Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

This is a Buddy Read Cursor's Fury by Jim Butcher starting August 1, 2023.

I zerged through this Buddy Read yesterday...

I feel like a broken record when I come in here... I'm glad I joined this as a re-read, because this is really one of my favorite fantasy series, for all I forgot that fact... it's just such an easy read, I love all the characters, and all the racial/factional dynamics, and how they piece together into the larger whole... it's all just so satisfying...

Nirkatze definitely remembered the big plot point reveals better than I did, in the previous book spoilers... much of what I thought happened at the end here, must be the end of the next book...

How many times have you reread Iain? I often get each of these mixed up too...

I'd be jumping in today, but I still have a 2 week wait on Libby. Grrrr.

This is just my 2nd time...

I am not ready to start this one yet, but I am looking forward to it!

Timelord Iain wrote: "This is just my 2nd time..."

Ah, that first reread... such a lovely feeling...

@Nyssa, I'm seriously looking forward to it too. I keep opening up Libby and checking....

Nirkatze wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "This is just my 2nd time..."

Ah, that first reread... such a lovely feeling...

@Nyssa, I'm seriously looking forward to it too. I keep opening up Libby and checking...."

I'm starting this today. I hope your hold in Libby releases soon!

Prolouge & Chapter 1

The discussion between Tavi and Gaius re Kitai - lol
I wonder why Tavi's instincts assume Gauis would use their relationship against them. (view spoiler)[I also wonder if either of them will find a way to travel together (hide spoiler)].

Who is Maestro Magnus, again? Oh! Never mind, I remember - heh - this will be interesting. I hope whatever happens, they can smack Maestro Larus in his smug face with the results.

Rook (view spoiler)[ aka Gaele (hide spoiler)] - Oh! We learn even more about her. Understanding her position, I wonder how her part will play out! Also, (view spoiler)[she warned Kalare that the situation might be a trap, and he agreed, so why is he going forward anyway? Narcissism? (hide spoiler)]

Ehren - I got scared for a moment there, (view spoiler)[(thinking, why on earth is he in a slave collar!) (hide spoiler)] but it's a mission: curiouser and curiouser.

Tavi and Max get to work together, yay!

Starting this one today.

Checking Libby again...nope, darnit. I might have to just spend a credit. Really looking forward to jumping back in to this world.

Just finished Chapter 17.

So many things are happening! I wanted to outline chapter by chapter, but then I got sucked in (which is usually the case with this series). LOL.

Kalare is a nasty piece of work (which we already knew, but still)!

Gaius is a crafty SOB who sees, hears, and knows more than people realize.

We get a much better understanding of Max.

And we experience a couple of surprise appearances.

Just completed Chapter 33.

As incredible as Tavi is, I don't know how he will lead his way out of the current situation!

Do we know why Lady Antillus hates Tavi so much?

Nyssa wrote: "Do we know why Lady Antillus hates Tavi so much?"

her nephews are the kids he beat in the alley, in the previous book

Nyssa wrote: "Just completed Chapter 33.

As incredible as Tavi is, I don't know how he will lead his way out of the current situation!"

it all comes together nicely, honestly...

Timelord Iain wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "Do we know why Lady Antillus hates Tavi so much?"

her nephews are the kids he beat in the alley, in the previous book"

Right, but I just read a scene that makes it seem much deeper than that.

Nyssa wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "Do we know why Lady Antillus hates Tavi so much?"

her nephews are the kids he beat in the alley, in the previous book"

Right, but I just read a scene that make..."

That's one of the things, and the root... but I think it might also just be that he's Gaius' "pet" Academ, and being the aunt of those kids, she's the sister of one of the people plotting against Gaius, to overtake the Empire, because he lacks an heir, is old, etc etc etc...

Timelord Iain wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "Do we know why Lady Antillus hates Tavi so much?"

her nephews are the kids he beat in the alley, in the previous book"

Right, but I just read a s..."

Okay, a building up of petty spitefulness.

Did anyone else start chuckling after reading Chapter 50? LOL

I've finished it and... OMG! Tavi!!

Nyssa wrote: "I've finished it and... OMG! Tavi!!"

finally realized that (view spoiler)[his name is short for Gaius Octavius?... and he doesn't even know?... and he found his Furies, that were stunted by his mom/aunt... and his Marat has access to the Furies, too, thanks to their Chala connection...

