A compulsively fast-paced fantasy adventure, set in Alera, a 'great world in which any reader can get lost' (SF Site)

For a thousand years, the people of Alera have united against the aggressive races that inhabit the world, using their unique bond with the furies - elementals of earth, air, fire, water and metal. But now, Gaius Sextus, First Lord of Alera, grows old and lacks an heir. Ambitious Lords manoeuvre to place their Houses in positions of power, and a war of succession looms on the horizon.

Far from city politics in the Calderon Valley, young Tavi struggles with his lack of furycrafting. At fifteen, he has no wind fury to help him fly, no fire fury to light his lamps. Yet as the Alerans' most savage enemy - the Marat - return to the Valley, his world will change. Caught in a storm of deadly wind furies, Tavi saves the life of a runaway slave. But Amara is actually a spy, seeking intelligence on possible Marat traitors to the Crown. And when the Valley erupts into chaos - when rebels war with loyalists and furies clash with furies - Amara will find Tavi invaluable. His talents will outweigh any fury-born power - and could even turn the tides of war.

'Butcher has created a wonderful new world of fantasy...This first book in the series introduces all the main characters and the creatures and events that make Alera a great world in which any reader can get lost' --SF Site

* Extensive online marketing campaign to launch series * Review copies mailing to genre and blogging press * Featured on www.orbitbooks.net and in the Orbit ezine

About the Author
Jim Butcher is the author of the Dresden Files, the Codex Alera and the Cinder Spires series. His resume includes a laundry list of skills which were useful a couple of centuries ago, and he plays guitar quite badly. An avid gamer, Jim plays tabletop games in varying systems, a variety of video games and LARPs whenever he can make time for it. He currently resides mostly inside his own head, but his head can generally be found in his home town of Independence, Missouri.

Reviews
A real page-turner * Booklist *
A marvellous read * Patricia Briggs *
A fascinating world and magic system ... start of a promising series * Locus *
Absorbing fantasy ... an abundance of convincing detail * Publishers Weekly *



Book Information
ISBN 9781841497440
Author Jim Butcher
Format Paperback
Page Count 624
Imprint Orbit
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 328g
Dimensions(mm) 177mm * 109mm * 38mm