Taken

Alex Verus Series, Book 3

By: Benedict Jacka

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

This time last year, I could go weeks without seeing another mage. In mage society I was an unknown and, all in all, that was how I liked it. It’s hard to say what changed. Whatever it was, I got involved in the magical world again and started getting myself a reputation.

Alex Verus’s insights into the future used to be the best-kept secret in London. Now, with the aid of his apprentice, Luna, his unique investigative talents are all the rage. He just has to be careful about picking his employers, because everyone - even the beautiful woman who practically begs him to run security for a prestigious tournament - has motives that can be hard to predict. And Alex doesn’t do unpredictable.

But his latest gig just might be impossible. Apprentices have been vanishing without a trace - and someone on the Council could be involved. Alex has no evidence, no witnesses, and no suspects. All he knows is that someone is keeping tabs on him. And after assassins target Luna’s classmate, Alex sees that he doesn’t know the half of it - and that he could be the next to disappear.

©2012 Benedict Jacka (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"The action is fast and smart, playing with thriller conventions so that while [listeners] get excitement they also are encouraged to think about what magic might mean in human terms. A superb book in an outstanding, provocative series." ( Publishers Weekly)

Predictable but worth the read.

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

Creepy, fun, and predictable.

Would you be willing to try another book from Benedict Jacka? Why or why not?

Yes! Though the story is predictable, the atmosphere Jacka created was very creepy! I'm really starting to enjoy the Alex Verus series.

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

He performed the first two Verus books and I hope that he does the rest.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If only I had the time, at around ten hours this book is constantly moving and again it has that creepy factor that sucks you in.

Any additional comments?

This book fits into the series perfectly and I'm very excited to start book four.

Another GREAT book in this series. Loved it!!!

Again Alex and Luna get in the middle of a mystery that needs solving. Apprentices have been vanishing without a trace, and a very dark mage that can’t be killed at the bottom of it all. Lots of twists and turns to keep you at the edge of your seat. Can’t wait to get my hands on book 4.

Fast paced, with good character development

I am always pleased to find an author that can keep things moving with a minimum of background explanation to set up the action. It makes the movement of the story feel more real and natural. You will find a very close relationship of the flavor of these stories to the Dresden files. Which is not a bad thing. Both authors weave a good adventure. Fun magical who-done-its are a great guilty pleasure, and I look forward to more courses in the feast. The narrator for this series is a very good match and gives just the right feel.

What is going on with those apprentices?

This was really good! I had never heard of this series until my friend Anne decided to host a read along on her blog, Books of My Heart, this year. Since the pace was set at only one book per month, I decided that I could make enough room in my reading schedule to fit this series in without too much work. That has turned out to be a fantastic decision because I have had a great time with each installment.

I really like both Alex and Luna and I was really happy that this book focused so heavily on Luna and the other apprentices. It was great meeting a few new characters and seeing a little more about how their world works. Luna has now completely committed to her role as an apprentice and is working incredibly hard to meet the demands put on her. I really liked getting to see the relationships between the apprentices.

I never tire of watching Alex in action. His ability to see into the future is so unique in useful as it is used in this story. I love the way he is able to make smart decisions quickly and takes responsibility for his actions. Alex is really just a great guy who is always looking to save the day and take care of those who need his help and he does it quite competently.

I thought that the mystery in this book was very well done. I had no idea what was going on with the disappearing apprentices but I had a blast going along for the ride to find out. There was plenty of action and some completely unexpected antics to keep things really interesting. I love that this story kept me guessing until the very end.

Gildart Jackson does a fantastic job with this series. He is the voice of Alex in my mind and I do think that he really does bring the character to life. I think that he does a great job with all of the character voices and dialogue always flowed nicely. I think he has a very pleasant reading voice and I enjoyed listening to his narration for hours at a time.

I would recommend this series to others. This is the third book in the Alex Verus series which I do think would be best read in order if at all possible. I can't wait to get started on the next book in the series very soon.

Pretty Good Story

It is a pretty good story. Not a hang onto the edge of your seat kind of story but pretty good. Someone compared it to Harry Dresdan but that is a stretch. I would like to know hold old Alex is supposed to be. It insinuated he was rather young, maybe late early 30s but if that is the case, you need a different narrator because he sounds late 50s. If that is not the case, then you have a good narrator.

love it smart intelligent characters

love the story love the characters and the narrator perfect for the story actually involves ones mind not like some others that are frustrating idiotic

Series Hits a Good Pace

This is a really good story and a testament to the power of the second book. I am immediately went out of my way to purchase this title “Taken“ due to the fact that I enjoyed “Cursed“ so much that I didn’t want the story to be over. The story was very interesting and the only criticism I have is that the foreshadowing was laid on a little thick. Other than that, this is a book that you can stay up late and read.

Liking Alex Verus more and more.

Third book in the series so far and eagerly getting ready to devour it.
Don't be afraid to try this series. If you liked Dresden, or Nightside, I think you'll like this series.
Action, humor, good pacing, great character development.
Interesting magic system.

Sure, sounds like Dresden.
But give it a shot. I think you'll like it.
Very original after you get over the similar premise.

Each Book Makes Me Love This Series More

I wanted to love the first book but I only liked it enough to give the second book a try. By the end of book 2 I was hooked. Taken, the 3rd book of the series, introduces new characters and even more intrigue, action, and suspense. Alex Verus is a complex human being...like the rest of us with an intriguing ability we only wish we had.

Fun!

The book had a kind of predictable ending, but it was a fun fantasy/mystery.