You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
The choices that Alex made the year before caused a division among his friends. Sonder and Anne could not accept the deaths of the young Adepts and severed their friendship with Alex. Each of them held firmly to their idea of what is right and wrong. Reluctantly, Alex accepted the loss of their friendships and moved on.
While everyone else settled into their work and studies, Anne's life slowly fell apart until she is expelled from magical studies program. Luna twisted Alex's arm until he makes an effort to talk to Anne and try to help her. The talk crumbled into old arguments and he left Anne without anything being resolved.
Anne is taken but there's little clue to who, where or why. There are only suppositions and determination to find out whatever they can in order to save her and get her back.
There's a disjointed look into Alex's past presented by the introduction of his father. The whole setup with his father felt like a heavy emphasis on the idea of right and wrong. Alex struggled for years to wrap his head around the things he has done in his past. There are no easy answers. There are no simple solutions. He could have accepted death as an out but that doesn't actually solve the problem of living. It seems like the conflict he has with his father is a reflection of the struggle he has within himself. It's not a matter of what other people think of him that Alex can't handle. Alex cannot come to terms with what he thinks of his actions. He can't help but label himself as a bad man. How can he stand up for himself when he cannot argue with others that they are wrong?
The most striking thing that I felt was Alex's fear. The depth and irrationality of his fear for Richard was off the charts! It really felt like Richard was the Devil incarnate and that he was the worst nightmare to walk in flesh.
My romantic side really hopes that Anne gets her act together. I feel like she could be Alex's best friend and lover all rolled into one. It's not a matter of them being perfect as individuals. It's about how well their imperfections fit one another and how well they understand each other because of their flaws. This is all wishful thinking!
Hidden was a great adventure and suspenseful ride in Alex's world of magic and mayhem! So many interesting ways that magic can be used, the chaotic placement of powers among the mages and interesting possibilities of shadow worlds.
In my opinion, this book is a nice place to pause in the series if you want to wait to read the rest. I've been told that the need to know what happens next gets stronger and harder to resist as the series moves on. In some ways, I can't stand waiting. So if you're like me and you want to 'pause' in a nice spot. This would be it. Then you can devour several books in a row when you're ready.
I would say this book was the lull in the storm and there's a hurricane of events waiting right around the corner.
While everyone else settled into their work and studies, Anne's life slowly fell apart until she is expelled from magical studies program. Luna twisted Alex's arm until he makes an effort to talk to Anne and try to help her. The talk crumbled into old arguments and he left Anne without anything being resolved.
Anne is taken but there's little clue to who, where or why. There are only suppositions and determination to find out whatever they can in order to save her and get her back.
There's a disjointed look into Alex's past presented by the introduction of his father. The whole setup with his father felt like a heavy emphasis on the idea of right and wrong. Alex struggled for years to wrap his head around the things he has done in his past. There are no easy answers. There are no simple solutions. He could have accepted death as an out but that doesn't actually solve the problem of living. It seems like the conflict he has with his father is a reflection of the struggle he has within himself. It's not a matter of what other people think of him that Alex can't handle. Alex cannot come to terms with what he thinks of his actions. He can't help but label himself as a bad man. How can he stand up for himself when he cannot argue with others that they are wrong?
The most striking thing that I felt was Alex's fear. The depth and irrationality of his fear for Richard was off the charts! It really felt like Richard was the Devil incarnate and that he was the worst nightmare to walk in flesh.
My romantic side really hopes that Anne gets her act together. I feel like she could be Alex's best friend and lover all rolled into one. It's not a matter of them being perfect as individuals. It's about how well their imperfections fit one another and how well they understand each other because of their flaws. This is all wishful thinking!
Hidden was a great adventure and suspenseful ride in Alex's world of magic and mayhem! So many interesting ways that magic can be used, the chaotic placement of powers among the mages and interesting possibilities of shadow worlds.
In my opinion, this book is a nice place to pause in the series if you want to wait to read the rest. I've been told that the need to know what happens next gets stronger and harder to resist as the series moves on. In some ways, I can't stand waiting. So if you're like me and you want to 'pause' in a nice spot. This would be it. Then you can devour several books in a row when you're ready.
