Academ's Fury (Codex Alera, #2) in Building a SciFi/Fantasy Library

Apr 23, 2019 John rated it liked it

If you'd asked me, I would have sworn that I read the first several books in this series, but perhaps I only read the first and then called it a day, underwhelmed? Because I don't have this marked as read previously and didn't write a review (which was something I actually managed to do 9 years ago, or whenever it was that I thought I'd read this). Not to mention that I didn't really remember any of the things that happened when I listened to this audiobook.

I'm not going to manage a very detail If you'd asked me, I would have sworn that I read the first several books in this series, but perhaps I only read the first and then called it a day, underwhelmed? Because I don't have this marked as read previously and didn't write a review (which was something I actually managed to do 9 years ago, or whenever it was that I thought I'd read this). Not to mention that I didn't really remember any of the things that happened when I listened to this audiobook.

I'm not going to manage a very detailed review here, but here's the conclusion that I found myself reaching: it was fine.

It reminded me of reading Brandon Sanderson: some interesting stuff, a decent story and very competent writing. It's not brilliant, it's not going to take a place as one of my favorites, but I didn't feel like I wasted my time, either. It also feels like a story with a heavy dose of plot armor, which is fine, I guess. It is what it is.

I remember hearing one time that the series grew out of a bet, that Butcher couldn't write a decent story out of a lame idea, and he took the bet based on two "lame" idea: lost Roman legion and Pokemon. You could easily add a third, I think: farm boy becomes most important person in the world. Although Tavi has been set up as unique among Aleran society because he doesn't have any of the magic (Fury crafting) that his countrymen all have, even if only weakly, I think it's been clear that we should expect a certain amount of power creep. In this volume, we seem him building off his native talents to find ways to defeat others with strong Fury powers based on his intelligence, quick thinking, and developing fighting ability. In the epilogue, (view spoiler) ...more

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Jan 24, 2008 Jeffrey rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, read-in-2009, re-read, read-in-2008

Between books this week and wanted some good entertainment so zoomed through this book and its next two sequels. Definitely the high water mark of this series were the first 4 books. There is something very likeable about the character and what he accomplishes using his wits and guile against others who have magic

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Apr 20, 2014 Annie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sf-f

Book two and I'm really starting to get into the series now. It was a little slow to start, but Butcher is an amazing builder of worlds. ...more

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Mar 05, 2009 Lbd rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy

Book two of the codex alera. Enjoyed the multifaceted characters, twists and plots, political intrique, and lots of action. Got a little confusing between chapters as to which action set was going on. But it's a fast read. ...more

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Mar 05, 2008 LeAlan rated it it was amazing

Jim Butcher really knows how to lead a reader along and make him thrist for more and more. This series is almost better than the Dresden files. Not quite, but almost.

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