Promotional Information

* Review copies mailing to genre and blogging press * Featured on www.orbitbooks.net and in the Orbit ezine

About the Author

Jim Butcher is a ten-year student of martial arts and works as a computer support technician. Jim lives in Missouri with his wife and son and a houseful of computers.

Reviews

Best known for his Harry Dresden fantasy noir novels (Dead Beat, etc.), bestseller Butcher shows he's equally adept at epic fantasy in the second Codex Alera book. Two years after the events of Furies of Calderon (2004), the First Lord of Alera, Gaius Sextus, struggles to control a realm facing growing border troubles and civil strife as High Lords scheme to advance their own causes. Fortunately, Gaius has loyal supporters such as his nephew Tavi, now a 17-year-old Academ, a student of Alera Imperial's great Academy, who also serves as Gaius's page and is secretly training to become a Cursor, one of the First Lord's elite spies. Then Gaius falls ill, leaving those closest to him, including Tavi, desperate to keep his weakness secret. With Cursors being murdered, an ancient menace known as the "vord" heading for the capital and civil war on the horizon, Tavi has his work cut out for him. Butcher skillfully weaves in the necessary back story without slowing the pace. Solid world-building, intriguing characters and vivid action make this a solid addition to a marvelously entertaining series. Agent, Jennifer Jackson at DMLA. (July 5) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

The world of Alera draws power and protection from harnessing the elemental furies of air, water, fire, earth, wood, and metal. When Tavi, a young spy in training for the First Lord, succumbs to his failure to control the furies, he awakens something powerful and deadly that seeks its awakener. An attack from the sea nearly kills the First Lord, prompting civil war if he dies. Facing threats from both within and without, Alera needs even its flawed heroes to survive. The author of the "Dresden Files" series demonstrates his skill with epic fantasy in this sequel to Furies of Calderon. A fresh approach to magic and a cast of appealing characters make this an exciting read for most fantasy fans and a good addition to libraries. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.