Chosen

Alex Verus, Book 4

By: Benedict Jacka

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

I don't publicly advertise that I'm a mage, but I don't exactly hide it either, and one of the odd things I've learnt over the years is just how much you can get away with if you're blatant enough. Hide something behind smoke and mirrors and make people work to find it, and they'll tear the place down looking for what's there. 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 apprenticed to a Dark mage, and in his service he did a lot of things he isn't proud of. As rumors swirl that his old master is coming back, Alex comes face to face with his misdeeds in the form of a young adept whose only goal is to get revenge. Alex has changed his life for the better, but he's afraid of what his friends - including his apprentice, Luna - will think of his past. But if they're going to put themselves at risk, they need to know exactly what kind of man they're fighting for...

©2013 Benedict Jacka (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Jacka puts other urban fantasists to shame with the fourth Alex Verus novel, a stellar blend of thoughtful philosophy and explosive action populated by a stereotype-defying diverse cast." ---Publishers Weekly Starred Review

Great story line

Could not wait to hear the next chapter or the next book. Keep them coming.

Best Yet

best in the series. I still feel they're predictable, but enjoyable nonetheless. They're getting better at least.

Great character additions

Any additional comments?

Great character additions to the series. There were too many rude exterior, heart of gold types. The series follows a diviner and his apprentice through various adventures. Give this series a try. You will enjoy it.

best on in the series so far

This is a great series. I like this one because it is more gritty and real than others of the same genre. There isn't a lot of snarky humor, pop references or wacky side-kicks. When Alex Verus says leave me alone or else, he means or I'll see you die horribly. He's still a decent guy but has no problems doing what needs to be done to ensure his survival.

This book gives a lot of the backstory on Alex Verus. it is a fun story and action packed to boot. I haven't been sleeping much lately as several of my favvorite authors put books out at the same time. I definitely enjoyed staying up late to finish this one. Plenty of time to sleep when I am dead. I can't wait for the next one as he leaves it on an awsome cliff-hanger.

This one is definitely worth listening to and the narrarator is great. you can't go wrong with this one. If you like Dresden get this one, Verus is the dark tough guy Harry D. thinks he is.

real emotional stakes for the 1st time in series

This series gets better as the emotional stakes get higher. Alex Verus finally has friends, and now he has to risk their friendship by telling them his darkest secrets and past dark history. Without their help, can he defeat the people out to kill him? If he does ask for their help, will he lose them in battle?

Lots of feel good scenes, and lots of emotional turmoil and self-doubt in this installment of the series, as well as several clever traps and battles. I felt that Alex was really vulnerable as a character as his backstory was revealed, and the reader is given a lot more insight into his character. I'm finally feeling connected to Alex as a character. Luna gets some good growth in this book too, and I enjoyed the addition of Ann and Veri to the cast of characters. I like that in this world, there is less of a black vs. white (good or bad) categorization in the classifications of the magic users, and more greyness to the moral decisions being made. Everyone makes mistakes and has to pay for them. Everybody gets lucky sometimes. Conversely, I like that the magical society has such a clear and strict framework: the master/apprentice system, the adept and journeyman levels, the Keepers and the Council governing the Light and Independant mages. It lends a sense of order and ordinariness to the whole magic world.

The book has several of the things I've complained about with the rest of the series: too much info-dumping, Arachne's magical items being a little too good to be true, some misogynistic tendencies of the main character, etc. but overall this book came a long way into making the characters feel three-dimensional and in making me invest in the series emotionally.

Chosen

Wow what can I say about this book intense action packed full of intrigue a budding romance and more . We finally find out why Rachael is coo coo and what she did that caused it . But man was this a good one the emotions we also find out what happened that made Alex run and who finally came to his aid when everyone turned him away . As for Ann she really worked my nerves please tell me that she is not Alex's love interest cause he needs someone who's flexible who will have his back even if they don't agree with Alex's methods . Ann's holy than thou attitude got on my nerves but that ending HOLY SHIT NOT RICHARD THE DEVIL .

very good but depressing.

The story was very exciting from the very beginning but then the last was really depressing. Alex is taking on the care and feeding of the entire crew. The characters are really interesting. Some I really like , others not so much, but they are very strong with that little bit of bad in their background. Gildart Jackson does just a marvelous job reading these books. I can't imagine anyone else doing it.

The best of what makes fantasy great

Where does Chosen rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

top third

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like our protagonist, of course, and am becoming intrigued by Anna...

What does Gildart Jackson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

he does a good job of reminding you of the differences among characters by different voices and accents -- especially good making a giant spider sound friendly but inhuman.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

it does suck you along, but I also don't want it to be over that fast.

Any additional comments?

Really great demonstration of what sci fi and fantasy do best -- allow you to look at Big Questions of everyday life by making them bigger than life: what does it mean to be the "good guys"? How do you deal with the possibility that your instincts can make you a "bad guy," or that just being human means being both Good and Bad? and how do you live with yourself and with the reflection of those truths in the eyes of your friends?

meantime, a good ride of adventure and politics, as this series has been providing. worth the time.

Never boring!

Definitely developed a relationship with the characters and grown to feel like they are friends of mine. 😊

Wow

I started this series to fill the emptiness left after finishing the Dresden files. The first three books were good and liked them enough to continue the series, but I did not love them. However... this installment was truly amazing. I can honestly say that I love this series after reading this one and have already impulse bought the rest of the books. I want to say more, but I have some reading to do.