Empire of Ivory Chapter 1-3 (Spoilers)
Well, I've read the first 3 chapters in Empire of Ivory. I want to curse out so many people and I've cried so much for our Aerial Corp!! It's not fair and I know life isn't fair but still, our poor dragons!!!!
I'm not sure where I want to start first. But I guess let's just start.
The Prussian were very dangerous in their panic. If I could shake them for complicating matters, I would. Gods the way they acted. I get it you're frightened but you're putting everyone in danger by trying to latch onto Temeraireâs harness and threatening dragons who are trying to help you. You nearly all got dumped to your deaths for this honestly.
The Ferals definitely didn't help this matter. As they kept constantly stopping to fight the enemy dragons despite Temeraire trying to move them along. So far we have seen how hard it is to tame ferals, keep them moving, and stop them from over commiting, especially when they are acting as Transport of people. They are short-sighted on matters and lack enough knowledge of conventional, "civilized" war between humans that they're being out maneuver and keep over committing. They have yet to help matters much and keep putting others in danger. We see this time and again in these last 3 chapters. And when they were carrying the Prussian at the start of the book the certainly didn't help matters.
And Iskierka didn't help matter either. She's a little spitfire who craves battle and is a little trigger happy with her fire. She just doesn't listen. She's a little war hungry and battle hungry dragon. But sweet baby you aren't helping, you're just making things worse! And the Prussians tried to shoot you over it. I blame the fact her egg spent a long time listening to Temeraire and our crew plot, plan, fight, and talk about fighting and war. And maybe it's just who she is anyway. But poor Granby has his work cut out for him as her Captain. This probably was not what he ever imagined his Captaincy being like.
On another note: I hare the fact I was right about the Plague and quarantining dragons, dragon deaths, and the crews/captains who are hurting along side their dragons. My heart breaks. Of the dragons and crews I recognize, poor Lenton and Obversaria, being informed of her death and how it ruined Lenton makes me cry. And just imagining the other dragons, captains, and their hurting crews. Also, poor Victoriatus isn't just dying and his captains not leaving him but they will soon be dissecting his corpse. I really hate plagues and the poor quarantined dragons. We all now know partly how you feel. Also, how dare the Admiralty give them worse food for being sick. I jusy have so much rage for the Admiralty right now.
Keyes left us and we got a new doctor, Dorset. I'm not sure how I feel about him yet but well, I don't begrudge Keyes staying with the sick dragons as one of the best Dragon Surgeon in His Majesty's Aerial Corp.
On a happier note, Horay for Admiral Jane!!! And there is nothing the Admiralty can do. She won't let them walk all over her or the corp. But I expect that they will be very difficult because of her gender. Because you know, they think women are delicate and of weak constitution and have no place in war or the military (if you can't tell I'm rolling my eyes). Though Jane is having a hard time getting them to listen, which I expect will be a continuous through out her time as an Admiral. I also like how she is willing to try anything to help the dragons. She is willing to try anything.
While on Congratulations: Congrats Granby! You're a Captain Now!! Take your pick of creq (sadly because of the # of dead/sick dragons your options are almost limitless). Though you do have a handful with Iskierka and I only see her getting worse as she ages until she is much, much older if she ever outgrows it.
Next statement of facts: Ferals! Britian is so desperate for dragons that they negotiate and write up contracts with the Ferals. A step in the right direction, I think. 1 cow = 2 pigs or sheep but 3 goats and they get one a day regardless of whether or not they eat it that day. And they can keep track my marking wood when they go to the Feeding Pens. Which good negotiating skills there! But boy are you all unruley and not able to listen putting yourself and everyone else in danger. I don't know if this happened or not but I can just imagine them being like Tharkay left, so we don't have to listen to you anymore and Temeraire just barely keeps them in line with his size. But I see a lot of struggles in the future to get this to work.
Now on to Tharkey. I just love how in Edinburgh he broke into a house to make tea. He got up early enough to have it ready for when Laurence gets up really early to go to the Covert. It's nice, hot, and brewed perfectly. And he offers to make Laurence a cup who turns it down but then he offers Laurence his(Tharkayâs) cup and Laurence drinks it! This is my headcannon now and I'm so happy. So please no one burst my bubble. Also, I know Tharkay left us again! I know this isn't goodbye though. I thought that the first time but I don't think he's going anywhere as he plans to be back. He's only off to convince more Feral dragons to join the Aerial Corp. Also, if he doesn't come back then the crew will fetch him, I'm convinced at this point as Laurence is very loyal to people and Temeraire must see Tharkay as his to a degree. To paraphrase Jane "Tharkay is worth his weight in gold or more"! I just see Tharkay sweeping in and save the day again! This is my prediction!!
I feel bad for poor Ferris. His family sees him in the Corp as such a disappointment/tragedy. But he doesn't and I honestly hope when the dragons go for their voice in parliament that they choose to support that. I do see some potential here but I won't hold my breath.
So far, I've only read these 3 chapters and my feelings are so mixed. I see that the Admiralty want to just cut their loses on the dying dragons. And it annoys me to no end. They'll focus on the healthy and the Ferals but won't want to do anything for the rest. Though I agree that the spice and pavilions will go a long way for the dragons.
Right now I agree that Britian is living on borrowed time that only exists because Napoleon is distracted by the Polish countess. But the moment he hears of Britain's weakness, he'll invade or at least prepare to invade.
Knowing what I know of history and Britain's concuring in the USA, I predict that if the French dragon ever gets a look at the Countryside or looks like they'll invade, Britain send a dying dragon to the continent and die in France to bring the plague to the continent. Similar to what they did to conquer tribes of Native Americans in the Americas. I expect they did it in this world as well, on that note: the absolute Karma that Britain is facing this right now because they made a Native American Dragon come to the Isles.
I predict that unless it's an actual cure to the dragons, the Admiralty won't agree to anything or spending money on dragons they already wrote off.
