I don’t typically write book reviews, which is to say that I haven’t written one before.  However, I think this book warrants a change.

I just finished reading “Captain’s Fury” by Jim Butcher.  This is the fourth book in the Codex Alera and marks a turning point in the series and in my humble opinion in Jim’s writing. 

Captain’s Fury picks up 2 years after the events of book three and resolves many unanswered questions from books 1 thru 3.  Jim manages to pack in a tremendous amount of character development while keeping the action fast paced.  The main characters are all back; Tavi, Fidelus/Marcus, Amara, Bernard, Araris, Gaius Sextus, Kitai, Ehren, Crasus. 

The book description from Amazon falls quite short in foreshadowing the amount of content that’s packed into this novel, but I’ll include it for your edification.

After two years of bitter conflict with the hordes of invading Canim, Tavi of Calderon, now Captain of the First Aleran Legion, realizes that a peril far greater than the Canim exists-the mysterious threat that drove the savage Canim to flee their homeland. Now, Tavi must find a way to overcome the centuries-old animosities between Aleran and Cane if an alliance is to be forged against their mutual enemy. And he must lead his legion in defiance of the law, against friend and foe–or no one will have a chance of survival . . .

Like I said, it’s quite an underwhelming review when you finish the book and look back on it.  If you are a fan of the fantasy genre, heck, even if your not, take my advice and pick up this series.  Each of the books in the Codex Alera is engaging & enjoyable, but book 4 is the crown jewel in an already great series.

Codex Alera – Jim Butcher
Book 1:  Furies of Calderon
Book 2:  Academ’s Fury
Book 3:  Cursor’s Fury
Book 4:  Captain’s Fury

Check them out on Jim’s website where you can read sample chapters and if you are so inclined, purchase the books:  http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/alera/