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The Cinder Spires #1.5
Warriorborn: A Cinder Spires Novella
From the #1 New York Times –bestselling author of the Dresden Files comes an all-new, action-packed fantasy adventure set in the Cinder Spires universe.
Benedict Sorellin-Lancaster hasn’t even broken in his lieutenant’s insignia when he’s summoned to meet with the Spirearch of Spire Albion himself for a very special—and very secret—purpose. The Spirearch needs Benedict to retrieve a bag he’s “misplaced” on the Colony Spire known as Dependence, which has strangely cut off all contact with the outside world. It’s a delicate mission at best, a potential bloodbath at worst.
To this end, the Spirearch has supplied Benedict with backup in the form of three Warriorborn. But unlike the courageous lieutenant, this trio has formerly used its special gifts for crime, carnage, and outright bloody murder. And all of them were caught and imprisoned because of Benedict. Now, if they behave—and make it back alive—they’ll go free.
But when the odd squad reaches Dependence, they soon discover something waiting for a horrific weapon that could shatter the balance of power among the Spires. And Benedict will have to bring his own Warriorborn skills to bear if he, his team, and Spire Albion are to have any hope of survival . . .
“While readers familiar with the series will have a better understanding of the ins and outs of the Cinder Spires world, this is mostly a stand-alone story that, despite its brevity, packs a lot of punch in an engaging, fast-paced read with well-defined characters . . . Add Steampunk vibes, terrifying monsters, charming talking cats, and an open ending that tantalizes readers into reading the series—this is a recipe for success. A delectable slice of SF adventure.” — Kirkus Reviews
Benedict Sorellin-Lancaster hasn’t even broken in his lieutenant’s insignia when he’s summoned to meet with the Spirearch of Spire Albion himself for a very special—and very secret—purpose. The Spirearch needs Benedict to retrieve a bag he’s “misplaced” on the Colony Spire known as Dependence, which has strangely cut off all contact with the outside world. It’s a delicate mission at best, a potential bloodbath at worst.
To this end, the Spirearch has supplied Benedict with backup in the form of three Warriorborn. But unlike the courageous lieutenant, this trio has formerly used its special gifts for crime, carnage, and outright bloody murder. And all of them were caught and imprisoned because of Benedict. Now, if they behave—and make it back alive—they’ll go free.
But when the odd squad reaches Dependence, they soon discover something waiting for a horrific weapon that could shatter the balance of power among the Spires. And Benedict will have to bring his own Warriorborn skills to bear if he, his team, and Spire Albion are to have any hope of survival . . .
“While readers familiar with the series will have a better understanding of the ins and outs of the Cinder Spires world, this is mostly a stand-alone story that, despite its brevity, packs a lot of punch in an engaging, fast-paced read with well-defined characters . . . Add Steampunk vibes, terrifying monsters, charming talking cats, and an open ending that tantalizes readers into reading the series—this is a recipe for success. A delectable slice of SF adventure.” — Kirkus Reviews
137 pages, Paperback
First published September 19, 2023
1030 people are currently reading
3116 people want to read
About the author
Jim Butcher
203 books51.1k followersJim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and a new steampunk series, the Cinder Spires. His resume includes a laundry list of skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago, and he plays guitar quite badly. An avid gamer, he plays tabletop games in varying systems, a variety of video games on PC and console, and LARPs whenever he can make time for it. Jim currently resides mostly inside his own head, but his head can generally be found in his home town of Independence, Missouri.
Jim goes by the moniker Longshot in a number of online locales. He came by this name in the early 1990′s when he decided he would become a published author. Usually only 3 in 1000 who make such an attempt actually manage to become published; of those, only 1 in 10 make enough money to call it a living. The sale of a second series was the breakthrough that let him beat the long odds against attaining a career as a novelist.
All the same, he refuses to change his nickname.
Jim goes by the moniker Longshot in a number of online locales. He came by this name in the early 1990′s when he decided he would become a published author. Usually only 3 in 1000 who make such an attempt actually manage to become published; of those, only 1 in 10 make enough money to call it a living. The sale of a second series was the breakthrough that let him beat the long odds against attaining a career as a novelist.
All the same, he refuses to change his nickname.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 429 reviews
October 9, 2023
Great short story to hold me over this the release of the 2nd book next month. Great Read. Very recommended
July 19, 2024
I have appointed you to be my Laeva.
Benedict felt his stomach drop out.
Laeva.
The Left Hand of Albion.
The Spirearch’s personal murderer.
An action-packed novella set in the Cinder Spires universe.
The timeline is a little before the events from the second book in the series, The Olympian Affair , so don’t do like me and read it before you read about the main event, because the plot here has a direct bearing on what comes next.
It is also a good reintroduction to the setting for readers who are a little hazy about what went on in the first book, considering the long wait time for the sequel.
Since this is a novella, it doesn’t beat around the bush much, and it is really streamlined with one lead character and one storyline, so there’s less byzantine palace politics, rotating POVs or double betrayals from spies, and more flash-bang action.
