User:Thorne Dart-Canterbury/Fated (novel)

Fated is a novel by British author Benedict Jacka and is the first book in Alex Verus series. The novel details British diviner Alex Verus, who’s caught in the middle of a conflict between Light and Dark mages over an ancient magical weapon. Fated was published on February 28, 2012 by Ace Books.

Synopsis
Alex Verus is a relic hunter and diviner who lives in London. He is always on the lookout for ancient artifacts and magical objects. One day, he comes across a strange relic that he has never seen before. He is able to sense the power of the object and decides to investigate it. He quickly discovers that the relic is a powerful magical object that can grant immense power to whoever possesses it. However, the relic is also very dangerous and is being sought by many powerful beings. Alex must be careful as he tries to figure out the relic's secrets and how to use its power.

Alex Verus is a diviner who can see the future. He's also a former student of Richard Drakh, a powerful magician who is now a member of the Council, a group of supernaturals who rule over London. When Luna, a young woman who is also a diviner, comes to him for help, he agrees to teach her how to control her gift. But when Richard Drakh shows up and wants to take Luna away, it becomes clear that he has ulterior motives. Alex must use all of his power to protect Luna from the Council and from Richard Drakh. Luna is a young woman who is taken to the remains of London by the Master Alaundo. Alex Verus, also known as the remains of London, is a powerful magical being who has been sealed away for centuries. Luna must free him from his prison and stop the Master Alaundo from taking over the world.

They rushed with change pawn or the commands as a mage, Alex Verus is used to rushing into dangerous situations. But when he's given commands by a powerful pawn in London, he knows he's in over his head. With the help of his friends, he must figure out what the pawn is up to and stop him before it's too late. Lyle is a young man who discovers he has magic abilities. He can stack objects and make them float in the air. He also has the ability to stutter when he's nervous. When Lyle discovers his abilities, he meets Alex Verus, a London-based mage who runs a business helping others with their magical problems. Lyle joins the Council, a group of mages who keep the magical world in balance, and helps to protect London from magical threats. Luna is a young mage who has just joined the Council of Kings in London. She is eager to prove herself and prove that she is the best mage in the city.

However, she soon discovers that the other members of the Council are not what they seem. They are all backwards magic users who use their powers to control the city. Luna must use her own magic to stop them and take control of the Council. Alex Verus is a mage who can see the future. He's also the only one who knows about the war between the Light and the Dark. When he's asked to help the Light find a powerful artifact, he knows that it won't be easy. He'll have to team up with Lyle, a powerful mage from the Light, and Richard, a mage from the Dark. They'll have to put aside their differences and work together if they want to find the artifact before the Dark does. Alex Verus is a powerful mage who has been able to keep a low profile for years. But when he tries to help a young woman named Lyle, he draws the attention of the powerful Dark mage Richard. Now, Alex must use all of his power to stop Richard from taking over London.

But then troubled weight that binders Alex Verus is a mage who runs a magic shop in London. He has the ability to see the future and uses this to help others. Luna is a young woman who comes to Alex for help. Her father, Lyle, is a member of the Council, a group of mages who rule the magical world. Richard Drakh is a powerful mage who is trying to take over the Council. Master Alaundo is the head of the Council and is trying to stop Richard. Helikaon is a mage who is working with Richard. They are trying to find a way to use magic to take over the world. Alex Verus is a mage who lives in London. He runs a magic shop called the Arcaneum. He is also a member of the Council, a group of magic users who keep the peace in the city. Luna is a young woman who comes to Alex's shop looking for help. She is being hunted by the Council for her use of unquiet magic. Alex agrees to help her, and together they try to find a way to stop the Council. Lyle is a member of the Council who is also hunting Luna. He is determined to stop her from using her magic. The three of them are drawn into a battle of magic and wills. In the end, Alex and Luna are able to defeat Lyle and the Council. Alex Verus is a Light mage who has been betrayed by a member of the Council, a group of powerful mages who rule over London. Lyle, a strega who is also a member of the Council, has been tasked with hunting down Alex. However, Lyle is not the only one after Alex the Dark mages are also after him, and they will stop at nothing to get their hands on him. Alex must use all of his power and cunning to survive as he is pursued by both Light and Dark forces.

