The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher

Title: The Aeronaut's Windlass

Author: Jim Butcher

Pages: 630

Summary: Since time immemorial, humanity has lived inside the Spires, warring habitats towering for miles over the dangerous, monster-infested surface of the world. Captain Grimm of the airship, Predator, was dismissed from Spire Albion's military in disgrace - now his ship and crew are all he has, and he's fiercely loyal to both. When the Predator is damaged in combat, Grimm is offered a choice - take on a clandestine mission for Albion's leaders, or stay grounded for good.

But he will learn that the conflict between the Spires is merely a premonition of things to come. Humanity's ancient enemy, silent for more than ten thousand years, has begun to stir. And death will follow in its wake ...

My thoughts:

I really like this one. It's starts slow and some things haven't been explained until later or not at all (maybe in a sequel?) but it really picks up and I adore some of the characters. I even like the world even though Steampunk is something that is not my thing usually. But, I guess, this is more Fantasy than Steampunk.

The plot itself is your basic fantasy plot - different people (spires) and suddenly they are on the brink of war/going to war and a few people manage to prevent even worse stuff, etc, etc. But, it's still been entertaining to read it and I had to hold my breath a few times. :)

The best thing? The characters. I adore Benedict, Bridget and Rowl. I love Grimm, Gwen, Folly and the crew of the Predator.

Benedict is hitting my buttons like woha. Growing up as a warrior born in this kind of society? The hunger? The hints that he had seen some stuff? Yeah, Hook. Line. Sinker.

Bridget is also hitting my buttons. Having to leave the safety of her home. Being tall and strong and not quite knowing the proper etiquette. Having this old hero name attached to her.

Rowl the talking cat. Awesome.

Grimm with all the backstory hinted at and the fierce loyality he shows his crew and the crew shows him? Yeah, I never stood a chance.

Gwen has been a hit and miss with me. I love her for being stubborn and pushing through and not backing down but on the other hand she's sometimes pretty arogant and so on. It got better towards the end of the book, though. We will see how she'll develop and grow. :)

I love Folly. She saved Bridget in the tunnels. She is important to the story. She confirmed that Predator is sentient to a certain extend. +loves+

I hope we'll get some more backstory on the spires and this world in general in the sequel and maybe also some more backstory on the characters. :)