The Aeronaut’s Windlass (The Cinder Spires #1)

Master and Commander plus Regency society plus Dumas’ swashbuckling plus … cats. Jim Butcher totally understands cats.

Notice that I left “steampunk” or “post-apocalyptic” out of my list. That’s not because they don’t apply, but because they just didn’t strike me as important. In the same vein, quibbles about “etheric energy” being unrealistic really don’t apply. Just accept it, and enjoy the ride.

The good parts: Characters with individual motivations and reactions, so they actually “sounded” like different people. A fast-paced that didn’t feel rushed, oversimplified, or unnecessarily convoluted. Culturally consistent vocabulary and interactions (yes, that means “rust and rot!” are the strongest swear words used, which is perfect for the setting). Thrilling airship battles. Monsters that fit the environment. Honorable adversaries on all sides. A sense of fun and lightness that didn’t detract from the serious aspects. And the cats–as I mentioned, Mr. Butcher really understands cats, and he creates whole tribes of them without falling into the typical “talking animals” pitfalls.

The not-so-good (disappointing) parts: A psychopathically sadistic villainess and a monstrous henchman with none of the character and motivation depth that the military antagonists get to display. “Wizards” whose power-caused eccentricities seem more like “You know what would be funny? The genius mentor can’t figure out how to use doorknobs!” than well-considered psychological handicaps or identifiable mental disorders. A looming, supernatural enemy that seems both vague and overpowered, when political and military intrigue between nations would be plenty to deal with.

That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book–so much that upon finishing it I immediately searched the Kindle store for Volume 2. Nope; not even teased in pre-order ads. Disappointing to have to wait for the next installment!

Im a big fan of the Harry Dresden series and was interested in seeing how Butcher would tackle third person prose (actually a style I favor because of the wide latitude it gives authors to explore events outside a main characters observations). I wasnt crazy about this book for several reasons: First, the authors pacing is too consistenta relentless series of skirmishes ending in one big battle, so there are few highs and lows in the pace of the story. I like action interspersed with atmospheric scenes and colorful descriptions to flesh out the look and feel of the world in which a story is set. (Im sure the continuous action scenes will please other readers.) Second, while there are many interesting, distinctive characters, too often detailed descriptions of them appear later in the story instead of early on when they could add depth and life to characters as the reader follows their exploits. (Grimm is split this way.) For example Id prefer to know more about Benedict and the abilities of the warriorbornthey certainly derserve as much coverage as the cat tribes. Great job of conveying the personality of a cat, by the way, although Im not sure they belong in the steampunk genre. Third, for me, it was hard to get too involved in any one character because there were so many of them, all given equal treatment and weight. I find it easier to get emotionally involved if perhaps four or five key characters form the focus of the story (protagonists or villain), reacting off a secondary tier of supporting characters. Finally, the blend of technology within a historical setting didnt seem consistent, relying primarily on the air ships and aeronautseffective as that subset was. I finished the book but dont feel eager to read another.

Alright, so. Finished this story.

I recently “got into” Jim Butcher to shut up my friends about how “Harry Dresden” I was. Not bad, he gets better as you go. I’m hooked. Realized he had a Steampunk book, wow. Couldn’t wait to jump into it. Before I get too lost in my… thoughts, I want to give an overall (Stars Above) thoughts. TLDR: The book was good. Could’ve done better, unimpressed with some of the elements but it’s solid and fun. I’m super sad there’s going to be, like, years in between each installment because I don’t see the wait being worth what was set up here.

Alright, let’s jump in.

First off. If you like steampunk, this book is OVERFLOWING with weird troupes. Absolutely Overflowing. Mystical City? Check. Airships? Check. Technology that doesn’t need explaining because of magic? Check. Is that technology Crystals? Check. Animal-People fantasy race? Check. Is that race cats? Check. Monsters? Check. Weird class structures? Check. Strong Women? Check. Duels? Check. Goggles? Check. Super cool sounding names for normal stuff like Aether? Check. Magic users who fill a Mechromancer slot? Check! Reason for Goggles? CHECK!