And that every bug-eyed moment in the series, to date, has been when people realized he looked like a young Gaius Septimus, either through his actions, or the fact that Fade was Septimus's best friend, presumed dead... (hide spoiler)]

The series is full of clues like that, for re-readers to feel dumb for missing, on re-read... right from the beginning :D

Timelord Iain wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "I've finished it and... OMG! Tavi!!"

finally realized that (view spoiler)."

LOL!

So now, the question is, when does he learn all of the truths!?!

And does everyone learn of his military actions, or does that remain a secret due to his assignment -- meaning is he credited & rewarded!?!

Isana is going to freak!

I expect Tavi (view spoiler)[ to keep his furies secret from all except a select few.
I want to know if he will have a specialty (strong earth crafter like his uncle, water crafter like his mom, or air crafter like his grandfather) and can quickly train and advance his use of them. (hide spoiler)]


I want to read the next one now!

All I'll say is... things continue to escalate...

Timelord Iain wrote: "All I'll say is... things continue to escalate..."

But... But... That tells me nothing!

Nyssa wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "All I'll say is... things continue to escalate..."

But... But... That tells me nothing!"

Having read this series multiple times... I actually have to say that what Iain said says everything.

Nyssa wrote: "Prolouge & Chapter 1

The discussion between Tavi and Gaius re Kitai - lol
I wonder why Tavi's instincts assume Gauis would use their relationship against them. [spoilers removed].

Who is Maestr..."

Started today. OMG this is so much fun. I'll probably finish today too.

re: characters through Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[I love the Maestro! And it's cool to see the Roman stuff in action.

Kalare is definitely a narcissist. And overconfident. And arrogant. And doesn't give a care about anyone else...

I had the same OH CRAP knee-jerk reflex about Ehren the first time... then I remembered how Amara's first mission also had her in a slave collar, and Sarai too... (hide spoiler)]

re: Chapter 17--(view spoiler)[I really love getting Max's backstory. It makes me want to punch his step-mom in the nose.

I also really love me some military SF/F. I feel like a good military fantasy are fewer than the SF version, but these couple of books hit the happy notes for me. And a lot of it is embodied in what Max says when he gives Tavi his crash course: warriors fight, soldiers fight together. I love the comeraderie, and the great little comeuppances (like the logistics master who was skimming flour), and there're always great tactical battles. (hide spoiler)]

Nyssa wrote: "Just completed Chapter 33.

As incredible as Tavi is, I don't know how he will lead his way out of the current situation!"

Nyssa... you just managed to coalesce the entire series into one sentence.

Timelord Iain wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "Do we know why Lady Antillus hates Tavi so much?"

her nephews are the kids he beat in the alley, in the previous book"

But also... (view spoiler)[He stole her purse, and without the stone, she had to change her plans and couldn't take her son with her when she fled... So she probably blames Tavi for having to leave her son behind.

I'm not sure if she is 100% sure at this point that he is the one who beat up her nephew--singular? (hide spoiler)]

Nirkatze wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "All I'll say is... things continue to escalate..."

But... But... That tells me nothing!"

Having read this series multiple times... I actually have to say that ..."

Right?!?... I could list so many spoilers, but my original statement covers it all so succinctly... I love how it all plays out, too... chef's kiss, as they like to say...

Timelord Iain wrote: "All I'll say is... things continue to escalate..."

Nirkatze wrote: "As incredible as Tavi is, I don't know how he will lead his way out of the current situation!"

Nyssa... you just managed to coalesce the entire series into one sentence.
..."

Why do I feel I'm going to be anxious throughout most of book #4!?!

I wasn't really looking for spoilers, Iain. Just excited to continue the story.

I especially want to know how Tavi will respond to the occurrence at the end and how/when he'll learn about (view spoiler)[his lineage.

His parentage was unsurprising; as you stated, plenty of clues existed. The biggest surprises were the circumstances surrounding Tavi and his birth (for instance, Isana purposely stunting his growth). I also wasn't sure if Gaius knew Tavi was his grandson or just suspected he was.

Fidelius, in disguise as Marcus, was also a shock! Didn't Max says something about fighting beside him before? (hide spoiler)]

Speaking of Fidelius, what's up with that!?! (view spoiler)[ So he's a double agent now? Has he been all along? Was Giaus trying to convince him to return by showing how strong Tavi will be as a leader? I'm a bit confused on that point!

