ARC Review: Taken by Benedict Jacka

Taken

by Benedict Jacka

(Alex Verus # 3)

After unexpectedly surviving and defeating some powerful mages Alex Verus has begun to develop a reputation again in the mage community for getting problems solved. When he is approached and asked to investigate apprentices going missing, literally vanishing into thin air and are untraceable by means both magical and mundane, what he finds are a mysterious house, a dangerous rakashasa and two apprentices who seem to be in the middle of it all.

I am really getting into this series, the previous two books have been great and this one follows suit. It is action packed and full of excitement and has a plot in it that is interesting and complex enough to keep you guessing. But what I like best about this book and series is Alex, the main character, he is a great vehicle to tell the story through, he is constantly underestimated as he has less power then most other mages, making the books more exciting as it doesn't always seem like he will prevail.

There doesn't seem to be any over arching plot on these books, but these books do seem like they are giving you a taste of the world Mr Jacka has created and with each book it gets richer, although it may not be the most original setting, it is well done and the writing is good enough for it not to really matter.

I know we mainly review romance here, and this book doesn't actually have any, although I am hoping some will develop in the future, but don't let that scare you off, it is worth trying, and what it doesn't have in romance it makes up with in other things. It was another entertaining book in the series, it kept me glued to the page trying to figure out how Alex would win this time and I can't wait for the next book.

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

ARC Review: Cursed by Benedict Jacka

Cursed

by Benedict Jacka

Alex Verus #2

4.5 Feathers

Alex Verus quiet life as a magic shop owner seems to well and truely come to an end. His name is back on the radar for both light and dark mages, something he has spent years avoiding. But although trying to avoid trouble he isn't always sucessful as quite literally trouble comes crashing through his shop window. But what does drained magical creatures, a beautiful enchantress and a monkey paw have to do with Alex? After multiple attempts on his life Alex decides to find out.

Although I mainly read romance of which this book and series so far has none I am really getting into this series. I really enjoyed the first book and the second book was just as good if not better. It wasn't burdened as much with world building giving more page time to the plot and the characters.

If you like an action packed, magic fueled story then this is the series for you. It has a fast paced story which captivated me from start till finish and had a complex mystery that you could really get in to, which as much as I do love my romances, sometime is rather lacking in a book I would typically read. I also really like Alex Verus, the main character and from who's point of view we read from, he is resourceful and clever and some how always manages to wiggle out of trouble with a mixture of cunning, intelligence, luck and a little help from his friends.

In conclusion this was a really good installment in the series and I can't wait to read the next one. 

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Fated by Benedict Jacka

Fated

by Benedict Jacka

Alex Verus #1

Alex Verus owns a magic shop, not the kind that sells trick decks of cards or top hats with bunnies attached, but magic items that actually work. He is also a diviner, able to see future choices and the consequences of them before they happen, something very useful in a fight. But Alex avoids the rest of the mage community, both Dark and Light after learning the hard way that Dark mages are truely ruthless and Light mages are more interested in internal politics then helping a young boy. But soon the mage world, both Dark and Light come knocking on his door for help, both sides threatening him and his short list of friends if he says no and for once Alex can't seem to find a path that doesn't lead to his eventual death...

I am angry at this book! I am not sure my book shelves can take anymore, I now have yet another great series that I am going to have to add to my read list. As you can tell I really enjoyed this book, it has everything I love about an Urban Fantasy. Action, magic, an interesting new world and a character that I really liked.

It is very rare I actually read a book where the lead character is male, so I wasn't sure whether I would like it, but I have found that although it is different, it is something that I have enjoyed about this book. Alex Verus is an underdog, as a Brit I love an underdog, his magic isn't as powerful as everyone elses and he doesn't have the same connections as everyone else, but what he is, is very resourceful and clever and with a mixture of cunning, divination and guts he always manages to come out on top

Although the world wasn't the most original, mages living amoungst us, it was still interesting enough that I wanted to find out more and the plot in this book was a great way of introducing us to the world of Alex Verus as we get to see the major players on both sides of the mage world.

This was a really good read, full of action and magic and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

*ARC provided by publisher