Customer Reviews

Captain's Fury (Codex Alera, Book 4)

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Its been two years since the events in Cursor's Fury and Tavi is still Captain of the First Aleran and fighting against the Canim in a campaign that seems no closer to finishing. When an ambitious Senator hatches a plan to end the war that Tavi knows will only cause disaster he is forced into desperate measures to salvage what he can out of the coming storm.

I really enjoyed this novel. It's not a place holder story, but rather a turning point in the series. Many questions from the previous books in the series are finally answered and in many ways Tavi comes into is own. For me, I find I'm looking forward to the Alera books more than the Dresden books by the same author these days. This series is one in which the main characters have really grown over the course of the storyline. Its not padded out excessively and is continuing to move in a satisfying direction and I'm looking forward, yet again, to the next book.

Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera)

Academ's Fury (Codex Alera)

Cursor's Fury (Codex Alera, Book 3)

I first learned of this series while reading a 'Dresden Files' adventure by the same author. I was put off by the shameless plug the author included as a note to readers of Harry Dresden. Nonetheless, I picked up the first book in the Codex Alera series and I've never been disappointed.

Captain's Fury (Codex Alera, Book 4) starts a couple years after Book 3. The familiar cast of characters is now firmly established, and the building confrontation with the Canim finally takes center stage. This book is not, however, merely an extension of the Cursor's Fury plot lines. The main protagonist, Tavi, learns the truth behind his own origin and I was left enormously satisfied with the state of this main plotline by the end of the book. Fans who, like me, have enjoyed the quiet-yet-brooding Emperor will see some stunning displays of power and fury.

As stated by another reviewer, there are a number of pivotal points that take the narrative in exciting directions. Unlike Terry Goodkind or the late, lamented Robert Jordan, Jim Butcher seems to have no problem moving forward. While this series promises to be at least as prolific as the Sword of Truth or the Wheel of Time, it suffers from none of the aimlessness or occaisional 'wasted' book that both of those worlds have suffered.

Brilliant. Focused. An excellent book to buy and an outstanding series for newcomers.

Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera)
Academ's Fury (Codex Alera)
Cursor's Fury (Codex Alera, Book 3)

Also try:
Storm Front (The Dresden Files, Book 1)

Jim Butcher is on to something. He's managed to start another series separate from Harry Dresden yet make it just as good if not better. I love the novels so much, I can't even wait for it to get into paperback. And this was well worth it!

This is the 4th installment of the Codex Alera novels. The story picks up 2 years after the events of the last novel and does not slow down at all. I've got to say that even when you think you might see how JB is going to take a plot thread from start to finish, it's an enjoyable read to see how he gets you there.

Lots of character development, lots of great characters, some monsters thrown in the mix and lots of action. There wasn't a dull section in the book. A definite find! Highly endorsed.

A relaxing tale.

The books are entertaining, albeit the characters a bit inflexible and predictable. However, as the story unfolds the strength of the universe that Butcher has created begins to lighten and borrow strength from the furies he's imagined. In such a way the blocky, squared characters are viewed in a softer light, and the reader finds himself enjoying a fantasy novel worth turning the pages.

However, I must solidy, explicity, state that the publishers have priced the e-book too high. It's frustrating, actually. If the books were, say, 3 dollars cheaper I would purchase the whole set and extol their value, but at $10 each? Preposterous. So, I, but one, have chosen to enjoy these books at a local library. The first two were purchased as a nod to the author for his worthwhile effort. But such high prices demand a customer response, and this is mine. I recommend borrowing these reads from a friend, or visiting the library and enjoying the afternoon.

Captain's Fury is the fourth book of Jim Butcher's six-part Codex Alera series. Overall, Captain's Fury is the best book so far, featuring the most fluid pacing, the tightest plot structure, and the best execution. The book isn't perfect, but it's definitely a strong return to form after the disappointing third novel, Cursor's Fury. This time around, protagonist Tavi finds himself in command of the only legion standing between his country and the vicious hordes of Canim (a wolf-like species) invaders. Without the ability to call Furies, an elemental-based magic, Tavi must, as always, rely on his wit and cunning to survive.

Earlier Codex Alera novels tended to start of slowly, building meekly to their conclusion, but Captain's Fury starts off with a bang and keeps the reader turning the pages eagerly. Despite the fact that Captain's Fury weighs in around 650 pages, it read like a 400 page novel. A big part of this is that the plot is much more tightly structured, not meandering about like previous novels did. In addition to the individual plot of Captain's Fury, the novel also advances the overall plot arc of the series very well, with Tavi publicly announcing his true identity and the conflict with the Canim coming to a head. Captain's Fury is, finally, less predictable than its predecessor novels. While it may not shock many people, there are some plot twists that are, at least somewhat unexpected.

Captain's Fury does share some of its predecessors' weaknesses. Outside of Tavi and a few other characters, the side characters are fairly flat. Isana and Amara, in particular, are so one-dimensional that it's almost painful at times. With the exception of some of the Canim (who are really the only "gray" characters so far), the good guys are so perfectly good and the bad guys so wickedly bad that it's downright frustrating.

Fortunately, the novel's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. And most importantly, Tavi remains the perpetual underdog that you love to root for, allowing the reader to invest emotionally in his adventures. Codex Alera isn't a ground breaking series, but it's certainly entertaining and worth your time. Individually, however, Captain's Fury is a very, very good novel that is bound to please Codex Alera fans immensely. Highly recommended.

Does this book need another review? Probably not. But, I want to be sure Butcher is encouraged to continue the saga. If I wasn't already so near the end of my string I would pray for time to fly by so that I could get to the next book in this series. Butcher always has the right mix of character development, action, intrigue, humor, etc. I like this series even more than Dresden.

