I've read it (UK edition, simply called Temeraire) and liked it. The one problem I had was basically: dragons have been around for at least three thousand years (tamed in China a thousand years before the Romans did it), but there's still a Napoleon and a Nelson and a Victory and a Temeraire? I think, perhaps, not. It's pretty low odds that there's even a France.
However, as to your main problem with it: I think the principle is that dragons are and always have been rare in Europe. The UK has, what, a couple of dozen? France maybe 40? Not enough for a society of their own. Er... spoiler for Jade Throne, the sequel, below. Highlight to read, just in case anyone does want to read 2.
In China, the dragons pretty much do have their own society alongside the human one. So it almost has to be down to the numbers.
Other than that, there are a few flaws, mostly what you mentioned (Laurence's quick change and his being better than everyone else, although much of the latter does come from the unusual situation of their beginning), but I found it enjoyable. The main problem, as I said, is that the basis of the book is fundamentally impossible. Which is quite depressing, because it's a nice basis.
Oh, well. I'll still buy the rest when they appear/over here.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2007-06-01 11:57 pm (UTC)However, as to your main problem with it: I think the principle is that dragons are and always have been rare in Europe. The UK has, what, a couple of dozen? France maybe 40? Not enough for a society of their own. Er... spoiler for Jade Throne, the sequel, below. Highlight to read, just in case anyone does want to read 2.
In China, the dragons pretty much do have their own society alongside the human one. So it almost has to be down to the numbers.
Other than that, there are a few flaws, mostly what you mentioned (Laurence's quick change and his being better than everyone else, although much of the latter does come from the unusual situation of their beginning), but I found it enjoyable. The main problem, as I said, is that the basis of the book is fundamentally impossible. Which is quite depressing, because it's a nice basis.
Oh, well. I'll still buy the rest when they appear/over here.