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Allie Beckstrom #4
Magic on the Storm
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...
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344 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 4, 2010
81 people are currently reading
2272 people want to read
About the author
Devon Monk
88 books2,061 followersDevon Monk is a national best selling writer of urban fantasy. Her series include Ordinary Magic, House Immortal, Allie Beckstrom, Broken Magic and Shame and Terric. She also writes the Age of Steam steampunk series, and the occasional short story which can be found in her collection: A Cup of Normal, and in various anthologies. She has one husband, two sons, and lives in Oregon. When not writing, Devon is either drinking too much coffee or knitting silly things.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
June 14, 2018
4.5 Stars... Loved It, Loved It, Loved It... Devon Monk creates an energetic, high octane, supernatural story that combines romance, action, and magical mysteries... I love to delve into her books and get lost amongst her characters and fantastic world building... Allie, Zayvion, Shamus, and a host of other unique and intriguing characters are tasked with stopping a storm filled with wild magic that can change the course of magic use forever...Enemies converge, alliances are formed, and secrets are revealed as these characters navigate this seemingly impossible challenge... I was invested from start to finish and am ready to jump right into the next read in this series:)
May 30, 2018
Oh, no. This is not a cliffhanger I can abide by. This story took too long to get started and now it is incomplete. And, of course, I am getting the next book immediately.
There is a magic storm coming and no one knows how it badly it will impact Allie Beckstrom's world. Like the storm, there are multiple storylines that are converging into the main one and the storm is both allegorical and physical. There is a war brewing and we don't know who is on which side, and what the war is even about, but we do get significant advance in Allie's relationship with Zayvion, getting to know better Shame and his relationship with Terric. That's enough to keep me going for now, but dang, that ending...
There is a magic storm coming and no one knows how it badly it will impact Allie Beckstrom's world. Like the storm, there are multiple storylines that are converging into the main one and the storm is both allegorical and physical. There is a war brewing and we don't know who is on which side, and what the war is even about, but we do get significant advance in Allie's relationship with Zayvion, getting to know better Shame and his relationship with Terric. That's enough to keep me going for now, but dang, that ending...
February 11, 2011
Full review (including favorite quotes) originally posted at http://yummymenandkickasschicks.com/?...
Allie Beckstrom is back in Devon Monk’s Magic on the Storm, the fourth installment in her totally kick ass series. This one starts off two months after Magic in the Shadow leaves off. Allie is training with the yummy Zayvion Jones and other members of the Authority. She is a Hound, someone who tracks magical signatures and helps track down magical evil dooers, so she already knows magic and she’s already very good at what she does. But she discovered in the last book that there is a whole lot more she could learn to make her even stronger. And that is what she is learning at the beginning of this book.
I’ve always liked Allie. She is sharp and sarcastic. This series is told via first person perspective so you ‘see’ Allie’s thoughts throughout…and even they are sharp and sarcastic. She is a character that is so real. She’s not a super hero. She has many imperfections and some pretty impressive fears. For example, she is very claustrophobic. And when Allie is going through an episode…well let’s just say that those are scenes that prove Devon has some serious writing chops. Her character is real. Her issues are real. But they all just happen to be mixed up in a world filled with magic.
And speaking of fun characters with sharp wits, Shame is back in this book. He is a hoot. He likes everyone to think that he’s this badass slacker who doesn’t give a damn, but you know he does. He is a fierce friend and a good soul. Shame is Zayvion’s best friend and he compliments him well.
It’s nice to see Zayvion being a little more open in this book. He has nothing else to hide so he’s more available with information. Okay, I’m sure he still has lots of secrets seeing that he’s the ‘sexy yet mysterious guy’ in these books, but he’s not so tight lipped and that was a nice change of pace. We got some good info from him and so did Allie. I’ve always found that Zay is the perfect complement to Allie. She can be a little hot headed and he’s mister Zen. She is overloaded with magic and he’s an incredible Grounder. She is easily distracted and he’s the epitome of focus. They really work well together, on all levels.