If this was a re-recruitment ploy, doesn't that put Tavi in greater danger!?! (hide spoiler)]

Also, I came across a snippet of a big spoiler, but I do not know the details because I stopped reading to avoid it - (view spoiler)[Alera Imperia falls !?! How? Why? Will this harm Tavi's prospects? (asking rhetorically) (hide spoiler)]

Finished today! Also very tempted to jump into the next one--but I know I'll need it at the start of next month too. Work starts again in a week and my head will be buried in everything.

@Nyssa, re: Chapter 50--(view spoiler)[Referring to the big switch and its results? I think I laughed the first time through... on reread it's just pure pleasure to see the treacherous slive get what she deserves... and to imagine all the itches. ^^ (hide spoiler)]

re: Tavi--(view spoiler)[I think Gaius knew from the first time he met Tavi and Isana, at the end of book 1... or even before that. Septimus must have written him and told him he met a girl... even that she was pregnant. It wouldn't be unlike him to have kept that as an ace in the hole... at the very least, he probably recognized Tavi as looking like a child Septimus, but as he told Marcus/Fidelias, he was blinded by his prejudices towards furies=power.

The first hint is when we get the history of the Marat War, when Tavi & Amara take refuge in the memorial. The timing... the fact that Tavi's parents "died" in the war, and then the reveal that Fade is not who he says he is--I don't think we get the story about Araris being one of the princeps' swords until we meet Sir Miles, but just knowing that there's a very competent swordsman hiding his identity and keeping an eye on Tavi--and looking back, you can see how all the clumsy things Fade did were on purpose, protecting him... it is a lot of fun on reread.

Then of course, the "my son" at the end of book 2, the conversation between Gaius & Fidelias, Isana keeping a ring, and Bernard giving Amara a ring as a soldier's promise.

I do love how Tavi doesn't even know his own true name. (hide spoiler)]

@Nyssa--re: Questions. All of them do get answered. And you don't have to wait too long. But then, we are halfway in to the series. ^_^ The titles of the books give some hints to when.

re: Marcus--(view spoiler)[this is one point I wish was better done from the beginning. When Fidelias is first introduced, I feel like he isn't established enough for us to feel anything when he turns out to be a traitor... but then his character turns out to be a really big piece of the story. I would have liked another few lines, or a paragraph more, about how Fidelias was the confidant of the Emperor, or maybe a flashback to Gaius giving Fidelias & Amara their assignment, and him saying to Fidelias, "I have absolute faith in you, my Fidelias" or something like that.... something to establish the relationship between Gaius & Fidelias, something to ground him as a more important character before he turns coat. I just don't feel it from the beginning--and it really takes up to this point, when he is revealed to be Marcus, for my gut to actually accept that he's more than a throwaway character.

I did not see Marcus=Fidelias coming my first time 'round, but I did love it. Like I said, I think that was my turning point for the character.

Fidelias is not a double agent, exactly... he believes himself to be loyal to Alera, rather than loyal to a single ruler, and he believes that Gaius is failing Alera as a ruler, being too antagonistic and failing to either produce or name a strong heir. The way he sees it, if Gaius just keeps playing his games the way he is, Alera is going to end up with a civil war when Gaius dies--if not a civil war and external ones. So he decided it would be best for the realm to replace him, and to back a stronger, younger ruler, in a quick coup rather than a drawn-out multi-sided war.

Gaius is showing him, with Tavi, that he hasn't failed the realm. Gaius is prepping Tavi as his heir, and is floating the possibility before Fidelias that he's backing the wrong play--Aquitaine v. Tavi. Aquitaine has stronger furies, but is he better for the realm? Gaius knows Fidelius. He knows if Fidelias comes to believe that Tavi is best for the realm, then Fidelias--remember he has that very name because he was named to the House of Fidelity, just like his Marcus persona was named to the House of Valor--will serve Tavi faithfully, totally, and to all exclusion. Like he once served Gaius, before Gaius broke his faith.

I'm not sure exactly how/when Fidelias lost faith in Gaius... it probably started when Septimus died--remember that Isana was angry with Gaius for failing to send Septimus support? So maybe he blames Gaius for not protecting the realm by protecting the heir... Gaius has said before, that even if he didn't foresee things, he still considers it his fault for not protecting people (like with Kalarus)--I wouldn't be surprised if Fidelias would agree. And maybe it was a slow eroding road to determining what the "better" path would be, to eventually becoming an Aquitaine double-agent. We don't know when Fidelias became an Aquitaine agent, or how long between that and being revealed by Amara. (hide spoiler)]

@ Nirkatze - Thank you for your responses, especially re: Marcus!

