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Forged

Alex Verus Series, Book 11

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Forged

Written by: Benedict Jacka
Narrated by: Gildart Jackson
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Alex Verus faces his dark side in this return to the best-selling urban fantasy series about a London-based mage. 

To protect his friends, Mage Alex Verus has had to change - and embrace his dark side. But the life mage Anne has changed too, and made a bond with a dangerous power. She's going after everyone she's got a grudge against - and it's a long list. 

In the meantime, Alex has to deal with his arch-enemy, Levistus. The Council's death squads are hunting Alex as well as Anne, and the only way for Alex to stop them is to end his long war with Levistus and the Council, by whatever means necessary. It will take everything Alex has to stay a step ahead of the Council and stop Anne from letting the world burn.

©2020 Benedict Jacka (P)2020 Tantor Action & Adventure Fantasy Fiction Wizardry Magic Users Paranormal
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Risen Written by: Benedict Jacka
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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.

best of the series

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Just when I think things can't get darker for Alex Verus and his few friends, they do. FORGED sees the consequences of various choices come to fruition as Alex is forced to face down not only his old enemies, but also the people he once believed he could trust.

Alex's tumultuous development continues in this instalment, and he was definitely on a darker path for a good portion of the book. While I might not agree with his methods to certain problems, I also won't deny that he gave certain outs to various characters. This is certainly the darkest story in the series, and the true power came from the intense interactions between certain people.

The action is as thrilling and intense as ever, with a shocking ending that leaves me wanting more. This has been an engaging ride and I can't wait to see how it concludes!

Dark and Thrilling

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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.

Packed with action, and nothing else.

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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.

What The Heck?

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

So much violence

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