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)

I love this series!

If you could sum up Fated in three words, what would they be?

I love the story but I really love the characters in this story/series!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fated?

I really enjoyed the story of Alex and the others that he connects with... like Luna. Can't want for the next book.

Have you listened to any of Gildart Jackson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't heard Gildart Jackson's other performances before now... but I really enjoyed this one.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No.

Any additional comments?

Great series! Can't wait to read / listen to the other books in the series.

new friends

like these characters and their world very much. looking forward to more in this series and by this author.

good in its own right

I haven't read the books many people are comparing this to, favorably or not. I occasionally read fantasy type books like this one, and it was fun. It kept my interest, and the world created was believable and had internal consistency. Some things were predictable or heavy-handed, while others made me think that this is like a script for a video game of some sort, but the voice acting was good, the characters were engaging, and the action was enough to carry the story along.

Not my usual, but a brilliant side story!

not the sort of book I usually read but felt like a change and this was recommended. super glad it was, not as complex as the epic fantasy I usually read but I think that was good. meant I could just have some simple fun and you do come to like the main characters!

Good story, wrong narrator

I liked Alex Verus. Not as much as I like Dresden, but he's an okay kid. Where I struggled with this is that he is a kid, but the narrator sounds remarkably like Michael Cain. Specifically like Cain as Alfred in the Batman series, which would be fine for an older hero but it's a struggle for one this young.

A wonderful first installment!

I rarely give 5 star reviews for first books in series' but if I did this book would get one. Very interesting and I love the magic system and hopefully there will be a slow burn romances on the horizon!

Certainly not as good as Iron Druid series

Reviews indicated this would be as good as the Hearne books. This had little of the humor found in the Druid books. That said its not terrible. Eill probably read sequels but mot running out to do so.

Meh.

Just ok. So many folks compared these books to the Harry Dresden books, so I gave it a try. It's definitely reminiscent, but not nearly as good. The cheeky reference to Harry is pretty funny, though. Also, I get a little turned off by the use of violence against women as a plot device. There is a particularly gratuitous and unnecessary scene which might also might be a trigger for some readers. Overall, I wasn't super impressed. I may or may not give it another chance and read the next book.

An English Dresden

A good story. the characters are fun and interesting. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Really enjoyed it

I was surprised by this audio book. Never thought I would like it as much as I did. Held my interest throughout the book. Never pulled any punches or felt fake. Characters were interesting. Overall recommend as a listen.