Book Review: Tongues of Serpents
Title: Tongues of Serpents
Author: Naomi Novik
Pages: 274
Summary:
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Convicted of treason despite their heroic defense against Napoleon’s invasion of England, Temeraire and Laurence-stripped of rank and standing-have been transported to the prison colony at New South Wales in distant Australia, where, it is hoped, they cannot further corrupt the British Aerial Corps with their dangerous notions of liberty for dragons. Temeraire and Laurence carry with them three dragon eggs intended to help establish a covert in the colony and destined to be handed over to such second-rate, undesirable officers as have been willing to accept so remote an assignment-including one former acquaintance, Captain Rankin, whose cruelty once cost a dragon its life.
Nor is this the greatest difficulty that confronts the exiled dragon and rider: Instead of leaving behind all the political entanglements and corruptions of the war, Laurence and Temeraire have instead sailed into a hornet’s nest of fresh complications. For the colony at New South Wales has been thrown into turmoil after the overthrow of the military governor, one William Bligh-better known as Captain Bligh, late of HMS Bounty. Bligh wastes no time in attempting to enlist Temeraire and Laurence to restore him to office, while the upstart masters of the colony are equally determined that the new arrivals should not upset a balance of power precariously tipped in their favor.
Eager to escape this political quagmire, Laurence and Temeraire take on a mission to find a way through the forbidding Blue Mountains and into the interior of Australia. But when one of the dragon eggs is stolen from Temeraire, the surveying expedition becomes a desperate race to recover it in time-a race that leads to a shocking discovery and a dangerous new obstacle in the global war between Britain and Napoleon.
What I thought:
There is a part of me, the remnant of my brief rebellious adolesence perhaps, that loves the not so subtle pokes Ms Novik takes at the British Empire. I hold a dim view on empires and the belief of superiority simply by virtue of birth, class or wealth and I know most people feel that way these days. For the majority of modern society the imperial, high minded, high handed ways of old are considered as barbaric as the societies of those days held the natives of the lands they sought (and in our world succeeded) to usurp.
As a result, I love the alternate world history Ms Novik paints of native societies having the means and will to resist western imperialism. I thoroughly enjoyed Empire of Ivory for just that reason. While Tongue of Serpents lacked the drama and excitement of its predecessor, I liked the reaffirmation that Australia's fate too would be different. That the Inca still fight on, still exist and that the Tswana are claiming their stolen generations. I love it.
I know it does not bode well for England and its empire and as Ms Novik draws further and further away from history with a little AU, and enters into true fantasy, I look forward to seeing her new world unfurl, history completely rewritten.
As for the narrative itself, it was not as exciting as previous books, and thankfully, not as heartbreaking. At least poor Laurence was not put through even more drama - just a simple chase and discovery. As a conclusion of a trilogy, I felt it lack punch. As the conclusion of the prelude books, preparing us for the drama and pizazz of future reading... well... it worked just fine.
My british roots still fly the Union Jack, but I also hope the world Novik paints continues to be as fair as dragons can make any society :)
Author: Naomi Novik
Pages: 274
Summary:
[Spoiler (click to open)]
Convicted of treason despite their heroic defense against Napoleon’s invasion of England, Temeraire and Laurence-stripped of rank and standing-have been transported to the prison colony at New South Wales in distant Australia, where, it is hoped, they cannot further corrupt the British Aerial Corps with their dangerous notions of liberty for dragons. Temeraire and Laurence carry with them three dragon eggs intended to help establish a covert in the colony and destined to be handed over to such second-rate, undesirable officers as have been willing to accept so remote an assignment-including one former acquaintance, Captain Rankin, whose cruelty once cost a dragon its life.
Nor is this the greatest difficulty that confronts the exiled dragon and rider: Instead of leaving behind all the political entanglements and corruptions of the war, Laurence and Temeraire have instead sailed into a hornet’s nest of fresh complications. For the colony at New South Wales has been thrown into turmoil after the overthrow of the military governor, one William Bligh-better known as Captain Bligh, late of HMS Bounty. Bligh wastes no time in attempting to enlist Temeraire and Laurence to restore him to office, while the upstart masters of the colony are equally determined that the new arrivals should not upset a balance of power precariously tipped in their favor.
Eager to escape this political quagmire, Laurence and Temeraire take on a mission to find a way through the forbidding Blue Mountains and into the interior of Australia. But when one of the dragon eggs is stolen from Temeraire, the surveying expedition becomes a desperate race to recover it in time-a race that leads to a shocking discovery and a dangerous new obstacle in the global war between Britain and Napoleon.
What I thought:
There is a part of me, the remnant of my brief rebellious adolesence perhaps, that loves the not so subtle pokes Ms Novik takes at the British Empire. I hold a dim view on empires and the belief of superiority simply by virtue of birth, class or wealth and I know most people feel that way these days. For the majority of modern society the imperial, high minded, high handed ways of old are considered as barbaric as the societies of those days held the natives of the lands they sought (and in our world succeeded) to usurp.
As a result, I love the alternate world history Ms Novik paints of native societies having the means and will to resist western imperialism. I thoroughly enjoyed Empire of Ivory for just that reason. While Tongue of Serpents lacked the drama and excitement of its predecessor, I liked the reaffirmation that Australia's fate too would be different. That the Inca still fight on, still exist and that the Tswana are claiming their stolen generations. I love it.
I know it does not bode well for England and its empire and as Ms Novik draws further and further away from history with a little AU, and enters into true fantasy, I look forward to seeing her new world unfurl, history completely rewritten.
As for the narrative itself, it was not as exciting as previous books, and thankfully, not as heartbreaking. At least poor Laurence was not put through even more drama - just a simple chase and discovery. As a conclusion of a trilogy, I felt it lack punch. As the conclusion of the prelude books, preparing us for the drama and pizazz of future reading... well... it worked just fine.
My british roots still fly the Union Jack, but I also hope the world Novik paints continues to be as fair as dragons can make any society :)