Throne of Jade

By: Naomi Novik

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 11 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's Summary

Naomi Novik’s stunning series of novels follow the adventures of Captain William Laurence and his fighting dragon, Temeraire, as they are thrown together to fight for Britain during the turbulent time of the Napoleonic Wars.

History takes flight in this deliciously addictive novel, which captures the Napoleonic period perfectly and skilfully layers history with imagination by adding a Dragon Air Force to the battle for England.

Temeraire is a Celestial dragon, the most highly prized of all draconic breeds, famed for their intelligence, for their agility and most of all for the Divine Wind - their terrible roar, capable of shattering the heavy timbers of war ships and devastating woodland. Captured by the British, Temeraire was meant to be the companion of the Emperor Napoleon and not captained by a mere officer in the British Air Corps. The Chinese have demanded his return, and the British government cannot afford to provoke the Asian superpower into allying with the French - even if it costs them the most powerful weapon in their arsenal and forces Laurence and Temeraire apart.

©2018 Naomi Novik (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic Reviews

"I took a jaundiced view of dragon books until Novik won me over with her first novel. the combination of military history, sympathetic characters, and engaging style makes this series great, intelligent fun." (The Times)

"Plenty of intrigue, swordplay, exotic locations, plausible invention. In short a treat." (The Telegraph)

"In the best tradition of fantasy, historical fiction and nautical novels." (Guardian)

Cringing at the Orientalism

I very much enjoyed the first in the series, but this story is full of orientalist stereotypes which just aren't acceptable in this day and age. The author needs to go and have a good read about orientalism and how damaging it can be. I may try the rest, but if they continue to be written in this manner, will abandon ship.

fun and engaging

I'm really loving this series! I wanted a well written, imaginative and engaging fantasy and it's been fantastic. the characters vivid but sypmpatheic, the story is engaging but has a pleasing epicness as well and it's really well read.

I'd highly recommend

Good book, horrible narration.

The book would have been a great deal better if not for the sporadic passages of what I assume are re-recordings and corrections of errors. Unfortunately, they are so muffled and somewhat hollow that they don't even sound like the same narrator at all, and they jerk me out of the narrative every time.

Astounding!

After listening to the first book and subsequently getting used to the formalities therein I was hooked, this second entry sealed the deal, couldn't stop listening and have downloaded the third already, I highly recommend this series thus far and if you like history (embroiled in a little poetic mythical license) then you will not be disappointed!

For king and country!!!

Creative and well written

First, the narration is excellent. Simon Vance does an excellent job.

The concept, storyline and characters are in keeping with the period and are all well developed.

The action is beautifully paced, and the research into the historical period, naval and Chinese, seems very good. I certainly felt transported to the places and times.

In short I am enjoying Ms Novik’s professionalism as well as her great talent as a very creative writer.

Bit too much orientalism (and accents!!!)

I loved the first book, but I'm so disappointed by the handling of the 'chinamen' in this book. I'm also appalled that Simon Vance reads in such a steryotypical effected accent for the Chinese characters, being white himself.

I understand the argument for historical accuracy, but the orientalism is painful, and often references foul smelling food, 'weird' ingredients and strange ceremonies. I'd expect more from a present day author. I also wish that a bit more stretching of the imagination had been done in rewriting history, so that the 'good' characters weren't all white.

Plus, the overtones of women bad at things, although obviously written to represent changing views of certain characters and to show the attitudes of the time, do get dull after a while.

Listened to most of it but couldn't finish...

Mindblowing imagination

Novik really opens up the universe in this book and sets a solid presidence for the upcoming books in the series. It's a marvel and the book that made me fall truly in love with this world.

Masterful Series, Well worth every minute.

The brilliance of the story conjured by Naomi Novik, the richness of the vocabulary - perfect for the time it is set in - and the warmth and empathy of the narration by Simon Vance all come together to make this series a joy to escape into. Really recommend this very highly.

Great continuation

While not as action heavy as the first book and much more centred on politics, the antics of william lawrence and temeraire once again amuse. Loved this book and will be reading the next one!

entertaining but not quite as good as the first.

it's very well read. not as much action but still a good story. characters are well described nut didnt feel anything for those lost. looking forward to the next.

Can’t wait for the next one!

Such a delight to watch the relationship between Laurence and Temeraire developing! Looking forward to February!