Throne of Jade (Temeraire, Book 2)
by Naomi Novik
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Book Summary Information
Author: Naomi NovikEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-04-25
ISBN: 0345481291
Number of pages: 432
Publisher: Del Rey
Book Reviews of Throne of Jade (Temeraire, Book 2)
Book Review: What happens (and why) to a Dragon on a slow boat to China?
Summary: 4 Stars
Throne of Jade is the second installment in the story of Temeraire the dragon and his human handler/companion - Will Laurence. This one takes up where "His Majesty's Dragon" left off and we find the pair involved in the defense of the British homeland from the nefarious machinations of Napoleon. The nice thing about this series is the way it melds the historical realities of the time period with the effects of the Dragons and their folks on the events it depicts.
Temeraire is celebrating his first year. He is a very precocious dragon and throughout the book he starts looking around at the way things are and is starting to ask questions. Being a very intelligent being, he is unhappy about some of the things he observes and questions Laurence about them. Laurence tries his best to answer him, but he is somewhat inadequate for the task since he is a "properly" brought up English Gentleman. For instance, in the matter of females serving in military organizations, Laurence is still scandalized about the presence of women Captains in the Air Corps and even more so about the presence of young girls being trained as Midshipmen. He is brought up very short when Temeraire points out to him that there is no similar distinction made about the Dragons - females fight just as fiercely and intently as the males. Laurence's shallow rejoinder is that it is only because some breeds of dragons will only allow female handlers that created that situation.
A major focus of the book is that a Chinese embassy has arrived in London and is requiring - nay demanding! - that Temeraire be returned to China. Since England captured him as a prize off of a French Frigate, Laurence does not support this move. However, the English government would rather have the Chinese not join Napoleon in a war against them so they are more than willing to send Temeraire to China. There is a major problem here that I will address at the end of the review, but for now, let's ignore it.
The Dragon, his handler, and the complete Chinese retinue is sent off via a specially outfitted ship and most of the book is dedicated to a description of the voyage. Of course, the ship is set upon by a patrol of French ships and Dragons that are much more than the ship and Temeraire can handle, and of course, Temeraire's Dragon friends just happened to be in the vicinity to rescue them. Then, of course, the last Typhoon of the season hinders their passage. What is not so expected is the appearance of a water serpent of such size that it threatens to capsize the whole ship. Temeraire ends up killing it, but he notices that it was treated poorly from the beginning and immediately shot at, and he questions Laurence about why a water serpent is treated as a beast right away?
Temeraire also observes slavery first hand and, when they get to China, his eyes are really opened as the Chinese treat their dragons completely differently than the English and Europeans. Dragons are treated as citizens and are subject to the same rules and regulations down to the ability of Dragons to read and write, and even earn and spend money with the merchants for fulfilling their wants. As if this is not enough, the Chinese cities feature broad roads that are very straight and islands full of servants and comforts to allow the dragons a very comfortable life. All of this is in very stark contrast to the European ways and Temeraire brings that up to Laurence's attention and the two discuss these in some depth.
Another storyline that is intertwined throughout is the Chinese mandarin's attempts to separate Laurence from Temeraire. All kinds of ploys are attempted - from the obvious ones that include seducing Temeraire with food, company, and mental stimulation, to several attempts made to kill Laurence when it becomes obvious that the two will not be separated. The climactic battle in this book comes when Temeraire and one of his cousins end up in a major fight - almost to the death because of the attempts of the Chinese to kill off Laurence. This fight ends when the Chinese man ends up being killed and we find out that the whole time there was an ulterior motive and storyline behind the events. This alternative story does not become obvious until the very end and this plot twist puts all the events that occurred in a different light.
The book is exciting, written so that it grabs and holds your attention, and keeps you reading whether you are interested in Napoleonic battles (naval or land-based), the fantasy elements of having Dragons in your armies, or are content to enjoy the development of the Dragons and the appearance of a completely different viewpoint of Dragons - as represented by the Chinese.
My main disappointment in the book, and the reason I took one star off, is that the timeline is all akimbo. We are repeatedly told that it takes between eight months and a year to make the trip from London to Beijing. Indeed, it takes Temeraire and his folks eight months to get to Canton alone. However, even though scarcely one year passes after his birth, a Chinese embassy including a Prince is in London demanding his return. The math simply does not add up!
Summary of Throne of Jade (Temeraire, Book 2)
When Britain intercepted a French ship and its precious cargo?an unhatched dragon?s egg?Capt. Will Laurence of HMS Reliant unexpectedly became master and commander of the noble dragon he named Temeraire. As new recruits in Britain?s Aerial Corps, man and dragon soon proved their mettle in daring combat against Bonaparte?s invading forces.Now China has discovered that its rare gift, intended for Napoleon, has fallen into British hands?and an angry Chinese delegation vows to reclaim the remarkable beast. But Laurence refuses to cooperate. Facing the gallows for his defiance, Laurence has no choice but to accompany Temeraire back to the Far East?a long voyage fraught with peril, intrigue, and the untold terrors of the deep. Yet once the pair reaches the court of the Chinese emperor, even more shocking discoveries and darker dangers await.
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