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    Victory of Eagles
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    Victory of Eagles
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    Victory of Eagles
    Audiobook10 hours

    Victory of Eagles

    Written by Naomi Novik

    Narrated by Simon Vance

    4/5

    ()

    Unavailable in your country

    Unavailable in your country

    About this audiobook

    The fifth adventure of Captain William Laurence and his extraordinary fighting dragon, Temeraire, as they travel from the shores of Britain to China and Africa.

    Laurence and Temeraire have betrayed the British. They have foiled their attempts to inflict death upon the French dragons by sharing the cure they found in Africa with their enemy.

    But following their conscience has a price. Laurence feels he must return to face the consequences, and as soon as they land they are taken into custody. Laurence is condemned to the gallows and Temeraire faces a life of captivity in the breeding grounds. None of their friends or allies can come to their aid, for every hand is needed elsewhere.

    Britain is completely unprepared for Bonaparte invasion and the advanced tactics of his own celestial dragon – Temeraire's mortal enemy – Lien.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins Publishers
    Release dateApr 4, 2019
    ISBN9780008338916
    Unavailable
    Victory of Eagles
    Author

    Naomi Novik

    Naomi Novik was born in New York in 1973, a first-generation American, and raised on Polish fairy tales, Baba Yaga, and Tolkien. She studied English Literature at Brown University and Computer Science at Columbia University before leaving to work in the games industry. She soon realized she preferred the writing to the programming, and decided to try her hand at novels. Temeraire was her first.Naomi lives in New York City with her husband and six computers.

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    Reviews for Victory of Eagles

    4/5

    829 ratings55 reviews

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    • 4/5
      This was a great addition to the series. The dust cover makes it out to seem like Laurence and Temeraire are separated from each other for the majority of the book but they actually reunite pretty early on. The rest is their reconciliation with what they did at the end of the last book, which has tarred both of their reputations and livelihoods and good old war. There are some good battle scenes in here. I felt that Temeraire got a much bigger spotlight in this book as well and he shined. The language is different than any other book that I've read but you get used to it and it factors into making the books what they are - something wholly different. Refreshing and great. And it is humorous following dragon logic. If you like dragons or/and historical fiction I would highly recommend this series.
    • 5/5
      Now I‘ve read all the Temeraire books in Novik‘s wonderful, wonderful series. At the beginning Laurence is being held on a ship that the French bring down around him. Temeraire is pining away for him, bored out of his mind, in the breeding grounds in Wales. The French invade England. Temeraire and all the dragons in the breeding ground leave, to fight for England. They don't need captains to order them; they have Temeraire! Temeraire believes Laurence is dead. Tharkay, their half- English half- Chinese guide out of China, drafted into the Corps, finds him. Reunited, Temeraire and Laurence are happy. Only, Laurence is still a traitor. He‘s assigned to Temeraire, but he has been stripped of his rank. He mopes. Lords, officers of the Corps, officers of the Navy, his family treat him shabbily. Wellesley, not yet Wellington, there will be no Waterloo, Belgium fell two books ago, orders Laurence and ten deadly dragons to harry and kill the French who are scavenging the English countryside to feed themselves, their fellows and their dragons. Then there is the huge Battle of Shoeburyness, where the English are finally victorious and send Napoleon back to Paris. Many French dragons and soldiers died, but Lien lives. At the end of the book, Laurence and Temeraire are again aboard the Allegiance, this time Laurence as a prisoner. He is headed for Australia, for everyone fears she would sow Civil War in England. What will they do to Australia?
