In the alternate history of the frontier, for twin sister and brother Eff and Lan Rothmer, magic is a part of everyday life. The same magic that makes Lan special, as the seventh son of a seventh son also makes Eff, as the thirteenth child, born with the potential to bring doom to everyone around her. Their magician-professor father and practical mother plan to raise them as normal as possible despite these concerns, which means moving their family from back east to a town perilously close to the Great Barrier Spell that protects civilization from normal and magical creatures.

Living in the gutters of Cenaria City, Azoth must beg and steal in order to survive. It’s a hard life for a child, and he dreams about the day he can be the kind of man who instills fear in others, instead of being afraid for his own life and the lives of his friends.  He sees his chance in Durzo Blint, the city’s best wetboy—an assassin who uses magic as part of his craft—and convinces Durzo to make him his apprentice.

The Humming of Numbers begins with an awkward young man sweeping near his abbot’s chamber, who watches with astonishment when the local nobleman drags his illegitimate daughter Lana into monastic imprisonment.  But this young man can hear the humming of numbers, the frequencies emitted by living things, and Lana’s hum captivates Aidan against his will.  When Vikings attack the monastery and nearby village, Aidan must choose his path: whether to hide with his fellow monks, or join with Lana to attempt a daring rescue.

The boy Tavi has no magic to call his own, which among the people of Alera makes him something of a cripple. He can’t call a fury of the earth or of wood, like his Uncle Bernard; the fury of water like his Aunt Isana; and neither can he use a fire, metal, or air fury like his friends. To make up for his lack of magic he has to be brave and clever: characteristics which become crucial to the events happening in the Calderon Valley where he lives.

I remember a few years back enjoying Eragon and Eldest. I distinctly recall my shock when I spent more time perusing various forums; people accused Eragon of being derivative in nature, along with just being poor writing. At the time, being a young teenager, I couldn't believe them bashing my new favorite books! They had some nerve!