Isaac has settled into his new role as a researcher trying to determine the source of the dark magic that lurks inside books and threatens to destroy the world. However, when a wendigo is found murder and Isaac is asked to help investigate it reveals a larger conspiracy that threatens everyone Isaac cares about.

As the second book in the Magic Ex Libris series, this book suffers a bit in comparison with the first volume. It's full of action and plenty of references to delight any book nerd (particularly SFF readers) but the darker plot means this book doesn't feel quite as fun as the first volume. That said, it sets up a development for the larger conflict that has me willing to pick up the next volume. A solid read but not quite as sparkling as I'd hoped. ( )

“My name is Isaac Vainio,” I said. “You smashed my library. Prepare to die.”

This time around, the stakes are higher. We learn a bit more about the history of magic in the world and Libriomancy in particular, including a way that doesn't require Gutenberg's presses to come into being, which isn't something I had even considered. On top of that, we get some technomancy, more looks at the big nasties that live in books, and a big magical showdown.

Characterwise, I like seeing how Isaac is growing, both in power and in confidence. His relationships with Lena, with Nidhi, and with Gunteberg are all fascinating in different ways.

“You don’t believe in the risks. Not to you. You think you’re too clever, just like every other Porter who ended up destroying themselves.”

We also get a lot more about Lena, which is a plus. She's a fascinating character, given her somewhat artificial origin, but entirely 'real' nature. This book takes the kind of unfortunate way that her needs were described in the first book and explores them much more deeply, both in the modern day with Isaac and Nidhi and in flashbacks when she was first 'born'. It's still an uncomfortable story line at times, but I think it's dealt with in a much better manner in Codex Born.

Worldbuildingwise, we get a few more magical beasties (werewolves and wendigos oh my) and constructs (a colony of metal bugs that can grow and evolve, very cool). Along with that, we can finally answer a question I had from the first book (given that I read these on my Kindle): how does Libriomancy work with ebooks?

On the other hand, this only feels sort of related to the first book. We have the same world, most of the same characters, but the big bads (at least at first) seem to have shifted gears. The final battle feels a bit abrupt, even if it is pretty epic.

Overall, worth the follow up. I look forward to seeing where this goes next.

‘If you really want to kill a libriomancer, hook a bomb up to a big red button and tell him not to press it.’

( )

Perfectly cromulent. Lots of inside jokes for SciFi and fantasy nerds and maybe a little smug about it, but that's right up my alley. ( )

Did he really have to do that to Jeneta? I know, I know, middle of a trilogy, setting up the final book. But still.... ( )

Jim Hines has done it again with another fun, fantasy novel in the Magic Ex Libris series. This story continues a short time after the first novel, and I felt was a great sequel. Hines has a easy reading style of writing that even YA readers would love, and carries some great fantasy ideas that even adults will enjoy reading.

Spoilers follow

It was good to see some more background develop: about the Porters, and their creation. Even more additional story about Gutenberg. The introduction of the Asian magic (and it's style) was interesting as well, seeing how ... well, don't want to spoil too much. Though Lena's background as far as her appearance in our world was basic in the first novel, this one centers more around her than Isaac, though as one of her lovers, he plays a major role. I thought the ending a bit blase, but still leaves me hanging on wanting to know what happens next, as I feel Hines has left a nice hook for the next book in this series. ( )