In the Napoleonic era, the worlds' militaries are replete with aerial corps of fighting dragons and their handlers. When Captain Laurence of HMS Reliant captures a French frigate, the cargo includes a dragon egg, and when the hatchling chooses the captain to be his handler, Laurence's naval career comes to an end. He is now an aviator, but finds himself bonded with Temeraire, his most elegant and intelligent Chinese dragon. Followed by "Throne of jade" (DC29365). Some descriptions of violence. 2006. (Temeraire ; 1).