Book 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. - from Netgalley.com

This eARC was provided by Netgalley.com and I am giving an unbiased review.

This is the second book in 'The Cinder Spires' series by Jim Butcher. It has been awhile since I read the first one, so the it took a bit at the start to pick up on what had transpired. A bit of time has passed since the first story, and this one finds us with many of the same characters. The war between spire-states is starting to escalate, and this book is more centered around what is going on around the Olympian Spire. 

I have always enjoyed Butcher's books (Dresden Files and Codex Alera series) and this series has been enjoyable to read as well. I do like the world-building and character development employed, as well as his easy-to-read writing style. I am looking forward to reading more in this series, as I am sure there will be at least one more book (I hope).

Book Review: "Fortress of Crows" by Daniel Colter

 Another blood-thirsty thriller set during the Crusades! For fans of Ben Kane, Conn Iggulden, Robyn Young, Bernard Cornwell and Christian Cameron.

A scroll worth killing for…

The Judean Desert, 1186

Finn of Struan, a Templar knight, has orders to find the Copper Scroll, a relic describing where priceless treasures from Solomon’s Temple were hidden away.

He is also charged with protecting a relic hunter, one who procures religious relics, as she unravels the tangled web of clues held in the ancient text.

But rival relic hunters also hunt the scroll. And their leader, Le Scélérat, the Evildoer, will stop at nothing to get it.

Greed rules the hearts of many, turns friend against friend, and Finn’s quest soon becomes a bloody fight filled with deceit and death.

Will he and his loyal Brothers survive murderous enemies? Can Finn complete his quest?

Or will Templar bones rot in the bleak wastes of the Judean? - from Netgalley.com

This eARC was provided by Netgalley.com and I am providing an unbiased review.

It has been a short time from the end of the first book in this series. Some of the characters from the first book have been reassigned to other sectors/divisions, but our main character is pretty much still doing what he was originally. This time, new orders have come down for his men to accompany some relic hunters, whilst also being chased by some evil goons,

At first I was a bit hesitant to start on this story. Why would the Templars want to help relic hunters? Ohhhh, right. The Templars were moneylenders, and everybody likes gold, except our main character. Either way, he has his duty to follow, thus he does. This is the first time we see how it might have been being in close contact with females for the Templars. As one would expect, there become some strong emotional feelings, that God and Duty must make our MC abstain and be the solid character he is.

World building was as good as the first book, though I think this one centered more in a certain area. The caverns I have no clue about, and the story about the Jews and Romans fighting there... no idea if true or not. Sounds very possible though. Again, there is plenty of action going on, and loss of lives, and injuries that seem impossible to overcome. Definitely was still a good read, and I would look forward to future books in this series.

Book Review: "Brotherhood of Wolves" by Daniel Colter

 

Join the Brotherhood in a thrilling adventure set during the Crusades! For fans of Ben Kane, Conn Iggulden, Robyn Young, Bernard Cornwell and Christian Cameron .

The enemy strikes from within…

Jerusalem, 1177

The Holy City is in Christian hands and the Sultan Saladin has vowed to retake her, whatever the cost.

Two faiths are warring over sacred ground. It is within this feverish hotbed that Finn of Struan, a young knight dedicated to the Templars, is stationed.

Finn’s world unravels when his mentor, Robert of Saint Albans, murders a brother in cold blood. Worse, Robert joins the Devil himself — Saladin.

The foul deeds stain the Templar name and Finn is tasked with killing Robert, a man with a mind sharper than any sword.

But as Finn slips into enemy territory, he finds the hunter has become the prey…

As Templar fights Templar for control of the Holy City, can Finn avenge his dead comrade? Will the Brotherhood prevail?

Or will Saladin’s army emerge victorious? - from Goodreads.com

This is the first book in this new series. My attention had gotten caught on the second book, and decided I needed to go back and read the first one so I would be lost in possible story references. I am not usually one for historical type fiction (mystery or fantasy) but do love what feels to be a good action novel, as this book turned out to be.

Pretty much this whole story seemed believable, like it was recorded in a scroll and recently found. World building was authentic to my knowledge of the middle east areas in the late 1100's, and the Crusades were happening. Even my basic knowledge of Templar lore seemed to cover all facts. Though, there isn't much regarding Templars in the story, as our characters are sent on a mission 'undercover'. Overall I thought it very well-written and found it to be a very enjoyable read.