His Majesty’s Dragon (2006) by Naomi Novik is an SFF novel, and one of the best examples of alternate history. It’s set during the Napoleonic Wars, on an Earth where dragons are real and are used for aerial warfare in Asia and Europe (yes, like Daenerys Targaryen). But, differently from what’s portrayed in GRRM’s novel, here the dragons of the story are intelligent and able to speak. Brilliant, daring, entertaining. Nominated for the Hugo Awards.
I thoroughly endorse your recommendation. I’ve just completed reading the series and really enjoyed how Novik rounded it off, back to the original theatre of war. This is one of the best, most memorable fantasy series I’ve read.
Happy you liked it too! Alternate history is a difficult one to handle correctly, and that was great! I’m going to read the whole series 🙂