At the beginning of this series, you sort of wondered about Zayvion Jones. Was he a good guy? Was he a bad guy? When you thought about him, you pretty much thought “wtf is up with that Zayvion Jones?” But we don’t wonder about him much anymore because most of what was causing us to ask that has been dealt with. Now we wonder about Jingo Jingo. Now you think “wtf is up with that Jingo Jingo?” We know he’s creepy, but is he good or is he bad? There are lines in this book, two distinct sides, but you don’t ever fully know which is the ‘good’ side and which is the ‘bad’ side. You don’t even really know if there really is a good side and bad side. It’s all blurry. I found that to be quite interesting. You assume Allie is on the ‘good’ side, but she’s not even really sure what’s going on. She’s just supporting and following her friends. So not only is Jingo Jingo a question mark, but pretty much everyone else is too. Devon does a nice job with that.
One more character I want to quickly mention is Stone. I heart him. He’s Allie’s pet gargoyle…sort of. He’s just adorable and I want one too.
These books really should be read as a series. You can just pick one up and read it but I feel you’d miss out on lots of little stuff that, when put all together, makes this series that much richer. The story in Magic on the Storm builds up nicely and leads you to an amazing end…but nowhere near an ending. Because let me tell you, the way this book leave you, all you can say is “Duuuuude! Whoa!” Thank goodness book five, Magic at the Gate, is already out and readily available because, even though it’s not a gut wrenching cliffhanger, you still want to see where the story leads you…as soon as possible.
Allie Beckstrom is back in Devon Monk’s Magic on the Storm, the fourth installment in her totally kick ass series. This one starts off two months after Magic in the Shadow leaves off. Allie is training with the yummy Zayvion Jones and other members of the Authority. She is a Hound, someone who tracks magical signatures and helps track down magical evil dooers, so she already knows magic and she’s already very good at what she does. But she discovered in the last book that there is a whole lot more she could learn to make her even stronger. And that is what she is learning at the beginning of this book.
I’ve always liked Allie. She is sharp and sarcastic. This series is told via first person perspective so you ‘see’ Allie’s thoughts throughout…and even they are sharp and sarcastic. She is a character that is so real. She’s not a super hero. She has many imperfections and some pretty impressive fears. For example, she is very claustrophobic. And when Allie is going through an episode…well let’s just say that those are scenes that prove Devon has some serious writing chops. Her character is real. Her issues are real. But they all just happen to be mixed up in a world filled with magic.
And speaking of fun characters with sharp wits, Shame is back in this book. He is a hoot. He likes everyone to think that he’s this badass slacker who doesn’t give a damn, but you know he does. He is a fierce friend and a good soul. Shame is Zayvion’s best friend and he compliments him well.
It’s nice to see Zayvion being a little more open in this book. He has nothing else to hide so he’s more available with information. Okay, I’m sure he still has lots of secrets seeing that he’s the ‘sexy yet mysterious guy’ in these books, but he’s not so tight lipped and that was a nice change of pace. We got some good info from him and so did Allie. I’ve always found that Zay is the perfect complement to Allie. She can be a little hot headed and he’s mister Zen. She is overloaded with magic and he’s an incredible Grounder. She is easily distracted and he’s the epitome of focus. They really work well together, on all levels.
At the beginning of this series, you sort of wondered about Zayvion Jones. Was he a good guy? Was he a bad guy? When you thought about him, you pretty much thought “wtf is up with that Zayvion Jones?” But we don’t wonder about him much anymore because most of what was causing us to ask that has been dealt with. Now we wonder about Jingo Jingo. Now you think “wtf is up with that Jingo Jingo?” We know he’s creepy, but is he good or is he bad? There are lines in this book, two distinct sides, but you don’t ever fully know which is the ‘good’ side and which is the ‘bad’ side. You don’t even really know if there really is a good side and bad side. It’s all blurry. I found that to be quite interesting. You assume Allie is on the ‘good’ side, but she’s not even really sure what’s going on. She’s just supporting and following her friends. So not only is Jingo Jingo a question mark, but pretty much everyone else is too. Devon does a nice job with that.
One more character I want to quickly mention is Stone. I heart him. He’s Allie’s pet gargoyle…sort of. He’s just adorable and I want one too.
