1011
5 Comments
No. There is a lot of fighting in the Temeraire books, but that’s because they take place during the Napoleonic wars. The vibe is completely different. The first book is His Majesty’s Dragon.
I skipped through the battle scenes, but absolutely loved the story. Spinning Silver is fantastic.
You may enjoy the Scholomance series.
T Kingfisher’s Nettle and Bone is great, and no battles at all.
Spinning Silver is my favorite by her. The love stories both are distasteful at first but both turn massive corners at the end and I was happy for everyone.
Her two series are both better in regards to likable male characters, but both have some battle scenes
I felt more or less the same about Uprooted but really loved her Scholomance series. It’s got a super snarky, socially awkward main character and generally more chaotic than Uprooted but weirdly heartwarming
I wish I hadn’t read that book as my first Naomi Novik book. I disliked it so much (that “romance” was awful and abusive) that it soured me on the author and I haven’t read anything else by them. But I have heard that the Scholomance and Temeraire series are very different and much better.