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kellhus's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
stuckinafictionaluniverse's review against another edition
2.0
Academ's Fury is the sequel to Furies of Calderon - one of my favorite books of 2014.
This was such a disappointment. In my review for the previous book, I said that the length of it didn't bother me. Normally a 600-page novel is intimidating and something I procrastine picking up. In this sequel, the page count is even higher ; 700. It felt like 1000, and that's where this book failed.
The plot is oh so slow, filled with a dozen storylines that don't come together until the very end. It's mostly about the politics and war in Alera, and it quickly became boring to read.
We follow many different people, and I enjoyed Tavi's chapters ten times more than Amara's, for an example. I like the innocence and light that our main hero brings to the series, while Amara and Bernard's point of views were about plotting their next step in battle.
I was shocked when I found out that two years have passed since the first book, and Tavi's character development is superb. He's back and more confident and independent.
Furyless or not; he is a real fighter, but there are still traces in him of the compassionate and a little naive young boy we saw in book one.
I needed more of him and Kitai.
The new characters were really likeable, and I hope we see them more in the latter books. My favorites including the hilarious and charming Max, as well as the strong and determined Lady Aquitaine.
Jim Butcher's world-building is still solid, although it's a little hard to remember which creature is which and how they look.
Overall, Academ's Fury was okay. There's a lot of exciting action in there, and it leaves off at an interesting place, with great potential for the next installments.
I just hope the politics take a backseat and let the wonderful characters and fascinating magic system shine.
P.S: This series is in desperate need of a character list, because all the names are spinning around in my head.
Seriously, a character list and a map should be recquired for every high/epic fantasy book.
This was such a disappointment. In my review for the previous book, I said that the length of it didn't bother me. Normally a 600-page novel is intimidating and something I procrastine picking up. In this sequel, the page count is even higher ; 700. It felt like 1000, and that's where this book failed.
The plot is oh so slow, filled with a dozen storylines that don't come together until the very end. It's mostly about the politics and war in Alera, and it quickly became boring to read.
We follow many different people, and I enjoyed Tavi's chapters ten times more than Amara's, for an example. I like the innocence and light that our main hero brings to the series, while Amara and Bernard's point of views were about plotting their next step in battle.
I was shocked when I found out that two years have passed since the first book, and Tavi's character development is superb. He's back and more confident and independent.
Furyless or not; he is a real fighter, but there are still traces in him of the compassionate and a little naive young boy we saw in book one.
I needed more of him and Kitai.
The new characters were really likeable, and I hope we see them more in the latter books. My favorites including the hilarious and charming Max, as well as the strong and determined Lady Aquitaine.
Jim Butcher's world-building is still solid, although it's a little hard to remember which creature is which and how they look.
Overall, Academ's Fury was okay. There's a lot of exciting action in there, and it leaves off at an interesting place, with great potential for the next installments.
I just hope the politics take a backseat and let the wonderful characters and fascinating magic system shine.
P.S: This series is in desperate need of a character list, because all the names are spinning around in my head.
Seriously, a character list and a map should be recquired for every high/epic fantasy book.
sparkly_eevee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kistlkd's review against another edition
5.0
Oh man, an amazing book. So. Much. Action. Great story, and everything comes together beautifully! 100% recommend for fantasy and war fiction
eusteph's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
stuck between a 4.5 and 4.25 so I'll go with the latter
Highly recommend the audiobook if you can't get a hold of the physical book. The narration was incredible.
Furies of Calderon was one of the best books I read in 2023, so, needless to say, the expectations for this sequel were through the roof.
I was very happy to read more on Tavi's evolution as a student and the development of his relationship with those surrounding him.
I will say that there were a few parts of this book that dragged a bit if compared to the first one (which I could've easily read in one sitting) but that doesn't detract from the amazing world building and character development here.
I already own book three so I know that I will eventually read it. It's only a matter of when.
Highly recommend the audiobook if you can't get a hold of the physical book. The narration was incredible.
Furies of Calderon was one of the best books I read in 2023, so, needless to say, the expectations for this sequel were through the roof.
I was very happy to read more on Tavi's evolution as a student and the development of his relationship with those surrounding him.
I will say that there were a few parts of this book that dragged a bit if compared to the first one (which I could've easily read in one sitting) but that doesn't detract from the amazing world building and character development here.
I already own book three so I know that I will eventually read it. It's only a matter of when.
lighthuis's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
pat17's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
itsfreelancer's review against another edition
5.0
Let me just tell you right there. This one was phenomenal.
If you've read the first one, you'd know the young boy Tavi has finally fulfilled his dream of studying at the Academy. Thanks to avoiding the war between the Alerans and the savage Marat. However, things aren't actually going to plan.
This book made me realise how much I miss Hogwarts and every other institutional body where students are involved. The seed of the background story arc was planted in the first book but this is where it grows roots. If you thought, the Marat were barbarians, wait till you meet the foe of this one.
Tavi, now an Academ is busy doing what every other student would do. Try to fit in in a world where furies take precedent over wits. The villains of the first book (not the Marat) aren't sitting idle either. Plots under plots threaten the stability and only Amarra, Bernard and Isana are gradually drawn into a secret war of espionage and politics. If it wasn't exciting enough, the second half of the book picks up speed and refuses to decelerate.
An attack at the centre of power threatened whatever normal life our young hero had. Dangerous pacts, jail breaks and diabolical facades threatens the Realm from internal foes as much as from others. Meanwhile, an ancient enemy has risen. And you Tavi, might have been a part of it.
I didn't pause, sleep or eat. And every second was worth the time.
If you've read the first one, you'd know the young boy Tavi has finally fulfilled his dream of studying at the Academy. Thanks to avoiding the war between the Alerans and the savage Marat. However, things aren't actually going to plan.
This book made me realise how much I miss Hogwarts and every other institutional body where students are involved. The seed of the background story arc was planted in the first book but this is where it grows roots. If you thought, the Marat were barbarians, wait till you meet the foe of this one.
Tavi, now an Academ is busy doing what every other student would do. Try to fit in in a world where furies take precedent over wits. The villains of the first book (not the Marat) aren't sitting idle either. Plots under plots threaten the stability and only Amarra, Bernard and Isana are gradually drawn into a secret war of espionage and politics. If it wasn't exciting enough, the second half of the book picks up speed and refuses to decelerate.
An attack at the centre of power threatened whatever normal life our young hero had. Dangerous pacts, jail breaks and diabolical facades threatens the Realm from internal foes as much as from others. Meanwhile, an ancient enemy has risen. And you Tavi, might have been a part of it.
I didn't pause, sleep or eat. And every second was worth the time.