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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Ham-handed introduction of characters and a very formulaic plot, but somehow I love this author anyway.
Still completely loving this series. Here we learn about shadow realms, as we learn more about the world. And the interplay of Dark and Light Mages. It's getting more interesting.
(Also, if you loved how Luna was in the last book, you'll probably hate this one.)
(Also, if you loved how Luna was in the last book, you'll probably hate this one.)
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well, I zoomed through that one! I like Alex; he's basically good, but flawed. He knows he's flawed and doesn't think of himself as being good at all... more like trying to atone, I guess. Anyway, I wish the other characters were more rounded than they are, but at least they're getting there!
The third book in a UF series is usually the one that I get to and it is the deciding factor in if I’m going to continue the series or give up on it. With both Fated and Cursed being very solid reads for me I wasn’t really worried but Taken is where the series is starting to shine and so I’m relieved and encouraged to continue on with the series.
Alex is easy to root for. He isn’t the strongest, or nicest guy out there but he is smart and patient. Alex uses his gifts well and has spent time honing them to be the best they can be. He can fight when he needs to but his first choice is always to avoid the conflict, hard to get hurt if you aren’t there. There is something genuine about him. I love that he knows who he is and accepts it. He isn’t the best guy, he has a pretty dark past and has done a few terrible things, but those are what drive him now to help others and it makes him a great Hero to base these stories on.
Alex is amassing a nice collection of misfits. Prior to this we just had Luna, Arachne, Sonder and Starbreeze but in Taken we pick up a few misfit mages in Anne and Vari. It is nice to get to see Alex really grow into his role as Luna’s Mage Master in this. She is blossoming under his tutelage, learning how to control her curse and figuring out a way to make it work for her in a duel. Anne is a life mage and while healing is her main skill she can also take life too, do not mess with that chick. Vari is a fire mage with a hot temper, see what I did there. He is a little rebel without a cause and the only redeeming quality he has in the beginning is his devotion to protecting Anne, good to know there is more to him a little later on.
This was another fun story that brings in even more of the magic community to the world and pits Alex against something that is killing mage apprentices. Also swinging into the mix is a Dark mage from the first book and his evil acolyte who still have a bit of a grudge against Alex for not dying during their last altercation. As always there isn’t much down time and I love that, there are fights, battles, duels and an unlikely villain. It is always a fun ride.
I can’t wait to see what Alex and Co. get up to in the next installment.
Alex is easy to root for. He isn’t the strongest, or nicest guy out there but he is smart and patient. Alex uses his gifts well and has spent time honing them to be the best they can be. He can fight when he needs to but his first choice is always to avoid the conflict, hard to get hurt if you aren’t there. There is something genuine about him. I love that he knows who he is and accepts it. He isn’t the best guy, he has a pretty dark past and has done a few terrible things, but those are what drive him now to help others and it makes him a great Hero to base these stories on.
Alex is amassing a nice collection of misfits. Prior to this we just had Luna, Arachne, Sonder and Starbreeze but in Taken we pick up a few misfit mages in Anne and Vari. It is nice to get to see Alex really grow into his role as Luna’s Mage Master in this. She is blossoming under his tutelage, learning how to control her curse and figuring out a way to make it work for her in a duel. Anne is a life mage and while healing is her main skill she can also take life too, do not mess with that chick. Vari is a fire mage with a hot temper, see what I did there. He is a little rebel without a cause and the only redeeming quality he has in the beginning is his devotion to protecting Anne, good to know there is more to him a little later on.
This was another fun story that brings in even more of the magic community to the world and pits Alex against something that is killing mage apprentices. Also swinging into the mix is a Dark mage from the first book and his evil acolyte who still have a bit of a grudge against Alex for not dying during their last altercation. As always there isn’t much down time and I love that, there are fights, battles, duels and an unlikely villain. It is always a fun ride.
I can’t wait to see what Alex and Co. get up to in the next installment.
Title: Taken (An Alex Versus Novel Book Three)
Author: Benedict Jacka
Rating: 5/5
Pages: 313
This was so good. Very creative, and I didn't know how it was going to finish. Verus definitely has luck on his side.
I really enjoyed the plot, the descriptions, and the way Jacka's mind went. It was a darker one than the other two books, but it was still really good.
I enjoyed the relationship between the characters, and Luna was much better in this storyline. Although Variam was slightly irritating and needed a clip round the ear. I thought he was younger than he actually was.
I am very excited to start reading chosen next!
Have you read this book?
If not, will you?
What's your current read?
*Note from me: I never want to dim people's shine. It's brave for the author to put themselves out there in the public eye. Books/stories are personal preferences. What might be my cup of tea may not be yours. And vice Versa! Keep on creating!
Author: Benedict Jacka
Rating: 5/5
Pages: 313
This was so good. Very creative, and I didn't know how it was going to finish. Verus definitely has luck on his side.
I really enjoyed the plot, the descriptions, and the way Jacka's mind went. It was a darker one than the other two books, but it was still really good.
I enjoyed the relationship between the characters, and Luna was much better in this storyline. Although Variam was slightly irritating and needed a clip round the ear. I thought he was younger than he actually was.
I am very excited to start reading chosen next!
Have you read this book?
If not, will you?
What's your current read?
*Note from me: I never want to dim people's shine. It's brave for the author to put themselves out there in the public eye. Books/stories are personal preferences. What might be my cup of tea may not be yours. And vice Versa! Keep on creating!
fast-paced