Fated

Alex Verus Series, Book 1

By: Benedict Jacka

Narrated by: Gildart Jackson

Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Alex Verus is part of a world hidden in plain sight, running a magic shop in London. And while Alex's own powers aren't as showy as some mages, he does have the advantage of foreseeing the possible future-allowing him to pull off operations that have a million-to-one-chance of success.

But when Alex is approached by multiple factions to crack open a relic from a long-ago mage war, he knows that whatever's inside must be beyond powerful. And thanks to his abilities, Alex can predict that by taking the job, his odds of survival are about to go from slim to none…

©2012 Benedict Jacka (P)2013 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Harry Dresden would like Alex Verus tremendously - and be a little nervous around him. I just added Benedict Jacka to my must-listen to list." (Jim Butcher)

Indeed its a bit similar to Harry Dresden

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

Harry Dresden (by Jim Butcher) is one of my favorites characters in Urban Fantasy, so I really liked Alex Verus… as someone said here its like Harry's English Cousin. Because this is the first book of four its still early to say how much I like. I guess by the book four I could be more specific how much I like.

What other book might you compare Fated to and why?

Once again to Harry Dresden. Though mind they are not the same. As i just started the series all I can say that Harry and Alex share a similar way of thought, how they deal with their enemies. Id say Harry is more aggressive and powerful, perhaps? Alex in other hand as being able to see the future appear more analytical and think before act… while Harry has a "Godmother",the evil Leannan sidhe to come at his aid, Alex has a female air elemental being and a mythological giant-spider to come at his aid. Harry has a female apprentice, Alex has also a female friend that come across as his apprentice. Both share a bad past with a consul of wizards (or of Mage in Alex's case). Both also had almost being killed by their evil mentors in the past and still managed to became "good guys". What else… ah while Harry struggles to make money in Chicago… Alex do own a shop in London, but he is far from being rich either. Now the most interesting thing was that Alex does mention once reading about a wizard advertising himself in the newspaper though he believes was urban legend !!! I though was really cool because gives a hint that Harry and Alex somehow lives in the same universe. In so many books I read in Urban Fantasy thats the only time a character from author is mention … well apart from comic book characters (but they were mentioned as fiction not as a person as Alex acknowledges the existence of such wizard in Chicago… clearly Harry Dresden). I guess i brought up what was similar to me. In essence i would not say they aren't the same, the story is quite different as far as I felt on the first book. Just some elements may be related.

What about Gildart Jackson’s performance did you like?

I really enjoyed his performance. Although he isn't James Masterson (who plays Harry Dresden), I though he did a good job with his voice. His female voices were good too. Overall was pleasant to hear as some books even though were acclaimed as excellent books if the narrator in the audiobook doesn't do a good job its hard to keep up. I have stopped listening several books because I couldn't stand horrible narrators.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Hmmm … Like I said as Fated was the first book in the series, I was just trying to get into the story. To be honest though I liked the book I can't say I loved yet…maybe the second I d like better? But please dont get let me discourage to get this book. Perhaps as a Harry Dresden fan I was hoping more action? Keep in mind I've got all Harry Dresden 14 Books… so I'm a fan and Alex Verus i'm still getting to know.

Any additional comments?

I think most people that like Harry Dresden (Jim Butcher), Atticus O'Sullivan - The Iron Druid ( Kevin Hearne), Mercy Thompson (Patricia Briggs) and Rachel Morgan (Kim Harrison) would like this book.

I found Harry Dresden's long lost British cousin!

The parallels between this main character and Harry Dresden is a wee bit disturbing. However that being said, the performance was lovely and the story good. I look forward to the next book. I feel a little like I'm cheating on Jim Butcher, sshhhhhh don't tell him.

Mage 101

I almost gave up on this book. Alex, goes to great lengths explaining the world of magic, every different kind of mage there is and what powers they possess. It bordered on boredom for the first part of the book, but managed to get better once all the background was gathered. The story then developed into a quest of life and death to retrieve a powerful relic that only Alex could open it's secrets. Alex has a nice group of friends to help and an equal amount of enemies out to stop him. The first of a series, but I think I'll stick with Dresden.

Compelling magical world

Would you listen to Fated again? Why?

Maybe -- I tend not to relisten. But it was a good adventure!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fated?

Alex dancing with Luna at the ball...

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

His narration is really great -- not just a range of voices for the characters, but absolutely understanding what he's reading and bringing it to life. Lots of expression and fun.

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

I definitely dragged out my listening sessions.

Any additional comments?

Different from a Dresden book, but grabbing in a similar way -- magical politics, interesting characters with complex issues of their own, an imperfect narrator, unpredictable plot twists. I look forward to consuming the rest of the series! Was really a great escape.

I almost felt guilty for liking it so much

Any additional comments?

When I read a fantasy book and really enjoy it, as I did for the Harry Potter books and others, I almost feel guilty that I would enjoy something so implausible. Shouldn't I read something serious, something that relates to the real world? This book made me feel that way; I thoroughly enjoyed it despite all that.

At first I wasn't sure I was going to like the narrator. Very British, formal sounding, but I grew to like him very much and he did a great job. Like all great narrators he combined with the author to make me see the characters in my mind.

The story is not especially deep or complicated. The characters are developed well and our hero and his female protege were very likable and enjoyable.

I've decided I will go ahead and feel guilty. I'm getting the next book in the series and looking forward to listening to it.

I was not expecting much, but now I am hooked

I have to admit I am now sucked into the world of Alex Verus. Not big on Magical things normally, but Alex is a magical character with brains I can root for. Pleasantly surprised!

Enjoyable rip-off of the Dresden Files

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

Ranks among the top tier of all the Jim Butcher, urban fantasy wannabes. Good news/bad news is that it adopts all the Dresden Files styles and tropes, so if you like Harry, you'll like Alex.

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

Narrator does a good job of fleshing out otherwise fairly stock characters.

Worth the read

I liked it. It has a good sense of humor, which I guess these kind of books have to have these days, a bit silly and some ways, and definitely predictable in several aspects. But enjoyable, even the predictable parts. If there are more in this series I may pick them up. Oh, and the narration was excellent.

Different and Special

Reviewers have compared this story to others in the same genera but I found this story refreshing. The narrator adds class with his many different voices. I'm going to the next audiobook.

Good book

Definitely in the urban fantasy realm. If I read this before Dresden maybe I like this better. If you like butcher or Hearne 's work you will enjoy this.

The narration was also very well done.