That said, let’s look at what Novik does well. The real world is incredibly complicated, and every change an author introduces will ripple out in ways that are difficult to predict. In some writing circles, there’s a perception that this is easier than the kind of worldbuilding practiced by Tolkien or Lewis, but I assure you it isn’t. She’s not constructing an entire world from scratch but implementing how her speculative elements will affect her chosen time period. The Temeraire books are alternate-history fantasy, so Novik has a very different job than an author of high fantasy or space opera does. But what about the worldbuilding? Does it pass muster, or will it go down like a sinking French frigate? I’m a big fan of these books, especially the affectionate bond between protagonist Lawrence and his scrappy dragon companion, the titular Temeraire. That means flintlock muskets, ships of the line, great serpents sweeping the sky, and, of course, comedy based on upper-crust Georgian social etiquette. That’s right: Temeraire is a Napoleonic Wars story with dragons. Her setting doesn’t have a fancy name because it’s set on our very own Earth, circa early 19th century, with a few speculative elements thrown in. That’s why today we’re dissecting the worldbuilding in Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series. Her wonderful Temeraire is a dragon for the ages.We often think of worldbuilding in terms of creating entire new worlds from the ground up, but there are other options. 'Just when you think you've seen every variation possible on the dragon story, along comes Naomi Novik.

For as France's own dragon-borne forces rally to breach British soil in Bonaparte's boldest gambit, Laurence and Temeraire must soar into their own baptism of fire. Thrust into the rarified world of the Aerial Corps as master of the dragon Temeraire, he will face a crash course in the daring tactics of airborne battle. Will Laurence from his seafaring life into an uncertain future-and an unexpected kinship with a most extraordinary creature. When HMS Reliant captures a French frigate and seizes its precious cargo, an unhatched dragon egg, fate sweeps Capt. not aboard aircraft but atop the mighty backs of fighting dragons. 'A terrifically entertaining fantasy novel.'-Stephen KingĪerial combat brings a thrilling new dimension to the Napoleonic Wars as valiant warriors rise to Britain's defense by taking to the skies. In the first novel of the New York Times bestselling Temeraire series, a rare bond is formed between a young man and a dragon, and together they must battle in the Napoleonic Wars. Print His Majesty'S Dragon Book One Of The Temeraire

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