I would say this book was the lull in the storm and there's a hurricane of events waiting right around the corner.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When the details of my apprenticeship to a sociopathic Dark mage were made public, I expected some scrutiny. After all, mages love gossip. But unveiling my secret past hasn't done me any favors with those closest to me...
With his talent for divining the future, Alex Verus should have foreseen his friends’ reactions to the revelations about his previous life. Anne Walker no longer trusts him—and has also cut all ties with the mage community after getting kicked out of the apprentice program. As a favor to Luna, Alex’s own apprentice and Anne’s best friend, he checks in on her only to be told to leave her alone. Then Anne gets kidnapped. The Council Keepers of the Order of the Star believe Dark mages from her past may be involved. Working with the Keepers, Alex and Luna discover that Anne has been taken into the shadow realm of Sagash, her former Dark mage mentor, and they must find a way to rescue her. But another shadow from the past has resurfaced—Alex’s former master may be back in London, and Alex has no idea what his agenda is…
After Alex had explained his past to his apprentice and charges (students he has sponsored at the school) the lines of friendship have been stressed, and the trust between them gone. Luna still has hope that all will be forgiven after everyone has some time apart from each other. About 6 months after the fallout, Luna starts to worry about her friend Anne and asks Alex to try to talk to her and convince her to come back to the flat where they all lived.
Alex would rather put this all behind him and move forward, everyone made their choices and wants to leave it at that. Until Alex finds out that Anne has ben kidnapped and now has been put on the spot to help her and save her. Reluctantly Alex needs to call on the help of those that turned his back on him to help save Anne.
During a meeting with Sonders, Variam, Luna and Caldera, Sonders is determined to prove that it is one person that is guilty, while Variam is willing to bet his life that it is someone else. Luna is just worried for her friend, Alex just wants this all to end and get Anne back safely. Variam suggests that Anne could be in a shadow realm that belongs to their old master Sagash.
Using some intimidation tactics and a few punches Alex finds out that Anne is in a shadow realm, getting his hands on a key to open a portal to the shadow realm Alex takes off to find Anne. Dealing with a number of enemies and his old master, Alex is able to get to the bottom of what is going on with Anne and why she was kidnapped in the first place. New friends are made, some bonds strengthened, along with Alex managing to anger someone in one way or another.
In the 5th book you get to find out what choices were made after the fall out of book 4 (Chosen). You find out about Anne's background and what happened to her while she was under the teachings of Sagash. I had a major issue with Anne's views in the book, she made mistakes in her past, but rather than face them and admit to what they were she pushed that all away and has been paying the price for that.
Alex has to snap Anne out of her "Woe is me" pity party and make her face the reality of her choice's along with what it is doing to her friends along with what it could do to herself.
Outside of Anne and her outlook, I had fun with this one, there were a few new names and faces added to this book. Just remember to never make a promise to a blink fox and forget about it later.
With his talent for divining the future, Alex Verus should have foreseen his friends’ reactions to the revelations about his previous life. Anne Walker no longer trusts him—and has also cut all ties with the mage community after getting kicked out of the apprentice program. As a favor to Luna, Alex’s own apprentice and Anne’s best friend, he checks in on her only to be told to leave her alone. Then Anne gets kidnapped. The Council Keepers of the Order of the Star believe Dark mages from her past may be involved. Working with the Keepers, Alex and Luna discover that Anne has been taken into the shadow realm of Sagash, her former Dark mage mentor, and they must find a way to rescue her. But another shadow from the past has resurfaced—Alex’s former master may be back in London, and Alex has no idea what his agenda is…
After Alex had explained his past to his apprentice and charges (students he has sponsored at the school) the lines of friendship have been stressed, and the trust between them gone. Luna still has hope that all will be forgiven after everyone has some time apart from each other. About 6 months after the fallout, Luna starts to worry about her friend Anne and asks Alex to try to talk to her and convince her to come back to the flat where they all lived.
Alex would rather put this all behind him and move forward, everyone made their choices and wants to leave it at that. Until Alex finds out that Anne has ben kidnapped and now has been put on the spot to help her and save her. Reluctantly Alex needs to call on the help of those that turned his back on him to help save Anne.
