Cursed: An Alex Verus Novel from the New Master of Magical London (Alex Verus, #2)

by Benedict Jacka

Things are going well for Alex Verus. He's on moderately good terms with the Council, his apprentice is settling in and his shop in Camden is gaining quite a reputation.

But when a mysterious woman bursts into the Arcana Emporium one night with an assassin on her tail, Alex is thrown into a plot to revive a long-forbidden ritual. His old enemies are after the secret, as well as a Council mage named Belthas and a mercenary named Garrick, and at least one of them is trying to get Alex killed - if he only knew which.

He can see the future, but knowing who to trust is something else.

• ISBN10: 0748124926
• ISBN13: 9780748124923
• Publish Date: 7 June 2012 (first published 1 May 2012)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Orbit
• Edition: Digital original
• Format: eBook (EPUB)
• Pages: 304
• Language: English

Reviews

[kimbacaffeinate]

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. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer

[lisacee]

This book is not the Dresden Files, but I can't help but compare them.

Where Dresden's world felt original and full, it feels like Verus is piggybacking on it. Making small changes but not defining itself.

[wyvernfriend]

Alex Verus would like a nice quiet life, but everyone seems to be unable to let him and he can't stand seeing his friends hurt and some friends are less human like than others.

This was interesting and it was also interesting how he learns as well about himself and about those around him.