Crucible of Gold
First edition cover
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| Author | Naomi Novik |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Temeraire |
| Genre | Alternate history novel |
| Publisher | Voyager Books |
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Publication date
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March 6, 2012 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) e-Book (Kindle, nook) Audio book |
| Pages | 336 pages |
| ISBN | |
| Preceded by | Tongues of Serpents |
| Followed by | Blood of Tyrants |
Crucible of Gold is the seventh novel in the Temeraire alternate history/fantasy series by American author Naomi Novik. This installment features the adventures of William Laurence and his dragon, Temeraire, in South America.
Crucible of Gold was released in hardcover and e-Book formats in North America and the United Kingdom by Voyager Books on March 6, 2012.
William Laurence and Temeraire, who have decided to make a pastoral life for themselves in the British colony of New South Wales, are disturbed by the arrival of the diplomat Arthur Hammond, lately assigned to China, who bears dire news. The Portuguese colony of Brazil is besieged by forces allied to Napoleon Bonaparte, but not belonging to him: the Emperor of France has found common cause with the Tswana, now undisputed masters of the African continent. Their stated desire of retrieving all Africans captured and sold by the slave trade has brought them to Brazil, where the Crown Prince of Portugal, João, has sought refuge. As Portugal itself is the safe harbor to Britain's latest plan, a ground offensive into France itself, Brazil's safety is of paramount importance, and Hammond restores Laurence's commission and captaincy to address the crisis.
Temeraire and Kulingile, with their much-reduced air- and ground crews, rejoin with Iskierka aboard the Allegiance, which begins to make its way east. Unfortunately, Captain Riley's crew is undependable, and after weathering a five-day gale, breaches in discipline lead to a drunken galley fire; the ship is lost, with only the most drunken and irresponsible hands saved, as Laurence had ordered them aboard Temeraire for disciplinary action. The three dragons fly east for three days straight, eventually collapsing aboard the nearest ship they can find; alas, it is the French transport Triomphe, bearing a diplomatic envoy of Chrétien-Louis-Joseph de Guignes and Juliette Récamier to the Inca Empire, and Temeraire's company are marooned on a small island for later retrieval. Only the discovery of a wrecked pirate ship, its maps still legible, allows Laurence to chart a course back to the mainland.
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