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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Parts of this book annoyed the hell out of me. And when I saw parts... I mean Ann. And Saunder. Pompous assholes, the both of them. Still like the storyline. Love Alex!
Book 5 is a reboot of the series. It feels like the beginning of "season 2." Several characters and items (Starbreeze, Sonder, Mist cloak, etc.) whose abilities were going to complicate plots by overpowering Verus are gone, everything is re-introduced so that readers can start here, and Jacka has gotten a little better about the sexism in his writing.
The magic system, action, and narrator's tone remain the strengths of the series. There are two female characters who have a bit of agency now and sometimes do things for reasons other than a man told/made them (although--rarely). This also improves a bit in the next book. Most female characters are still introduced with a judgement on whether they are pretty or not, and if pretty, end up in short skirts or boxers quickly. They're also "girls" even though most are well above college age. The male characters are rarely "boys" and we're never told if they are attractive, and until one exception in book 6, they're never threatened with sexual violence.
So far everyone in the series is straight or asexual, although there is a good mix of ethnicities and an increasing diversity of body types.
I hate to be hung up on the diversity and sexism issue, but it is glaring and holding the series back compared to its contemporaries. Yes, that's the voice of this narrator, but I don't want that in his voice. I hope this matures to a more modern standard soon because everything else about the series is really fun.
The magic system, action, and narrator's tone remain the strengths of the series. There are two female characters who have a bit of agency now and sometimes do things for reasons other than a man told/made them (although--rarely). This also improves a bit in the next book. Most female characters are still introduced with a judgement on whether they are pretty or not, and if pretty, end up in short skirts or boxers quickly. They're also "girls" even though most are well above college age. The male characters are rarely "boys" and we're never told if they are attractive, and until one exception in book 6, they're never threatened with sexual violence.
So far everyone in the series is straight or asexual, although there is a good mix of ethnicities and an increasing diversity of body types.
I hate to be hung up on the diversity and sexism issue, but it is glaring and holding the series back compared to its contemporaries. Yes, that's the voice of this narrator, but I don't want that in his voice. I hope this matures to a more modern standard soon because everything else about the series is really fun.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2 five stars in a row. The series has grown so much from where it started and this was definitely the book that proved that. So many elements and characters of different books and storylines came together. I can finally see the overarching plot of the series expanding and taking precedent pver the individual mysteries. Very little Luna in this book but that's okay because what we got with Verus and Anne was very satisfyingn so much character development and history explained. Loved it.
It's nice to see that Alex is FINALLY taking a departure from his good friend, Harry Dresden.
The kidnapping of Anne sends us into a novel that is definitely the "bridge" from the beginning of the series to the longer arc. Every long series has one of these and this is the book where nothing really happens that's super serious action wise but definitely turns the corner on the series.
I'm hooked.
The kidnapping of Anne sends us into a novel that is definitely the "bridge" from the beginning of the series to the longer arc. Every long series has one of these and this is the book where nothing really happens that's super serious action wise but definitely turns the corner on the series.
I'm hooked.
4.5 stars
Once again, Benedict Jacka delivers another intense and well written UF installment to the Alex Verus series.
[b:Hidden|18599601|Hidden (Alex Verus, #5)|Benedict Jacka|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1386933935s/18599601.jpg|26365716] begins with Alex still estranged from a couple of his friends after incidents in the previous book. Despite the rift between them, once he discovers that Anne is in trouble he sets out to try to rescue her. That doesn't mean that she wants his help.
I like that Jacka is not afraid to have conflict among his Scooby gang. Let's face it, Alex leans more toward anti-hero than hero. It is not that he is a bad guy, but he makes no secret of the fact that he is most concerned with survival his own and that of his friends. This theme is particularly reinforced in this installment.
I did tick off half a star for the clumsy attempt at including Alex's daddy issues in this book. It only loosely fit with the context of the story and I felt like that it actually was more of a distraction. Maybe it will have significance later in the series. Until then, I stand by my position.
Once again, Benedict Jacka delivers another intense and well written UF installment to the Alex Verus series.
[b:Hidden|18599601|Hidden (Alex Verus, #5)|Benedict Jacka|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1386933935s/18599601.jpg|26365716] begins with Alex still estranged from a couple of his friends after incidents in the previous book. Despite the rift between them, once he discovers that Anne is in trouble he sets out to try to rescue her. That doesn't mean that she wants his help.
I like that Jacka is not afraid to have conflict among his Scooby gang. Let's face it, Alex leans more toward anti-hero than hero. It is not that he is a bad guy, but he makes no secret of the fact that he is most concerned with survival his own and that of his friends. This theme is particularly reinforced in this installment.
I did tick off half a star for the clumsy attempt at including Alex's daddy issues in this book. It only loosely fit with the context of the story and I felt like that it actually was more of a distraction. Maybe it will have significance later in the series. Until then, I stand by my position.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated