Victory of Eagles

Temeraire, Book 5

By: Naomi Novik

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Naomi Novik's triumphant debut, His Majesty's Dragon, introduced a dynamic new pair of heroes to the annals of fantasy fiction: the noble fighting dragon Temeraire and his master and commander, Capt. Will Laurence. Now in the latest novel, they soar to new heights of breathtaking action and brilliant imagination.

It is a grim time for the dragon Temeraire. On the heels of his mission to Africa, seeking the cure for a deadly contagion, he has been removed from military service - and his captain, Will Laurence, has been condemned to death for treason. For Britain, conditions are grimmer still: Napoleon's resurgent forces have breached the Channel and successfully invaded English soil. Napoleon's prime objective: the occupation of London.

Separated by their own government and threatened at every turn by Napoleon's forces, Laurence and Temeraire must struggle to find each other amid the turmoil of war and to aid the resistance against the invasion before Napoleon's foothold on England's shores can become a stranglehold.

If only they can be reunited, master and dragon might rally Britain's scattered forces and take the fight to the enemy as never before - for king and country, and for their own liberty. But can the French aggressors be well and truly routed, or will a treacherous alliance deliver Britain into the hands of her would-be conquerors?

Dragon tales: don't miss the rest of the Temeraire series.

©2008 Naomi Novik (P)2008 Random House, Inc.

Temerare and Lawrence Keep Klying Strong

What did you love best about Victory of Eagles?

I am greatly taken with the characters, especially with the prickly young dragon who is a genius at math and strategy. As in the previous books, the language is eloquent and stirring, ably wielded by an excellent narrator.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Victory of Eagles?

The moment when the dragons, led by Temerare, all set off from the breeding grounds to fight against Napoleon as their own unit was particularly stirring.

Which scene was your favorite?

Perhaps my favorite scene is the one in which Lawrence realizes that Temerare has, in fact, set up his own camp, although the one in which Lizh Huan (sp.???) raises that enormous wave also shines brilliantly for me.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A Dragon's honor knows no compromise.

Temeraire

I love the Temeraire series and the performance of narrator Simon Vance. I look forward to more from Naomi Novik.

Best One Yet.

very dramatic character changes and interesting war maneuvers. I am looking forward to the next adventure.

amazing story for an amazing author!

I'm addicted! it's official! but regardless I love this series and I don't think I will ever regret a purchase of one of these books! I would definitely suggest trying this series out, but start from the beginning with his Majesty's dragon, it's a great series, and it's definitely worth the time and money.

An insightful entertaining series

Truly brilliant, with heartfelt consideration of issues that still plague us daily, long after Napoleonic times. Téméraire has become one of my favorite characters ever — in league with the likes of Elizabeth Bennet, Scout Finch, Saleem Sabai, Jo March, Aslan, Falstaff, Jane Eyre, and Arya Stark! Novik’s wry and insightful writing propels the reader through a vaste array of conundrums, often laced with emotional/ethical issues and, in turn she presents pee-in-your pant’s hilarity one moment, undergirded with poignancy or stark wisdom the next.

Excellent story, but the audio files are truncated

Excellent installment in Novik's alterate-history account of the Napoleonic Wars if dragons had existed and been used by the European and British military forces, as well as a fascinating development of the dragon suffrage and abolitionist themes hinted at in earlier volumes.

The narration is very good, but the end of each audio part was slightly truncated, so that the last sentence was cut off. Luckily, I had a hard copy of the book, and could read the bits I missed, but the gaps were very disappointing in an audiobook.

Wonderful and Heartwrenching

The author did an amazing job of relating the emotional struggle of both Lawrence and Temeraire.

Book 5 of awesomeness

This series never disappoints. It's interesting to see where and how the author sticks to and departs from history as the epic story unfolds.

Wonderful!

So many twists and turns. I found myself listening more than working. A superb sequel and I can't wait for the next volume!!!

One of the Best in the Series

Honestly, this book is one of the best in the series, hands down. The emotional toll that Laurence faces from their choices in the previous book bringss a seriousness that the other books don't have, and it goes right to your heart. Both characters have to face the consequences of their choices, but the hard choices just keep coming. And they prevail and manage to bring some good about despite the twrrible circumstances. A true triumph in the series.