Review: Magic on the Storm

Magic on the Storm:
An Allie Beckstrom Novel
Author: Devon Monk
ARC Releases on May 4, 2010
Preorder on Amazon

Summary: Allison Beckstrom is committed to her work tracing illegal spells. Now, there's an apocalyptic storm bearing down on Portland, and when it hits, all the magic in the area will turn unstable and destructive. To stop it from taking out the entire city, Allie and her lover, the mysterious Zayvion Jones, must work with the Authority-the enigmatic arbiters of all things magic-and take a stand against a magical wildstorm that will obliterate all in its path...

I won a Magic on the Storm ARC, and it's my first Devon Monk read. Once again, I'm smacking myself in the head for waiting this long to read her books. I loved her writing, the characters and the plot. There were action scenes that completely floored me. I couldn't have stopped reading for any reason, short of the kids stabbing each other or the house exploding during these scenes.

Magic on the Storm is urban fantasy mixed with paranormal romance. It's on the dark side, but has humor to offset the darkness. I loved the main characters, and will be picking up the first three books to learn more about them and what has come before the current book. Shame (Shamus Flynn) is an awesome side character. He first shows up in this book, throwing ice cubes at the two main characters:

"Thank God I got here in time." He tossed another volley our way. "You might have gone up in flames. Burst into sex at any minute."

He's the comic relief, but he is also tortured, loyal and can kick ass to protect his friends. The man could have his own book for Pete's sake.

Allie, the main character, is strong, loyal, passionate and she can kick butt physically and magically, though she's still learning how to use her powers. Her father's spirit lives within her, attempting to possess her every chance he gets, but actually becomes useful along the way later in the book, or at least appears to be. Zayvion Jones is Allie's magical Soul Complement, her boyfriend and her sparring partner. The man sizzles while just standing in a room, but put him with Allie and he's hot and explosive. Seriously.

"Zay was Zay. Silent. Brooding. When he carried himself like that, he was a force, a darkness, a power.

I was glad he was on our side."

If you enjoy Ilona Andrews, Stacia Kane, Jeaniene Frost or Lilith Saintcrow you will love Devon Monk. Magic on the Storm is the fourth in the series:

Allie Beckstrom Novels
1. Magic to the Bone (2008)
2. Magic In the Blood (2009)
3. Magic in the Shadows (2009)
4. Magic on the Storm (2010)
5. Magic at the Gate (November 2010)

You can learn more about Devon and her books on her website here.

~Moonsanity