Naomi Novik

[Collaroy]

Okay, so it might be a little too early for me to start a thread about Naomi Novik's Temeraire series -I'm only about two thirds into the first book- but it has gripped me already, and I can't put it down.

For those who don't know what it's about: it takes place in our world during the Napoleonic Wars, only that the armies have aerial corps- dragons. I love how the dragons are described and how well it plays together with the historic feel of the background, and best of all- there are at least another 3 books to look forward to.

So, if you haven't read these yet I recommend you check them out, and if you have, what did you think about them??

[Cerulean]

I loved these books. The fourth one comes out on Sept. 25th: Empire of Ivory. I wasn't sure about this series at first, but it's one of those great scifi/fantasy books that delve into greater issues than smash-bang 'em-up stuff. It's an alternate history series that has shades of McCaffery's Dragonriders of Pern in that the dragons are hatched and impress upon the best candidates. But this all occurs during the Napoleonic wars in England. The hero is a captain in the navy who accidentally joins with a dragon when it hatches on board his ship. Basically, in this world, dragons are the ultimate form of calvary called the Aerial Corps, so the hero Will Laurence and his dragon, Termeraire, go to train. It's revealed that Termeraire is a smarter-than-average dragon and some difficulties arise because of this. One of the issues the books deal with is what is considered "human". The dragons are sentient - independent and intelligent (for the most part). So who's in charge in the dragon/human relationship? What rights do the dragons have beyond being flown in aerial charges in the war? Especially since the country is currently at war with Napoleon.

I found a cute short story Novik posted online about Termeraire: http://www.temeraire.org/stories/Feast_or_Famine.shtml

[Collaroy]

Yay, another Temeraire fan!

I think the question of who's in charge is addressed mostly in the second book, right? I haven't read it yet (but at least I have it here already) but that's what I gather from its synopsis.

Thanks for posting that link, that's a nice one! I love Temeraire and Maximus together, and how they're always puzzled by human stuff. I think Novik has done a great job showing that despite their size and power (and Temeraire's intelligence) they're still just adolescents.

[Cerulean]

Yay, another Temeraire fan!

I think the question of who's in charge is addressed mostly in the second book, right? I haven't read it yet (but at least I have it here already) but that's what I gather from its synopsis.

Thanks for posting that link, that's a nice one! I love Temeraire and Maximus together, and how they're always puzzled by human stuff. I think Novik has done a great job showing that despite their size and power (and Temeraire's intelligence) they're still just adolescents.

Oh yes, the second book spends a lot of time dealing with that issue. It's been a while since I've read the fourth book, so I can't recall the main themes of it. I have to admit it wasn't my favorite - pretty much because there were a lot of battle scenes and I'm not so into that. But it's a must read for the series, b/c the ending is terrific.

And I have to agree with you, one of the great draws of the series is the way Novik writes the dragons. They're not just humans in dragonskin, but she does give them an accessible voice and neat personalities.

[Cerulean]

I just saw that Novik won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer, given out by the World Science Fiction Society (same group that gives out the Hugo awards).

[Collaroy]

Whoot! Thanks for the info! Totally deserved, too.

[Kmarie]

Started in on His Majesty's Dragon today, what a delightful read!  I adore Temeraire.  I will certainly read the full series.  Thanks for introducing me to her through this thread!

[Collaroy]

Yay, a convert! Have fun and let us know what you think!

[Kmarie]

I finished His Majesty's Dragon this evening and will be getting the next one in the series tomorrow.  What a great read!  It's wonderful the way Naomi writes, the dragons come to life and you end up even feeling sorry for the enemy's dragons that get hurt. I'm sure I'll get many hours of pleasure from reading the full series.

[Cerulean]

Scifi.com has an interview with Novik, which includes .... wait for it .... news that she sold the rights to her books to Peter Jackson!!!! Woot!!

http://www.scifi.com/sfw/interviews/sfw16947.html

[Collaroy]

Wow! That's terrific news!! Although 'optioned' means that anything on the screen might still be far off, if it's ever happening at all. Like she said, Jackson, Boyen and Walsh are working on another project (at least) right now... but still, it's good news.

Anyway, thanks for posting this!

And, could it be you've been watching -wait for it- How I Met Your Mother? (I'm just asking because I've only just discovered it recently and my love for it is still fresh and strong)

[Patti L.]

I got caught through the link to the short that you posted.  I read the first book.  I was at B&N, went to see if maybe I could pick up #2.  They only had boxes of the first 3!   I already onw #1, why do I need a 2nd copy?  I'm going to have to wait & read them through the libraries, or trade off with my sister if I hook her with the first one, she might buy #2 & lend it to me, then I can buy #3, etc. 
I like calling worlds that fiction is written in 'fictons', it's easier to say than 'alternate universes/worlds' or 'this world except the. . .'
 
Remember how disappointed we sometimes are by movie adaptations, even done with love, gang.  They could go through 20 screenwriters trying to get this into shape that will make it onto film. . . in 2013. 

[Cerulean]

It might never happen ... but it's Peter Jackson I'm sure it would take forever, too, given that Jackson et al. are working on other projects for a while. Still, they did option the first three books. I won't hold my breath, but I'll give this more credence than a lot of other "optioned" news of other books because of who optioned it. Sometimes it *can* be good news, Patti If it works, it's in good hands.

[Patti L.]

I'll keep happy thoughts going.  Was it Lazarus Long who said "Prepare like a pessimist, then sit back & ride it like an optimist"?  That last isn't exact, but it's the spirit of the thing.  Just be sure you have your dragonrider's harness on, right? Downdrafts, my children, downdrafts & thermals.

[Collaroy]

If nothing else, I'm sure a lot of people pricked up their ears when they heard of Jackson's latest aquisition. Whether he's actually going to make a movie (or movies) out of it or not, either way it's good news for this franchise.