Marked

Alex Verus Series, Book 9

By: Benedict Jacka

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Mage Alex Verus is hanging on by a thread in the ninth urban fantasy novel from the national best-selling author of Burned.

When Mage Alex Verus ends up with a position on the Light Council, no one is happy, least of all him. But Alex is starting to realize that if he wants to protect his friends, he'll need to become a power player himself. His first order of business is to track down dangerous magical items unleashed into the world by Dark Mages.

But when the Council decides they need his help in negotiating with the perpetrators, Alex will have to use all his cunning and magic to strike a deal - and stop the rising tension between the Council, the Dark Mages, and the adept community from turning into a bloodbath.

©2018 Benedict Jacka (P)2018 Tantor

Slow, but satisfying.

Having faithfully followed the adventures of Alex Verus for years at this point, this novel and the previous feel like a turning point in the series.

Alex is is very different in some ways, than the very first time we meet him. The story around him is different. I don’t think this is entirely a bad thing.

Luna has fully been relegated to supporting cast alongside several other characters as Jacka continues to tighten his focus on Alex, Anne, and ever-tightening circle of danger around them.

I enjoyed this, even though it’s light on “action.” There’s plenty of intrigue to go around and we get some good bits. Elsewhere gets explored a bit more, and I dig it.

As far as story, I gave it four stars because I feel as if Sonder, Caldera, and several other characters that played larger parts in previous novels feel very one-dimensional now. Everyone hates Verus, even though he proves time and again he’s a good guy. Light mages are basically all jerks as bad as dark mages at this point, and it’s getting a touch stale. I’m hoping there’s something coming in the way of a resolution or reconciliation between Verus and his old comrades.

STILL, after 9 books, I’m still ready for the next. So keep it up Mr. Jacka.

Great work keeps the story going.

I was awesome. loved the twist and plots. never dull. I cant for the ne t book.

it was a great read.

it was a great read. the plot kept me interested until the end. I'm excited for the story to continue.

Great Listen... when's 10 come out!?

Every year I wait for the new Verus book on Audible and burn through it too quickly.... This one pushed the story along a little, basically another setup book for the inevitable finale. This was an entertaining listen though... some surprises that I should have seen coming, but he covered it up well. That whole foreshadowing part can be obfuscated with clever tricks. All in all another enjoyable book by Jacka and I will be sorry to see it wrap up, so just keep it going ;)

Another Solid Entry in the Series

Another chapter in this excellent low fantasy series. Juggles a fair number of characters, each with their own motivations and challenges. Magic system is simple, but also logical and compelling, and not too overpowered.

Now I have to wait for the next one.

Love his magic

I’ve read all the books in the series and I’m always captivated by the story and narrator. Wonderful inflection of the different characters . I’m sorry it’s over! Will there be another adventure in Alex’s life???

Series gets better and better

Great characters, plots, and narration. I’m off to buy the next book in the series

I love the character development but...

I love the character development but is this plot ever going to get somewhere? Alex and company are an awesome team, but I found myself waiting for something to finally happen with the plot direction.

Well Worth The Wait

I've been anxiously awaiting the release of another Alex Verus installment! Love this new story, the characters, and the narration. If anyone would have told me how much I would love this series I'd never have believed it but I've fallen in love with the Mage world with all it's complexity and the characters who bring it to life. Looking forward to and hoping for another chance to spend time with my new friends.

Excellent Storytelling!!!

Oh Gosh! 😍I thoroughly enjoyed Marked. Jacka has created a political suspense that is complicated in its plot but delivered effortless with gold star storytelling. The story for Marked is filled with complex characters who you either love or hate. And in my opinion of Rachel, I both love and hate her.

I actually listened to this book several times since purchasing it. Particularly Chapter 6 of the audio book when Verus teams up Cinder for a little house fight. There's another well done action scene that involves Verus' old mentor, Richard, that I really enjoyed as well.

The Sonic the Hedgehog reference in that scene made me burst out laughing..."What's wrong? Did you lose all your rings and have to turn back into regular Sonic?" 😂

Usually I'd write my feelings on each character and debate on the things that weren't quite right or didn't fit well in the story. But I just genuinely enjoyed this book. Verus is faced with recognizing that he hasn't always been in the right and that his own actions have resulted in some of the situations he must face.

He realizing that in the end he won't get everything he wants. He knows he has to choose. That's an awful feeling. My heart sank for him. Honestly, I don't know what the right decision is for him. 😏 So I'll patiently wait for Jacka to tell me in his next book. SIKE🤣!!! I'm so not patient right now. I'm tempted to write Jacka an email and tell him to hurry up!!!

This story puts a spotlight on Verus' relationship with Ann. By the end of the book I made some predictions on the fate of these two. Only my opinion, but I feel like someone in the inner circle won't make it to the end of the series. Though Luna has been around the longest, personally i think it would be more heart breaking to lose Ann. I'm so nervous... maybe I'm completely wrong and no one will die.

Gildart Jackson is the narrator for this series. He does an EXCELLENT job. I've listened to this book so many times that I think I'm addicted to his voice.

5 Stars. A-freakin-mazing Story! I laughed, I cried, I loved someone, I hated someone. I debate with myself how happy or sad this author has made me. I will talk to my boyfriend about what happened to the characters as if they are real people (and he will pretend to listen). The story telling is great and this book is one I'll return to in my time of need for something good to read.