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adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It’s worth getting through this book to get set up for the second book, which is *much* better.
Butcher has a lot of issues finding a voice that works for the setting, can’t foreshadow with any kind of subtlety, and his characters don’t feel fully realized.
But the plot and set pieces are actually interesting, and the intrigue pushing events forward in the background or pretty well done.
I wish I could recommend skipping this and going straight to book two, but….. you can’t *quite* do that.
Butcher has a lot of issues finding a voice that works for the setting, can’t foreshadow with any kind of subtlety, and his characters don’t feel fully realized.
But the plot and set pieces are actually interesting, and the intrigue pushing events forward in the background or pretty well done.
I wish I could recommend skipping this and going straight to book two, but….. you can’t *quite* do that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Perhaps a bit slow, but an excellent book. The world building is rich and the characters are extremely well developed, all with their own strengths and weaknesses. The fury system is very fun! The battle scenes - especially as the story develops - are exquisite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence
Moderate: Rape
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, War
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a very enjoyable fantasy adventure, that was tense but not overwhelmingly dark. It read quickly for me, and there was a lot of skill in the writing, treating the reader with intelligence and respect. The characters are complex, which I particularly appreciate on the “bad guy” side of things. Content warnings for several heavy topics however.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Infidelity, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Jim Butcher storytelling is excellent. However the way he writes romance and sexual tensions does feel cliché and overdone at times. Still a very enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Gore, Rape, Cannibalism
Mostly implied but it is part of the content.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Cannibalism, War
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Furies of Calderon is the first book in the Codex Alera series. It is wonderfully written and definitely keeps the readers attention.
I love that the story is told from the different characters perspectives and every few chapters you get to jump to a different character. Yes there are some things that are predictable in the book but there are some MAJOR things that make you go “wait what!?!”
Jim Butcher has a wonderful way of creating a world and truly giving you so many details without overwhelming you with the details. The main characters are lovable even the antagonists have some redeeming qualities. If you enjoy Larry Correia this would be a good book to try.
I love that the story is told from the different characters perspectives and every few chapters you get to jump to a different character. Yes there are some things that are predictable in the book but there are some MAJOR things that make you go “wait what!?!”
Jim Butcher has a wonderful way of creating a world and truly giving you so many details without overwhelming you with the details. The main characters are lovable even the antagonists have some redeeming qualities. If you enjoy Larry Correia this would be a good book to try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Slavery, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Interesting plot, likeable characters. Surprisingly dark tho. My library characterized this as young adult, so I was surprised by all the cannibalism, gore, rape.
There are other uncomfy elements as well. Didn't love the depiction of the Marat. They were characterized in the beginning as less than human beasts, which was okay until actually interacting with them. Like, wow my guy, these are human people, maybe don't continue describing them like literal animals.
Isana as a character was not very believable for me. Spinster stereotype. Sorry, I just don't believe a capable, emotionally stable adult woman would be jealous of a 14ish year old.
On the other hand, big fan ofAmara and Bernard's relationship. In real life, this age gap is yucky. I'm a sucker for it in fiction, tho.
There are other uncomfy elements as well. Didn't love the depiction of the Marat. They were characterized in the beginning as less than human beasts, which was okay until actually interacting with them. Like, wow my guy, these are human people, maybe don't continue describing them like literal animals.
Isana as a character was not very believable for me. Spinster stereotype. Sorry, I just don't believe a capable, emotionally stable adult woman would be jealous of a 14ish year old.
On the other hand, big fan of
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Slavery
Moderate: Ableism, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Cannibalism, War
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, Toxic friendship
Minor: Infertility, Vomit, Death of parent, Alcohol
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have so many issues with this book.
Where to start? I think the whole 600+ pages covers roughly two days (maybe up to four or five, but definitely not even a whole week). Yes, it's multiple POV, but I think part of the problem was that it was sooo long. It seemed like half the time it was the person trying to guess and analyze what another person would do, then next chapter we get the other POV and they are doing the same thing. Later in the book there were some better interactions with show don't tell, but it was pretty rough overall. I considered DNF many times through the book and I think by the time I got to the 50% marker, was when I began to hate read it. I'm talking about when you highlight and comment sarcastically about all the WTF moments and the convenient plot armor at just the right time.
There was no real consistency in the "magic system", like can all of the elemental furies (which I struggled to no read as furries the entire book) alter emotional states? Like, the firecrafters, sure I can see the hotheaded type emotions making sense, but like watercrafters feel all emotions, and then an earthcrafter can also stoke the flames of passion? It seemed like whatever was convenient at the time was what that person would be able to do with their fury.
While on the subject of passion - TW for gang rape. Gross. Why is rape such a common theme in fantasy? It is desensitizing and that whole small plot line was dumb in the first place.
The romantic pairings were also very problematic for me. So much cheating , and then Isana is like, maybe early 20s (referred to as a girl and young woman multiple times) and she is insta-infatuated with an older man who is in his 40s (but don't worry, he looks younger so it's fine when they make out multiple times through the book. Blech.). As for Aldrick and Odiana, they seem to oddly have the healthiest relationship? In like a super creepy way since they are both obsessed with killing.
Will not be continuing with the series even though I've heard this is the worst book and it gets so much better. No thank you.
Where to start? I think the whole 600+ pages covers roughly two days (maybe up to four or five, but definitely not even a whole week). Yes, it's multiple POV, but I think part of the problem was that it was sooo long. It seemed like half the time it was the person trying to guess and analyze what another person would do, then next chapter we get the other POV and they are doing the same thing. Later in the book there were some better interactions with show don't tell, but it was pretty rough overall. I considered DNF many times through the book and I think by the time I got to the 50% marker, was when I began to hate read it. I'm talking about when you highlight and comment sarcastically about all the WTF moments and the convenient plot armor at just the right time.
There was no real consistency in the "magic system", like can all of the elemental furies (which I struggled to no read as furries the entire book) alter emotional states? Like, the firecrafters, sure I can see the hotheaded type emotions making sense, but like watercrafters feel all emotions, and then an earthcrafter can also stoke the flames of passion? It seemed like whatever was convenient at the time was what that person would be able to do with their fury.
While on the subject of passion - TW for gang rape. Gross. Why is rape such a common theme in fantasy? It is desensitizing and that whole small plot line was dumb in the first place.
The romantic pairings were also very problematic for me. So much cheating , and then Isana is like, maybe early 20s (referred to as a girl and young woman multiple times) and she is insta-infatuated with an older man who is in his 40s (but don't worry, he looks younger so it's fine when they make out multiple times through the book. Blech.). As for Aldrick and Odiana, they seem to oddly have the healthiest relationship? In like a super creepy way since they are both obsessed with killing.
Will not be continuing with the series even though I've heard this is the worst book and it gets so much better. No thank you.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Gore, Infertility, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail