Fated, by Benedict Jacka

[Anthony G Williams]

I have a soft spot for contemporary urban fantasies, especially ones set in London, so when I read in Interzone a review of one of Jacka's Alex Verus novels I was immediately hooked and sent off for the first volume, Fated.

Alex Verus is a young man who runs a present-day magic shop near Camden Market (which will surprise no-one who knows Camden!). The difference is that while most of the shop's contents are mundane and sold to passing tourists, some are not – because unknown to those tourists and to the overwhelming majority of the population, a world of magic coexists with our own. Verus is a diviner, whose skill is the ability to see the consequences of future choices so he can pick the best course of action to obtain the outcome he wants. This is highly useful in a world in which he has to contend with formidable Light and Dark mages, some with lethal powers. Fortunately he has some magical non-human friends, plus his assistant, a young woman called Luna who suffers from a strange hereditary curse.

Verus needs all of his ability coupled with very sharp wits when rival factions among the mages try to recruit him to assist in discovering the secrets of an ancient but dangerous artifact which appears to have a magical potential far beyond that of modern mages. What follows is a tense, exciting story with many twists, turns and unexpected developments. The setting may seem similar to Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, with well-known London landmarks being used for decidedly unconventional activities, but the mood is more of a mystery thriller with Verus being a resourceful and likeable hero. The story is told in the first person by Verus and the style is laconic, very reminiscent of a classic private eye novel, and perfectly suited to the story.

These days I rarely read a new novel that I enjoy as much as Fated, which I read in just two sessions, late into the night. I have immediately sent off for the next two Alex Verus volumes, Cursed and Taken.

(An extract from my SFF blog: Science Fiction & Fantasy)

 

[Nesacat]

I picked up the first book at a warehouse book and read it in one sitting. It was very, very enjoyable. I also have a fondness for London and urban fantasies. Sent off for the other two books and read them as soon as they arrived too. Yes, they were as enjoyable as the first. I am looking forward to more.

 

[Anthony G Williams]

I have now read the next three novels in the series: Cursed, Taken and Chosen. This is my take on them (from my SFF blog: http://sciencefictionfantasy.blogspot.co.uk/):

Cursed is set a few months after the events described in Fated. There are various references to the earlier adventure, which it is desirable to read first, but Cursed nevertheless stands on its own. This time, Verus finds himself the target of several assassination attempts and becomes involved with a literally enchanting young woman while he tries to work out who is after him, and why. There are the usual twists and turns in the plot and the resourceful Verus finds his closest friends in deadly danger as he is apparently faced with nothing but bad choices.

Taken is the next episode in the saga, in which apprentice magicians keep disappearing and Verus becomes involved in trying to discover what is going on. It all seems to focus on a combat tournament between apprentices being held in a curious old mansion. On the way, he has to deal with a powerful non-human being, an inimical Dark Mage, and an attractive young apprentice with an unusual power, before bringing the house down in a rousing finale.

In Chosen, Verus' past as an apprentice to a Dark Mage comes back to haunt him as is relentlessly pursued by a vengeful group for something he'd much rather forget. We learn a lot more about his early history and what formed his personality and attitudes. This is his toughest trial yet, and sees him finally running out of choices as he is stretched to the limit of endurance.

These are just as good as Fated and proved an equally quick read, being just as difficult to put down. I actually read Taken in one evening, and Chosen is the author's best yet. Fortunately, there is a clear hook in the final paragraph that indicates not only that we will hear more of Verus, but also that he will be faced with problems far worse than anything he's dealt with so far.

I am still undecided about whether I prefer these tales to Ben Aaronovitch's somewhat similar series, the first of which, Rivers of London, I reviewed last December. I am beginning to conclude that Jacka's addictive novels are more fun, more of a quick, feel-good read (albeit getting more serious as we learn more about Alex Verus), with the Aaronovitch ones being a little more complex, slower and a shade darker. I'll be doing some more reading of Aaronovitch's work before reaching a conclusion.