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Jim Butcher

1971-
Reviewed by Mark, John H.,
Justin, Will, Todd, John O., Robert T.
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Jim Butcher
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The Codex Alera — (2004-2009) Publisher: In the realm of Alera, where people bond with the furies—elementals of earth, air, fire, water, wood, and metal — fifteen-year-old Tavi struggles with his lack of furycrafting. But when his homeland erupts in chaos — when rebels war with loyalists and furies clash with furies — Tavi's simple courage will turn the tides of war.

Jim Butcher The Codex Alera 1. Furies of Calderon 2. Academ's Fury 3. Cursor's Fury 4. Captain's Fury 5. Princeps' Fury 6. First Lord's FuryJim Butcher The Codex Alera 1. Furies of Calderon 2. Academ's Fury 3. Cursor's Fury 4. Captain's Fury 5. Princeps' Fury 6. First Lord's FuryJim Butcher The Codex Alera 1. Furies of Calderon 2. Academ's Fury 3. Cursor's Fury 4. Captain's Fury 5. Princeps' Fury 6. First Lord's FuryJim Butcher The Codex Alera 1. Furies of Calderon 2. Academ's Fury 3. Cursor's Fury 4. Captain's Fury 5. Princeps' Fury 6. First Lord's FuryJim Butcher The Codex Alera 1. Furies of Calderon 2. Academ's Fury 3. Cursor's Fury 4. Captain's Fury 5. Princeps' Fury 6. First Lord's FuryJim Butcher The Codex Alera 1. Furies of Calderon 2. Academ's Fury 3. Cursor's Fury 4. Captain's Fury 5. Princeps' Fury 6. First Lord's Fury
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book review Jim Butcher Codex Alera Furies of CalderonFuries of Calderon: Do not eat this book

OK, silly heading, I know, but it's what came to mind, because Furies of Calderon reminds me of a dessert: no nutritional value, but still tastes pretty good.

And that is this book in a nutshell, for me. The writing is lazy, clichés abound, the plot is totally predictable and rather derivative, but yet it is still entertaining.
Jim Butcher The Codex Alera 1. Furies of Calderon 2. Academ's Fury 3. Cursor's Fury 4. Captain's Fury 5. Princeps' Fury
For all its flaws, Furies of Calderon is good to relax with if you just want to unwind at the end of the day and not have to think too hard—it's literary meringue. I just wish itwasn't quite so cheesy. —M.P.   Comments


book review Jim Butcher Codex Alera Furies of CalderonFuries of Calderon: Nice start

While I didn't care for how overwhelmed the good-guys seemed all the time, I did enjoy the actual story in Furies of Calderon. —John H.   Comments


book review Cursor's FuryCursor's Fury: Predictable, lazy writing

Jim Butcher The Codex Alera 1. Furies of Calderon 2. Academ's Fury 3. Cursor's Fury 4. Captain's Fury 5. Princeps' FuryI found Furies of Calderon be pretty good, if lightweight escapism. Academ's Fury was alright, too. Cursor's Fury is just so utterly predictable and badly-written that I won't be reading the fourth one. The first problem is the inconsistency. For instance, Kalare is described in the second book, Academ's Fury, as being both large and short. However, in this book he is described as tall and thin to the point of gauntness. Also, in the second book one character has her name spelled 'Gaelle', while in this book it's spelled 'Gaele'. If the author doesn't care enough about his characters to know what their names are and what they look like you can bet that he's not spending a lot of time on them. And he doesn't. The characters are very flat and shallow. Take the lovers as an example. This book is chock-full of love scenes and the like and in every single one of them the only attraction any of them seem to have for each other is physical. Every single time it's, "She loved his big, strong hands" or "He loved how she looked in that dress." All of that's perfectly fine, but it's just not balanced: there's no depth of personality to any of these characters.

There is inconsistency in other areas, too. This book has quite a few mistakes. Something will be described one way early on and then a few pages later it will be different. Certain creatures might be described as being powerful enough to kill anything in their way and yet main characters will be able to wipe out hordes of them. Or you'll have enemies that stand up to nine feet tall and along comes a main character and hits one on the head with a short sword. How? Do they have some kind of military trampoline?

