Review: Magic On The Storm by Devon Monk

I love this series.

I will just open with that and have done with it. I first picked it up just as Devon Monk was promoting what I think I remember as being the 2nd book. I’d followed another author to a blog (Perhaps it was the Deadline Dames?) and found a post by Ms. Monk about setting goals and following them through. I set one, I followed through, I gave her my mailing address… And ended up receiving sometime later the cutest little frog, with his tiny green butt pasted to a scrap of cardboard. And a magnet (which is still on my fridge). And a pen (which I still use, when I can find it in the heaping mess that is my Writer’s Corner).

Anyone who knows me is well aware that the path to my heart lies through office supplies. Especially pens. From that day forward it was a done deal.

I suppose it helps that I really, honestly love the books. The characters are real. The magic system takes such a toll that using it is almost more than it’s worth. (Admit it – this is how magic would work in real life. Nothing is ever easy!)

We’re currently 4 books in and Allie still has no clue what the heck is going on. This is a beloved contrast to some (a lot) (most) other urban fantasies, where the heroine has it all figured out and has whooped the bad guy by the last page of the first book. Then we have to sit through sixteen more books where she continues to get stronger & stronger until you just want to scream ‘Mary Sue!’ and throw the book across the room. [1]

You can find a description of Magic on the Storm, as well as the other books in the series over here. Now. If you haven’t read any of these yet, go get them and quit bothering me. You know I’d never steer you wrong.

If you have read them, let’s dish!

• How much do you love Stone? Who doesn’t want a loyal, man-trampling gargoyle for a pet. So cute!
• This whole ‘My dead dad lives in my head’ thing? Not cute. Really creepy actually. Gives me shudders every time I think of it. I’d be showering blindfolded for the rest of my life! Hope this gets resolved soon…
• And Zayvion Jones! SWOON! Allie’s understated interracial relationship  is a total win. Yes, I’m only saying that because this particular white chick married a black man. Who doesn’t want to see a reflection of themselves in fiction? (That’s part of the whole point, right? People want to read books about people like themselves.) And I love that it’s not a big deal. Heck, maybe it’s not in Seattle; I live in the Midwest. Huge difference.
• Loved the magic free-for-all at the climax of this one. It cranked the stakes up about a dozen notches or so, and I can’t wait for the next book.
• P.S. ~ If the publisher gods are listening, I’d go all Thunderdome for an ARC of the next book. A girl can dream, right?

[1] I said you’d want to. I do not recommend actually throwing books. That is a crime against literature. And bad for the foreheads of anyone living with you. Do not ask me how I know this.

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