Captain's Fury (Codex Alera, Book 4) (Hardcover)

by Jim Butcher (Author) "My ass hurts," said Antillar Maximus, Tribune Auxiliarus of the First Aleran..." (more)
Key Phrases: tavi nodded, bloody crows, furies help, First Lord, Lady Aquitaine, First Aleran (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Sharp tactical plotting, hazardous cross-country travel and a dash of sardonic humor mark Butcher's fourth Codex Alera novel (after 2006's Cursor's Fury). Two years into a difficult campaign against the wolflike Canim invaders, Calderon legion captain Tavi is saddled with an unqualified but politically powerful superior whose plans threaten disaster and force Tavi into potential treason. Meanwhile, aging ruler Gaius Sextus plans a final strike against the rebellious lord of Kalare, but to get close enough to act, he must set aside his power to control the elements and make a painful overland slog that neatly challenges genre conventions. Butcher deftly deploys intrigue, conflicted loyalties and hairbreadth action to excellent effect. Few writers balance military realism and cinematic swashbuckling with so much skill or wit. Series fans will welcome the revelation of Tavi's long-secret heritage and the strong climaxes resolving most of the immediate conflicts, while newcomers will have no trouble navigating the well-developed landscape. (Dec.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
“Few writers balance military realism and cinematic swashbuckling with so much skill or wit.”
—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

“Confirms Butcher’s mastery of action-filled fiction.”
—BOOKLIST

“I couldn’t put this one down…Great work.”
—SF REVU

“A cleverly constructed world.”
—CHRONICLE

“Jim Butcher is a brilliant world-builder.”
—MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Ace Hardcover (December 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441015271
• ISBN-13: 978-0441015276
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #103,390 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 4 in The Codex Alera Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another satisfying and enjoyable instalment in the Alera series, December 4, 2007

By	K. Maxwell "katmax1" (Perth, Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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)

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jim Butcher delivers again!, December 7, 2007

By	J. Arnold "arnold_reviews" (Colorado Springs, CO United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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)

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captain's Fury - Butcher delivers again!, December 8, 2007

By	Silence Dogoode "Supernatural book lover" (Salt Lake City, UT USA) - See all my reviews

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!