Scan barcode
apryde6226's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of the better books in the Codex Alera. If everyone has a fury, the ability to control air, fire, water, earth, or metal but you didn't and had to live by your wits, you would be in the situation that Tavi was in. About 17 years old, he's a page to the first lord (king) of Alera. When the First Lord drops from exhaustion, he keeps things going by his wits and his friends. Great story.
cameronkc's review against another edition
4.0
This book is full of great pacing and the story jumps around at critical points keeping you invested and reading. I loved the battles, both large and small and the enemies are varied and as interesting as the main characters. Butcher writes in a fast-paced style; things are happening all the time. However, he plays a long game with larger story arcs just barely teasing them out.
This book takes place 2yrs after the first and I like that all the new found skills and education wasn't learned overnight. Furries. Not just weirdos in bear costumes anymore.
This book takes place 2yrs after the first and I like that all the new found skills and education wasn't learned overnight. Furries. Not just weirdos in bear costumes anymore.
sassyporcupine's review against another edition
3.0
This book got weird. While I do like the characters a great deal, the soul sucking void creatures part made me wonder why I was reading it.
natalie_ayerdis's review against another edition
3.0
I gave this book three stars. I liked it. The constant action kept it exciting and made me want to keep reading, but the book was predictable and cheesy. I liked the first book because it was something new and the action made it a really good read, but the obnoxious elements of the writing really started to shine through in the second book, and if they continue, I don't know if I will be able to make it through four more books. The human interactions are all ridiculous and not at all lifelike, and every time a new trial arose for one of the characters, you knew exactly how it was going to end because Jim Butcher likes happy endings and refuses to kill one of his heroes to create emotion or surprise. I will keep reading in hopes that the books become less sappy, but my hopes aren't high.
lundos's review against another edition
3.0
Actually more of the same as the first one. Same characters, same enemies, same build up. Less (no) surprises but fast-paced and not boring.
EDIT: It was actually better the second time around. Amara, Bernhard, Isara, Max, and especially Tavi are all 'goody two-shoes' characters, and a lot of them are it in the same way, even if they are all very different. This can be annoying in the earlier books, but there's a reason for it and it is necessary for the characters to have had behaved consistently throughout the books. Only Tavi has an interesting arc, though.
EDIT: It was actually better the second time around. Amara, Bernhard, Isara, Max, and especially Tavi are all 'goody two-shoes' characters, and a lot of them are it in the same way, even if they are all very different. This can be annoying in the earlier books, but there's a reason for it and it is necessary for the characters to have had behaved consistently throughout the books. Only Tavi has an interesting arc, though.
papalbina's review against another edition
4.0
Me encanta Tavi, le adoro tanto como a Garion... Es uno de mis personajes favoritos de la literatura últimamente, y me encanta su relación con Kitai.
Ahora bien, mi problema con este libro es que se me ha difuminado mogollón la línea del tiempo y al final no me ha quedado claro si todo pasaba en una noche (si es así, vaya nochecita más movida y más larga, señor) o había más días... También me pasó en el primero, pero en este se ha agravado bastante...
Y a todo esto, ¿Tavi se pasa todo el libro con sueño y hambre y sin tiempo para hacer ninguna de las dos cosas o cómo va esto? fO.o
Anyway, que me encanta esta saga, más aún sabiendo cómo surgió, y ya tengo el tercer libro preparado :)
Ahora bien, mi problema con este libro es que se me ha difuminado mogollón la línea del tiempo y al final no me ha quedado claro si todo pasaba en una noche (si es así, vaya nochecita más movida y más larga, señor) o había más días... También me pasó en el primero, pero en este se ha agravado bastante...
Y a todo esto, ¿Tavi se pasa todo el libro con sueño y hambre y sin tiempo para hacer ninguna de las dos cosas o cómo va esto? fO.o
Anyway, que me encanta esta saga, más aún sabiendo cómo surgió, y ya tengo el tercer libro preparado :)
chapmanhughes96's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
jaredwsaltz's review against another edition
3.0
A more nuanced follow up to Butcher's epic fantasy world. We continue to follow the story line of the major characters as the world continues to spiral into chaos, held together by the few people left who actually care. It emphasizes the choices of the few, as well as the price--and power--of remaining steadfast and ethical in a world of politics. What Butcher loses in his shield-and-spell fantasy, he makes up for in his complex (in a good way) presentation of good and evil. While good and evil are mutually exclusive, many times those who are evil don't see themselves as such. Butcher's best character comes from the point of view of the traitor--ironically name Fidelius--as he considers his true allegiance to country to crown and hints as the possibilities of redemption.
Other than the presentation of a few more complex characters, the book suffers from the woes of the sub-genre, primarily dimensionless characters and passe plot. However, I will continue to read because the ideological overlay is sound and there are glimpses of true greatness. Or, as I say to my friends, "When you read as fast as I do, it's good enough to read."
---
Follow up from the second read. Ok, look. I still think the above read is fair. But I was in a better mindset to read and enjoy it for what it is rather than what it wasn't, this time around. It's a lot of fun, I like the characters, and it's comfort food. 3* is probably fair, but it's a good 3*.
Other than the presentation of a few more complex characters, the book suffers from the woes of the sub-genre, primarily dimensionless characters and passe plot. However, I will continue to read because the ideological overlay is sound and there are glimpses of true greatness. Or, as I say to my friends, "When you read as fast as I do, it's good enough to read."
---
Follow up from the second read. Ok, look. I still think the above read is fair. But I was in a better mindset to read and enjoy it for what it is rather than what it wasn't, this time around. It's a lot of fun, I like the characters, and it's comfort food. 3* is probably fair, but it's a good 3*.