Taken

Alex Verus Series, Book 3

By: Benedict Jacka

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

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)

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.

Excellent Books

I really enjoy this series , after all the Jimmy Butcher books and countless authors in this genre , I really like the cleverness of the storyline and the growth of the characters , armed only with divination the hero has to be very cunning and not just rely on more than just magic to solve problems and fight to defend himself. Great character development, Refreshingly different

loved it

love these books well written as great story. going to start book 4 now yeah

A series worth reading

What did you love best about Taken?

It is not another Harry Potter but still a very good read a little magic and a detective work rolled into a book

What did you like best about this story?

Just a fun listen

What about Gildart Jackson’s performance did you like?

His voice is clear. He does a very good job at making the story come alive

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

yes

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.

Well Done.

This is a very fun, well thought out and written series. I recommend these books to anyone who is interested in reading a little bit of fantasy.

Pure entertainment excellence!

Put entertainment and literary fun! I've read all the Sherlock Holmes novels and am a for hard fan of the genre. Benedict Jaca has created a series akin to Sherlock but infused with modern day magic. Such a blast! and the narrator is top notch