Booklog: Tongues of Serpents (Novik)

Naomi Novik, Tongues of Serpents

Convicted of treason, Will Laurence and his dragon Temeraire have been transported to New South Wales, Australia. On arrival, however, they find that the military governor, William Bligh (yes, he of the Bounty) has been ousted in a coup d'etat. Both sides are as eager to ally with the Aerial Corps as Laurence is to avoid any such political entanglement. But politics are unavoidable, whether it involves rebellion or the unwelcome return of the abusive Captain Rankin, whose family's influence has secured him another chance to harness a dragon. Even Tharkay's offer of a letter of marque from the East India Company seems a poor choice, though Temeraire is itching for action. Laurence finally accepts coup leader MacArthur's suggestion that he, Temeraire, and their cohorts attempt to blaze a trail into Australia's unmapped interior, where the dangers are at least no respecters of persons ...

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