Benedict is the warriorborn from the title, a member of Spire Albion nobility who was born with enhanced senses, strength and agility. His monarch sends him on a secret mission to a colony spire that has suddenly stopped answering calls, to investigate the problem and to retrieve a vital piece of information from a lost briefcase.
She had the features of a porcelain doll and the personality of a tattooed wrestler from the Pike.
Since this is a plausible deniability mission, Benedict must go in with only three companions, all criminals that the SpireArch promised to pardon if they help. Of course, this means if they survive the mission, which is highly doubtful ...
Like I said in my review for the second novel, expect the unexpected. Benedict and his dirty
Did I mention that there will also be talking cats? And dragons?
The beast was apparently resting on the ramp, out of the rain, a creature of beauty and sinuous power. It was a big one, nearly as long as a frigate, call it seventy feet with the tail. Plumage that rippled through every color of the spectrum even in the grey light shone with droplets of rain and congealed mist. A long neck, a snout with jaws the size of a bathtub, eyes like saucers, its forelimbs lined with great wings, its rear legs powerful and clawed, its tail rippling wider and then narrower again with plumes as long as Benedict’s leg. More plumes covered its long neck and spread about its head like a great crown. The beast radiated a predator’s confident power yet was so slender that it looked as if it could move with startling, serpentine speed.
“What is that?” Fenli breathed.
“A dragon,” Benedict said to the little cat.
Great action in a tight package. Thank you Mr. Butcher!
September 22, 2023
It's all the Benedict POV that I was craving in the first book. An excellent contained adventure.
March 4, 2025
Warriorborn is a novella in the Cinder Spires series by best-selling American author, Jim Butcher. Newly promoted to Lieutenant in the Spirearch’s Guard, Sir Benedict Sorellin-Lancaster has been summoned to carry out a secret mission. He is to travel to Spire Dependence to collect a certain satchel the Spirearch needs, being held by a loyal member of Albion’s Aetherium Fleet Intelligence.
Benedict has been made a Laeva, which gives him the power to kill at his own discretion (in case the loyal member has been turned) and a small team of three warriorborn to back him up. Trouble is, each is a criminal who would happily kill the others or him. Will the prospect of a pardon make them trustworthy? Unlikely.
The airship Predator has to drop them onto Dependence via chutes as there has been no communication, making landing fraught. And when they set foot on the colony, they find desolation: no sign of habitation, but a strong indication that a destructive force has been through the place.
When they stumble across the indiscriminate likely tool of that destruction, then discover who might have wielded it, they need to get the information back to Albion. But there are some dangerous creatures impeding their escape. Also, a potentially useful surprise.
This is easily read in one sitting. There’s plenty of action, Benedict gets to demonstrate his intelligence and valour (which earns him a name among cats), and every scene with the cats is an utter delight:
“Saza said, ‘we owe you a debt.’ She lashed her tail a few times, thoughtfully. ‘We will not kill you for trespassing upon our territory.’
‘Um,’ Benedict said. ‘Thank you.’
Saza inclined her head regally. ‘This time.’
‘Most thoughtful.’ Benedict said.
‘I am the most magnanimous and forgiving of chieftains,’ Saza admitted.”
A small but much appreciated dose of Jim Butcher’s writing talent that will whet the appetite for The Olympian Affair.
Benedict has been made a Laeva, which gives him the power to kill at his own discretion (in case the loyal member has been turned) and a small team of three warriorborn to back him up. Trouble is, each is a criminal who would happily kill the others or him. Will the prospect of a pardon make them trustworthy? Unlikely.
The airship Predator has to drop them onto Dependence via chutes as there has been no communication, making landing fraught. And when they set foot on the colony, they find desolation: no sign of habitation, but a strong indication that a destructive force has been through the place.
When they stumble across the indiscriminate likely tool of that destruction, then discover who might have wielded it, they need to get the information back to Albion. But there are some dangerous creatures impeding their escape. Also, a potentially useful surprise.
This is easily read in one sitting. There’s plenty of action, Benedict gets to demonstrate his intelligence and valour (which earns him a name among cats), and every scene with the cats is an utter delight:
“Saza said, ‘we owe you a debt.’ She lashed her tail a few times, thoughtfully. ‘We will not kill you for trespassing upon our territory.’
‘Um,’ Benedict said. ‘Thank you.’
Saza inclined her head regally. ‘This time.’
‘Most thoughtful.’ Benedict said.
‘I am the most magnanimous and forgiving of chieftains,’ Saza admitted.”
A small but much appreciated dose of Jim Butcher’s writing talent that will whet the appetite for The Olympian Affair.
October 28, 2023
3.5 ⭐ rounded up. I've definitely got to reread book one before diving back into this world but this worked as a good short story.
June 15, 2024
How could I not love this ?!?! Jim Butcher wrote it and it has hero cats ! WINNER
January 14, 2025
Sometime ago, I put some effort into Jim Butcher’s “new” series, The Aeronaut’s Windlass, but found less return on that investment than I hoped.
Here comes a road trip, and I see that there is a novella in the series, Warriorborn, available as an audiobook. And I look at the GR rating and it is awesome. So, I take the plunge.
