Cursor's Fury (Codex Alera, Book 3) by Jim Butcher
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Book Reviews of Cursor's Fury (Codex Alera, Book 3)
Book Review: Juggling Three Storylines
Summary: 4 Stars
Cursor's Fury continues the three separate story lines of this enjoyable epic fantasy.
The main story line is the coming of age of Tavi, no longer a boy but a young man. Unable to wield the magic furies that he should be able to command, he settles for being resourceful and courageous. This installment sends him on what should be a safe mission to a legion composed mostly of trainee soldiers. By a twist of fate, this legion is the only one in position to oppose a foreign invasion of monstrous creatures and Tavi finds himself commanding the legion when the senior officers are killed by a magical strike. This is a great story! Five stars, no question!
A secondary story concerns Amara, an agent of the Crown who is now the wife of Tavi's uncle Bernard. While I like these characters, I'm starting to find their story a bit repetitive: desperate battles, flying chases, hair-raising rescues. But it's good action and good fun, easily four stars.
The third story line follows Isana, Bernard's sister. Isana, because of murky emotions and inconsistent movivation, seems to welter in soap opera drama. I wish I liked Isana more, but she seems to drain a lot of the thrill of discovery from Tavi's tale by clumsily telegraphing what's going to happen next. If I scored her story totally objectively, it would be low. However, I give Jim Butcher points for trying to write about a complex and strong older woman and I like the final twist he gives Isana's tale in this installment of the Codex Alera.
Book Review: Good but not quite AS good as the previous novels
Summary: 4 Stars
It took me only a couple of days to tear through this book. I have some criticisms to go along with my praise this time.
The Good: Butcher has very good pacing. He is imaginative. He can take tension and grow it into serious concern for the characters. During action scenes, he does a great job of giving the heroes victories and then snatching the elation from them when they discover that despite the momentary triumph, doom is following. His central plot of the journey of Tavi is very strong, with the exception of Kitai's involvement.
The Bad: Whereas the previous books made me feel a strong connection to the supporting main characters, I did not relate to them as much in this novel. Perhaps the individual characters are spread too thin. I found the plotlines involving Isana and Amara / Bernard lacking in both depth and amount of attention devoted to the situations. Perhaps if they didn't feel duct-taped to the Tavi main plot I would have cared more. And Kitai..... didn't connect with her at all. This is a problem, because she is clearly a central figure in the whole saga.
All told, I did enjoy the read, but wasn't blown away as I was with the first two books. I'm hoping Book 4 is a return to form.
Book Review: Thrilling Ending - Adult Read
Summary: 4 Stars
When civil war, unexplainable magical attacks, and thousands of invading foes spread death across Alera, the magic-less Tavi must counter the enemy with what he does possess - wits and guts.
Cursor's Fury is a fast paced tale with a thrilling ending that leaves you wishing you had the next installment already at hand. The reader should be aware that it contains more sexual content than the two earlier books in the form of implicated/stated sexual desire and foreplay - though I wouldn't classify it as erotica. I would not recommend this as a young adult book.
Overall a highly enjoyable adult read and a worthy third installment.
Book Review: Liked it
Summary: 4 Stars
Jim Butcher has certainly come a long way from his earlier novels (which were a lot of fun also) and has created an exciting and involved fantasy world for many readers. Watching the development of his main character Tavi is certainly enjoyable and suspenseful and as usual his action and battle scenes are well painted and the highlight of his books in general.
There is, however, little sense of good vs evil, right vs wrong, moral dilemna...the book is still exciting at times but lacking in depth and not as humorous as his prior work.
Still, recommended, entertaining and well written!
Book Review: 3rd book of Codex Alera series_J. Butcher
Summary: 4 Stars
I enjoyed this book very much. It arrived promptly
& was in good condition. I have no complaints.
The book continues the saga of of the first lord, Tavi of Calderon.
The book is a combination of military ingenuity, magic, true love & loyal friends,
set in a world full of fantasy & dark intrigue.
What more could you want......
This book was one of my favorites of the series,so far.
Will be ordering more books from you soon....
Thank you