GREAT READS

Tongues of Serpents

Naomi Novik.

Although this book is considered Fantasy, it is also categorized as an Alternative History. The setting is the Napoleonic Wars, but with some minor changes. For example, the British have an air force of dragons manned by officers, one of which is convicted of treason, stripped of his rank, and sent to Australia as punishment. Once there, the dragon Temeraire and his officer Laurence become involved in a trek across the desert to find their stolen dragon egg and a band of smugglers. This is the sixth of the Temeraire books, which have been optioned by Peter Jackson, the director of The Lord of the Rings. The book was wonderful. A movie would be stupendous. Of course, you'll want to read it first!

Recommended by Mitzi Fields