Helpful Score: 1
This is Book 1 of The Codex Alera series.
For those of you who have never heard the story behind the birth of The Codex Alera series, here it is...
Several years ago, Jim Butcher got involed in an ALL CAPS LOCK internet forum "discussion" with another author. They were debating the importance of the quality of subject matter vs the level of an author's talent. This is my own weak paraphrasing of the conversation between Butcher (JB) and the other author (OA).
OA: If your idea is sound, if it has merit and worth, then it can carry a novel no matter how poor the writing. Good books are based on the quality of the idea, not necessarily the talent of the author.
JB: I DISAGREE. I THINK A GOOD AUTHOR CAN TAKE A TERRIBLE IDEA AND TURN IT INTO SOMETHING GREAT.
OA: That sounds like a bet. How about I give you a terrible idea and you use it to write something worth reading?
JB: ACTUALLY. FORGET THAT. WHY DON'T YOU GIVE ME _TWO_ TERRIBLE IDEAS INSTEAD?
OA: Ok then. The first idea is "lost Roman legion." Tons of bad books have been written about that.
JB: ALRIGHT. FINE. WHAT IS YOUR OTHER IDEA?
OA: My other terrible idea is... Pokemon.
And there you have it, folks. The birth of Codex Alera. In all, I think that Butcher won the bet. It is a typical first-in-a-series sort of book: very heavy on character development and the establishment of the magical system, not to mention a crash course in history, geography, and political allegiances. The book had some typos (which were annoying) but otherwise I found it to be a good start on a new series.
The main character, Tavi, is resourceful and easily likable, and the supporting cast of characters are all well drawn and full of life. It lacks much of the biting sarcasm of Harry Dresden, but still carries subtle undertones of Butcher's wit and humor. It is very different type of story from The Dresden Files, and yet the soul if it seems to be very much the same. In all, it was a good read. I'm looking forward to the next one.
For those of you who have never heard the story behind the birth of The Codex Alera series, here it is...
Several years ago, Jim Butcher got involed in an ALL CAPS LOCK internet forum "discussion" with another author. They were debating the importance of the quality of subject matter vs the level of an author's talent. This is my own weak paraphrasing of the conversation between Butcher (JB) and the other author (OA).
OA: If your idea is sound, if it has merit and worth, then it can carry a novel no matter how poor the writing. Good books are based on the quality of the idea, not necessarily the talent of the author.
JB: I DISAGREE. I THINK A GOOD AUTHOR CAN TAKE A TERRIBLE IDEA AND TURN IT INTO SOMETHING GREAT.
OA: That sounds like a bet. How about I give you a terrible idea and you use it to write something worth reading?
JB: ACTUALLY. FORGET THAT. WHY DON'T YOU GIVE ME _TWO_ TERRIBLE IDEAS INSTEAD?
OA: Ok then. The first idea is "lost Roman legion." Tons of bad books have been written about that.
JB: ALRIGHT. FINE. WHAT IS YOUR OTHER IDEA?
OA: My other terrible idea is... Pokemon.
And there you have it, folks. The birth of Codex Alera. In all, I think that Butcher won the bet. It is a typical first-in-a-series sort of book: very heavy on character development and the establishment of the magical system, not to mention a crash course in history, geography, and political allegiances. The book had some typos (which were annoying) but otherwise I found it to be a good start on a new series.
The main character, Tavi, is resourceful and easily likable, and the supporting cast of characters are all well drawn and full of life. It lacks much of the biting sarcasm of Harry Dresden, but still carries subtle undertones of Butcher's wit and humor. It is very different type of story from The Dresden Files, and yet the soul if it seems to be very much the same. In all, it was a good read. I'm looking forward to the next one.
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