There is a planet-sized cold-war going on between rival spires, Albion and Aurora. Both have similar technologies and both have “warriorborn” in their contingents. Warriorborn? Think Wolverine with some add-ons. This world has a confusing mix of “technology and magic” which makes one wonder why the major means of communication is still letter writing.
What we have in this story is a warriorborn mission headed by Benedict Sorellin-Lancaster (who has just been given a “license to kill at will”) and three other warriorborn who have been previously put in prison by Benedict. Think about a mission resembling a reduced size Dirty Dozen.
Butcher doesn’t seem interested in giving us more than a two-dimensional description of the other three:
One is a self-described “thief and harlot” and Butcher cannot help himself repeating how “good” she looks.
Another is a bulky grump who “grunts” his responses and continues to make poor choices.
The third is an older woman of the nobility who has few scruples but gives her word to Benedict that she will back him up in exchange for her freedom when the mission is successfully completed.
The “mission” is just to retrieve a “bag” that has been left at a “colony spire” recently. Of course, many things are not anticipated including monsters and betrayals.
The reading by Euan Morton is quite good, but it can’t make up for a pastiche plot and less than compelling characters.
2.5*
November 13, 2023
This self-contained novella follows Benedict, a warriorborn (i.e. they have some feline DNA making them faster and stronger than the ordinary humans), on a mission to collect a diplomatic brief on a different Spire. His companions are three other warriorborns, however, these three are convicted criminals and not the most willing companions. The mission goes sideways making for some tense, action-packed moments. An entertaining addition to the Cinder Spires series.
January 26, 2024
This one is set between book one and book two and I wish I had read it before I read book two. It's about Benedict and it shows how he got the tribe of cats that he brings back with him at the beginning of The Olympian Affair.
I now have a Booktube channel, follow me at Recordings of a Reader.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader and on Facebook.
I now have a Booktube channel, follow me at Recordings of a Reader.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader and on Facebook.
September 8, 2025
4.5 stars
This novella packs quite a punch. Finally, we get Benedict’s POV, as he’s sent on a mission with three other Warriorborn - criminals all. They run into monstrous things, showing glimpses of how terrible the coming war truly will get.
Highlights for me here were seeing how the four of them chose such different ways to handle being born half-souled - with many instincts of a beast, but in a human society. Through these extreme circumstances, the uniqueness of each person really shone, for good or ill - although, Benedict and Lady Harringford stole the spotlight.
In other news, a new cat tribe graced us with their presence as they allowed themselves to be rescued. True protagonists of their story.
This novella packs quite a punch. Finally, we get Benedict’s POV, as he’s sent on a mission with three other Warriorborn - criminals all. They run into monstrous things, showing glimpses of how terrible the coming war truly will get.
Highlights for me here were seeing how the four of them chose such different ways to handle being born half-souled - with many instincts of a beast, but in a human society. Through these extreme circumstances, the uniqueness of each person really shone, for good or ill - although, Benedict and Lady Harringford stole the spotlight.
In other news, a new cat tribe graced us with their presence as they allowed themselves to be rescued. True protagonists of their story.
November 2, 2023
An enjoyable short story in the Cinder Spires world. Thoroughly enjoyed this adventure of Sir. Benedict's. Can't wait for Cinder Spires Two to come out next week.
November 5, 2023
A good story, even having forgotten basically everything about the original novel that precedes it.
June 16, 2025
This one really hit the spot in terms of sci-fantasy.
While it technically takes place between book 1 and 2, it actually leads straight up to the opening scene of #2--where we end up wondering at the origins of Benedict's grand and perplexing entrance.
So if you read book 2 and were as curious as I was... wonder no more!
And be impressed with how well Butcher maintains his signature high-quality writing, even in novella form. It's a fast-paced yet carefully crafted thrill ride, with a side of humor (of the sentient feline variety.)
I appreciated how much this added to the worldbuilding, and especially to the whole concept of the Warriorborn. If it was meant to tide people over until the 3rd book is released... I think it just might have succeeded.
While it technically takes place between book 1 and 2, it actually leads straight up to the opening scene of #2--where we end up wondering at the origins of Benedict's grand and perplexing entrance.
So if you read book 2 and were as curious as I was... wonder no more!
And be impressed with how well Butcher maintains his signature high-quality writing, even in novella form. It's a fast-paced yet carefully crafted thrill ride, with a side of humor (of the sentient feline variety.)
I appreciated how much this added to the worldbuilding, and especially to the whole concept of the Warriorborn. If it was meant to tide people over until the 3rd book is released... I think it just might have succeeded.
October 26, 2023
I would like to thank Jim Butcher for writing this story for a few reasons. 1) It’ll tide me over until The Olympian Affair (only 16 more days), 2) it’s about one of my favorite characters from The Aeronaut’s Windlass, and 3) it was everything I could have hoped for in a Benedict solo adventure.
Warriorborn is an excellent novelette. It’s well-written, fast-paced, and action-packed. It’s a worthy edition to the Cinder Spires series, and if you loved the first book, you’ll love this story.
EDIT:
People who have read Warriorborn will understand my paranoia. I had a very disturbing thought regarding the ending: what if that wasn’t Predator that showed up at the end? I’m either way off base and Benedict is fine, or I’m right and Bridget and Gwen are about to add all of Spire Aurora to their hit lists.
