This week, the Hollywood Reporter reported that
“Peter Jackson is eyeing his next fantasy series. The filmmaker has dipped into his discretionary fund to option “Temeraire,” a historical fantasy series by first-time novelist Naomi Novik, as he puts the pieces together for his career post-“King Kong.”
The “Temeraire” saga reimagines the world of the Napoleonic Wars with the addition of an air force of dragons and valiant aviators. It centers on British naval Capt. Will Laurence, who captures a French ship, where he discovers an unhatched dragon egg in the hold — a gift from the Emperor of China intended for Napoleon. When the egg hatches, he is forced to give up his naval career to become captain of the dragon he names Temeraire.“
I just started the second installment, Throne Of Jade, and was immediately swept into the wonderful, magical world Novik created. Amanda has read all of the books, I think (there are three of them–Novik is working on a fourth), and in the past, Cara has posted about the mingling of genres. This is a fantastic example of that.
So hie thee to a bookstore, and discover the magical world of Laurence and Temeraire yourself!
What’s neat in my little word, regarding Temeraire, is that my daughter’s been working on a Sixth Grade book report for His Majesty’s Dragon for a few weeks now. The book report is based on the idea that your book has been made into a three-part miniseries.
The book report is a synopsis of each night’s episode, complete with actors’ names, and the report is to be presented with the cover of the magazine featuring the miniseries. She went back and forth on Temeraire’s voice, but ended up with Daniel Radcliffe’s. (I think Viggo Mortensen is Laurence in her miniseries. And that was well before she knew about Peter Jackson being involved.)
So for weeks we’ve been casting this thing, and my daughter’s been sketching the cover. Lots of fun.
(Note–I really like this idea for book reports. Makes the student break a novel down into beginning, middle and end, and think about characters.)
Oh, I hope he makes the movie! My first thought was that it would be impossible to create realistic-looking dragons — but when I think about what Jackson did with so many “impossible” challenges on Lord of the Rings, I have hope!
Cara
Not to mention the impossible things in “King Kong.” I thought that movie was great–I was sorry that it didn’t get more critical notice. Some people are impossible to please.
I’ve read the first Novik, and have started the second. Great fun! And wonderfully genre-bending.
Todd-who-wants-a-dragon-of-his-very-own
These books sound so intriguing. I really hope they make the movie, too!
I finished the second book in the series! It was very good, but it left me with strong cravings for Chinese food.
Todd-who-could-use-a-steamed-dumpling-about-now