Tongues of Serpents

A Novel of Temeraire Temeraire, #6

by Naomi Novik

Hardcover

Published Aug. 10, 2010 by Del Rey.

ISBN:: 978-0-345-49689-8
OCLC Number:: 462881038

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(24 reviews)

1 edition

Odin Halvorson reviewed Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik (Temeraire, #6)

While one of the weaker books, it has some shining moments.

3 stars

Content warning Minor general plot spoilers

Laurence and Temeraire's circumstances have dramatically changed, and neither character seems prepared well for it. While Laurence has some growth to do, it seems that Temeraire's personality has been curtailed rather dramatically. Indeed, a renewed fixation on treasure has been implanted as the dragons' motivation, and while that makes a certain amount of lore sense, it cheapens every interaction they have. Likewise, we find ourselves with yet another dragon whose personality is wholly objectionable, in a way that feels like a rather lame repetition of earlier plot points. Likewise, the bulk of the novel is concerned with flying over a bleary and drear landscape that somehow manages to be blanker than the oceans of previous books.

With personal growth flailing, characters generally being annoying, and the plot quite slow to develop, this book is the weakest of the series so-far. Its final quarter redeems it somewhat, however.

ridel reviewed Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik (Temeraire, #6)

Skip this Filler Episode

2 stars

Tongues of Serpents unfortunately has to follow the climatic Victory of Eagles, which was the culmination of multiple novels of build-up resulting in Britain and Napoleonic France clashing in all-out war. Our heroes are moved to the penal colony of Australia, and the author reverts back to her buddy-adventure style of writing. It's a dramatic change in tempo, a lowering of suspense and tension, and highlights all the weaknesses of the series without any of the upsides.

At the heart of the matter is that Lawrence remains depressed: his narration, his attitude, and his actions are all lethargic and indecisive. This means that the buddy-adventure is not fun. Temeraire remains positive but as we are removed from Britain, the cast of characters is shrunk and he is forced to spend most of his time brooding about Lawrence. Add to this the passive-aggressive attitudes of Age of Sail Britain, whereby …

Then let's all be reminded that Tongues of Serpents is on the heels of a novel that saw the fate of Europe decided. We switch to incredibly small stakes... not even the outcome of New South Wales, but an adventure inland to recover a dragon egg that we are not emotionally attached to. They literally wander across the countryside lost in the vast wilderness in a rehash of their journey along the silk road, except this time it's for the majority of the book.

I can't express what a disappointment that is after Victory of Eagles. It stops being a fun adventure between two companions, drops the tempo and suspense of the Napoleonic Wars, and gives us bickering and avoidance.

Not recommended. I'm sure the next novel will summarize the changes in this novel.

tivasyk reviewed Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik (Temeraire, #6)

Review of 'Tongues of Serpents: A Novel of Temeraire' on 'Goodreads'

2 stars

перша книжка була досить цікава... але далі — все нудніше й нудніше... шоста частина взагалі «повисла» в повітрі без притомного фіналу, не тягне на закінчений твір. хз, чому я продовжую це читати (слухати, насправді) — новік може писати значно цікавіші речі.

Blind_Mapmaker reviewed Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik (Temeraire, #6)

Review of 'Tongues of Serpents' on 'Goodreads'

5 stars

4.5 It's a slow novel and the beginning is a little meandering, which fits the narrative of being transported to Australia, but might turn some readers off. It has however some of the best indigenous and non-white gambits ever and deals with with consequences in a way most fantasy novels don't. Definitely worth a read, but a little exhausting emotionally, so take care if you're already feeling down.