Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera #1) by Jim Butcher [Start Date: October 15, 2015]

[Lara]

So, what did you think about when Fade (view spoiler)[starts to speak normally? Were you surprised by his sword fight? (hide spoiler)]

[Gisela, Moderator]

Lara wrote: "So, what did you think about when Fade [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I knew there was more to Fade but couldn't remember what. So yes, I was very surprised. I shouldn't have been because JB foreshadowed it.

I deleted my previous comment because for some reason the spoiler tags weren't working. (hide spoiler)]

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Gisela wrote: "Ch. 43 [spoilers removed]"

You mean with (view spoiler)[ Fade? I expected that there was more to him and I knew there is a reason Alrick keeps reapting the name "Araris Valerian" but I didn't connect them until he started fighting Alrick.
What's more interesting for me was that Isana knew about it :D (hide spoiler)]

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Chapter 46
(view spoiler)[

Kitai and Tavi are either now mated/married/bonded or for some reason Kitai has to follow Tavi's orders. That scene was so funny, loved it.

It seems that the first lord doesn't know that Tavi is his grandson. I'm sure he is and I'm thinking Isana might be his mother not aunt. There hasn't been talk of another sister. (hide spoiler)]

[ShoSho , Moderator]

I'm done and I love it! I want more:D

[ShoSho , Moderator]

I love Jim Butcher .I don't know how to link but here is his answer to someone's question.

Q:How is your hair so luxurious and sleek?
Jim Butcher:It feeds upon the souls of fanpeople.

[Gisela, Moderator]

ShoSho wrote: "Chapter 46"

(view spoiler)[That would explain why Araris Valerian, the Princeps bodyguard, is hiding at Bernardholt and why he insisted on going with Tavi and Amara. He's guarding Tavi. But why keep Tavi's existence a secret? Aquitane's plot hinges on the fact that there is no heir. Do you think the First Lord knows of Tavi and that he's the Ace in the hole? (hide spoiler)]

[Gisela, Moderator]

According to other reviewers this book came about because Jim Butcher made a bet he could write a book about the Roman Legions and Pokemon...

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Gisela wrote: "ShoSho wrote: "Chapter 46"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[
I don't know why they are keeping him a secret. They are somehow suppressing his fury crafting too. (he must be a very powerful one because of his linage) From his interaction with Tavi I thought the first lord doesn't know but later when he appointed Isana as the steadholder and Isana jumped to say 'nephew" I thought maybe he knows. Of course at first I thought he sent Amara close to Tavi for a reason.
So I'll find out in the next book ;) (hide spoiler)]

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Gisela wrote: "According to other reviewers this book came about because Jim Butcher made a bet he could write a book about the Roman Legions and Pokemon..."

Pokemon, why???????:D hhaaahaa

[Lara]

ShoSho, there was another sister. They just haven't gone into her story yet. I don't remember when that happens, but people have known them for a long time, so they couldn't say he had a different mother if she didn't exist. I'm keeping my mouth sealed on who is who and knows what. I had my own suspicions at this point, but things do get messy for a while.

Pokemon?! I hadn't heard that before. Is that the role of the Furies?

[Gisela, Moderator]

Apparently, I'm still trying to find a source.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

I found an interview here:

http://www.fantasyliterature.com/auth...

[Gisela, Moderator]

Found this on Wikipedia:

The inspiration for the series came from a bet Jim was challenged to by a member of the Del Rey Online Writer’s Workshop. The challenger bet that Jim could not write a good story based on a lame idea, and Jim countered that he could do it using two lame ideas of the challenger’s choosing. The “lame” ideas given were “Lost Roman Legion", and “Pokémon”.



ETA: DO NOT read the wikipedia article if you want to avoid series spoilers!

[Gisela, Moderator]

An explanation on furies from the same article: (doesn't contain any spoilers, it's just a bit long)

(view spoiler)[

Furies are elemental spirits (earth, water, air, fire, metal, and wood) that inhabit all aspects of Alera. Some are small and cannot be seen, and others are powerful enough to manifest when called upon by their wielders. There also exist "Great Furies," the most powerful and ancient of these spirits, by which Alerans swear and curse. They manifest as geographic formations of great elemental power, such as volcanoes and oceans, and are far more often restrained or provoked than explicitly commanded, and then only by fury-crafters of exceptional strength. Many Alerans are unaware of the Great Furies' actual existence, imagining them to be more mythic than real, but this disbelief is incorrect.

While Proto-Aleran ruins show no sign of fury-crafting ability amongst humans of the past, the Aleran people at the present day manifest personal furies in their early childhood or adolescent years, and control them with their minds. They are used to aid them in whatever task undertaken from housework to combat. This fury-based magic is accomplished in one of two forms. First, an Aleran may draw from the strength of their fury to increase their own. For example, earth crafters often draw physical might from the ground, through their furies, to allow them to lift loads far too heavy for normal people, while wind crafters can increase their speed and metalcrafters their endurance. The second form of fury-crafting is to "manifest" a fury. This involves the fury taking a visible form, often the shape of an animal, though taking the shape of a human is not unheard of. Manifested furies are necessary for the most powerful forms of fury-crafting, including flight (windcrafting) and healing (watercrafting).

