Cursor's Fury: Codex Alera, Book 3

This review applies to the series. Normally, I listen to sci-fi and decided to give this fantasy series a try because of the high ratings the books got at Amazon, and I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. The characters are excellent, the plot good, etc. The first book takes a little getting use to the new concept of furies and the author doesn't really try to explain how one gets these furies powers. (This probably explains some of the poor reviews on the 1st book) He does implied that it is genetic, but how many people in today's society really understand genetics? Who's ya daddy! The sixth book of this series is due out in November and I looking forward to it.
Kate Reading does one of the best jobs of narration in this series that I've heard anywhere! If you like a narration performance, you'll like this one. Lots of blood and guts, but very, very few 4-ltr words, if you dont count CROWs; - this series swear word.
Audible needs to cross-reference these audio books with the book reviews in Amazon, their parent company (I believe). This is especially true where there are few or no reviews on the book. Just a note about my high 5-star ratings - I usually only rate books that I really enjoy, hence high ratings in all my rating history. Hope this helps!

After reading the two preceding books, I Still can not figure out what the deal is with the horns. I can live with them, I just don't understand their purpose. I love this series and though it took me a while to snuggle in with all the characters, I feel as close to them now as I do with Jamie and Claire of the Outlander series. I'm glad I stuck with this one. The only reason it didn't get a five star rating was because of the excessive battle descriptions which I consider a cop out for book filler. He's got a better writers brain and shouldn't be stooping to such silly tactics.

The larger story arc of the series so far is wonderfully fascinating and intriguing. I have enjoyed following the main characters' arcs through the story. It is a bit black and white in some ways with the Very Bad being Very Bad and the Very Good... well, you get it, but there are a lot of grey areas and characters (Lady Placida is fantastic!) The story involving Fade and Isanna is beautifully written; Lady Aquitaine (et al) is fascinating...

My biggest problem with how the series is developing - and it's a major issue for me, is that at least 1/3 of the book is taken up with battle tactics during the war which seem much like a fantasy version of a History Channel documentary. Hours and hours are spent in detailed battle plans and execution. Nothing there there, just details of swords/arrows/spears/etc. While I can see how probably many fantasy fans find this exciting, to me, it became extremely tedious. Every battle or development in the war, over time, started to sound exactly the same in every respect. There's absolutely nothing creative or of interest for me in this kind of war documentary. To quote from the book: "And the battle went on, and on. And on." And it does.

This incidentally was why, of the Dresden Files, "White Knight" is probably my least favorite (huge battle there, which, compared to this Alera book, makes it seem short....)

Jim Butcher remains a favorite author of mine, but I'm not sure that I'll continue on with this Alera series, just because of these endless, tedious battle-upon-battle scenarios.

Last word: I sincerely wish that there was more actual story and development here. Mr. Butcher's creative imagination is strong, unique and wonderful. If you love battle scenes, you have a lot to love in this book.

Yes, every audio version of any book is better than the print. Who the hell would read a book when you have the best Narrator there is in Kate Reading to read it for you.

Every battle scene.

First let me say, I don't do reviews and am not a "staff writer" of which I suspect are the source of some reviews. Just my opinion. :-)
In either case, I just love this series. The characters, the storyline, etc.
I've done the Robert Jordan and Terry Goodkind series. Good but not great. More soap opera than not. Always got the feeling it was written with a "string 'em along" publisher's attitude in mind. The Codex series is just a great series. The characters are kept to a manageable number and are very engaging. Jim Butcher's style is addicting. Yes, the good guy wins, but it's the way they win. Leaves you breathless.
Books 1 and 2 are, for me, simply captivating. I'm finishing up on book 3. and it's a nail biter to say the least. Likely I'll do them all.

While this book and the reading are both great, throughout the book there are randomly interspersed pauses for a short sound byte of trumpets blaring. It's not long but it comes at random times, often in the middle of scenes or even partially through a set of dialogue, and detracts from the experience. I wish the creators would remove these. There are also instances where it sounds like a pause was removed and one part of the reading falls right into the next part. As best I could tell none of the story was actually left out but the discontinuity is distracting and does make me worry a section was removed whenever it happens.

I loved the action in this book. It was constant and awesome. I enjoy how the story developed and then wrapped up. He has a way to "finish" a conflict while carrying others on. It was very entertaining to read.

The story and performance were so good that it was difficult to stop listening. Loved it!

It was slow to begin, but this book introduces many likeable characters that you can root for. Jim Butcher is great at creating characters and situation that show courage, honor and compassion.

I think that Kate Reading is a fabulous narrator. She really brings the characters to life with their own voices but doesn't over do it.

Hard to say who my favorite is. Even the villains of the story have their understandable reasons for doing what they're doing. Nothing is simple as black and white. Though if I had to choose a favorite I'd likely say that it was Max. He's a good man in a hard spot and even his humor and flippant attitude has reasons behind it that are revealed in Cursor's Fury. I like the way he compliments Tavi as well. The strong fury crafter in Max and Tavi's lack of fury crafting but his quick wits and Batman-like ability to turn seemingly any situation to his advantage make for a great team.

Kate Reading has such a great voice and all her characters come to life with voices of their own. But I think my favorite rendition of hers is Odiana. The mad water witch really stands out from all the others and I love the mix of danger that Kate gives her but still a touch of childlike innocence behind it.

The charge Tavi and the Blood Crows against the Carnim surge across the bridge. I reached that part while at work and I actually cheered out loud anyways!

Great book of a great series! Can't wait to get the next one to see where it all leads. Each book amps up the danger and the threat to not just the characters, but to the realm in which they live.