The Codex Alera series consistently provides action, suspense, and even some romantic moments while maintaining a strong fantasy plot. Each book in this series has proven to be better and the suspense stays strong, IMHO. For those who have read the first 3 books, there has been a long-building suspense about Tavi's furies and what Butcher was going to do to resolve this issue. Without giving away too much, I will say the beginnings of a resolution are revealed in Captain's Fury. And this resolution is handled in a way I think fans will appreciate as it is neither too easily solved nor is it unrealistic to real life problems people face in worlds far less interesting than Alera. The 4th book in this series, I think continues to build suspense and delivers every bit as good a punch as the others. I finished it in about 8 hours, turned around on my next day off and reread it again all the way thru! It is that good, I do not think any fans will be disappointed with Book 4 and I can only say that waiting another year for Book 5 is already looking very grim!

Damn entertaining and the best book of the series so far in my opinion. Tavi learns of his heritage and the whole conspiracy (minus who really was behind the death of Septimus) comes unraveled with some pretty interesting consequences.

Butcher shows his politically medieval acumen as the jostling for power in Alera continues with the added threat of the Canim lurking to the north. Just what are they up to? And why are they building ships?

Butcher also creates one of the most loathsome villains in fiction since the Dursleys of Harry Potter fame in Senator Arnos, the arrogant, ambitious and scheming leader of the Senatorial Guard, which assumes command over Tavi's First Aleran legions on a politically-driven suicide mission. Butcher makes Arnos bleed arrogance to the point that you wish he were real so you could hit him in the face to shut him up and put him in his place. The only other time I've had a reaction this strong to a fictional character was my intense dislike at the injustice Harry experienced at the hands of the small-minded and rotund Dursley family. Again, you wish they were real so you could throw them in prison and make them suffer for their child abuse.

Butcher also creates some interesting transitional imagery as he progress through the series. This novel changes fundamental aspects of certain characters' profiles. As Tavi gains in strength and confidence, Gaius Sextus is forced on a mission in which he must restrain and conceal his power, experiencing their absence, and what it must have felt like for Tavi growing up, for the first time in his life. As Tavi comes into his own power, it's interesting to see how he uses it as compared to the First Lord, and how the First Lord deals with his lack of power compared to how Tavi lived his life in the first two to three books.

And let us not forget the Canim! The samurai of Alera, the warriors of honor and probably the smartest, most straight forward, but ruthless of all the creatures introduced so far. I find them fascinating, noble, and likable, in spite of the fact that they are trying to kill Tavi, Max and Crassus (who I've found tremendous respect for).

Ultimately, the plot is going in the direction I thought it would since about a quarter of the way through book 2. But it's predictability in no way robs from the majesty of the epic as it unfolds.

Looking forward to book 5.

Jim Butcher's fourth book in the Codex Alera, Captain's Fury, picks up two years after the events of Cursor's Fury, and when I say "picks up" I mean in more ways than one.

I previously critisized Cursor's Fury as focusing on the romantic lives of the three couples that Tavi's family had become. There was mooning over love tantalizingly beyond one's grasp, there was the relief of finally expressed love, there was enough to put me to sleep or to have me give up the series if Captain's Fury continued it.

Fortunately, Butcher has let the action take the stage, and relegated the romance to scattered comments between otherwise supporting characters.

Tavi has led the First Aleran legion for two years against the fearsome Canim, but politics comes into play and Tavi has to deal with threats from his new commander as well as the Canim. Additionally, Gaius Sextus, First Lord, finally has to try to resolve the uprising of Lord Kalarus.

These two plotlines are much more satisfying to read, and the action and maneuvering is superb.

I seriously hope Butcher can keep this quality up and keep the focus where it belongs, so that this series will finish strong.

And now I have reason to hope.

This is the fourth book in the Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher. There are six total books in the series with the 6th book "First Lord's Fury" being released in Dec. 2009. This was a great book and really pulled the series to a good point.

Tavi is still acting as Captain of the First Aleran and has spent the last two years holding the line of war against the Canim. Tavi is recommending seeking alliance with the Canim because he believes the Canim were fleeing a larger enemy, the Vord. Unfortunately the Senate decides to take an interest in the conflict and sends out incompetant and coniving, Senator Arnos to command over Tavi. From there things get worse and worse and many lives are lost. Tavi, Isana, and the First Lord himself are forced to take actions that they never could have foreseen in an effort to save Alera from destruction.

This was an excellent next book in this series. The storyline switches between multiple viewpoints, but does so in such a way that it is never confusing. The number of characters is vast, but kept manageable. A glossary labeling who was related to whom would have been a nice addition; still with wikipedia you can review that online if you are confused. Much of the story deals with great battles, but there is some adventuring that balances that out. Readers who are fans of one or the other types of fantasy, should find a little of both in here.

Tavi, Kitai, and many of the other characters really step it up in this book, taking risky actions that make them forces to be reckoned with. The book is hard to put down and has you on the edge of your seat the whole time. Butcher has an excellent writing style that easily conveys the surroundings of the scenes without pushing aside the great action scenes, it is very easy to read. The characters are very engaging and you are desperately pulling for them through the whole book. There is also some light touches of humor throughout that lighten the story so that it doesn't take itself too seriously.

Things get worse in this book than an any other book in this series, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. This is a wonderful book and I am going to start reading book 5 immediately. You definitely need to read the previous books in the series to understand what is going on in this book.

If I have any complaints it is that Tavi comes up with one successful hair-brained scheme after another. It seems a little far-fetched...you would think with all the risk-taking Tavi does one of his schemes would be a complete failure. He does have some partial failures, but everything works out in the end.

Overall a great book and a great series. I found the first couple books in the series to be a bit slow and the characters not as engaging as I had hoped, but this book made the whole series worthwhile.