Sometime after I retired from the military I ran across a book by a long haired new young author named Jim Butcher. The book was Storm Front and introduced Wizard/Detective Harry Dresden to the world..
Author Information:
Born
Occupation
Nationality
First Published Novel: Storm Front, April 2000
Works by Jim Butcher
Dresden Files
Harry Dresden, the only wizard listed in the Yellow Pages, a part time consultant for the Chicago Police Department, and a unique Private Investigator, is called on to investigate unusual cases that have been handed off to the Chicago Police Special Investigations section, while at the same time handling "special" investigations for both mundane and supernatural clients. Sometimes he even gets paid.
"Magic. It can get guy killed."
Featuring Harry Dresden and a range of black magicians, vampires, mobsters, werewolves, hitmen, ghosts, knights, fae queens, demons, and a talking skull named Bob. Harry is an PI from the old school (with a unique talent) who is sometimes called on by the Chicago PD to consult in non standard cases. With rare old fashioned sense honor and a "damsel in distress" complex that is straight out of the '30s, he just can't help himself. Making enemies of powerful beings during any investigation is inevitable.
On top of the hazards associated with the various other wordly denizens who try to erase his very existence, everything he does is carefully watched by the White Council. This governing body of "good" wizards seem to be just waiting for Harry to step over the line and into the black.
These books are fun to read and I am looking forward to the next installment.
1. Storm Front (2000)
2. Fool Moon (2000)
3. Grave Peril (2001)
4. Summer Knight (2002)
5. Death Masks (2003)
6. Blood Rites (2004)
7. Dead Beat (2005)
8. Proven Guilty (2006)
9. White Night (2007)
10. Small Favor (2008)
11. Turn Coat (2009)
12. Changes (2010)
13. Ghost Story (2011)
14.Cold Days (2012)
15. Skin Game (2014)
Codex Alera
In Valera, on the world of Carna, all Valeran humans are able to control and use the furies. The talent ranges from weak to strong, some only being able to summon the lesser un-named furies for a limited time, others able to summon and use the greater unique named furies. All humans that is, except Tavi.
Another great work by Jim Butcher, in some ways even better than the Dresden Files.
1. Furies of Calderon (2004)
2. Academ's Fury (2005)
3. Cursor's Fury (2006)
4. Captain's Fury (2007)
5. Princeps' Fury (2008)
6. First Lord's Fury (2009)
Absolutely loved the original trilogy. Other books in the series range from good to excellant, but few match the original three stories.
From the E-Book:
"Living in peaceful Shady Vale, Shea Ohmsford knew little of the troubles that plagued the rest of the world. Then the giant, forbidding Allanon revaled that the supposedly dead Warlock Lord was plotting to destory the world. The sole weapon against this Power of Darkness was the Sword of Shannara, which could only be used by a true heir of Shannara--Shea being the last of the bloodline, upon whom all hope rested. Soon a Skull Bearer, dread minion of Evil, flew into the Vale, seeking to destroy Shea. To save the Vale, Shea fled, drawing the Skull Bearer after him...."
When I read this book there was no indication that the Word and Void books would be tied into Shannara. This, I think, is the best of the Word & Void books, and as good as the Shannara books.
From the E-Book:
"Eight centuries ago the first Knight of the Word was commissioned to combat the demonic evil of the Void. Now that daunting legacy has passed to John Ross--along with powerful magic and the knowledge that his actions are all that stand between a living hell and humanity's future.
Then, after decades of service to the Word, an unspeakable act of violence shatters John Ross's weary faith. Haunted by guilt, he turns his back on his dread gift, settling down to build a normal life, untroubled by demons and nightmares.
But a fallen Knight makes a tempting prize for the Void, which could bend the Knight's magic to its own evil ends. And once the demons on Ross's trail track him to Seattle, neither he nor anyone close to him will be safe. His only hope is Nest Freemark, a college student who wields an extraordinary magic all her own. Five years earlier, Ross had aided Nest when the future of humanity rested upon her choice between Word and Void. Now Nest must return the favor. She must restore Ross's faith, or his life--and hers--will be forfeit . . ."
The first of the tie-in books did a great job setting up the transition between the world of technology and the world of Shannara.
From the Hardback:
"It is a gripping chronicle of a once-familiar world now spun shockingly out of control, in which an extraordinary few struggle to salvage hope in the face of terrifying chaos.
Logan Tom is doomed to remember the past and determined to rescue the future. Far behind him lies a boyhood cut violently short by his family’s slaughter, when the forces of madness and hate swept our world after decadent excesses led to civilization’s downfall. Somewhere ahead of him rests the only chance to beat back the minions of evil that are systematically killing and enslaving the last remnants of humanity. Navigating the scarred and poisoned landscape that once was America and guided by a powerful talisman, Logan has sworn an oath to seek out a remarkable being born of magic, possessed of untold abilities, and destined to lead the final fight against darkness.
Across the country, Angel Perez, herself a survivor of the malevolent, death-dealing forces combing the land, has also been chosen for an uncanny mission in the name of her ruined world’s salvation. From the devastated streets of Los Angeles, she will journey to find a place–and a people–shrouded in mystery, celebrated in legend, and vital to the cause of humankind . . . even as a relentless foe follows close behind, bent on her extermination. While in the nearly forsaken city of Seattle, a makeshift family of refugees has carved out a tenuous existence among the street gangs, mutants, and marauders fighting to stay alive against mounting odds–and something unspeakable that has come from the shadows in search of prey.
In time, all their paths will cross. Their common purpose will draw them together. Their courage and convictions will be tested and their fates will be decided, as their singular crusade begins: to take back, or lose forever, the only world they have."
A quest to find an all powerful magic leads the newest crop of Shannara heroes into confronting something ancient.
From the Hardback:
"In these enchanting novels, a colorful contingent of characters takes to the skies aboard a magnificent airship–the Jerle Shannara–on a quest fraught with wonder and danger.
Ilse Witch
A half-drowned elf carries a map covered with cryptic symbols–and Walker Boh, the last of the Druids, has the skill to decipher them. But someone else understands the map’s significance: the ruthless Ilse Witch, who will stop at nothing to possess it–and the powerful magic it leads to.
Antrax
While in search of the elusive magic, Walker Boh is lured into a trap–caught in a dark maze beneath a ruined city, stalked by a hungry, unseen enemy. It is Antrax: a spirit that feeds off enchantment and traps the souls of men. Now the fate of the Four Lands hangs in the balance.
Morgawr
The intrepid heroes aboard the Jerle Shannara have reached their breaking point. A centuries-old sorcerer, the Morgawr, vows to find and control the fabled ancient books of magic–and he is an adversary of awesome might with a fleet of airships and a crew of walking dead men at his command. "
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