I couldn't finish this book and it ended my love affair with this series. I found myself disinterested in the drama of man and dragon separated, and the political machinations were overwrought.

Captain William Laurence and Temeraire are back. They are battling Napoleon in defense of the U.K. but are doing so in Russia.

Laurence is handicapped in this book due to an unforeseen accident. Temeraire, a Celestial Dragon is beside himself over Laurence’s handicap.

Laurence’s good will toward dragons serves him well in negotiating with both Chinese and Russian dragons.

A lot of territory and new characters are introduced.

I apparently missed a couple of books between this one and the last one I read featuring these two Hornblowerish figures. This book reads well as a stand alone but I would recommend reading the series in order.

I enjoyed the book.