    • 4/5
      The Temeraire books get progressively more excellent. This is the best yet!
    • 4/5
      Took me a while to really dig into, but I took a month or so off from the series at what seemed like a natural stopping point. The plot is as interesting as ever, I like how they don't shy away from Laurence and Temeraire's decision at the end of Book 4, but the pacing and narration seemed a bit off. Normally I always feel like Novik is guiding me by the hand through an incredible world, this time I felt like she rushed ahead and I had to jog to keep up.
    • 4/5
      this book is better than the others before, i really liked it
    • 4/5
      As addictive and exciting as ever. This is turning out to be a super fantasy series.
    • 4/5
      Whoo-ee! Napoleon invades England for real. And no one is prepared. Laurence has been imprisoned as a traitor and Temeraire has been left at the breeding grounds. Lots happens here.
    • 4/5
      Another great audiobook narrated by Simon Vance in the alternative history fantasy series about dragons fighting in the Napoleonic wars. I love this series and I especially like listening to them. It reminds me of when I was young and we listened to serials on the radio. I would have my own vision of the story and the characters which I missed once TV came into our lives.In this episode Temeraire and Lawrence are separated because Lawrence was convicted of treason for taking the plague cure to France so their dragons would not die. Temeraire is in the dragon breeding ground in Wales and Lawrence is a prisoner on a ship in the English channel with a death sentence hanging over his head. Napoleon chooses this time to try to invade England and the ship Lawrence is on takes part in the battle. Temeraire is told that the ship went down with no survivors. In his grief he decides to break out of the breeding ground with all the other dragons and fight Napoleon as unmanned dragons. Lawrence and Temeraire are reunited and Temeraire is delighted to have Lawrence back but he senses Lawrence is deeply unhappy. It slowly dawns on Temeraire how the treason sentence has affected Lawrence even if he can get the death sentence abrogated. Lawrence and Temeraire are significant combatants in the battle with Napoleon which results in Bonaparte being ousted from England. Nevertheless Lawrence is persona non grata in England. At the end of the book he and Temeraire are on their way to Australia.In our history, of course, Napoleon never set foot on English soil but there are parallels between this alternative history and ours. Horatio Lord Nelson dies at the end of the battle with Napoleon just as he died at the end of the Battle of Trafalgar although his navy was sufficient to vanquish the French forces. The commander of the British forces in this book was Arthur Wellesley was made Lord Wellington after the battle with Napoleon just as he did in real life after the battle of Talavera in Spain.Thankfully there are still more books in this series but I may have to read them because the library's electronic media site doesn't have them in its catalogue. That's a shame.
    • 4/5
      The events of the series continue to diverge from real history (the book opens with French dragons leading Napoleon’s invasion fleet across the English Channel), before converging to something a bit more like it (a general gets his title and an admiral is killed, though the details are very different, and naturally the war with France looks quite different).

