Return to a Sickened Home

After a harrowing journey rescuing Prussian soldiers, Captain Laurence and his dragon Temeraire arrive home, only to find the British Aerial Corps devastated by a mysterious illness. Dragons across the country are dying, and the government is paralyzed by confusion and secrecy. The homecoming is bleak, with dragons and their crews isolated, and the once-proud covert now a shadow of its former self. Laurence is frustrated by the lack of answers and the cold reception, while Temeraire, shaped by his experiences in China, is pained by the disregard for dragons' well-being. The emotional weight of loss and uncertainty hangs over both man and dragon, setting the stage for a desperate struggle to save their friends and their country.

Dragons in Peril

Laurence learns the full extent of the dragon plague: it has ravaged every covert in Britain, leaving only a handful of healthy dragons. The disease is relentless, and the best medical minds are helpless. Temeraire is forbidden from seeing his sick friends, and the Corps is reduced to a skeleton force, barely able to patrol the Channel. The government's response is bureaucratic and inadequate, and the threat of French invasion looms larger than ever. The emotional strain deepens as hope fades, and the bond between Laurence and Temeraire is tested by their shared helplessness and the looming specter of death.

Unwelcome Revelations

As the epidemic worsens, Laurence is drawn into the political machinations of London. He is pressured to become a public figure, a counterweight to Lord Nelson in the abolition debate, and to use Temeraire's fame to sway public opinion. Meanwhile, the government's indifference to dragons' suffering becomes intolerable. Temeraire's desire for justice and equality for dragons is met with resistance and ridicule. The emotional distance between Laurence and his father is highlighted, and the weight of responsibility grows heavier as the fate of dragons and the nation seem intertwined.

The Search for Cure

With the Corps on the brink of collapse, Laurence and Temeraire are sent to Africa, following a faint hope that the cure for the dragon plague lies there. The journey is arduous, marked by tension among the crew, the challenges of command, and the ever-present threat of disaster. The African landscape is both beautiful and dangerous, and the search for the elusive mushroom that may hold the cure becomes a race against time. The emotional stakes are high, as every setback brings the loss of another friend, and the hope of salvation grows ever more fragile.

London's Reluctant Hero

In London, Laurence is forced to play the role of hero and social curiosity, attending parties and subscription dinners to raise funds for sick dragons. The experience is alienating and exhausting, as he is paraded before the elite and expected to perform. Temeraire, too, is put on display, his intelligence and charm used to win sympathy. The disconnect between public perception and private suffering is stark, and Laurence's sense of isolation deepens. The emotional toll of being both celebrated and powerless is keenly felt.

The African Journey Begins

The journey to the Cape is fraught with hardship: the sick dragons barely survive the sea voyage, and tensions among the crew and with the ship's captain, Riley, reach a breaking point. The realities of the slave trade are confronted head-on, and the moral complexities of empire, race, and duty are laid bare. The arrival in Africa brings no respite, as the search for the cure proves elusive, and the local politics and dangers add new layers of difficulty. The emotional landscape is one of exhaustion, frustration, and the faintest glimmer of hope.

The Mushroom's Secret

After weeks of fruitless searching, the elusive mushroom is finally found, thanks to the help of local children and a clever dog. The process of harvesting and testing the cure is fraught with setbacks, and the threat of feral dragons and hostile tribes is ever-present. The emotional highs of hope are matched by the lows of loss, as not all dragons respond to the cure, and the cost of success is measured in blood and sacrifice. The bonds of friendship and loyalty are tested to their limits.

Captivity and Betrayal

In a devastating turn, Laurence, Temeraire, and their crew are taken prisoner by the Tswana, a powerful African kingdom ruled by dragons and their human kin. The experience is harrowing: they are marched deep into the interior, witness the grandeur and complexity of the Tswana civilization, and are forced to confront the consequences of the slave trade and colonialism. The emotional impact is profound, as the captives are both awed and humbled by their captors, and the lines between friend and foe blur.

The Tswana Kingdom

The Tswana kingdom is revealed as a sophisticated society, with its own traditions, politics, and dragon culture. Laurence and his companions are both guests and hostages, caught in the cross-cultural encounter of history. The Tswana's practice of dragon rebirth, their resistance to the slave trade, and their determination to defend their people challenge every assumption the British have brought with them. The emotional journey is one of humility, learning, and the painful recognition of complicity in a system of oppression.

Escape and Catastrophe

With the help of their dragons and allies, Laurence and his companions stage a daring escape from the Tswana. The return to the Cape is marked by horror: the Tswana, in retaliation for the slave trade, have destroyed the colony and the major ports of Africa. The British are forced to evacuate, and the balance of power in the world is irrevocably altered. The emotional aftermath is one of grief, guilt, and the realization that the world they knew is gone forever.

