Reviews with content warning for Animal cruelty - His Majesty's Dragon

Reviews tagging 'Animal cruelty'

His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik

36 reviews

beeping_librarian's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

A fun reimagining of international war with dragons instead of airplanes. The main dragon is sweet, there is interesting detail on military movements and tactics, and enough side stories to keep things exciting along the way.

Watch out for the blindly upper class perspective and the lukewarm treatment of female characters, as well as the uncomfortable premise of dragons being happy to serve.

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flaminggecko's review

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adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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o_romeo's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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xandry's review

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adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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bwwilhelm's review

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Most of this book is light-hearted and fun, but there is a subplot that is gut-wrenching. Of course, there are period-typical issues (misogyny, classism, colonization, etc), but most of it is implied by the setting without being terribly overt.

There's a dragon they meet who is *severely* neglected by his captain, and it's really difficult to read. Fair warning.

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phantomgecko's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I would give five stars but for the subject matter. The writing is delightful, the characters likable, the fantasy charming, and the plot engaging. I just really don't like the whole military angle. All the rank and subordination and duty nonsense. Thus, I can say I really liked the book, but I didn't love it. I daresay Naomi Novik's other novels will interest me more, and I look forward to reading them.

That being said, I'll continue with this series and would recommend it.

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listette's review

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adventurous relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

An absolute delight!

After reading many heavier books, this felt like a breath of fresh air. The bond between Laurence and Temeraire, dragons in general, and the completely different take on historical fantasy, they all make this book a pleasure to read.

Women are scarce in this book but the few that are there are complete, fleshed out characters and not there just as tokens.

I’d love to read more about especially Emily Roland and Captain Harcouth.

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