Jim Butcher

I've just finished the latest in Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series: Captain's Fury. Of all the books I got for my sons this Christmas (and Christmas is a time of heavy book-giving in my household), this was the most longed-for. I have to admit, I don't feel so attached to the series as all that -- I finished the book I was reading, and another of their presents (Terry Pratchett's latest: Making Money), before getting to Butcher. On the other hand, I remembered how I'd felt at the end of the previous "Fury" book -- annoyed that I'd have to wait at least a year before reading the next -- which motivated me to quickly reread the third book before tackling the latest. And then, despite the fact that I'd promised myself some dedicated fiction-writing time, I was then compelled to sit and read my way through the latest before being able to do anything else!

So, I guess I'm a fan.

The thing about Codex Alera, and the reason I suppose why I didn't dive into the book as soon as my sons had finished with it (luckily we're all fast readers!), is that I wasn't initially all that enamored with the series. Funny how those initial impressions can stay with you. I'm not even sure why; it might not have been anything to do with the first book at all. It might have been all about the difference between those books and Butcher's other series, which is a fun urban fantasy featuring Harry Dresden, Chicago wizard for hire (he's in the phone book!).

My boys and I love the Dresden Files, which is another take on the PI, vampire and werewolf, type genre -- but with an emphasis on magic, obviously. The TV show has been disappointing, even with us constantly reciting the mantra: don't compare this to the books!

Anyway, the Codex Alera is a standard fantasy (as opposed to urban fantasy, which is set in the modern world), without the humor that is so enjoyable in the Dresden Files (which is not a criticism; it's just a warning for anyone looking for it -- standard fantasy isn't supposed to have that lighthearted, taking-the-mickey style). The world is an alternative Roman Empire type world, with legions etc, and with an original invention: the furies, which are elemental spirits that some people can use. The ability to use such furies, and the degree to which you can use them, is the basis of power in the human world. There are also (original) non-human species.

I think the Roman legion thing also played a part in my initial lack of enthusiasm for this series -- a purely personal reaction: I avoid "alternate history" type books as a rule. Not that these do belong to that genre, but I guess my dislike of that genre flavors my reaction to books that so clearly use a particular historical period as a base. But anyway, I've got over it now! And Captain's Fury, I was very relieved to see, left me satisfied (not desperately wanting something to happen that hadn't happened yet, but was obviously going to). So though there's still (I believe) two books to go in the series, I have no trouble recommending you start the series if you haven't done so. No cliff-hanger at the end of number 4, and an emotionall satisfying point.

And I'm really looking forward to the next Dresden File in April!