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Interviews | June 19, 2009

All posts by Dave Jim Lynch Makes Landscape Art... Out of Text

If Carl Hiaasen set one of his novels on a residential stretch of boundary line between British Columbia and Washington, or if Richard Russo's characters had relatives in the Pacific Northwest, the result might be something like Jim Lynch's Border Songs. Continue »


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Codex Alera #05: Princeps' Fury

by Jim Butcher

Codex Alera #05: Princeps' Fury Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Review:

"The rousing fifth installment of Butcher's military fantasy cycle (after 2007's Captain's Fury) finds the land of Alera recovering from Lord Kalarus's rebellion, an invasion by the wolven Canim and a bloody slave revolt. Now a new threat emerges: the all-devouring insectoid Vord, who have learned to control the elemental furies that once protected Alera. Young Tavi of Calderon, recently recognized as the heir to Alera's throne, fights seasickness and interspecies hostilities escorting the Canim invaders back to their homeland, only to negotiate a fragile alliance with them against the Vord. No less powerful than his intense battle scenes, Butcher's vivid characterizations, based on ancient Roman Republican ideals, range from duty-honor-country austerity in battle to brilliant peacemaking, noble self-sacrifice and Tavi's coming-of-age as a wise Marcus Aurelian ruler." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Synopsis:

From the "New York Times" bestselling author of "Captainas Fury" and the Dresden Files novels.

Tavi of Calderon, now recognized as Princeps Gaius Octavian and heir to the crown, has achieved a fragile alliance with Aleraas oldest foes, the savage Canim. But when Tavi and his legions guide the Canim safely to their lands, his worst fears are realized.

The dreaded Vordathe enemy of Aleran and Cane alikeahave spent the last three years laying waste to the Canim homeland. And when the Alerans are cut off from their ships, they find themselves with no choice but to fight shoulder to shoulder if they are to survive.

For a thousand years, Alera and her furies have withstood every enemy, and survived every foe.

The thousand years are overa]

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
lupabitch, December 4, 2008 (view all comments by lupabitch)
Jim Butcher is a relative rarity--one of those authors whose writing not only maintains good quality over time, but improves with each book. In "Princeps' Fury", the fifth and penultimate book in the Codex Alera series, he continues the trend, carrying the ongoing storyline forward with great vigor.

Having discovered a twist in the fate of the wolf-warrior Canim, Tavi, the next Princeps of Alera, must work to unite his people with their enemies to fight a new common threat. The Vord, a countless army of insect-like beings, have overcome much of the known world during the battle between Alerans and Canim. Worse yet, they've gained the ability to work the magic of furycrafting--and no one is sure how. With their greatest strength now matched by the oncoming Vord, will Alera be able to defend its people from complete destruction?

Unlike many mid-series fantasy novels, "Princeps' Fury" is a strong story that displays great continuity, as well as deepening character development. Riding on the building action of previous books in the series, Butcher neither uses up all the potential plotlines, nor does he stretch them out to try to make them last until the next book. Instead, the result is a fast-paced yet complex read that leaves the reader waiting anxiously for the conclusion of the series.

One thing in particular that I appreciate about Butcher's character development is that the various inhabitants of his stories are distinctive enough that, several months after reading the last book in the series, I remember exactly who each character is as I revisit their world. While this late in the series it would be advisable to read the previous four books to get a clear sense of the context of what happens in this one, even someone who was introduced to Butcher's works with "Princeps' Fury" could get the gist of what's going on within the first few chapters.

Overall, Jim Butcher has presented us with another winner! I await the conclusion of this series with bated breath.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780441016389
Author:
Butcher, Jim
Publisher:
Ace Books
Subject:
Fantasy - General
Subject:
Fantasy - Epic
Subject:
Fantasy fiction
Edition Description:
Paperback
Series:
Codex Alera
Series Volume:
05
Publication Date:
November 2008
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
386
Dimensions:
9.32x6.04x1.27 in. 1.33 lbs.

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