Empire of Ivory (Temeraire, Book 4)
by Naomi Novik
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Book Reviews of Empire of Ivory (Temeraire, Book 4)
Book Review: Lame ending, otherwise 3 1/2 stars
Summary: 2 Stars
The potential of these amazing characters is totally unrealized in these short fluffy novels. Novik deserves credit for creating them, and we love them.
BUT Novik gives us a cop-out cliffhanger, "fantasy series" type ending. You're strung along, then the book just ends without an end. I have always hated that tactic. Perhaps it is the publisher's urging that leads Novik to do it for monetary sales. But it smacks of copout to me. I think readers have proven by loving Sherlock Holmes or Amelia Peabody that they will still come back for MORE of characters they love without a juvenile cliffhanger ending.
I agree with the reviewer who wrote the readers who bought this book deserve better. I love Temeraire & Laurence & Roland & Harcourt & Lily & Maximus, and now I want more of Kefentse and Iskierka. But cliffhangers are not the way to do it.
Book Review: Best so far
Summary: 4 Stars
I feel this installment to be the best of the series so far. Most of the main themes are expanded upon, characters are further defined, the war progresses, and the entire alternate world begins to take shape as a whole.
This book, I feel, answers many questions you probably have after the previous book such as:
- How do other cultures around the world interact with dragons
- What has happened to the other British dragons and captains?
- How strong is the captain/dragon bond?
- How are relations between Navy and Ariel Corps when it really comes down to it?
- Plus others, but I don't want to point out spoilers
If you thought Throne of Jade and Black Powder War were more of setup books for the overall plot this installment will satisfy your questions and need for some action.
Book Review: better to wait for next year
Summary: 2 Stars
This book is a fun read with lovable characters, like the previous Temeraire books, BUT (and it's a big one)--The author has written what I call a "string-along." Not much is going on in terms of moving along the story of the series. You're strung along, entertained, and then the author drops you off at the end without much of a conclusion.
In this book, unfortunately, the author leaves you with Laurence facing a major crisis, and IMO, that was a bad move. People are paying for this book, and they deserve more--not to be left hanging like that.
If I had known what this book would be like, I would have waited until next year to buy this book and the (inevitable) sequel. It feels like this series is drawing to a conclusion, anyway.
Book Review: Empire of Ivory - second best in series so far
Summary: 4 Stars
The fourth book in Naomi Novik's Temeraire series continues the saga of the dragon Temeraire and his captain, Will Laurence, who return home from China to find the British dragon-based aerial corps decimated by a deadly disease. To save their friends from sickness and their country from Napoleon's increasingly aggressive advances, the pair heads to Africa in search of a cure. But their mission is hampered by the deep scars of slavery, the customs of a new dragon culture, and other misadventures.
Although the first book in this series is still my favorite, Empire of Ivory is a good read. The voyage to Africa and the adventures in the interior drag a bit, but the finale will keep you turning those pages until the wee hours of the morning.
Book Review: the best of a fine series
Summary: 5 Stars
one of the challenges of creating a whole new world is being willing to expand that world much further than your readers would have expected. Novik does this and more with Empire of Ivory - easily the best of the Temeraire series yet out. who could have imagined an Africa with dragons and the impact that would have on slaving and the slave trade? Novik did and as she weaves our favorite dragon and his captain into that setting the reader can do little but admit complete captivity to a compelling and thrilling book. July 08 seems very far off now!
the only caveat is that I think you must start with book 1 to fully appreciate this series. don't start with book 4 - it's great but it'll be even better if you read in order!