The predictability grates, too. Maybe if you've never read any kind of adventure or fantasy you will be surprised by the plot, but I found that I could foresee the outcome of pretty much every single scenario as it unfolded. The good guys always win. The bad guys always get their come-uppance. Each chapter ends on the kind of contrived cliffhanger that was cheesy fifty years ago. Sometimes the author tries to throw you off the scent by stating something which he later contradicts. That's not a plot twist; that's just annoying.

There are a couple of pretty blatant rip-offs from other authors, too — most notably Eddings and Feist. In fact, one scene at the end of this book is almost word for word out of the The Belgariad.

If you've got this far through The Codex Alera, you'll probably know whether or not you want to read Cursor's Fury already. If you're really curious about what happens, I recommend that you find it in a library somewhere. Don't waste your money buying Cursor's Fury. Had I known what this book was like, I'd never have started reading the series at all.   —M.P.   Comments


fantasy book reviews Jim Butcher Codex Alera 6. The First Lord's FuryThe First Lord’s Fury

Jim Butcher The Codex Alera 1. Furies of Calderon 2. Academ's Fury 3. Cursor's Fury 4. Captain's Fury 5. Princeps' Fury 6. First Lord's FuryGrab your helms, shields and swords, fantasy fans. In The First Lord’s Fury, Jim Butcher is taking you to war! In the 6th and final book in the Codex Alera series, Butcher not only takes you to war, but makes you laugh and cry along the way. The First Lord’s Fury is a very suitable ending to what I found to be a most enjoyable fantasy series. The Codex Alera series takes place several thousand years after a lost Roman legion found its way to another world and rebuilt a society. The novels’ setting, the realm of Alera, is therefore loosely based on ancient Roman culture. The story follows a young man named Tavi through his eventful life and The First Lord’s Fury is the ultimate conclusion of Tavi’s story. In the previous books, Tavi finds himself in impossible situations and relies upon his wit and support from loved ones to win the day. The First Lord’s Fury is no different in that respect. Where this book differs is that the weight that’s been placed upon Tavi has grown significantly. A feeling of utter desperation takes root in all the characters. People die, families are torn asunder, the realm is in total chaos, and everything depends on Tavi.

Jim Butcher does a fine job of making the reader understand the strain his characters are under, but without letting us lose hope. This book is the antithesis to the new, darker, tragic-for-the-sake-of-tragedy fantasy that authors like Joe Abercrombie and George R.R. Martin have popularized. In the Codex Alera series, it’s never a matter of “will they get out of the mess,” but rather how will they get out, and at what cost? The characters’ strengths are hope, love, and loyalty and they are infinitely likeable. No character is beyond the reader’s compassion, for the antagonists are developed as deeply as the heroes are.

The First Lord’s Fury is not perfect. Some may find the story trite and somewhat predictable. Those who failed to jive with the series after book 2 or 3 will not find any redemption here. The narrative is not complex; it’s rather straightforward. After reading The First Lord’s Fury, you are not going to sit and contemplate man’s inhumanity to man, or stew over great moral quandaries. It’s a simple tale of adventure, war, and triumph in the face of overwhelming odds. The message I got from The First Lord’s Fury (and Codex Alera in general) is that no matter the problem, no matter the hardship, there is hope, and with self-sacrifice and support from loved ones any obstacle can be overcome. And that it doesn’t matter who you were, or where you came from. It only matters who you become. —Justin   Comments

The Dresden Files — (2000-2009) Jim Butcher is also producing a set of graphic novels for The Dresden Files. Publisher: Harry Dresden — Wizard. Lost items found. Paranormal investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, Parties, or Other Entertainment.  Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he's the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things — and most of them don't play too well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a — well, whatever. There's just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start to get... interesting. Magic. It can get a guy killed.

The Dresden Files Storm Front, Fool Moon, Grave Peril, Summer Knight, Death MasksThe Dresden Files Storm Front, Fool Moon, Grave Peril, Summer Knight, Death MasksThe Dresden Files Storm Front, Fool Moon, Grave Peril, Summer Knight, Death MasksThe Dresden Files Storm Front, Fool Moon, Grave Peril, Summer Knight, Death MasksThe Dresden Files Storm Front, Fool Moon, Grave Peril, Summer Knight, Death MasksBlood Rites, Dead Heat, Proven Guilty, White Night, Small Favor

Blood Rites, Dead Heat, Proven Guilty, White Night, Small FavorBlood Rites, Dead Heat, Proven Guilty, White Night, Small FavorBlood Rites, Dead Heat, Proven Guilty, White Night, Small FavorSmall Favor Dresden Files 10 Jim ButcherJim Butcher The Dresden Files Turn Coat 11  12. ChangesJim Butcher The Dresden Files Turn Coat 11  12. Changes
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Related novel:
Jim Butcher Backup fantasy book review
Backup
— (2008) Publisher: Let's get something clear right up front. I'm not Harry Dresden. Harry's a wizard. A genuine, honest-to-goodness wizard. He's Gandalf on crack and an IV of Red Bull, with a big leather coat and a .44 revolver in his pocket. He'll spit in the eye of gods and demons alike if he thinks it needs to be done, and to hell with the consequences--and yet somehow my little brother manages to remain a decent human being. I'll be damned if I know how. But then, I'll be damned regardless. My name is Thomas Raith, and I'm a monster. So begins "Backup," a twelve thousand word novelette set in Jim Butcher s ultra-popular Dresden Files series. This time Harry's in trouble he knows nothing about, and it's up to his big brother Thomas to track him down and solve those little life-threatening difficulties without his little brother even noticing.


book review The Dresden FilesThe Dresden Files

There are nine books in The Dresden Files (thus far) with more on the way.  I have read every one of them, would give each of them 3 stars, and would recommend them to anyone who enjoys this type of fantasy.

The books center on the life of Harry Blackstone Dresden who lives in modern times in Chicago, Illinois.  He is also a professional wizard/investigator. The first book, Storm Front, introduces us to the main character, several on-going supporting characters, and the basic premises of the books (e.g., how to use magic to investigate the wrongdoings of supernatural critters that exist, but not in the publics’ consciousness).

Jim Butcher’s writing leaves a little something to be desired. As the series develops, he increasingly relies on coincidence and other cheap plot devices to keep his story moving. He also glosses over inconsistencies in his universe whenever they become inconvenient for him to explain.

That said, his character development is excellent. His stories are original and engaging. And, Jim Butcher writes with the joy of a true fantasy geek. You can tell from reading his stories that he really enjoys this stuff and is not just writing for a pay check. Mr. Butcher is the only author I have been able to read more than eight books in a single series ( I am usually disgusted after book five of any series with most authors, see Terry Goodkind).

This is not great writing, but it is a hell of a lot of fun. —W.D.   Comments


book review The Dresden FilesStormfront: Surprisingly good beginning

The Dresden Files Storm Front, Fool Moon, Grave Peril, Summer Knight, Death MasksStormfront is good. And as first books go, this was darned good. I doubt that Jim Butcher would try to pass himself off as a keen turner of phrases, and much that is here has been seen before (and presented better). For example, part of the magic in the book is predicated on knowing another entity's true name. Ursula K. LeGuin wasn't the first fantasy author to use that idea, but she used it so uniquely that anyone following her example should tiptoe and do their best to avoid any comparison. (Christopher Paolini could use a bit of that advice. He does not tiptoe; He TRODS.)

I honestly expected to dislike Stormfront but I bought it on a whim and — surprise! — I enjoyed it.

There were characters I'd seen before and "Magics" I'd seen before, but Butcher did something innovative with all of this. He made Henry Dresden, a wizard who lived in Chicago and advertised himself in the yellow pages, REAL.

OK — sure, Henry was a gumshoe, and much of the book read like a nod to a noir detective story, but Stormfront is a detective story merged with the sci-fi/fantasy genre. And while the clichés flew as frequently as burps after a beer bong, I really didn't mind.

