You know what would make this better? Dragons.

[beboots]

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 )

Comments

[beboots.livejournal.com]

Yeah, proverbs only work on a very small, select few. ;) How would you have had Iroh reach out to Zuko?

I wanted to make a reference to Hamlet here, but my brain isn't working at the moment. Too much art history studying for me. >_>

A lot of the typing commands are second nature to me, you see. I use "Tab" and "ctrl + something" all the time. I was going for "ctrl + t" for new tab and I clicked "ctrl + r" (refresh) instead. So it's mostly my fault. BUT STILL-! :P

[feral-shrew.livejournal.com]

If Iroh wanted to get through to Zuko-- stories. Deconstruct military history, put some subtle emphasis on how /great/ it was that Sozin had victory in one fell swoop, keep making the consequences part of the discussion. Lots of firebending lessons and pushing Pai Sho as the strategy that let Iroh come closest to cracking Ba Sing Se. Don't focus on getting Zuko to see that Ozai is a dickwad, if you push somebody out of an abusive relationship, they grab on even tighter. Let Zuko grow up like he's been doing. He has a right to be angry and bitter, the crew was instantly more supportive when they knew why the kid had the giant scar, and search for the Avatar if that's what Zuko wants to do. Canon-Iroh was very polite about titles-- if you're going to give him authority, then do it. Teach him how to make good decisions and how to command well.

After he's starting to get it, throw him into hypothetical situations, make it clear that temper can cost you in a battle... forget about Ozai, forget trying to replace Ozai. Zuko doesn't know what fathers do, and maybe it doesn't matter. Be the mentor that he needs, and in time Zuko is going to look around and realize that he can be happier on his little exile-ship sailing around getting nothing done than he ever was in Fire Nation. Start looking for Ursa instead if Zuko's interested.

None of this is guaranteed to work, but "angry young man" is pretty easy. "Angry young man with good reason from a nasty background"-- just look how Zuko reacts to people being kind, and go from there.

/end ranting. Iroh couldn't decide if Zuko should be treated like a man or a child, and that's the problem with teenagers. They need both. I think he could have had an easier time of it if he'd paid more attention.

I've done control-R before. I've also done things where enough time passed that the website won't send the post in, and refreshes itself for you.

[beboots.livejournal.com]

Don't worry, that was a good, informative rant. :)

Oh yes, websites that refresh themselves after a period of inactivity annoy me so much. >:(