In the final novel in #1 New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher's acclaimed Codex Alera series, the people of Alera—who use their unique bond with the elementals of earth, air, fire, water, wood, and metal for protection—must face the ultimate conflict… For Gaius Octavian, life has been one long struggle. Battling ancient enemies, forging new alliances, and confronting the corruption within his own land, he became a legendary man of war and leader of men—and the rightful First Lord of Alera. Now, the end of all he fought for is close at hand. The brutal, dreaded Vord are on the march, using fear and chaos to turn the Alerans against one another, and forcing those who will not submit to flee to the outer reaches of the realm. Perhaps for the final time, Gaius Octavian and his legions must stand against the enemies of his people. And it will take all his intelligence, ingenuity, and furycraft to save their world from eternal darkness...
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"I thought this book was great! It wrapped up the war with the Vord and set Tavi up to begin life as a new kind of First Lord. I really enjoyed these characters and loved seeing Tavi mature. I thought Butcher had some good solutions and gave Tavi a really strong personality that still had class. I can see a new series rising up the world of Alera and I can't wait."
— Teresa (5 out of 5 stars)
“The wait is finally over, as the incomparable Butcher gives salivating fans the piece de resistance of his Codex Alera series. The incredible journey of clever Tavi, from shepherd’s apprentice to last hope of the realm, has been both thrilling and harrowing, not to mention completely engrossing....As heroes go, they don’t come better than Tavi! Bravo, Mr. Butcher!”
— RT Book ReviewsA complex plot.
— Publishers Weekly[A] fitting conclusion to the Codex Alera.
— BooklistThis is an entertaining and great super finish to the Codex Alera...The storyline is fast-paced...Fans will relish the saga.
— Genre Go Round ReviewsJim Butcher is an absolute master of pace...The book is the climax of the entire series, building tension until the last sixty pages are a perfectly placed hold-your-breath conclusion to the series.
— Born ReaderThe incomparable Butcher gives salivating fans the piece de resistance of his Codex Alera series...The blistering pace of warfare never falters...Bravo, Mr. Butcher!
— RT Book Reviews" I didn't want this to be the last book! I love this world. I really hope he goes back to it! "
— Alice, 2/8/2014" It was a nice finish to the series. Of course all main characters made it through which is nice but kept the book from being the best of the series. It really had potential to be great but with Tavi ALWAYS getting everyone on his side and doing things his way it got a little monotonous. "
— Vilena, 2/6/2014" Excellent conclusion. A few too many battle scenes for me. No loose ends were really left, however. I think Butcher liked his characters too much to be realistic with them though. (I mean, no major good guy character dies? Really?) I will read the Dresden files as I did enjoy how well thought out these novels were. I love a clever hero and Tavi is that. "
— Kelly, 1/21/2014" I really only read this one because I'd already made it through the rest of the series and figured I might as well finish it. Really disappointing end to what was a potentially promising series. "
— Sean, 1/9/2014" Enjoyed the book and series. "
— Chris, 11/6/2013" I liked this series, although not as much as the Dresden Files. "
— Martha, 7/25/2013" I personally like it when everything gets wrapped up with a nice big bow. So even though it is predictable I still like the finish and the wrap up. "
— David, 7/25/2013" The only bad thing about this series is that it ended! For lovers of this genre, these books are all page burners. "
— Ron, 4/3/2013" The conclusion left me wanting. It all was just too tidy. Too "...and they all lived happily ever after." "
— Dawn, 2/21/2013" Blargh... I wanted to like this series but the "I just want to understand what this thing you call love" shtick is just so over-used. I felt like I was waiting and waiting for the pieces of the previous 5 books to culminate in some grand reveal but was sorely disappointed. "
— Benjamin, 5/30/2012" An amazing ending to the series with tons of epic battles and crazy fury-crafting. Everything was wrapped up nicely and it was even left somewhat open for a possible series centuries in the future (I hope). "
— Brad, 5/17/2012" I liked the ending but I think that some of the more main characters should have died. In such a huge battle, it's unlikely that all of Tavi's friends and family would have survived. "
— Natalie, 3/25/2012" loved it. There needs to be more. <3 "
— Sonya, 11/27/2011" I enjoyed this, but as with many last books in a series, it just kept having to have one more twist at the turn of every page instead of letting things end. They were good twists and turns, well executed and unexpected but eventually I just wanted to get it over with. "
— Aviva, 9/7/2011" Final book in the six book series. It was a good wrap up for all the characters in the story. I love this author. If you are a Sci Fi/Fantasy reader this series is a good one. <br/>Try his other series as well - the Dresdin Files - in my opinion it is even better "
— Scott, 5/10/2011" Whew! It's still a bit of a puzzle to me how I could love a series with so much violent battle in it, but there it is, I do. "
— Helen, 4/10/2011" And now for the post series sadness... that was a great set of books. "
— Troy, 4/6/2011" See my review for Book #2 of the Codex Alera series. I was sad to see this one come to an end, and I would love it if Jim Butcher might expand this series by taking it into the future. "
— Sara, 4/1/2011" This was a really quick read for me. Tavi and the Canim return to Alera to fight the Vord. While fighting for Alera can Tavi also find time to court Kitai? As always, good Canim, Marat & motherly wisdom is interspersed with lots of action. "
— June, 3/28/2011" Kinda sad this is the last one! "
— Allie, 3/26/2011" this book didn't tie up the ends as nicely as it could have..IMHO "
— Anita, 3/23/2011" I raced through this series of books and loved them. They combine all the things I like about fantasy books. I young hero and heroine with a touch of romance,magic, monsters and a happy ending...I recommend this series to those who love fantasy/sci fi. "
— Lynne, 3/23/2011" pure fun satisfying end to a series, predictable but I don't always see that as a negative "
— Marty, 3/17/2011" And excellent finale to the series. "
— Den, 3/5/2011" This is the first time I can ever remember getting to the end of a series and being completely satisfied. Superb! "
— Rikki, 3/4/2011" A little disappointed with the ending. I thought this one seemed a little less refined as the others. "
— April, 3/1/2011" Awesome! Jim writes a fantastic finish to an epic series! "
— Mitch, 2/28/2011Jim Butcher is a martial arts enthusiast whose résumé includes a long list of skills rendered obsolete at least two hundred years ago. He turned to writing as a career because anything else probably would have driven him insane. He is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera, and the Cinder Spires novels.
Kate Reading, named an AudioFile Golden Voice, has recorded hundreds of audiobooks across many genres, over a thirty–year plus career and won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. Among other awards, she has been recognized as an AudioFile Magazine Voice of the Century, Narrator of the Year, Best Voice in Science Fiction and Fantasy, and winner of an Publisher’s Weekly’s Listen-Up Award. She records at her home studio, Madison Productions, Inc., in Maryland.