Author: Jim Butcher
Book 3 of the "Codex Alera" by Jim Butcher finds our hero, Tavi, grown into a young man who has been given a very special job -- that of Cursor.
We encountered the concept of a Cursor back in book one, and learned more in book two, and it's pretty clear by this point that a Cursor is a "secret agent" of sorts. This allows for a very interesting story, as Tavi takes on a secret identity in order to carry out his mission.
Now, much as in the first book and the second, while the main storyline centers on Tavi, the other major characters we've followed continue to have their own parts to play. Amara, in particular, takes on a very key role in this book, and her relationships become very critical to the story. I truly appreciate the skill Butcher has in creating multiple threads, keeping the reader learning new things, while hiding information from the characters.
At the same time, while the characters and the intrigue are impressive, the attention to war craft -- the Aleran armies are very similar to ancient Roman armies in their techniques and structure -- sets this series apart from many other fantasy stories I've read.
By this point, the series is really rolling, and I have become quite involved with the characters, and pleased by the writing. I'll continue. If you read books one and two, you should, also. This book is excellent. I've read the first four by now, and I think this might be the best of the lot so far.
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