Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher


Title: Furies of Calderon
Author: Jim Butcher 
Series: Codex Alera #1)
Publisher: Ace



For a thousand years, the people of Alera have united against the aggressive and threatening races that inhabit the world, using their unique bond with the furies - elementals of earth, air, fire, water, and metal. But now, Gaius Sextus, First Lord of Alera, grows old and lacks an heir. Ambitious High Lords plot and maneuver to place their Houses in positions of power, and a war of succession looms on the horizon." "Far from city politics in the Calderon Valley, the boy Tavi struggles with his lack of furycrafting. At fifteen, he has no wind fury to help him fly, no fire fury to light his lamps. Yet as the Alerans' most savage enemy - the Marat - return to the Valley, he will discover that his destiny is much greater than he could ever imagine." Caught in a storm of deadly wind furies, Tavi saves the life of a runaway slave named Amara. But she is actually a spy for Gaius Sextus, sent to the Valley to gather intelligence on traitors to the Crown, who may be in league with the barbaric Marat horde. And when the Valley erupts in chaos - when rebels war with loyalists and furies clash with furies - Amara will find Tavi's courage and resourcefulness to be a power greater than any fury - one that could turn the tides of war.




“If there is any lesson to be learned from history, it is that all too often the fate of armies, of cities, of entire realms rests upon the actions of one person. In that dire moment of uncertainty, that person’s decision, good or bad, right or wrong, big or small, can unwittingly change the world.”

What a fantastic and epic fantasy! 

I'm a huge Jim Butcher's fan but I hadn't read this series because of time limitations. After all, I had to read all the other books in the Harry Dresden series first.  My husband had continuously reminded me to read the Codex Alera series. He kept on saying that this was his favorite series ever and I had this book on my TBR for a while. I finally decided to jump start it and now, I want to reprimand myself for waiting so long!

From the first chapter, I knew this book was going to be good. I liked the premise of the Furies. Some people have the power of "fury crafting".  These Furies can manifest as elements: air, water, metal, earth, fire. Each person who has this power gives a name to their Fury. Of course, the main character Tavi has none. He's fifteen and by now he should have shown signs of being able to craft but so far Tavi has no powers. His uncle Bernard is the stead-holder. He's big and powerful. He's also fair and good hearted. His power comes from the earth. His sister Isana is a powerful water-crafter and a healer. Together they keep their people safe. 

When Tavi and Bernard go looking for Tavi's sheep, they are attacked by a Marat. The Marat are big, savage creatures. They attacked the realm years ago and now they are back. This time they are in the company of mercenaries wanting to bring down Gaius Sextus, the Frist Lord of Alera from his throne. What ensues is a page-turning, magnificent fantasy with great characters, incredible fights, and amazing courage. 

“he’s doing that because it’s what he set out to do.”

I can't wait to continue reading. I know there are some secrets that must come out soon. Tavi is in the middle of it and it's going to make his life even more interesting.

"Uncle Bernard! Uncle Bernard!" he shouted, pointing at Doroga. "He followed me home! Can we keep him?”

5/5 Fangs


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