Victory of Eagles, by Naomi Novik

Following their return from delivering the dragon plague cure to France, Temeraire and Will Laurence have been separated by the authorities. The dragon has been banished to the breeding grounds in Wales and the aviator has been convicted of treason and sentenced to death. Bonaparte’s invasion of Britain changes their circumstances, as the pair marshals a guerrilla force of dragons, managing to negotiate improved working conditions along the way. The relationship between man and dragon is tested by the fallout from their treason, with Temeraire’s gradual realisation of the consequences of their actions signalling a maturing of the dragon-human bond. Novik has hit her straps in this fifth novel of the saga of the Napoleonic wars with added dragons. She skilfully weaves fantasy with history, using her unique characters to change the course of events but arrive at a similar outcome. Helping to save the day isn’t enough to ensure the two can benefit from their efforts, with Laurence’s sentence commuted to transportation. And so the scene is set for the next book in the series as they set sail for New South Wales.