It makes no sense that I'm reading now and not telling anyone what I think about the book I'm reading.

I finished "Temeraire - Book 3: Black Power War" by Naomi Novik. Now I never really got around to reviewing book 1 and 2 ("His Magesty's Dragon" and "Throne of Jade"), but you'll have to live with that and read the books on your own. All you need to know: Napoleon era war with dragons, stuff in China as well, big black dragon named Temeraire and his captain, Laurence traveling around.

Book 3, Black Powder War starts off in China and Temeraire and Laurence have to get back to England from their side quest (ie, book 2), to continue fighting against Napoleon for the king. However, before they can make that B-line, they're given a letter out of random to pick up some dragon eggs from the Ottoman empire... If you're not into history nor geography, we're talking south of Europe in hot weather with turbans.

Sure this may not sound all that interesting in the review, but they're traveling around a lot in a huge war that's covering most of that area of the world. There's also a very pissed white dragon after them named Lien, who's absolutely bent on ruining Temeraire's life as well as basically eating Laurence; she's a prick. Stuff happens in this book!

Now assuming you haven't read anything of the series, Naomi writes quite differently than anything I've read before. Starting in book 1, she uses semi-colons like she's making up for every author that isn't. After this she knows what she's talking about historically, so I had to go through a small transition to get comfortable reading and understanding mutually. I mean, she uses ship terms I have no clue over and talks about how people lived back then (outside of the dragon thing) like it's happening in every day life. When she moves away from Europe and explores other regions of the continent, her historical stuff is a little patchy, but it works with how she writes.

Back to Black Powder War: outside of the traveling and excitement that happens throughout the book, there is a terrible amount of 'Hurry up and wait" going on. So every time the characters stop and are stuck in a location or situation (ie, "We're stuck in a covert surrounded by French armies that want to beat us up. Let's sit here for months and negotiate with them.") I have a hard time keeping my attention and take many breaks. In large contrast, when stuff does happen I am stuck reading the book for long stretches with intense interest and thought of what may happen next. So it's at least a decent balance.

If you like dragons, want to try something outside of "Fantasy Dungeons & Dragons", and want an author you can be assured writes with competency, this is definitely a series to pick up. I was amazed by book 1, book 2 I picked up after suffering through "The Eldest" [Eragon book 2] and found to be the godly shine of light I was looking for, and book 3 I'm at odds with. Maybe book 4, "Empire of Ivory" will solve my minor questions and disputes about book 3.