Dresden Files started off good then ramped up so much quality continuously. So I'm staying optimistic for Cinder Spire.

Codex of Alera started off strong though. I like the later books more, but it's not like with Dresden good, very good, ..... omg best book ever.

Another difference with Alera is that the first book started off with a big diverse cast of characters, and all of them, even the villains, develop through the first book. Dresden Files have the advantage that characters are introduced slowly throughout the books. Both series have such incredible characters. Jim set the bar and standard for characters in fantasy literature.

Cinder Spires might be at a disadvantage because the settings like habbles, tunnels, and ships, are so confined. The characters are coming from similar backgrounds. They are variations within the nobility, with different status but still the same class. Then you need wildly different characters like Folly and Rowl to shake things up. The end result just pales in comparison to Jim's other works.

There was a scene when Gwen rushed out of infirmary to see Capt Ransom jump off the ship. I had a moment of wait which girl came out again? Other than external characteristics, size, weaponry, etc... There are a few scenes I felt they'd acted exactly the same way. Like running after Benedict to the burning temple. There are personality differences of course, but a lot of similarities like strong-willed, bravery, sense of honor, strong desire to help others. Folly is totally different. I was a little drunk and didn't think it through carefully.

Second point was just my personal opinion. But because silkweavers are so similar to vord. I keep drawing comparison between Cinder Spire systems with Alera systems, which were much more epic.

Again, I loved the ship chapters a lot, by far my favorite sections of the book. I firmly believe there is no reason to create anything less than battlecruiser, other than scouting concerns, which you can do with tiny ships on one trim crystal probably. Ithaca had more firepower and toughness than three heavy cruisers combined. The fact that it chased down Predator was ridiculous. I can buy the great straight line speed, but it took no discount on maneuverability. Image US Navy has battleships that can turn and accelerate like a small frigate. Why would US Navy split the resource it takes to build one battleship into three smaller ships? Especially in engagement, USS Ithaca can just shrug off fire from the three smaller ships and annihilate 1/3 of enemy strength in the opening moments.

If you draw parallel to WWII or pervious navy conflicts, you never split your navy into different locations. Splitting your 30 ships into different battle groups is just throwing them to easy destruction if they run into enemy concentrated navy group.

Black Council

There are three senior black council members, who wield mortal wizard powers, built three time missile barges separately.

Logical evidence:
Building three barges separately and simultaneously minimize chance of discovery. Having one being build all three seem an ineligant and slow strategy. Harry "the help" had to be rushed out to assist with this surprise attack.

Speculative evidence:
Mac tells Harry there are three. Possibly, he means three dark wizards, not three outsiders. Why send only one Walker to demonreach, if there are three Walkers.