Teethed on Tolkien, and fouled on his imitators, I hold the bar high. Fantasy needs to make sense, on every level, before I will give it a pass. Stormfront, for the most part, works. —Todd   Comments
adapted from a review originally published 5/2007


urban fantasy book review Jim Butcher The Dresden Files Small FavorSmall Favor

Small Favor Dresden Files 10 Jim ButcherHow does a pragmatic Chicago wizard take on one of the most powerful Fallen angels? It is this question which drives the action-packed Small Favor, the continuing adventures of Harry Dresden, modern wizard, and his host of friends as they take on the evil forces of Nicodemus and his wife Tessa. Forced by Queen Mab to fulfill one of the favors he owes her, Dresden comes up against the very creatures that have nearly killed him before, namely, the Fallen. Meantime, Titania, Queen of Summer, has ordered a hit on Harry, and her agents keep showing up at the most inopportune times.

Harry is a sardonic character, usually shooting his mouth off when he is in danger. But it seems to work for him as he escapes one trap after another. Although the marketing people have called The Dresden Files a fantasy/mystery blend this particular novel is less mystery and more of a spy novel. Harry is a rough amalgam of James Bond and Jason Bourne, with a bit of Jack Ryan thrown in. He is loyal to his friends, deadly to his enemies, and for one reason or another, always in trouble with someone.

Small Favor is enjoyable. There are few plot twists, and even though this is the eleventh novel of the Dresden Files, as someone who had never read any Jim Butcher before, it was relatively easy for me to pick up. The story moves from action to action, with only a few pauses for introspection, rest, and even a little romance. Perhaps the most difficult part of reading a series so well-established was the references to past occurrences, and the introduction of characters whose background had been established in previous books. However, to recreate the backgrounds of some of the characters (Harry’s brother Thomas and his situation is still something of a mystery to me) would have unnecessarily slowed down the story. So as reader, I just picked up what I could, and enjoyed the story’s action otherwise.

Butcher’s writing is straightforward. He doesn’t delve into linguistic flourishes, or spend overmuch time on the setting. He doesn’t have to, as it is relatively easy for a reader to imagine a modern city like Chicago, whether or not we have actually been there. This is a novel that is read for entertainment purposes, something best read on the plane, the train, or a rainy afternoon.

Of particular interest to me, as a religious person, was Butcher’s integration of the Catholic faith into the story. Two of his characters are Knights of the Cross, who carry swords designed to fight evil, but whereas other writers of urban fantasy often use this as an opportunity to denigrate faith and elevate reason, Butcher instead gives faith a fair shake. Harry respects the Knight of the Cross (one of them is a good friend) and although he doesn’t understand their beliefs, he respects them. This is rare in the paranormal/urban fantasy subgenre, where such characters either end up being evil, stupid, or an object of ridicule. Not in Small Favor, and my respect for Butcher as writer rose, especially when at a critical moment in which Harry finds himself wrestling with the issue of a good God allowing bad things to happen, Butcher doesn’t have his character simply write God off as a masochist. It’s nice to see faith having real power in a paranormal/urban fantasy novel.

I recommend this novel as one the best of the few paranormal/urban fantasy novels I have read. It’s right up there with Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere in creativity, even if its quality is a little lower. Butcher writes an entertaining tale, easily picked up and enjoyed. If you’re looking for an easy, sit-on-the-couch-and-eat-chips book for a Sunday afternoon, Jim Butcher's Small Favor is a good way to go. —J.O.   Comments
FanLit thanks John Ottinger III from Grasping for the Wind for contributing this guest review.

