13. Benedict Jacka - Bound (Alex Verus #8)

Mage Alex Verus is caught between a rock and a hard place in the eighth urban fantasy novel from the national bestselling author of Burned.

Right now I wasn’t seeing Richard as the teacher out of my nightmares, he was just another Dark mage, and I looked into the future to see what would happen if I turned that knife on him instead...

Alex Verus is still haunted by his time apprenticed to Richard Drakh. He's been free of him for many years, but now the only way to keep his friends from being harmed is to again work for Richard and his deadly ally. Even worse, he’s forced to bring the Light mage Anne into this servitude as well.

After weeks of being hunted and finally cornered into what he thought was his last stand, Alex never thought his life would be spared—and never anticipated at what price. This time, the diviner can see no way out...

My love for Alex Verus knows no bounds.  I had been waiting a very long time for this book--I doubt beyond the normal time between books but it did feel like forever--and I was not disappointed.

In this eight installment in the series, we see Alex stuck between the proverbial "rock and a hard place" scenario.  His choice: either continue hiding from the Council and the death sentence imposed on him, or work for his former mentor, which will give him protection but at the same time solidify his status, albeit incorrectly, as a Dark Mage with the Light Mages.  If it was just a question of his own status, he would easily choose running, but now that Anne is part of the deal he realizes he cannot put her at risk.

Throughout the book, Alex is trying to find ways to protect himself, including hunting down a dreamstone, to give him ways to increase his power against his enemies.  At the same time, he is working as Morden's official aide and he is trying to figure out what his and Richard's plans are.

While Luna and Vari are present--the other members of his "Scooby gang"--they play more of a backseat in this story arc.  This is unfortunate because I think Luna's development as a Mage and a person would have been an interesting side story.  We only get a glimpse of her troubles after Alex goes on the run but she is more out of the picture in this book.

We also see the possibilities of a stronger relationship between Anne and Alex.  I got the impression that Alex does love her but, like the typical male, cannot see that.  What is it with men and not recognizing their feelings?

While the end was somewhat predictable, it did have an unexpected twist that is going to make things very difficult for Alex in the next book.  I cannot wait to see how Jacka is going to have Alex and Anne out of this one.

Most definitely one of my favorites this year so far.  It gets a rare five stars from me.