Now we're getting somewhere. The intrigue has stepped up a lot this book, and the action is more relevant to the full plot. I think we are going to start seeing more fallout of what happened in book 2 over the next few, too. Can't wait!

A tremendously fun read with excellent writing for the battle scenes. More enjoyable for me, were the improved characterizations of Amara is Isana and (yay) Fade. Happily, I found book 4, Captain's Fury, in paperback at the store yesterday so I'm moving right along.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koCETRO9UnY

in the 3rd book in the Fury series by Jim Butcher, we find Tavi, the only magic-less inhabitant of Alera, defending the realm against an invasion of brutal warriors from across the see, while the rest of the Scooby Gang deal with the rebellion of one of the High Lords who seeks to take over the throne. the Codex Alera series is not "The Game of Thrones", but this is also a good thing. GRRMartin is a very good writer, but i think we can all agree that maybe he could use an editor to cut about 30-40% of his books down. Butcher is coming to fantasy from his tightly written and fast paced Harry Dresden thriller series, so even though he does indulge in a more verbiage to help build up the world and culture of Alera, the story moves along, things happen quickly and plots twist, then untwist in a reasonable number of pages. Tavi's story arc is clear, but i look forward to reading the rest of the series to see how he gets there.

My absolute favourite of the series. I couldn't put this book down, and had to pick up the next one right away!

This series goes from strength to strength. Again set two years after the last book. This tone the realm must defend against an onslaught from the wolf-men canim. A cast of usual suspects continues to grow and develop with interesting sub-plots and revelations.

This is book number 3 in the Codex Alera series and I have really enjoyed the previous two so I was hoping to really love this one too and it did not disappoint!

The storyline of this book is focussed mostly on Tavi once again as the main character, but it does still include chapter snippets into the lives of the other major players. Whilst the first book was mostly a set up book and the second was mostly based in Politics, this one was based mostly around warfare and battles.

In this storyline we get to meet the Canim and find out a lot more about their culture than we previously could guess. The Canim are the arch enemies of Alera and they have been warring with one another for years on and off but over time the battles have changed and seemingly have been leading up to something bigger than Alera has ever seen before. Tavi is enlisted to help out with the battle and become a part of a Legion, and of course he uses his resourcefulness and intelligence to do his best to ensure a victory.

I did miss the Marat a lot from this book as they were not really present within it, but I am certain that they will come back into it in the next three (that's the main reason why this is 4*s and not 5*s) as they are just so entertaining and enjoyable, but in stark contrast to the ways and traditions of the Marat I did actually enjoy the way that we learned about another race (the Canim) and the traditions and values that they have. I certainly love the manipulative nature that they have and the way that they almost seem to be one step ahead all the time.

Amara and Bernard and Isana also feature in this book and they are all fulfilling lesser, but just as critical, roles around the Aleran land. They each have to show not only their devotion to one another and their willingness to fight to the end for one another, but also the sincere care that they have for their land is clear to see whilst they fight for what they believe is right.

We get to know Kalere a lot more in this story when he makes a big move against the crown and causes some very devastating things to happen across the land, and we also encounter Fade and learn a lot more about his back story and how it is linked with Isana's, which was one aspect I really enjoyed learning about too as it has been hinted at in the previous two but never truly explained.

I am certain that book 4 is going to be a very interesting read, I hope that it's not just another huge battle as that was the one area I didn't like quite so much as the previous books, I preferred the political webs over the strategies for war, but that's just my personal preference and it was still done well either way.

On the whole if you have enjoyed the previous books in this series I have no doubt that you will like this one too, it's just as exciting (although maybe a little slower in pacing) and so I will certainly be picking up the next one soon, especially after the epilogue has such a funny and mystifying ending!

4.5 stars
Really liking this series. If you’ve read and enjoyed Brandon Sanderson’s stuff, you’ll dig this series for sure. Just the right amount of everything.