^^

I meant to say something about Marcus & forgot... Nirkatze did it better...

If anything, (view spoiler)[Marcus is a triple agent now?... (hide spoiler)]

EDIT: the way Goodreads fails to submit my comments every other tab I try, is driving me insane right now, with a backlog of notifications to read...

Ugh, I hate it when GR does the pink list of html doom... I hope it clears up for you soon...

re: Marcus--(view spoiler)[interesting question... I don't think he can count as triple right now, since even if he decides to work for Tavi, if Tavi doesn't know about him, and can't use him as an agent, it doesn't count... maybe two-and-a-half agent? I'd say he probably thinks of himself as loyal only to Alera, but it's not going to be so easy cutting Aquitaine strings. (hide spoiler)]

21 chapters in and enjoying it.

I think Max is my favourite of Tavi's friends -(view spoiler)[ I love his blend of carefree attitude (although I'm thinking a lot of that is a front) and his fierce loyalty. And his step mother needs a slap; I wonder if a lot of her hatred of Max comes because he seems to be so strongly talented; do we know how powerful her own son is? I wonder at her intense interest/dislike of Tavi though - it seems a bit more than simply because of his rivalry with her nephew and being Max's friend (hide spoiler)]

Tavi: (view spoiler)[ Tavi's inventiveness to compensate for not having furies continues to amuse and impress me. But - breaking your own leg?! Crows, Tavi! (hide spoiler)]

Shaitarn wrote: "21 chapters in and enjoying it.

I think Max is my favourite of Tavi's friends -[spoilers removed]

Tavi: [spoilers removed]"

re: Max--(view spoiler)[Max is awesome. And I love that Tavi gets to spend more time with him in this book!

I think the step-mom's hatred of Max actually stems from her hatred of Max's mother--Max's father loved Max's mother, but couldn't marry her... and his marriage to his current wife was politically arranged. Even if she wasn't jealous, she's the type of person whose pride could never take coming second. And then there's the potential threat Max could be to her son, if he ever decided to try for his spot as heir... he's strong enough to take it if he wanted to.

Her hatred for Tavi though... he thwarts her getting at Max. He doesn't bow down to her like he should. Other stuff too, but not sure if you're there yet or not... lost track of chapters. (hide spoiler)]

re: Tavi--(view spoiler)[That scene kind of reminded me of A Prayer for Owen Meany... (hide spoiler)]

I just got to Ch. 9... (view spoiler)[ Gaius feels proprietary towards Tavi, while Tavi has no idea why and just assumes he doesn't want him together with Kitai only because he is a Cursor. However, I think Gaius is thinking it will not be appropriate for someone of his exalted blood... Good luck with that!

I love Maestro Magnus! The catapult scene was very funny:)

That asshole Kalare has her daughter as a hostage to control her! Bastard!

Max is terrified by his stepmother and obviously with good reasons! The bitch killed his mother and has been arranging "accidents" for him all along... He almost died this time around. Makes me feel really sad for him...

Loved the "Warriors fight, soldiers fight together" quote too!!! Great lesson for Tavi to learn!

Amara and Bernard might be pregnant!!! (hide spoiler)]

Up to Ch. 14... (view spoiler)[ I knew that once Tavi stopped having this physical discomfort of missing Kitai, it meant she was near:) I like her disguise:)

Isana, Bernard and Amara just got attacked by Kalare's assassins, lead by Rook. Fade is a badass! (hide spoiler)]

Up to Ch. 31... (view spoiler)[ What is that ruby stone in the bitch's purse? I kind of like Max's brother. He is just unlucky in having the mother he does and he is loyal enough not to really want to go against her. He thinks he is protecting Tavi by getting the purse away from him and claiming he found it on the ground... But Tavi kept the stone...

I can't believe the whole command body got hit and mostly destroyed at once! It has to have something to do with Max's stepmother! Marcus lived, but I guess Tavi outranks him And now Tavi is in command and led the legion to victory against the Canne...

