Victory of Eagles

by Naomi Novik

Book Overview

From the New York Times bestselling author of A Deadly Education comes the fifth volume of the Temeraire series, as Will Laurence and Temeraire struggle to reunite and face the Napoleonic army on London's doorstep.

"A story about friendship that transcends not only time and class, but species."--NPR

For Britain, conditions are grim: Napoleon's resurgent forces have breached the Channel and successfully invaded...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345512251
• ISBN13: 9780345512253
• Release Date: May 2009
• Publisher: Del Rey Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 4.1" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Napoleon Invades England: Yet Another Great Historical Fantasy from Novik

In "Victory of Eagles", popular historical fantasy author Naomi Novik offers what may be the best installment so far in her "Temeraire" series of novels which brilliantly re-imagine the Napoleonic wars as one fought on both sides by men and dragons. It is a grim time for Great Britain; Napoleon's forces have successfully stormed ashore and have occupied London. Captain Will Laurence of the Aerial Corps has been condemned to death for treason, having given Napoleon's dragons a cure that he and his ever-faithful companion, Temeraire, found in a remote corner of Southern Africa. Given one last chance at potential redemption, Laurence leads a ragtag dragon force against Napoleon's forces, staging hit and run attacks on French soldiers and dragons throughout much of the surrounding countryside near London. Once more Novik offers characters as memorable as those I have read in the late Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey and Maturin series of Napoleonic naval novels, with elegant prose often rivaling that of O'Brian, who was indeed one of the finest stylists of English prose. For both diehard fans of "Temeraire" and those new to this series, this novel is an excellent addition to a now classic historical fantasy saga.

A rewarding adventure

Victory of Eagles (Temeraire book 5) continues a very satisfying experience. I have a great love of the Napoleonic era of Wooden Ships and Iron Men as well as the great struggles of Europe during that period. Naomi Novaik manages to weave historical details into her fun romp through a world that included Dragons. The Dragon's perspective on human affairs is enlightening and sometimes very humerous. :)Thanks for the fun Naomi.

Sober Heroism and Quiet Companionship in Dark and Desperate Times

"True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost." --Arthur Ashe EMPIRE OF IVORY was a grand exploration adventure to a strange civilization on a mysterious continent. I missed seeing Lawrence and Temeraire within the milieu of the armed services battling against Napoleon, however. This book returns them to all that with a vengeance. We last saw our heroes finding a cure for the dragon plague, but then having to choose to do what should be the right thing over Lawrence's oath to his service and his country. Lawrence insists on returning to face dishonor and death --or a postponed death while he's held hostage for Temeraire's good behavior, since the country still wishes to keep the rare Celestial dragon. Temeraire is relegated to the very boring, for him, breeding grounds in Wales. Lawrence is kept prisoner aboard ship, where he is able to see when Napoleon launches his invasion of England. This disaster overshadows, at least a bit, the crime of Lawrence and Temeraire. He is still a condemned traitor (at a time when hanging, drawing and quartering was still technically in effect for that capital crime), a disgrace to his family and friends and all he served with, and drummed from the service, but now there is some more immediate need for Temeraire. Lawrence is ordered to go and retrieve Temeraire for active service. This is not a happy time for Lawrence. He's for all intents and purposes a broken man, save for his desire to keep Temeraire alive and, if not happy, at least not grieving for him before it becomes impossible to avoid. Lawrence has to deal with the fact that doing the right thing can have dark consequences. For Temeraire, it is all so much simpler (or relatively so. Temeraire is complex for a dragon, as most just want to be kept fed. Temeraire wants rights for dragons. And he wants Lawrence back, no matter what. Lawrence, however glad he is to be back with Temeraire, carries a load of guilt for what he has done, right or not. Napoleon would not have been able to invade but for his actions. And in the meantime, Napoleon is heading for London, his troops and his dragons strong and organized. The British government and its military are in shock and disarray, the countryside is raided for the supply of the French: very dark and desperate times, indeed. The action is intense and fast-paced, between small skirmishes and full-scale battles. The suspense and tension is unrelenting, with physical danger threatening as well as the uncertain fate of Lawrence and Temeraire. The focus is concentrated on Lawrence and Temeraire and the invasion of England. The quiet despair of Lawrence, who keeps fighting because of his love of country and Temeraire, is poignant and evocative. His struggle with his conscious and the consequences of his action is deeply moving and thought-provoking. I was touched by Lawrence'

Best in the series since the the first

Victory of Eagles was everything that I would want in this series. Nonstop action, daring rescues, political bluster, and a sad, though necessary conclusion. I thought it was better than any in the series except for the first. Instead of long adventures to far overseas places with copious world-building, we are in merry old, familiar Britain which is threatened by Napoleon's tyranny. A wonderful read, hopefully not the end to this terrific series.

one of the best books in the series

I was disappointed in the predecessor to this book (Empire of Ivory), so I was wary when I began this book. Not to worry. Novik has regained her stride in telling Temeraire's story. The engaging characters are still there, with the intriguing backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars in an alternate history. Both Temeraire and Laurence develop and change in this book (I liked that), and Novik introduces more new characters, mostly draconic, for readers to meet, like, and love. For readers who want action, there's lots of it, as Temeraire and Laurence resist Napoleon's latest incursion on England and encounter the day-to-day challenges of war. As with the previous books, Novik shows a solid grasp of history, and the book has undercurrents about the morality of war and its costs, and the right to justice and freedom for all citizens. Not heavy-duty, but the themes are there if you care to examine them. Novik lightens these hard questions with a sly humor as Temeraire rises in the world of men-- a welcome touch. Overall, an enjoyable, good read, and a thought-provoking one as well. Along with the first Temeraire book, one of my favorite books in the series.