Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Risen by Benedict Jacka Narrator: Gildart Jackson
Series: Alex Verus #12
Published by Tantor Audio on December 7, 2021
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: hours, minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Mage Alex Verus has gone from a Camden shopkeeper to one of the most powerful mages in Britain. Now his last and most dangerous battle lies before him.
Alex's girlfriend, the life mage Anne, has fallen fully under the control of the deadly djinn she made a bargain with, and it is preparing to create an army of mages subject to its every whim. Alex, the Council, and the Dark mage Richard Drakh agree to call a truce in their war, and plans are made for a joint attack. Alex knows that it's only a matter of time before Drakh and the Council turn on each other . . . and neither cares about keeping Anne alive. Can Alex figure out a way to stop Anne and to free her from possession before time runs out for the people he loves?
I LOVED having the Alex Verus series as the Read-along choice for 2019. Risen is the final book of the series and I have highly anticipated it. I would definitely recommend reading this series in order and the books are highly recommended.
I look at my review of Forged and many things are the same. ” things only seem more dire for Alex. I don’t know how he even figures out a plan. …. He can’t see any friends or they will be questioned and persecuted too. It’s almost easier to list who isn’t a problem than who is a problem.” Alex has things he wants to accomplish, but more for others than himself. He has problems, big problems personally. There are effects of using some magic and imbued items and they are changing him.
The biggest issues continue to be the council, Richard and Anne. All three are threats. It takes constant vigilance to stay ahead of the council who wants to execute him. Richard may want to kill him or use him, or both. With Anne, it is hard to know who is in charge, Anne, Dark Anne or the djinn? He wants to get Anne away from the djinn and make a life for them, but that may not be what Anne wants. Currently though, Anne possessed by the djinn is such a big threat, the council is willing to take his help with conditions. The council has also had it with Richard and his power plays.
Alex, as usual, has limited options for plans and some seriously dangerous enemies. Luna is a steadfast friend. So many other friends are dead or in their own difficulties. The action is intense as usual as Alex has to watch the possibilities and update his battle strategy on the fly. He is solid in his caring about others and those who have treated him fairly. He isn’t really out for revenge but in some cases I am, and I’m glad to see karma bite some of the prejudiced in Alex’s world, or just those who have abused him for power like Richard.
The conclusion is extremely satisfying although the epilogue starts a bit campy. We end up checking in on the important characters throughout this book. We learn a bit more history in a few places. I love this world, the magic systems and battles, but most of all I love Alex.
Narration:
Gildart Jackson is excellent with this series. He’s become a favorite narrator for me. I appreciate his voices for all the characters. I’m collecting the books on audio as I can. I loved listening and was comfortable at my normal 1.5x speed.
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:
- C21-Fall
I had no idea this series was up to 12. And I love seeing a 5 star review. Definitely something I’d start from the beginning! Thanks for sharing, Anne😁
It’s the final book in an amazing series. I enjoyed every one.
I love Alex Verus, and I am a huge fan of this series! I have Risen on hold at my library and am impatiently waiting for it to come in so I can finally see how it’s all going to end! Though that thought does make me a little sad.
I don’t even know how I stumbled on to it but I have enjoyed it since I found it. I believed in Alex from the beginning.
I am listening now, so I didn’t read your thoughts but loved seeing your rating.
It’s amazing. I feel that way about many of the books in this series.
I really need to get back to this series! This sounds so good!
This series will be one of my all time favorites.
I’m not familiar with this series but it sounds wonderful. So glad it ended on such a satisfying note for you. 🙂
I wasn’t familiar with it until right before I did the Read-along for it in 2019. I can’t remember how I found it but it will be an all-time favorite. There are many favorite books in the series.
I started the books in French and hoped they would continue the series but it seems not so I really need to continue it in English.
That must be challenging. I hope you get to enjoy them.
Oh I miss this series. Thanks for reminding me. Great review
I have SO many things to read or I would start and read it all over again. I really want to read it all start to finish again.
Wonderful that this ended on a satisfying note! I love when the books in a series are consistently good.
These are so consistently good.
I need to get to this series! I’ve seen a lot of praise. Glad to hear the ending was a 5-star read.
You should try it. It may be more urban fantasy than you normally read but if you love Ilona Andrews, Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher and Faith Hunter you will enjoy it. I think the big difference for me is the lead is a male, like Jim Butcher’s series. I read more with female leads.
I’ve heard so many good things about this series. I’m so glad you enjoyed the book and the series.
Thank you Wendy. I want to read it all over again now.