The Plague's Price

The return to England is bittersweet: the cure for the dragon plague is delivered, but the cost is measured in lives lost, friendships broken, and the destruction of the British position in Africa. The government's response is cold and self-serving, and the moral ambiguity of victory is laid bare. Laurence and Temeraire are hailed as heroes, but the emotional scars remain, and the price of survival is a heavy burden to bear.

Treason and Conscience

Laurence discovers that the British government, in a bid to cripple Napoleon, has deliberately infected the French dragons with the plague. The revelation is shattering: the line between friend and enemy, right and wrong, is obliterated. Laurence and Temeraire are faced with an impossible choice: to obey their country or their conscience. The emotional stakes are at their highest, as loyalty, love, and duty come into direct conflict.

Flight from Home

Unable to accept the government's actions, Laurence and Temeraire steal the last of the cure and flee north, pursued by their own countrymen. The flight is desperate and lonely, marked by exhaustion, fear, and the knowledge that they are now traitors. The bond between man and dragon is all that sustains them, as they race to deliver the cure to France and prevent a genocide. The emotional journey is one of sacrifice, love, and the acceptance of exile.

The Cure Delivered

Laurence and Temeraire succeed in delivering the cure to the French, saving countless lives but sealing their own fate. They are taken prisoner, but treated with respect by their former enemies, who recognize the nobility of their actions. The emotional resolution is bittersweet: they have done what is right, but at the cost of everything they once held dear. The world is changed, and their place in it is uncertain.

Aftermath and Reckoning

In the aftermath, the British government is forced to reckon with the loss of its colonies, the exposure of its crimes, and the heroism of those it has condemned. Laurence and Temeraire are offered safety and comfort in France, but the price is exile and the knowledge that they can never return home. The emotional landscape is one of loss, regret, and the faint hope that their sacrifice will not be in vain.

The Weight of Sacrifice

Laurence and Temeraire grapple with the consequences of their choices: the loss of friends, the destruction of their reputations, and the knowledge that they have changed the course of history. The emotional toll is immense, but there is a quiet dignity in their acceptance of responsibility. The bonds of love and loyalty endure, even as the world they knew slips away.

The Final Choice

Offered a comfortable life in France or China, Laurence chooses to return to England and face execution, refusing to abandon his principles or his dragon. Temeraire, in turn, refuses to leave Laurence, even if it means captivity or death. Their final act is one of love, courage, and the refusal to compromise their integrity. The emotional resolution is powerful: in the face of betrayal and loss, they choose each other, and the hope that their example will inspire a better world.

Characters

William Laurence

Laurence is a man of honor, shaped by the rigid codes of the British Navy and the Aerial Corps, but his journey in Empire of Ivory is one of profound moral awakening. His bond with Temeraire transforms him, forcing him to confront the limits of obedience and the demands of conscience. Laurence's relationships—with his dragon, his crew, his family, and his country—are tested by the epidemic, the horrors of the slave trade, and the government's willingness to commit atrocity for victory. His psychological arc is one of increasing isolation, as he is forced to choose between loyalty and justice, ultimately embracing sacrifice and exile for the sake of what is right. His love for Temeraire is the anchor that sustains him, even as the world turns against him.

Temeraire

Temeraire is a Celestial dragon of rare intelligence and sensitivity, shaped by his experiences in China and his exposure to human cruelty and kindness. He is both childlike and wise, fiercely loyal to Laurence but increasingly aware of the injustices suffered by dragons and humans alike. Temeraire's psychological journey is one of awakening: from a beloved companion to a moral agent in his own right, willing to defy authority and risk everything for the sake of his friends and his ideals. His longing for equality, education, and dignity for dragons is a driving force, and his emotional bond with Laurence is the heart of the novel.

Jane Roland

Jane is a formidable aviator and the pragmatic, battle-hardened commander of the Dover covert. Her relationship with Laurence is both romantic and professional, marked by mutual respect and a shared sense of duty. Jane's psychological strength is her ability to balance compassion with ruthlessness, but the events of the novel test her limits. She is forced to confront the moral cost of victory, the loss of friends, and the betrayal of her government. Her private vulnerability is revealed in her love for Laurence and her daughter Emily, and her refusal to compromise her principles.

John Granby

Granby is Laurence's closest friend and the newly promoted captain of Iskierka, the fire-breathing Kazilik dragon. He is practical, brave, and adaptable, but also struggles with the challenges of command and the unpredictability of his dragon. Granby's loyalty to Laurence is unwavering, and his psychological arc is one of growth: from a subordinate to a leader in his own right, forced to make difficult choices and accept the burdens of responsibility.

Iskierka

Iskierka is a young Kazilik dragon, newly hatched and fiercely ambitious. Her psychological makeup is marked by impatience, pride, and a desire for recognition. She is both a source of chaos and a powerful asset, her fire-breathing ability making her invaluable in battle. Iskierka's relationship with Granby is tumultuous but affectionate, and her rivalry with Temeraire adds a layer of complexity to the dragon dynamics.

