I liked the first Temeraire book the best. The others, I felt less engaged in, more frustrated, more dragging. So I'm a trifle wary of a new book by Novik - though it being a new universe, I'll probably like it, because the world will be fresh and new.

Brett is the penultimate Holmes, in my opinion.

If Brett is the penultimate Holmes, who is the ultimate Holmes? 8-)