Warriorborn is an excellent novelette. It’s well-written, fast-paced, and action-packed. It’s a worthy edition to the Cinder Spires series, and if you loved the first book, you’ll love this story.
EDIT:
People who have read Warriorborn will understand my paranoia. I had a very disturbing thought regarding the ending: what if that wasn’t Predator that showed up at the end? I’m either way off base and Benedict is fine, or I’m right and Bridget and Gwen are about to add all of Spire Aurora to their hit lists.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2025
An enthralling novella set in the Cinder Spires universe. Benedict, the warrior born is appointed as the left hand of the Spirearch and tasked with recovering a valise containing important information from a colony that is no longer responding to hails. His backup, provided by the Spirearch, are 3 warrior born convicts he has previously arrested who are thieves and murderers, who have been promised their freedom if they can recover the information and determine why the colony has gone silent.
September 23, 2023
Loved those from star to finish! I can not wait for Olympian Affair!...Gwen is the XO of Preddy
...Lady Herringford was a straight up psycho freak but was great dry salty fun!
...Lady Herringford was a straight up psycho freak but was great dry salty fun!
October 3, 2023
This one was great for getting me reacquainted with the world/lore of the Cinder Spires. I’m looking forward to the second main novel that’s due to come out next month.
Happy reading, everybody!
Happy reading, everybody!
September 20, 2025
4.5/5 Stars
Compact story that fills in a lot of details. Good mix of action, world building, and development.
I wish I would have read it before book 2. as everything would have made more sense.
Compact story that fills in a lot of details. Good mix of action, world building, and development.
I wish I would have read it before book 2. as everything would have made more sense.
November 2, 2023
The Cinder Spires stories have proven to me that Jim Butcher is more than the Dresden Files. The stories so far are fun and original and intriguing and I am enjoying these characters.
November 5, 2023
Warriorborn is the perfect method for readers who remember the first book in the Cinder Spires, The Aeronaut’s Windlass, fondly but may not remember the details of its vast array of political shenanigans all that clearly to get back into this series.
It’s perfect, not just because it’s much, much shorter than that first book, but mostly because it glosses over those major political shenanigans – although I’m sure they’ll be back in The Olympian Affair – in order to tell a sharp, compelling story about a military/espionage mission that goes FUBAR in every possible way that it can.
And keeps the reader on the edge of their seat for the entire wild ride.
Our hero in Warriorborn is one of the many point-of-view characters from Windlass, but the way that this story is told it doesn’t matter whether you remember that much or at all. I kind of vaguely did, but not in any detail. It doesn’t even matter if you know or remember the start of the current conflict between our protagonists from Albion and their enemies from Aurora.
This story is all about one singular encounter. One of the Spirearch’s (read as king) covert operatives in a far-flung province has communicated that there’s trouble brewing – but with no details. Guard Lieutenant Benedict Sorellin-Lancaster is being sent from the capital to said remote province to investigate the situation, not with a squad of his fellow guards but rather with a group of convicted criminals who have been promised a commutation of their sentences and a pardon for the rest if they get him there and back again in one piece WITH the information they’ve been sent to retrieve.
Benedict doesn’t expect the job to be easy. Neither he nor the reader are exactly surprised to discover enemy agents have infiltrated the tiny provincial town. But he doesn’t expect the acid slime monsters who have literally eaten all the townsfolk, the dragon parked on the only way out of town, or the tribe of sentient cats who save Benedict’s mission and his own clawed up ass – even as he saves theirs.
Just barely and with a whole lot of luck – all the way around. Even though most of that luck was worse than Benedict ever imagined.
Escape Rating A-: I picked this up this week because I was having a “flail and bail” kind of day. Post Halloween, I was horror’ed out. Even at the horror-adjacency level I’m more comfortable in. I hit the “I can’t evens” and went looking for something a bit more comforting. This would not, I admit, normally have filled that bill, but the NetGalley app was having a flail of its own which is now fixed, but at the time was knocking me out of the book I’m listening to.
I had picked up Warriorborn in both text and audio for a couple of reasons. That it was short is the reason it’s being reviewed here and now, but the main reason was the upcoming publication of the second book in the author’s Cinder Spires series, The Olympian Affair. It’s been EIGHT whole years since the first book in the series, The Aeronaut’s Windlass, came out. That’s a long time in book years, and I was wondering more than a bit whether I’d remember enough of how this world is put together to be able to get stuck back in this series.
As Warriorborn is both rather short and takes place after The Aeronaut’s Windlass but before The Olympian Affair, it seemed like a good book to solve all three problems; both NetGalley and my own flailing, and that niggling question about whether I could jump back into the series without at least a serious skim of that once upon a time series opener.
There’s a bit in Warriorborn where Benedict tells the story of an uncle of his who claimed that “if you have one problem, you have a problem. If you have two problems, you might have a solution. And if you can’t craft a solution out of that, what are you even doing?”
