Codex Born

Codex Born
by Jim C. Hines

In Codex Born, the second of the Magic Ex Libris series of modern fantasy novels, author Jim C. Hines ramps up the action from the first book Libriomancer. These novels are tremendously fun — Hines has created a magical system unlike any I've seen in fantasy books before. The magic users here base their skills on works of literature — they can literally tap into other written works to find the tools, spells, equipment and/or energy necessary to practice their own magic. For this adventure, our hero, librarian Isaac Vainio has settled into his role a magical researcher, and is still getting used to his intense relationship with the Dryad Lena Greenwood. When attacks on the local supernatural community force Isaac to become more of a participant and less of an observer, he quickly discovers that there are serious threats to the magical world — threats he may not have the allies and resources to effectively counter. Although this novel definitely feels like a storyline set in the middle of a much larger plot, it still moves that plot along effectively, introducing new twists to Hines magical worldview. Fans of the works of Jim Butcher or Rachel Caine should enjoy this series. I really enjoyed the way the author looks at the character of Lena Greenwood — who was pulled into Isaac's world as a stereotypical "character type" from a pulp novel, but who is now self-aware and knows that she was "written to be a certain way". I highly recommend this series. -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [ see Scott's Reviewer Profile and more of his reviews ]

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Libriomancer, the first book in the series.]

[ official Jim C. Hines web site ]

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