Empire of Ivory is the fourth novel in the Temeraire

Temeraire (series)

The Temeraire series of novels by Naomi Novik is composed of His Majesty's Dragon , Throne of Jade, Black Powder War, Empire of Ivory, Victory of Eagles, and Tongues of Serpents...

alternate history/fantasy

Fantasy

Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...

 series by American author Naomi Novik

Naomi Novik

Naomi Novik is an American novelist. She is a first-generation American; her father is of Lithuanian Jewish ancestry, and her mother is an ethnic Pole. She studied English Literature at Brown University, and holds a Master's degree in Computer Science from Columbia University...

. The series follows the actions of William Laurence and his dragon, Temeraire.

The book takes place in Africa and follows Laurence and Temeraire's search for a cure to the disease that has paralyzed the dragon community. Naomi Novik visited southern Africa

Southern Africa

Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. Within the region are numerous territories, including the Republic of South Africa ; nowadays, the simpler term South Africa is generally reserved for the country in English.-UN...

 in search for places in the fourth novel.

Empire of Ivory was released in paperback in North America on September 25, 2007. The British hardcover edition was published on November 5, 2007.

Plot summary

Laurence and Temeraire arrive back in Britain, following their evacuation of Danzig in Black Powder War

Black Powder War

Black Powder War is the third novel in the Temeraire alternate history/fantasy series by American author Naomi Novik.The story is set during an alternate history version of the Napoleonic Wars, in which dragons not only exist but are used as a staple of aerial warfare in Asia and Europe...

. Their relief at arriving safely is short-lived as Napoleon continues his preparations for an invasion of the British Isles, while a flu-like epidemic continues to decimate the British dragons.

Temeraire and Laurence continue to develop their notions of draconic equality in British society and throw their support to the abolitionist

Abolitionism

Abolitionism is a movement to end slavery.In western Europe and the Americas abolitionism was a movement to end the slave trade and set slaves free. At the behest of Dominican priest Bartolomé de las Casas who was shocked at the treatment of natives in the New World, Spain enacted the first...

 movement in exchange for assistance from prominent political leaders. Before they can continue their plans, they are enlisted to return to Africa to seek a cure for the draconic flu and accompany the rest of their formation to the Cape Colony

Cape Colony

The Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, with the founding of Cape Town. It was subsequently occupied by the British in 1795 when the Netherlands were occupied by revolutionary France, so that the French revolutionaries could not take...

along with a missionary family. During their trials and efforts at finding more of the cure, Laurence and Temeraire discover hidden plans that will spell doom for the British colony.

External links

• Picture album of author Naomi Novik's research photographs from Africa.