Black Powder War cover art

Black Powder War

The Temeraire Series, Book 3

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Black Powder War

By: Naomi Novik
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

Naomi Novik’s stunning series of novels follow the global adventures of Captain William Laurence and his fighting dragon Temeraire as they are thrown together to fight for Britain during the turbulent time of the Napoleonic Wars.

British flyer Will Laurence and his extraordinary Celestial dragon, Temeraire, gratefully anticipate their voyage home from China. But before they set sail, they are waylaid by urgent new orders. The British Government, having purchased three valuable dragon eggs from the Ottoman Empire – one of a rare fire-breathing Kazilik dragon, one of the most deadly breeds in existence – now require Laurence and Temeraire to make a more perilous overland journey instead, stopping off in Istanbul to collect and escort the precious cargo back to England.

And time is of the essence if the eggs are to hatch upon British shores.

A cross-continental expedition is a daunting prospect, fraught with countless dangers. The small party must be prepared to travel the treacherous Silk Road: navigating frigid mountain passes and crossing sterile deserts to evade feral dragon attacks and Napoleon's aggressive infantry.

Barely surviving the poisonous intrigue of the Ottoman Court, the small British party's journey home is delayed once more. The Prussians muster their forces before them, barring their way, and Laurence and Temeraire become swept up in the battle against Bonaparte – trapped by politics as they learn that the British had promised to send their allies aid – but help is months overdue.

The crew will also face unexpected menace, for a Machiavellian herald precedes them, spreading political poison in her wake. Lien, the white celestial dragon, absconded from the Chinese Imperial Court shortly after the humiliating death of her beloved princely companion. Fervently believing Temeraire to be the architect of her anguish, she has vowed to ally herself with his greatest enemy in order to exact a full and painful revenge upon everything and everyone the black dragon holds dear.

©2019 Naomi Novik (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers
Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Science Fiction War & Military Military Imperialism War Ottoman Empire Dragons China

Critic Reviews

"Novik won me over with her first novel. the combination of history, sympathetic characters, and an engaging style makes this series great, intelligent fun." (The Times)

"Plenty of intrigue, swordplay, exotic locations, plausible invention. In short a treat." (The Telegraph)

"These are beautifully written novels, not only fresh, original and fast-paced, but full of wonderful characters with real heart." (Peter Jackson)

All stars
Most relevant  
Well I’m appreciating these novels for what they are, this particular one was long winded. All the storyline sets in place a lot of things which you can see are going to happen down the track, many scenes are particularly drawn out for no good reason.

Long winded

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struggle through the first while. it gets better I swear. it's a great little story ark

good end

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I feel so attached to these characters, novik created and vance brought to life. I particularly love the voice he created for temeraire and the fierce equality novik imbued him with. I'm up to the last book now and i think I'll have to start the whole series again, its awesome

excitement humor dragons this series has it all

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as with the second book this was drawn out and a bit tedious in places but still thoroughly enjoyable. the little dragonette once hatched was hilarious.

drawn out but enjoyable

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The British Government, having purchased three valuable dragon eggs from the Ottoman Empire – one of a rare fire-breathing Kazilik dragon, one of the most deadly breeds in existence – now require Laurence and Temeraire to make a more perilous overland to stop in Istanbul. Similar to book 2 this was a bit slower and we get bogged down in the Prussian War, but the book is perfect for lovers of both fantasy and historical fiction.

bogged down

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