Fated

Executive Summary: After a rough start I liked the second half of this book enough that I'll probably continue on with the series.Audiobook: Gildart Jackson did a pretty good job, and helped keep me mostly attentive during all the setup of the first half of the book.Full ReviewThis one has been in my library for awhile. I'm sure I got a daily deal or I probably wouldn't have bothered. I used to love Urban Fantasy and read a ton of it, but after awhile I just got tired of it and pretty much everything new I've tried has felt derivative or uninteresting.For the first half of this book I was ready to lump this book in with all those others. Not only did this pale in comparison to Dresden Files, the origin story felt like copy/paste. It can be hard to remember that [b:Storm Front 47212 Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1) Jim Butcher https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1419456275s/47212.jpg 1137060] is not the best written book.However it was the first urban fantasy book I read, so I didn't know any better at the time. And now I'm so many books into the series that it's hard to separate my love for the series and characters from the quality of the writing and story.So however unfair it may be the first book of a new Urban Fantasy series book, I'm always comparing it the entire Dresden Files series, not just [b:Storm Front 47212 Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1) Jim Butcher https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1419456275s/47212.jpg 1137060].I think if I'm being completely fair this book is probably slightly better, even if I liked it much less. The second half finally started to differentiate itself from Dresden Files.In particular, despite their near identical backgrounds Harry and Alex are quite different. Harry is a bruiser. He prefers to take the fight to the bad guys and solve his problems with fireballs and bullets.Alex however is a planner. His magical ability to walk possible futures means he's all about being prepared and avoiding the worst of what might happen. It is for this reason that I found the book growing on me as it went along.That said, it's still the first book in a series and that comes with some of the setup that comes for that. There thankfully seems enough here to differentiate itself from most other urban fantasy I've read. I'll probably pick up the audio for the next book whenever I'm in the mood for something lighter.

Fated
Benedict Jacka

CAWPILE SCORE
C-8
A-8
W-7
P-7
I-8
L-7
E-9
TOTAL-7.71/10

Pretty great book. It was lots of fun to read and the pacing really moves it forward quickly.

b>Characters
For a first book in a series some characters might feel a little flat, but with some time and attention I think they'll be anything but. Lots of characters with their own motivations. Interesting dynamics between them.

Atmosphere
Using London as a setting, easy to get things right.

Writing
Good writing, nothing exceptional. Just lots of Oh crap moments that I liked. Maybe a little less explaining the Magic System for this first book or at least less repeating of how powerless Alex is.

Plot
Love the Plot. Similar to a fetch quest but made unique.
Investment

Logic

Enjoyment

Misc
Love the callout to Dresden files, as these series are very similar. At least in the start.
CAWPILECharactersDark Mages and Light Mages. Both apparently suck in this world. But the light mages are more manipulative and polite about it. Dark Mages believe in Might is Right. Bottom lineAlex our MC not his real name, is a Diviner which we learn a lot about. Luna afraid to get close to people because of her curse. Deleo/Rachel lots of unknown quantities here. Cinder and Khazad are both a little flat, but aside from being side characters aren't really important. Abithriax very minor character. Morden working behind the scenes until he's front and center. Levistrus scary scary.Starbreeze and Arachne minor but important characters.Alex's growth reencountering people from his past. AtmosphereWritingPlotI love that all the other diviners saw what was coming way ahead and left before hand. InvestmentVery invested in this story. I am very excited to see where everything will go. Starting the ship between Luna and Alex. Loving the magic system.LogicEverything remains consistent so far. Great applications of using magic as a diviner and using magic in other applicable ways. Characters remained consistent to themselves.EnjoymentI really enjoyed this. I loved the magic system and the tricks that Alex has had to come up with to survive. MiscMy divination magic let me see what might happen; the fateweaver let me pick what would happen. How cool was that scene, advancing on Onyx. Abithriax embedded in the Fateweaver and taking over people.Alex being able to throw perfectly because of divination practice.

I will be talking about it on Libromancy https://libromancy.podbean.com/ on 6/12/2022

I really wanted to like this book more. I've seen it on quite a few of those recommended lists and was excited to finally get a copy of the first one. Unfortunately, it just didn't feel unique enough to me. If you've read The Iron Druid Chronicles and The Dresden Files this feels somewhat similar. (To be clear, I don't think Alex Verus is a rip off. I think his powers are interesting and I liked his sidekick.) There was some decent world building I love Arachne, and her relationship with Alex. I felt pulled into her scenes. It just...didn't grab me? If I had a friend who was fan, I would probably keep reading so we could discuss them. As it is, this world doesn't stand out to me enough to keep going.