For those that don't know, this is the seventh in a series with an alternate history of the Napoleonic Wars featuring fighting dragons. I thought the book before this one in the series, Tongues of Serpents, had been the weakest thus far, and feared it might signal the series had jumped the shark. Happily, I'd say that with this book Novik is back on form. There were no dull spots in this one, where we're taken to the land of the Incas and get a look at yet another variation on a draconic society very different than that of Europe. There was plenty of high adventure and humor that makes this series at its best so fun. Temeraire is just a joy to read with his very alien, very draconic point of view on the world around him. In past books I found Iskierka rather annoying--yet this time she amused me I have to admit, and I found her a welcome part of the story--for reasons that used to exasperate me. She's very much a character that's unpredictable and brings surprises into the plot.
I wouldn't say this is quite the favorite of the first two books. At one point His Majesty's Dragon moved me to tears, and Throne of Jade amazed me by going in directions I didn't expect. And it's not a game-changer like the middle books Empire of Ivory and Victory of Eagles. I also have to agree this book does nothing for Temeraire's or Laurence's character arcs nor does it much advance the overall plot of the series. But while admitting this doesn't quite clear the high bar those first five books set, this was entirely entertaining from beginning to end.
