In this article, you’ll see how to read the Alex Verus books in order. Whether you’re just starting or looking to revisit the series, following the correct sequence will give you the full impact of Alex’s journey.
The Alex Verus series by Benedict Jacka stands out in the urban fantasy genre. It is known for its sharp plotting, modern London setting, and a protagonist who relies more on cleverness than brute strength.
The series follows Alex Verus, a mage with the rare ability to see into the future. Formerly part of a dangerous dark magic world, Alex now runs a magic shop in Camden—until he’s pulled back into conflicts that threaten both the magical and mundane worlds.
Benedict Jacka, a British author, was influenced by authors like Jim Butcher but has carved out his own space with a more introspective and strategic hero. The author’s work is praised for its internal logic, strong world-building, and evolving moral complexity.
The series grows darker and more intense throughout twelve books as Alex is forced to confront his past, navigate political power struggles, and wrestle with the cost of survival. The series has a clear arc, making reading the books in proper order important to fully grasp the stakes and character development.
All Alex Verus Books in Order:
Benedict Jacka has written 12 books and two novellas in his Alex Verus series. Below is a list of all books in publication order!
Benedict Jacka’s Alex Verus Series Reading Order:
1. Fated (2012)
Alex is part of a world hidden in plain sight, running a magic shop in London that caters to clientele who can do much more than pull rabbits out of hats.
While Alex’s powers aren’t as showy as some mages, he does have the advantage of foreseeing the possible future, allowing him to pull off operations with a million-to-one chance of success.
But when Alex is approached by multiple factions seeking his skills to crack open a relic from a long-ago mage war, he knows that whatever’s inside must be beyond powerful. And thanks to his abilities, Alex can predict that by taking the job, his odds of survival are about to go from slim to none!
2. Cursed (2012)
Alex has been keeping his head down since his second sight made him infamous for defeating powerful dark mages. But now he’s discovered the resurgence of a forbidden ritual.
Someone is harvesting the life force of magical creatures, destroying them in the process. Draining humans is next on the agenda.
Hired to investigate, Alex realizes that not everyone on the Council wants him delving any deeper. Struggling to distinguish ally from enemy, he finds himself the target of those who would risk their own sanity for power.
3. Taken (2012)
Mage apprentices have been vanishing without a trace—and someone on the Council might be involved!
Alex Verus has no evidence, no witnesses, and no suspects. All he knows is that someone is keeping tabs on him.
And after assassins target his own apprentice’s classmate, Alex sees that he doesn’t know the half of it—and that he could be the next to disappear.
4. Chosen (2013)
Alex Verus is a diviner who can see probable futures—a talent that’s gotten him out of many a tough scrape. But this time, he may be in over his head. Alex was once apprenticed to a Dark mage, and in his service, he did many things he isn’t proud of.
As rumors swirl that his old master is coming back, Alex comes face to face with his misdeeds in the form of a young adept whose only goal is to get revenge.
Alex has changed his life for the better, but he’s afraid of what his friends—including his apprentice, Luna—will think of his past. But if they’re going to put themselves at risk, they need to know exactly what kind of man they’re fighting for.
5. Hidden (2014)
Alex’s friend, the life mage Anne, distanced herself from him when she found out about his past as a Dark apprentice.
Now she’s in serious trouble, but wants nothing to do with him. Alex has to start wondering if Anne’s problem is really with him – or if there’s a secret she’s trying to hide.
In addition, rumours are swirling around London that Alex’s former master may be back in town. Alex has no idea what his agenda may be or who it involves.
6. Veiled (2015)
Diviner Alex Verus and the Council that governs the magical community have never gotten along. But with his former teacher back in Britain, Alex desperately needs allies, and he’ll do whatever it takes to get them—even if it means accepting a job with the Keepers, enforcing magical law.
Alex forms an uneasy alliance with his new partner, Caldera. But his attempt at legitimacy quickly turns lethal when a mission puts him in possession of an item that factions inside and outside the Council would kill to get their hands on.
Once again caught in the middle of a deadly conflict, Alex will need all his abilities to figure out who his friends are—especially when enemies are hiding on all sides.
7. Burned (2016)
Diviner Alex Verus finally made one too many enemies on the Council of Mages, and now one of them is angry enough to have him executed. Fighting for his life is nothing new, but this kill order also calls for the death of Alex’s dependents—and there’s no way that he’ll let Luna, Anne, and Vari take the heat.
With only a week before he is history, Alex will have to figure out how to disassociate himself from his friends, scrounge up allies on the Council, and hopefully keep his head attached to his body.
But saving himself is going to bring him into direct opposition with his former master and the Dark mages surrounding him. And, this time, escaping with his life might mean losing his soul!
8. Bound (2017)
Alex Verus is still haunted by his time as an apprentice to Richard Drakh. Although he’s been free of him for many years, the only way to keep his friends from being harmed is to work for Richard and his deadly ally again.
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!
9. Marked (2018)
When Mage Alex Verus ends up with a position on the Light Council, no one is happy, least of all him. But Alex is starting to realize that if he wants to protect his friends, he’ll need to become a power player himself.
His first order of business is to track down dangerous magical items unleashed into the world by Dark Mages.
But when the Council decides they need his help negotiating with the perpetrators, Alex will have to use all his cunning and magic to strike a deal—and stop the rising tension between the Council, the Dark Mages, and the adept community from turning into a bloodbath.
10. Fallen (2019)
Once, Alex Verus was a diviner trying to live quietly under the radar. Now he’s a member of the Light Council who’s found success, friends… and love. But it has come with a price—the Council is investigating him, and if they find out the truth, he’ll lose everything.
Meanwhile, Alex’s old master, Richard Drakh, is waging a war against the Council, and he’s preparing a move that will bring Alex and the life mage, Anne, under his control.
Caught between Richard and the Council, Alex’s time is running out. Alex will have to become something different to protect those he cares for. Something darker…
11. Forged (2020)
Mage Alex Verus has had to change to protect his friends and embrace his dark side. But the life mage Anne has also changed and bonded with a dangerous power. She’s going after everyone she’s got a grudge against—and it’s a long list.
In the meantime, Alex has to deal with his arch-enemy, Levistus. The Council’s death squads are hunting Alex and Anne, and the only way for Alex to stop them is to end his long war with Levistus and the Council by whatever means necessary.
It will take everything Alex has to stay a step ahead of the Council and stop Anne from letting the world burn!
12. Risen (2021)
Mage Alex Verus has gone from a Camden shopkeeper to one of the most powerful mages in Britain. Now, his last and most dangerous battle lies before him.
Alex’s girlfriend, the life mage Anne, has fallen fully under the control of the deadly djinn she made a bargain with, and it is preparing to create an army of mages subject to its every whim. Alex, the Council, and the Dark mage Richard Drakh agree to call a truce in their war, and plans are made for a joint attack.
Alex knows it’s only a matter of time before Drakh and the Council turn on each other, and neither cares about keeping Anne alive. Can Alex figure out a way to stop Anne and to free her from possession before time runs out for the people he loves?
More Book Series: