I'd like to find a book that had dragons, a dirigible and genetic engineering.

[asp3]

It also featured a war between European nations and a caliphate. Near the beginning of the book a young woman is turned into a cactus and later on in the story there is a grove of trees made up of people who had been turned into trees.

I'm pretty sure I read it as a hardback novel but it could have been an eBook. I read it probably 3 to 10 years ago.

 

[Alex The G and T]

My first thought is Naomi Kovik's Temeraire series. Essentially Horatio Hornblower with Dragons and Dirigibles.

The genetic engineering, cactus persons and wood nymphs doesn't ring that bell, though.

 

[asp3]

My first thought is Naomi Kovik's Temeraire series. Essentially Horatio Hornblower with Dragons and Dirigibles.

The genetic engineering, cactus persons and wood nymphs doesn't ring that bell, though.

Thanks for the idea, that wasn't it.

 

[asp3]

BTW this was definitely more science fiction than fantasy.

The beginning of the book has a character who's job it is is to take care of water for his owner and/or uncle (I forget which.) He is in love with a young woman and when they are together that is when they see the young woman who is trying to escape but is turned into a cactus.