I've seen people complain about this audiobook narrator, and it's true, he isn't anywhere near as good as Renee Raudman. But, BUT, he fits Derek's character as the authors and the audience is supposed to see him. Or more accurately, how he sees himself. 

As for the story, it's a nice sidestep for the main series, and I kind of want to see more of these. 

Chew toy is my new favourite euphemism for penis.

This book is slooooooow. And not just because the narrator's pace. I'm pretty sure I would've given up already if this wasn't an audiobook.

But, I'm liking it.

As much as I liked Libriomancer and loved its world, Codex Born and I didn't get a good start. The reason is in the multiple first person voices. What I expect from a second book in a series is to learn more about the characters and their relationships interspaced the book specific plot, but I also hate headhopping especially when the voices are indistinguishable. So, when a story is told from a certain point of view in a first person voice, I expect the author to stick to it.

One benefit from Lena's chapter inserts is the pacing, which is much better here than it was in Libriomancer. There really isn't much breathing room between the action packed scenes, which in theory should have sucked me in without an escape.

The story itself is an organic continuation to the events of the first book. The world becomes more complex and morally grey as do the characters. Some new secondary characters are introduced and old ones sidelined. Also cultural diversity expands. Yes that is code for diverse secondary characters who are crucial to the plot.

I can't say much more than that without spoiling either Codex Born or Libriomancer. And to be honest: I don't remember much more.

There was even a slightly dated but accurately explained Finnish curse word. I myself prefer to invoke the devil rather than a deity.

It's a detective story where the reader learns the clues as the narrator does and jumps to the next logical conclusion in step with him. The aim is to find the killer but also learn as much as possible about the world of libriomancy. There are other ways to use magic than reaching into a book and pulling out disruptors or healing potions, but none of them speak quite as keenly to any book lover, which the author quite clearly is.

Librarians are the real heroes of this world. But in the book they also have magic, and what's better than a librarian has magic? A fire-spider of course. A spider that sets things on fire near books? Tricky but handy too, and if I hadn't set my heart on getting a kitten I'd take Smudge.