The Alex Verus series is masterfully continued in Benedict Jacka’s Cursed. Action packed and amusement in spades, Cursed only adds to the already fabulous series. Jacka once again delivers an entertaining book. Fans and newcomers alike will instantly find themselves enchanted by the world of Alex Verus and his misadventures of a lifetime.
Since his second sight made him infamous for defeating powerful dark mages, Alex has been keeping his head down. But now he’s discovered the resurgence of a forbidden ritual. Someone is harvesting the life-force of magical creatures—destroying them in the process. And draining humans is next on the agenda. Hired to investigate, Alex realizes that not everyone on the Council wants him delving any deeper. Struggling to distinguish ally from enemy, he finds himself the target of those who would risk their own sanity for power…
The Alex Verus Novels are truly that, novels. I found that Cursed was not only a great sophomore to the series but a decent stand alone. Though I enjoy reading a series in bulk, Jacka makes it almost unnecessary. With short recaps that aren’t annoying, even if you’ve just read the preceding book (tested it just for you!), Alex’s life unfolds with windows into the most interesting parts. After all, Alex mentions several times how life as a shop-owning mage isn’t usually all that interesting. It is these little comments that make the time between novels seem realistic yet insignificant. Unlike many other series I don’t feel lost at the beginning just because five months have passed between books.
I can expand on how much I love Alex Verus but since I already did that in my review of Fated, I will refrain from mentioning what a quirkily dashing and downright loveable character he is. Jacka has a wonderful knack for creating characters which the readers truly feel for and the characters introduced in Cursed are no exception. The most notable of new characters for me was a mage who I loved to hate. Meredith is instantly alluring to Alex and has the gift of being an enchantress- one whose allure is by definition magical. She is stunning to Alex an countless other men, yet it’s not this that makes me hate her. Instead it is that she used her powerful ability simply to be another mage’s pawn. I think Jacka struck a bit of genius masked as “psych 101”. Meredith is beautiful yet very insecure. Without the validation and direction of others she is downright useless. Though she expertly manipulates Alex, she fails to truly ensnare him due to her own personal hang ups. Though I loathed her character I loved how Jacka created someone whom it was so easy to despise and eventually pity.
I loved Fated and had you asked me, I would have found it hard to name an aspect that could have been improved. A new element was brought to the table in Cursed via a subplot; a monkey paw that was found in Alex’s shop and what befalls the bearer. This was, inadvertently, a prime example of urban fantasy done right…elements of lore and classic fantasy as well as a twilight zone tone pulled into modern day. While many authors attempt this, few succeed and even fewer manage to mold it into a minor parallel tale that doesn’t distract from the main action. Jacka does this effortlessly and the two stories eventually intersect in a satisfying way reminiscent of hyperlink films such as Pulp Fiction and Love, Actually.
As enthralling as each character is, it is Jacka’s ability to create a multi-dimensional magical world that is remarkable. Jacka’s crystal clear writing sends readers to a hopeless cavern and an epic battle amidst a Scottish castle. Cursed will keep you turning pages, eager to see what strange circumstances Alex finds himself into. Fans of the genre or series will not be disappointed and like me, will be left wanting more.
Order for the Alex Verus series
Fated
Cursed
Taken
Chosen (Aug 27, 2013)
