Taken: An Alex Verus Novel

The hectic narration is starting to cool, somewhat, without losing any of its flavour, and the retelling of events is both breathtaking and emotional. Welcome to Fountain Reach.

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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.

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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. In most good fantasy novels we have the Light and Dark side but the heroes we love best are those who walk the grey areas between.

In Taken we really begin to see Alex come into his own, he is more confident and sure in his actions and it reflects well on the page.

Taken by Benedict Jacka

Alex continues to grow as character, his motivations feel more real and you can begin to empathise with the person portrayed and the challenges he is are facing. In Taken Alex is propositioned by a beautiful women to come to her aid. And in the best noir custom you know she is either soon to die or is the villain. I do love a little bit of the old school femme fatal…. The fight scenes we do get are written well and imaginative; Luna with a bullwhip of her luck is a very nice construct, and I can see some real fun coming with this. Luna as a character is beginning to develop in her own right, and I am looking forward to seeing what happens with her.

Be aware this book isn't big; there is a tendency that when an author begins a series the story begins a little small and in each new novel they increase in size. Jacka has kept this series a nice manageable weekend read in length. I would rather be reading these smaller releases each year than one larger piece released once a year. There is a real potential here for an awesome or fearsome power; the ability to heal or drain life from people would be both fantastic and frightening.

I hope we get to see more of this in later books. I hope he keeps this up and maintains the different flavour of creatures coming. The interactions between Alex and the Tigerman are well written and adds depth to the world of Alex Verus. A negative - and it's not really a true negative - is the bad guy. When it's finally revealed I got goose bumps, this is the bad guy that should scare bad guys.

There is some wiggle room with the ending and I think that we may or may not see them come back. My hope is they will make an appearance later. I was hoping something like this wasn't going to show up as its just very predictable in modern fantasy: I good little weekend read that is starting to gather some steam. Fast paced suspenseful fantasy thriller.

Fated Alex Verus series: Hidden in the lanes and byways of Camden London sits a shop, just a little shop, but if you know where to find it and have need of something a little magical, then the Arca Bound Alex Verus series: 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: Cursed Alex Verus series: 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 Taken Alex Verus series: Alex Verus's not necessarily reliable reputation attr Chosen Alex Verus series: Alex Verus is a diviner who can see probable futures--a talent that's gotten him out of many a tough scrape.

But this time, he may be in over his head. Alex was once ap Hidden Alex Verus series: Alex Verus is a diviner who can see probable futures - a talent that's gotten him and his friends out of many a tough scrape. Lists with This Book. Jul 23, Phrynne rated it it was amazing. Third in the series and still firing on all cylinders! This really is as good a series as the Dresden Files and I would just love to see Alex Verus team up with Harry Dresden to wipe the floor with all those nasty Dark Mages.

I have only just finished the book and I am still a bit excited: Seriously, if you like this genre then this is a series for you to read. Verus is a delightful character - not one of those out to kill everybody type heroes, but more of a thinker and a planner Oh yes!

Verus is a delightful character - not one of those out to kill everybody type heroes, but more of a thinker and a planner and very adept at using all the magical skills he has been blessed with. The author writes well, the pacing is good, the action is exciting and all in all it is a good book! View all 4 comments. Feb 13, Tim The Enchanter rated it it was amazing Shelves: After a shaky start to the series, he has produced a book I can gladly display next to my favorite Urban Fantasy novels by Jim Butcher, Ben Aaronovitch and Larry Corriea.

As in the early Dresden novels, the mystery and the investigation that takes centre stage. Taken first and foremost tells a great story. Beyond this it asks the question of "what does a real family look like" and explores the lengths that people magical or not will go to feed their obsessions. Plot summary Alex Verus, our friend with an eye on the future, is on the job once again.

He is hired to look into the unexplained disappearances of mage apprentices. Apprentices are disappearing and no witness come forward and no clues are left behind. Mages walk into a building and never come out. In the midst of the disappearances, the apprentices are gathering for dueling tournament. The gathering is occurring a Fountain Reach, an old and mysterious house with secrets that Verus must expose.

The Good 3, 4, 5 My star rating has steadily increases as the series has progressed. In the all important third novel, the author shows that Alex Verus is here to stay. My major problems with the first two novels was the treatment of the female characters and the disjointed story telling. In Taken, all of these concerns have been mitigated.

Alex Verus shows that he can not only treat women with respect but can respect their abilities and strength. A sensitive but strong female character is introduced and his apprentice is treated as a student not a child. As far as the story is concerned, there is a linear flow. The reader is not left disoriented by disorganized storytelling.

Multiple storyline parallel cleanly and converge with clarity. Overall the story is no longer a weakness as the author has shown significant growth as this series has progressed. Speaking of Growth It is not only the author that has shown growth as the series has progressed.

If you have read the first two novels you will know that compared to most similar stories, the Mages in Alex Verus' world have a limited scope to their magical abilities. While at the outset of the series, I had the impression that a mage who main ability was to see into future, would quickly become boring. While the powers of Alex Verus have not seemingly grown, the sheer variety of mages have. Mind magic, life magic, time magic, space magic and elemental magic are all skill sets that are discussed and developed.

