Victory of Eagles
Encyclopedia
Victory of Eagles is the fifth novel in the Temeraire
alternate history/fantasy
series by American author Naomi Novik
. The series follows the actions of William Laurence and his dragon, Temeraire.
Victory of Eagles was released in hardcover in North America and the United Kingdom on July 8, 2008.
, who promise more coverts and that the dragons might be paid directly the cost of their upkeep (around 400 pounds) to spend as they will.
After helping the British Army in its withdrawal, Laurence and Temeraire lead a party of ten hand-picked dragons on a series of uncompromising attacks upon French raiding parties, with the intent of starving them out and bringing them to battle. Though the group meet with much success, and the people of Britain seem to become more accustomed to dragons, Laurence is unable to continue his orders, and communicates this to Wellesley.
However, this acts as a spur and the British Army is redeployed out to the east coast where, employing what appears to be a questionable strategy, Wellesley offers Napoleon the battle he knows he cannot resist. Battle is joined and, just as things appear to be going in Bonaparte's favour, Nelson
arrives with a considerable fleet and inflicts terrible damage. In the resultant confusion Lien is able to destroy the fleet with the Divine Wind, but this only serves to buy time for Napoleon to retreat, utterly defeated.
In the aftermath of the battle it would appear that things may change for the better for the British dragons, using treasure won on the field they are funding the construction of their own pavilions, though Wellesley (now Wellington) argues that they cannot be paid immediately. Laurence's sentence to hang is commuted to Transportation to the New South Wales Colony (in Australia), and the novel ends as the two (accompanied by the irrepressible Iskierka, who demands an egg from Temeraire) are on board the Alliegance, to await their new fate.
Temeraire (series)
The Temeraire series of novels by Naomi Novik is composed of His Majesty's Dragon , Throne of Jade, Black Powder War, Empire of Ivory, Victory of Eagles, and Tongues of Serpents...
alternate history/fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
series by American author Naomi Novik
Naomi Novik
Naomi Novik is an American novelist. She is a first-generation American; her father is of Lithuanian Jewish ancestry, and her mother is an ethnic Pole. She studied English Literature at Brown University, and holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from Columbia University...
. The series follows the actions of William Laurence and his dragon, Temeraire.
Victory of Eagles was released in hardcover in North America and the United Kingdom on July 8, 2008.
Plot details
The novel's plot revolves around an invasion of Great Britain by Napoleon Bonaparte. Temeraire, at first believing his Captain, Will Laurence, to be dead, rouses the dragons of the breeding ground of Pen Y Fan in Wales (to which he has been confined) and turns them into a considerable force. Napoleon lands his men, defeating the Royal Navy with the aid of his "Armée d'Air", and routs the British who retreat to Scotland. Bonaparte then sets about consolidating his position in London as the British fall back. Temeraire and Laurence are subsequently reunited, though Temeraire remains in command of his motley band of dragons, receiving a commission as Colonel. Temeraire advances his notions of draconic equality to WellesleyArthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
, who promise more coverts and that the dragons might be paid directly the cost of their upkeep (around 400 pounds) to spend as they will.
After helping the British Army in its withdrawal, Laurence and Temeraire lead a party of ten hand-picked dragons on a series of uncompromising attacks upon French raiding parties, with the intent of starving them out and bringing them to battle. Though the group meet with much success, and the people of Britain seem to become more accustomed to dragons, Laurence is unable to continue his orders, and communicates this to Wellesley.
However, this acts as a spur and the British Army is redeployed out to the east coast where, employing what appears to be a questionable strategy, Wellesley offers Napoleon the battle he knows he cannot resist. Battle is joined and, just as things appear to be going in Bonaparte's favour, Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB was a flag officer famous for his service in the Royal Navy, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was noted for his inspirational leadership and superb grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics, which resulted in a number of...
arrives with a considerable fleet and inflicts terrible damage. In the resultant confusion Lien is able to destroy the fleet with the Divine Wind, but this only serves to buy time for Napoleon to retreat, utterly defeated.
In the aftermath of the battle it would appear that things may change for the better for the British dragons, using treasure won on the field they are funding the construction of their own pavilions, though Wellesley (now Wellington) argues that they cannot be paid immediately. Laurence's sentence to hang is commuted to Transportation to the New South Wales Colony (in Australia), and the novel ends as the two (accompanied by the irrepressible Iskierka, who demands an egg from Temeraire) are on board the Alliegance, to await their new fate.