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sienamystic's review against another edition
3.0
Yeah...still fun, but I'm starting to skim. The repetitive plotting structure is getting to me, with every individual story getting a chapter that ends in some new terrible thing. It's supposed to heighten my interest but instead it's made it fall off because it's too predictable and tiresome. Still enjoying things in a more general sense, but these aren't shaping up to be books I revisit, even if I like the worldbuilding.
topdragon's review against another edition
5.0
The third novel in the Codex Alera series finds our heroes once again having to dig deep and defend their lands against invaders. Tavi, page to the First Lord himself is tasked to join a newly formed legion under a false name, primarily to gain experience in the field. The legion is never expected to actually see action anytime soon. But when a rival high lord rebels and allies himself with a foreign force of powerful warriors from another land, all bets are off.
This is another fine entry in the series and I’m happy to see Jim Butcher isn’t letting his foot off the gas. We’re half way through the set now and while I think I can see where it’s heading, nothing is sure at this point. It’s nice to see Tavi grow into manhood during this novel and become a true leader of men, fulfilling the beginnings of his destiny. He is more than just a leader of men however, as he demonstrates time and again his intelligent and creative solutions to seemingly insurmountable odds. His personal courage and will and his ability to inspire loyalty are truly heroic. Other characters as well have nice subplots and heroic moments. Jim Butcher really has a knack for bringing us relatable characters that are truly courageous, demonstrating bravery by taking action in spite of their own fears and even terrors.
This is largely a novel with a heavy warfare plot but while those scenes are big and bloody and intense, this is balanced with character-driven scenes and many a tender moment as well. Once again, the pacing is spot on, allowing events to build in intensity to an explosive climax that was very rewarding.
The next three books will no doubt build even more on the intrigue, both political and personal, that has come before. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
This is another fine entry in the series and I’m happy to see Jim Butcher isn’t letting his foot off the gas. We’re half way through the set now and while I think I can see where it’s heading, nothing is sure at this point. It’s nice to see Tavi grow into manhood during this novel and become a true leader of men, fulfilling the beginnings of his destiny. He is more than just a leader of men however, as he demonstrates time and again his intelligent and creative solutions to seemingly insurmountable odds. His personal courage and will and his ability to inspire loyalty are truly heroic. Other characters as well have nice subplots and heroic moments. Jim Butcher really has a knack for bringing us relatable characters that are truly courageous, demonstrating bravery by taking action in spite of their own fears and even terrors.
This is largely a novel with a heavy warfare plot but while those scenes are big and bloody and intense, this is balanced with character-driven scenes and many a tender moment as well. Once again, the pacing is spot on, allowing events to build in intensity to an explosive climax that was very rewarding.
The next three books will no doubt build even more on the intrigue, both political and personal, that has come before. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
2h2a2n's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
t_shaffner's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those books I love so much that I periodically come back to reread it when I'm having a rough day or a moving day and just want to think about something cool and interesting and totally different from my life. Just good.
sandra_sings's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dapperfairy's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
dinapetko's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kittycat2302's review against another edition
5.0
This is where the series really breaks out- instead of what looks to be small, localized skirmishes, it becomes a book of a significantly larger scale, with battles for Alera herself. Everything is bigger, characters feel more in danger, reveals start happening left, right, and center, and basically everything is really awesome.
This is also the last of the books I remember particularly well- I think I've only re-read the next 2 once, and possibly haven't ever re-read the last one, so this is exciting "new" territory! ;-)
This is also the last of the books I remember particularly well- I think I've only re-read the next 2 once, and possibly haven't ever re-read the last one, so this is exciting "new" territory! ;-)