Fated (Alex Verus, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Apr 09, 2012 Kelly (Maybedog) rated it really liked it

Shelves: what-male-protagonist, what-modern-fantasy

The quote on the cover is by none other than Jim Butcher himself claiming that Harry Dresden would like the main character Alex Verus and be a little nervous around him. I'm not surprised that Butcher likes the book. It's got a very similar feel, almost too much so. The council is pathetic and he's on the outs with them anyway, dark mages are the evil force, there are young women to protect, etc. So it was enjoyable from the beginning.

Verus is mildly amusing, though nothing like Dresden. His mag The quote on the cover is by none other than Jim Butcher himself claiming that Harry Dresden would like the main character Alex Verus and be a little nervous around him. I'm not surprised that Butcher likes the book. It's got a very similar feel, almost too much so. The council is pathetic and he's on the outs with them anyway, dark mages are the evil force, there are young women to protect, etc. So it was enjoyable from the beginning.

Verus is mildly amusing, though nothing like Dresden. His magical gift is very well described and used and really works in an urban fantasy setting. The main character is very fleshed out and likeable, although his sense of morality is a little unclear through much of the book. But this is well done and Jacka shows a lot more than he tells.

The plot is interesting and moves quickly but for much of the book, Verus seems weak and powerless. He spends most of the time running and hiding during the first 2/3rds so during that time so there isn't enough intensity. There would be an action sequence that lasts a page or even a couple of paragraphs and then it would be over. However, the final battle is really good and well-played.

My one major problem with the book is that it is really quite sexist in a not-in-your-face way. (view spoiler) It fits with the story though so I see why it was written that way and the good woman, Luna, is brave but I wish he had made some of the many secondary characters into strong powerful women. What redeems him is that the author sets it up so that it looks like the central woman is probably going to grow strong and powerful throughout the next book.

All in all, a good first novel and I am eager to read the next one.
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May 30, 2017 D.G. rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, favorite-series, reviewed, re-read, audiobook

Re-listen April 2021: This is one of my favorite series so I'm re-starting it so I can catch up with the latest few books published.

Alex is a diviner - a mage who can see the future. The interesting thing about Alex' power is that he cannot see past choices that haven't been made - which makes total sense to me - and proved an interesting contrast to another seer - Bob from the Heartstrikers - who could see hundreds of years in the future. Because of this power, Alex finds himself a very hot co ...more

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Mar 04, 2019 Carrie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mgr, witches, fantasy, urban-fantasy, magic, wizards, mages

So much better then Dresden.

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Aug 09, 2019 Kati rated it really liked it

Shelves: work-translations, urban-fantasy, ebooks, in-english, 2019

3.5 stars. The series really is very similar to Harry Dresden but I didn't mind. I loved the Dark vs. Light Mages theme and I also loved that Alex Verus could be rather ruthless when he wanted to. An interesting contrast to most "thou shalt not kill" urban fantasy heroes. ...more

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Nov 26, 2012 Chompa rated it really liked it

I've read a lot of people saying this rivals the Dresden Files books by Jim Butcher.

Guess what? It is that good. Loved the character, setting, magic system and the writing. Will be moving on to the next book soon. ...more

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