Series Read: Butcher, Jim - Codex Alera series; Starts November 16, 2014

[Mary X]

I got interrupted before I could finish reading spoilers and commenting. My brother's freezer died and I had to go rearrange mine to fit in some of his stuff. Which prompted me to also tidy up some of the basement. Only to have him not come because it all fit in my parent's freezer.

[Mary X]

I'm reading some of these spoilers out of order:

@ Michelle, post 49: (view spoiler)[I suspected there was more to Fade then met the eye but who he really was never actually occurred to me. I was thinking that Isana also knew that and that's why she protected him. I also have the same suspicion about Isana and Tavi (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Would anyone be interested in starting Academ's Fury this weekend with me?

[Cynthia]

I will, Michelle.

[Mary X]

I can probably do that. I already have it and just need to load it up onto Itunes.

Finishing up a short romance audiobook now and plan to get the 3rd Walt Longmire in next. But that's also short. I have so much work to do with unpacking and stuff at home that I have been getting lots of audiobook time in lately.

[Michelle]

Prologue
(view spoiler)[I think it's interesting that Kitai is only wearing a loincloth even though it's winter. Their body temp must be much higher than the Alerans to not have the cold bother them like that. I still love Doroga. I think it's great he is still wearing the Aleran tunic from the ceremony since it would be rude not to. Maybe Tavi should gift Kitai a shirt, too. :)

The wax forest is dead. This can't be a good thing. Who do you think left the tracks? I love Kitai's concern for Tavi and Doroga's need to placate her. Their relationship is great. Poor Kitai! She wanted a horse, but the heart wants what it wants. I think their bonding is so cool, and a nice twist.

And Tavi at the academy! Finally got what he worked so hard for, and as the First Lord's page, too. Liking Sir Miles. He is brave enough to speak honestly to the First Lord and clearly has Gaius's respect and friendship.

The perfect storm, so to speak, seems to be coming to Alera. (hide spoiler)]

[Mary X]

I will start book 2 this weekend.

[Michelle]

Chapters 1-4.
(view spoiler)[The vord are scary if they can tear through 2000 Marat warriors like that. I love that Bernard has kept the relationship open and immediately heals Doroga and Hashat's people.

Tavi at the academy? No furies yet. It must be hard to wear the necklace with no beads. Even here, where he thought he would get acceptance, he's singled out and a freak. Also, I hate Brencis and his crew.

Any thoughts on why the vord left the wax forest after all this time?
(hide spoiler)]
And I found this drawing someone did of Doroga and Walker on deviant art. Not what I pictured but I think it's interesting to see people's interpretations of what they are reading!

[Cynthia]

Very interesting! I've got Academ's Fury penciled in for this weekend, but I'm trying to finish up 2 books for the Christmas quests.

[Michelle]

Chapters 5 - 11
(view spoiler)[Lots happening in this book!
The exams with Killian: poor Tavi! Killian knows how much potential Tavi has, furies or not, and it has to be hard to be singled out just to help his friends get better.

Gaius has crafted himself into a coma, and Tavi is showing signs of the man he will grow up to be. He's smart, and has a keen understanding of people. The scene with Varg shows how smart Tavi really is.

Isana is in danger, and she's unhappy with Gaius still. That resentment runs deep, and she finally had it out with Amara. I'm glad Amara said something. It shows she is getting serious with Bernard and doesn't want the walls between her and Isana.

The politics of this series is interesting--I like the women's rights angle and how Isana is becoming the face of it.

Any thoughts about the ring Isana has hidden?
(hide spoiler)]

[Mary X]

I plan on starting it soon.

[Cynthia]

Prologue - Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[
I can't believe what Tavi is going through! I really thought he was going to thrive at the Academy, and instead it's worse. I should have seen it, but I didn't. Even in Alera kids are mean in high school. Seems like they don't have a 'no bullying' policy.

I'm so happy to see that 2 years down the road, Bernard and Amara are still together. That was the best thing to come out of the first book.

I'm dreading the vord. Sounds like the Borg. (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Up through chapter 15 in Academ's. I'll post tonight after work. I had to work a long shift yesterday so I didn't get any reading time.
Lots of political intrigue happening in Alera!

[Michelle]

Chapters 12-15
(view spoiler)[Isana is still in danger even though she's made it to Alera Imperial for Wintersend. Gaius is in bad shape and may not make it out of his coma, and a relatively inexperienced crafter like Max is expected to impersonate him? Max must have some serious crafting chops. Tavi should be glad to have him in his corner.

