With that said, I felt like large chunks of the story were indulgent and unnecessary. While reading the writing of Rothfuss I found myself rereading passages and turns of phrase I found beautiful. The novels I read prior to these were the first two Kingkiller Chronicles from Patrick Rothfuss, and I find it an interesting exercise to contrast his series to The Codex Alera.

The inhabitants of Alera are able to master the elemental 'furies' of the land and call on them to craft magic, which they use for everything from working the land to engaging in battle with the various hostile races bordering Alera. Without giving much away, the story centers around the life of Tavi and his place in the land of Alera. While some fantasy authors spend far too much time on world/history crafting for my taste, Jim Butcher keeps the engrossing story moving at a cracking pace, and fills the pages with constant battles, strong male and female character arcs, and a magic that is just damn fun. I'll need more time to let the series settle, but I think this may be my favorite fantasy series ever. For a civilisation is on the brink of extinction Now events are rushing towards a last stand, where Tavi and the last Aleran legions must formulate a dangerous new strategy, together. He knows how to counter the Vord and, more importantly, believes human ingenuity can equal fury-born powers. However, Tavi has returned with vital insights from the Canim Blood Lands. And despite all efforts, the Alerans are being ground into dust and pushed to the farthest reaches of their own realm.

Desperate Alerans even pledge fealty to the Vord Queen to survive, turning the incredible power of Aleran furies back on their own people. Yet his people must continue to resist an invading inhuman army. The aging First Lord of Alera has fallen in battle. A compulsively fast-paced fantasy adventure, set in a world where courage and ingenuity vie with magic and power.īook two of this compulsively fast-paced fantasy adventure, set in a world where courage and ingenuity may yet triumph over magic and power.Ī compulsively fast-paced fantasy adventure, set in a world where courage and ingenuity may yet triumph over magic and power.

Codex alera