These books really should be read as a series. You can just pick one up and read it but I feel you’d miss out on lots of little stuff that, when put all together, makes this series that much richer. The story in Magic on the Storm builds up nicely and leads you to an amazing end…but nowhere near an ending. Because let me tell you, the way this book leave you, all you can say is “Duuuuude! Whoa!” Thank goodness book five, Magic at the Gate, is already out and readily available because, even though it’s not a gut wrenching cliffhanger, you still want to see where the story leads you…as soon as possible.
May 5, 2021
Magic in the Storm (Allie Beckstrom # 4) by Devon Monk
When it rains, it pours, and in Allie's case, it's storming as she and her team race against time to stop magic from spiraling out of control.
While the other books were entertaining, this book went full steam ahead and was action-packed with deadly magical fight scenes, the making, and breaking of alliances, and holy hell of a plot twist !!!!!!
Allie and Zayvion are full speed ahead in this book and I am all here for it. I have shipped this from the beginning and I honestly squealed at their scenes together. Thankfully we finally get some insight into Zayvion and understand a lot more about his mysterious job. Shame and Terric are another pair that I am keeping my eye on with the delicious draw of anticipation between them, it's such beautiful anguish.
There are a host of secondary characters who are introduced and I love the mystery as to whether we can trust them or not. I think we can all recognize the real star of this book is Stone, the animate gargoyle, and his all-around badassery.
I appreciate Devon Monk's style of writing and love how novel and refreshingly unique the Allie Beckstrom series. The world-building is intricate and reading how the author conceptualized magic and incorporated it so organically into real-life is amazing.
I would highly recommend this for persons interested in Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance with intriguing world-building and amazing characters.
When it rains, it pours, and in Allie's case, it's storming as she and her team race against time to stop magic from spiraling out of control.
While the other books were entertaining, this book went full steam ahead and was action-packed with deadly magical fight scenes, the making, and breaking of alliances, and holy hell of a plot twist !!!!!!
Allie and Zayvion are full speed ahead in this book and I am all here for it. I have shipped this from the beginning and I honestly squealed at their scenes together. Thankfully we finally get some insight into Zayvion and understand a lot more about his mysterious job. Shame and Terric are another pair that I am keeping my eye on with the delicious draw of anticipation between them, it's such beautiful anguish.
There are a host of secondary characters who are introduced and I love the mystery as to whether we can trust them or not. I think we can all recognize the real star of this book is Stone, the animate gargoyle, and his all-around badassery.
I appreciate Devon Monk's style of writing and love how novel and refreshingly unique the Allie Beckstrom series. The world-building is intricate and reading how the author conceptualized magic and incorporated it so organically into real-life is amazing.
I would highly recommend this for persons interested in Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance with intriguing world-building and amazing characters.
May 11, 2010
When the action was present, it rocked. Sadly, it took a long time for the book to pick up and become interesting. This seems to be a common theme in this series.
Yeahs ::
* I'm finally feeling the connection between Zayvion and Allie. It took a couple books to feel this.
* Luv Shamus, and there is a whole lot of him.
* Ah, Stone. Need I say more. Who isn't a fan of Allie's gargoyle buddy?
* The war has begun. The Authority is broken and divided. Who are the the foes and who are the friends?
* Sweet cliffhanger. Included was a snippet of the next book, Magic at the Gate.
Nays ::
* Allie was annoying me a little. The way she talks to the hounds bugs me a little. She talks down to them.
* It's so slow in the beginning. Took to long for the pacing to pick up and something interesting to happen.
* There were so many clues through out the book that some of the authority members were going rogue, but Allie would brush them off.
* There is something wrong with Davy. It's brought up then swept under the rug. What's up with that? I really like Davy.
Plot 3 stars
Cover 4 stars
Writing 4 stars
Originality 4 stars
Characters 4 stars
Romance/Chemistry 4 stars
Action / Romance ratio 70:30
Ending 4 stars
Good enough to pick up again 3 stars
Yeahs ::
* I'm finally feeling the connection between Zayvion and Allie. It took a couple books to feel this.
* Luv Shamus, and there is a whole lot of him.
* Ah, Stone. Need I say more. Who isn't a fan of Allie's gargoyle buddy?
* The war has begun. The Authority is broken and divided. Who are the the foes and who are the friends?
* Sweet cliffhanger. Included was a snippet of the next book, Magic at the Gate.
