If you have read and enjoyed The Furies of Calderon and Academ’s Fury (both also reviewed on this site) then you will be agog to read what adventures Tavi and his friends (and foes) are going to have next. It looks as though the excitement might have been exchanged for scholarship instead, as Tavi has been sent off to help Maestro Magnus with his archaeological work. But a new threat is on its way in the vulpine shape of the Canim, and Tavi finds himself posing as a soldier in the unblooded First Legion. Their "ornamental" state is about to change forever, and soon the battle is on. But why have the Canim burned their boats behind them, and why have they sent so many people?

These books are real page-turners, and even though this book could have been shorter it still packs a punch. The thrilling battle scenes are the best parts, but even when Tavi and his soldiers aren’t slogging it out at the front there is plenty going on for the other characters. Like the first two in the series, this book is a nice balance between the old-style fantasy of sword and sorcery, and the newer style that focuses more on politicking and court intrigue. I particularly like the way that there are real heroes to cheer for rather than the more fashionable anti-heroes, who are so difficult to actually care about, and even the villains usually have more than one facet to them. This is a strong series that keeps getting better and better—the sort of thing I had in mind when I started reading fantasy.