The Dresden Files Graphic Novels — (2008- ) We'll just list here the ones we actually review. Find the rest of them here.
Welcome to the Jungle — (2008) When New York Times bestselling author Jim Butcher writes stories in his popular Dresden Files universe, in his head he sees the story come together like panels from a comic book. So it’s no surprise that the lifelong comic book fan has made his mind’s work a reality with the new graphic novel The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle. The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle, which is a complete collection of the four-issue miniseries published by the Dabel Brothers, marks the first project collaboration in the distribution deal between Dabel Brothers Publishing and Del Rey Books. Established in November 2007, the long-term arrangement will result in broader distribution for Dabel Brothers graphic novels. Illustrated by rising talent Ardian Syaf, The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle is Butcher’s first attempt at writing a comic book and is a brand new story set in the world of the wildly popular urban fantasy series, The Dresden Files, featuring his own protagonist, professional wizard Harry Dresden. The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle is actually a prequel to Storm Front, the first novel in The Dresden Files series. Harry Dresden is on the case again, this time investigating a brutal mauling at the Lincoln Park Zoo that has left a security guard dead and many questions unanswered. But Dresden isn't a private detective, looking for a murderer — he's a wizard, with the ability to interact with the magical world around our own, and he sees that there's much more to this case than a simple animal attack. As Dresden begins to hunt for clues to figure out who is really behind this crime, he finds himself next on the victims list…


Jim Butcher The Dresden Files Graphic Novels: Welcome to the JungleWelcome to the Jungle

CLASSIFICATION: If you’re a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Hellboy, or the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter comic books, then The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle will be perfect for you. Like those, Welcome to the Jungle boasts a fun mix of fast-paced supernatural action, humor and a dash of mystery/thrills. This graphic novel in particular is pretty tame in the violence/language department and is suitable for teen readers and above.

FORMAT/INFO: Welcome to the Jungle is 160 pages long and since it collects the entire 4-issue miniseries, the graphic novel is broken up into four Chapters. The graphic novel also includes an introduction by Jim Butcher, a Cover Gallery showcasing the covers provided by Ardian Syaf and Chris McGrath, and Concept Artwork by Ardian Syaf with notes by Jim Butcher. The story is self-contained and occurs immediately before the events of Storm Front.

October 14, 2008 marked the North American Hardcover publication of Welcome to the Jungle via Del Rey/Dabel Brothers. The cover artwork was provided by Chris McGrath.

ANALYSIS: I’d been looking forward to the graphic novel release of Welcome to the Jungle for two main reasons: 1) Because I’m a huge fan of the Dabel Brothers, whom I’ve been following for years now. And 2), because I’ve wanted to read The Dresden Files for a while now and thought the graphic novel was an excellent starting point, especially since it’s a direct prequel to Storm Front, the first book in the series. So was it worth it? Well, let’s just say that after finishing the graphic novel I had to immediately start reading Storm Front, which I absolutely loved.

Now, having read Storm Front, I can safely say that the graphic novel authentically captures the spirit and tone of the book, including Harry Dresden’s ‘everyman’ attitude and sardonic wit, supernatural elements that are both familiar and creative, and a plot that places Harry in impossible situations, not to mention a little mystery that takes an unexpected twist or two. Plus, Murphy, Carmichael, Bob the Skull, Mister, Harry’s blue beetle, and his money problems all show up as well which was cool, but I do wish the graphic novel had talked a little bit more about Harry’s past — especially regarding his parents — and the Doom of Damocles.

Of the actual writing, I guess reading all of those comic books really paid off, because Welcome to the Jungle felt like it was written by a veteran. Granted, the graphic novel lacks the depth offered by an actual book, and doesn’t come off quite as edgy or emotional as Storm Front did — in fact, the graphic novel seemed to embrace its humorous side more — but I thought the writing was well-paced and efficient, with my only complaints being the little recaps at the beginning of the first couple of “chapters” and the numerous wisecracks.

As far as the art, Ardian Syaf doesn’t really dazzle the reader with a distinctive style — not like Adi Granov, Ben Templesmith or Dave McKean — but he is consistent and more than competent, backed by outstanding inking that really brings the pencils to life.

CONCLUSION: Welcome to the Jungle is not going to redefine the comic book industry, but it looks great, and more importantly, is a lot of fun to read. So whether you’re a long-time fan of Jim Butcher, curious about The Dresden Files like I was, or just in the mood to read about an ass-kicking wizard, then Welcome to the Jungle is the place to be. And if you end up liking this, then keep an eye out for the Dabel Brothers’ adaptation of Storm Front.
Robert T.   Comments

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gravatar bill b
January 03, 2009 - 19:15
Subject: Thanks!

Thanks for the helpful reviews!


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