Fated by Benedict Jacka Narrator: Gildart Jackson
Series: Alex Verus #1
Published by Tantor Audio on December 24, 2013
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 10 hours, 33 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
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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 . .
Read It, Rate It and Record
A short review to update challenges
The Alex Verus series was recommended awhile back by Ilona Andrews so I’m finally reading it. My incorrect impression was it was science fiction. It’s urban fantasy with mages, elementals and more.
I enjoyed the world building, the mystery plot and getting to know some of Alex’s history, plus his circle of friends. Alex started out in a bad place in life, so now he keeps to himself. Unfortunately, the power hungry all come out in this story to use his talents in a power grab. There’s an Indiana Jones feel with artifacts and magic and various people trying to snatch the prize.
Fated is the start of a new phase in Alex’s life and I’m happy to be along for the ride. He is smart and snarky. Alex cares about others, so yeah, he’s one of the good guys. I’m excited to see what happens to him next.
Narration:
I’ve listened to Gildart Jackson before, in The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. With a London setting, I appreciated the voice which fit that locale. His pace is relaxed so I was able to listen at a 1.5x speed. The female voices were comfortable and there were distinct voices for the different characters.
Listen to a clip HERE.
About Gildart Jackson
With acting credits that span stage and screen, Gildart Jackson is most often recognized for his role as Gideon on Charmed. Other notable TV roles include Jackson Palmer on Providence and Simon Prentiss on General Hospital, as well as guest appearances on Stargate: Atlantis, Las Vegas, and CSI. Theater roles include Trigorin in The Seagull, Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, and Adrian in Private Eyes at the Old Globe.
About Benedict Jacka
Benedict Jacka became a writer almost by accident, when at nineteen he sat in his school library and started a story in the back of an exercise book. Since then he’s studied philosophy at Cambridge, lived in China, and worked as everything from civil servant to bouncer to teacher before returning to London to take up law.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2018 Audiobook Challenge
- 2018 Library-Love Challenge
Glad the recommend turned out good even if it startled you by being UF. I’ll have to check it out, too.
Yes and the Deathstalker series I am reading has the same narrator and I was sure it was UF but it is Scifi. I’m soooo confused.
I’m glad you are enjoying this one. I’ve read the series so far and loved it – I think it goes on getting better and think that Jacka handles the prescient thing really intelligently. Lol… the Deathstalker series is a whole different kettle of fish! Happy listening, Anne:)
I remember when this series first came out, I wanted to pick it up, but had too many review books. Now it’s on audiobook… maybe I’ll need to give it a go. Thanks!
I really enjoyed it and hope to go on soon. It’s UF and done really well so far.