Fated

Alex Verus Series, Book 1

By: Benedict Jacka

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

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)

Dresden Files-esque, but less humor and connection

This book did indeed remind me of the early Dresden Files book, at least on the surface. Alex Verus and Harry Dresden are similar in that they are modern-day magic-wielders, refusing to align themselves with the powerful "white" council of magic users or the more dangerous "black" magic users. Both were raised as apprentices of a dark magic user and have power that could lend itself toward darker uses. Both seem to be failures at maintaining romantic relationships and think that all women need to be protected in a annoyingly non-feminist way.

My main disappointment with Verus is that he doesn't have the likeability or humor of Dresden, and while he has a few friends, there is little to endear him to the reader (Dresden has funny sidekicks, pets, a few friends that are very obviously forces for good in the world whose opinions make him more worthy). Maybe this will get better as the series progresses, but I have to admit that I sort of want to see Verus choose a dark mage path.

NOT like The Iron Druid

More like Harry Potter than Iron Druid. Doesn't have the same humor nor does the main character have the same attitude toward women (Iron Druid passes the Bachdel test, this doesn't). The story is slow and begs suspension of belief. Has some good plot points that could have been expanded on to make it more enjoyable. Pass on this one till the price drops. Try the Matthew Corbett series instead.

Not a Genre Copycat

Combine Nicolas Cage's character in the movie Next and Ben Aaronovitch's character Thomas Nightingale and you have Alex Verus.

The book is very entertaining and inventive enough not to be boring if you have read The Dresden Series and the Iron Druid Series.

Dresden's Third Cousin

If you can get over the comparison to Harry Dresden, at least not let it affect you negatively, I think this is worth a go. Actually the author's usage of similar style, and a popular setting, yet different enough to be mostly original come together.

The author has done a good Jim Butcher impersonation. In a good way, with a few twists. He nails the narrative style, and brings his own originality to a familiar setting.

It's not Dresden. Also a good thing.

The voice actor is superb! What can I say? Interesting, resonant, capable. Great to listen to.

So...If you liked Butcher's Dresden...and you liked Green's John Taylor...I recommend adding Jacka's Alex Verus to your audiobookshelf.

I've only heard this one so far, but I will be getting the rest.

So take a chance - enjoy!

A fine addition to the urban fantasy lexicon

These books present a credible take on the "mages living among us" urban fantasy trope. Jacka's take on The Council of Mages, the magic systems, and the whole Light Mages vs Dark Mages thing is well crafted and his characters are really good. It doesn't break any new ground but it does rather improve on stuff that's come before it. If you like this kind of setting there's every reason to believe that you will really enjoy these stories.