      The main character spends much of the book trying to come to terms with the moral and legal consequences of his actions at the end of the previous book in the series. I haven’t decided if there’s much substance to this part of the book, but at least appreciate the attempt to paint in shades of grey.
    • 4/5
      I really enjoyed this! --- spoilers ---

      Where Empire of Ivory suffers major pacing problems, Victory of Eagles hurtles along into an exciting series of battles and wonderful growth of the various dragons as individuals. The description of the setting and the world around the characters seemed much more vibrant to me in this book, too. I wish I'd been more convinced by Laurence's mopeyness, and the Tharkay-ex-machina is a trope I'd love Novik to stay far, far away from, but the payoff of this volume makes slogging through Empire of Ivory more than worth it.

      Next up (after Novik's hiatus -- and how anyone can crank out five novels so quickly is beyond me) are the Antipodes! I'm excited!
    • 4/5
      I continue to find this series interesting, captivating, intelligent and fun. This one was, perhaps, a little less fun than its precursors in some ways - the overall tone is fairly dark - but still very enjoyable, and Novik manages to lighten the tone with the bits of comic relief drawn from things like the sometimes fickle and vain or lazy personalities of the dragons.
    • 4/5
      More fun-with-dragons, but I prefer less politics in my fantasy.
    • 4/5
      Commendably solid for a fifth book in an ongoing series. This one shows us a slightly fractured relationship between lead dragon and lead man, as Laurence mulls over the repercussions of his conscience-based actions at the end of Book 4, and Temeraire has to think about some consequences of his own. We also some meet some fairly awesome new dragons (I loved the clever and persnickety Perscitia), there's an interesting focus on the logistics of war (particularly dragon-supported war!), and a fantastic land/sea/air battle against Napoleon's forces to cap it all off. (Pity that my edition was marred by so man typos, but oh well).
    • 2/5
      Try as I might, I just couldn't get into this. I think I've mentioned in reviews of the previous books that my two favorite things about this series is 1) the dynamics in the relationship between Laurence and his dragon Temeraire, and 2) the fact that they two of them get to travel and adventure in such exotic places. Ironically, all that stuff with the war against Napoleon and the French, I can take or leave. Which makes me wonder if I might be reading the Temeraire series for all the wrong reasons.No one gets to take a trip to China or Africa or anywhere so exciting this time around. The story takes place back in Europe, back to the Napoleonic War side of things, which I suppose is the raison d'etre for all the characters if you think about it. And yet, I just found it all so dreadfully boring, and actually struggled to make myself get through the book. Granted, that was one hell of an epic battle at the end, but I'll still take the adventures in faraway places over all the tedious war planning and aerial dragon fighting scenes any day.There were a few highlights, nonetheless. I was itching to find out what had happened to Laurence after the unfortunate events of the last book when he was imprisoned and tried for treason. I was glad to see that thread in the story resulted in the first real source of strain between Lawrence and Temeraire. I'd really wanted to see a wrench thrown into that partnership for a long time, and if that makes me a terrible person, so be it; things were getting way too cushy between them lately and their interactions were getting stale. I just wanted to see something interesting happen in their friendship again.Unfortunately, the high points were also dampened by things that disappointed me. Why, for instance, does Laurence seem to be the only one in the entire military with even a shred of morality or conscience to do the right thing? It just feels strange, considering there are all these people in the Aerial Corps, most of whom should understand the love for dragons or at least understand why Laurence felt he had to do what he did.Then there was the matter of Temeraire and his cause to champion more rights and better living conditions for dragons. He makes headway in this book, but also has to learn that gaining more rank and standing in the military also means accepting all the rules and disciplinary actions that come along with it. But gosh, he is just so, so naive. We've been repeatedly told that Temeraire is extraordinarily intelligent for a dragon, and yet so many of his thoughts and his actions in this book show otherwise.My thoughts on the subject of the war and fighting notwithstanding, this installment just felt a lot weaker than the previous novels, with a lot of the things making up the story and characters unraveling and falling apart. Hopefully next book will pick up again.
    • 4/5
      Loved it as much or more as the earlier books, but it is rather grimmer than the first couple. Plenty of deaths and grim war, though this is set during this world's equivalent of Waterloo; plenty of cynicism with officialdom, though Wellington comes out slightly less tarnished than Nelson.

