Title: Tongues of Serpents
Author: Naomi Novik
First published July 13, 2010
274 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780345496898 (ISBN10: 0345496892)
Rating: 3.75
Overview
Naomi Novik returns with another thrilling adventure in Tongues of Serpents, the latest addition to the Temeraire series. Captain Will Laurence and his faithful dragon, Temeraire, have been convicted of treason and exiled to the prison colony of New South Wales in Australia.
With three dragon eggs in tow, their mission is to establish a covert in the colony, but they soon find themselves embroiled in a power struggle between the ousted governor, Captain Bligh, and the new masters of the colony. Desperate to escape the political turmoil, Laurence and Temeraire set out to explore the interior of Australia, but their plans are derailed when one of the dragon eggs is stolen.
As they race to recover it, they uncover a shocking discovery that could change the course of the war between Britain and Napoleon forever. With military history, fantasy, and adventure, Tongues of Serpents is a must-read for fans of the Temeraire series.
About the Author
Naomi Novik has loved reading fantasy books since she was six years old, and her first favorite was The Lord of the Rings. She’s also a fan of history, especially the Napoleonic era, and enjoys the works of Patrick O’Brian and Jane Austen.
Naomi attended Brown University, where she studied English literature, and later completed graduate studies in computer science at Columbia University. However, while working on the computer game Neverwinter Nights: Shadow of Undrentide in Edmonton, Canada, she realized her true passion was writing, and decided to pursue it further.
Now, Naomi lives in New York City with her husband and six computers. She’s the author of several novels and maintains a website at naominovik.com.
Despite the cold, wintry coat she brought back from Edmonton, she’s warmed by her love of writing, and continues to pursue her passion to this day.
Editoral Review
Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik takes readers on a thrilling journey through a world of dragons and magic. Novik is a well-known author, having written several best-selling novels, and this book is no exception.
Her writing style is engrossing and imaginative, and her ability to create believable worlds is unparalleled. The novel is set in an alternate world in which dragons roam the skies and play a major role in society.
The protagonist, William Laurence, is a captain in the British navy who is forced to leave his position after accidentally bonding with a rare and powerful dragon. William is sent to Australia with his dragon, Temeraire, where they are faced with a variety of challenges and are caught up in a dangerous mission that takes them into the depths of the continent.
The plot of the novel is tightly woven and full of surprises. Novik does an excellent job of balancing the action with the more introspective moments, and she is able to keep the reader engaged throughout.
The characters are all well-developed, and William and Temeraire make a fantastic duo. The setting of Australia is also interesting and adds another layer to the story.
One of the strengths of the book is Novik’s attention to detail. She goes to great lengths to research the historical context of her novels, and in this case, she does an excellent job of capturing the Australian landscape and its unique challenges.
Additionally, Novik addresses some important themes, such as colonialism and the treatment of indigenous people, which are particularly relevant in today’s world. However, the book does have a few weaknesses.
The pacing is sometimes uneven, and there are moments when the plot seems to drag. Additionally, the dialogue can be a bit stilted at times, which detracts from the overall reading experience.
Despite these minor issues, Tongues of Serpents is a fantastic read. It is recommended for fans of fantasy, historical fiction, and adventure novels.
Novik’s writing is top-notch, and her ability to create compelling characters and worlds is unmatched.
Overall, I would give Tongues of Serpents a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
While it is not without flaws, it is an excellent addition to the Temeraire series and a must-read for fans of the genre.
