For some reason i preferred this to the first book.
I think the first book had more action and plot twists, but towards the end it was just lacking something.
This book just felt more balanced. Twists weren't coming as thick and fast. Got a few "Aha! I knew that was coming!" moments which I didn't mind, as well as a few I hadn't expected.

I think I just like the political intrigue, the different factions, the unexpected truces and temporary alliances and the fact that most "villains" are still real characters just with different perspectives.
( )

500

Las descripciones de los combates son muy buenas es lo mejor del libro, asi mismo la historia si bien es interesante se siente que necesita mas matices, pero hay vueltas o momentos en donde lo griz de los personajes sale a relucir y eso provoca agradables sensaciones. Es un buen libro aun asi necesita un poco mas para llegar a ser epico. ( )

After reading the first book, I almost didn’t continue. I enjoy Butcher’s Dresden Files much more. But when I finished the last Dresden, I picked up this second in the Codex Alera series. I am truly happy I did.

Tavi’s adventures continue with the story starting two years after he becomes a student in the Academy under Gaius’ patronage. The political subterfuge and potential coups is the theme tying back to the first book, /Furies of Calderon/. The main theme of /Academ’s Fury/ is an invasion of the land by hive-mind creatures that take over by way of assimiliation (think Star Trek’s borg).

There are three plot lines that follow Tavi, Isana, and Bernard & Amara. The biggest obstacle is that First Lord Gaius is out of commission as he battles outside forces attacking all over the country. Those forces are backed by his political rivals who hope to weaken him enough to overthrow him.

Tavi assists with hiding Gaius’ collapse and learns of the invasion about half-way through the book. Isana, Bernard, and Amara know of the invasion and work to secure help from the First Lord in battling them, not knowing he’s down.

The separate plot lines were easy to follow. They were sufficiently tied up to save the day, but enough threads were left dangling that some bad things are sure to pop up later. A couple of reveals in the story keep things spicy and will lead to the third book in the series, which I will be seeking out this week. ( )

[b:Furies of Calderon|29396|Furies of Calderon (Codex Alera, #1)|Jim Butcher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1329104514s/29396.jpg|3098584] felt like fairly standard high fantasy. It had a Roman theme rather than the more common (in what I've read) Medieval European and elemental spirits for a magical theme, but it still had a fairly standard 'farmboy saves the day through strength of character and good triumphs over evil' sort of theme. There were hints of a wider world, but for the most part, it was a fairly self contained book.

[b:Academ's Fury|133664|Academ's Fury (Codex Alera, #2)|Jim Butcher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1381026900s/133664.jpg|6614430] takes all that and really starts to dig into the world building and expand the scope of the conflict. Where we only had the hints of 'weird' in the Wax Forest, now we have a fully developed and quite frankly terrifying threat in the Vord. While it's not the most original concept (the Borg among many many others), it's well done here. You really get a sense for how alien the Vord are and--worst--how smart. They learn and they won't stop until everything is Vord. Also, the Canim. Warrior wolf people. Pretty cool.

Character and plotwise, I really like the development of all the characters from the first time around--Tavi is great, Isana does what needs done and has a whole pile of secrets, Bernard and Amara are just wonderful together--along with a handful of new supporting roles with Tavi's fellow students and teachers and more of a look at Gaius Sextus.

With the changed and expanded focus and world changing threat, this is the make or break for the series. If you were so so on Furies of Calderon but gave Academ's Fury, now you know if you should finish the series or not. From what I remember (and admittedly, it's been a while), it just keeps growing from here.

Well worth the read. I look forward to listening to book three! ( )