      Lots and lots of Temeraire being clever-but-not-human, which is pretty cool; and other dragons also being as clever as him, which is good.
    • 4/5
      Another great entry in the series--maybe not quite as fun as the last one since it's all set in England, without the exotic locations and all.
      There's kind of a lot of stuff about military strategy and supply lines, but I liked that because it was realistic. If you have these huge animals fighting with you, obviously you're going to have to feed them. A lot.
    • 4/5
      a return to form. set in England, with Napoleon invading. Temeraire learns politics, and Lawrence does penance. the dragon characters have more distinct personalities and conversation than the homo saps, which is amusing, there are a lot of epiphanies and even seachanges as their situation and their thinking propels rapid change in the field of war.
    • 4/5
      Victory of Eagles, fifth in Naomi Novik’s Temeraire series, finds both England and William Laurence in dire straits. Laurence has been condemned to death for treason (supplying the French with the cure to the fatal dragon epidemic deliberately spread to them by the British). But it isn’t so simple to execute a traitor when that traitor is an aviator whose dragon will wreak havoc upon his captain’s demise. And so Laurence is a sort of limbo prison, while Temeraire is exiled to the breeding grounds, his good behavior surety for Laurence’s life. All of this changes when Napoleon lands in Britain and takes London. Laurence is recalled to duty under the press of necessity, and he and Temeraire are given an assignment so distasteful, it isn’t even officially stated. They are to lead a company of dragons in killing the unprotected French forces raiding the countryside to feed their dragons. No prisoners. It’s a bleak tale, matched by the bleakness of Laurence’s soul as he comes to grips with what his heroic treason has cost him. Temeraire, too, finally begins to understand and to regret that he insisted on the treasonous act. Several characters from earlier books resurface—Tharkay, Edith, and Edith’s husband Woolvey—and play important parts in the story. We even get a quick glimpse of mad King George. There are also some important strides made in the struggle for dragons’ rights, as Temeraire organizes and takes command of the dragons of the breeding grounds, leading them into battle of his own volition with no human officers whatever present. Laurence is able to negotiate wages for the dragons with the new British commander, Wellesley (later known as Wellington). But it’s wartime; who can say how things will really pan out when peace comes? Though not my favorite of the series, this is a solid addition and I am looking forward to the sixth book. Highly recommended!
    • 4/5
      The fifth book in the Temeraire series finds Laurence and Temeraire back in England, but separated (for the first section of the novel) and in trouble as a result of the events of the previous installment. Napoleon is at the door and the British Navy and dragon Air Force are suffering from his assaults. As is the norm in this series, we have a strong sense of place that supports the center of the novel -- that relationship between Temeraire and his captain -- which here is challenged more than usual. The emotional tone of this volume, in fact, is significantly darker than in the previous books. Laurence has, essentially, lost who he is and must find his feet in a shifted world. In many ways, this is most similar to the first book, but with much heavier content and context. The initial separation of our two main characters also adds a different dynamic, as we get to see how Temeraire develops his own individuality without a captain and crew. His decisions in this mode add a dose of levity and earnestness to the novel that balances out some of Laurence's more internal struggles.The descriptions of both dragons and battle are, as always, vivid and engaging. The restoration of our focus to England and the war at hand helps the book feel comfortably familiar, but the challenges and the rise and fall of emotion do not leave the reader too comfortable at any point. Overall, a great addition to the series.
    • 5/5
      I think this one might be my new second-favorite Temeraire book, after His Majesty's Dragon. Good battles, great additional character development in which the dragons continue their progression toward becoming the major players in the story, and once again some important moral questions to be grappled with by Laurence, Temeraire, and those around them.
    • 4/5
      Naomi Novik is slowly bending the Temeraire series away from a story about humans with Dragon companions to a series where Temeraire and the Dragons take stage center and the humans provide the color commentary. This is not such a bad thing, either.Make no mistake about it, Victory of Eagles gives the humans a large role to play, after all, it was they, not the Dragons that started the war between the French and the British, but in the fifth installment of the series, The dragons are acting a lot more independently. Readers following the series will note that this independence started in Empire of Ivory, where Temeraire went off in search of his captain, Will Laurence, on his own initiative.I like the progression of the series and the consistency of the character development. Unlike some other series that I’ve read, the writing quality has not fallen off. While this book does not end with a cliff hanger, there is enough of a teaser that I am anxious to see how Temeraire fares in Australia and whether Will Laurence will regain his standing.A solid four stars.
    • 5/5