Most Alerans display some type of rudimentary ability in all areas of fury-crafting, but are highly skilled in only one or two types. High Lords and their offspring generally show considerable talent in all areas of fury-crafting well beyond the capabilities of a typical person, indicating that heredity plays some role in fury-crafting. Residents of large cities typically treat furies as generic entities while those in rural areas forge close personal bonds with specific furies usually tied closely to particular natural landmarks. All Alerans of sufficient talent and strength in fury-crafting to be named to the Citizenry are obligated by law to marry someone with similar strength, in the interest of producing children with strong fury-crafting ability. (hide spoiler)]

[ShoSho , Moderator]

How far are you, Elishia?

[Lisa Kay, Moderator]

Lara wrote: "LK, it is epic fantasy, but not as much of a nasty free-for-all as Game of Thrones."

Well, that's a relief to hear, Lara. I got my fill of all that in that series. Last book (#5) was way beyond nasty. Also sick of NOBODY staying in character; everyone switched around.

[Lara]

Yes, this series is nice because people do grow and develop, but stay in character as their concerns and motivations remain the same. However, they learn more about the world, and sometimes that makes them question things.

[Lara]

ShoSho wrote: "I'm done and I love it! I want more:D"

Lucky for you there is more to be had! The next book does a great job of building off events from this one. Plus, some additional characters and plot elements are added into the mix. It's so fun to read.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Lara wrote: "ShoSho wrote: "I'm done and I love it! I want more:D"

Lucky for you there is more to be had! The next book does a great job of building off events from this one. Plus, some additional characters a..."

Can't wait :D

[Lara]

What is the start date going to be for ?

[Gisela, Moderator]

Monday, November 16

[Phoenix (Online Elf), Moderator]

The thread for has been posted.

[Nichole]

I finally started this! I'm on Ch. 7 and really liking it so far.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Nichole wrote: "I finally started this! I'm on Ch. 7 and really liking it so far."

Yaay come back with comments, Nichole!

[Nichole]

Oh boy! These names... Bernard, Bittan, Beritte, Amara, Aquitaine, Aldrick, Aric and so on. I have the shelfari page bookmarked for the characters, lol.

@ ShoSho and post 76- (view spoiler)[ I totally agree with your prediction. Don't tell me if I'm right or wrong though, lol. It just seems like he might be the First Lord's son. Mmmhm. And maybe his furies are locked under a geis or something to protect him? Also, is Isana his mother? (hide spoiler)]

Up to Ch. 9 now- (view spoiler)[ I was shocked at Fidelias betrayal. She was pretty quick to figure it out though. I wonder if they will battle again before it's over.

She's headed to the Colderon Valley where I'm sure she'll meet up with Tavi. There's monsters in those woods!

So, Bernard made it back home but it's too early to tell if he'll survive yet. And then Kord and his sons attack Isana! Almost killing her and they get away! What-The- Bleep! She says "I don't want bloodshed in my house". Again I say, What-The-Bleep? They just tried to kill you and anyone else that happened to get in their way. Scumbags, all 3 of them. I hope they get what's coming to them!

Even though it isn't the same, I keep picturing Hodor (GoT) for Fade. *Snickers* (hide spoiler)]

[ShoSho , Moderator]

I'm not going to say anything about your first comment.

As for the second one, I loved how she figured it out too. I really like her character and her wits.

You'll get used to the names. I didn't any problems with the names after the first 10-12 chapters.

[Lara]

There are a lot of characters, but they are very well differentiated. That helps me a lot with the names. They also tend to have real roles, so I don't confuse them so much.

[Nichole]

Yeah, the names are similar but they each have distinction so it's not so bad really.

I'm really enjoying this! I think my husband would love it.

Up to Ch. 18- (view spoiler)[ I'm even more convinced that Isana is Tavi's mother. Just the way she reacts to him missing and the little tidbits here and there. And there's definitely some kind of connection to the missing/killed Prince. He found sanctuary in his place of burial and it just seemed like something to link them. Like it was significant.

They just got back to the Homestead and is that a little romance brewing between Amara and Bernard? Hmmm...

Then those evil creeps show up! They plan on killing them but Isana and Bernard know something's up. I'm just now to the part where they realize that the Homesteaders know what they're up to. Exciting stuff! (hide spoiler)]

[ShoSho , Moderator]

It is very exciting! It was one of those book that I couldn't stop because I thought I was leaving the characters in dangerous and bad situation if I stopped :P

[Gisela, Moderator]

ShoSho wrote: "It is very exciting! It was one of those book that I couldn't stop because I thought I was leaving the characters in dangerous and bad situation if I stopped :P"

Lol!

[Lisa Kay, Moderator]

I've done that, ShoSho. It is, like, I'll worry about them while I'm away from the book. LOL!

[Gisela, Moderator]

Lol!

[Elishia]

I'm wayyyy behind I haven't read anything for about 3 weeks, I really need to pick it back up.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Elishia wrote: "I'm wayyyy behind I haven't read anything for about 3 weeks, I really need to pick it back up."

You lazy girl!

[Elishia]

:-p I haven't felt like reading.

[ShoSho , Moderator]

Elishia wrote: ":-p I haven't felt like reading."


**gasps**

[Elishia]

ShoSho wrote: "Elishia wrote: ":-p I haven't felt like reading."


**gasps**"

I know :-(

[Lisa Kay, Moderator]

Agh!

[Nichole]

I finished yesterday at work. I loved it. It was so exciting. I was just so exhausted from work that I crashed. Another busy day(s) ahead of me. I'll try to come back and make some comments when I can. I know what you mean about leaving the characters in dangerous situations! The whole book felt like that!

[Gisela, Moderator]

Hee hee!! Those naughty characters! Who knows what trouble they'll get into without us there!