In the grand tradition of odd-numbered books being awesome, and even-numbered books being just sorta okay, Crucible of Gold was great! Tharkay was sorely missed, of course (was I the only one who expected him to just show up at the Inca court?), as was Jane, Perscitia, Gentius, etc., but overall, I loved it. Granby was a good mix of comedy and tragedy, and his long-awaited verbal smackdown of Iskierka was cathartic, and Iskierka the diplomat was hilariously awful. I'm glad Naomi waited for Granby coming out to be an actual plot point, and I like how in-character Laurence's reaction is: like pretty much everything else to do with the aviators he seems more perplexed and embarrassed, albeit fondly so, than anything else. I tend to like poor, flaily Hammond, so Churki taking such a shine to him, to the point that she was willing to leave her homeland and risk her life for him, was really sweet, especially because I'm pretty sure that inspiring that level of loyalty (or, in fact, any loyalty at all) is kind of an new thing for him.
The fact that England is now shown to be pretty much the only world power that treats their dragons like, well, animals, instead of citizens, is interesting, especially as it re-tests Laurence's allegiance. They're given equal standing with humans, if not outright revered, by the Chinese, Tswana, and Inca, and even big bad Napoleon and Lien have made huge strides in draconic sufferage, so I hope that Temeraire and/or Laurence get to confront the Admiralty or someone else in the British power structure about it at some point.
There were a couple of things that I didn't quite get, though. We know that Granby lost his hand, but how much of his arm did he lose with it? A hook probably wouldn't be much use without a forearm to attach it to, but from the descriptions, his forearm was in a pretty bad way, too. My guess is that, because hands are so much more delicate than arms, skeletally speaking, the forearm could probably be saved, but, hey, I'm not a doctor. Also, Granby/Little: past or present? I read it as them being amiable exes who had a relationship at some point in the past but realized they work better as friends(which is totally not because I ship Granby/Laurence and Chenery/Little. Nope, not at all.), and Laurence being his usual, flustered, hypersensitive self, but this is another rather ambivalent area.
I think you're right about Granby's arm; he couldn't really wear a hook unless he had at least some of his forearm left. So, I'd guess they amputated somewhere close to the wrist. (That's how I read it, anyway.)
Crucible of Gold was seriously the best Temeraire book in a while, IMO. I read it so fast! XD And now it's going to be torture waiting for the next one. (Two years or so, if she keeps to her usual frequency.)
The fact that England is now shown to be pretty much the only world power that treats their dragons like, well, animals, instead of citizens, is interesting, especially as it re-tests Laurence's allegiance.
I hadn't thought of it that way, but you're right (at least with the countries that we've seen so far). It'll be interesting to see if it prompts any change of allegiance with the various lifelong aviators as well. Laurence has always thought a little differently, but the ones who have been raised in the Corps may have a harder time making up their minds on the issue. I'm thinking mainly of Granby I suppose, but Roland, etc, as well.
Also, Granby/Little: past or present?
Either way they're pretty comfortable around each other (or were in this book). I loved how Little went to sit next to Granby, and poor Laurence had to pretend there was nothing happening. :D
I loved how Little went to sit next to Granby, and poor Laurence had to pretend there was nothing happening. :D This was probably my favorite funny moment in the whole book! I loved how he was all "LALALALALA I DON'T SEE ANYTHING LALALALALA" XD
It was towards the end, when the rest of Lily's wing showed up, after Granby had lost his hand. I think it was just before Laurence told Harcourt about Riley's death? It was sometime between the rest of them showing up and the last battle, anyway
Lol, glad I'm not the only one who's noticed the pattern of odd-numbered awesome books and the even-numbered okay books! But hopefully that won't continue with book 8, with the way this one ended (no more ~long voyage books~, please, Ms. Novik!)
And I ship pretty much any variation of Granby/Laurence/Tharkay, so it all worked out for me (except, you know, THARKAY'S ABSENCE and all...). I do find Granby/Little sweet, though.
The fact that England is now shown to be pretty much the only world power that treats their dragons like, well, animals, instead of citizens, is interesting, especially as it re-tests Laurence's allegiance. They're given equal standing with humans, if not outright revered, by the Chinese, Tswana, and Inca, and even big bad Napoleon and Lien have made huge strides in draconic sufferage, so I hope that Temeraire and/or Laurence get to confront the Admiralty or someone else in the British power structure about it at some point.
There were a couple of things that I didn't quite get, though. We know that Granby lost his hand, but how much of his arm did he lose with it? A hook probably wouldn't be much use without a forearm to attach it to, but from the descriptions, his forearm was in a pretty bad way, too. My guess is that, because hands are so much more delicate than arms, skeletally speaking, the forearm could probably be saved, but, hey, I'm not a doctor. Also, Granby/Little: past or present? I read it as them being amiable exes who had a relationship at some point in the past but realized they work better as friends(which is totally not because I ship Granby/Laurence and Chenery/Little. Nope, not at all.), and Laurence being his usual, flustered, hypersensitive self, but this is another rather ambivalent area.
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I think you're right about Granby's arm; he couldn't really wear a hook unless he had at least some of his forearm left. So, I'd guess they amputated somewhere close to the wrist. (That's how I read it, anyway.)
Crucible of Gold was seriously the best Temeraire book in a while, IMO. I read it so fast! XD And now it's going to be torture waiting for the next one. (Two years or so, if she keeps to her usual frequency.)
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I hadn't thought of it that way, but you're right (at least with the countries that we've seen so far). It'll be interesting to see if it prompts any change of allegiance with the various lifelong aviators as well. Laurence has always thought a little differently, but the ones who have been raised in the Corps may have a harder time making up their minds on the issue. I'm thinking mainly of Granby I suppose, but Roland, etc, as well.
Also, Granby/Little: past or present?
Either way they're pretty comfortable around each other (or were in this book). I loved how Little went to sit next to Granby, and poor Laurence had to pretend there was nothing happening. :D
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This was probably my favorite funny moment in the whole book! I loved how he was all "LALALALALA I DON'T SEE ANYTHING LALALALALA" XD
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And I ship pretty much any variation of Granby/Laurence/Tharkay, so it all worked out for me (except, you know, THARKAY'S ABSENCE and all...). I do find Granby/Little sweet, though.
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