Book Thoughts

Novik’s third novel, Black Powder War, picks up right where her the last one left off. Laurence and Temeraire’s mission in China ended successfully and Temeraire is eager to return to England to pursue his reforms for dragons. However, there is never any rest for the weary. Urgent orders arrive from England informing our heroes that a trio of valuable dragon eggs has been purchased from the Ottoman Empire and they need to be escorted back before they hatch.

Black Powder War has an action filled beginning that gets sidetracked by travelogue just like in Throne of Jade. Thankfully there is action in this travelogue in addition to political intrigue. Temeraire and his crew have to deal with bandits, a guide with shifty loyalties, and feral dragons before they reach their destination, Istanbul.

Once in Istanbul, we are treated to more political intrigue, but while a short section of the novel, this section of politics doesn’t feel as rushed as it did at the end of Throne of Jade. We get to see more of the fascinating Tharkay and we finally meet an honest-to-goodness firebreather. She turns out to be one of the more entertaining dragons out of the entire group.

After the travelogue and short political interlude, the action returns on the battlefields of Prussia. With Austria’s surrender, only Prussia and Britain are left to stand against Napoleon. Novik doesn’t disappoint here. Readers grit their teeth in frustration at Prussian stubbornness and shortsightedness. They hold their breath as Temeraire and the other remaining dragons scramble to evacuate what is left of the Prussian Army across the Channel to England.

These battles are where the book truly shines, and at the same time, they don’t overshadow Laurence or Temeraire. Temeraire still thinks about equality for dragons even with a battle at hand. I wish some of the other minor characters were fleshed out a bit more. Sometimes the members of Temeraire’s crew feel like interchangeable musket and cannon fodder. The addition of Iskierka mostly makes up for this. She’s going to be a fun character to watch grow up.

Black Powder War is plagued by some of the problems that hurt Throne of Jade but not to the same extent. The ending although bleak makes up for the travelogue section on the road to Istanbul. Empire of Ivory (Book Four) has one heck of a buildup to live up to

Score: 3.5 / 5

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