Cursor’s Fury

by Jim Butcher

Ace, 442 pp, $24.95

Cursor’s Fury is Book three of the Codex Alera.

The power-hungry Lord of Kalare has launched a brutal rebellion against the aging First Lord, Gaius Sextus. Caught off guard, Gaius must fight for the survival of the realm. Countess Amara, cursor for the First Lord, is tasked with the rescue of valuable hostages taken by Kalare with the Countess of Aquitaine, who may have her own agenda that does not include the First Lord. Sent away for his protection, Tavi of Calderon joins a new unit of Legionaries who are sent to guard far away from the fighting. But Kalare has allied with the Canim, and after treachery takes out the command the untrained unit will have to fight the Canim and their version of sorcerers in overwhelming numbers with a green troop legion and treacherous men in his own ranks. They are the only barrier to the forces that could save the kingdom.

Good world building. Full of engaging characters, plot twists, a new kind of magic and ACTION. In some ways it’s David Weber goes Fantasy. Hard to put down. Enjoy! - Pam Allan