best of the series

absolutely the best book of a solid series. Great narration as always but the story and pace of this book really stepped up a notch. The author is very much hitting his stride.

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Packed with action, and nothing else.

I've enjoyed the Alex Verus novels up until around book 10. Books 10 and 11 represented a massive change in the style of storytelling.
There's no longer any depth or cleverness to the story, it's turned into chapter after chapter of combat.

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What The Heck?

Well, this British urban fantasy series (this is Book 11) by Benedict Jacka, has certainly taken a turn toward the Dark Side. Our hero, mage Alex Verus, is virtually unrecognizable from the guy we met at the beginning. Most notably, he now entertains thoughts such as, “Kill, kill, kill!!”

I’ve thought from the beginning that the author was probably a young man, living in his parents’ basement. I believe he was twenty-nine when he began writing the first book and thirty-two when it was published. There were clues, especially in the way he deals with female characters and their relationship (or lack of it) with the protagonist. Women are to be considered tempting (not to say sexy) if they are wearing clothing that leaves their “arms and shoulders bare.” The love of Alex’s life is kissed, chastely, twice in 11 books. I thought things might heat up when the author married, but it was not to be.

I suppose that could be forgiven were it not for the increasing level of graphic violence. Alex endures, on average, three major battles per book where he alone is pitted against increasing numbers of foul and fiendish foes, none of whom remain alive when the smoke clears. At the beginning of the series, Alex had only one minor magical talent. Now he’s the strongest “battle mage” in the UK — and probably on Earth. It’s odd then that so many of his kills are accomplished by driving a sharp implement (knife, sword, spear) into his opponent’s stomach.

Jacka has said he finished the twelfth and final novel in the series early this year (2021). Who knows, maybe he’ll be able to redeem Alex? I’m worried, though.

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So much violence

Violence exceeds all other books in the series
I preferred when he was dogging the fights

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