This third book was a little better than book two but still not as great as book one. Beyond that arbitrary ranking, I'm really enjoying this series. Who knew that a historical war setting coupled with subtle humor and cozy interludes would be a winning combination for a dragon fantasy series? While I couldn't responsibly say this book should be categorized as cozy. It's the cozy moments of friendship between Lawrence and Temeraire that leave a lasting impression. Yes, people die, and serious topics are discussed. But these are not the moments of the story that stick with me. It's the scenes that put a smile on my face that have me thrilled to continue this story and have me reaching for the next book.