The Olympian Affair by Jim Butcher

Book Review

Pauline Morgan

After waiting for years, it is delightful to catch up with characters that have almost become friends. The first book in this series, The Aeronaut’s Windlass was initially published in 2015. It introduced us to a world where most of the population lived in city-sized spires towering above the land’s surface. Dangerous creatures inhabit the forests below and in the air between, but most travel from one spire to another by airship. The Spires are effectively independent countries with their own navies. There is trade between them but also rivalry. In the first volume, Spire Aurora tried to invade Spire Albion. Then, we were introduced to Francis Madison Grimm, captain of Predator, a merchant/privateer with a letter of marque from Albion’s leader. Bridget Tagwynn and Gwen Lancaster were newly drafted recruits to the Guard, a duty everyone is expected to do. Also playing important roles are Gwen’s warriorborn cousin, Benedict, and, according to himself, Rowl as the most important member of the group because he is the only cat. The cats in this world are intelligent, arrogant and opinionated. Bridget speaks Cat. There is also a villain – Lady Cavendish who is an etherealist,

            The action of The Olympian Affair begins two years after the end of The Aeronaut’s Windlass. Benedict, aboard Predator, had gone to investigate the disaster that has overtaken the subsidiary Spire Dependence. The skyports are wrecked and everyone has disappeared. Before he can get back aboard, another ship is detected, and Benedict has to leap for safety. When he is hauled back onto Predator he is accompanied by a dozen small cats. They are the only ones that know what attacked Spire Deliverance and they won’t tell until they have been granted territory for their tribe in Spire Albion. Before that can happen, Predator has to escape the attention of the Auroran dreadnought Conquistodor, part of the Auroran navy.

Though they are unaware of it at the time, on board is Lady Cavendish. She is experimenting with ways to control some of the more dangerous aerial creatures, such as the mistmaw.

            While Bridget, Benedict and Rowl travel down to the surface to find the cat that could grant the Deliverance cat tribe, led by Fenli, a new home, dignitaries are converging on Spire Olympia for diplomatic meetings that could result in trading agreements, and a degree of peace. Gwen’s father, Lord Lancaster, is leading the delegation from Spire Albion. Included in the Albion delegation is Grimm’s best friend Bayard, and his paramour Abigail Hinton. Grimm is assigned as Bayard’s protector, as the negotiations will deteriorate quickly if anything happens to him. Both Bayard and Abigail become the focus of assassination attempts before both are sucked into duels.

            During the twists and turns of the plot, not only do we find out more of the characters’ backgrounds but the wider scope of the world, both its politics and social structure. There is plenty of action and danger for all involved. However, the cats are a delight even in their contempt for most humans. An excellent sequel to The Aeronaut’s Windlass and it can be hoped that we don’t have quite so long for the next instalment in the series.