Thomas Riley

Riley is the captain of the Allegiance, the ship that carries Laurence and the dragons to Africa. His relationship with Laurence is strained by the pressures of command, the realities of the slave trade, and the moral ambiguities of empire. Riley is a man of principle, but his loyalty to his country and his own interests often put him at odds with Laurence. His psychological arc is one of disillusionment and reluctant acceptance of change.

Catherine Harcourt

Harcourt is a pioneering female captain, commanding the Longwing dragon Lily. She is intelligent, courageous, and fiercely independent, but her personal life is complicated by an unplanned pregnancy and the expectations of society. Harcourt's psychological journey is one of resilience: she refuses to be shamed or diminished, and her loyalty to her dragon and her friends is unwavering.

Lily

Lily is a Longwing dragon, known for her acid-spitting ability and her deep bond with Harcourt. She is gentle, nurturing, and fiercely protective, especially as Harcourt's pregnancy progresses. Lily's psychological arc is one of quiet strength, providing stability and support in the midst of chaos.

Reverend Erasmus and Hannah Erasmus

The Erasmuses are freed slaves turned missionaries, whose presence in Africa forces Laurence and his companions to confront the realities of the slave trade and the complexities of faith, forgiveness, and justice. Reverend Erasmus is a man of deep conviction, willing to risk everything for his beliefs, while Hannah's journey is one of reclaiming her identity and agency. Their psychological arcs are marked by suffering, resilience, and the search for redemption.

Moshueshue and Kefentse

Moshueshue is the wise and pragmatic leader of the Tswana, determined to defend his people and their way of life. Kefentse, his dragon ancestor, embodies the power and memory of the Tswana kingdom. Together, they represent a challenge to colonial assumptions and a vision of a world where dragons and humans coexist as equals. Their psychological arcs are shaped by loss, anger, and the determination to secure justice for their people.

Plot Devices

Epidemic as Catalyst

The mysterious illness that decimates the British Aerial Corps is the central plot device, forcing characters into action, revealing the weaknesses of institutions, and exposing the moral failings of society. The epidemic serves as both a literal and metaphorical disease, highlighting the interconnectedness of nations and the consequences of neglect and exploitation.

Moral Dilemma and Treason

Laurence's internal conflict—between loyalty to his country and his sense of justice—drives the emotional arc of the novel. The plot is structured around a series of escalating moral choices, culminating in the act of treason that defines the climax. The use of foreshadowing, as Laurence is repeatedly confronted with the costs of obedience, builds tension and deepens the psychological complexity.

Cross-Cultural Encounter

The journey to Africa and the encounter with the Tswana kingdom serve as a plot device to challenge the assumptions of the British characters. The Tswana's sophisticated society, their practice of dragon rebirth, and their resistance to the slave trade force the protagonists to confront their own complicity and ignorance. The use of captivity and escape as narrative structure heightens the sense of transformation and reversal.

The Cure as MacGuffin

The elusive mushroom that holds the cure for the dragon plague is the classic MacGuffin: it motivates the journey, creates conflict, and serves as the focal point for alliances and betrayals. Its discovery and use are fraught with danger, and its ultimate delivery to both Britain and France becomes the moral fulcrum of the story.

Betrayal and Sacrifice

The revelation that the British government has deliberately infected the French dragons with the plague is the ultimate betrayal, forcing Laurence and Temeraire to choose between their country and their conscience. The narrative structure uses this betrayal to heighten the stakes, and the act of delivering the cure to France is both a plot twist and a moment of profound sacrifice.

Foreshadowing and Irony

The novel is rich in foreshadowing: the early discussions of abolition, the hints of government duplicity, and the repeated emphasis on the bonds of loyalty all prepare the reader for the final act of treason. Irony pervades the story, as the very qualities that make Laurence and Temeraire heroes—honor, loyalty, compassion—are what lead them to be condemned as traitors.

Analysis

Empire of Ivory is a masterful exploration of the costs of loyalty, the limits of obedience, and the moral complexity of war. Naomi Novik uses the alternate history of the Napoleonic Wars, with dragons as both weapons and sentient beings, to interrogate the structures of power, empire, and prejudice. The dragon plague is both a literal threat and a metaphor for the diseases of society: racism, exploitation, and the willingness to sacrifice the vulnerable for the sake of victory. The novel's emotional power lies in its refusal to offer easy answers: Laurence and Temeraire's act of treason is both necessary and tragic, a sacrifice that saves lives but costs them everything. The encounter with the Tswana kingdom is a brilliant reversal, forcing the British characters to confront their own assumptions and the realities of colonial violence. The use of plot devices—epidemic, moral dilemma, cross-cultural encounter—creates a narrative that is both thrilling and deeply thoughtful. In the end, Empire of Ivory is a story about the courage to do what is right, even when it means standing alone, and the hope that such acts of conscience can change the world.

Last updated: October 23, 2025