Under Tavi of Calderon, heir to the crown, war-torn Alera rebuilds while politicians and nobles vie for power. But from the south comes news: the dreaded Vord have come to Alera. For a thousand years, Alera and her furies have withstood every enemy and survived every foe.
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"Huge fan of the series! Codex of Alera was my first epic-fantasy series to discover, and so it will always hold a special place on my shelf. Anyway, the book is great for mostly the other characters. Tavi aka Octavian is more or less traveling through most of the book, so the story line development is seen through the other perspectives- mainly Amara and Isana. But OH MAN is it good. Anyway this isn't my favorite in the seires, but it is needed to bring up the finale! Butcher didn't dissapoint and still keeps me guessing (oh that scene with Amara and Brensus!!!) Hope my opinion helps. I definitely recomend for anyone who loves adventure and fantasy- but read the others first ;)"
— Stephanie (4 out of 5 stars)
" Loved it, great story and a lot of fun. A couple of strands are followed which drives the story on. Tavi is still really amazing, I can't help but like him. "
— Khallandra, 2/16/2014" This book, the firth in this series is an exceptional display of a unique world that pits mortals against the living elements and against themselves in an effort to control both. The inner struggles are as difficult to survive as are the external ones. Jim Butcher's imagination is enviable and it's always a pleasure to experience it with each book he writes, as though it were yours. "
— Mel, 2/13/2014" Butcher enters a completely different land and he does it seamlessly. This is a beautiful, enthralling and funny story. "
— Janalynn, 2/11/2014" I don't know if I've even put the first several in the series on my shelf, but if not, I'll have to review them. Therefore, by the time you make it to this review you really don't need it because you're already hooked. Lets just say that it's well done, even the parts that make you cringe fit in, he sets things up well for the final book, lots of twists and turns and tricky spots. Hopefully he starts another series with this degree of imagination soon! "
— Keilani, 2/11/2014" I am an avid reader of fantasy books and this particular series is my favorite. The plot and characters are a perfect combination. I loved this book! "
— Michael, 2/7/2014" I'm getting a little peeved by this (and a couple other) author's tendency to NOT FINISH THE FRICKIN STORY in the last few books of their series. Is is laziness? The well drying up? A bogus attempt to drag out another novel on top of the one before to collect double paychecks on single plot developments? WELL, CUT IT OUT!!!!!!! "
— TheKoreanOne, 1/31/2014" The Vord are back and individuality is irrelevant. I was still expecting some kind of Locutus plot which simply hasn't materialized. You can see where it's all going a mile away but it's a satisfying read getting there, with some particularly enjoyable moments along the way. "
— Mark, 1/20/2014" Another fun one- can't wait for the finale! "
— Shannon, 1/2/2014" Great book, fiction mix of the daemons of the golden compass and the elemental of avatar. Great book along with the series "
— Max, 12/29/2013" A good continuation of the series. "
— Tim, 12/18/2013" My two favorite series right now are the Dresden Files and the Codex Alera. Jim Butcher needs to be cloned! "
— Bob, 10/28/2013" HOLY MOLY! the ending of this book is OUTSTANDING! breathtaking, heart-breaking, pulse-racing. "
— Kanani, 3/23/2013" Liking this series a lot although the characters don't seem to get a break - one disaster to another. "
— Kate, 3/4/2013" Jim Butcher is good at writing sarcasm. In his 5th book of what should have been a trilogy he has shown hes not good at much else. The dialog is becoming more and more inane; reminds me of David Weber's dialog about 10 books into his Honor series. "
— Bowen, 2/28/2013" Story was interesting and had a few surprises. Definitely leaves you hanging at the end so that you want to hurry and read next in series. "
— Charlotte, 1/29/2013" Too much vord and military movements for me. "
— Sam, 1/14/2013" Pretty dang good, but I've read better from Butcher. It was worth a read, though. "
— Laurie, 12/24/2012" Stupid Vord. Man I hate them. They make for an excellent villain, though. I enjoyed this book, but the further I got into it, the more it felt like it and the next book should really have been one book. This one feels like half of a story arc. I can't wait to read the last book, though. "
— Adam, 3/18/2012" Lots of fun. Good story "
— Blair, 12/31/2011" I WANT THE NEXT BOOK :'( It needs to hurry up and be next Thursday already. :( Yes. It was that good. This entire series has been amazing. Jim Butcher is a master. "
— Sonya, 7/20/2011" The shortest of the Codex Alera Books, it's sort of a bridge to the climax of First Lord's Fury. Somehow this book was just not as entertaining as the first 4 and the last. But, it's still a must read for those that are engrossed with this lively series. "
— Piat, 5/24/2011" This series is absolutely awesome. Intrigue, magic, battle, treachery and unity. Jim Butcher knows how to write an amazing story! "
— Michael, 4/21/2011" I've enjoyed everything of Jim Butcher's that I've read. The Codex Alera is an excellent fantasy series. Like all of his writing, it's tight, crisp, and keeps moving. "
— Morris, 4/21/2011" See my review for Book #2 of the Codex Alera series. I will add that this one was for some reason my particular favourite in the entire series. "
— Sara, 4/1/2011" The end of this book literally made me go, "Awwww shit!" (In a good way). This book was a little slower than some, but the meat of it was still quality stuff. Especially the end. Awesome. "
— Mary-Helen, 3/23/2011" This is a great book, loved it. "
— Gregory, 2/23/2011" If you made it this far into the series, you already know it's good. This book continues the previous story and reintroduces the Vord as an ever-growing threat to the kingdom. "
— Janet, 1/23/2011" this one is totally awesome!! tavi goes on this epic journey...while the rest of alera kinda just goes downhill.... "
— Raz, 12/9/2010Jim 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.