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98th out of 203 books
—
107 voters
Taken (Alex Verus #3)
by
Benedict Jacka (Goodreads Author)
Mage apprentices have been vanishing without a trace—and someone on the council might be involved. Alex Verus has no evidence, no witnesses, and no suspects. All he knows is that someone is keeping tabs on him. And after assassins target his own apprentice’s classmate, Alex sees that he doesn’t know the half of it—and that he could be the next to disappear...
Paperback, 313 pages
Published
August 28th 2012
by Ace
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A light read, continuing in the series' mixture of urban fantasy and thriller, as Alex once again gets roped into investigating something that nearly gets him and most of the people he cares about killed.
Things I liked about this book:
- Additional perspective. Although the novel continues in the first person single narrator method the series has maintained, in this novel there are some instances of overheard conversations that the speaker did not know were being listened to which give the views...more
Things I liked about this book:
- Additional perspective. Although the novel continues in the first person single narrator method the series has maintained, in this novel there are some instances of overheard conversations that the speaker did not know were being listened to which give the views...more
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...more
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...more
Mar 04, 2013
Otherwyrld
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
paranormal,
fantasy
Another entertaining, if quick, read from Benedict Jacka. In this, the third Alex Verus story, he is asked to investigate the disappearance of several apprentices. He soon finds that there is far more than he expected, and is soon in danger, along with his own apprentice and two newcomers.
The author continues to expand his world in this book, giving us more insights into the world of the light mages and the complex world they live in. Much more about the levels of the mage world is given here, t...more
The author continues to expand his world in this book, giving us more insights into the world of the light mages and the complex world they live in. Much more about the levels of the mage world is given here, t...more
http://www.rantingdragon.com/review-o...
Taken is the third installment in British author Benedict Jacka’s urban fantasy series centering around a wizard named Alex Verus. Having run-ins with experienced battlemages and coming out victorious seems to boost one’s reputation. Such is Alex Verus discovering. Where a few months ago he was a relative unknown in the supernatural circles, Alex is now drawing the attention of some powerful players. As a very competent diviner—a mage who can see into the...more
Taken is the third installment in British author Benedict Jacka’s urban fantasy series centering around a wizard named Alex Verus. Having run-ins with experienced battlemages and coming out victorious seems to boost one’s reputation. Such is Alex Verus discovering. Where a few months ago he was a relative unknown in the supernatural circles, Alex is now drawing the attention of some powerful players. As a very competent diviner—a mage who can see into the...more
Book 3 of the Alex Verus series does not disappoint. Starting off deceptively quietly with the detective meeting the stunning beauty (who later acts in the best film noir tradition), we also find out how Luna is doing with her training. And we learn more of the history of the magical world and the differences between the light and dark mages.
The story starts out simply enough, there is to be a competition among the various apprentices, of which Luna is one. But apprentices have been disappeari...more
The story starts out simply enough, there is to be a competition among the various apprentices, of which Luna is one. But apprentices have been disappeari...more
I'm going to say right from the beginning that I am huge fanpoodle of Benedict Jacka. It took me longer than I would have liked to get to this book, but when I finally started, I read it from start to finish in one sitting. Be prepared for much fanpoodling.
The days of a peaceful life running his store are over for Alex Verus. After what happened with the Fateweaver he is now highly visible and in high demand. When apprentices start to go missing, Alex decides to take a job hunting down the reaso...more
The days of a peaceful life running his store are over for Alex Verus. After what happened with the Fateweaver he is now highly visible and in high demand. When apprentices start to go missing, Alex decides to take a job hunting down the reaso...more
3.5 stars
Alex is called on by the light council of mages when apprentices come up missing. All leads seem to point to Fountain Reach, where a tournament for apprentices is being held. Meanwhile Alex meets two apprentices, Anne and Variam. Anne is quick friends with Alex’s apprentice Luna. As it happens Anne is also a magnet for danger.
Taken is the third novel in the Alex Verus series. I read the second one, but not the first. This is a series that could be read out of order, but some of the rela...more
Alex is called on by the light council of mages when apprentices come up missing. All leads seem to point to Fountain Reach, where a tournament for apprentices is being held. Meanwhile Alex meets two apprentices, Anne and Variam. Anne is quick friends with Alex’s apprentice Luna. As it happens Anne is also a magnet for danger.
Taken is the third novel in the Alex Verus series. I read the second one, but not the first. This is a series that could be read out of order, but some of the rela...more
This book continues a series that impresses with it's quality.