I fell right back into this world. We get just the tiniest hint about Benedict’s role in the first book, just enough info to understand why the Spirearch trusts him with this mission, wrapped in a whole bunch of bantering misdirection between himself and his king. It’s a setup, he knows it’s a setup, the Spirearch knows it’s a setup, but everything has to seem above board until the ship lifts and Benedict and his crew are out of reach of meddling politicians.
The true story in Warriorborn is about the mission itself, and that is utterly FUBAR from the outset and EVERYONE knows it. We see just enough of Benedict’s internal perspective to be aware that as calm as he appears on the surface, he’s paddling as fast as he can under the roiling waters.
Which are roiling pretty damn hard as the whole thing becomes a series of out of the frying pan into the fire maneuvers that just keeping getting worse and worse as the mission goes to hell, his crew mostly falls apart and his own chances of survival get smaller with each passing moments.
At which point, just as in The Aeronaut’s Windlass, the mission is saved by sentient cats. I’d be tempted to read the whole damn series – possibly more than once – for more of Rowl of the Nine Claws, the one character I truly remember from the first book and hope to see more of in the second, and Saza and Fenli and the entire clan of Swift Slayers in this one.
One final note, one that is in danger of making this review longer than the actual book. I did have this both in audio and in text. I switched back and forth from one to the other as my circumstances shifted over the course of the day, and I enjoyed it both ways. The text moves compellingly, from one near-disaster to another, while the audio narrator, Euan Morton, did an excellent job of differentiating between a cast of several different characters and personalities to the point where I ended up playing solitaire for an hour just so I could finish the book listening to his narration.
A good reading – and listening – time was absolutely had by this reader no matter which way I absorbed this story!
Originally published at Reading Reality
It’s perfect, not just because it’s much, much shorter than that first book, but mostly because it glosses over those major political shenanigans – although I’m sure they’ll be back in The Olympian Affair – in order to tell a sharp, compelling story about a military/espionage mission that goes FUBAR in every possible way that it can.
And keeps the reader on the edge of their seat for the entire wild ride.
Our hero in Warriorborn is one of the many point-of-view characters from Windlass, but the way that this story is told it doesn’t matter whether you remember that much or at all. I kind of vaguely did, but not in any detail. It doesn’t even matter if you know or remember the start of the current conflict between our protagonists from Albion and their enemies from Aurora.
This story is all about one singular encounter. One of the Spirearch’s (read as king) covert operatives in a far-flung province has communicated that there’s trouble brewing – but with no details. Guard Lieutenant Benedict Sorellin-Lancaster is being sent from the capital to said remote province to investigate the situation, not with a squad of his fellow guards but rather with a group of convicted criminals who have been promised a commutation of their sentences and a pardon for the rest if they get him there and back again in one piece WITH the information they’ve been sent to retrieve.
Benedict doesn’t expect the job to be easy. Neither he nor the reader are exactly surprised to discover enemy agents have infiltrated the tiny provincial town. But he doesn’t expect the acid slime monsters who have literally eaten all the townsfolk, the dragon parked on the only way out of town, or the tribe of sentient cats who save Benedict’s mission and his own clawed up ass – even as he saves theirs.
Just barely and with a whole lot of luck – all the way around. Even though most of that luck was worse than Benedict ever imagined.
Escape Rating A-: I picked this up this week because I was having a “flail and bail” kind of day. Post Halloween, I was horror’ed out. Even at the horror-adjacency level I’m more comfortable in. I hit the “I can’t evens” and went looking for something a bit more comforting. This would not, I admit, normally have filled that bill, but the NetGalley app was having a flail of its own which is now fixed, but at the time was knocking me out of the book I’m listening to.
I had picked up Warriorborn in both text and audio for a couple of reasons. That it was short is the reason it’s being reviewed here and now, but the main reason was the upcoming publication of the second book in the author’s Cinder Spires series, The Olympian Affair. It’s been EIGHT whole years since the first book in the series, The Aeronaut’s Windlass, came out. That’s a long time in book years, and I was wondering more than a bit whether I’d remember enough of how this world is put together to be able to get stuck back in this series.
As Warriorborn is both rather short and takes place after The Aeronaut’s Windlass but before The Olympian Affair, it seemed like a good book to solve all three problems; both NetGalley and my own flailing, and that niggling question about whether I could jump back into the series without at least a serious skim of that once upon a time series opener.
There’s a bit in Warriorborn where Benedict tells the story of an uncle of his who claimed that “if you have one problem, you have a problem. If you have two problems, you might have a solution. And if you can’t craft a solution out of that, what are you even doing?”
I fell right back into this world. We get just the tiniest hint about Benedict’s role in the first book, just enough info to understand why the Spirearch trusts him with this mission, wrapped in a whole bunch of bantering misdirection between himself and his king. It’s a setup, he knows it’s a setup, the Spirearch knows it’s a setup, but everything has to seem above board until the ship lifts and Benedict and his crew are out of reach of meddling politicians.
The true story in Warriorborn is about the mission itself, and that is utterly FUBAR from the outset and EVERYONE knows it. We see just enough of Benedict’s internal perspective to be aware that as calm as he appears on the surface, he’s paddling as fast as he can under the roiling waters.