And Aricholt is deserted? Creepy if the vord made an entire steadholt disappear!

Also, still loving Bernard and Amara. And Doroga is too funny. He's my favorite!
(hide spoiler)]

Oh, can't believe I forgot about my favorite part!
(view spoiler)[Fade is Sir Miles's brother?? (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

Gaah I don't think I've read that far. I'll catch up tonight.

[Michelle]

Still rolling with Academ's. Up to chapter 30 now.
(view spoiler)[One of the things I love about this one is the strong friendships Tavi has forged at the Academy. It is clear that he and Max will be life-long friends, and Ehren and Gaelle will risk their lives for him, too. He is lucky to have found them, especially Max. Even though he is still a furyless freak, he has loyal friends to back him up. (hide spoiler)]

[Mary X]

I haven't started book 2 yet. I decided to drop my Kindle Unlimited membership before it renews on the 17th. So trying to squeeze as many of those books in as I can. I know I won't get my money's worth out of it once I start classes in January.

[Michelle]

This one is a really good one, Mary! I'll definitely chat with you about it once you start.

[Cynthia]

I'm up to Chapter 17, so I can finally read Michelle's spoilers. And say YES! What she said! (view spoiler)[ Okay, now we know who Fade really is, but we don't know the what and why of it. And I'm still stomping my feet and demanding to know who Tavi's real parents are because I don't buy for a minute that Isana isn't his real mother. Sister? What sister? Bernard grieves like crazy for his dead wife and we never hear him say a word about a sister? Don't buy it.

Yes, Doroga is hilarious and smart. I have trouble picturing him though, which is probably a good thing. I've decided that in my mind movie he is played by Idris Elba. Because all the hot dark men in my mind movies are played by Idris Elba, but only because he's so talented. (Are you believing that for a minute?) (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

All finished! So much happens in the last 100 pages of this book. I can't wait to hear what you all think.

(view spoiler)[
The vord are scary. Scary!

I love Tavi and Kitai. Love them. The scene when they are talking in his dorm room was so great.

Bernard and Amara secretly married. Do you think Gaius will have an issue with it? After all, they are both titled citizens.

Sir Miles clearly understood what was going on once he found out who Fade was. I'm glad he will keep the secret.
The politics in this book are so well done. Aquitaine, Kalare, spies, Canim, the First Lord. Isana made a decision to align with Aquitaine, but was it the right one?

And Cynthia, you were right! Tavi is Isana's son. Can't wait for the next book. (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Cynthia, have you been able to finish yet?

[Roc]

Fell behind on this one but started Academ Fury last night.

[Cynthia]

No, I haven't finished yet. I got caught out with flu. I just can't focus much.

[Michelle]

@Cynthia: No worries! The last 100 pages are intense. You will need to focus!
@Roc, looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

[Mary X]

I haven't managed to start book 2 yet.

[Michelle]

I'll wait to start until you all can get through . I'm enjoying talking about this so much that I want to wait!

[Mary X]

I started book 2 yesterday. Please tell me it isn't 17 discs of Tavi battling the school bully.

[Michelle]

No, but Tavi does get picked on a bit! Poor guy.

[Cynthia]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I started book 2 yesterday. Please tell me it isn't 17 discs of Tavi battling the school bully."

No, but it's not even remotely as good as the first book. I don't know if I would have finished were it not a buddy read. Not awful, but just not as good as some of the other books I'm currently reading.

I'm taking a bit of a break from the series to give some other series a go.

[Mary X]

I got a little further. Book 2: (view spoiler)[Very curious as to what the "thing" is that escaped from the wax forest. (hide spoiler)]

[Mary X]

I'm not as into book 2 as I was with book 1. I'm not a big fan of court politics type books. I have been listening and I'm disc 5 of (I think) 16. I'm just after (view spoiler)[Gaius is in the coma, Max has been recruited to pose as him but he hasn't yet in the book. Isana, Amara and Bernard are traveling to the capital or wherever Tavi and Gaius are. Kind of cruel that they make female cursors barren. I wonder if they do the same to the males (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Mary, the tone of this one is definitely different than the first. Much more political maneuvering. I remember liking the first book the most in the series, but after I have read the whole thing and now am doing a re-read, I enjoyed this one more this time around. In regard to (view spoiler)[Amara being barren, it was because of the blought when she was young, not because she was a cursor. Although it might be more appealing to choose cursors who won't have distractions outside of serving the First Lord. (hide spoiler)]

[Mary X]

Ah ok. I guess I misinterpreted the meaning when they were talking about that.