      I am still befuddled over how a first-time author managed to follow up a best-selling debut with four sequels that never dimmed in comparison to the first. In fact, "Victory of Eagles," the fifth book, is just as high in energy and creativity as the very first installment, even though the reader is by now quite accustomed to all of the characters and the world they inhabit.Novik tries something new here, which is to alternate between the points of view of Laurence and Temeraire. It was great fun to be let into Temeraire's head, and Novik pulled this absurdly brilliant yet child-like view off nimbly. It is a great credit to Novik that I have never tired of Temeraire's obstinacy or naivety; he is so wonderfully characterized that all those quirks of personality make sense rather than grate.I cannot give too in depth of a review without giving away some huge spoilers, so I'll just say that Napoleon has landed! The situation for Laurence and Temeraire, however, is even hairier than the mere occupation of their home by a tyrant.I do appreciate as well that Novik doesn't pull her punches. She is willing to do almost anything to her protagonists for the sake of a plot that is dynamic and unpredictable.
    • 5/5
      Other than the first book, I think this one may be my favorite. Because Will and Temeraire are imprisoned for treason we get to "hear" more from Temeraire, who is such a great character. Looking forward to the next one.
    • 3/5
      I really like these books for the characters mostly, thought the battles get a little boring.
    • 5/5
      I love this series and especially the audiobooks. I will confess that when any of the dragons are hurt (French or English or whatever), it makes me horribly sad. The writing is strong and the narration is fantastic. I can't wait to listen to the next book in the series.
    • 4/5
      I thought Novik might have written herself in a dead-end street with the previous book's ending, but she manages to keep Temeraire and Laurence going without taxing my credulity too much. Another enjoyable romp through the Napoleonic wars on dragonback
    • 3/5
      Series books always run a big risk: They can feel "phoned in" or less than exciting to the writer; or they can feel place-holder-y, like the book is a bridge to the next one in the series, without an obvious and unique place in the series's created universe. A little of both happens here.I wasn't in any way doubting that Novik would take me back into Temeraire's alternative Earth with dispatch; she certainly did that. This is a writer who knows what mood she wants to create and how to create it. She also knows her history, and brings characters to life who fit into that history, whether based on fact or wholly imagined. So why complain?Because the trip to Africa, from the previous book, feels contrived; the characters who join Tewmeraire's family there are virtually ignored here. Because the actions of the British government are presented as faits accomplis and then the action starts, in what feels to me like a very unrooted in the series's reality fashion. Because the entire book is a search-in-progress; half the book, grudgingly okay, but the WHOLE THING?! Asking too much of my patience, Ms. Novik.So three stars based on your excellent world-building, exciting writing, and a hope for the future.
    • 5/5
      Napoleon has invaded England and Will Laurence and Temeraire, separated and in disgrace, must rally resistance forces. An excellent entry in an excellent series.
    • 3/5
      Oh, Temeraire..I wish I could say I read this book with the same fervor I read the first few but either I am growing apart from the story or it is massively slowing down. I really had to force my way through this book.. to the point of looking on it with contempt whenever I knew I should do some reading. The writing was, as always, spectacular and it was not the author's fault... necessarily. I just feel as if the story got so bogged down with the travels to Africa and Turkey and China and now that we're back on the "home turf" the excitement has lessened. I will say this - I did enjoy seeing Temeraire finally come into his own. I enjoyed seeing him get some of what he desires for the dragons and I appreciated that he finally is learning that his, at times thoughtless, actions can hurt others. He has tossed Laurence about for several books now with little a care to what might become of the man spiritually and emotionally. And speaking of Laurence.. I'm starting to get a bit tired of this character. Does anyone else feel that way at this point? It almost felt as if the story might have moved along better had Laurence actually been put to death. (I feel horrible saying that, but I just get so tired of characters getting out of impossible circumstances). I think I'll take a bit of a break before moving on to the next book; I may just have read too much of a genre I don't typically read and need some time to digest it.
    • 5/5
      I love the Temeraire books by Naomi Novik, which began with His Majesty's Dragon. In some ways this book is a departure from the last few books, which were something of a travelogue. The second book took us to China, the third to Turkey and Germany, the fourth to Africa. Now Laurence and Temeraire are back in Britain, and a lot of threads in the previous books begin to be tied up and pay off. Throughout the first books liberty and responsibility had been related themes. A lot of what sets this dragon series apart is that the dragons are not beasts, or simply pets--but fully sentient persons with different characters, intellects and taking us around the world we had seen different dragon/human relations. Now they're back home, and Laurence and Temeraire's personal liberty is at stake as well as that of the dragons. For once a lot of the book is from Temeraire's own point of view, and that's a lot of its appeal--his musings are amusing, fresh and entirely his own. But I also like that a lot of consequences come home in this book instead of just being tidied up.