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  • His Majesty's Dragon

  • Temeraire, Book 1
  • Written by: Naomi Novik
  • Narrated by: Simon Vance
  • Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (112 ratings)

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His Majesty's Dragon cover art

His Majesty's Dragon

Written by: Naomi Novik
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Publisher's Summary

Aerial combat brings a thrilling new dimension to the Napoleonic Wars as valiant warriors rise to Britain's defense by taking to the skies - not aboard aircraft but atop the mighty backs of fighting dragons.

When HMS Reliant captures a French frigate and seizes its precious cargo - an unhatched dragon egg - fate sweeps Captain Will Laurence from his seafaring life into an uncertain future and an unexpected kinship with a most extraordinary creature.

Thrust into the rarified world of the Aerial Corps as master of the dragon Temeraire, he will face a crash course in the daring tactics of airborne battle. For as France's own dragon-borne forces rally to breach British soil in Bonaparte's boldest gambit, Laurence and Temeraire must soar into a baptism of fire.

©2006 Naomi Novik (P)2007 Books on Tape

What the critics say

2007, New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age

What listeners say about His Majesty's Dragon

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exciting alternative history of Napoleonic Wars...

I love Novik's standalone fantasy (Uprooted, especially) and never really thought about reading/listening to her Temeraire series (dragons are not really of interest to me). But I love Simon Vance as a narrator, so thought I would try the first book of the series. I was more than pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to listen to the novel. It is character driven and I was almost instantly attached to Temeraire and Laurence. The first few chapters I was waiting for the appearance of female characters (given that so many other of Novik's novels centre on strong female characters)....and I loved how she weaves in female characters in unexpected ways! I highly recommend this first book! I will definitely be listening to the second.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Binge worthy

Love the whole series
You become so invested it hurts your heart when it ends
If you love dragons this is the series for you

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

amazing read!

this is by far one of the most imaginative fantasies I have ever read. Loved everything about it

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

excellent in all respects

I loved this book. Adventurous, well read, very enjoyable. Absolutely worthwhile. Commendable, fun, heart warming.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent book

A truly excellent book. I know it’s a good book when I get miserable with people for interrupting the telling. Also I immediately re listen to it.
Not insanely long or horribly detailed a very nice distraction while working

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best audio book I ever read

Simon Vance brings Naomi Noviks work to a whole other level. I'm excited and looking forward to listening to the rest of the series.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic effort at bringing the story to life.

I've read the paperback and wanted to hear it dramatized. I listened to this over four or five days. Throughly enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to the sequels.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Listened to HMD on a whim, no regrets!

This is a very pleasant, light read/listen that doesn't bog you down with intricate world building nor does it require an extensive understanding of the historical background to enjoy. Novik's style lets you slide right into the setting with ease and her world building is well-paced so you learn as you go along with Laurence on his journey. The dragons are such endearing characters, truly my favourite part of the novel and the series. I also enjoyed Simon Vance's narration and can imagine no other voice for Téméraire!

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Impressively Written

Novik certainly has command of the period language and culture. Main character and dragon were likeable. There is much to be admired here. But... the story wasn’t eventful or intriguing enough for me. I also didn’t find there were enough interesting characters. Descriptions of aerial/naval battles with lots of crew member names, dragon names, and dragon species names made me numb after a while. I don’t think I’ll continue this series.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I loved it!

So imagine Aubrey-Maturin, but Stephen Maturin is a dragon. This series is just as addictive.

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