Nays ::
* Allie was annoying me a little. The way she talks to the hounds bugs me a little. She talks down to them.
* It's so slow in the beginning. Took to long for the pacing to pick up and something interesting to happen.
* There were so many clues through out the book that some of the authority members were going rogue, but Allie would brush them off.
* There is something wrong with Davy. It's brought up then swept under the rug. What's up with that? I really like Davy.
Plot 3 stars
Cover 4 stars
Writing 4 stars
Originality 4 stars
Characters 4 stars
Romance/Chemistry 4 stars
Action / Romance ratio 70:30
Ending 4 stars
Good enough to pick up again 3 stars
June 28, 2015
Wild storm is not something Allie likes, seeing as how the last one put her out of commission for weeks and she lost her memory. She did come out of it with a very nifty set of tats all over her arms. Still, this one seems to be worse knowing what she does about magic now. In addition to learning about the secret elite magic society.
I like Stone. Stone is pet I wish I had. He is loyal and cute. Maybe not so cuddly, but he is pretty cool. His actions help balance out the crap that Allie is going through in this book. There is so much to say about this book, but I don't want to spill out the fun parts. I will leave it at, this is a great series with a kick ass heroine who is completely out of her depth yet she still tries to do the right thing. This is why I like her. She reminds me of Kate in Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series. I love both characters. Recommended for UF lovers.
I like Stone. Stone is pet I wish I had. He is loyal and cute. Maybe not so cuddly, but he is pretty cool. His actions help balance out the crap that Allie is going through in this book. There is so much to say about this book, but I don't want to spill out the fun parts. I will leave it at, this is a great series with a kick ass heroine who is completely out of her depth yet she still tries to do the right thing. This is why I like her. She reminds me of Kate in Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series. I love both characters. Recommended for UF lovers.
March 12, 2012
Allie definitely behaved herself better this time. I think she shouldn't be so knee-jerk reactionary about her dad, though. She could learn some very valuable things.
This one started pretty slow, which was a problem. But when it got going, it was pretty exciting. There is a cliffhanger and a lot of loose ends that need dealing with but the new characters introduced in the last book are an excellent addition and I enjoyed reading about them. And another new character came into play who's pretty interesting too.
I almost went ahead and ordered the next one for my Kindle but I knew the agency pricing coupled with the push from the cliffhanger would annoy me too much, so I'm taking a break and ordering it used. A-6 publishers can suck it. ;-)
So, I'm sticking with this series. It's not really as good as Kate Daniels (by Ilona Andrews), but it's near the ballpark. :)
This one started pretty slow, which was a problem. But when it got going, it was pretty exciting. There is a cliffhanger and a lot of loose ends that need dealing with but the new characters introduced in the last book are an excellent addition and I enjoyed reading about them. And another new character came into play who's pretty interesting too.
I almost went ahead and ordered the next one for my Kindle but I knew the agency pricing coupled with the push from the cliffhanger would annoy me too much, so I'm taking a break and ordering it used. A-6 publishers can suck it. ;-)
So, I'm sticking with this series. It's not really as good as Kate Daniels (by Ilona Andrews), but it's near the ballpark. :)
September 5, 2013
Good. So, so, so good. So much story leading me, pulling me to more. Where will we end up? Devon Monk, you are my hero.
April 1, 2015
Fourth in the Allie Beckstrom urban fantasy series and revolving around Allie, a Hound who can scent magic, and her friends.
My Take
I do enjoy Shamus' cheekiness! At the other end of the spectrum is that father of hers! He definitely wins the A-hole of the Year award. Sometimes you imagine that he actually does love Allie, but then you discover in the next breath that he loves her as long as he can use her for his own ends. And Jingo Jingo is lying to the Authority about her father possessing Allie. It does not bode well.
Whoa, well, we find out what happened to Anthony. After his betrayal in Magic in the Blood , 2, I didn't expect to hear from that little jerk again. It doesn't help that Violet has bad news for Allie. And Allie learns who murdered her father.
I do like that Allie is such a firm person. It's her way or you can leave. I don't, however, like it when she carries that attitude everywhere. Especially into areas about which she knows so little. It's veering into the I-know-everything trope. She's never hunted before, but insists on going even though the stakes are so high and she's clueless about the weapons.
