1. What do you think of the worldbuilding with regards to this as an alternate history?
I find major faults with the worldbuilding, especially the inconsistency of logic. A dragon, a free thinking, highly intelligent being is eager to be subjected by humans. I'm sorry, such a relationship needs considerable worldbuilding to justify its existence. As soon as I saw how powerful a dragon can be, it unraveled the timeline of our world. What is presented wouldn't be with dragons in the picture.
2. What are your thoughts on the combat style? Compared to more standard dragon rider combat?
Novik combined airplanes and ships, gave it flesh, and free will. Bam, dragons. I do like the potential of combat, but she didn't invest enough into the battles to catch my attention.
3. How are you feeling about the relationship between Laurence and Temeraire now that we're over half way through?
There were a few moments where I chuckled at the awkwardness of it all. Besides that, I felt slightly sickened. Like I ate too much chocolate cake and tried to wash it away with a chocolate milk shake.
4. How awkward was that 'Temeraire has reached maturity' scene, seriously?
It wasn't odd until I realized Temereraire didn't feel a bit awkward by the whole ordeal. Scenes such as this make me wonder if Novik truly thought out each character. Laurence had the decency to be embarrassed, but Temereraire seemed eager for more. Had this been a cat or dog, I could understand. But this is a highly intelligent, self aware being. That made the scene (in the words of Jimmy Fallon) "Ew!"