Enter a “gorgeously realized world”* and meet a mage destined for greatness in the first novel in the national bestselling Alex Verus series.
Alex is part of a world hidden in plain sight, running a magic shop in London that caters to clientele who can do much more than pull rabbits out of hats. And while Alex’s own powers aren’t as showy as some mages, he does have the advantage of foreseeing … 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 seeking his skills 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….
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Benedict Jacka creates a new and in-depth world of magic in modern day London. Alex is the main character and who is very different kind of mage than you are used to. He lives in a world where people you can trust are hard to find. He manages to always stay one step ahead of danger with a quick wit and his very special set of skills. If you are reading the Dresden Files and want to explore some more Urban Fantasy I highly recommend this book and the whole Alex Verus series by Benedict Jacka.
This is a fabulous urban fantasy read. (I’ve read several in the series and they are all good. There’s a couple that wander in plot a bit, but very strong characterizations, great plots, fun reads). FUN. Unique talent by the main characters.
Solid Urban fantasy!
I picked this up because Jim Butcher is quoted on the front and back covers, and he’s one of my favorites in this genre… Unfortunately, I don’t think it delivered anywhere near what Butcher thought it did. This felt like an homage (that’s my kind word, but other, less kind, ones also apply) to Butcher’s Dresden Files, which are some of my favorite fantasy books ever – only without Butcher’s skill with language. Or plot. Or characters. Or drama. Perhaps if there was no Harry Dresden, Alex Verus would have felt like a better character to me. But thank goodness there is… So I guess I will just have to wait for Harry’ next adventure – because I don’t think I will be reading another of Alex’s in the meantime…
I might be a Diviner too as I’m predicting I’ll be buying more books in this series.
Fated is the first book in the Alex Verus series. Alex is a mage with the power to see possibly futures, which is a neat power, but pales in comparison to other mages who Alex runs up against. He quickly ends up caught between powerful mage factions when his apprentice brings him a new magic artifact. It will take all his wits, power, and some luck for him to survive.
Divining is a tricky power to write about as multiple possible futures can get confusing quickly, but the author does a good job of keeping everything on track. The book has a Jim Butcher/Harry Dresden like feel to it in that it the prose is quick and smooth. There is even a small amusing reference to Harry in the first chapter. While it is similar to Harry Dresden, the author does have his own distinct voice which stops it from feeling like someone trying to write like Jim Butcher.
The book had a few small flaws, but not enough for me to deduct from my 5-star rating. It was a fun entertaining read, and I look forward to reading more in this series.
Not worth the effort
A good, solid Urban Fantasy series for anyone who likes Dresden or Temple or Faust, et al. Jacka’s not reinventing the wheel here, but he doesn’t need to. I’m halfway through the series at this point and and so far, not regretting the trip.
I have re-read the Alex Verus series three times and have yet to get tired of it. If you enjoy dark humor, a realistic hero, and a healthy dose of magic this is the series for you.
awesome read, go to another world filled with fascinating creatures
Very much like Dresden, many similarities between the main characters.
Excellent series, great books
This story sucked me right into the author’s alternate reality. Well written with proper grammar (a pet peeve of mine) and believable plot. I will follow this story line.
Gripped me til the end.
Really enjoyed this book! Great start to a new series!
This book had a straightforward plot, interesting/likable main characters and appropriately evil bad guys (I was highly amused by the fire mage Cinder’s name–I have a Fyre elemental called Sinnder in my Just Breathe books, which came out around the same time this one did, apparently. GREAT MINDS, Mr. Jacka! Ha!). Alex Verus’s goals, motivations, and conflicts were evident throughout the book, and he never strayed from the plot’s overarching trajectory. FATED was nothing fancy, yet I felt very satisfied when I finished listening. The narrator was excellent and believable as Alex too. My only beef at all with the story was that there were a lot of repeated words, but I’m hypersensitive to such things, and they didn’t detract from the story for me. I will very likely continue this series in the near future.