Marked

Alex Verus Series, Book 9

By: Benedict Jacka

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Mage Alex Verus is hanging on by a thread in the ninth urban fantasy novel from the national best-selling author of Burned.

When Mage Alex Verus ends up with a position on the Light Council, no one is happy, least of all him. But Alex is starting to realize that if he wants to protect his friends, he'll need to become a power player himself. His first order of business is to track down dangerous magical items unleashed into the world by Dark Mages.

But when the Council decides they need his help in negotiating with the perpetrators, Alex will have to use all his cunning and magic to strike a deal - and stop the rising tension between the Council, the Dark Mages, and the adept community from turning into a bloodbath.

©2018 Benedict Jacka (P)2018 Tantor

Slow, but satisfying.

Having faithfully followed the adventures of Alex Verus for years at this point, this novel and the previous feel like a turning point in the series.

Alex is is very different in some ways, than the very first time we meet him. The story around him is different. I don’t think this is entirely a bad thing.

Luna has fully been relegated to supporting cast alongside several other characters as Jacka continues to tighten his focus on Alex, Anne, and ever-tightening circle of danger around them.

I enjoyed this, even though it’s light on “action.” There’s plenty of intrigue to go around and we get some good bits. Elsewhere gets explored a bit more, and I dig it.

As far as story, I gave it four stars because I feel as if Sonder, Caldera, and several other characters that played larger parts in previous novels feel very one-dimensional now. Everyone hates Verus, even though he proves time and again he’s a good guy. Light mages are basically all jerks as bad as dark mages at this point, and it’s getting a touch stale. I’m hoping there’s something coming in the way of a resolution or reconciliation between Verus and his old comrades.

STILL, after 9 books, I’m still ready for the next. So keep it up Mr. Jacka.

Great work keeps the story going.

I was awesome. loved the twist and plots. never dull. I cant for the ne t book.

it was a great read.

it was a great read. the plot kept me interested until the end. I'm excited for the story to continue.

Great Listen... when's 10 come out!?

Every year I wait for the new Verus book on Audible and burn through it too quickly.... This one pushed the story along a little, basically another setup book for the inevitable finale. This was an entertaining listen though... some surprises that I should have seen coming, but he covered it up well. That whole foreshadowing part can be obfuscated with clever tricks. All in all another enjoyable book by Jacka and I will be sorry to see it wrap up, so just keep it going ;)

Another Solid Entry in the Series

Another chapter in this excellent low fantasy series. Juggles a fair number of characters, each with their own motivations and challenges. Magic system is simple, but also logical and compelling, and not too overpowered.

Now I have to wait for the next one.