In this book, Alex continues to grow as character and starts to become a lot more confident in himself and more focused in his motivations, becoming a much more rounded protagonist. We meet some old friends and enemies as well as a few new ones, which look to be ongoing members of the Verus cast. The characters are three dimensional because the author has taken care to make sure that everyone has there own motivations and interests. T...more
In this book, Alex continues to grow as character and starts to become a lot more confident in himself and more focused in his motivations, becoming a much more rounded protagonist. We meet some old friends and enemies as well as a few new ones, which look to be ongoing members of the Verus cast. The characters are three dimensional because the author has taken care to make sure that everyone has there own motivations and interests. T...more
c2012: FWFTB: invitation, apprentices, tournament, threat, elusive. As I dig out the words from the FWFTB it struck me that they could equally describe some of the Harry Potter books. Thank Heavens that you can rest assured that they are nothing alike. The third volume in the Alex Verus stories is definitely a great addition with Verus' character becoming a little more kick-ass. I was getting a bit concerned at his whining that he was much weaker than any of his adversaries but in this book he s...more
Apprentices are missing and Alex is recruited, secretly of course, by the Light Council to solve the matter. Along with his apprentice, some new and old friends, Alex heads into the unknown to try and solve the mystery of the disappearing apprentices. Grudges are aired, new enemies are made and the future must be divined.
I like Alex Verus and his divining abilities. It's very entertaining when other mages/adepts etc. assume he is weak and attack him only to have their butts kicked. Alex doesn't...more
I like Alex Verus and his divining abilities. It's very entertaining when other mages/adepts etc. assume he is weak and attack him only to have their butts kicked. Alex doesn't...more
Taken is the third Alex Verus book—and so far it’s been my favourite. I began Taken with a pinch of salt: I’d not enjoyed Cursed very much at all and I was afraid that, for me, the series was slowly heading the way of the dodo. Thankfully, that didn’t happen and I’m going to stick around for more news of subsequent Alex Verus books. Handy, really, since Benedict Jacka commented on his blog earlier today about just this.
Cursed was a boring, predictable flop for me, especially having had a few mon...more
Cursed was a boring, predictable flop for me, especially having had a few mon...more
There is completely no romance in this book. None. Like, not-even-a-tiny-droplet-of-romance-hint-hiding-in-the-book type.
How refereshing! From my usual love novels, this is definitely a breeze of cool air!
This was the first book I''d read by this author and series and I'm proud to say that I've read the second book already (but not the first yet. I'm soooo going backwards. *Laughs*)
I love how it just feels like a YA or an action packed movie not touching on any relationship at all. It's a rare t...more
How refereshing! From my usual love novels, this is definitely a breeze of cool air!
This was the first book I''d read by this author and series and I'm proud to say that I've read the second book already (but not the first yet. I'm soooo going backwards. *Laughs*)
I love how it just feels like a YA or an action packed movie not touching on any relationship at all. It's a rare t...more
This was probably my favorite of the Verus books so far - the writing seems to be developing a sparseness that appeals to me, and the world-building aspects were definitely kicked up a notch this time. I'm also finding the characters more sympathetic and relatable with each book, which is slowly making this one of my favorite series.
Unfortunately, the ending was rather spoiled for me since the final setting, villain, and several scenes were extremely similar to those of the manga "Ghost Hunt", p...more
Unfortunately, the ending was rather spoiled for me since the final setting, villain, and several scenes were extremely similar to those of the manga "Ghost Hunt", p...more
Somehow most series I've read so far seems to follow a pattern.
The first one is utterly charming, enchanting even, drawing you into the world and desperately wanting to learn more. The second somehow leaving something to be desired.
And the third comes along to restore the faith.
Though describing early 20 year olds with teenage behaviour is rather... questionable.
Every time I read about Alex Verus' apprentice, I think of a 16 year old girl unsure of herself experimenting through a Goth period. In...more
The first one is utterly charming, enchanting even, drawing you into the world and desperately wanting to learn more. The second somehow leaving something to be desired.
And the third comes along to restore the faith.
Though describing early 20 year olds with teenage behaviour is rather... questionable.
Every time I read about Alex Verus' apprentice, I think of a 16 year old girl unsure of herself experimenting through a Goth period. In...more
I won this book through good reads.
I enjoyed this book much more than the previous one in the series. The pace of the book was quick, the action was lively and distributed well, and the story was engaging.
I like how they are developing Luna's abilities. I really wasn't sure what they could do with it, but it's interesting how she is learning to focus and use it rather than randomly unleashing it on people.
Alex continues to be somewhat of a puzzle. On the one hand he goes out of his way for some...more
I enjoyed this book much more than the previous one in the series. The pace of the book was quick, the action was lively and distributed well, and the story was engaging.
