Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

This is a Buddy Read Princeps' Fury by Jim Butcher starting October 1, 2023.

Marking my spot. Will be starting later today or tomorrow.

Definitely soon

Probably starting today or tomorrow. My libby hold came available just on time!

Up to Chapter 10. Still love this series... the heat is definitely turning up... (view spoiler)[The Vord are back! Totally want to punch Riva in the face. It's interesting, isn't it, how Aquitaine was the Big Bad Scary in book 1... and now he's a useful ally--even if he doesn't know it. Appreciated Gaius's mask-dropping statement--if he truly saw Aquitaine as his enemy, he'd give him the throne.

How did the Vord get furycrafting? Well... where IS Lady Aquitaine?

And how long is Tavi going to be on the ship? Love the twistiness already, the political subtleties. Both from Gaius and Tavi. (hide spoiler)]

I am slowly getting back and decided to start with this one:) Also up to Ch. 10... (view spoiler)[ I have exactly the same questions as you, Nirkatze... Where is Lady A??? Her not being around is even scarier than her being here...

Varg is kind of awesome, but the politics between his people is also obviously very tense. No wonder, the Vord are reeking havoc among all... They are absolutely terrifying! (hide spoiler)]

Yay! Welcome back Choko! We are all sending you well-wishes.

re: Chapter 10--(view spoiler)[I love the contrast between Canim & Aleran politics, and seeing Tavi's people get to know Vargs on the ships. (hide spoiler)]

Not too long after this--I can't remember the specific chapter. Say, to be safe, up to Chapter 20? (view spoiler)[I love seeing Max--I think it was Max--pick up Canim cursing. There's a little bit of dialogue in there and it totally made me laugh.

And I love seeing Tavi pick apart--again--Canim politics to figure out what is actually going on here... and man, what a terrifying homecoming. Welcome home. Home's gone. Well, crap. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished an hour or so ago... was working throughout and didn't take time to comment. So many great moments in this one! (view spoiler)[I love the moment of revelation, when Amara had already been collared, and thus wasn't controlled by Brencis's collar. TAKE THAT YOU POS! I'm so sad about Rook though--but happy that her daughter is ... safe? ... in Calderon. That little girl is going to need a loving family. Hey, Amara & Bernard want a child...

I absolutely loved Isana's story--and I loved getting to see more of Lady Placida. She's so badass! I really liked Isana getting respect from Antillus, and that letter was a big heart-tugger.

Lots of great heart-tugging moments. Like when Varg's family is safe...

And the iceberg barges! That is such a cool moment!!

We have such a huge body count this book... and yet only managed to lose like, two named characters on the good side? Rook & Gaius. I think that's it. (hide spoiler)]

Choko wrote: "I am slowly getting back and decided to start with this one:) Also up to Ch. 10... I have exactly the same questions as you, Nirkatze... Where is Lady A??? Her not being around is even scarier tha..."

Agreed... welcome back... well wishes... we were just talking about your silence in the Vagabond thread <3

This one is so good... zoomed through it... bit last night, then all of this morning...

So many good story beats for all the main characters... big reveals... some emotional/exhilarating moments... wish I could just continue with the finale RIGHT NOW!!!

LOL I feel you Iain...

And...

You know, if you did jump in to it right now, you'd get to include it for the chart, if not the BR points--since the competition ends in Nov...

Thank you guys! I love you all so much!!! ❤️

I finished as well, and honestly, I have no idea how I am going to wait to get into the last one!!! I NEED TO KNOW!!! As you guys already said, this was so good!!! (view spoiler)[ When Varg got to play with his pups, I was ready to shed tears! But before that, the arrival at the Canim fortress city and seeing the devastation, realizing the complete annihilation of the Canim society, just broke my heart!!! It was crushingly depressing! So now that they left, doesn't that let the Vord build up even more, stronger operating base, which they could use as a power hub, and create an offensive to take over the whole planet??? I hate that they just left them that whole continent:(((

When Amara got captured and collared, I felt a sense of despair, because I had no idea how she was going to get out of it... The idea of that dude raping her and making her complicit in her own abuse, was sickening to me. And her being used to fight against the Alerans was just unthinkable... Actually, that is the part that felt the worst to me - all those people being taken by the Vord and used against their own... So depressing and demoralizing:(((

Isana is definitely a bad-ass! Her fight with Max's dad was awesome, but still not as good as her getting the negotiations between him and the Icemen to go her way!!! Her understanding that most of what has been happening for centuries is because of their inability to truly understand each other, was brilliant! The emotional amplification that the Icemen just naturally induce is a very interesting phenomenon... And of course, Katai's dad is just perfect for showing the dumb asses what they have been doing wrong for so long:) I really hope he survives by the end of the series!

I feel like I am in the minority of people who feel bad for the old First Lord... His wife, the absolute bitch, has been slowly poisoning him for years!!!! I wanted to strangle her myself! He had no chance of surviving from the get go...:( I am at least glad he died trying to save his people and obviously sent his Fury Alera to Tavi...

Man, I am even more afraid of Lady Aquitaine now! I understand that the Vord Queen is keeping her alive with one of her creatures, but is it worth the price? Turning against everyone and everything she had ever stood for, just so wrong somehow... And she is doing it fully conscious of her choices, because she is not taken... I wonder how this affects Lord Aquitaine, or should I call him First Lord now? Which leads me to the last point - funny how despite knowing all the dangers for Alera, when he wanted the power, he worked against the old First Lord, but now that he is in power, he wants everyone to work together and forgive and forget everything he has done to destabilize the Realm!!! I wanted to smack him during the epilogue so badly!!! But still, the Vord are the biggest enemy, so I can get with him until they are taken care of, but after that he is fair game!!! (hide spoiler)]

Grats on the finish Choko! (view spoiler)[Thinking on Canea, and all it's people--remember how Tavi was a bit overwhelmed thinking about how HUGE Canea was? Like, ONE of their states was the size of Alera. And. All of it gone, except for... four? mile-sized barges of people. Damn and damn. And they still have to survive the trip back across the ocean and then win against the Vord at home. The amount of devastation to their people is... incomprehensible.