During a meeting with Sonders, Variam, Luna and Caldera, Sonders is determined to prove that it is one person that is guilty, while Variam is willing to bet his life that it is someone else. Luna is just worried for her friend, Alex just wants this all to end and get Anne back safely. Variam suggests that Anne could be in a shadow realm that belongs to their old master Sagash.
Using some intimidation tactics and a few punches Alex finds out that Anne is in a shadow realm, getting his hands on a key to open a portal to the shadow realm Alex takes off to find Anne. Dealing with a number of enemies and his old master, Alex is able to get to the bottom of what is going on with Anne and why she was kidnapped in the first place. New friends are made, some bonds strengthened, along with Alex managing to anger someone in one way or another.
In the 5th book you get to find out what choices were made after the fall out of book 4 (Chosen). You find out about Anne's background and what happened to her while she was under the teachings of Sagash. I had a major issue with Anne's views in the book, she made mistakes in her past, but rather than face them and admit to what they were she pushed that all away and has been paying the price for that.
Alex has to snap Anne out of her "Woe is me" pity party and make her face the reality of her choice's along with what it is doing to her friends along with what it could do to herself.
Outside of Anne and her outlook, I had fun with this one, there were a few new names and faces added to this book. Just remember to never make a promise to a blink fox and forget about it later.
Meh. A lot of returning baddies a lot of returning themes and a moral dilemma but in the end even that is just glossed over and the fact that Verus tried to make Anne kill Christal is totally forgotten. 'Every one else is going to die because you didn't kill Cristal' is not a valid reason even if you wrapped it up in self-defence an put a bow of survival on it. I'm glad she didn't follow his motivational speech to the end.
I love this series, and this book was a great addition. Can't wait to see what is next in store for the probability mage.
Fun but missing the usual momentum
While I'm still interested in the series, Hidden felt a little too Dresdeny for me - I hate to say derivative (isn't everything?), so maybe the word is familiar. Versus felt a little too much like Harry, more so than in any other of the series. Hidden also felt more like a filler novel than I cared for. I have hopes that the next one will have more momentum than this one - which felt like "let's bring Anne back into the fold (?) and introduce Richard for reals." I hate to give this one three stars, but it didn't live up to the expectations I have for Jacka, the rest of the series is just so much fun. So, while the series is still tops for fun, this addition felt a little rushed and lacking.
While I'm still interested in the series, Hidden felt a little too Dresdeny for me - I hate to say derivative (isn't everything?), so maybe the word is familiar. Versus felt a little too much like Harry, more so than in any other of the series. Hidden also felt more like a filler novel than I cared for. I have hopes that the next one will have more momentum than this one - which felt like "let's bring Anne back into the fold (?) and introduce Richard for reals." I hate to give this one three stars, but it didn't live up to the expectations I have for Jacka, the rest of the series is just so much fun. So, while the series is still tops for fun, this addition felt a little rushed and lacking.
I have to admit I had a love/hate relationship with this book. Actually, hate is too strong a word. More like a love and dissatisfaction. As others have already mentioned, this book seems to be some sort of transition in the overall story. There is a lot of character focus (which I loved) but the over all story just didn't seem to click with me. I'm not saying it was bad...It just didn't excite me as much as the previous books did. Plus, some of the characters are starting to annoy me. But don't let my review turn you off. There is still lots of good stuff in the book.
Entertaining story, with relatively interesting characters.
Entertaining story, with relatively interesting characters. I still don't like the Elsewhere sequences. That part of the world is just too ill-defined.
Entertaining story, with relatively interesting characters. I still don't like the Elsewhere sequences. That part of the world is just too ill-defined.
Jacka writes some of the most enjoyable present-day fantasy around. As always, this book has tight plotting, good characters, and tension that continually builds to almost the last page.
Luna begs Alex to find Anne. Anne was unhappy with Alex at the end of the previous book because of his life choices in his past and how he dealt with it in the last book. The search for Anne leads Alex to Anne’s past with her dark master that she ran from several years ago. Of course there is more to it than meets the eye as Alex is Sagash’s shadow realm fighting to rescue her. This and the previous book are pivots to the overall story arc and you can now see that things are going to get very serious as the books continue.