Burned by Benedict Jacka Narrator: Gildart Jackson
Series: Alex Verus #7
on April 5, 2016
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 304
Length: 11 hours, 45 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Diviner Alex Verus finally made one too many enemies on the Council of Mages, and now one of them is angry enough to have him executed. Fighting for his life is nothing new, but this kill order also calls for the death of Alex’s dependents—and there’s no way that he’ll let Luna, Anne, and Vari take the heat.
With only a week before he’s history, Alex will have to figure out how to disassociate himself from his friends, scrounge up allies on the Council, and hopefully keep his head attached to his body.
But saving himself is going to bring him into direct opposition with his former master and the Dark mages surrounding him. And, this time, escaping with his life might mean losing his soul...
I feel like every great series has that book where the s**t hits the fan and it feels like nothing can go right for the hero. Burned is that book in the Alex Verus series. In sum, Alex gets his burn notice from the Council of Mages in an emergency session led by Levistus. It’s not just Alex who has been condemned to death, it is anyone dependent on him. That means, Luna, Anne, and Vari will suffer the same fate. No pressure or anything.
I loved and hated Burned. OK, I really just loved it, but in a ‘love-to-hate-it’ kind of way. The total injustice of the council’s action and Alex’s situation made my blood boil. I wanted to rant and rave, and maybe write a letter to my congressman (or the magical equivalent) about how this was a total abuse of power!
Nothing seemed to go right for Alex and his friends. “Yet hope remains while all the company is true.”* We learned who Alex’s real allies were. Together, they worked to overturn the death sentence while formulating contingency plans for the dependents. I was so filled with hope by the end of the book I was shocked back into a state of bewildered injustice when things didn’t work out the way I wanted them to. The deceit is so cunningly employed I didn’t even see it coming. Well played, Mr. Jacka. Well played.
This has been my favorite book in the series so far. I am on edge to find out how it will all play out and what the magical world will look like at the end of the day. I’m also in agreement with Anne’s previous reviews that by now, one should not attempt to read this as a stand-alone. There is too much build up from the world, characters and political landscape to understand and appreciate this novel by itself.
Note: One of Anne’s questions below is about Lyle being TSTL. In Burned, Lyle explained he was actually trying to help Alex when he first involved him with Levistus. Lyle seems to epitomize the mindless bureaucrat who blindly accepts the will of those in power. So yes, TSTL, but maybe not malicious? Perhaps he’ll get a redemption moment.
Narration:
I don’t think there is much more I can say about Gildart Jackson’s performance that hasn’t already been said. He continues to do a fantastic job with a huge cast of characters. Although Alex is significantly younger than I had originally thought from the earlier books, the voice and tone are still spot on.
Listen to a clip:
Anne’s observations from Burned:
- Alex’s strategy of working with the Keepers may not be safer. Now he is a Keeper and not only can he still die, even from friendly fire, his friends / family will die if he doesn’t follow Council Orders. It has saved his life but now he is a slave to the Dark Mages, not living independently.
- Lyle is TSTL. At least it doesn’t look like Alex will try to save him from his own stupidity.
- Alex’s enemies like Levistus and Morden and Richard are formidable. DITTO
- Chalice is okay for a Dark Mage. Alex may have friends / allies but they weren’t able to help him very much.
- WTF?!? This was horrid all the time. Now what? I don’t like how this went. At all.
Anne’s questions from Veiled:
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- What other strategies will Alex develop to protect himself and his friends?
- Luna relocked the force barrier with the cube but then where did the cube go?
- Will Alex ever be able to do anything about the cruel practices of dark mages?
- Will there be a romance for Alex?
- Will Alex ever be able to contact Starbreeze again, or find her?
- Is Lyle TSTL? He is lazy and weak, combined with a huge ego, a bad combination. Will he please get himself killed before he hurts too many other people with his power hungry stupidity? Otherwise, I am afraid Alex will try to help him and get ensnared somehow.
- (KC)Will vampires be a future subject since it is hard to know if they are really all gone?
- (KC) Is Alex destined for a council position?
- (KC) Will humans become a bigger threat, particularly to monsters and dark mages?
Anne’s questions from Burned:
- What other strategies will Alex develop to protect himself and his friends? Will he ever manage independence for himself and others again?
- Luna relocked the force barrier with the cube but then where did the cube go?
- Will Alex ever be able to do anything about the cruel practices of dark mages?
- Will there be a romance for Alex?
- Will Alex ever be able to contact Starbreeze again, or find her?
- (KC)Will vampires be a future subject since it is hard to know if they are really all gone?
- (KC) Is Alex destined for a council position?
- (KC) Will humans become a bigger threat, particularly to monsters and dark mages?
Games:
1. Who said (enter the answer in the Rafflecopter, don’t put in the comments)
“Because the only guy who wins in a war is the one selling bullets.”
2. Who is the villain in Burned? (Enter in the rafflecopter)
Schedule:
We are doing one book every month, posting on Fridays. We should have a review for most of the books with the team here at Books of My Heart plus some of our blogging friends.
Aug 2: Burned
Sep 6: Bound
Oct 4: Marked
Nov 1: Fallen
Miss a post?
Feb 1: Fated
Mar 1: Cursed
Apr 5: Taken
May 3: Chosen
Jun 7: Hidden
Jul 5: Veiled
Be sure to enter the giveaways!!!
Giveaway:
I’m giving away a digital copy of Bound from Amazon.
Read-along Giveaway:
This giveaway is for the entire event, with things to enter each month. Tantor is also supporting me by giving away digital codes for all 10 audiobooks in the series!
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've developed a preference for audiobooks over the last few years, which allow me to complete chores, run carpool, or work on my many building and craft projects while 'reading.
My all time favorite selections include Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, Karen Marie Moning's Fever series, and all of Robin Hobb's books set in the Farseer world. Honorable mentions to Elle Kennedy, Penny Reid, Meljean Brook, Ann Aguirre, Krista and Becca Ritchie, Jeaniene Frost, and Kristen Callihan.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2019 Library-Love
- BTB 2019
- COYER Hunt
Not reading it currently, sounds good though
It is excellent. You should try it if you like UF.
Wow. I really must try this series! It’s awesome that you are still loving it this far in!
At some point, you should try it. I love it.
Gah…that ending. This book got so intense, can anything go right for Alex.
Yes. I am so worried for him.