Imagine how world history might have changed if aerial combat had been forge in the early 19th century — by troops deployed on the backbone of dragons . That ’s the premise of Naomi Novik ’s popular Temeraire series , where the Napoleonic Wars are fought in part with dragons and the balance of superpower is incessantly changed .
melting pot of Gold is the 7th novel in the serial , and it takes us deep into the alternate history of South America . The setting is incredible , and Novik ’s style has produce even more delightfully anachronic . And once again the action go far beyond conflict between the British and the French ; in the end , this novel is as much about political relations between Europe , Africa , and even China as it is a novel of war .
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We begin in Australia , where Laurence and Temeraire have settled after their expulsion from the Aerial Corps . The unctuous diplomat Hammond , whom they first met in China , has come to Australia to provide Laurence his Captaincy back if he ’ll agree to aid Britain in a heroic charge to Brazil . Their hope is to keep Napoleon from gaining more ally among the neat empires of South America — and to negotiate with the Tswana , an African commonwealth that Napoleon has aided in a quest to bring their enslave brethren back home from Brazil .
We ’ve got the kind of complex political brew that Novik loves to explore here , and she ’s in top shape when our crew first come in Inca - insure territory . We ’re treat to an substitute story where Cuzco never return , and Pizarro see ignominious defeat at the pincer of the Inca firedrake . Basically this is heroin for substitute history buffs , and you may anticipate to be awe and amused by turns .
Once the literal battle lines are drawn , however , the novel begins to feel more mechanically skillful than joyful . Crucible of Gold tender minuscule compelling human drama , nor dragon drama , despite several chance . There are startling romanticist revealing , budding love story between humans ( and dragon ) , but nothing about them feels compelling or vital . The same goes for the characters we ’d expect to find person - charring wrath for each other . Laurence has become practically an automaton , whose look extend to honour and pity but little more .
Though it lacks emotional ponderousness , the novel is still a merriment escapade , full of whimsical touches and compelling worldbuilding . If you ’re already a Temeraire fan , this will be a welcome goody . If you ’re Modern to Novik ’s serial , however , you ’d do best to bulge with her first book , His Majesty ’s Dragon . Crucible of Gold emphatically requires reader to know the backstory on a mickle of returning character . permit ’s hope that in Novik ’s next Holy Writ , these role will be hand full - fledged worked up lives again .
example byDaniel Govar
Christian Bible reviewBooksNaomi Novik
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