Fated is the debut novel from Benedict Jacka. It’s been praised by no less than the likes of Jim Butcher — with good reason, I say. It released on February 28th, 2012 by Ace Books (a division of Penguin USA).
The Blurb
Alex Verus is part of a world hidden in plain sight, running a magic shop in London. And while Alex’s own powers aren’t as showy as some mages, he does have the advantage of foreseeing the possible future–allowing him to pull off operations that have a million-to-one-chance of success.
But when Alex is approached by multiple factions to crack open a relic from a long-ago mage war, he knows that whatever’s inside must be beyond powerful. And thanks to his abilities, Alex can predict that by taking the job, his odds of survival are about to go from slim to none…[GoodReads]
The Review
Fated is a fabulous novel. I can see why Jim Butcher blurbed it. I have waited on this book to come out since Jim mentioned it at a signing way back in June 2011. It seemed…. Well, fated that the release date was my birthday. I can’t tell you how pleased I am that this book more than lived up to the anticipation.
This book is as slim and subtle and powerful as Alex Verus’ talent. You could even say that Fated is the stiletto of urban fantasies (I just did). It’s an iceberg story: the reader sees just the tip of what is clearly a massive expanse of world-building. I liked it. And I loved Alex, all noble and haunted and conflicted as he was.
I have already gobbled up the teaser for volume two, Cursed, and will be waiting eagerly for that release date as well — which GoodReads has listed as May 29th, 2012. In fact, someone at Ace Books? Can feel free to send that second volume right over so that I can gush all over it. 😉
