madamgreene's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.75
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
The story was very slow in the beginning, but it truly had to be so, in order to make sure all the politics of Alera was clear. I thought it was very clever to make the different peoples as different as they were. With different customs, different looks, different ways to teach the young and different ways of dealing with problems. Because through all these differences, they showed that they can still be very much alike, and that is something that people in the real world sometimes forget. The fact that the Aleran's were almost a different species form the Morat's made Kitai and Tavi's friendship even more of a treasure.
The story followed the four lead characters from the first book, Tavi, Bernard, Amara and Isana. However, the fact that both Doroga and Kitai were present as well made the voyage in the capital of Alera a little easier, as the navigations were made everywhere by characters the readers already knew.
Tavi had already grown a lot from the first book to the second, and his growth in this book was amazing. He is so smart and quick, and even without furycrafting, he is very strong. He is the kind of hero I can easily cheer for.
Bernard and Amara's story is both sweet and sad, but they both needed to figure out what is important to them in their own lives, and not only in their oaths to the realm.
The fight scenes were totally awesome! All of the fight scenes were extremely well written, and I actually almost felt a little winded at some points. Because the readers enter the mind of the characters, and the characters are so well written that it feels like we actually know them, the fight scenes seemed more real than in most books I have read. And all of the fights were pushed forward both by a sense of greater duty as well as the love the characters had for someone in their fighting party.
The ending was something I had already thought about when I finished the first book. And I really look forward to seeing how this will continue to fold out and move along.
The story was very slow in the beginning, but it truly had to be so, in order to make sure all the politics of Alera was clear. I thought it was very clever to make the different peoples as different as they were. With different customs, different looks, different ways to teach the young and different ways of dealing with problems. Because through all these differences, they showed that they can still be very much alike, and that is something that people in the real world sometimes forget. The fact that the Aleran's were almost a different species form the Morat's made Kitai and Tavi's friendship even more of a treasure.
The story followed the four lead characters from the first book, Tavi, Bernard, Amara and Isana. However, the fact that both Doroga and Kitai were present as well made the voyage in the capital of Alera a little easier, as the navigations were made everywhere by characters the readers already knew.
Tavi had already grown a lot from the first book to the second, and his growth in this book was amazing. He is so smart and quick, and even without furycrafting, he is very strong. He is the kind of hero I can easily cheer for.
Bernard and Amara's story is both sweet and sad, but they both needed to figure out what is important to them in their own lives, and not only in their oaths to the realm.
The fight scenes were totally awesome! All of the fight scenes were extremely well written, and I actually almost felt a little winded at some points. Because the readers enter the mind of the characters, and the characters are so well written that it feels like we actually know them, the fight scenes seemed more real than in most books I have read. And all of the fights were pushed forward both by a sense of greater duty as well as the love the characters had for someone in their fighting party.
The ending was something I had already thought about when I finished the first book.
Spoiler
Tavi must be Isana's and Gaiu's sonkutterek's review against another edition
5.0
It gets even better!
The sequel is even better than the first book. More world building, character development, intrigue and action. I can’t wait to start the next one!
The sequel is even better than the first book. More world building, character development, intrigue and action. I can’t wait to start the next one!
bigbear73's review against another edition
5.0
He doesn't know me, but Jim Butcher is now my best friend.
Don't think about it; just read these.
Don't think about it; just read these.
countkrunk's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
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
4.5
abigcoffeedragon's review against another edition
5.0
The Codex Alera strikes again - plenty of action and intrigue - less focus on what it takes to summon the furies and more on using them - the first book, though great, had more explanation at how the things worked, but now, it just moves forward, adding a new races, and a new enemy, and flipping the script a bit from the first book making allies out of enemies, and learning more about the world - I love this series and I am ready for book three!!!
saoki's review against another edition
4.0
Another page-turner from Jim Butcher, and actually better than the first book in the series. I won't say anything else, since there are enough reviews already. It's good. Read it.
tomwright's review against another edition
5.0
Maybe better than the first book. Hard to say. There's a lot to be said for non-stop action. But I won't say it. Just read it.
You're welcome.
You're welcome.
gabe_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Enjoyed this considerably more than the first one! I liked the setting of the capital, and all the new characters. I like how much the main cast has developed, and the increased political intrigue and scheming.
I also thought the pace was a lot faster, which I was a big fan of. I particularly loved when the really high level crafter's went all out. It's just so satisfying. But also Tavi's fighting has improved, which has been fun.
I also thought the pace was a lot faster, which I was a big fan of. I particularly loved when the really high level crafter's went all out. It's just so satisfying. But also Tavi's fighting has improved, which has been fun.