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kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Third in the Alex Verus urban fantasy revolving around an independent (well, he's trying not to belong to a faction) mage in Camden Town.
My Take
I find Alex Verus' world fascinating. And, sad to say, sadly realistic with mages who are more interested in self-advancement, revenge, and power than doing the right thing. Alex, naturally, is one of the few good guys, interested in good and protecting others, and I love how Jacka easily lets us know how very powerful Alex is even as he balances it with Alex's difficulties.
Whew, there are currents within currents in this story. Jacka tosses in so many questions that you won't be able to stop reading as you pursue those answers. It's not that the characters pull you in, but the way in which Jacka can take a basic plot and twist it all up according to the rules of this world he has created. In some ways, the world of Alex Verus reminds me of Kim Donovan's St. Viper's School for Super Villains series where our "accepted" beliefs in right and wrong are turned on their heads in these individual worlds.
Hooie, Jagadev's club is practically bursting at the seams with the variety of people one can meet there. It's enough to make you want to sleep under the bed---after you've checked it for monsters!
'Bout time...Alex has been telling Luna how dangerous it is to get involved in the mage world, and she's finally starting to get it.
The Story
The White Stone tournament is coming up, and people just love to show-off. Mages aren't any different from regular humans in this regard.
When Crystal tenders an offer to Alex to be in charge of tournament security, she's shocked at his response. Although, it seems he'll be there with another purpose in mind: the Council has another dirty deed that needs dealing with. One that will have a huge impact on Alex's and others' lives, for apprentices are going missing.
The Characters
Alex Verus is a diviner, able to see thousands of possible futures at a time, who just happens to run a magic shop in Camden Town. After events in the last two books, he's becoming the go-to guy for the Council. After events in Cursed, 2, Luna Mancuso is now formally Alex's apprentice, mostly so she can learn to control her curse. Since Jacka now refers to Luna as an Adept, I'm guessing she's moved up in power levels.
Arachne is a ten-foot-tall spider who both weaves and designs beautiful clothes. David Sonder is a time mage who is more than a little interested in Luna. Some of Luna's fellow apprentices include the very polite Anne Walker, a Life mage; the vicious, tale-telling Natasha; Charles; and, the extremely suspicious Variam Singh, a fire mage. Anne and Variam's Master is Lord Jagadev, a rakshasa, who owns the Tiger's Palace, a club.
Talisid, who looks more like an accountant than a mage, is involved with one faction of the Council. Lyle Trahelis is, well, more of a former friend of Alex's who is more interested in his own promotions, and he's teaching some of the apprentice classes. I'm curious as to what's in it for him as his only interest is in "status, advancement, prestige, and a position in the Council bureaucracy".
Onyx is the enemy, a very deadly battle mage, from Fated, 1, the Chosen of Morden, who is himself one of the most powerful Dark mages. Sagash is a Dark mage who kidnapped Anne; Ebber is a Light mage who claimed he could help rescue her. Vitus Aubuchon was the mage who owned Fountain Reach previously. Hobson was a servant at Fountain Reach before Vitus disappeared.
Crystal is a mind mage, and she's offered up her country home, Fountain Reach, for the White Stone tournament, an event at which mages and their apprentices do mock battle, sort of an Olympics of magic.
The Council is the ruling body of Light Mages. Remember, "light" is just a term, as Alex puts it, at least the Dark mages are honest. The basic premise between mages---Light or Dark---is if you're not their tool, you're their enemy. Avenor and Travis are Council Keepers; think police. Sensitives are a step up from normals. They can "feel the presence of magic". Next up are the adepts who can "actually channel magic in a subtle way". Then there are the mages. Arrogant, self-absorbed, if they see something they want, they take it.
The Cover
The cover is an electric pink-purple with an eyeview through bullet-cracked glass of the Thames overlooking the water traffic and London.
The title sums it all up, for the apprentices are Taken.
My Take
I find Alex Verus' world fascinating. And, sad to say, sadly realistic with mages who are more interested in self-advancement, revenge, and power than doing the right thing. Alex, naturally, is one of the few good guys, interested in good and protecting others, and I love how Jacka easily lets us know how very powerful Alex is even as he balances it with Alex's difficulties.
Whew, there are currents within currents in this story. Jacka tosses in so many questions that you won't be able to stop reading as you pursue those answers. It's not that the characters pull you in, but the way in which Jacka can take a basic plot and twist it all up according to the rules of this world he has created. In some ways, the world of Alex Verus reminds me of Kim Donovan's St. Viper's School for Super Villains series where our "accepted" beliefs in right and wrong are turned on their heads in these individual worlds.
