Hugo winner Jim C. Hines's hilarious and clever Magic ex Libris series, where books come alive and libriomancer Isaac Vainio combats magical threats that spring from the page For five hundred years, the Porters have concealed the existence of magic from the world. Now, old enemies have revealed the Porters' secrets, and an even greater threat lurks in the shadows. The would-be queen Meridiana, banished for a thousand years, has returned in the body of a girl named Jeneta Aboderin. She seeks an artifact created by Pope Sylvester II, a bronze prison that would grant her the power to command an army of the dead. Michigan librarian Isaac Vainio is powerless to stop her, having been stripped of his power and his place among the Porters by Johannes Gutenberg himself. But Isaac is determined to regain his magic and to rescue his former student Jeneta. With no magic of his own, Isaac must delve into the darker side of black-market magic, where he will confront beings better left undisturbed, including the sorcerer Juan Ponce de Leon. With his loyal fire-spider Smudge, dryad warrior Lena Greenwood, and psychiatrist Nidhi Shah, Isaac races to unravel a mystery more than a thousand years old as competing magical powers battle to shape the future of the world. He will be hunted by enemies and former allies alike, and it will take all his knowledge and resourcefulness to survive as magical war threatens to spread across the globe. Isaac's choices will determine the fate of his friends, the Porters, the students of Bi Sheng, and the world. Only one thing is certain: even if he finds a way to restore his magic, he can't save them all....
Industry Reviews
"[Hines] writes joyously for the delight of his specific market. "Codex Born" is what would happen if a group of fantasy fans were to hole up in a room trying to develop a system of magic, saying, 'But what if THIS happened?'"--RT Book Reviews (for Codex Born) "The sequel to" Libriomancer" delivers more pulp fantasy action that's infused with a genuine love for books and for creating unusual--and unusually likable--characters. "--Library Journal (for Codex Born) "Nonstop action and laughter power Hines's riveting second journey into the 'peculiar life' of Isaac Vainio.... Like a good pinball game, Isaac's adventures are frantic, fascinating, and more than a little noisy. Hines supplies everything a reader needs--werewolves, ghosts, robot insects, a fire spider that eats candy, and homages to classic SF--for a very good time."--Publishers Weekly (for Codex Born) "It's all packed together with lots of over-the-top action fought with weapons pulled out of books ranging from HG Wells's SF and Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, to the Vorkosigan series from Lois McMaster Bujold."--Locus (for Codex Born) "I picked up the book meaning to read a few pages. My first thought was, 'This is a cool concept.' The second thing I thought was, 'This is really, really clever.' The third thing I thought was, 'I should have gone to sleep three hours ago.'"--Patrick Rothfuss, NYT bestselling author "Jim Hines is an engaging writer who is also greatly entertaining, and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys superior worldbuilding."--Charlaine Harris, NYT bestselling author "This may be Jim Hines' best work. "Libriomancer" is smart, silly, and deadly serious, all at the same time. It's a book about loving books. This is the magic librarian and ass-kicking dryad adventure story we've all been waiting for."--Seanan McGuire, NYT bestselling author Praise for the Magic ex Libris series: "An engaging writer who is also greatly entertaining, and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys superior worldbuilding." --Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling writer "I picked up the book meaning to read a few pages. My first thought was, 'This is a cool concept.' The second thing I thought was, 'This is really, really clever.' The third thing I thought was, 'I should have gone to sleep three hours ago.'" --Patrick Rothfuss, #1 New York Times bestselling writer "This may be Jim Hines' best work. Libriomancer is smart, silly, and deadly serious, all at the same time. It's a book about loving books." --Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling writer "Hines created a system where that magic becomes real, usable, and very definitely not always safe. This is a book for everyone who has ever wanted to pull Excalibur from the page." --Tanya Huff, bestselling author "A rich backstory and mythology that weaves history and magic and science fiction across centuries, between cultures, and around the globe." --Wired "Hines supplies everything a reader needs--werewolves, ghosts, robot insects, a fire spider that eats candy, and homages to classic SF--for a very good time." --Publishers Weekly "Bibliophiles and fantasy enthusiasts will enjoy the author's intelligent approach to both