Over coffee and snackies the other day Naomi Novik, freshly returned from Australia, reported some of the results of her research for Book 6 of the Temeraire series, which will be published Summer ‘10, God willing and the creeks don’t rise. As the so-far-untitled novel begins, Will Laurence and Temeraire have been deported to the prison colony in New South Wales in order to springboard a breeding colony of dragons on Britain’s most far-flung possession.
In 1809, when Laurence and Temeraire arrive in disgrace, the settlement is embroiled in unrest and power struggles. Governor William Bligh (the same Bligh who was mutineed against on the HMS Bounty) has been deposed once more and sent packing to Tasmania, there to plot his return. Temeraire and Iskierka’s arrival signals a tremendous power shift, as the dragons represent the colony’s largest concentration of firepower.
Laurence and Temeraire quickly find themselves embroiled in the political and personal conflicts running rampant in the new colony, which was largely being treated by the British government as a convenient dumping ground for the excess convict population. The entire settlement of New South Wales was a jail, surrounded by the Blue Mountains which blocked passage to the interior, and populated with resentful convicts and grasping military officers trying to make their fortunes. “The early history of the colony at the time has an almost Wild West, lawless-frontier feel to it,” Naomi told me.
Above: A view of the Blue Mountains, showing the characteristic blue haze
(produced by light reflecting off the oil of the eucalyptus trees
dominant in the area).
Here are a few more of the literally thousands of shots Naomi took on her trip. And if you haven’t kept up with the Temeraire series, be aware that the mass market of Victory of Eagles, book 5, goes on sale today.
Left: A small relative of Temeraire? Hanging out in the desert near the Kata Tjuta rock formation in the red center of Australia.
Right: A mangrove at low tide on the shore in North Queensland.
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7 Responses to “The Temeraire series: Looking forward to Book 6”
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Can’t wait to read your alternativer approach to Australia but will you being getting back to China. Or rather, when will you be getting back to China?
I have been hooked by tior bokss and Sherwood Smith’s “Inda” serial. If I were you I would definitely be enjoying the success but please don’t keep us waiting too long. Anything I can do to help, just ask but please help me know Temeraire passes to another master!!! That will guarantee several more books. LOL.
Seriously, thank you for the read you do! – rjboggs
This has been a fantastic read! I’ve read all the Temeraire series this summer, can’t wait to see the next in the series! Thanks for a wonderful story! Linda
Of course seeing as you are so close, it would be such a shame not to include some New Zealand action… the effect of dragons on the polynesian exploration and migrations of the pacific would be profound…
How about getting together with an appropriate artist and developing a dragon spotter’s guide? Something along the lines of a good field guide to birds.
Given that there are probably not as many species of dragons as there are birds, how about an identification guide such as those used in WW-II to identify friendly/enemy aircraft?
Yes, I was alive in WW-II. 6-10 years old, and my father came back in good health after years in the Pacific Theater. Incidentally he thought the Australians were wonderful, but a bit behind us in technology.
Holding my breath for #6. Turning purple now, hurry up & get it out before develop an apoplectic hernia!
Am eagerly anticipating the next book! And re the cute little lizard, I think that’s a bearded dragon (aka beardie). We’ve got one as a pet – they are quite popular.
Mike, I actually love the idea of a dragon-spotter’s guide. Illustrated books can get pricey but I’m going to keep this idea in my THINK HARD ABOUT THIS file and maybe act on it in future. Thanks!
Just finished Victory of Eagles, what a read! I love how the third-person narrative is very Temeraire-esque in just the right occasions (the medal was not THAT shiny…etc!!!)
Just a (very humble) observation: considering the setting, the era and the backdrop, it was a little out-of-place, personally at least, to read “harbor” instead of “harbour” and “labor” instead of “labour”. Any thoughts?
Awaiting in eager anticipation for Tongues of Serpents (or any other title) heralding Book 6.
Changa K