Hooie, Jagadev's club is practically bursting at the seams with the variety of people one can meet there. It's enough to make you want to sleep under the bed---after you've checked it for monsters!
'Bout time...Alex has been telling Luna how dangerous it is to get involved in the mage world, and she's finally starting to get it.
The Story
The White Stone tournament is coming up, and people just love to show-off. Mages aren't any different from regular humans in this regard.
When Crystal tenders an offer to Alex to be in charge of tournament security, she's shocked at his response. Although, it seems he'll be there with another purpose in mind: the Council has another dirty deed that needs dealing with. One that will have a huge impact on Alex's and others' lives, for apprentices are going missing.
The Characters
Alex Verus is a diviner, able to see thousands of possible futures at a time, who just happens to run a magic shop in Camden Town. After events in the last two books, he's becoming the go-to guy for the Council. After events in Cursed, 2, Luna Mancuso is now formally Alex's apprentice, mostly so she can learn to control her curse. Since Jacka now refers to Luna as an Adept, I'm guessing she's moved up in power levels.
Arachne is a ten-foot-tall spider who both weaves and designs beautiful clothes. David Sonder is a time mage who is more than a little interested in Luna. Some of Luna's fellow apprentices include the very polite Anne Walker, a Life mage; the vicious, tale-telling Natasha; Charles; and, the extremely suspicious Variam Singh, a fire mage. Anne and Variam's Master is Lord Jagadev, a rakshasa, who owns the Tiger's Palace, a club.
Talisid, who looks more like an accountant than a mage, is involved with one faction of the Council. Lyle Trahelis is, well, more of a former friend of Alex's who is more interested in his own promotions, and he's teaching some of the apprentice classes. I'm curious as to what's in it for him as his only interest is in "status, advancement, prestige, and a position in the Council bureaucracy".
Onyx is the enemy, a very deadly battle mage, from Fated, 1, the Chosen of Morden, who is himself one of the most powerful Dark mages. Sagash is a Dark mage who kidnapped Anne; Ebber is a Light mage who claimed he could help rescue her. Vitus Aubuchon was the mage who owned Fountain Reach previously. Hobson was a servant at Fountain Reach before Vitus disappeared.
Crystal is a mind mage, and she's offered up her country home, Fountain Reach, for the White Stone tournament, an event at which mages and their apprentices do mock battle, sort of an Olympics of magic.
The Council is the ruling body of Light Mages. Remember, "light" is just a term, as Alex puts it, at least the Dark mages are honest. The basic premise between mages---Light or Dark---is if you're not their tool, you're their enemy. Avenor and Travis are Council Keepers; think police. Sensitives are a step up from normals. They can "feel the presence of magic". Next up are the adepts who can "actually channel magic in a subtle way". Then there are the mages. Arrogant, self-absorbed, if they see something they want, they take it.
The Cover
The cover is an electric pink-purple with an eyeview through bullet-cracked glass of the Thames overlooking the water traffic and London.
The title sums it all up, for the apprentices are Taken.
willrefuge's review
4.0
8 / 10 ✪
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2022/03/29/taken-by-benedict-jacka-review/
Once, Alex Verus could go weeks without seeing another mage. Kept behind the counter of his Camden shop, he cared little for Council society, dark mages, light mages, or anything beyond his little corner of the world. But now everything has changed.
As Luna’s master, Alex is expected at apprentice events. As a known diviner to the Council, Alex—while not exactly trusted—still manages to get some side work from Talisid, and from the Council itself. Additionally, more and more independents have begun approaching him with divination requests. One such request comes courtesy of Crystal, who wants a tournament at Fountain Ridge monitored. But he has bigger things on his plate. Apprentices have been disappearing, and the Council has no idea how.
Unfortunately, Alex has no idea how either. Not only can he find no trace of them, there’s no evidence, no witnesses, and no suspects. But that’s not the end of his problems.
When someone takes a shot at Anne—one of the other apprentices in the program—Alex steps in to help her. And in doing so involves himself in something he might’ve left very much alone. Someone really wants Anne dead. And Alex can’t rule anyone out. The Council, Anne’s Rakshasa master, the other apprentices, dark mages, light mages, wild dogs, muggles, trees, waffle house employees—everyone seems to want Anne dead. And yet in helping her, Alex is pointed to a very interesting coincidence. As when the Council finally does come up with a suspect, it’s her. Now Alex has to decide whether she’s a friend or foe. And why everyone is trying so hard to see her dead.
Fortunately, he has a clue—albeit a vague one.
