You know what would make this better? Dragons.

Quote from a book review from His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik.

Okay guys, I have never read a series so fast before (including when I was big into Harry Potter). No joke. Those of you who see me in person will have already heard me rant about the awesomeness of the Temeraire series, but for those of you who haven't seen me in the past week or so, here it is!

Essentially, it is the Napoleonic wars, but with dragons. I know, I know - you're all like "wait, what?!", but hear me out! It is pure awesome, making the history major and the fantasy author in me squee. There were a few times in which I actually had to put these books down (especially the last one, Victory of Eagles) and run around the room in excitement. I am not exaggerating.

The series is set in an alternate universe in which dragons have been around for ages, and the aerial corps are a part of every military power. They're like ships, but living, breathing, flying and speaking creatures. The author has put a lot of thought into the historical consequences of such - speaking of different breeding programmes between European nations, and even places such as China (where it is more established). There are references to the Incan Empire - which was never conquered because they have dragons.

The main character is a naval captain called William Laurence, who embodies all that I love about the regency era, the age of sail, and Jane Austen. He is very well-mannered, of minor nobility, I believe, and just... awesome. At the beginning of the book, he has captured a French ship, and there is a dragon egg aboard. Being way out to sea, it hatches before they get to land, and the young dragonet Temeraire imprints on Laurence, much to his inward horror but outward nonchalance.

So, upon reaching shore, Laurence is (eventually) transferred to the aerial corps, a much less respectable profession than being in the navy. Laurence sees that the aviators are coarse, rude (they actually introduce themselves! D: ), and, horror of horrors, wear unironed, wrinkled clothing.! Laurence still contains all of the prejudices of his era - he is immensely surprised and shocked when he learns of female aviators, for one, and can't actually look Captain Catherine Harcourt anywhere but the face because her outfit (a typical captain's uniform, including pants) is so scandalous. ;)

But, all of that aside, one of the most awesome things about this series is his relationship with his dragon, Temeraire. Reluctant at first, but Laurence eventually comes to see Temeraire as not an animal, but an incredibly intelligent being in his own right... and over the course of several books starts to question the general public (and the admiralty's) treatment of dragons (which is actually worse than horses, in some cases, despite their intelligence).

I direct you all now to my folder of favourite Temeraire fanart on deviantart: http://beboots.deviantart.com/favourites/#Temeraire Beware, for they contain spoilers! But seriously, this series is absolutely awesome. I read the first one (it's entire 356 pages) over the course of two days while skiing in Jasper (and I spent 8 hours a day skiing, to boot). The second one (equally as long), I read over a day and a half. The third, in just under two days. The fourth I took three days to read, but only because it was the first week of school. And I read the most recent (and epic) book in a day and a half.

Now, at least, I can concentrate on actual schoolwork, and get stuff other than reading done. Not that I'm complaining.

Far from it. :)

(a post on my first week of school and/or Christmas vacation may follow if I remember to write one)

(and for another book review of His Majesty's Dragon possibly more coherent than mine, go here: http://www.scificatholic.com/2007/07/book-review-his-majestys-dragon.html )