This has kept the characters and story world from feeling stale. The Bad This time around, it appears I have very little criticism. There are multiple incidents where the author is prone to info dump. At times, Alex Verus is prone to the monologue but it does not, in my opinion, reflect poorly on the book. Final Thoughts I believe the third book of a series is the most important for an ongoing series. At this point, patterns are established and reader learns if the author has chosen to write with a strict formula or if they are seeking write dynamic stories.

Taken is a prime example of how to do it right. Audiobook Notes This is the first of the series in which I listened to the audio. Any minor deficiencies were covered by the narrators wonderful narration and tempo. An easy 5 star performance. I make an effort to give you the information so you can make an informed decision before reading.

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I am simply giving approximations. Scale 1 - Lowest 5 - Highest Sex - 1. There are a few instance where characters were revealing clothing and several instances where characters insinuate that there may be a romantic or sexual relationship between parties. A few instances of the f-word. Much of the story occurs during an apprentice dueling tournament. This involves fighting but little direct violence. There are several gruesome injuries. One from a magical attack, one a gun and one instance of a character having their throat cut.

While moderately graphic, the scenes are short. Also reviewed at The Literary Lawyer I love how Luna is developing - Learning how she can use her curse to her advantage. Alex Verus is a pretty cool dude. Apr 01, Mike the Paladin rated it it was amazing Shelves: I've had this on my currently reading list for a while, thought I ought to get around to reviewing it. These are joining my favorites list. I burned through the ones that were already published then and have snapped up each as it's been released since.

Mostly I've been disappointed. I find that a huge percentage of what gets labeled urban f I've had this on my currently reading list for a while, thought I ought to get around to reviewing it. I find that a huge percentage of what gets labeled urban fantasy turns out to be paranormal romance PNR Till I found these. If you've followed the series up to this point you've gotten to know Alex and he's sort of building a reputation that he'd often rather not have with the magic community. As a diviner he isn't any great shakes in combat type magic.

Things like blowing stuff up, setting stuff on fire, smashing stuff with force, these just aren't Alex's forte'. Still, he keeps going up against these types, completely out of his league, yet he's the one who comes through alive and walks away Now, apprentices are coming up missing. They're vanishing without a trace and even the best mages can't find a sign, so the powers that be "sort of" call Alex. Like an idiot he accepts. What follows it an exciting well crafted story that holds the interest in my case this time in spite of my having to put the book down and read other things before I could get back to it.

Both the characters and the story are pretty original. Okay I mean there are only so many places to go and most ideas have been touched on and if you really want to you can spot a few places where that's so here. That doesn't hurt the books however as it's all handled so well. You're not running on friendly, romantic vampires here Some magic creatures here are friendly and have to dodge notice as they've been largely killed off.

Others hunt humans and seem to find us So, another in an enjoyable and well crafted brain-candy series.

Taken : Benedict Jacka :

I think the series has held up. I've read all that are in print and look forward to the next which is due out soon. I can recommend these. Sep 25, Bradley rated it really liked it Shelves: Solid read that's building on the precognition premise, this time revolving around missing mage apprentices from both the light and dark camps. All are taken without a trace. What can go wrong? Well, for starters, Alex can pick up a few stragglers who might just want to go just as independent as he, for one.

And we can do it all in the middle of a mage tournament he would never have considered attending, if he hadn't been forced to do it for the investigation. Oh, and Luna is getting beast. Gotta Solid read that's building on the precognition premise, this time revolving around missing mage apprentices from both the light and dark camps.

Gotta love girls with bullwhips. I think I'm gonna like these new characters. Or at least, I'm going to like Ms. Quite a few beasts in the book. I'm looking forward to the kinds of plots twists this is going to bring us. Jacka knows how to set them up and knock them down. Quick and enjoyable reads, all of them.

May 23, Felicia rated it really liked it Shelves: Urban Fantasy at its best, so great to see that by book three I'm still dying to know more about the main character, the world, and everything. I guess the relationship between Alex and Anne is a BIT odd, like someone gave the author a note about what direction it should be, but other than that, love this series!

I had so much fun reading this book that I don't even care if there are any. The main premise is simple enough: As this is the third book in the series, it's not surprising that nothing is that simple when Alex Verus gets involved. There isn't a single boring or even slower moment here. There are so many surprises 4. There are so many surprises throughout the book that it will keep you on your toes until the end.

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From his unexpected reactions to different situations and challenges or job offers from various parties to Luna finding her true strength to getting help from unexpected places to running and fighting, Taken has been more than fun. As for the villains, you'll hate them. Let's just say that I was even liking Onyx who has a not very small role here, by the way more than them. Sep 06, Eric rated it really liked it Shelves: Once again, Alex is pulled in to help the Council on a job.