The answer you seek is at Fountain Reach.
And that’s it.
Though while Alex has no idea why he’d look to Fountain Reach, he has no better ideas.
—
Whoever had designed the block of flats had obviously worked to a clear set of priorities. Unfortunately, while cost, size, and low-maintenance had made it to the top of the list. aesthetics, good escape routes, and shelter from gunfire hadn’t.
—
While Taken isn’t Benedict Jacka’s best work, it’s definitely a step in the right direction. The mystery is strong in this one, with an interesting, complex, and thoroughly entertaining story. Unlike the previous two installments, this one has a bit more going on than what’s immediately obvious. With two main plot points, it comes down to what’s happening to the apprentices, and what’s happening with Anne. Neither make sense on their own, but together… yeah, they still don’t make immediate sense. Fortunately, the further we go down the rabbit hole, the more things start to clear up. And while it may not seem like it at first, everything fits together quite nicely—even if there’s not an easy explanation for all of it.
The story isn’t the only thing that gets a leg up come Taken. The character development, particularly that of some of Alex’s allies, starts paying dividends. Though Alex’s own development continues to strengthen, it’s not him that I want to focus on. Even in the first two books, the character development of Alex was strong. But while Verus’ backstory was getting filled in, others were missing out. Luna (primarily) and Sonder as well, get their chance here. Now, while we don’t learn a whole lot about either, what we are given is certainly up from the zero established in earlier books. In addition to these two, another few potential allies begin to emerge. One, Talisid, whose motives have been obscure to this point, starts to get more solidly in Alex’s corner. While the Council man’s a far cry from going out of his way to help Verus, he’s good for a “favor for a favor” trade. Anne, on the other hand, is a bit more mysterious. But over the course of Taken we see a lot of her, and she and Alex work quite well together.
A much better entry to the series, Taken still falls a bit short on originality. I hate to admit it, but the above message about Fountain Reach—while vague, obscure, and not terribly creative—it’s a key plot point. Without it, I’m not sure the investigation shifting to Fountain Reach would make any sense at all. Which is kind of disappointing. It all works out well enough in the end, but getting to that point really could’ve been accomplished… better. The thing is, that although immersive and immediately readable, the mystery of Taken is a bit of a convoluted mess. A bit. Again, I did legitimately enjoy it, and it all worked out quite nicely in the end, but looking back on it—it is sort of a mess. But hey—it works, and that’s the important part.
TL;DR
All in all, Taken may be the best example of the Alex Verus series to its point, but the best is yet to come. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a big fan of this series (especially the second half dozen), and even though this isn’t the best that Jacka’s capable of, it’s moving in the right direction. Better than the first two; still more than enough reason to pick it up; definitely recommended!
https://arefugefromlife.wordpress.com/2022/03/29/taken-by-benedict-jacka-review/
Once, Alex Verus could go weeks without seeing another mage. Kept behind the counter of his Camden shop, he cared little for Council society, dark mages, light mages, or anything beyond his little corner of the world. But now everything has changed.
As Luna’s master, Alex is expected at apprentice events. As a known diviner to the Council, Alex—while not exactly trusted—still manages to get some side work from Talisid, and from the Council itself. Additionally, more and more independents have begun approaching him with divination requests. One such request comes courtesy of Crystal, who wants a tournament at Fountain Ridge monitored. But he has bigger things on his plate. Apprentices have been disappearing, and the Council has no idea how.
Unfortunately, Alex has no idea how either. Not only can he find no trace of them, there’s no evidence, no witnesses, and no suspects. But that’s not the end of his problems.
When someone takes a shot at Anne—one of the other apprentices in the program—Alex steps in to help her. And in doing so involves himself in something he might’ve left very much alone. Someone really wants Anne dead. And Alex can’t rule anyone out. The Council, Anne’s Rakshasa master, the other apprentices, dark mages, light mages, wild dogs, muggles, trees, waffle house employees—everyone seems to want Anne dead. And yet in helping her, Alex is pointed to a very interesting coincidence. As when the Council finally does come up with a suspect, it’s her. Now Alex has to decide whether she’s a friend or foe. And why everyone is trying so hard to see her dead.
Fortunately, he has a clue—albeit a vague one.
The answer you seek is at Fountain Reach.
And that’s it.
Though while Alex has no idea why he’d look to Fountain Reach, he has no better ideas.
—
Whoever had designed the block of flats had obviously worked to a clear set of priorities. Unfortunately, while cost, size, and low-maintenance had made it to the top of the list. aesthetics, good escape routes, and shelter from gunfire hadn’t.
