Release Date: 06/04/17
Publisher: Orbit
SYNOPSIS:
Alex Verus can see the future. But he never thought he'd see this day.
Manoeuvred by forces beyond his control, the probability mage has made a terrible choice: he's agreed to work for his old master once more.
Richard Drakh, the sadistic dark mage Alex escaped as an apprentice, has him in his clutches again. And this time, he won't let go so easily.
REVIEW:
If you're looking for a deliciously dark title that has a solid principle character, careful plot twists alongside an overall arc that will have you turning left and right as you try to figure things out, then you may want to pick up this book from Benedict Jacka.
The principle character is one you want to spend time with, has good prose alongside a cracking understanding of pace which in turn makes this a top notch read. The only problem is that this is the eighth book in the series so I wouldn't advise you to start here and lets face it why would you when you've got chance to see how the character has changed from the humble beginnings. OK, so yes it wasn't a must read for me at the beginning of the Alex Verus tales but as its developed so too has the writing of Benedict and for me that is the sign of an author really taking the time to make sure that their readers get the best they can possibly give. Magic.
Release Date: 05/09/13
Publisher: Orbit
SYNOPSIS:
Life is quiet for Alex Verus. Amazing. With a flat full of friends (and the occasional fish), and business booming, why not enjoy the humdrum here and now? But of course that's too good to be true. In a sudden and cruel pincer movement of fate, Alex finds himself fighting a sinister and powerful gang as well as his own demons - for the same crime. Held hostage by the choices of his past, Alex's future is now in jeopardy ...
REVIEW:
This is a series that’s grown on me since its original book. Why? Well the lead character is a very strange mix of the weird as he’s not only a diviner with a past but also a character who seeks to make sense of the world he’s in as well as trying to survive the troubles that keep cropping up on his doorstep.
Here in this title is a story that takes full advantage of this, it delves into the characters dark past, has wonderful prose and of course has a pace that in itself is almost magical. Throw in some solid action sequences and all round you’ll be more than happy you did.
Release Date: 06/09/12
SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to Fountain Reach Ancient seat of the Aubuchon dynasty Majestic setting of the White Stone tournament Alex Verus's (not necessarily reliable) reputation attracts all sorts. Most are plain bonkers. Yet there's one invitation he just can't refuse. At Fountain Reach, Alex is perfectly placed among the noted and notorious to figure out why apprentices have been vanishing. But the tournament is a minefield of ancient grudges and new threats, and Alex can't afford to miss a trick as his elusive adversary stays one step ahead in this most dangerous of games.
REVIEW:
As this series by Benedict carries on it really is starting to come into its own with me liking each offering more and more. Here in the latest book, the lead character grows emotionally that allows the reader to get a better grip on him, which when blended with a solid style of storytelling in an established world really allows the reader to get hold of what’s going on.
Add to this some unusual predicaments alongside some great sleight of hand makes this series one that I’m really getting into. Finally add to the mix a solid overall arc with cracking pace and all round this book was a definite cracker.
Release Date: 07/06/12
SYNOPSIS:
Things are going well for Alex Verus. He's on moderately good terms with the Council, his apprentice is settling in and his shop in Camden is gaining quite a reputation. But when a mysterious woman bursts into the Arcana Emporium one night with an assassin on her tail, Alex is thrown into a plot to revive a long-forbidden ritual. His old enemies are after the secret, as well as a Council mage named Belthas and a mercenary named Garrick, and at least one of them is trying to get Alex killed - if he only knew which. He can see the future, but knowing who to trust is something else.
REVIEW:
A quirky and weird take on the Urban Fantasy with probability mage Alex Verus and whilst I wasn’t the biggest fan of the opening title I wanted to spend a little more time to explore the world that Benedict had loving crafted. Don’t get me wrong, the writing is crisp, the character interesting but without an underlying plot seeking to rear its head I’m left wondering if its just a poor man’s London based version of Harry Dresden without the incredible power almost as if he’s just taking the exploratory road whilst he comes up with a bad guy worthy to hide within the shadows.
All in a reasonable piece of writing and one that whilst not at the top of the genre for me was a middle of the road title but solid enough to keep reading to see what will unfurl next.
Release Date: 15/03/12
SYNOPSIS:
Camden, North London. A tangled, mangled junction of train lines, roads and waterways. Where minor celebrities hang out with minor criminals, where tourists and moody teenagers mingle. In the heart of Camden, where rail meets road meets leyline, you might find the Arcana Emporium, run by one Alex Verus. He won't sell you a wand or mix you a potion, but if you know what you're looking for, he might just be able to help. That's if he's not too busy avoiding his would-be apprentice, foiling the Dark, outwitting the Light, and investigating a mysterious relic that has just turned up at the British Museum.
REVIEW:
I’m a big fan of the Urban Fantasy title, however the book has to do a number of things for me in order to help it stand out:
1) It has to be different to anything out there already.
2) It has to hit with a huge impact as being a debut it’s the authors chance to impress having had a lot of time to polish.
What this title has going for it is that the author brings to the fore a whole new world that has not only interesting aspects but characters that step up and fight for what they believe. It’s a decent enough offering but when you add the blurb from Jim Butcher on the cover it really should be something that is outstanding and this is just a title that for me is just better than average.
That said, I did like it, as I enjoyed spending time with the principle character but when you add just too many similarities to Harry Dresden I was left wondering what it brought to the fore that Jim hasn’t done before or better. Which in my opinion was sadly not enough of a difference for me to recommend it on the same level as that series.