Well, Allie finally gets her wish. To be the center of everything. And she wants to run. All of a sudden, she falls back on the I-know-nothing card. Hypocrite much?
I get that Alllie doesn't trust her dad, but she has to trust in his knowledge and skill somewhat. It pisses me off that she automatically refuses to at least think about what her dad is saying. Yeah, I agree with Allie. She could never have held the Illusion focus, as she's too scattered. It seems as if, every time there's a battle of some sort, she can't make up her mind where to go, who to help, what to do. She wants to be in the thick of it all the time, but she's useless most of the time. Can you tell how much I dislike her?
We get the story on why Shame hates being around Terric so much.
Why is it that no one else seems to feel the tension? At least, Monk never tells or shows that anyone else is aware of it. They must be aware of it, but no one says anything. They all simply accept that they must blindly follow their leader.
It gets so tense at the end, I couldn't read fast enough. So much is happening, so much set-up for Magic at the Gate .
It's a frustrating series. The premise is intriguing, and I like some of the characters. God knows, the mystery behind it all certainly pulls me in. But God save me from Allie!
The Story
A wild magic storm is coming and Allie feels the power in the magic wells. Only she feels it being drained away.
The Characters
Allie Beckstrom Hounds illegal spells for Detective Stotts, by night she works for the Authority. Her father was Daniel Beckstrom, an extremely powerful magic user, who was murdered. Events in Magic in the Blood , 2, gave him the chance to possess Allie. Now he shares her mind and sometimes takes over her body. Kevin Cooper is with the Authority and a powerful magic user; he's also the pregnant Violet Beckstrom's bodyguard. And secretly in love with her. A fact that her dead husband is furious about. Stone is a stone gargoyle that Allie brought to life, an Animate. Now he lives with her and stacks things for fun. He makes an excellent bodyguard as well. Nola is a non-magic user and Allie's best friend. Only she lives on a farm 300 miles away in a magic-free zone. She's seeing Stotts. Cody Miller, the Hand who had been involved in Daniel's death, is now living with Nola.
Zayvion Jones is Allie's Soul Complement. He's a Closer — all Zen smooth and deadly — and the Guardian of the Gates using all magics.
The Authority is…
…the secretive underground magic organization that polices all magic users, except they all seem to be at odds with each other.
The Portland Authority
Shamus Flynn uses Death magic and supposedly washes dishes at his mum's restaurant. His mother, Maeve Flynn, runs Feile San Fhomeher (restaurant and inn) and uses Blood magic. She's also one of the Voices in the Authority along with Victor who is Zay's boss, head of the Closers, and uses Faith magic; Liddy Salberg who is another Death user and Jingo's boss; and, Sedra, their leader. Other members include Sunny, Ethan Katz who was Daniel's and now Allie's accountant, Carl and La who are twins; Jingo Jingo uses Death magic and is Shamus' boss; Dane Lannister is Sedra's bodyguard; and, Chase is another Closer, an ex-girlfriend of Zayvion's, and Greyson's Soul Complement. Allie hates Sedra's know-it-all, hate-everyone attitude.
The Seattle Authority
Terric is a Closer from Seattle — and Shamus' Soul Complement. A man Shame avoids even as he longs for him. Hayden Kellerman is another from Seattle, and he's staying with Maeve. Others include Pham, the Georgia girls, Darla who uses Death magic, Nick Pavloski and Joshua Romero are Closers using Faith magic, Mike Barham who thinks Daniel was a good man is Life magic, and Paige Iwamoto is Blood magic.
The Hounds are…
…magic users who can scent magic. They're employed by various people to track spells back to their source. They're also loners who endure too much pain because of all the magic they use, a pain they treat with drugs, alcohol, or self-abuse. Davy Silvers is Allie's secretary for the Pack. Blood magic happened to him in Magic in the Shadows , 3, and now he feels it when another Hound is hurting. Beatrice Lufkin and Jack Quinn are the only other active Hounds.
Tomi is the Hound Davy loves, who was broken in Magic in the Shadows and is now living with her grandmother in California.
Anthony Bell is a wanna-be Hound, a betrayer who got less than he deserved.
Portland PD
Detective Makani Love is partnered with Detective Lia Payne. Detective Stotts leads MERC. Julian, Roberts, and Garnet are part of Stotts' crew.
