Jim Butcher: Academ's Fury

Hi everyone

Academ's Fury, the second book in Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series is a hefty tome so it took some time to finish.
While you could jump into this book without reading Furies of Calderon first, I really wouldn’t recommend it. The story builds on the first book, and you’ll miss out on a lot of the worldbuilding and character development if you skip it. 
I read this on my e-reader.

"For centuries, the people of Alera have harnessed the furies—elementals of earth, air, fire, water, wood, and metal—to protect their land from aggressors. But no fury can save them from the dangers they face within. A mysterious attack from across the sea has weakened the First Lord. Should he fall, a bloody civil war is inevitable. The responsibility of fending off assassination attempts and treachery within the First Lord’s circle of spies falls on Tavi, the one man with no fury to call..."

Don’t expect this series to blow you away with groundbreaking magic or a completely unique world. If you’re looking for something totally new or different, this isn't it. But what Academ’s Fury lacks in originality, it more than makes up for in entertainment, action and fun. The plot is packed with political schemes, action, and characters you can’t help but root for.

Tavi is a compelling character to follow. I also enjoyed getting to know the other characters better, especially Isana, who is now the first female steadholder. I'm on the fence with the romance between Amara and Bernard. I like their love and happiness but the constant focus on her inability to have children felt repetitive. Once was enough, and the whole “breaking it off because of duty” twist just didn’t work for me.

What really stood out to me is how Butcher blurs the lines between good and evil. Characters you think are villains turn out to have understandable motives, and the moral gray areas make the story feel more realistic. Don't worry, there are still actual true villains as well. Villains you can truly hate.
The action scenes, as always with Butcher, are gripping and well-written. I could barely put the book down!

That said, there were moments where I felt some scenes dragged on a bit too long, certain points were repeated more than necessary (Amara) and some things were too easy or convenient. But that didn’t stop me from enjoying the world, the characters, and the tension Butcher builds so well.

I’m looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds in the next books. 
If you love fantasy with a mix of political intrigue, action, and characters who feel real, this series is worth checking out!
Have you read Academ’s Fury or any of the Codex Alera books? What did you think? Let me know; I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena

Jim Butcher: Furies of Calderon

Hi everyone

Furies of Calderon is het first book in The Codex Alera series, written by Jim Butcher. I read this on my e-reader.

"For a thousand years, the people of Alera have united against the aggressive and threatening races that inhabit the world, using their unique bond with the furies - elementals of earth, air, fire, water, and metal. But now, Gaius Sextus, First Lord of Alera, grows old and lacks an heir. Ambitious High Lords plot and maneuver to place their Houses in positions of power, and a war of succession looms on the horizon. Far from city politics in the Calderon Valley, the boy Tavi struggles with his lack of furycrafting. At fifteen, he has no wind fury to help him fly, no fire fury to light his lamps. Yet as the Alerans' most savage enemy - the Marat - return to the Valley, he will discover that his destiny is much greater than he could ever imagine. Caught in a storm of deadly wind furies, Tavi saves the life of a runaway slave named Amara. But she is actually a spy for Gaius Sextus, sent to the Valley to gather intelligence on traitors to the Crown, who may be in league with the barbaric Marat horde. And when the Valley erupts in chaos - when rebels war with loyalists and furies clash with furies - Amara will find Tavi's courage and resourcefulness to be a power greater than any fury - one that could turn the tides of war."

I liked this but I didn't love it.  

The characters were great, they were nuanced, relatable and well -developed. Tavi, in particular, is a compelling protagonist because of his lack of furycrafting, which forces him to rely on wit and courage instead of magic.
The magic is interesting (but I would like to know more about it) and the worldbuilding is solid and immersive.

The plot felt rather thin and predictable. Some things were repeated too often, which started to grate on my nerves. That said, the pace is fast, and there’s plenty of action to keep things engaging, even if the story doesn’t surprise you much.

I will read the second book because the series has promise and I'm curious to see where it goes, but we'll see about reading the complete series after the second (or third) book.
Plus, since I really, really enjoy The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, I’m willing to give The Codex Alera series more of a chance.

Have you read Furies of Calderon? Did you feel the same way, or did it grab you more than it did me? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Happy reading!
Helena