Action/Adventure Aficionados discussion

Our June Random Group Read selection is Fated by Benedict Jacka.

Please feel free to join in the group discussion.


1. What did you think of Alex Verus, the main lead? How does he stand out as a lead protagonist? How did you feel about his magical ability? Did his actions and decisions make sense to you in light of the storyline?

2. The crux of this novel seems to be a conflict between Dark and Light Mages. Did this work for you?

3. How does Jacka bring London to life in a magical way, as an urban fantasy novel? Did it feel like a different town, in light of the magical storyline?

4. What did you think of the supporting characters and antagonists? Did anyone of them stand out for you? What about Luna?

5. If you were in Alex's situation, do you think you would have made similar decisions? How would you like to have Alex's ability in his dicey situation?

6. How was the action component of the book for you? Enough? Not enough?

7. As far as urban fantasy storylines, did you think this one did something different or was it traveling down a well-trodded path?

8. Was there a favorite scene or line for you in this novel?

9. Overall thoughts? 1-10. Or 1-5 stars?

10. Any books you'd recommend along these lines?

11. Will you continue the series?

12. Any questions you want to ask the other discussion participants about this book?

This is quite different from our usual reads. I like it so far. Very interesting. the author really does have quite a wonderful imagination.

Hoping to start soon! Looking forward to this one.

Starting this one tonight...sounds like a good one!

I was trying to think of an actor who would be good in the role of Verus. I think Guy Pearce would be good as he does wise cracking odds are against him tough guy very well.

I could see Daniel Craig as well. I'm about 40% in and liking it so far. I can definitely see why people compare him to Dresden. My two favorite characters so far have to be Arachne and Starbreeze...Both had me chuckling when they made their appearances. Not a lot of action so far. Hopefully things will start to pick up soon.

Lisa wrote: "I could see Daniel Craig as well. I'm about 40% in and liking it so far. I can definitely see why people compare him to Dresden. My two favorite characters so far have to be Arachne and Starbree..."

I can see Craig. That works too.

There might not have been adrenalin pumping action throughout, but a lot of cat and mouse with dangerous alliances kept it interesting to me. Starbreeze was very endearing, Arachnid creeped me out. Luna was sympathetic. I liked her. I don't know about the vibe between her and Verus. It felt more big brother little sister to me at first.

This also had a "noir " feel to it. It was like a hard boiled detective story. Different things swirl around the main character which at first seem like isolated events but then all come together and play a part in a single story. This is a nice twist on the "hard boiled" detective genre.

I'm really enjoying the mystery aspect of this story. Can't wait to find out what they discover (view spoiler)[ inside the statue (hide spoiler)].

Lisa wrote: "I'm really enjoying the mystery aspect of this story. Can't wait to find out what they discover [spoilers removed]."

This is me with my hand clamped tightly over my mouth.

I really enjoyed this book, except for one part (view spoiler)[When Morden tortures Lisa for disloyalty my attention was immediately drawn to Verus getting that S.O.B. I wanted to see a satisfying "gotcha" scene of Morden going down for that. I have a rule for my fiction and that is all moral tabs must be paid. The fact that this did not happen in a satisfying way was a weakness of this book for me. (hide spoiler)]

Philip wrote: "I really enjoyed this book, except for one part [spoilers removed]"

I agree Philip, but I'm hoping that gets taken care of somehow in the next book.

Finished this and really enjoyed it (dare I say it, better than Harry Dresden...yikes!) From about the midpoint on, it was a real page-turner for me. Plenty of action to keep us Aficionados happy. I definitely want to continue with this story and read the next in the series.

I agree. I liked Verus a lot. And I think you are right, (view spoiler)[ Morden probably will be dealt with in a sequel. No writer worth his salt or my attention will let that guy breath air forever. (hide spoiler)]

This series will tide me over until Supernatural comes back on. I have not read the Dresden Files but I did try to watch them on Netflix. I should give it another chance I guess but it didn't do much for me.

I just started it. Did I see a nod to Dresen in the first chapter, where he talked about "a wizard who advertized in the Yellow pages in Chicago?"

Barely scratching the surface.

