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Science Fiction Fantasy Blog

Our Discussion of The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher

Jim Butcher, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Dresden Files and the Codex Alera novels, conjures up a new series set in a fantastic world of noble families, steam-powered technology, and magic-wielding warriors…

Since time immemorial, the Spires have sheltered humanity, towering for miles over the mist-shrouded surface of the world. Within their halls, aristocratic houses have ruled for generations, developing scientific marvels, fostering trade alliances, and building fleets of airships to keep the peace.

Captain Grimm commands the merchant ship, Predator. Fiercely loyal to Spire Albion, he has taken their side in the cold war with Spire Aurora, disrupting the enemy’s shipping lines by attacking their cargo vessels. But when the Predator is severely damaged in combat, leaving captain and crew grounded, Grimm is offered a proposition from the Spirearch of Albion—to join a team of agents on a vital mission in exchange for fully restoring Predator to its fighting glory.

And even as Grimm undertakes this dangerous task, he will learn that the conflict between the Spires is merely a premonition of things to come. Humanity’s ancient enemy, silent for more than ten thousand years, has begun to stir once more. And death will follow in its wake… Goodreads

Below are a sampling of our comments:

  • This was a rousing adventure – with cats!
  • Butcher really captured the essence of cat with Rowl.
  • Rowl turned the book into more of a comedy – like Pirates of the Caribbean.
  • There was a lot of exposition involved in building this new universe and a lot of planting seeds for future reference.
  • I loved the idea of the warriorborn – a cross between human and cat. Except for Sark, who seemed to be half-human and half-spider.
  • Many questions: Who are the founders? What world is beneath the Spires? What is the larger power that is controlling Cavendish and that Folly meets in the Elsewhere? Why is the book of names that Cavendish stole so important?
  • Is Albion supposed to be England? Lots of Chicago references – Albion is a street in Chicago, Aurorans, the Itasca…
  • The space battle was 3D – the author didn’t forget about using the space above and below the ships.
  • I loved Folly – the Etherealists were fascinating and each had their peculiarities, like wagons to fill holes, trouble with doorknobs, and communicating through crystals.
  • Cavendish’s first name, Sycorax, has a literary pedigree – Sycorax is a powerful witch in Shakespeare's The Tempest and is also a character in Tolkien.
  • Bridget’s reaction to leaving the Spire for the first time was a lot like a cat’s reaction on being out of the house for the first time – there’s no ceiling!!!

Please add any additional thoughts or comments you may have about The Aeronaut’s Windlass. We gave this title the codes MIL, AGE, FEM, STP, QUE & CAT with an average rating of 4.4.

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