Fiction

Background

Published in 2009, “First Lord’s Fury” is the final book in the “Codex Alera” series by Jim Butcher. The vord are launching the slow systematic takeover of the people of Alera and will destroy all life as they know it across their entire continent. Tavi, now First Lord of Alera, must engage this enemy with limited resources and flagging resistance against a seemingly unstoppable enemy. As the war rages it comes down to a simple few to can change the fate of the kingdom.

My Thoughts

As much as I don’t like the vord as a villain or literary device, I have to say this book came back around to a more interesting enemy. Rather than the usual semi-zombie type automatons, the vord queen seemed to have a feel more like the movie, “Species”. This book gave her color and character which were sadly missed by the others. Tavi became much to overpowered as did several others but it’s all in good fun.

Recommendation

It was a nice ending to the series.

Background

“Princeps’ Fury” is the fifth book in the “Codex Alera” series by Jim Butcher. The Vord, a deadly and mysterious enemy, are back and now they threatens to overwhelm Alera and its people. Tavi took the Carnim back to their homeland but find the Vord have taken that places as well. With the help of his loyal friends and allies, “Octavian” must rally his forces and use every tool at his disposal to defend his homeland and defeat the Vord. Along the way, he faces personal struggles and difficult choices that test his character and his commitment to his people.

My Thoughts

Not a bad book but I liked the previous one better. I’m just not that excited about the Vord and I hope the resolves in the next book as something better than just beating back these zombie-insect-things.

Again, the reader isn’t disappointed by the author’s imagination and story telling. There are some pretty disturbing images in a few parts but the majority was fun.

Recommendation

Not my favorite in the series but still not bad.

Background

“Captain’s Fury” is the fourth book in the “Codex Alera” series by Jim Butcher. The humble protagonist, “Tavi” is really Gaius Octavian, nephew and heir to the First Lord Gaius Sextus of Alera. Sextus is dying, and although Tavi is the heir he is still on a mission as a “cursor” for the First Lord and is not known in the legion under his real name. All of the officers are killed in a Carnim attack and Tavi must prove himself as a capable leader in the midst of war. Along the way, he learns important lessons about leadership, sacrifice, and the true nature of power.

My Thoughts

This book brought together a number of issues and answered a lot of questions. Tavi is outed as his true self and finally is able to access his birthright of power to fantastic effect. His entire life has given him training to be outside of the norm and he brings that perspective to bear against every road block.

His is a great character full of integrity and a concern for his responsibilities. You can’t help but like him even if he has more luck than a field of 4 leaf clovers… I worry he is getting a little too powerful but the series is almost over so I guess I have no complaints.

Recommendation

Great book.

Background

Cursor’s Fury is the third book in Jim Butcher’s Codex Alera series. It is set in a world where people can bond with elemental spirits called furies. Tavi is a young man who does not have a fury, but he is still determined to be a soldier at the request of the First Lord. He joins a new legion and is sent on a mission to investigate a rebellion. Along the way, he learns more about himself and his abilities. He also makes new friends and allies, and he comes to realize that he is capable of great things in spite of the powers he lacks.

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. Jim Butcher did a great job imbuing Tavi with a good heart and spun a great tale demonstrating how adversity can strengthen someone and prepare them for bigger and better things.

The book itself is a great story but it is building to an even bigger climax in the later books. I’m excited to see where it goes.

Recommendation

Great book. I really enjoyed it.

Background

Academ’s Fury is the second book in the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher. It takes place two years after the events of the first book, Furies of Calderon. The story follows Tavi, a young man who has no furycrafting abilities, but is still determined to protect his people from the dangers they face. In this book, Tavi is a student at the Alera Imperial Academy, where he is training to become a Cursor, one of the First Lord’s elite spies. He also serves as the First Lord’s page, and is privy to many of the secrets of the realm. As the book progresses, Tavi must use all of his courage and resourcefulness to save his people from a new threat that is even more dangerous than the ones they faced before.

My Thoughts

Much like the first book, it took a minute to get this one going but it did hook me after a bit.

It finally dawned on me that this series features the main character who has no magic in a world of people who do, which is in nice juxtaposition to the Dresden Files where the protagonist is the only person with magic in a world without. Sorry Mr. Butcher, I’m a little slow sometimes.

The evil in this book amounts to the same as zombies though of a decidedly different flavor. I’ve always thought the zombie to be the least frightening of the monsters. However, the whole concept of something that is already dead, that you can’t kill, that you can’t reason with, that wants to take the “you” from you does make a good monster.

Recommendation

As the 2nd book, I feel like the series is just getting going.

Background

Furies of Calderon is the first novel in the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher, published on October 5, 2004. The story takes place in the Aleran Empire, where people can bond with elemental furies to gain elemental powers. Tavi is a young man who lacks any furycrafting abilities, but he is determined to prove himself to his family and his people. When the Marat horde, a savage and warlike people, invades the Calderon Valley, Tavi must use all of his courage and resourcefulness to save his home and his people.

My Thoughts

This book took me a long time to get into and I’m still not quite hooked. I loved Jim Butcher’s “Dresden Files” series so I’m going to hang with it till the end. However, this book was pretty long winded and didn’t really have the same whimsy that I came to expect from the author.

Recommendation

I’m on the fence with this one.

Background

The Carpet People is a comic fantasy novel by British writer Terry Pratchett. It was first published in 1971, and was later re-written by the author when his work became more widespread and well-known. The story follows the adventures of a group of small people who live on a carpet. The carpet is their world, and they have no knowledge of anything else.

My Thoughts

This was my first Terry Pratchett book and right from the beginning, I was hooked. I love his sense of humor and it is reflected in pretty much everything in the story. There are certainly some elements that are a little less refined and I’m curious to have read the original that he released when he was 17 to compare and contrast.

Recommendation

It was worth the time.