[Tamilyrn]

Just finished the second Alex Verus novel (Author Benedict Jacka) and it's been a long time since I was so impressed with a budding series. Dresden now is well established but I'm not sure that I was so excited after the second installment.

The storyline/theme is similar to the Dresden Files although the 'diviner' mage is an excellent twist and there is enough difference to give Jacka his own voice. Already put the third on my watch list and am hopeful that the series will evolve and fulfill it's potential.

Anyone else read ?

[polishgenius]

I've read the first, was very impressed. Didn't realise the second one was out yet, I can't get it at the moment but I certainly will be.

[champ]

Better than Dresden... Is that even possible?!?!?!?

But I will now have to check these out for myself, been looking for something new to read and if it comes anywhere close to Dresdencrack then we're onto a winner!

[Salt-Man Z]

I'm holding everyone in this forum personally responsible for my out-of-control TBR pile. {Grumble, grumble.}

[Abyss]

champ, on 25 June 2012 - 03:30 PM, said:

Better than Dresden... Is that even possible?!?!?!?
...

Not really, no. THE DRESDENCRACK, it RULEZEZ!!!!


but i'll have to check out this series anyways.

Salt-Man Z, on 25 June 2012 - 08:43 PM, said:

I'm holding everyone in this forum personally responsible for my out-of-control TBR pile. {Grumble, grumble.}

welcome to my world.
I recently determined that if i read a book a week for the next two years i would get through my TBR, assuming i acquired no further books during that time.

riiiIIIIiiiiight.

[Salt-Man Z]

Abyss, on 26 June 2012 - 12:19 AM, said:

Salt-Man Z, on 25 June 2012 - 08:43 PM, said:

I'm holding everyone in this forum personally responsible for my out-of-control TBR pile. {Grumble, grumble.}

welcome to my world.
I recently determined that if i read a book a week for the next two years i would get through my TBR, assuming i acquired no further books during that time.

riiiIIIIiiiiight.

Oh, yes. I did that exact same calculation last year sometime, and I think I got something like 5-7 years. And I've acquired, um, almost 100 books so far this year...

[amphibian]

I don't have that problem. I basically have caught up to everything except the Vorkosigian series and the Vlad Taltos series. This will be a "try out" for me.

[polishgenius]

I wouldn't say the series is better then Dresden but then it's only two books long and imo Fated is probably better than Storm Front.

[champ]

These two books are brilliant! Not as good as Dresdens later novels but a match for the earlier ones in my opinion! Finished them both in the day, couldn't put them down!

Very similiar style and pace to Dresden, Benedict Jacka has taken the best elements of Dresden and thrown them in with his ideas. The only thing missing really is the added humour Butcher brings to the table! They could be set in the same world.

Spoiler

He evens nods towards Dresden in the first couple of chapters

I could even see Butcher/Jacka writing a joint novel later on in the game.

Definately added to my must read/buy on day of release list!

[Shiara]

I could quite easily say these books are better than the Dresden ones, but I've only just started reading Death Masks so I suppose that mostly invalidates my opinion. Alex Verus is cleverer than Harry Dresden though, and much less of a dick.

[Obdigore]

Fear not my friends. I, in service to the forums, as someone who has read all the Dresden Novels, have just downloaded the first book. I shall return with comments upon completion. Perhaps I shall read Storm Front again afterwords for a good comparison.

[Use Of Weapons]

Not as good. Not as well written. More YA in feel (not that that is a bad thing in and of itself), so the depth of theme isn't as evident as even early Dresden. Characterisation probably on a par for Alex, but sorely lacking for the other characters. And the sense of place that brings Chicago to life in Dresden is not there for Jacka's London. He could take tips from Kate Griffin on how to make London sing.

[Abyss]

Shiara, on 24 July 2012 - 12:53 AM, said:

I could quite easily say these books are better than the Dresden ones, but I've only just started reading Death Masks so I suppose that mostly invalidates my opinion. Alex Verus is cleverer than Harry Dresden though, and much less of a dick.

If you finish DEATH MASKS and come back here and post that Jacka has any single scene that compares to the finale of DM, i will aquire these books.

[Obdigore]

Finished the first book. The writing is certainly never up to the later Dresden books, but clearly I read it quickly and wanted to read more. I'm DLing the next one on my phone now.

Its kind of different because Verus has no battle magic, so he cant stand up and trade blows with anyone. It is different, but I can't decide if I like it more or less than what Dresden does.

The final battle in the first book was interesting, but I would compare it the final battle in Storm Front, and this one might be better, but there are a ton more players involved.

[polishgenius]

Use Of Weapons, on 27 July 2012 - 09:08 AM, said:

And the sense of place that brings Chicago to life in Dresden is not there for Jacka's London.

That's a curious one, I can't say I agree... for all of Butcher's strengths, I don't think depicting Chicago strongly was one of them. To a point it's probably a deliberate decision - I love Griffin's books but in terms of her London, for someone who's never been there or only seen the tourist bits it's probably a lot like reading about New Crobuzon, just a different sort of read to the light touch Butcher (and Jacka) are going for - but at least Jacka gives the impression that he knows London a bit whereas Butcher infamously had never been there and received a lot of complaints early on that his Chicago bore no resemblance to the actual one.

I agree that the supporting cast is not yet up to Butcher's standard (as of the first, not read book 2 yet), but I did enjoy them.

[Obdigore]

Second Book was not as good as the first. I also do not think the writing has improved at all. The Finale was boring and felt really drawn out in the battle-lead-up then the 'battle' felt amazingly rushed, and although what happened was kind of cool, it was very forgettable as well.

Honestly I like the Scholarly/Time Mage more than either Alex or anyone else. And if he starts working more closely with Cinder and Deleo it might be interesting, but w/e. I wouldn't say no to reading a third, but they certainly are not, at this point, on my pre-order list.

[champ]

New book Taken released tomorrow but Waterstones have it in now! Purchased!

[QuickTidal]

I got about 50 pages into FATED and while I found it decent-ish, all it really made me do was yearn for Dresden.

I will finish it, but I'm not overly compelled to do so soon.

[Use Of Weapons]

QuickTidal, on 05 September 2012 - 12:49 PM, said:

I got about 50 pages into FATED and while I found it decent-ish, all it really made me do was yearn for Dresden.

I will finish it, but I'm not overly compelled to do so soon.

_Cursed_ is better, but still not up to Dresden standards. (Given that I really liked _Fool Moon_ on first reading.)

[Shiara]

Here we go again with the Dresden comparisons