US Cover & Synopsis: Blood of Tyrants


Blood of Tyrants, the new Temeraire novel by Naomi Novik, will be in bookstores this August!

It is the second to last book in the series. It’s going to be a sad day when that last book publishes. The dragon Temeraire and his friend Captain Will Laurence have been an important part of my fantasy reading life. The Temeraire series is quite simply one of the finest stories being worked on right now—great for both genders, great for all ages. Naomi has created such a wonderful story that even Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson purchased the right to produce live-action movies of the Napoleonic Wars dragon series. I hope we all get to see that one day!

But first, we get Blood of Tyrants! Naomi has finished writing it, finished editing it, and it is now in the capable of hands of the Del Rey Books production team.

Here is an early look at the book—its cover as well as its dust jacket summary! Spoilers ahead!

Naomi Novik’s beloved Temeraire series, a brilliant combination of fantasy and history that reimagines the Napoleonic wars as fought with the aid of intelligent dragons, is a twenty-first-century classic. From the first volume, His Majesty’s Dragon, readers have been entranced by the globe-spanning adventures of the resolute Capt. William Laurence and his brave but impulsive dragon, Temeraire. Now, in Blood of Tyrants, the penultimate volume of the series, Novik is at the very height of her powers as she brings her story to its widest, most colorful canvas yet.

Shipwrecked and cast ashore in Japan with no memory of Temeraire or his own experiences as an English aviator, Laurence finds himself tangled in deadly political intrigues that threaten not only his own life but England’s already precarious position in the Far East. Age-old enmities and suspicions have turned the entire region into a powder keg ready to erupt at the slightest spark—a spark that Laurence and Temeraire may unwittingly provide, leaving Britain faced with new enemies just when they most desperately need allies instead.

For to the west, another, wider conflagration looms. Napoleon has turned on his former ally, the emperor Alexander of Russia, and is even now leading the largest army the world has ever seen to add that country to his list of conquests. It is there, outside the gates of Moscow, that a reunited Laurence and Temeraire—along with some unexpected allies and old friends—will face their ultimate challenge . . . and learn whether or not there are stronger ties than memory.

“These are beautifully written novels: not only fresh, original, and fast-paced, but full of wonderful characters with real heart.” —Peter Jackson

So, what do you think? Do things sound dire for Temeraire and Laurence? Will Napoleon get his desires for world dominance? Will Iskierka be around? And will Temeraire be friends with an amnesiac Laurence?

I guess we’ll find out when Blood of Tyrants publishes August 13, 2013!

More soon!

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24 responses to “US Cover & Synopsis: Blood of Tyrants”

  1. Can someone fill in the leap of logic between ‘Temeraire and co. leave South America’ and ‘Laurence ends up shipwrecked with amnesia in Japan?’ Surely the Captain on this new transport isn’t THAT hostile to Laurence, considering Laurence pretty much MADE him a Captain.

    • Probably sounds like the summary is glossing over what will be the first part of the book, which IIRC the last few summaries have done also. I’m assuming Part One will pick up some time after the end of the seventh book; taking place at sea (with possibly a scene or two in North America, since we haven’t been there yet) and ending with whatever shipping disaster gives Laurence amnesia. Then, Part Two will take place in Japan, and Part Three overland from there to Moscow.

      And as for my own speculation, of course Temeraire and Laurence will be friends; it’ll just be vaguely awkward for a while at the start, as it was in the first book (at the worst I would assume that Temeraire might leave as he almost did at the end of book 4, except a few chapters later Laurence will decide to follow after him)…I suppose he’ll vaguely recover at Moscow, or failing that, midway through the next book!

      • I think someone might try ‘mental recalibration’ to try and fix Laurence’s memory…

        And I’m hoping somewhere in one of the next two books for someone to cold-clock Rankin. He’s had it coming ever since halfway through Temeraire.

      • Perhaps it will be similar to the book Shogun, where he must learn Japanese or watch a village die. I wonder if Gong Su will get him to China? Will they be the unexpected allies or the old friends? Since America got dragged into the fringes of this war in our world, will they be involved in this one? Is this going to be a World War? And why isn’t publishing technology faster!! Oh, agony; Ag-go-ny!!

  2. OMG!! i can’t wait….one question that will finally be answered.. Iskierka’s egg? ( i hope it will..that is). That and this is going ot be very interesting hopefully Lawrence won’t freak out and go running about like a ninny (which would kinda be funny but in a very bad sort of way

      • What makes you think that?.. the only multi-egg that we know of is Temeraire himslef and his brother….well.. we’ll find out in August…OMG I CAN’T TAKE THE WAIT ANY LONGER !!!!

        • 1. i can’t wait either.
          2.simple, if there is allot of plot development, it has to lead to something more, right?

        • well we know that the hatching will be just shy of overpowered…. as it’s offenensive ability wis basically fire with a sonic boom beind it ….one egg show just about do it that and a re-match for the fight at the end of T.O.J….whatever happens Boney is gonna get it and get it goodandi kinda hope something really heavy lands on Rankin

  3. I had though that they might go to Japan… I sense human AND dragon samurais and ninjas coming.
    I look forward for this next book.

  4. So is Peter Jackson still doing a movie/miniseries? I haven’t seen any new news about that for a couple of years.

  5. God dammit when will this next book come out im sick of twindling my thumbs waiting for it. I hope peter Jakeson makes this movie because Naomi you deserve the rekenision of this book. I have Followed you the entire way and Love this series.

    By Drago

  6. i dont saw everithing here for dont be spoiled , crucible of gold in not edited in french yet ….. we are always the last ones ….

  7. Amnesia? Are you shitting me?

    I mean, there’s exceptions to the rule, but “amnesia” just SCREAMS terrible hack writing. Either that or “long-running TV show that has an excuse, such as being corny sci-fi.”

    And this series isn’t long-running enough to get the corny-science-fiction long-runner exemption.

    And it doesn’t sound like this is even bullshit magic mind-rape-monster amnesia. But I’ll just be cautiously noptimistic.

  8. OMG!!! The only reason I am happy to be American is that we get the first print outs before other countries who have to translate and what not.

    I can’t wait!!! I have been nursing myself on Temeraire Series since it first came out and I was just randomly browsing the Scifi section for fun and hoping to look smart. But never did i know that when driving thousands of miles across America with family would I find solace in the MOST AMAZING SERIES EVER!!!!

  9. Darn, I was hoping for an adventure centered on North America, not a re-hash of Asia! Well, hopefully they get a transport to Boston, go overland to SF, then transport to China via shipwreck in Japan. Amnesia’s a bit lame but I guess a good plot twist. Be there in time for Boney’s horrid winter campaign on Moscow. Next to last book? Wahhh!

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