Wasn't sure how to rate this one - a rather neatly tied-up last third lets it down just by making it look all too easy. But the dragons! Temeraire's relationship with Laurence, and the beginning of their political awakening, continue the first book's strong development, while the draconic supporting cast are full of endearing quirks (some of the humans are rather more stock characters, though the Grumpy Surgeon and Manipulative Diplomat are both excellent examples of their respective types). 
 There are also several fantastic set-pieces, particularly a night-fight near the start of the book and a sea serpent encounter in the middle - alongside the two action sequences that redeem that faulty last third.