Benedict Jacka

Very much an introduction to the new series. There is even a foreword explicitly telling you so, new magic system, new people, new politics. Still set in london though.

This actually made me feel more of River of London than his other series, a sort of mix of introducing someone barely familiar to the magical world, along with a casual acceptance of the geography, it' snot entirely clear what race/heritage Stephen has, but it's not typical, again with the RoL vibe.

Stephen has been living on his own for the last few years after his dad suddenly left, his mum having died much younger. He's been making ends meet, just about, but now that he's 18, he's starting to think about a future. The one thing his dad left him was an instruction to carry on his hobby of 'drucraft' - sensing elemental magic and shaping it into sigils, the captured form that can be used for almost anything you can imagine. Stephen's not very good at it, but then he's never had any formal training. I had though we'd be heading into magic school territory, and the possibility emerges once or twice, but Stephen is too independently minded for that, and strikes his own path. He's feelings on the matter are only bolstered when he's suddenly embroiled in the plots of a pair of his formally unknown cousins. Events don't go to anyone's plan, and Stephen resolves to train himself stronger, even if it risks his friends and only income.

My only real complaint is that Stephen didn't feel 18, somewhat impulsive, yes, but too mature really too considering and too able to look after himself - although perhaps my familiaty with 18 yr olds is biased to those with a more sheltered upbringing. I enjoyed the magical world, and the hints of the power structures around give rise to interesting possibilities of an underdog against the Powers That Be, much liek the best bits of Verus.… (more)

I could say this story reminds me of a Harry Dresden novel. It would be a true statement, but it would also fail to do the story justice.

Yes, Alex Verus is clearly inspirited by the more popular Dresden Files, but it does enough things different to stand on its own. For one, the world of Alex Verus is a darker take on the secret wizard society formula. Alex himself is also quite different from Dresden, namely in the fact his only magical power is to divine the future. The result is a decided different approach to conflict resolution and action scenes, among other things.

Warmly recommended to lovers of Urban Fantasy, Heist novels, and Harry Dresden fans.… (more)