The Codex Alera by Jim Butcher

The Codex Alera by Jim Butcher  6 titles, 2004-2009. New York: Ace books.

Reviewed by Brenda G.

 

          In the spring of 2011, I took a partial sabbatical from Virginia Intermont College to complete some work for Greenville County, South Carolina Schools.  An ice storm struck in my second week of this out-of-state effort. Lodged in a hotel, the restaurant next door closed, vending machines emptied, and though we had heat, lights, and water, cable and Internet were down. Schools, of course, were closed. But all was not lost! A Bi-Lo (grocery store) stood open next door. Food and reading material could be had. I thought about walking but the ice convinced me driving was preferable. In the store, I, with grateful appreciation, of course found food. I also found volume 6 of The Codex Alera, First Lord’s Fury. I prefer to read series in order; this time I was happy to find something that looked intriguing and that was not a romance, though the series contains romances, I discovered.

          I read the book, all 759 pages of it, in a single day. I liked it, especially the many unusual characters and events Butcher throws at the reader. I still like it, and I have probably read the entire series three times by now. (I do reread books I enjoy, to savor them and to look for hints and clues I might have missed.)

          Realizing schools would likely remain closed all week, I returned home the next day, Wednesday. Still lots of ice on the roads. Upon arrival in Jonesborough, I drove to Books-a-Million in Johnson City (no ice at home,) and bought the entire series, which I promptly read from beginning to end.

          What makes this series special? Sentient, highly intelligent, shape-shifting social insects. A missing Roman legion and its camp followers. Sentient canines, the Canim, who usually walk upright and communicate clearly, if one cares to learn their language. Other forms of intelligent life are also on this world, the world named Alera, including the IceMen and the Marat. And local elemental forces called furies add to the mix.

          The main character is a boy at the beginning, called Tavi. He is not who he believes he is; the truth comes later. He seems to be a small, rural boy, essentially a shepherd. He commands no special powers, despite having a talented mother and uncle. His father died years earlier. As this is a story that, to a certain extent, asks a young boy, later man, and his companions to save their world, it is a type of epic fantasy with many incredible characters. It is also thought-provoking and a lot of fun. Suspend disbelief and read! 

The series in order:

  

Furies of Calderon, Book One

Academ’s Fury, Book Two

Cursor’s Fury, Book Three

Captain’s Fury, Book Four

Princeps’ Fury, Book Five

First Lord’s Fury, Book Six

Dresden "Changes"

Changes by Jim Butcher (F BUT Main)

Reviewed by Mikey as channeled by Susan P.

It seems like I waited forever to read this book. I had hoped to read it at the beginning of April when it came out on Amazon Kindle. Unfortunately, because of a nasty pricing fight between Amazon and the book’s publisher, Penguin, I was left to find other ways to catch up on my favorite wizard. I drove myself crazy trying not to read the message boards and blogs that held spoilers and clues as to what the book was about. What I did pick up from magazine blurbs and message board titles is that this book was a defining and transitory book for Harry Dresden and friends. Luckily, I was saved by a guardian librarian angel who set aside a copy for me to read, so I thought I’d return the favor by writing a review for the library newsletter.

Usually, books I have a lot of high expectations for end up not being able to live up the hype. I would say Changes is an exception to that statement. The whole story is a roller coaster ride of action and drama that will keep readers turning pages till the end. The first sentence sets the ride into motion when Harry’s ex-girlfriend Susan Rodriquez tells Harry his daughter has been kidnapped by vampires. A daughter Harry did not know he had, mind you. There is no first chapter that builds up the story, no gradual discovery of what the book will be about; there’s just an immediate plot point thrown out there for the reader to absorb. For a Dresden Files fan, it will leave you feeling as shocked as Harry, almost like Butcher wants to knock the reader off balance. While a first time Dresden reader might not get the exact same effect, it is easy to quickly figure out that this is a huge shock for Harry. The rest of the book basically finds Harry discovering what lines and boundaries he is willing to cross to save a child he’s never met but is his nonetheless. As others have noted, the title Changes is quite apt since this book is a continental shift in terms of the character of Harry and his story. In fact, by the end of the book, everything readers have come to know about Harry has changed. I am hesitant to mention what changes because if you are a die-hard fan like me you probably want to discover them for yourself. Just be certain that the only thing recognizable about the Harry Dresden at the end of Changes to the Harry Dresden in previous books, is that he is still a wizard.

I will add this caveat for new readers, although you don’t need to read previous books to enjoy Changes, it does help. However, as a fantasy, action novel you can’t get much better that a Jim Butcher Dresden Files novel and Changes is no exception to that. There is also a warning for Dresden fans. Even though Changes is a must-read book and I highly recommend it, the ending is not only surprising but will basically drive you crazy as you wait for the next book in the series. Enjoy!!

BBL: The Dresden Files

Or, The Story of a Wizard, A Talking Skull, And A Lady Cop Along with Various Friends and Foes, Both Dead, Undead, and State Undetermined


Some people are reluctant to read a book that isn’t part of a series: they don’t want to become attached to characters they won’t be meeting again. Other people don’t like series books, afraid if they don’t read them in order that they’ll be missing out on something important. I’m a middle of the roader on this subject: if there are a lot of books in a series I feel a bit overwhelmed and am not certain I want to start them because I know I’ll be in it for the long haul and if the quality doesn’t hold up, it can be a bumpy road. On the other hand, if I really like the series, it’s wonderful because I know I’ll enjoy the trip.

And with Harry Dresden, you can bet it’s going to be one really strange journey with some peculiar companions because Harry Dresden is just that kinda guy.


I first encountered “The Dresden Files” as a television show on Sci-Fi. I thought the premise was interesting and enjoyed some of the characters but not enough to seek out the books until I began reading about them on a listserv for mystery readers, DorothyL. Intrigued, I started at the beginning; as the song says, “a very good place to start.


Harry Dresden is a private investigator and wizard operating out of Chicago. He’s the one to call if you need supernatural help, though he specifies he doesn’t do love potions or party tricks. In fact, there’s a special investigative squad of the Chicago PD that uses Dresden as a consultant when the latest crime spree seems to have otherworldly connections. The books are narrated in the first person by Harry who owes a bit of his personality to the hard-boiled detectives, albeit updated to twenty-first century sensibilities. Butcher has created a complex world using folkloric creatures such as werewolves, vampires, faeries and fallen angels. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of characters he introduces, though most of the good guys and gals seem to be variations of Harry, all sharing the same core values and outlook on life: heroic figures who don’t see themselves as heroes, just decent people whose job it is to protect the innocent against whoever or, more often, whatever may come.

Since I’m usually a character-driven reader, what’s the attraction? Fun! These books are action-packed roller coaster rides that keep the pages turning like a Ludlum thriller and are filled with laugh-out-loud tough guy quips: think Indiana Jones as wizard. Butcher is very inventive, allowing Harry to come up with unique solutions to get out of trouble (and Harry is always in trouble!) and puts his own twist on standard fantasy fare.


To read in order or not? It’s not mandatory but it might make it easier to keep track of some of the various beings Harry encounters, whether the vampire is White Court, Red Court or Black Court, or Summer or Winter Fey. Harry usually supplies enough background in his narration, but reading Storm Front first would probably be helpful with any of the others. Main holds copies of all the titles in the series.


Dresden Files the TV series: DVD DRE Main