The pattern seems to be that Alex takes a job he reluctantly agrees to take, different factions attempt to pull him in different directions, and we explore a little bit more of the various 4 Stars Another solid entry in the ongoing Alex Verus series.

The pattern seems to be that Alex takes a job he reluctantly agrees to take, different factions attempt to pull him in different directions, and we explore a little bit more of the various aspects of the mage world, with a few fun action sequences thrown in. Taken was another hit for me. There were some exciting actions scenes too, including one memorable one that involved some teleporting bad guys. Aug 20, Scott rated it it was amazing Shelves: I feel one of the best compliments I can give an author is that their work continuously gets better, and that is definitely true of Jacka.

He writes a wonderfully tight story, with great pacing, and lots of interesting characters. This is most certainly becoming a favorite, and after the end of this book, I can't wait to see where it goes from here! Jan 22, Mark rated it really liked it. These just keep getting better, just the right amount of tension and ending on a high. View all 3 comments. Jul 12, Veronica rated it liked it Shelves: This series is okay but there are too many things that bug me about it for it to ever rise above three stars IMO.

The way Mage society is run makes no sense. It seems terribly inefficient and just dumb.

Taken : An Alex Verus Novel from the New Master of Magical London

It's hard to buy that Alex always has little tricks and spells to negate or lessen the impact of the powers of more powerful mages but none of those other mages ever seem to have anything to counteract Alex's powers. We're now three books in and none of the secondary characters have been fl This series is okay but there are too many things that bug me about it for it to ever rise above three stars IMO.

We're now three books in and none of the secondary characters have been fleshed out in any meaningful way. I'm a visual person and I still have no clear mental picture of what Alex looks like. A little more desciptors would be welcomed. The action scenes are good but, really, I need more meat on these bones. Feb 07, Red Wolf rated it it was amazing.

I have trouble praising books, I much prefer to criticize them cause it's easier. So that is what I will do. I have seen many reviews about books that say, " I couldn't put it down", "I read all night", etc. That is my complaint with this book. I have typically books on my currently reading list. Some are very good others are ok. I have books on my phone, tablet, computer, and actual books in the bathrooms. The book I have in the second bathroom gets the least attention. The last time I read I have trouble praising books, I much prefer to criticize them cause it's easier.

The last time I read it, it was getting interesting. Then I started this novel, and I left all others behind, to sit and wait till I granted them an audience. I hat3e this book. Because its over in such a short time. I am used to reading and leaving and returning to a book which gives me a lot of time to enjoy them. Read it get it done then what. Some one suggested these books as something to read till the next Dresden comes out. Well it's not out. Read these books get to know Mr. You will be glad and pissed off at the same time, because you will read them tooo fast and you won't see your second bathroom book for way too long.

There's just something really addictive about this series and I can't quite put my finger on what it is. Yet again, a super enjoyable book in the series and I'm excited to see what Alex gets up to in future adventures. Third in the Alex Verus urban fantasy revolving around an independent well, he's trying not to belong to a faction mage in Camden Town.

My Take I find Alex Verus' world fascinating. And, sad to say, sadly realistic with mages who are more interested in self-advancement, revenge, and power than doing the right thing. Alex, naturally, is one of the few good guys, interested in good and protecting others, and I love how Jacka easily lets us know how very powerful Alex is even as he balances it with Third in the Alex Verus urban fantasy revolving around an independent well, he's trying not to belong to a faction mage in Camden Town.

Alex, naturally, is one of the few good guys, interested in good and protecting others, and I love how Jacka easily lets us know how very powerful Alex is even as he balances it with Alex's difficulties. Whew, there are currents within currents in this story. Jacka tosses in so many questions that you won't be able to stop reading as you pursue those answers. It's not that the characters pull you in, but the way in which Jacka can take a basic plot and twist it all up according to the rules of this world he has created.

Viper's School for Super Villains series where our "accepted" beliefs in right and wrong are turned on their heads in these individual worlds. Hooie, Jagadev's club is practically bursting at the seams with the variety of people one can meet there. It's enough to make you want to sleep under the bedafter you've checked it for monsters! Alex has been telling Luna how dangerous it is to get involved in the mage world, and she's finally starting to get it.

The Story The White Stone tournament is coming up, and people just love to show-off. Mages aren't any different from regular humans in this regard. When Crystal tenders an offer to Alex to be in charge of tournament security, she's shocked at his response.

Although, it seems he'll be there with another purpose in mind: One that will have a huge impact on Alex's and others' lives, for apprentices are going missing. The Characters Alex Verus is a diviner, able to see thousands of possible futures at a time, who just happens to run a magic shop in Camden Town. After events in the last two books, he's becoming the go-to guy for the Council.

After events in Cursed , 2, Luna Mancuso is now formally Alex's apprentice, mostly so she can learn to control her curse. Since Jacka now refers to Luna as an Adept, I'm guessing she's moved up in power levels. Arachne is a ten-foot-tall spider who both weaves and designs beautiful clothes. David Sonder is a time mage who is more than a little interested in Luna.