Which are roiling pretty damn hard as the whole thing becomes a series of out of the frying pan into the fire maneuvers that just keeping getting worse and worse as the mission goes to hell, his crew mostly falls apart and his own chances of survival get smaller with each passing moments.
At which point, just as in The Aeronaut’s Windlass, the mission is saved by sentient cats. I’d be tempted to read the whole damn series – possibly more than once – for more of Rowl of the Nine Claws, the one character I truly remember from the first book and hope to see more of in the second, and Saza and Fenli and the entire clan of Swift Slayers in this one.
One final note, one that is in danger of making this review longer than the actual book. I did have this both in audio and in text. I switched back and forth from one to the other as my circumstances shifted over the course of the day, and I enjoyed it both ways. The text moves compellingly, from one near-disaster to another, while the audio narrator, Euan Morton, did an excellent job of differentiating between a cast of several different characters and personalities to the point where I ended up playing solitaire for an hour just so I could finish the book listening to his narration.
A good reading – and listening – time was absolutely had by this reader no matter which way I absorbed this story!
Originally published at Reading Reality
November 21, 2024
A wonderful novella to hold us over until the next novel is released in November starting the Warriorborn character Benedict Sorellin-Lancaster, who’s is recruited by the Spirearch to lead a team of 3 misfits on a mission.
I enjoyed this story & found Benedict to be a fascinating character & interesting enough on his own. There’s plenty of action & the pacing is fantastic. I never felt the story lagged or was losing my interest.
I enjoyed this story & found Benedict to be a fascinating character & interesting enough on his own. There’s plenty of action & the pacing is fantastic. I never felt the story lagged or was losing my interest.
January 23, 2024
Did this novella need to exist? Bigger question - does any series novella really need to exist? Beyond because the author forgot to include something or wants to retcon? (Or, in this case, the author is offering up a novella as ‘apology’ for having taken so long to write the eagerly-anticipated second book!)
Well, it was nice to get sustained time with Benedict alone. He is a character I enjoyed in The Aeronaut's Windlass (especially in combination with his sassy cousin Gwen), but I’m not entirely sure the novella itself was necessary and I really don’t think you can consider it a standalone introduction to the world. On the other hand, I’ve seen reviews that say that this novella helped flesh out the world more and, whilst I don't agree based on this novella alone, I wouldn’t wholly disagree either - I think we need to wait to see if there is pay-off for newly introduced elements in subsequent books. But, in the meantime, here we see more of the warriorborn ‘race’(?), of which Benedict belongs, and I actually enjoyed the way the mission (the retrieval of a diplomatic document case accidentally left on Spire Dependence, an object which acts as the MacGuffin for this story) was shaped to provide insight into the different attitudes that warriorborn have about themselves, their reputations, and their place in society.
In the course of the off-world (off-spire, more like) mission that Benedict is sent on by the Spirearch of Albion, we get three very different examples of fellow warriorborn - an older female, and two younger male and female warriorborn, all of whom were considered criminals (for one reason or another) by Spire Albion and so accompany Benedict on his little mission as a way to earn freedom from incarceration. There was a nice conversation that happened between Benedict and Lady Herringford (the older female) regarding the place of warriorborn in society which, when coupled with how the other two warriorborn repeatedly call him ‘toff’, sets up an interesting dynamic about what it means to be visibly an outsider by your very nature but treated as an ‘allowable’ member of society because, in one way or another, you have ‘not given into’ elements of your identity which would deem other people ‘unallowable’ in the eyes of polite society. There’s an interesting class dynamic there as well as a way to more specifically highlight the systemic racism that has been present in the Cinder Spires universe from the first book. Did it feel, at times, like a slightly heavy-handed fantasy way of incorporating discussions around racism and discrimination? Yeah, a little, and I’m not wholly sure the author is the right person to do that, but I see the well-intentioned intent.
However (and it’s a big however), I’ve never been, and never will be, an omegaverse girlie, and there was something about reading what felt like elements of it in a fantasy novella written by a dude that felt… icky, somehow. That could be my own prejudices but it felt weirdly specific and fetishised when one of the female warriorborn was in heat and therefore overly flirtatious and sexual with the males around her, to the point that they’re fleeing from an enemy chasing them but she can’t help herself but instinctively make out with Benedict before they start running away. I understand, it’s instinct, reflex, warriorborn can’t stop themselves, it’s a biological impulse (only of the females, convenient), yadda yadda, but it felt like it was included for the world building for the sake of edginess alone. Besides, we weren't exactly led to be sympathetic towards the character that this affected - she was painted basically as a sex-crazed liability, and I didn't love that, especially when it comes written by a man about a woman with no real mention of the (negative and positive) consequence of this element of warriorborn.
To return to more comfortable ground, there are cats here, cats galore! And once again, cats are proving why they should (and covertly do) basically rule the spires they inhabit. It’s always fun to see the prim, regal animals doing what they do best, so I would recommend this novella be read for them alone, to be honest. Speaking less fondly, the ‘big bad’ in this novella were worm-slug hybrid creatures that secrete acid and have rows and rows of sharp teeth? That’s like… literally my specific nightmare, it’s like Jim Butcher pulled the worst descriptions from my head and put it on the page. Thanks for that, Jim! More positively, in the latter half of this book there is also the introduction of another creature - dragons! Which I did not have on my bingo card for this novella, considering neither sight nor sound of them has been made in the first book, so I’m cautiously optimistic that they will form part of the second book because what fantasy story isn’t improved by draconic additions?
