Book 1), Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera

These books are amazing. It is refreshing to see complex politics that go beyond simple good versus evil and delve into how complicated decisions are made by multifaceted characters based on motives that are unknown to the reader. The pacing is excellent, the plot engaging, the characters deeply interesting and the fantasy physics of the world are consistent and fascinating.

Entertaining read, though a bit predictable. I understand this is a fantasy, but I feel like it was a bit unrealistic as far as the "good guys" triumphing in the end. Not a bad thing necessarily but the triumphs of evil aren't really felt by the reader as you know that good is going to push back. As well the characters aren't very immersive, meaning I didn't feel like I could get a sense of HOW the were feeling. However, the fight/battle scenes were very well written and easy to visualize.

A cool idea for a fantasy world and very entertaining read all in all.

Jim Butcher is amazing. Seriously. I loved the Dresden Files and was heartbroken when I reached the last released book, and put off checking out his other work for fear of disappointment, but I should have known better. Captivating, unique, and unpredictable, The Codex Alera series has stolen my heart. Thanks for all your hard work Jim - you're much appreciated!

Love the Codex Alera series! We already had them in both hardback and paperback, but wanted to be able to read them on the go. This series is simply amazing. The characters are fully developed and the plot is plain awesome. Highly recommend!

I've read the entire Dresden series and am anxiously awaiting the next installment, but decided to give this series a try. I'm very glad I did! Complete new world, new powers. strong female characters, lots of action - foreshadowing of books to come. Bought the entire series when I finished because I want to know what happens next.

Furies of Calderon is just the starting point for this great series.

These books weave a wonderful and unique world with characters that you're never quite sure about and never feel false or flat. The traditional take on magic is not used here, but instead people gain their "powers" from a manifestation of different elemental powers in the form of furies. The world is dependent on furies in their everyday life; to cook, heal, travel, hunt, build, fight, etc.

The main character is the only known Aleran to be considered furiless and it would be the equivalent of being born without both your legs in our world. He is looked down upon and considered a freak. He must use his mind and his drive to rise in the world and prove himself. You want him to succeed, you want him to win at everything, and you can't help but cheer for him all along.

He is supported by a wide range of characters that really bring home the idea that no one and nothing is truely right or wrong, black or white. The "bad guy" you can't help but like and understand what he's doing. Some of the "good guys" you don't necessarily like and wonder if they are all that "good." I like that your are constantly re-evaluating your opinion of the characters involved through these books.

I will admit that Furies of Caderon unlike the other 4 books (out so far) in the series does take a bit to get into. Butcher has to spend some time setting everything up, but once he has you never stop running.

I hope you give them a try and enjoy them as much as I have and will continue to.

Jim Butcher has given life to fanciful characters. The suspense is excellent but the story lags part way through. Part way through the book it suddenly gets intense and I stayed awake well past midnight to finish the book. It was the mid book that kept me from giving it the fifth star. Fantasy fans will love this book.
GW

Awesome book beginning a long and satisfying fantasy series. I didn't think I'd like it at first, because I just wanted to read more Harry Dresden. But Jim Butcher did great in this new series, and I was immensely entertained.

As usual, Jim Butcher delivers again. I had trouble putting it down. Thanks characters are rich and mutifacited. I particularly the main antagonist, and the way he is portrayed. Fidealias, although arguably misguided, is not some over the top, evily evil guy. He is just doing what he believes is the right thing, even though he doesn't like it.

Some people complain Jim Butcher has a "formula" for writing, but to be honest, I don't think about that when reading them, and I haven't read one of his books yet that wasn't enjoyable on the whole. As to this one? Sure there are a few slow spots here and there, but overall a fantastic start to the series.

Excellent world creation and characters. I kick myself for not finding this earlier as I have read and loved all of Jim Butcher's Dresden Files.
It is a basic story of a young boy with no magic talents except his intelligence, compassion and honesty. He is accidentally thrown into a fight for the survival of his home community and prevails. The story has an ending but leaves enough questions to be explored in sequels. I am looking forward to reading the next book.

I absolutely adore Butcher's Harry Dresden; innovative and clever with a voice in character that is credible. I found The Furies... to be too predictable. Interesting story line and interesting characters, however no one grabbed me as Harry has done. I am finished with the series and will wait patiently for the next adventure Harry has from the grave.