But wasn't it AWESOME when Amara revealed that she'd already been collared--by her husband--and then TOOK BRENCIS'S EFFING HEAD OFF? I will say--these scenes are definitely easier on the reread. We get to look forward to them rather than dread the unknown....

For the Isana scenes--totally loved Doroga!!! His "now I do this, and you do that, cut all the crap" attitude is so refreshing! The world needs more of that. And I do love how these episodes with Antillus revealed that Antillus AND AQUITAINE were Septimus's best friends... they would have been like family to Tavi, had Septimus survived... it puts such a different twist on Aquitaine becoming First Lord too... I love how Isana points out that he has become exactly what he set out to stop... in the end, Acquitaine didn't get the revenge... the First Lord did. All Acquitaine did was cost more lives.

I totally get feeling bad for the First Lord... though I felt worse for his wife. Mostly in book 2 though. I was hoping that after Max's impersonation that maybe the Gaius would mend his marriage a bit... I feel bad for him, but I do think he reaped what he sowed. (hide spoiler)]

I started this afternoon and have read through Chapter 8. I'm terrified for the Aleran people!

As for Tavi and company, I wonder what havoc that storm will wreak on them.

This series does a great job of turning the pressure up and keeping it up... definite fear for the country--the world's--very survival...

I just finished Chapter 29. - yes, I'm slow, I know; I have been reading multiple books simultaneously.

I have so many thoughts going through my head and a constant underlining of anxiety. If it were not for the obvious plot armour of some of the characters, I think I'd be an absolute mess!

As for the central death we have been preparing for since the previous book (and the last book's title gives away) - I hope Tavi gets to say goodbye when it happens. I'm sad for Tavi, but I also feel like it might be time.

I am most worried about Amara and Bernard! I don't know the thickness of their PA, and they are in one of the most dangerous situations! I would have been worried for Isana, too, but she seems much more substantial than before (and I think that thickens her PA a bit).

I adore Kitai more and more! Are they officially married yet?

I am most curious to know how they will all turn the tide - will we see a multi-people (I don't think species is the right word) war against the Vord? Alerans, Marat, Canim, and Icemen working in concert?

Yay! Glad to see you're still trucking through and enjoying the book, Nyssa. Love your thoughts.

If you really want to know re: Bernard & Amara (view spoiler)[the plot armor is strong with these ones. (hide spoiler)]

These books are definitely less stressful on a reread. But then, you only get to experience that first time once. I do really like how Isana has grown as a character over the course of the series--but especially in this book, she gets some of the most awesome scenes.

re: Kitai--(view spoiler)[not yet! I think someone needs to hit Tavi on the head about that. (hide spoiler)]

re: turning the tide--that's an area I feel Butcher really excels--setting up hopeless scenarios... and having a really cool finish.

more people need book amnesia, like Choko seems to have... lets her have a first time feel, multiple times...

Nirkatze wrote: "If you really want to know re: Bernard & Amara [spoilers removed]."

I did. Thanks!

Timelord Iain wrote: "more people need book amnesia, like Choko seems to have... lets her have a first time feel, multiple times..."

Mine takes about four years to set in before I forget details. If I were fully invested the first time, I might still remember general plot points or the emotions behind them but not the specifics.

I am starting Chapter 36.

Tavi is insane (and I'm proud of him, even as stubborn as he is).
However, I love what Kitai and company did! The nerve of Tavi being insulted/upset that they used one of his tactics against him was hilarious!

I hope this is the beginning of the tide changing; I don't know if I can handle any more bad news.

Nyssa wrote: "I am starting Chapter 36.

Tavi is insane (and I'm proud of him, even as stubborn as he is).
However, I love what Kitai and company did! The nerve of Tavi being insulted/upset that they used one o..."

LOL yeah, Tavi deserved that, really.

Timelord Iain wrote: "more people need book amnesia, like Choko seems to have... lets her have a first time feel, multiple times..."

That would be nice... my memory is pretty variable... but I hate the feeling I get sometimes, when I read a book and realize that it's probably the last time I'll be able to reread, because my memory is too set... or it didn't age well...

I finished this the day before yesterday but forgot to comment.

I almost started book six right away; that's how much I anticipate the finale. I will wait for November, though.

I feel like we were meant to dislike Guias, but I didn't - not really. He definitely could have made better, more ethical(?) choices, though.

I absolutely love Tavi! It's his ingenuity and integrity.

The outcome between Isana and (oof, I have forgotten his name) the leader of the legions in the North at the wall, had me worried for a minute.

Bernard & Amara deserve ample compensation and a vacation!

Ehren is pretty awesome, as well.

And the last line in the book hit me hard!

Grats on finish Nyssa!

Totally forgot what that last line was, going to have to go look it up now... really looking forward to the last book though, just a couple weeks!

Nirkatze wrote: "Grats on finish Nyssa!

Totally forgot what that last line was, going to have to go look it up now... really looking forward to the last book though, just a couple weeks!"

(view spoiler)[Gaius called me Alera (hide spoiler)]

.... for a second I thought you were saying (view spoiler)[that somehow there was an Iain reference in the book... had to go find my copy and look it up, LOL. But you were quoting the line, not describing it... (hide spoiler)]

Yea... it's a pretty iconic line... might have paraphrased, but I got the gist...