Characters

 * Alex Verus: The diviner, someone who can see the future. He's also a bit of a lone wolf, preferring to work alone rather than with a team. He's not above using underhanded tactics to get what he wants, and he's got a quick wit and sharp tongue. He's loyal to his friends, but he's not above using them if it suits his purposes. a powerful sorcerer and the head of the Arcane Council. He is also a skilled politician and diplomat, and was instrumental in the formation of the Arcane Council.
 * Luna Mancuso: She is a young woman who is a member of the Light Council and an apprentice to the powerful wizard, Richard Drakh. Luna is determined to prove herself to her mentor and to the Light Council, and she is constantly testing her abilities. She is also fiercely loyal to her friends, and she is always ready to fight for what she believes in, the young woman who was apprenticed to Master Alaundo. She was a talented student, and rose quickly through the ranks of the Order. She eventually became one of Master Alaundo's most trusted advisers.
 * Lyle Trahelis: He is a skilled wizard and Alex's apprentice. Lyle is also a member of the Council of Seven, a group of powerful wizards who rule the magical community. He is often at odds with Alex, but they eventually develop a strong friendship in the young wizard who was apprenticed to Master Alaundo. He was a talented student, and rose quickly through the ranks of the Order. He eventually became one of Master Alaundo's most trusted advisers.
 * Master Alaundo: the head of the Arcane Order in the years leading up to the Mage Wars. He was a powerful sorcerer and a master of several magical disciplines. He was also a skilled politician and diplomat, and was instrumental in the formation of the Arcane Council.
 * Richard Drakh: a powerful wizard and the main antagonist of the Alex Verus series. He is the leader of the Dark Council, a group of the most powerful wizards in the world, and is determined to use their power to control the world. He is a master of dark magic and is able to control the minds of others. He is also a skilled fighter and is not afraid to kill to get what he wants.
 * David Sonder: First name David, but prefers to be called Sonder.
 * Deleo: Rachel's Mage name; Specializes in disintegration magic.
 * Cinder: Deleo's Partner.
 * Khazad: Ally of Cinder and Deleo in Fated; Especially hates Alex.
 * Morden: A Master mage, very highly ranked; Cinder, Khazad and Deleo deferred to him in Fated
 * Onyx: Chosen of Morden
 * Talisid: Light Council Operative, Alex's "handler" for undercover work, an ally against Drakh
 * Vaal Levistus: Member of the Light Council, member of the Junior Council when Alex first met him, later elevated to the Senior Council
 * Arachne: Besides being a very powerful creature, she enjoys making clothing for her friends, often imbued with magic; one of Alex's oldest and truest friends.
 * Griff Blackstone: On Light Council team that investigated fate weaver relic
 * Thirteen: the most conspiracy one of hates Alex
 * Lisa: the dark mage of the light from weaver of Luna
 * Selene: Alex's mage name of the specialist from hunter
 * Shireen: Apprentice to Richard Drakh at same time as Alex, Tobruk and Rachel
 * Tobruk: Apprentice to Richard Drakh at same time as Shireen, Rachel and Alex
 * Starbreeze: Friend of Alex, if she can keep her mind on him
 * Abithriax: the original wielder of the fateweaver; he imbued himself into it to avoid a death sentence
 * Councillor Travis: the master of mage in Alex's dark bringer
 * Helikaon: a most diviner one of Alex's former teachers.

Reception
Publishers Weekly wrote that "Jacka deftly invents the rules of magic as he goes along, creating an emotionally satisfying story arc and a protagonist who will keep readers coming back.".