Regardless to say the first four books to Naomi Novik's Temeraire series have been undoubtedly superb in their creativeness and excellent story telling that she has given me over the last couple of years. However, Victory of Eagles has been a disappointment in keeping my interest. The only book in the entire series that has not grabbed my attention and has taken me forever to finish.
With only one hundred pages left to read, I have come across the same situation again and again between one of the main character, William Laurence, and the British Government that he continues to serve.
During the last novel, the British Government intended on sending a sick dragon to France to infect Napoleons army which in turn would eventually effect the rest of the dragon population in the European area and onwards to China, Africa, etc... Not wanting this to happen, Termeraire (Laurences dragon companion) and Laurence himself go out with the cure to go and save the other dragons. This was not an act of treason but an act of heroism. Obviously the British government does not understand this.
So throughout the fifth book it has been a battle between the main characters and the Government as well as the French Army who have now landed on British soil. As we continue to see that Laurence is making a small break through with his point of giving the beasts some respect because it is obvious that it works, just LOOK at the French ... they are kicking your ass because of what Laurence is saying!?!
Sorry ... Anyways, as Laurence begins to make a small break through with his point of giving the best some respect. Some thick headed political man who has no understanding of the dragon populous; it goes back to square one. It is becoming very tedious in it's attempts to seem interesting. Even my beloved battle scenes that I have thoroughly enjoyed throughout the first four has gone very blah. I think Naomi Novik has lost interest herself and just wants to finish the story.
I shall write another review if I can get through the last hundred pages or so. I only felt that I had to vent a little bit about the story and how difficult it has been to read it. I only hope that it has a great ending or I will be very disappointed!
This is just a small picture of the tiny island I am going to along with Sensei Trevor, Sensei Eduarda, and Sempai Gourville by next week. It's nowhere near Tokyo, in fact it's about 2,129 km's away. We'll be on an island very similar to Howaii, just with a Japanese twist!
