I am a huge fan of Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files and am thrilled to find that the first book in The Cinder Spires lives up to Butcher’s proven style of detailed world building and the creation of characters you cannot help but love!
Worldbuilding:
Jim Butcher’s new world of The Cinder Spires is delightfully detailed. A lot of work has been invested in creating a world filled with class distinctions, religion, magic and different races and creatures. Humanity has made their home in the sky on Spires left by the original Builders. The surface of the planet is a wasteland of nightmares and men and women have figured out how to grow crystals that utilize etheric energy to power vast aeronautical warships, handheld weapons and simple machines that form the very foundation of the Spire’s civilization.
Characters:
The main protagonist, Captain Grim, is an discarded military officer who has made his fortune as a privateer protecting the interests of Spire Albion. Grimm believes in decorum and the kind of values that make a good officer: stoicism, professionalism and an unflagging sense of humor. Captain Grimm is the kind of person and officer that I want to be and I was delighted to read about such an interested character.
Just as Orson Scott Card’s godspoken are crippled by obsessions that walk hand in hand with their unearthly powers, Butcher’s etherealists are bound by odd compulsions that accompany their use of the etheric energy. As the immense power of the etheric energy rips through their minds, etherealists are forced to plug the holes however they can. Master Ferus and his apprentice Folly are great examples of characters with limitations who find ways to soar over them. The etherealists are powerful, yet are forced to carefully pick their way through their unique abilities instead of appearing omnipotent. It is refreshing to read about powerful characters who seem real – characters who have real fears and real challenges.
Butcher includes strong female protagonists who are predictable, but enjoyable to read – and let’s not forget about the talking cats! Whether you are a dog or a cat person, you will appreciate the anthropomorphic citizens that complete this world!
Story:
Jim Butcher is a master of superbly crafted plot twists and heartily brings this skill to The Aeronaut’s Windlass. While some of the characters and plot seem formulaic, Butcher’s writing style will keep readers engaged.
The design of the airships are fascinating and I was glued to the description of the aerial combat. While there is a nod to steampunk, most of the technology revolves around etheric energy.
The antagonist is compelling and a rich backstory weaves its way through the looping drama. The Aeronaut’s Windlass has the feel of a well developed prequel and I think that this series will only get better. The limited scope of The Aeronaut’s Windlass hints at a broader world and conflict that is just waiting to be discovered!
Overall:
Go and get your hands on a copy of The Aeronaut’s Windlass right now! The story is enjoyable, the characters and compelling and the first book in The Cinder Spires series promises the development of a truly epic story. I already cannot wait until the next book comes out!
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Quite the ride.
Jim Butcher does a great job of creating another world full of interesting and diverse characters. It had a slow start for me, as he established how everything works and begins to tell the different character's stories, but it picks up rather quickly and begins developing the twists and turns you'll see later. The humor and style of writing follow Jim Butcher's style, if you've ever read one of his books before, and if not I definitely recommend this as a good place to start if The Dresden Files didn't catch your eye. Overall I enjoyed my experience in another of Jim Butcher's worlds.
