History takes flight in the third book of Naomi Novik's deliciously addictive Temeraire series which captures the Napoleonic period and skillfully layers historical events with imagination by adding a Dragon Air Force to the battle for England. With the Chinese threat neatly dissolved, Temeraire is free to return to Britain and continue to help his friends defend their country. But before they board the ship, Laurence -- now a member of the Chinese Imperial family by adoption -- recieves orders from the British Air Corps that he and Temeraire are not to sail with the British forces.

Instead they must take the shorter route to rendevous by the English Channel, and stopping in Istanbul to collect three dragon eggs which the government have purchased at great expense from the Turkish. But the overland flight is fraught with danger. They will have to scale mountains and cross deserts, evade Napoleon's aggressive infantry and hide from unpredictable feral dragons. And even before they leave, they discover that Lien has left China before them, intent upon revenge. She wants to destroy Temeraire by stripping him of all that he holds dear, and being a celestial dragon, she has the power and intelligence to carry out her terrible threat.

Reviews for the Temeraire series

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

“Enthralling reading–it’s like Jane Austen playing Dungeons & Dragons with Eragon’s Christopher Paolini.”–Time

'Novik won me over with her first novel, the combination of military history, sympathetic characters, and engaging style makes this series great, intelligent fun' The Times

“So realistic that it drowns disbelief . . . first-class in every respect.”–Booklist (starred review)

“A gripping adventure full of rich detail and the impossible wonder of gilded fantasy.”- Entertainment Weekly

'Plenty of intrigue, swordplay, exotic locations, plausible invention. In short a treat' Telegraph

“A thrilling fantasy . . . All hail Naomi Novik.”–The Washington Post Book World

Author Biography

Naomi Novik is the acclaimed author of His Majesty’s Dragon, Throne of Jade, Black Powder War, and Empire of Ivory, the first four volumes of the Temeraire series, recently optioned by Peter Jackson, the Academy Award-winning director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. A history buff with a particular interest in the Napoleonic era, Novik studied English literature at Brown University, then did graduate work in computer science at Columbia University before leaving to participate in the design and development of the computer game Neverwinter Nights: Shadows of Undrentide. Novik lives in New York City with her husband and six computers.