You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
Transitioning from the Dresden files into this series is a bit of a culture shock.
I found it hard to relate to most of the characters and because the story is set in a completely new world, it was difficult for me to get into the story. Eventually it does pick up its pace when one of the main characters is taken hostage by a hostile tribe.
Overall, I will be continuing with the series, though I am hesitant to say when I will start them.
I found it hard to relate to most of the characters and because the story is set in a completely new world, it was difficult for me to get into the story. Eventually it does pick up its pace when one of the main characters is taken hostage by a hostile tribe.
Overall, I will be continuing with the series, though I am hesitant to say when I will start them.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is Jim Butcher's other series and it is really nothing like the Dresden files. And I'll tell you a secret: I like it better than Dresden. Shhh! Don't tell. But as a bigger fan of fantasy epics than urban fantasy, this series hits all my favorite points. It stars Tavi, a young man who is the only person in his whole world without the type of magic that everyone else has. What Tavi does have is brains and determination and the ability to survive. If you like Jim Butcher's writing, alternate Roman history (with added magic), or just a solid fantasy series, check this one out.--Rebekka
adventurous
tense
Overall, I enjoyed the book. Things came together a bit too simply at the conclusion of the book, but the story had fun elements, an interesting magic system and some compelling moments.
I thought this book was fine, but noting spectacular. From other reviews I have read, each book in the series is better than the one before, meaning this first book is the worst of the series. I have the 2nd and 3rd books in my pile and plan to read them to see if the story does indeed get better.
Full Review:
http://fantasybookreviewer.blogspot.com/2007/11/review-furies-of-calderon-by-jim.html
Full Review:
http://fantasybookreviewer.blogspot.com/2007/11/review-furies-of-calderon-by-jim.html
The author has taken many of the standard tropes of epic fantasy and has done a very respectable job with them. The protagonist, Tavi, is a young boy from a fairly ordinary background who has a secret destiny. However, his background is more "middle class" than poor and his secret destiny follows from some fairly plausible events in the past. Moreover, he is pivotal to the future of his nation not the planet, let alone the universe. In short, the scale of the story is sensible and doesn't strain my WSOD.
Tavi's people are humans living in a vaguely Roman-like empire on a world with several other intelligent races. His people have the ability to connect with elementals (air, fire, water, earth, metals) called furies. Unlike the standard trope, Tavi doesn't have special powers. In fact, unlike everyone else he knows he has no fury ability at all. Instead, he has to rely on his wits and while he is pretty smart and observant, his is still a teenage boy.
There may not be anything too unusual in this tale but it is epic fantasy done well and is a very satisfying read. My only complaints are
1. there are several viewpoint characters and the focus shifts from one to another every few chapters which is a style I just don't like; and
2. too many characters appear to suffer fatal wounds only to survive.
Tavi's people are humans living in a vaguely Roman-like empire on a world with several other intelligent races. His people have the ability to connect with elementals (air, fire, water, earth, metals) called furies. Unlike the standard trope, Tavi doesn't have special powers. In fact, unlike everyone else he knows he has no fury ability at all. Instead, he has to rely on his wits and while he is pretty smart and observant, his is still a teenage boy.
There may not be anything too unusual in this tale but it is epic fantasy done well and is a very satisfying read. My only complaints are
1. there are several viewpoint characters and the focus shifts from one to another every few chapters which is a style I just don't like; and
2. too many characters appear to suffer fatal wounds only to survive.
When I first read the title to the book I thought it said Furries of Calderon. I haven't been able to get that out of my head and have read the whole book with Furries in mind.
Furry link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furry_fandom
The opening chapter started off extremely predictable, but quickly moved into entertaining. Decently written with an interesting premise.
The end wrapped up a bit neatly but somehow the book left enough good questions open.
Solid beginning to a fantasy series.
Furry link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furry_fandom
The opening chapter started off extremely predictable, but quickly moved into entertaining. Decently written with an interesting premise.
The end wrapped up a bit neatly but somehow the book left enough good questions open.
Solid beginning to a fantasy series.
adventurous
lighthearted
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:
N/A
An enjoyable swords and sorcery book. I keep waiting to see how/what the main character will develop, but so far, not much. There were a LOT of story threads, perhaps one too many. I hope that we will see less of them in the future books, but I expect there might end up being more. The only nitpick I have is that in the climactic battle it felt like the story was being described by one of the characters rather than her participating in it. I wanted her to DO something instead of standing around watching things unfold. Oh well, nothing was really wrong with it in the grand scheme of things.