Book Log 10/2016 - Jim C Hines: Codex Born - Magic ex-Libris #2

Isaac Vainio is a Libriomancer, and has the ability to magically reach into books and acquire objects. His speciality is SF. He's currently working as a small-town librarian in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, but he's also a researcher for the secret magical society, the Porters. run by Gutenberg (yes, that one).. His companions are his lover, Lena, a dryad, and her lover Nidhi Shah, formerly Isaac's therapist, plus his magically-created fire-spider called Smudge who has a tendency to burst into flames at the first sign of danger.

When Isaac, Lena and Nidhi are called to the scene of a brutally murdered wendigo one thing leads to another. The discovery that there's another secret society of libriomancers that Gutenberg thought he's wiped out five hundred years ago, and that Gutenberg may not have been entirely upfront and honest with the Porters. Addred to that the rogue father of a recently deceased Porter has got hold of technology that he really shouldn't have.

Lena is targeted for her unique ability and Isaac goes all out to save her, but this is only the beginning. A magical war is brewing and there are powerful ghosts out there...

This is fast paced, extremely readable. Isaac is a complex character, not always altogether sane (which is a general failing of many Porters because magic has a price). Lena gets to come to the fore in this book and we learn more about her background and her relationship with Dr Shah. Isaac is once more stretched to his limits and beyond as he seriously questions whether he's on the side of the good guys. Highly recommended.