It's nice to see that he practices the oldest known form of self-defence, (view spoiler)[ RUN LIKE HELL! (hide spoiler)]

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "It's nice to see that he practices the oldest known form of self-defence, [spoilers removed]"

It's like Brett Maverick said (view spoiler)[ He who runs away today can live to run away another day. (hide spoiler)]

Philip wrote: "I, Curmudgeon wrote: "It's nice to see that he practices the oldest known form of self-defence, [spoilers removed]"

It's like Brett Maverick said ..."

Yeah him and Grady. It's like Grady from Stanford and said (view spoiler)[

Lamont: Karate' is one of the oldest known forms of self-defense.

Grady: It ain't older than runin'!

(hide spoiler)]

I mean think about it... which self-defense policy works best, Hans Solo or Alex Verus?

(view spoiler)[

Hans Solo - Shoot, Shoot, look, shoot shoot
repeat until dead them or us.

Alex Verus - Run, Run, Hide, Run Run repeat as necessary.
(hide spoiler)]

I think Alex has Han beat when it comes to longevity.

This is a fun book so far. It's sort of "Dresden meets Rook Thomas." (or Storm Front meets The Rook)

That's one of the things I liked about this book...Alex is not your typical hero type.

I finished this a few days ago but was on a road trip vacation without internet. When I got back I saw there were responses and being new here, I wondered about what the spoiler removed note was. Now I see someone neatly makes sure comments don't ruin it for those who aren't finished yet. So, here goes. (view spoiler)[I liked the book, got into it right off as the premise was pretty imaginative. The characters were all interesting and the way Alex used his future-seeing gave the book a flavor that I haven't seen elsewhere. Morden getting his seems a must - somewhere, somehow. For me, this was better than Dresden (read the first few and quite) whereas this one seems worth going ahead with more volumes. My only complaint is the curse going gold and Luna saving Alex near the end. When I finished the book and didn't get it I was convinced I'd mis-read something and went back to read that chapter again. It didn't help. I guess I don't get it. What really happened? Did the rest of you see that coming?(view spoiler)[ Still, a fun read, page-turner that I'd recommend. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

I haven't gotten that far in the book yet, but, there was a scene early on when the Dark Wizards are Chasing Luna and Alex, and Alex is observing her "curse (magic)" working and he suspects that there is an "active" component that might allow her some limited control of it.

Just guessing since I'm only about 33% of the way through. It just seemed significant that the author mentioned that as prominently as he did.

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "Philip wrote: "I, Curmudgeon wrote: "It's nice to see that he practices the oldest known form of self-defence, [spoilers removed]"

It's like Brett Maverick said ..."

Yeah him and Grady. It's lik..."

Should we make shirts that say "Alex ran first"?

I, Curmudgeon wrote: "Alex is observing her "curse (magic)" working and he suspects that there is an "active" component that might allow her some limited control of it. "

I do remember that section but I guess it didn't make enough of an impression for it to stick in my mind by the time I got to the end of the book. Thanks for pointing it out. Still to me it seems like the author would have Luna make some progress over time instead of the big jump.

Plus - can someone point me to the place where I can see how to suppress spoiler comments as I don't want to ruin this or any future books for those who aren't done.

J Drew wrote: "can someone point me to the place where I can see how to suppress spoiler comments as I don't want to ruin this or any future books for those who aren't done..."

Just type the word spoiler between the < > symbols before the words you want to hide...and then type /spoiler between the < > symbols after the words you want to hide.

You can find these directions by clicking on the "some html is ok" in the top right corner of the comment box.

Lisa, thanks. I knew it had to be there somewhere just didn't know where to look. I'll be sure to use it from here on.

I started this and it's good so far. I enjoy magic noir, and this is definitely that.

Discussion Questions have been posted!

2. The crux of this novel seems to be a conflict between Dark and Light Mages. Did this work for you?

I think so. Within the story world, as in the real world, various factions with their own agendas vie and fight over power and advantage. Verus was drawn into and caught in the middle. I thought the philosophy of the dark Mages made them really a bunch of @ssholes on a power trip. I will be happy to see them get their come -uppance. (Especially Morden)

Also on question 2 - yes, the Light vs Dark Mage conflict did work for me with Alex stuck in the middle and that gave it a more unique flavor. Considering that I didn't see the Light Mages as exactly the "good guys" either, it made me root all the more for Alex.

I liked how Jacka explained the difference between Dark and Light Mages, and that it's not good versus evil. (view spoiler)[ It was pretty sinister to hear how the Dark Mages tormented those weaker than they were. (hide spoiler)]