Codex of Alera series of Jim Butcher

Codex of Alera Series by Jim Butcher

In my last blog entry I review The Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher. Since then I have read the whole Codex Alera series (six books). I must say that overall it was one of the best Science Fantasy series I have ever read, and while it perhaps falls into the trap that Terry Goodkind did (Sword of Truth Series) where everything just seems to work out in the end, with a few logic flaws along the way, overall the plots and characters were well presented and interesting.

It's always difficult to write a fantasy series without being compared to all that has gone before - and while Butcher does have shades of Tolkien and George R R Martin in his books, there is quite a lot that is not your standard fantasy. The approach to magic he has is inspired, perhaps drawing on myths about Djinn - the 'furies' are elementals and form the core part of the magic available to the Calderon people.

I like the way in which Butcher has created several races of 'enemies' all with their own thoughts and feelings, religions, habits etc. - to really fill out the enemies makes the book more real for me.

I am definately glad I picked up this series, but am sad to see it end - I found myself attached to some of the major and even many of the minor characters - I really hope Buthcer returns to the land of Calderon some time in the future!