Crucible of Gold

Temeraire, Book 7

By: Naomi Novik

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Naomi Novik’s beloved series returns, with Capt. Will Laurence and his fighting dragon Temeraire once again taking to the air against the broadsides of Napoleon’s forces and the friendly—and sometimes not-so-friendly—fire of British soldiers and politicians who continue to suspect them of divided loyalties, if not outright treason.

Laurence and Temeraire—joined by the egotistical fire-breather Iskierka and the still-growing Kulingile, who has already surpassed Temeraire in size—embark for Brazil, only to meet with a string of unmitigated disasters that leave the dragons and their human friends forced to make an unexpected landing in the hostile territory of the Inca empire, where they face new unanticipated dangers.

Now with the success of the mission balanced on a razor’s edge, and failure looking more likely by the minute, the unexpected arrival of an old enemy will tip the scales toward ruin. Yet even in the midst of disaster, opportunity may lurk—for one bold enough to grasp it.

©2012 Temeraire LLC (P)2012 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

“Novik’s influences run the gamut from Jane Austen to Patrick O’ Brian, with a side trip through Anne McCaffrey. Her books are completely involving and probably addictive, their central conceit explored in clever detail with a great deal of wit and historical insight.” ( San Francisco Chronicle)

“These are beautifully written novels: not only fresh, original, and fast-paced, but full of wonderful characters with real heart.” (Peter Jackson)

“A gripping adventure full of rich detail and the impossible wonder of gilded fantasy.” ( Entertainment Weekly)

A Great Series Continues

Would you listen to Crucible of Gold again? Why?

Since it is part of a series, in its place, absolutely.

What other book might you compare Crucible of Gold to and why?

Because of the common theme of dragons and riders bonding so deeply, the Dragon Riders of Pern series (Anne McCaffrey).

What does Simon Vance bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His readings are musical in their cadence and intonation, rendering a listener readily engaged and easily lost in the experience.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

If hanging on every word is an extreme reaction, then yes.

Same reader, different voices.

Although the reader is the same as the previous books, he changed the voices for some of the main characters, which was jarring until I got used to it.

Great, great book!

Another great installment in an amazing world. I cannot rate this book highly enough! Please listen to this immediately.

I love dragons

now I own a dragon it's all the only fault but I like my Isierka

Good as always

Story keeps moving along with new angles and I look forward to the next one.

Many twists this time around!

Enjoyed it! It could have been a much bigger book if given the time for the many different parts of the story, but was a good story in the normal size of tge rest of tgr series.

Beter than the last book.

Book 6 had really dragged for me. Was sort of black and depressing all the way thru. This one had more action and more going on but just left you with a big "too be continued". I think a book should reach some sort of a conclusion before you need to advance to the next book.

Temeraire heads for South America

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audiobook to any who are a fan of Temeraire and Lawrence.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Was not pleased with the way it ended.

What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?

Simon did an excellent job. I like his voice, timber and pace.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When the South American dragon's revealed their relationship with the humans.

Any additional comments?

Not a bad way to revisit old friends.

Crucible of Gold

Well read. Addition of fun new characters and twists on the ongoing tribulations of Temeraire and Laurence.

Weak (but still good) entry in this fine series

Fabulous performance by Simon Vance, who narrated the entire series. Yay for consistent voices! As for the story, about 3 stars. Good to see the crew rejoined, and lots of vivid scenes in the ocean and in South America. We travel from Sydney, Australia to Peru and Brazil: Lake Titicaca, Old Cuzco, and Rio. Lots of action. Battles and duels and dire straights. Surviving on the edge of starvation. Some deaths and some wonderful feasting and glad reunions. Also, the soothing leaves of the coca tree / bush provide for some mildly amusing bits.

One of the best scenes is towards the end, when the British dragon teams capture several French ships and dragons. Nicely detailed, but not too long or drawn out. I loved the way the dragons worked together, ensuring their crew's safety while taking down the French.

However, I couldn't get into the larger plot: Napoleon allies with the Botswana-based Tswana tribe (who travel to Brazil to free their enslaved kinsmen). Napoleon also attempts to ally with the Incan empire.

Still, I do love this juvenile dragon. He tries so hard to be a better beast, for Laurence's sake, despite his innate fascination with shiny bling, his possessiveness, and his easily ruffled pride.