Caffeinated Reviewer

Narrated by Gildart Jackson, Risen by Benedict Jacka is the twelfth and final audiobook in the urban fantasy series, Alex Verus. I couldn’t wait to dive into this story and worried about Alex and Anne. We have come so far and I feared the worst. The tale that unfolds was brilliant, pulse-pounding and addictive.

Mage Alex Verus has gone from a Camden shopkeeper to one of the most powerful mages in Britain. Now his last and most dangerous battle lies before him.

Alex's girlfriend, the life mage Anne, has fallen fully under the control of the deadly djinn she made a bargain with, and it is preparing to create an army of mages subject to its every whim. Alex, the Council, and the Dark mage Richard Drakh agree to call a truce in their war, and plans are made for a joint attack. Alex knows that it's only a matter of time before Drakh and the Council turn on each other . . . and neither cares about keeping Anne alive. Can Alex figure out a way to stop Anne and to free her from possession before time runs out for the people he loves?

So many questions as we entered the epic conclusion to the Alex Verus series. We knew Alex was in serious trouble with the fate weaver and that poor Anne was possessed by a djinn, but would they survive? Jacka wasted no time flinging us back into the story and it was a brilliant, nail-biting ride.

Alex has come such a long way from the solitary dark mage who turned his back on the council and kept to himself. It has been an epic journey, and I’ve come to love Alex and his motley crew of friends, allies, and frenemies. The series has everything I love about urban fantasy, from the world-building to the overall plot involving Richard and the council. It’s classic good vs evil with plenty of gray in-between to keep readers engaged.

In Risen, Alex knows he is on borrowed time, but he wants to put an end to Richard and save Anne. There are constant threats and he is juggling it all as he uses deviation to predict outcomes and force his desired results… mostly to save others.

Everyone is involved in this last epic battle from the council to Alex’s pet, enemies, and allies. Jacka kept me on edge, and I wasn’t sure of the outcome. I was prepared with wine and chocolate truffles. The battle scenes were glorious from the conflicts with council members to threats they face from dark Anne and Richard. Luna proved to be a steadfast ally, as did one or two on the council.

With all that Alex has witnessed and been through, you’d think he’d go on a revenge rampage, but more often than not, he was more concerned for others. I wanted blood. “Off with their heads,” I say!

Plan some time when you begin this because you won’t be able to set it down. If I wasn’t listening, I was thinking about the story. It evoked emotions as I listened from moments of laughter to war cries. I don’t think I could have asked for a better finale.

Gildart Jackson narrates the series and became the voice of Alex and his friends, enemies, and the council. From his accents to the pacing, he enhanced the story and added another level of enjoyment. I recommend grabbing the audiobooks.

Jacka gives us an epilogue, and for that, I am grateful. This has become a favorite series and Alex Verus a character I love. As with most urban fantasy, it is best to start and the beginning. The journey is worth it and one I will repeat.

Amazon | Audible

About Benedict Jacka

Benedict Jacka became a writer almost by accident, when at nineteen he sat in his school library and started a story in the back of an exercise book. Since then he's studied philosophy at Cambridge, lived in China, and worked as everything from civil servant to bouncer to teacher before returning to London to take up law.

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About Gildart Jackson

With acting credits that span stage and screen, Gildart Jackson is most often recognized for his role as Gideon on Charmed. Other notable TV roles include Jackson Palmer on Providence and Simon Prentiss on General Hospital, as well as guest appearances on Stargate: Atlantis, Las Vegas, and CSI. Theater roles include Trigorin in The Seagull, Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady, and Adrian in Private Eyes at the Old Globe.

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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

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