magic and literature." --Library Journal "Hines writes joyously.... Codex Born is what would happen if a group of fantasy fans were to hole up in a room trying to develop a system of magic, saying, 'But what if THIS happened?'" --RT Reviews "Libriomancer is any book-geek's dream come true. It is so much fun and an ode to books." --Book Smugglers "Isaac's story feels extremely personal and intimate, even throughout the world-changing events around him." --SF Signal "Hines has just scratched the surface of what he can do. And I can't wait to see what comes next." ----Tor.com "Equal parts quirky humor and serious emotional dissection.... Hines is one hell of an author." --Bookworm Blues "Continues to break tropes and proves that fantasy can be so much more.... Right at the top of my list of favorites along with JK Rowling's Harry Potter, Patrick Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicle, Garth Nix's Abhorsen, and Kim Harrison's Hollows." --Bibliophilic Witch "Wonderful characterizations. From a fire spider to Gutenberg himself, [Hines] makes all his characters come alive on the page." --Errand Dreams Praise for the Magic ex Libris series: "An engaging writer who is also greatly entertaining, and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys superior worldbuilding." --Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling writer "I picked up the book meaning to read a few pages. My first thought was, 'This is a cool concept.' The second thing I thought was, 'This is really, really clever.' The third thing I thought was, 'I should have gone to sleep three hours ago.'" --Patrick Rothfuss, #1 New York Times bestselling writer "This may be Jim Hines' best work. Libriomancer is smart, silly, and deadly serious, all at the same time. It's a book about loving books." --Seanan McGuire, New York Times bestselling writer "Hines created a system where that magic becomes real, usable, and very definitely not always safe. This is a book for everyone who has ever wanted to pull Excalibur from the page." --Tanya Huff, bestselling author "A rich backstory and mythology that weaves history and magic and science fiction across centuries, between cultures, and around the globe." --Wired "Hines supplies everything a reader needs--werewolves, ghosts, robot insects, a fire spider that eats candy, and homages to classic SF--for a very good time." --Publishers Weekly "Bibliophiles and fantasy enthusiasts will enjoy the author's intelligent approach to both magic and literature." --Library Journal "Hines writes joyously.... Codex Born is what would happen if a group of fantasy fans were to hole up in a room trying to develop a system of magic, saying, 'But what if THIS happened?'" --RT Reviews "Libriomancer is any book-geek's dream come true. It is so much fun and an ode to books." --Book Smugglers "Isaac's story feels extremely personal and intimate, even throughout the world-changing events around him." --SF Signal "Hines has just scratched the surface of what he can do. And I can't wait to see what comes next." ----Tor.com "Equal parts quirky humor and serious emotional dissection.... Hines is one hell of an author." --Bookworm Blues "Continues to break tropes and proves that fantasy can be so much more.... Right at the top of my list of favorites along with JK Rowling's Harry Potter, Patrick Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicle, Garth Nix's Abhorsen, and Kim Harrison's Hollows." --Bibliophilic Witch "Wonderful characterizations. From a fire spider to Gutenberg himself, [Hines] makes all his characters come alive on the page." --Errand Dreams Praise for the Magic ex Libris series: "An engaging writer who is also greatly entertaining, and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys superior worldbuilding." Charlaine Harris, #1 "New York Times" bestselling writer "I picked up the book meaning to read a few pages. My first thought was, 'This is a cool concept.' The second thing I thought was, 'This is really, really clever.' The third thing I thought was, 'I should have gone to sleep three hours ago.'" Patrick Rothfuss, #1 "New York Times" bestselling writer "This may be Jim Hines' best work. "Libriomancer" is smart, silly, and deadly serious, all at the same time. It's a book about loving books." Seanan McGuire, "New York Times" bestselling writer Hines created a system where that magic becomes real, usable, and very definitely not always safe. This is a book for everyone who has ever wanted to pull Excalibur from the page. Tanya Huff, bestselling author A rich backstory and mythology that weaves history and magic and science fiction across centuries, between cultures, and around the globe. Wired "Hines supplies everything a reader needs werewolves, ghosts, robot insects, a fire spider that eats candy, and homages to classic SF for a very good time." "Publishers Weekly" "Bibliophiles and fantasy enthusiasts will enjoy