When Britain intercepted a French ship and its precious cargo—an unhatched dragon's egg-Capt. Will Laurence of HMS Reliant unexpectedly became master and commander of the noble dragon he named Temeraire. Now China has discovered that its rare gift, intended for Napoleon, has fallen into British hands—and an angry Chinese delegation vows to reclaim the remarkable beast. But Laurence refuses to cooperate. Facing the gallows for his defiance, Laurence has no choice but to accompany Temeraire back to China—a long voyage fraught with peril, intrigue, and the untold terrors of the deep. Yet once the pair reaches the court of the Chinese emperor, even more shocking discoveries and darker dangers await.