I hope Fade decides to live! Isana sure is doing her best to keep him so... (hide spoiler)]

Up to Ch. 33... (view spoiler)[ I wonder if the Canim are running away from the Vord on their continent. Or are they led by the Vord? If the first, they could find a middle ground. If the second, Alera is f@#$ed! They burned their ships behind them ... (hide spoiler)]

Up to Ch. 42... (view spoiler)[ I was hoping Tavi's gambit would work and the Canim would work out some deal with the Alerans... However, Max and his brother coming up with identical water crafted lions to protect him, was pretty cool!

And the Canim's war leader game with Tavi also didn't bring any solution, only respect for our boy...

I love how fast Tavi got acclimated to leadership. I am guessing he will have a hard time giving it up, once he really gets comfortable with it.

Odeana is so very damaged:((( (hide spoiler)]

Love reading your thoughts Choko--you caught on a lot of stuff early! I'm not telling you which though. ^^

Finished! I loved every second of it!!! Iain, you are right. Butcher definitely needs to write more Fantasy!!!

(view spoiler)[ So, Fidelius has always had Marcus as his second persona. And the old Emperor, Gaius, has always known him as both. It is interesting, because Fidelius has obviously been open with Gaius about how he feels and why he has gone against him. He is totally the " I protect the realm and do what is best for it" guy, the Varys of this series. I am fine with that, on principle, but it would be hard if you or yours are the people he has stopped believing are good for the Realm. As you guys said, maybe seeing the potential in Tavi, he would choose to back him up...

I am sad for Amara and Bernard. I went through years of trying to get pregnant while married and the constant disappointment and feeling of failure is crushing... Maybe it's just not the time for them yet. After all, the war is just beginning...

The battle Tavi and the Alerian legion went through was awesome!!! But I don't understand why everyone acted as if the Vord were not an issue. Only Bernard in the beginning of the book mentioned them and the senators didn't believe him. But it is as if all of them forgot that the Queen went with the Canim to their continent at the end of the last book. Tavi should have found a way to find out if they were the ones already Taken, or if they were refugees from the Vord. They could have found a common ground, but I guess this is a wishful thinking, because the Canim mages wanted to dominate, not work with the humans. I just feel like a hell of a lot of people, both human and Canim, died, and this is depleting the pool of able fighters to go against The Vord!!! Of course, the same results come from the internal power struggles of the Alerans, so it's stupid all around...

I love Kitai! She is going to do great work towards the Marat and Alerans working together and trusting each other more.

The last scene with Tavi discovering he can Fury Craft while making out with Kitai was hilarious! And I guess, she can too, because of their bond? Just like he has better stamina and can see better in the dark because of it? I guess we will see...

I was all for Isana and Fade getting together, I just didn't like how fast it happened... OK, he has been feeling this way forever, but she just found out. Maybe there should have been some period of adjustment, talking things out, maybe think about it... But nope, they woke up and it was on! Another one of those, we shall see...

I am glad they were able to save Rook's kid and I really like the imprisoned lady they got to save as well. The Ch. 50 double betrayal was great! But you can't help but kind of respect the bad lady as well... (hide spoiler)]

Nirkatze, I know I was late, but so totally worth it! Five stars for me!!!

This series is so good--and each book gets better. Each. book. Three more to enjoy!!

re: Ending thoughts--(view spoiler)[I love your comparison of Varys to Fidelias. And I would imagine that Fidelias took on the Marcus persona, initially, at the behest of the Emperor.

I find Amara & Bernard's situation a bit more complicated too... I would've thought, as a cursor, that she would need to seek special permission to get pregnant too (like the Blackguards), not just to marry... but I agree with Bernard's assessment--they just haven't had enough time together--unstressed time--for this to even count as failure yet. I just wish Amara would hurry up and ask Isana for a healer's assessment.

Regarding the Vord... I'm pretty sure that the attack on the Capital was more or less kept hush-hush. Lady Aquitaine knew... but I don't think any of the other high lords or ladies participated, and the regular folk who did are all Gaius-sworn. The Vord queen and her Canim disappeared afterwards--and Gaius I think, is of the mind that he needs to deal with the political issues before tracking the Vord down. He was asleep through almost the whole fight, and probably doesn't understand (in his guts, where he needs to) just how dangerous they are.

I love how Kitai is just like "stupid Aleran. Off." and the lamp goes off. And that answers the question you had a book ago, about whether Marat could furycraft if bonded to an Aleran. Yes, she can. (hide spoiler)]