Codex Alera
by Jim Butcher
Furies of Calderon
Academ's Fury
Cursor's Fury
Captain's Fury
Princeps' Fury
First Lord's Fury
The Codex Alera is a six novel series set in a world not of our own which is dominated by what we would consider to be a mirror or the Roman Empire but in this case with added "powers" in terms of Furies. It is said that a few thousand years ago a Legion of Romans (along with camp followers and logistics) appeared in this realm, their knowledge of war allowed them to survive in a very dangerous world and ultimately to become the dominant species. The Furies were elemental manifestations of almost all things in the realm (think The Force) but in many cases made physical, why throw someone through the air when you can manifest a giant bear to do the same for you, this "crafting" gave some incredible powers but all Alerans' could access these forces, well all but one. It is during the final few years of the reign of First Lord Gaius Sextus and after the death of his only heir that rivals rise to contest his control of the realm, the first major attack is by the Marat who in a joint venture with an Aleran Lord strike at the Calderon valley, its destruction would signal weakness in the First Lord and perhaps allow an opening to depose him.
As it turns out the Calderon valley is saved by the bravery and maybe foolishness of a young shepherd (apprentice at that) named Tavi who well let's say has some spectacular good luck to go hand in hand with his courage.
The following five novels follow Tavi and his associates through his schooling, military service and his rise to become the fulcrum that the Alerans survival and many other races in this world.
The Codex Alera is a wonderful series, I make a point to read these novels at least once a year and while The Dresden Files is right up there is terms of entertainment it is this series I rate just that little bit higher, maybe because it is self contained with it's strong beginning and steady growth through out. Highly recommended
