Temeraire & Crew go to China!
The book actually focuses more on the journey than them actually spending time there, which was a surprise in hindsight.
There's a lot more naval slang this time around, but I once more found myself wholly engaged despite the subject matter not appealing to me at all on paper.

Content warnings include: war, death, violence and gore, culture clash and misunderstandings and animosities in that context; mentions of: slavery, British colonialism, xenophobia.

One of the most interesting aspects of this book, and the entire series, is how differently dragons are treated in various cultures. The British and Chinese stances towards dragons are particularly different, once more challenging Laurence to question his view of the world, and further spurring up Temeraire's rebellious and political interests.

While their loyalties get questions quite a lot in this books, their affection remain unshaking through all their trials, and I love the frequent sweet moments between them. Temeraire's (sometimes excessive) protectiveness further starts extending towards his crew, and many old faces reappear, though quite a few also die and a few new ones pop up.