It is here that the politics really get shoved in my face and it makes it rather boring. The battles here are very dull with conflicting messages and old strategies. Laurence and Temeraire are roped into the Prussian army against the oncoming French. This, despite its location mostly being confined to one place, makes it the most interesting, especially as this is where some fire breathing dragons come to light. It is also where two of the conflicts reach a head, and the truth of Lien’s revenge comes to light. The second part sees them trapped in the Sultan’s palace and trying to solve the mystery of why the eggs will not be given, leading to Laurence and the reader trying to solve said case. It also sets up Laurence’s inner conflict, the mystery surrounding the state of the Aerial Corps at home and Tharkay, who disappears without warning but is very helpful, causing a wealth of suspicion. The first part sees them make their journey to Istanbul and has the usual excitement I have come to expect from Novik: sandstorms, bandits, rogue feral dragons and miscommunication. Unlike other books in the series, the three parts feel more like three different episodes of a TV series.
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