The Codex Alera

Jim Butcher


Recommend

In a world where everyone has the power to command furies -- nature's elements in physical form -- the only rare power is having none to command.  So begins the tale of Tavi, a boy of unclear lineage (apparently most authors of the genre went to the same school!) who isn't about to let his lack of a fury to stop him.  Butcher has an interesting angle for his tale.  So many books start with that "boy of unclear lineage" discovering his rare power to wield magic -- and then continue with his journey to learn that power while the forces of evil seek to destroy him.  Here however, stands Tavi...without magic.  Without what everyone else his age has.  But alone doesn't mean powerless.  And for Tavi, standing alone isn't an uncomfortable place to be.

Butcher tells the story of Tavi at an excellent pace, allowing the characters to develop as the story unfolds rather than requiring diversions from the main plot.  The action is constant as he interweaves the happenings of each subplot into the conclusion.  He gives such strong hints as to Tavi's real identity in "Furies" that it's easy to believe he discredits his reader's ability to put the pieces together, but that's another point at which Butcher clearly decided to deviate from the rest of the genre.  He apparently wants the reader to know who Tavi is early in the tale... making the story more about when and how it will be revealed and what the revelation will bring.. 


The Codex Alera
  • Furies of Calderon
  • Academ's Fury
  • Cursor's Fury
  • Captain's Fury
  • Princep's Fury
  • First Lord's Fury (December 2009)

The Dresden Files

Jim Butcher


Recommend 

I was introduced to Jim Butcher's writing when I read the Codex Alera series.  I'd seen The Dresden Files series in the bookstore, but had always passed it up as the premise doesn't really fit my interest.  However, Codex Alera was such a great read that I decided to give The Dresden Files a go.  I bought the first four books to read over a vacation...

In Chicago, not all crimes have human roots -- although they typically have human victims.  When the Chicago PD Special Investigations unit needs backup, they don't call for more of their peers....they call Harry Dresden.  Harry probably would prefer not to take the assignment, but he's got bills to pay -- and where else is a wizard going to find a paying gig when he's not interested in selling love potions or performing at parties?

Butcher's tales are interesting in that the premise is (as far as I know) unique.  Harry, isn't living in some ancient time of elves and such -- he's living in a major metropolitan contemporary setting complete with a frequently broken-down VW Beetle.  But as promising as the premise might be, I think the plot is restricted by the modern limits more than anything.  Harry carries a staff and a gun ... and that's about as clever as the stories seem to get.  Not a bad read...but not nearly the tale that the Codex Alera is.


The Dresden Files
  • Storm Front
  • Fool Moon
  • Grave Peril
  • Summer Knight
  • Death Masks
  • Blood Rites
  • Dead Beat
  • Proven Guilty
  • White Night
  • Small Favor
  • Turn Coat
  • Changes (April 2010)