[pat5150]

Just finished Naomi Novik's upcoming Empire of Ivory.

Last year, Naomi Novik burst into the fantasy scene with three highly entertaining novels which earned her the John W. Campbell Award. Temeraire/His Majesty's Dragon, Throne of Jade, and Black Powder War were a veritable breath of fresh air in an otherwise often stagnating genre, each installment showing more potential than its predecessor. Using the Napoleonic Wars as a backdrop, Novik revitalized the oldest cliché in fantasy -- the dragons. And in so doing, she created something fresh, hip and extremely original.

Hence, it was somewhat of a tall order to follow this up. Indeed, Empire of Ivory needed to live up to the high expectations generated by the first three volumes in the series. And once more, Naomi Novik, writing with the skills of a veteran and with remarkable panache, rose to the occasion!

A tragedy has struck His Majesty's Aerial Corps. An epidemic of unknown origin is decimating the dragons' fleet, forcing most of the survivors into quarantine. Which leaves England virtually defenseless against Bonaparte's encroaching armies. As France's sorties become bolder and more frequent with each passing day, it's up to Laurence and Temeraire, along with a few uninfected dragons, to find a cure to the deadly contagion. Their mission takes them to distant Africa, where they believe a cure might be discovered. Yet in the heart of that mysterious continent lies a secret which could change everything. . .

Once again, Novik builds on existing storylines and comes up with a number of fascinating new plotlines. In previous reviews I claimed that some facets of Novik's earlier Temeraire novels hinted at a lot more depth than meets the eye. And Empire of Ivory demonstrates that it is indeed the case, and no doubt about it.

Check out the blog for the full review!

Patrick

[Aptorian]

pat5150;208799 said:

Just finished Naomi Novik's upcoming Empire of Ivory.

Last year, Naomi Novik burst into the fantasy scene with three highly entertaining novels which earned her the John W. Campbell Award. Temeraire/His Majesty's Dragon, Throne of Jade, and Black Powder War were a veritable breath of fresh air in an otherwise often stagnating genre, each installment showing more potential than its predecessor. Using the Napoleonic Wars as a backdrop, Novik revitalized the oldest cliché in fantasy -- the dragons. And in so doing, she created something fresh, hip and extremely original.

Hence, it was somewhat of a tall order to follow this up. Indeed, Empire of Ivory needed to live up to the high expectations generated by the first three volumes in the series. And once more, Naomi Novik, writing with the skills of a veteran and with remarkable panache, rose to the occasion!

A tragedy has struck His Majesty's Aerial Corps. An epidemic of unknown origin is decimating the dragons' fleet, forcing most of the survivors into quarantine. Which leaves England virtually defenseless against Bonaparte's encroaching armies. As France's sorties become bolder and more frequent with each passing day, it's up to Laurence and Temeraire, along with a few uninfected dragons, to find a cure to the deadly contagion. Their mission takes them to distant Africa, where they believe a cure might be discovered. Yet in the heart of that mysterious continent lies a secret which could change everything. . .

Once again, Novik builds on existing storylines and comes up with a number of fascinating new plotlines. In previous reviews I claimed that some facets of Novik's earlier Temeraire novels hinted at a lot more depth than meets the eye. And Empire of Ivory demonstrates that it is indeed the case, and no doubt about it.

Check out the blog for the full review!

Patrick

Sweet! I bought thre first 3 for a bargain, I liked the dynamics of the character interaction.

I take it we don't get to here any more about The American Dragons and the Incas/aztecs then?

[Astra]

Finished Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets.
Very enjoyable reading.

Next: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

[McLovin]

Ship of the Line - CS Forester

Just love the Hornblower books...

[stone monkey]

I'm reading The Court of the Air at the mo'. It's fun and I am enjoying it, it's just that IMO it reads like Perdido Street Station-Lite.

Which, I guess, is what you might call damning-with-faint-praise.

[Astra]

Finished Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Again a very enjoyable reading, although the last 2 chapters were a bit too much out of line for my liking.