So, all in all, I liked getting a sustained story from Benedict’s point of view and it was a fine novella as an ‘apology’, but I wouldn’t say you would lose out on anything of comprehension of the Cinder Spires world by not reading it. Of course, I say this as someone who hasn’t yet read the second book, so who knows if I’m proven wrong and we get pay-off for having read this novella - I hope so.
Well, it was nice to get sustained time with Benedict alone. He is a character I enjoyed in The Aeronaut's Windlass (especially in combination with his sassy cousin Gwen), but I’m not entirely sure the novella itself was necessary and I really don’t think you can consider it a standalone introduction to the world. On the other hand, I’ve seen reviews that say that this novella helped flesh out the world more and, whilst I don't agree based on this novella alone, I wouldn’t wholly disagree either - I think we need to wait to see if there is pay-off for newly introduced elements in subsequent books. But, in the meantime, here we see more of the warriorborn ‘race’(?), of which Benedict belongs, and I actually enjoyed the way the mission (the retrieval of a diplomatic document case accidentally left on Spire Dependence, an object which acts as the MacGuffin for this story) was shaped to provide insight into the different attitudes that warriorborn have about themselves, their reputations, and their place in society.
In the course of the off-world (off-spire, more like) mission that Benedict is sent on by the Spirearch of Albion, we get three very different examples of fellow warriorborn - an older female, and two younger male and female warriorborn, all of whom were considered criminals (for one reason or another) by Spire Albion and so accompany Benedict on his little mission as a way to earn freedom from incarceration. There was a nice conversation that happened between Benedict and Lady Herringford (the older female) regarding the place of warriorborn in society which, when coupled with how the other two warriorborn repeatedly call him ‘toff’, sets up an interesting dynamic about what it means to be visibly an outsider by your very nature but treated as an ‘allowable’ member of society because, in one way or another, you have ‘not given into’ elements of your identity which would deem other people ‘unallowable’ in the eyes of polite society. There’s an interesting class dynamic there as well as a way to more specifically highlight the systemic racism that has been present in the Cinder Spires universe from the first book. Did it feel, at times, like a slightly heavy-handed fantasy way of incorporating discussions around racism and discrimination? Yeah, a little, and I’m not wholly sure the author is the right person to do that, but I see the well-intentioned intent.
However (and it’s a big however), I’ve never been, and never will be, an omegaverse girlie, and there was something about reading what felt like elements of it in a fantasy novella written by a dude that felt… icky, somehow. That could be my own prejudices but it felt weirdly specific and fetishised when one of the female warriorborn was in heat and therefore overly flirtatious and sexual with the males around her, to the point that they’re fleeing from an enemy chasing them but she can’t help herself but instinctively make out with Benedict before they start running away. I understand, it’s instinct, reflex, warriorborn can’t stop themselves, it’s a biological impulse (only of the females, convenient), yadda yadda, but it felt like it was included for the world building for the sake of edginess alone. Besides, we weren't exactly led to be sympathetic towards the character that this affected - she was painted basically as a sex-crazed liability, and I didn't love that, especially when it comes written by a man about a woman with no real mention of the (negative and positive) consequence of this element of warriorborn.
To return to more comfortable ground, there are cats here, cats galore! And once again, cats are proving why they should (and covertly do) basically rule the spires they inhabit. It’s always fun to see the prim, regal animals doing what they do best, so I would recommend this novella be read for them alone, to be honest. Speaking less fondly, the ‘big bad’ in this novella were worm-slug hybrid creatures that secrete acid and have rows and rows of sharp teeth? That’s like… literally my specific nightmare, it’s like Jim Butcher pulled the worst descriptions from my head and put it on the page. Thanks for that, Jim! More positively, in the latter half of this book there is also the introduction of another creature - dragons! Which I did not have on my bingo card for this novella, considering neither sight nor sound of them has been made in the first book, so I’m cautiously optimistic that they will form part of the second book because what fantasy story isn’t improved by draconic additions?
So, all in all, I liked getting a sustained story from Benedict’s point of view and it was a fine novella as an ‘apology’, but I wouldn’t say you would lose out on anything of comprehension of the Cinder Spires world by not reading it. Of course, I say this as someone who hasn’t yet read the second book, so who knows if I’m proven wrong and we get pay-off for having read this novella - I hope so.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2023
This was an amazing 5 star novella. One thing I love about Jim Butcher is whether its a short story, a novella, or a full length story they are always complete stories and have humor in them.
Aeronauts Windlass, the first book in the Cinder Spires, has been out for awhile now but I only just read it this year, so its pretty fresh in my memory.
This book was focused on Benedict Lancaster, a well known character, and focused on a side mission the Spirearch has given him. This package likely contains something that will aid them in their battles against the Aurorans.
