Fated

Alex Verus Series, Book 1

By: Benedict Jacka

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Alex Verus is part of a world hidden in plain sight, running a magic shop in London. And while Alex's own powers aren't as showy as some mages, he does have the advantage of foreseeing the possible future-allowing him to pull off operations that have a million-to-one-chance of success.

But when Alex is approached by multiple factions to crack open a relic from a long-ago mage war, he knows that whatever's inside must be beyond powerful. And thanks to his abilities, Alex can predict that by taking the job, his odds of survival are about to go from slim to none…

©2012 Benedict Jacka (P)2013 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Harry Dresden would like Alex Verus tremendously - and be a little nervous around him. I just added Benedict Jacka to my must-listen to list." (Jim Butcher)

Good read!

seem to be a mix of Jim butcher's Dresden Files and Harry Potter. I did enjoy it, good narrator and the storyline was fresh. I also liked that there was not a whole lot of cursing. I'm looking forward to reading the next one!

Very enjoyable story. Loved the narrator.

What made the experience of listening to Fated the most enjoyable?

The accent and the cadence of the narrator added to the experience for me.

What other book might you compare Fated to and why?

It's kind of a cross between the later Harry Potters and Sue Grafton novels

Which character – as performed by Gildart Jackson – was your favorite?

The protagonist of the story and what the series is based on Alex Verus

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A fun magical adventure.

Not bad

This is a pretty good book. Fans of urban fantasy will like it. The marrator wasnt my favorite but was ok. Its not Dresden files or what ever your favorite urban fantasy is but enjoyable. Not sure if ill continue with this author but ill probably relisten eventually. If your on the fence id say try it out.

Good story, bad sound engineering

absolutely loved the story and the voice actor but whistling in the mic (occasionally) detracts from the experience

your getting what you paid for

I have no idea how to feel. I know I liked it but nothing stood out. Just felt like the dresden files with soft magic rules.

Worth buying

It's a good Audible, but I do have two tiny, not complaints so much, just personal issues I guess. One is, the narrator sounds more like he's teaching something than reading a narrative. I can see him reading a nonfiction or how-to book. Two, I feel like I've come into the middle of a story. I actually checked to see if it was in fact the first.

Good- heavy Dresden Files influence

Good, simple “read” and definitely heavily influenced by Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files. Not a bad thing, just not as original. Alex Verus is a rogue mage trying to live between dark and light without getting involved in either. Lots of parallels with Harry Dresden, but interested in seeing where the series goes.

This is not Jim Butcher

I suspect that this was recommended because I like Jim Butcher's work.
It's not that good. Nor is the narration.

But it's a good book.
2 stars = didn't like
3 stars = like
4 stars = Good
5 stars = Will likely listen to again.

Great, but not outstanding.

Fun story, wonderful performance by the narrator. A few juvenile moments that didn't seem to fit with the characters.

Decent read

Had difficulty staying excited about the story. Don’t know if it was due to to the narrator being a little monotone or the story. It’s probably the length and could be shortened. Overall good story.