—
While Taken isn’t Benedict Jacka’s best work, it’s definitely a step in the right direction. The mystery is strong in this one, with an interesting, complex, and thoroughly entertaining story. Unlike the previous two installments, this one has a bit more going on than what’s immediately obvious. With two main plot points, it comes down to what’s happening to the apprentices, and what’s happening with Anne. Neither make sense on their own, but together… yeah, they still don’t make immediate sense. Fortunately, the further we go down the rabbit hole, the more things start to clear up. And while it may not seem like it at first, everything fits together quite nicely—even if there’s not an easy explanation for all of it.
The story isn’t the only thing that gets a leg up come Taken. The character development, particularly that of some of Alex’s allies, starts paying dividends. Though Alex’s own development continues to strengthen, it’s not him that I want to focus on. Even in the first two books, the character development of Alex was strong. But while Verus’ backstory was getting filled in, others were missing out. Luna (primarily) and Sonder as well, get their chance here. Now, while we don’t learn a whole lot about either, what we are given is certainly up from the zero established in earlier books. In addition to these two, another few potential allies begin to emerge. One, Talisid, whose motives have been obscure to this point, starts to get more solidly in Alex’s corner. While the Council man’s a far cry from going out of his way to help Verus, he’s good for a “favor for a favor” trade. Anne, on the other hand, is a bit more mysterious. But over the course of Taken we see a lot of her, and she and Alex work quite well together.
A much better entry to the series, Taken still falls a bit short on originality. I hate to admit it, but the above message about Fountain Reach—while vague, obscure, and not terribly creative—it’s a key plot point. Without it, I’m not sure the investigation shifting to Fountain Reach would make any sense at all. Which is kind of disappointing. It all works out well enough in the end, but getting to that point really could’ve been accomplished… better. The thing is, that although immersive and immediately readable, the mystery of Taken is a bit of a convoluted mess. A bit. Again, I did legitimately enjoy it, and it all worked out quite nicely in the end, but looking back on it—it is sort of a mess. But hey—it works, and that’s the important part.
TL;DR
All in all, Taken may be the best example of the Alex Verus series to its point, but the best is yet to come. As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a big fan of this series (especially the second half dozen), and even though this isn’t the best that Jacka’s capable of, it’s moving in the right direction. Better than the first two; still more than enough reason to pick it up; definitely recommended!
bougle's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
reading37's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ira's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
asifr007's review
5.0
I just could not help but giving this wonderful piece of work by Benedict Jacka a praiseworthy review right after the moment I finished it. Actually, to call it a review would be a mistake as I do not want to spoil all the fun for everyone else. I like this one better than the previous two because it gets a whole lot of emotional for individual character, not just Alex Verus. The story develops quite brilliantly throughout its progression. Alex Verus is just as deadly as ever using divination as the primary weapon in his arsenal. However, I still cannot get over the fact that he losses his elemental focus to call open Starbreeze in the second novel of the series, as I thoroughly enjoyed the conversations taking place between both Alex and his elemental partner however brief those are.
Time to talk about my expectation from this series. The main thing I wish for Alex is to evolve a little in terms of his magical prowess. In my humble opinion, I believe it would not hurt to have a new element of surprise under his command as relying on divination alone makes the whole battle experience monotonous. So, I would really appreciate it if the talented author could manage to take it under his consideration. This is because whatever fights Alex engages himself in, he tends to rely considerably on his accomplices present at that time with him for a favorable outcome. Do not get me wrong, I really like Alex Verus as the main character but if he fails to make an advancement in his abilities then the whole point of facing the difficulties might get worthless after a while. With my limited understanding, I think a hero should not only face challenges but also get stronger by conquering them.
Overall, this book deserves a 5 star rating for just being perfect!
Time to talk about my expectation from this series. The main thing I wish for Alex is to evolve a little in terms of his magical prowess. In my humble opinion, I believe it would not hurt to have a new element of surprise under his command as relying on divination alone makes the whole battle experience monotonous. So, I would really appreciate it if the talented author could manage to take it under his consideration. This is because whatever fights Alex engages himself in, he tends to rely considerably on his accomplices present at that time with him for a favorable outcome. Do not get me wrong, I really like Alex Verus as the main character but if he fails to make an advancement in his abilities then the whole point of facing the difficulties might get worthless after a while. With my limited understanding, I think a hero should not only face challenges but also get stronger by conquering them.
Overall, this book deserves a 5 star rating for just being perfect!
tya11's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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
3.75
lbelow's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Violence, and Murder