In this extraordinary fantasy epic, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Dresden Files leads readers into a world where the fate of the realm rests on the shoulders of a boy with no power to call his own... 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, wood, and metal. But in the remote 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 horde—return to the Valley, Tavi’s courage and resourcefulness will be a power greater than any fury, one that could turn the tides of war...
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"I loved this book...action packed all the way through. I was never bored at all. I like the concept of the story and the world. The only complaint I have is that there are too many furies...it takes a fury to light a lamp or run a faucet? Just seemed lazy and like overkill on the author's part. I'm eager to start the next book!"
— Cheryl (5 out of 5 stars)
“Absorbing…Butcher does a thorough job of world building, to say nothing of developing his action scenes with an abundance of convincing detail. This page-turner bodes well for future volumes.”
— Publishers Weekly“Delivered by Kate Reading, this otherworldly story becomes an introspective look at the power of destruction through the eyes of a child. Reading’s ability to provide original characters with their own personalities and voices is apparent from the start, and her ability to relate those characters, no matter how futuristic and unfamiliar they may seem, is truly a marvel.”
— AudioFile“A real page-turner, with the classic plot of a kingdom threatened by both an outside invader and internal treachery enlivened by an abundance of original details and sheer storytelling gusto…A promising series launcher.”
— Booklist" Seriously I am so agitated with the NOISE between the sections in this book I couldn’t finish it , it made me so angry, if you ever listen while going to sleep DON’T get this one. The VERY LOUD STUPID music is unbearable "
— RMG22, 5/21/2018" A solid fantasy series, but not my absolute favorite. Certainly good enough for me to keep reading and see where he takes it. While I thought some of the characters were flat, the main character Tavi had enough interest for me to want to keep reading to figure out his story. I thought the world was well-drawn, though the overuse of the magical insta-heal is something that tends to bug me in fantasy novels and was certainly present here. I'll revisit this series, but maybe not immediately. "
— Emily, 2/20/2014" This was a... I don't know that fun is the right word...fantasy novel. It was a change from what most fantasy books seem to be and I loved that. I did find the story at times a little predictable and never felt compelled to get to the end of a chapter to see what happened before putting it down. For all that I still enjoyed it and always picked it back up again. "
— Vanessa, 2/15/2014" Having been a Harry Dresden fan I wasn't sure what to expect from this series but these fantasy books are wonderful. I could not put them down! "
— Trista, 2/2/2014" I like the storyline, but was not impressed with the writing itself. Which is odd, since I like Butcher's other series (Dresden Files). There was a lot of listening to characters puzzle things out ("If this, happens, then this, then if that, then maybe this?"), and using the same descriptions for a character every time someone met them (yes, her hair and skin are the same color, yes, it reminds you of a statue, I get it). But, whether it was because the story was really interesting or because it was an easy thing to listen to on my commute to work, I finished it. And I'm intrigued enough to listen to the next one. "
— Norah, 1/11/2014" As always, for me, Jim Butcher delivers! "
— Adam, 1/7/2014" Interesting fantasy novel. Magical powers have an different twist. Kept me guessing. "
— Candace, 1/4/2014" I love Jim Butcher's writing, but I'm not a big fantasy fan "
— Paige, 12/23/2013" One of my students recommended it. I really surprised at how much I enjoyed the book. "
— Cassandra, 12/14/2013" Once started, I couldn't put it down. I can't remember the last time I started and finished a book in one sitting, but that was how reading this book went. I devoured it, and immediately reached for the next in the series. "
— Dani, 11/22/2013" One of my favorite fantasy series. Well crafted characters and conflicts. Wonderfully new spin on "magic" and fantasy. "
— Jay, 11/13/2013" Good. Still like Dresden Files better. "
— Ruth, 11/11/2013" Not up to Dresden standards. I abandoned partway through. Tolkienesque fantasy novels just don't do it for me. "
— Dan, 10/31/2013" I'm torn on this book. It is definetly not the Dresden files but it does have its own charm. I've decided to try one more to see how things progress. The main character, a young boy is so likable you want to know what happens. "
— Angela, 3/15/2013" There are so many cliffhangers in this book and in the rest of the series, the entire countryside must be made of cliffs. But it's not tiresomely so, and is worth reading. "
— Alyssa, 10/23/2012" I am sorry to say that I did not like Furies of Calderon. I had to stop listening to the audiobook as I lost respect for Amara. I had a difficult time with her...skills. Also, I felt that everything that was going to happen was too easily discerned so I lost interest. "
— Tressa, 9/28/2012" I liked the Dresden files, so I thought I would check out this authors other books. I couldn't get into this one, this series just isn't for me. "
— Darcy, 9/4/2012" First book about the adventures of a young man named Tavi. He is the only person in Alaera that cannot work with the nature magic in the form of furies. We meet his family in the form of his Aunt Isana and Uncle Bernard. "
— Becca, 4/8/2012" Remember buying this. Remember not really getting it. Don't remember anything else! :S "
— Helen, 3/23/2012" Jim Butcher is a master at creating worlds you truly can believe in and the characters are amazing, though I'd like to see some female characters with a more feminine side. All in all a great read! "
— Denise, 3/12/2012" Don't think I will read the rest of the series. I really couldn't get into this book or the characters. "
— Montanasmith, 3/8/2012" The best things in life come as pleasant surpises. When you least expect it something that you come across makes you overjoyed. That's what happened with this book. "
— Chrysanthos, 12/18/2011" i loved the detail it gave with everything and how no matter where i was in the book it kept me on the edge of my seat. rarely will a book hold me as strongly as this one did. "
— Andrew, 10/20/2011" I just don't think I'll finish this. Not a bad book, but not my thing. "
— Elizabeth, 5/18/2011" I well crafted story and interesting twist on the use of magic. The entire series is worth reading IMO. "
— Fractal757, 5/11/2011" A little slow starting, but great once it gets going. Good start to a good series, makes you want to read the next book.? "
— Eric, 5/10/2011" I didn't like it as much as the Dresden books. I wasn't exactly sure at first but then I realized it was because the humor was absent. I don't require books to be a joke a minute, but a little wit now and then keeps something from being too heavy. This was heavy. "
— Susan, 5/9/2011" Took me almost a month. I really couldn't get into this book. I'm not saying it is an issue with the book; it just didn't mesh with me. "
— Jennifer, 4/30/2011" I love this series. What a unique world. Highly suggested for traditional fantasy fans. Completely different feel from the Dresden Files, which I also love. "
— Katherine, 4/26/2011" One of the best fantasy series I've read in a long time. Butcher creates an entirely different world and amazing characters. "
— Kegesund, 4/23/2011" Good book.<br/><br/>I've already read the entire series and most of the books several times. "
— Kevin, 4/22/2011" An exciting fantasy novel. The magic seems a bit different, but still interesting. "
— Michael, 4/21/2011" Great series for those of us who like Roman-like civilizations and alternate magic systems. "
— Max, 4/20/2011" Other than the SUPER-LONG fight scene at the end (hours!) I thought the mythology was creative. I like holder type cultures. It reminded me a little of Mistborn (but not as good). "
— Kelly, 4/14/2011Jim 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.