Empire of Ivory, by Naomi Novik

Finally arriving back in Britain, Laurence and Temeraire discover why they received no help getting there. The dragons have been laid waste by a viral disease; many have died and there is little hope. The news has been kept secret – if Napoleon finds out he will invade with little resistance. This puts on hold their plans for political change to improve the rights of dragons; even with the dragons ravaged by illness there is little consideration for their care or comfort. Temeraire seems to be immune to the disease. He had a cold on their journey to China and there is a theory that he actually had the deadly virus but ate something that cured him on one of their stops. So the aviators are off to southern Africa to search for a cure. Novik explores rich territory, geographically, politically and philosophically in this fourth Temeraire novel. Slavery, colonialism and conflicting loyalties inform the personal and professional conflicts central to the plot. Impossibly honourable Laurence remains just too good to be true - taking the fall for everyone else, including his dragon companion. With several more books in the series he will clearly be extracted from the dire situation he faces at the end of this story. An epilogue gives a glimpse of an interesting alt history for southern Africa and a hopeful note for a refugee sponsored by Laurence.