This book was suggested by one of my friends. His taste in books is exactly the same as mine, so I looked forward to reading it. It was sitting on my shelf for months, and I always get nervous to start a book after I've been looking forward to reading it for ages. I'm always afraid they will disappoint me in some way. Luckily, this one did not.
It is set in a world that has fantastic and fascinating creatures, intricate politics, and wonderful sights. From the beginning, Butcher immerses you in the lives of the main characters: Tavi, Bernard, Isana, Fidelias, and Amara. Throughout the book, you follow these few as they try and save Alera, their country, from the Marat, the barbarians who try to destroy the peace of Alera. The Alerans have a couple of things that the Marat don't: they have steel weapons and armor, and Furies.
Furies are physical representations of forces of nature or stuff like that. For example, there are watercrafters, firecrafters, metalcrafters, woodcrafters, windcrafters, earthcrafters, etc. Everyone in Alera has one and they are able to use them for a number of different activities. That is what makes Tavi so special. He has no fury and is looked upon as a freak for it.
In the book, Tavi has an enormous role to play in the events regarding the future of his country. He has to have a whole lot of courage and wit to do it.
The story is engaging and takes you through the world wonderfully. Though there are quite a number of characters, I didn't get confused at all by who is who. The action is exciting and it isn't at all a predictable plot. It keeps you guessing at what is going to happen next and you aren't going to be able to put it down. I couldn't.
My main problem with it (main being relative, it wasn't really a problem) is that Butcher brings you too quickly into the story. I spent the first couple of chapters floundering around, trying to orient myself in this world and attempting to figure out what exactly a fury was or what it can do. However, over time it is all explained.
I give this book a solid 4.1. It's really up there, but not quite outstanding. I would seriously recommend it though, if you like fantasy and adventure. :)
Happy reading.
