by Benedict Jacka
Series: Alex Verus #2
Narrator: Gildart Jackson
Length: 10 hours and 3 minutes
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 4 cups Speed: 1.3x
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...
Cursed by Benedict Jacka is the second audiobook in the Alex Verus urban fantasy series. Alex and his motley crew of friends are growing on me. I had a blast with this listen and watching them get out of danger as they solved this newest case.
Cursed takes place shortly after Fated, and Alex is enjoying or not, a bit of notoriety from the events that occurred. A friend of Luna’s takes something dangerous from his shop. A woman comes in seeking help, and something tries to kill them. Someone or something is killing magical creatures. Before you know it, Alex ends up in the thick of things. I’ve got my headphones and I am ready to help solve the case.
Despite the fast-pace and intense action scenes, Jacka allowed us to get to know the characters, in particular Luna, who made quite a few mistakes in Cursed. He also moved the overall series ARC. I enjoyed learning more about our friend Spider and was delighted she will be a repeating character. I really adore her.
Alex is clever, loyal and a likable character. His ability to see different futures, collect clues, find motives and moral compass make him a delightful hero. Much like Harry Dresden he does his own thing, isn’t part of the Council and the Dark and Light Mages.
Gildart Jackson did a stellar job with the narration from secondary characters to Alex himself. I loved all the different voices and his ability to build suspense and show emotions through inflection.
If you love quirky characters, mystery and solid urban fantasy you’ll want to begin the Alex Verus series if you haven’t already done so. I have the fourth book queue and ready for listening.
Something is killing magical creatures in Cursed by Benedict Jacka #urbanfantasy #audio #AlexVersus Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Olivia Roach
Alex sounds a bit like a reluctant investigator but also someone who loves it, but likes to appear a bit reluctant? I might be wrong… It sounds like the author has got a good balance between character and plot as well!
Melliane
I’m having a really good time with this series!
sjhigbee
Oh yes! I love this series – I have read as far as Bound. I love the way Jacka handles the divination issue. I’m sure it sounds fab on audio.
Mary Kirkland
I love being able to get to know the characters in a book and I do love quirky characters.
Jenea's Book Obsession
The fast pace and mystery sound really good and something I would like too!
Anne
I’m glad you are enjoying these. I am too. I never know when I pick a Read-Along series I have NOT read if it will work out or not, even if others like it. Well I read the first book before I picked it. Excellent review!
sherry fundin
i like a fast pace and dark fantasy. hope alex saves us little humans. ::-)
Sophia Rose
After reading other reviews of this series, I already had it on the list, but love seeing your enthusiastic thoughts for it, too. Yay for Gildart Jackson. I enjoyed his narration work in another series.
Ailyn Koay
that’s horrible! I hope Alex gets the culprit…i do love a rebellious wizard