Academ's Fury

Codex Alera, Book 2

By: Jim Butcher

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 21 hrs

Publisher's summary

For 1,000 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, the unity of the Alerians hangs in precarious balance. The first lord of Alera has fallen in his efforts to protect his people from the vicious attacks of their enemies. Now, the fate of the Alerians lies in the hands of Tavi, a young man who must use all of his courage and resourcefulness to save his people.

©2006 Jim Butcher (P)2008 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"High adventure with engaging characters and a satisfying conclusion.” (Locus)

"A fun romp of a book...the action is fast and furious.” (SFRevu)

“Solid world-building, intriguing characters and vivid action make this a solid addition to a marvelously entertaining series." (Publishers Weekly)

Solid Follow-Up to Book 1

Academ's Fury picks up about two years after the conclusion of the previous book, Furies of Calderon. Our hero, Tavi, is now a student at Hogw--oops! Um--at the Academy in Alera Imperia. Along with his new position as the High Lord's page, Tavi is making new friends and new enemies right and left. There's treason in the air and assassins around every corner. Meanwhile, back in Calderon Valley, the nastiest enemy of all is taking root. Not the strongest book in the series but not the weakest either. I love Jim Butcher and I enjoy his style--warts and all--and this book certainly does nothing to change that. It introduces some great characters who will play important roles in the books to come, so it is a must-read for that reason alone. Some events feel a bit contrived, and there are plenty of Harry Potter parallels; don't let any of that dissuade you. Lot's of fun to be had here, so I suggest you ignore the minor bumps in the road and just enjoy the ride.

Getting better, and getting worse.

Story has gotten better. Horns are very annoying. Chapter 50 seams to have been fixed.

Much better than the first one!

I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first one there were no weird cuts and hard stops with the reading and I found the story more engaging than the first book I am glad I read the reviews and continued the series it was worth it and I hope it continues in the same way.

Best series yet

Listened to all four and best I've heard. Jim Butcher did a great job developing characters and creating a world you can get lost in. Kate Reading is almost as good as the person who reads Harry Potter and through her voice enhances Butcher's characters. I tried Butcher's Dresden series but couldn't handle the Reader (he sniffs too much) so I will read that series because I trust Butcher not to disappoint. Unlike so many series, Codex Alera doesn't get tedious or gimmicky after the third book; it just gets better.

loved the book

My only issue is that when the producer or someone wanted to build suspense, they played a 10 second sound byte of trumpet fanfare. The same fanfare. Sometimes they played it in really odd places too.

Butcher's best work

I'm a huge fan of this series. I'm only two books in but i'm loving it. I've read a few of Butcher's other series, as well as works by Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson, and J.R.R. of course as a few favorites. The book is exciting from start to finish. I feel like it would be good for all ages, including younger adults. Its written with very little profanity, only the occasional sexual innuendo, but even then, very mild.

I love a good story

I enjoyed it. Some of the romance scenes were a bit too soap opera- like for me, but it still had a good plot, and ended with questions still left to be answered.

took a bit

first half of the first book took a bit to get into but now I am hooked.

Second book just as hot as the first!

The story keeps building. There is never a dull moment and it's done with great characters

I really like this story.

I'm impressed with this story. I'm impressed with the characters, and their development.

Things get a little too mushy for me sometimes, but nothing is ever disingenuous. And I mean *all* the characters, not just some. All of them. It's a lot more rare than I would have thought several years ago.

I'm impressed with the magic system. It's application and environmental limitations.

I'm impressed with the fighting and the detail that went into distinguishing varying levels of skill.

There's a lot to be impressed with. I suppose if someone twisted my arm for a knock, I'd say that sometimes, only occasionally, the author repeats things once too often, and people think a lot in this story. Then again, as in life, those two things go hand in hand, don't they?