Another Take on Jim Butcher

It's hard to escape the juggernaut that is the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. With the 11th book set to be released this coming April and a TV series on Sci-Fi, most people have at least heard of it, if not avidly swallowed every page of every book.

I have been a fan of the series from the first book. I have reread several books in the series. I have a bumper sticker on my car that says, "My other ride is an undead dinosaur," an inside reference from one of the books. I buy the books as they come out. I collect all the short stories that come out associated with the series (see MY FAT SUPERNATURAL WEDDING and its sequel, for instance).

However, while I have owned the books in his other series, the Codex Alera, I have not had a chance to read them until now. (On a side note, while at the 2007 RT convention, I had a chance to not only meet Mr. Butcher and his lovely wife, author Shannon K. Butcher, but to sit down and have coffee with them; Mrs. Butcher mentioned that she actually prefers the Codex series to the Dresden Files.)

I started reading the first book, FURIES OF CALDERON, a few days ago. Knowing I love Mr. Butcher's writing style, and wanting to try something new, I was open to seeing what the series was all about. It's set in a world where magic takes the form of "furies," spirits of a sort that aid humans with the ability to call on them. The young boy, Tavi, is furyless, considered a freak by most of the rest of society. When it looks like war is going to come to their land, however, it's up to Tavi to save them all.

With all the skill and charm of the Dresden books, if not quite so sarcastic, this is an excellent fantasy tale. I would read it even if it was not written by one of my favorite authors. In fact, while I own the next three books and want the fifth (release on Dec. 2nd), I have other books that deserve my attention more. However, I know I will be returning to this series as soon as possible.

Nicole