Spoiler

I mean HP wanted to see his parents so much! I don't belive he would not be tempted and actually seize the time traveling watch and try to teleport back to the moment before his parents got killed and warn them. So easily achieved time traveling thing was far fetched (IMHO)

Next: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

[pat5150]

I was eager to read the second volume of The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Though a vast introduction, The Runes of the Earth, with its cliffhanger ending, left fans begging for more. Hence, I couldn't wait to return to the Land once more, and see where Fatal Revenant would take this tale.

The sequel begins right where The Runes of the Earth ended. But if you are hoping for a happy reunion between Linden and Thomas Covenant and her son Jeremiah, you are obviously not familiar with Stephen R. Donaldson's work. Revelations are made that will break Linden's heart, and she must find the strength within herself to persevere.

As was the case with the previous trilogies in the Covenant saga, Donaldson's narrative conjures up vivid and magical images. Vast in scope and vision, Fatal Revenant answers many questions that were raised by its predecessor.

I truly enjoyed the manner with which the author brought Fatal Revenant to a close, even though it is more or less anti-climatic and yet another cliffhanger. I expect some readers to find this off-putting, but I thought it was apropos to end it in such a fashion.

Given the author's career, I was expecting a bit more character growth in this second volume. And yet, other than where Stave is concerned, there is not much growth to speak of. Still, since Linden and her companions find themselves into dire straits at every turn, this might explain why. . .

One facet of this novel which could have been better is the pace. Donaldson's Covenant books have never been known for their fast-paced narrative, but various portions of Fatal Revenant are sluggish and break the overall rhythm of the story.

Nevertheless, fans of the Thomas Covenant saga should love this new installment.

Fatal Revenant is for aficionados who crave high fantasy tales with depth and substance.

Check out the blog for the full review!

Patrick
www.fantasyhotlist.blogspot.com

[Astra]

Just a quick read, in between HP3 and HP4

All You Zombies by Heinlein.

[Tremolo]

Started reading Hawk & Fisher: Fear and loathing in Haven by Simon R Green. I picked it up at a book sale, so I guess it wasnt that popular...oh well, it was cheap...

[Crop]

Im still looking for Glen Cooks "The Black Company"

[Astra]

chrissloe;210440 said:

Im still looking for Glen Cooks "The Black Company"

Either Amazon or Darknet.

[ch'arlz]

Just finished _Hilldiggers_ by Neal Asher. Probably his weakest book, imo, and I believe I've read and enjoyed all but his short story collections. Thinly plotted and predictable, it's Neal Asher Lite. Very disappointing.

[McLovin]

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. Been on my pile many months now, finally getting around to it.

[Dag]

McLovin;211700 said:

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. Been on my pile many months now, finally getting around to it.

Just finished "The Lies" some 15 min ago. It was really fun to read - I think I'll order "Red Seas" tomorrow...

[Dag]

Well, since I have a flu and have to stay home for the rest of the week, I started reading Kearney's "Mark of Ran" today. I liked his "Monarchies of God" very much, so let's see what this "Sea beggars" series can do...

[caladanbrood]

Still going on Black Man. Fairly slowly, but that's because I usually read at night, but too many early mornings mean I'm hardly reading anything.

Anyway, it's a damn good book. Go Buy. NOU!!!!

[Hume]

Finished Heroes die recently. Am now on to Blade of Tyshalle the sequal. And its been fairly good so far. Also been by far one of the most disturbing books I've read.

[rlfcl]

just finished "The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine" by Ilan Pappe. fantastic yet depressing book. we're hoping he can come speak at my uni in march or so.

now moved on to "One Country: A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli-Palestinian Impasse" by Ali Abunimah

[drinksinbars]

three quarters three red seas under red skies.

ordered brass man and cowl off play the other day. get them soon:D

[Aptorian]

Finally got my hands on Night of Knives.

50 pages in and it's better than I expected or dared hope. ICE is a match to SE's writting.