Reviewed by Linda on
All of the main characters were shown to grow and mature through the series, and Tavi's sheer intelligence for all things made him such a love able character I am very sad to have finished the series. The world building of this fantasy was likewise extremely well done, and it feels like I could travel to Alera and find my way around, although I would be scared to meet a Canim, or even worse a vord in whatever shape it might be.
The relationships between the characters were well thought out, and they made a lot of sense. It is always so good to read a story where it is possible to understand the characters, and identify with more than one of them, even when they live in a world so different from the one we readers live in.
I feel like I have been traveling around Alera these past days, fighting next to Tavi and Kitai, flying with Amara, and growing stronger with Isana. The insight to so many different characters' inner thoughts might have been confusing, but Jim Butcher managed to keep them all so real, and different enough both in their mannerisms and their way of speech it was simply awesome.
The political system in Alera seemed difficult to grasp in the first book, but it soon became something well known, and the intrigues that ensued because of the system made the story even more interesting, especially where Tavi was concerned.
The story was always character driven, and the plot and sub-plots, albeit complicated, made sense, and helped moving the story along as well. This series will go on my 'fave' shelf, and also on my 're-read' shelf.
Reading updates
- Started reading
- 12 February, 2012: Finished reading
- 12 February, 2012: Reviewed