Too many to count. Every single time something new was introduced I was left going “Really? Honestly? One more thing to keep track of? You have got to be kidding me.”. First we got Airships, and some of the Airship stuff. We are then introduced to Regal Spire life, and their weaponized crystals, then it’s to this idea of servitude in an elite police officer squad run by the rich houses…. which seems ripe for corruption galore. Then cat people. Then actual cats which some people can talk to. Oh, ontop of that the Cats have a weird viking/dwarven culture of their own with clans and stuff. Then magic. Magicians who are crazy. Enemies of the spire. Aliens? Lovecraftian monsters in the mist? It’s just a lot. To be fair: He is setting up a whole world FROM SCRATCH and trying to do so through a story that is trying to settup an entire series… but it felt too much. It felt like a steampunk Fan-Fic in some parts.

However, that negative being said…. It was a meaty book. By the end of it I was invested. I wanted to know more. I found myself both happy it was winding down and ending but also angry it was ending as it was “getting good”. Now that the groundwork is laid out, I am all in on this crazy, complicated world. I also don’t see how more is going to come from these characters. Without too much spoilers: the end sets up a rather large conflict while neatly tying up our heroes’ involvement in it. I can see one or two being pivotal in the coming conflict but without some sort of “Chosen one” or “Fellowship of the Ring” hook I can’t see how every one of these characters will be carried into another book. That being said, I obviously want them in the next book because we spent so long getting used to them / attached to them!

It is at this point I would love to point out that they only, once, point out that the “Aeronaut” does not want his ship to become a “Windlass” and they quickly explain what that is. Almost immediately after, everything is worked out, the ship restored, and it is never brought up again. I kept expecting the ship to be hobbled or crippled into ending the book as a “Windlass” or his realizing there was some benefit to being a “Windlass” that would help them overcome a trial in the book but… nope. It’s almost as if Mr. Butcher forgot that line of thought after mentioning it and he figured the name still sounds “Steampunky Enough” to keep.

Now, this all sounds negative, but the book is good. When everything is said and done, the story wraps up nicely, the world is built and set, stakes are raised and conclude. The characters were strong and, although hitting SO MANY troupes it isn’t funny, it is a good mix of steampunk culture from all over. If you were to cosplay these characters, there’s someone for everyone. The action is tense, the emotions are there in a place or two. This was a fun, good book. A great addition to any steampunk’s shelf.

I look forward to seeing more but I fear the inevitable long wait between books will cause me to lose interest and forget a lot of the investments in world building this book set up. However, I can’t complain too much. I’d rather more Dresden then more of this so I guess I better sit tight.

As a huge JB fan I wanted to add something to the many positive reviews on here. So, what to say? Well, IMO it’s utterly unlike Dresden (which was utterly unlike ‘Codex’) both of which I have devoured gleefully. The point is though, it is *utterly* Jim Butcher and you will enjoy the riveting dialogue, the non-sequiturs and the overall sense of joy that is always attached to a vastly experienced and highly accomplished writer.

Mostly though, I’m writing this to make the plea……when, oh when will “Olympian Affair” come out? For the less fixated amongst you, that’s the penned title for book 2 in this (…series? Hopefully!)

Thanks JB, Harry Dresden made me a permanent fan and I’m so happy you keep producing books of such high calibre.

What can I say I love his dresden files and also the fury series I admit at first I was like noni am nit going to read this book as dont fancy it but I got a sleek peek at it from one of the fury books at the end of it so I read it and must say it piqued my interest so I bought the full book and so glad I did loved it it keeps you hooked like his other books there is so much going on and you really feel for the characters in it this was no different than his other books I didn’t want to put it down and when it was ended wanted more asap but will have to wait to see if there is more coming I so hope so don’t be scared to see for yourself like I said I thought there was no way I would read it as it seem like something I wouldn’t but I was way wrong in love it and think others will to if want exciting nail biting action drama then read it and see for yourself what a great book thus is and hopeful great series

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