Magic on the Storm

This is my first Devon Monk book, and after reading it, it captured my attention so much that I plan on reading the other books in this series. With her lover Zayvion Jones and other secondary characters covering her back, Allison will find strength when needed in the many challenges she faces in this story. As a hands on person, Allison has grown stronger during the course of her job as a hound of illegal magic. Working for the Secret Society and facing the problem with her father was more than any person has had to endure. And I have to say that Allison lives up to her reputation. Her lover Zayvion is just the right person she needs although I found him to be somewhat mysterious. The struggles she will face in this story, along with the pain and frustrations to fix the problems in her life, will make you cheer her on as Allison finds her inner strength and firmly seek the answers she is looking for. - Margo Arthur

Devon Monk is my new favorite author and her third book in the Allie Beckstrom novel amps it up yet again. I could barely put it down and I think I read it like a day and half. What I love most about this book is how it clearly picks up on some early elements from the very first book and we begin to understand the magical world Allie has been thrown into, but just a little bit more. I'm already pining for the fourth book, Magic at the Gate!

Number four in the Allie Beckstrom Chronicles - what's not to love? We have a continuation of Zavion and Allie's relationship (thankfully not too mushy), continued friendships with one of my favorite new characters Shamus.\, and the gargoyle Stone remains in the story. I love the gargoyle - I enjoy his quirks and all the little things that Devon Monk describes him doing. He (She?) is a great addition to the series. Almost makes me wish I had my own magical gargoyle. And Stone is very protective of Allie. Big things happen in the fourth book - Not only does Allie and the Authority have to prepare for and deal with a magical storm (full of wild magic), there is a huge faction rift (between the magic users) that Allie is learning about while she's dealing with still hosting her father's spirit in her brain. Devon inserts just the right amount of squickiness into that story line - it would be so weird feeling your dad's emotions and lust in your own head. Very disconcerting. The continued subplots (the Hounds, dad in the head, pregnant stepmommy, Zayvion, the Authority's division in the ranks) as well as some hints of Allie's past, and the dialogue between the characters (especially Shamus and Zayvion, and Shamus and Allie) are all wonderful parts of great book. Once in a while I read something in the book, that makes me wonder if we're going to find out the Zayvion has really know Allie for a lot longer than she thinks. Sometimes there's a look described between other characters when they're discussing the memory loss, or something in the narrative that just makes me wonder. The cliffhanger ending - Devon Monk is excellent at using this. Definitely have a lot to look forward to in the next book - which, thank goodness, is coming out in November of 2010. That's one of the books that I'm not having any doubts about buying.

I loved the first two books in this series, but felt like the last one just sort of treaded water and might have been better as a novella (seriously, book three took place in the space of about two days!?). Book 4 is great, though, and is firing on all cylinders. The pacing was noticably better than in the other Monk books in the past (though the author really doesn't ever give poor Allie a second of privacy - we're in her POV all day long from start to finish). The heroine's personality shone through a little better, and she seemed to use her brain a little more. I'm loving how the relationship between Allie and her Dad is playing out. If you're new to the series, I'd say read in order: 1, 2, 4, and then go back to 3 if you want something to tide you over to the next book.

A Hound searching for the practitioners of illegal magic use, Allie Beckstrom continues her training with the Authority. Obviously she is one teacher's pet as her lover and soul mate Zayvion Jones is a prime instructor in her magical skills education. Allie believes she contains a segment of her late father's soul because she hears him "speak" in her mind. The Authority leadership concludes a treacherous magical tsunami is heading towards Portland that will destabilize magic activity; it will take a powerful cohesive team to restrain it and hopefully contain it if scattering proves impossible. Allie and Zayvion are a major part of the wildstorm counteroffensive unit; but neither the professor nor the student realizes the worst treachery is from within the Authority. The latest Allie Beckstrom urban fantasy is a terrific entry as all magical hell is heading to Portland where the lead couple on the front prepares for the "war" while seditious acts occur within the Authority hampering the efforts to prevent the deadly perfect storm. Allie has come a long way since she learned of Magic to the Bone; as her heart and soul has found her other while she learns to control her paranormal skills. This is a strong tale, as the magical world of Devon Monk seems genuine. Harriet Klausner