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.

Wow. Great book. I kinda wish Jim could combine his worlds cuz I’d love to see what Tavi and Harry could do together. This was such a great chapter in this world with so much promise of what is to come. I think I’ve said this in every book this series but I’m so angry I waited so long to read this series considering how much I love Dresden.

Another amazing book!!! So many new secrets revealed. I always love getting the epilogue from the First Lord's point of view. Always gives me something new to be excited about. And Tavi!!! Excellent as always. This series gets better and better with each book.

Much better than the first two. The action was well paced and still moved the story along. The characters got to evolve and become more people. The story deepens.

Is good. I am enjoying these.

This 2024 Re-read is going fantastically well and the series really breaks open here in a lot of ways

PS: The epilogue conversation between Sextus and Fidelias is terrific - short but every word has their history, hope and ideals etched into it. A masterclass in writing there

In this third installment in the Codex Alera series, Tavi is sent to work undercover in a legion with his friend Max. The legion ends up in a massive scale battle against the largest Canim incursion in many years. Amara and Bernard travel to Ceres to meet up with Isana, who is there for a free-the-slaves conference, when Kalarus decides to launch a huge attack against the realm. Amara and Bernard get sent off with very weak allies to rescue captives…so basically another installment of drama, intrigue, and ACTION. Although in this book we finally do learn a few tidbits about Isana’s past and who Tavi really is. I have theories. I’m not sure they were right. So much is still unclear! Can’t wait to read the next three and find out.

This book was super interesting because Tavi and Amara both remind me a little bit of Rand in the Wheel of Time series. Sometimes the legality isn’t as important as doing what’s right. When Tavi is just wrecked by the dead, it reminds me of when Rand counts the names of every women that fell because of him. I mean it was almost way too much of an obsession for him, but it gave you the glimpse into his heart. Tavi has this massive heart too. What’s also interesting is the sermon at church yesterday was all about legality vs. morality. Just because something is legal doesn’t make it right. This relates to the current events children separated from families issue, this relates to certain decisions to kill or not that both Tavi and Amara face in this book, and it just relates to life. Just because something is legally allowed doesn’t make it morally right. Or, as my mother-in-law says, “just because you can doesn’t mean you should.” Although she’s usually referring to their massive dogs sticking their head on the table, but still.

Best book I ahve read in a long long long long time. Such a perfect plot.