Magic in the Shadows (Allie Beckstrom, Book 3)

Ever since I read Devon Monk's debut book (Magic to the Bone) I've loved reading her books. When I finished reading the second book, (Magic in the Blood) I wanted to read it again. With this book I felt the same. In this installment Allie Beckstrom deals with having her brain inhabited by her father. She also acquires a sidekick (one of my favorite characters in the book). She is tested by the Authorities, has other-worldly beasties after her, and is trying to keep the Hounds safe, together and organized- something she had promised Pike she would do. Not all of the members of the Authority are happy to have Allie around. Some of them want to have her "closed", her magic use taken away, along with memories of magic. New human (as opposed to her new sidekick) characters are introduced. All of the characters in Devon Monks books are interesting-like real flawed people (except they use magic). The conversations between Zayvion Jones and Allie are fun to read. I enjoyed Allie's adventures, even when she does something incredibly stubborn and stupid. There's a moment during a dangerous situation that Allie does something she's been warned - very strongly- not to do. The moment she does it, she's thinking she should have listened. There are moments with the Daddy presence in her head when they are both being incredibly stubborn - foolishly so- fighting over control of her body. I enjoyed very much revisiting the world that Devon Monk has created with this series and I am already looking forward to the next book, Magic on the Storm. In the back of my head, I'm also already planning when I might re-read all three books (maybe this coming summer).

Wow I mean wow. Let just suffice to say that I LOVE THIS BOOK. This is the third book in the Allie Beckstrom series, and chosen to be my absolute favorite of this series. Magic in the Shadows turned a corner in the series with this book. Allie is no longer following a endless tunnel of uncertainty. She has found friends and build relationship that have not failed with her memory loss. Devon Monk appeared to have become comfortable with her writing in this book, and soared through this amazing novel with grace. Allie and Zayvion maintain a relationship that can leave you breathless, and continue to raise the bar with every book. I was very impressed by the change of character for Zayvion in this book. I think Monk as maintained the great guy persona for Zayvion through the beginning of this series, but with the turn of magic in this book he has turned to the kick ass and take names bad boy; that we all know and love. Although, the overall feel of this book shifted moderately for me series has continued a sorrowful feel for Allie and her situations, but I have to say I did not feel this at all with this novel. I felt uplifted upon concluding Magic in the Shadow, and I can not wait for the next book.

This book ties up alot of loose ends and of course leaves you with even more questions. Wickedly chaotic, and very easy to slip into the main character and feel as confused and determined as she is. I loved this book and read it a quickly as possible. I can't wait for the next installment of Allie's life!!!

I liked this book enough to decide to write my first web review about it but I have to admit I was intimidated by the length of the other reviews that are posted. Ultimately I decided to go ahead and forge ahead even tho I feel I'm a bit out of my depth. The "Magic to the..." series has become one of my favorites. I'm just your normal run-of-the-mill reader and don't really look at books critically, I look at them for the enjoyment they give me. Allie Beckstrom is a smart, intrepid main character with a distinctly vulnerable side that I find appeals to me. When I am reading Devon's books basically my life goes on hold because I don't want to do anything else except find out what's going to happen next. She has slowly developed Zayvion's character in such a way as to make him unutterably appealing as well, which makes him and Allie as a couple all the more perfect. The situations that girl gets herself into crack me up and keep me on the edge of my seat at the same time. And speaking of cracking up - the saracasm and wit woven into tne book provide just the right amount of balance to all the danger and tension. I love that there are many Portland landmarks prominent in the books, which gives it a certain credibility in the midst of the fantasy. Who knows what the future holds? Maybe magic might truly run beneath our feet someday....! I appreciate all the new characters that were introduced in this book and look forward to seeing where she's going to take all of them. Anyways, it's my humble opinion that these are great books and I would heartily recommend them to anyone as a very good read. I'm anxiously awaiting the next one!!

Magic has been a bane for Allison Beckstrom, a Hound who tracks down abusers of the innocent, thanks mostly because of her father Daniel. She has buried her sorcerer dad twice and prays this is the end of him as every time he comes back her troubles exponentially multiply. However that prayer fails when somehow her late dad entered her mind trying to take control. Her sudden increase in power worries the Authority who tries to help her cope with her skills. Additionally her soul mate Zayvion Jones seems to have vanished from much of her mind because holes in her memory have been punched through due to magical usage. They begin their relationship anew while a necromorph stalks Allie to get at her father's imbedded power. The second Beckstrom urban fantasy (see Magic to the Bone) is a fascinating thriller filled with action including the demands of dear dead dad but anchored in reality by little thinks like traffic, door locks, and WD-40. Allie is terrific as she struggles with her father over who controls her bodily senses, which in turn impact who controls the mind and body. On top of that an adversary knows and wants control. Just another few days in the life of a beleaguered Hound assaulted from without and within; her only ally is Zay and she barely recognizes him but feels the affinity and attraction in spite of her late father's efforts to kill their feelings. Devon Monk has a great series that sub-genre fans will want to read. Harriet Klausner