I like how they are developing Luna's abilities. I really wasn't sure what they could do with it, but it's interesting how she is learning to focus and use it rather than randomly unleashing it on people.
Alex continues to be somewhat of a puzzle. On the one hand he goes out of his way for some...more
I had been thoroughly enjoying the alex verus series and appreciating Jacka's writing until I reached this particular entry of the series. At first nothing was amiss and I was hooked on the story as much as with the previous books, that was until I started experiencing a distinct sense of deja vu one which became steadily stronger as I continued reading. In the final third/quarter of the book it finally came to me that the basic plot was lifted directly from a show I had watched a few years prev...more
3.5
Alex is called on by the light council of mages when apprentices come up missing. All leads seem to point to Fountain Reach, where a tournament for apprentices is being held. Meanwhile Alex meets two apprentices, Anne and Variam. Anne is quick friends with Alex’s apprentice Luna. As it happens Anne is also a magnet for danger.
Taken is the third novel in the Alex Verus series. I read the second one, but not the first. This is a series that could be read out of order, but some of the relations...more
Alex is called on by the light council of mages when apprentices come up missing. All leads seem to point to Fountain Reach, where a tournament for apprentices is being held. Meanwhile Alex meets two apprentices, Anne and Variam. Anne is quick friends with Alex’s apprentice Luna. As it happens Anne is also a magnet for danger.
Taken is the third novel in the Alex Verus series. I read the second one, but not the first. This is a series that could be read out of order, but some of the relations...more
Well, 2 Alex Verus novels in a week - was it worth it?
This time Alex is on the trail of missing apprentices - who's been taking them ? What does Lord Jagadev have to do with the disappearances , & what is his connection to Anne & Variam ? & what is the secret of Fountain Reach & the Aubuchon dynasty....?
Again , the atmosphere that Benedict Jacka creates is 1st-class - the writing really gives you the feel of a scene. Most of the characters (with the exception of Lord Jagadev , wh...more
This time Alex is on the trail of missing apprentices - who's been taking them ? What does Lord Jagadev have to do with the disappearances , & what is his connection to Anne & Variam ? & what is the secret of Fountain Reach & the Aubuchon dynasty....?
Again , the atmosphere that Benedict Jacka creates is 1st-class - the writing really gives you the feel of a scene. Most of the characters (with the exception of Lord Jagadev , wh...more
In full disclosure I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
Taken is set several months after book two, Alex Verus’s fame is growing which is both good and bad, Luna is now his fully fledged apprentice and training with the light mages.
Alex is approached by a mind-mage Crystal wants Alex to work for her to help keep an upcoming Light tournament that she is hosting safe, something doesn’t feel right so Alex declines.
Alex visits Luna while she is in class and meets some of her friends (and enemies)...more
Taken is set several months after book two, Alex Verus’s fame is growing which is both good and bad, Luna is now his fully fledged apprentice and training with the light mages.
Alex is approached by a mind-mage Crystal wants Alex to work for her to help keep an upcoming Light tournament that she is hosting safe, something doesn’t feel right so Alex declines.
Alex visits Luna while she is in class and meets some of her friends (and enemies)...more
"There was a chorus of screams, one of which might have been mine." A reader has to love a man who admits in a grammatically correct sentence that he girly screamed. And that same reader needs to remember that laughing out loud in public is a hazard of reading the Verus books. I finished Taken and went straight to Jacka's website, with my fingers crossed, to check for news of Verus #4 and found it! The new characters are great; Luna's abilities are growing; the horror is less quiet, and the writ...more
This is the third book in this series and I loved it just as much as I loved the first two. This is a book sort of along the lines of Harry Dresden and is kind of a 'boy' book in the urban fantasy genre. I tend to like the 'boy' books as they have less sex, a male main character, and there's plenty of action. And Alex is one of my most favorite characters because he feels so real. He's afraid at times and he says so, he knows he can't win every fight and tries to avoid them, but when he can't he...more
Welcome to Fountain Reach. Ancient seat of the Aubuchon dynasty. Majestic setting of the White Stone tournament.
Alex Verus' (not necessarily reliable) reputation attracts all sorts. Most are plain bonkers. Yet there's one invitation he just can't refuse.
At Fountain Reach, Alex is perfectly placed among the noted and notorious to figure out why apprentices have been vanishing. But the tournament is a minefield of ancient grudges and new threats and Alex can't afford to miss a trick as his elusive...more
Alex Verus' (not necessarily reliable) reputation attracts all sorts. Most are plain bonkers. Yet there's one invitation he just can't refuse.
At Fountain Reach, Alex is perfectly placed among the noted and notorious to figure out why apprentices have been vanishing. But the tournament is a minefield of ancient grudges and new threats and Alex can't afford to miss a trick as his elusive...more
Aug 30, 2012
Ami
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
urban-fantasy-with-male-protagonist
When Talisid approaches Alex for a case -- mages have noticed apprentices vanished without a trace (or proofs) -- it takes Alex and his apprentice Luna to Fountain Reach, where magic tournament called White Stone is held. On top of the missing apprentices, one of Luna's classmates, Anne, seems to be having a death target on her back...
------------
With magic tournament and secrets inside a wall, I can't help thinking about Harry Potter in this one :). I keep wondering whether the winner of the to...more
------------
With magic tournament and secrets inside a wall, I can't help thinking about Harry Potter in this one :). I keep wondering whether the winner of the to...more
Along the same lines as the first two books in the series, maybe not quite as exciting. Luna is coming along, but has yet to emerge as a leading lady. Anne was a good character but not a leader, by any means. So I'm still waiting for some strong female to show up in this series other than a non-human. Oh, or a villain, but even the villains who are women are always being controlled by someone, get hurt, or are just second bananas. But it's still a fun series with a lot of action and an interesti...more
Jacka's excellent London-based urban fantasy series continues with a story in which Alex takes up a mystery of missing mage apprentices, with a fair amount of help from his friends and another series of really close brushes with death. The old fantasy/horror tropes that the author is drawing on are polished up nicely for this outing. Which ones, you say? Well, the depths to which some people will go in search of power and eternal life; and (view spoiler)
Speakin...more
Speakin...more
Sep 01, 2012
All Things Urban Fantasy
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
august-2012-hotp,
reviewed-by-kristina
Review Courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
TAKEN is the third book in the Alex Verus series which is fast becoming a ‘must read’ for me. All of the books are evenly paced with action, witty dialogue, and they never spend too long on info dumps which tend to drag plots to a screeching halt. Each book expands the universe a little bit giving more insights into Alex’s past and how the mage community works.
Alex’s power of seeing into the future tends to give him an unfair advantage in battle so it’s...more
TAKEN is the third book in the Alex Verus series which is fast becoming a ‘must read’ for me. All of the books are evenly paced with action, witty dialogue, and they never spend too long on info dumps which tend to drag plots to a screeching halt. Each book expands the universe a little bit giving more insights into Alex’s past and how the mage community works.
Alex’s power of seeing into the future tends to give him an unfair advantage in battle so it’s...more
After unexpectedly surviving and defeating some powerful mages Alex Verus has begun to develop a reputation again in the mage community for getting problem solved. When he is approached and asked to investigate apprentices going missing, literally vanishing in to thin air and are untraceable by means both magical and mundane, what he finds are a mysterious house, a dangerous rakashasa and two apprentices who seem to be in the middle of it all.
I am really getting into this series, the previous tw...more
I am really getting into this series, the previous tw...more
The books in this series just keep getting better and better! I was so engrossed in this book as I read it on the airplane, I didn't notice we were about to land. When the wheels touched down during an especially intense part in the book, it scared me so bad I elbowed the poor guy next to me!
Benedict Jacka continues to develop his Alex Verus character, making him a likeable and engaging character in which the reader can identify. Love this series!
Benedict Jacka continues to develop his Alex Verus character, making him a likeable and engaging character in which the reader can identify. Love this series!
Alex Verus is a mage to keep your eye on. He defeated a great battle-mage and he is merely a diviner. Apprentices are disappearing and someone thinks to set Alex up for the crime. Will he be able to survive the assassination attempts and rescue the apprentices?
My short synopsis doesn't do this book justice. It's just as great as the previous two. Fast-paced and original. Stunning characters. A well-written series.
I highly recommend it to anyone who likes urban fantasy.
My short synopsis doesn't do this book justice. It's just as great as the previous two. Fast-paced and original. Stunning characters. A well-written series.
I highly recommend it to anyone who likes urban fantasy.
Once again hard to put down until I finished it, good fast paced action packed story. Luna is growing more into her adept strengths, and its fun to see her learn how to adapt it to other uses. The Rakshasa character was suitably scary, and mysterious, and came across as some kind of mobster of the demon world.
The mystery of the disappearing apprentices was not all that complicated, but the weaving in of another plot helped keep you a little off base from assuming you knew how it all was going to...more
The mystery of the disappearing apprentices was not all that complicated, but the weaving in of another plot helped keep you a little off base from assuming you knew how it all was going to...more
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Feb 20, 2013 02:41pm