Among the Stacks Review: The Olympian Affair by Jim Butcher

For centuries the Cinder Spires have safeguarded humanity, rising far above the deadly surface world. Within their halls, aristocratic houses rule, developing scientific marvels and building fleets of airships for defense and trade.

Now, the Spires hover on the brink of open war.

Everyone knows it’s coming. The guns of the great airship fleets that control the skies between the last bastions of humanity will soon speak in anger, and Spire Albion stands alone against the overwhelming might of Spire Aurora’s Armada and its new secret weapon–one capable of destroying the populations of entire Spires.

A trading summit at Spire Olympia provides an opportunity for the Spirearch, Lord Albion, to secure alliances that will shape the outcomes of the war, and to that end he dispatches privateer Captain Francis Madison Grimm and the crew of the AMS Predator to bolster the Spirearch’s diplomatic agents.

It will take daring, skill, and no small amount of showmanship to convince the world to stand with Spire Albion–assuming that it is not already too late.

I will start off with admitting that I am a big fan of Jim Butcher’s writing. I have enjoyed every bit of his writing that I have read. I was introduced to the Dresden Files when there were but 5 books in the series. I was hooked. I loved Codex Alera. The Cinder Spires just continues that love.

 

The Olympian Affair brings back beloved and complex characters from The Aeronaut’s Windlass and gives us more of their story and growth. We learn more of the world and the dangers the people face. The conflicts expand and our heroes face difficult choices fighting for their lives and their spire. We meet new characters who add so much to the rich tapestry of the story. Rowl and the other cats continue to steal the show whenever they appear though all the characters are strong and shine with their own light. I am glad that this book came to be because it almost didn’t. I look forward to seeing where the story goes and how it ultimately ends. This was a roller coaster ride in the best way.

I will caution that the Warriorborn novella featuring Benedict Sorellin-Lancaster takes place before The Olympian Affair and is best read first as it ends where The Olympian Affair opens and the opening spoils the ending of Warriorborn. Both are excellent and well worth the read if you enjoyed The Aeronaut’s Windlass.

 

Rating: 5/5 Cats

Until Next time. See you Among Stacks.

Duncan.

 

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