the author's intelligent approach to both magic and literature." "Library Journal" "Hines writes joyously.... "Codex Born" is what would happen if a group of fantasy fans were to hole up in a room trying to develop a system of magic, saying, 'But what if THIS happened?'" "RT Reviews" ""Libriomancer "is any book-geek's dream come true. It is so much fun and an ode to books." Book Smugglers Isaac s story feels extremely personal and intimate, even throughout the world-changing events around him. SF Signal "Hines has just scratched the surface of what he can do. And I can't wait to see what comes next." Tor.com Equal parts quirky humor and serious emotional dissection.... Hines is one hell of an author. Bookworm Blues Continues to break tropes and proves that fantasy can be so much more.... Right at the top of my list of favorites along with JK Rowling s Harry Potter, Patrick Rothfuss Kingkiller Chronicle, Garth Nix s Abhorsen, and Kim Harrison s Hollows. Bibliophilic Witch Wonderful characterizations. From a fire spider to Gutenberg himself, [Hines] makes all his characters come alive on the page. Errand Dreams " Praise for the Magic Ex Libris series: I picked up the book meaning to read a few pages. My first thought was, This is a cool concept. The second thing I thought was, This is really, really clever. The third thing I thought was, I should have gone to sleep three hours ago. Patrick Rothfuss, "New York Times"-bestselling author "Jim Hines is an engaging writer who is also greatly entertaining, and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys superior worldbuilding." Charlaine Harris, "New York Times"-bestselling author Hines has just scratched the surface of what he can do. And I can t wait to see what comes next. Tor.com [Hines] writes joyously for the delight of his specific market. "Codex Born" is what would happen if a group of fantasy fans were to hole up in a room trying to develop a system of magic, saying, But what if THIS happened? "RT Book Reviews" Nonstop action and laughter power Hines s riveting second journey into the peculiar life of Isaac Vainio . Like a good pinball game, Isaac s adventures are frantic, fascinating, and more than a little noisy. Hines supplies everything a reader needs werewolves, ghosts, robot insects, a fire spider that eats candy, and homages to classic SF for a very good time. "Publishers Weekly"" Praise for the Magic Ex Libris series: "I picked up the book meaning to read a few pages. My first thought was, 'This is a cool concept.' The second thing I thought was, 'This is really, really clever.' The third thing I thought was, 'I should have gone to sleep three hours ago.'" --Patrick Rothfuss, "New York Times"-bestselling author "Jim Hines is an engaging writer who is also greatly entertaining, and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys superior worldbuilding." --Charlaine Harris, "New York Times"-bestselling author "Hines has just scratched the surface of what he can do. And I can't wait to see what comes next." --Tor.com "[Hines] writes joyously for the delight of his specific market. "Codex Born" is what would happen if a group of fantasy fans were to hole up in a room trying to develop a system of magic, saying, 'But what if THIS happened?'" --"RT Book Reviews " "Nonstop action and laughter power Hines's riveting second journey into the 'peculiar life' of Isaac Vainio.... Like a good pinball game, Isaac's adventures are frantic, fascinating, and more than a little noisy. Hines supplies everything a reader needs--werewolves, ghosts, robot insects, a fire spider that eats candy, and homages to classic SF--for a very good time." --"Publishers Weekly" "Hines has just scratched the surface of what he can do. And I can't wait to see what comes next." --Tor.com (for Codex Born) "[Hines] writes joyously for the delight of his specific market. "Codex Born" is what would happen if a group of fantasy fans were to hole up in a room trying to develop a system of magic, saying, 'But what if THIS happened?'" --RT Book Reviews (for Codex Born) "Nonstop action and laughter power Hines's riveting second journey into the 'peculiar life' of Isaac Vainio.... Like a good pinball game, Isaac's adventures are frantic, fascinating, and more than a little noisy. Hines supplies everything a reader needs--werewolves, ghosts, robot insects, a fire spider that eats candy, and homages to classic SF--for a very good time." --Publishers Weekly (for Codex Born) "I picked up the book meaning to read a few pages. My first thought was, 'This is a cool concept.' The second thing I thought was, 'This is really, really clever.' The third thing I thought was, 'I should have gone to sleep three hours ago.'" --Patrick Rothfuss (for series) "Jim Hines is an engaging writer who is also greatly entertaining, and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys superior worldbuilding." --Charlaine Harris (for series)
