Review: Academ's Fury by Jim Butcher

Title: Academ's Fury
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: Codex Alera #2
Genre: Epic Fantasy/Sci-fi
Publisher: Ace
Publication Date: November 28th, 2006
Edition: Kindle Edition, 720 pages
Source: Library
Purchase: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | BAM | Book Depository | Bookshop | Powell's | Thriftbooks

 

 

 

Synopsis:

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. 

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  This book was such a jump up in every way from the first book. Book one did a great job setting up the world and introducing us to the characters. And this book took that and ran with it to develop a really interesting world and magic system. Expanding the world and the plot. I also noticed more of the Roman Empire inspiration in this book than I did in the first book.

  I am so glad the conflict of the series expanded into something more than just the various houses trying to vie for power. The Vord are honestly kind of scary, and a much more interesting villain than noble houses. The Marat are still a mystery to me, but I do like that race of people. The introduction of the Canim was interesting, I wouldn't have expected wolf-people to be part of this world, but I am interested in learning more about them as a 'people'.

 

  Tavi had his personal antagonist/bully, who I really hope gets what's coming to them soon. They are, in a lot of ways, a stereotype high school bully but there's also an element that ties it in with the bigger conflict. The character, Brencis, is what I would call unhinged. He seems to garner enjoyment over inflicting pain on those he deems less than himself. I do wonder if there is something else going on that we have yet to learn about when it comes to that aspect of his character. I would like it to be more than he's a psychopath who likes to cause others pain, but who knows.

 I was regrettably a little bored reading Isana's chapters. There weren't that many, but I kind of wish she had a more of a role in this book, especially considering half the plot revolved around her. There is a mysterious part of her backstory that has yet to be revealed in full, and I am very curious about what it is. There is a small hint at the end of the book, but I know there's more to it, and I hope it's revealed soon. There are only six books in the series, and I don't want it dragged out until nearly the end of the series.

  In the chapters with Bernard and Amara, I was never sure when they were happening in relation to the events happening in the capital with Tavi and Isana. Those were the very fast-paced action-packed chapters, but I didn't know when they were happening. Though these were the chapters that really showed the threat The Vord be if they aren't stopped.

  I am really loving this series, I might delve back into the Dresden Files after I'm done with this series. And then read his other Steampunk series that currently only has one book out.