I love the Harry Dresden series by Jim Butcher, and naturally thought to pick up this series as well. It is vastly different writing style. Harry is very internal monologue and follows him constantly. Codex Alera switched between characters and is external third person writing. One thing Jim is very good at is weaving multiple stories into one cohesive story line, even if you don't realize it until close to the end. While I did have a tough time at first adjusting to this new style, I quickly fell in love with the characters and I am excited to see more of what they do and who they become. Jim is also a master at character development and witty one liners. My favorite by far (probably because I do accounting) "...including a stammering Pluvus Pentius, who had saved a handful of children from a wounded herdbane by clubbing it to death with his accounts ledger." I laughed way too hard at this.

It amazes me how many reviewers try to compare this to the Dresden novels. Personally I love to see a writer who has something different to offer, and I wasn't disappointed in this book.

I admired Tavi's struggle to adapt to an environment where he clearly does not fit in. The mechanisms he had developed to not only cope but conquer that environment rang true (in the context of a fantasy novel of course).

The idea of the furies was something I hadn't come across in any other novel to date and I found the premise fascinating and refreshing.

I have now read the whole series and enjoyed the development of the story line and characters in general but, because of the newness of the premise in this first book, it's my favorite.

After Aeronaut's Windlass, I decided to continue reading Jim Butcher. I've enjoyed the first 2 codex books and will complete the series. After that, I will go ahead and give the Dresden files a shot, even though they're a little out of my norm as far as genre. A good author is worth the side venture as I learned from Brandon Sanderson.

A fairly routine, if imaginative, fantasy story. A fast, engrossing read that pleases, but leaves you less than satisfied. Characters are pretty flat and story line is predictable and often highly contrived, but overall an entertaining, light-weight bit of fantasy brain candy.

The book immediately immerses the reader. Rarely dailies on any plot point. And never surrenders to hopeless situations. It starts, expands and ends its story. Unlike many fantasy book series, this single book is complete.

I absolutely loved this series. Extremely deep character development and great story line, make this one of my top 3 personal favorite series and would highly recommend it to anyone. Took a little bit to get into it, but after the first chapter I was hooked.

Typical Jim Butcher writing where you find yourself not being able to put it down, and if you do put it down, you can't wait to pick it back up again. Once you learn the charactors you become drawn in deeper and deeper to each of their story, and wanting to know what's going to happen now, but then you're transferred to another story with every bit as much intensity, and in this book there are quite a few well written and intriging story lives that you travel back to and from, so the whole story is told at the same and right time. If you're a Jim Butcher fan, and I am, I believe you will thoroughly enjoy this book.

This series' opener seems to have more than a hint of a dungeon master's narrative at its heart. The setting is inventive, however, and the characters are compelling. The elemental magic at work here is original, and very interesting, although its lack of definition offers an unfortunate degree of scope for "deus ex machina" style solutions to uncomfortable plot situations. Notwithstanding that, the narrative flow is sufficiently strong to sustain the story. I will be reading more of this series.

Based on reading other reviews prior to purchasing, this was as I expected it. I enjoyed it considerably and plan to continue with the series, but it is not on a par with Butcher's Dresden series which I loved. Still, I thought it was well done for the beginning of a new series in a different genre. The characters are interesting and well defined, though there are a lot of them to keep track of. It moved rather quickly into the plot and action without the usual dreary chapters of explanation to bore you at the beginning. Unfortunately Kate Reading, while obviously an accomplished reader, does not "act" the various parts/voices with as distinguishable inflection as James Marsters can.

This is my second time though the series. What I enjoy most about Butcher's style is that even though each book can stand-a-lone each one has a pieces that set up the whole over arcing story but you don't realize it until you get there

I prefer the Dresden Files by 100%. Just could not get into this storyline. Sorry Jim. I was disappointed. Could not relate to any of the characters, locations did not materialize in my mind. I know for others this will be a perfect read. Just not for me.

This book manages to create a world so unbelievably believable that it fires my imagination and calls for more. The author writes well, words giving pictures to every scene. There is humor, humanity, courage and valor offset against battle, warring, subterfuge, deceit and terror. (The only negative I can say has nothing to do with book, its content or the author: It's just too bad that the publishers at the store were not more careful proofreaders. Their mistakes were annoying, especially given the price they charge. )

I absolutely LOVED this book! The writing style was totally engrossing and the plot was amazing! There was never a dull moment. Character development is great, too. If it means anything to you (it certainly does to me!) I was so into this series that I read all of the books in a row without ever getting tired of them. This book definitely deserves 5 stars.