There was humor, nasty creatures, talking cats, a dragon and a ‘how in the world will he pull it off’ escape.
You really almost feel like its a first person novel because of how well he writes Benedicts character.
This was a complete story as I said but I believe it also was a perfect set up for the next book in the Cinder Spire chronicles, The Olympian Affair.
The cats have always been my favorite in this series and this book was no exception. I love the name they bestowed Benedict.
I love Jim Butchers humor always, but I literally laughed out loud when he actually let the ‘cat out of the bag’. Well played Butcher.
This book also gives us some better insight into what makes a Warriorborn different. Cant wait til the next book comes out in like 2 months!
Aeronauts Windlass, the first book in the Cinder Spires, has been out for awhile now but I only just read it this year, so its pretty fresh in my memory.
This book was focused on Benedict Lancaster, a well known character, and focused on a side mission the Spirearch has given him. This package likely contains something that will aid them in their battles against the Aurorans.
There was humor, nasty creatures, talking cats, a dragon and a ‘how in the world will he pull it off’ escape.
You really almost feel like its a first person novel because of how well he writes Benedicts character.
This was a complete story as I said but I believe it also was a perfect set up for the next book in the Cinder Spire chronicles, The Olympian Affair.
The cats have always been my favorite in this series and this book was no exception. I love the name they bestowed Benedict.
I love Jim Butchers humor always, but I literally laughed out loud when he actually let the ‘cat out of the bag’. Well played Butcher.
This book also gives us some better insight into what makes a Warriorborn different. Cant wait til the next book comes out in like 2 months!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2023
I had started reading the Olympian Affair and then remember this novella which sits between the two books. I went back and read it and I am so glad I did. Not only is it an engaging read, but it leads right up to the start of the Olympian Affair. I was having trouble getting started but once this was read I was easily able to continue into the Olympian Affair.
The novella is a story of a mission of Benedict, along with Grimm and Gwen to another Spire which was no longer communicating with Spirearch. Of course, the team discovers Aurora is there and the place is destroyed. There are all sorts of horrible creatures.
The novella is a story of a mission of Benedict, along with Grimm and Gwen to another Spire which was no longer communicating with Spirearch. Of course, the team discovers Aurora is there and the place is destroyed. There are all sorts of horrible creatures.
May 5, 2024
I love this series, and I love Benedict. He’s an old fashioned fantasy hero in some ways. His sense of humor is sly and entertaining, and his quiet but solid sense of honor grounds him. He’s an able protagonist to center this short story around.
It’s a fast read, and essentially acts as an intro to the second book in the series: The Olympian Affair. It’s rapidly paced, and filled with snappy action that’s layered with emotion. Butcher does those kind of scenes incredibly well.
This was a fun filler read for the series. I hope the wait for book three won’t be too long. I love the world and the characters, and the sooner I can get back to them the better.
It’s a fast read, and essentially acts as an intro to the second book in the series: The Olympian Affair. It’s rapidly paced, and filled with snappy action that’s layered with emotion. Butcher does those kind of scenes incredibly well.
This was a fun filler read for the series. I hope the wait for book three won’t be too long. I love the world and the characters, and the sooner I can get back to them the better.
December 5, 2025
Pure action-y Jim Butcher. A nice little tide me over until the next one.
Sir Benedict, of the Albion Spirereach Guard, has a task. Basically babysitting three criminals but a task none the less. Three Warriorborn criminals, with heightened reflexes, acute senses and strength and power to match. The Lord of the Spire asks him simply to recover a diplomatic pouch. But, this being Jim Butcher, it's never that simple.
It read like a video game, with changing goals, new missions, and a healthy improvisation mechanism. Betrayal, basic nature, HAHO jumps, dragons apparently... all play a part in this novella. Nice enough to support me, short enough to finish in a day.
Sir Benedict, of the Albion Spirereach Guard, has a task. Basically babysitting three criminals but a task none the less. Three Warriorborn criminals, with heightened reflexes, acute senses and strength and power to match. The Lord of the Spire asks him simply to recover a diplomatic pouch. But, this being Jim Butcher, it's never that simple.
It read like a video game, with changing goals, new missions, and a healthy improvisation mechanism. Betrayal, basic nature, HAHO jumps, dragons apparently... all play a part in this novella. Nice enough to support me, short enough to finish in a day.
March 25, 2024
Half soul warriorborns and delightfully snarky cats, this novella had so much that I love in this series. It is an amazing lead up into book two, The Olympian Affair. These books are my first foray into Butchers books and he's got me hooked. His characters are enjoyable, his villains dangerous and unique, and the story always compelling.
I also recommend the audiobooks. The narrators cadence is perfect for this series.
I also recommend the audiobooks. The narrators cadence is perfect for this series.
September 14, 2023
From the very first pages, you are immersed in the sights and smells that Benedict experiences. Making this about the tightest third person you can get. A great little adventure, and as much as I can possibly expect from a novella. Seeing all the potential elements that this adds to the main story as a whole, I would not recommend skipping this one.
November 9, 2023
Fun short story but I'm actually a bit sad about it. The story does a good job of whetting the appetite for more story just in time for The Olympian Affair's release.
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