Grant runs Get Mugged, Allie's favorite coffeehouse. And her new landlord, for Allie has leased the old warehouse next door from him. She's fixing it up as a crash pad for her fellow Hounds.
Greyson is a Closer and a murderer. Allie thinks he got payback on that from his partner-in-crime, Frank Gordon. That Gordon turned on him and forced him into his half-man, half-beast form, a Necromorph.
Leander and Isabelle are a folktale, a true one. They were Soul Complements who got too deep into each other. So deep they tore the world apart. For this, they were separated. Kathy is one of the waitresses at Maeve's inn. Mama Rositto was the restaurant owner in Magic to the Bone , 1, whose son had almost died.
A wild magic storm is "violent and deadly, and will mess with the flow of magic that powers the city's spells". They're part of why the Beckstrom Storm Rods are essential for every householder and building owner. Violet and Daniel invented magic disks that can hold magic and not require the user to endure the pain of using them. Oopsies. Dr. Frank Gordon was the guy who dug up Allie's father and tried to kill Allie in Magic in the Blood .
Closers can take people's (and Hounds') memories away. Grounding is a very high level skill that requires the user act as a lightning rod for someone else. Disbursement is a spell magic users cast to choose how to pay for using their magic. Allie turns it into colds, flu, aches, and pains and more. A Proxy is the alternative to a Disbursement. A magic user sends the pain to them instead of having to endure it themselves. Soul Complements share magic, combining it to be even more powerful. The negatives, however, are also tremendous. If they go too far, they forget who they are as individuals and go insane. Death magic transfers life energy into magic.
The Cover and Title
The cover is dark, a storm of determined rain and crackles of lightning battering Allie and a tall building, its windows shining in the dark with glowing runes circling around the tattooed Allie in her cropped black tank top and jeans, creating an irregular halo of light. She's in profile to us, looking over her right arm with a katana over her far shoulder, and it looks as if she's getting ready to swing.
The title is more hopeful than reflective as it's more "in the storm" than "on". Then again the Magic on the Storm could be a reference to the battle that breaks out.
My Take
I do enjoy Shamus' cheekiness! At the other end of the spectrum is that father of hers! He definitely wins the A-hole of the Year award. Sometimes you imagine that he actually does love Allie, but then you discover in the next breath that he loves her as long as he can use her for his own ends. And Jingo Jingo is lying to the Authority about her father possessing Allie. It does not bode well.
Whoa, well, we find out what happened to Anthony. After his betrayal in Magic in the Blood , 2, I didn't expect to hear from that little jerk again. It doesn't help that Violet has bad news for Allie. And Allie learns who murdered her father.
I do like that Allie is such a firm person. It's her way or you can leave. I don't, however, like it when she carries that attitude everywhere. Especially into areas about which she knows so little. It's veering into the I-know-everything trope. She's never hunted before, but insists on going even though the stakes are so high and she's clueless about the weapons.
"How come I had to be the one to fix everything? How come I had to be the hero? I sure as hell didn't feel like a hero." (No, she sounds more like a selfish, whiny bitch.)
Well, Allie finally gets her wish. To be the center of everything. And she wants to run. All of a sudden, she falls back on the I-know-nothing card. Hypocrite much?
I get that Alllie doesn't trust her dad, but she has to trust in his knowledge and skill somewhat. It pisses me off that she automatically refuses to at least think about what her dad is saying. Yeah, I agree with Allie. She could never have held the Illusion focus, as she's too scattered. It seems as if, every time there's a battle of some sort, she can't make up her mind where to go, who to help, what to do. She wants to be in the thick of it all the time, but she's useless most of the time. Can you tell how much I dislike her?
We get the story on why Shame hates being around Terric so much.
Why is it that no one else seems to feel the tension? At least, Monk never tells or shows that anyone else is aware of it. They must be aware of it, but no one says anything. They all simply accept that they must blindly follow their leader.
It gets so tense at the end, I couldn't read fast enough. So much is happening, so much set-up for Magic at the Gate .
It's a frustrating series. The premise is intriguing, and I like some of the characters. God knows, the mystery behind it all certainly pulls me in. But God save me from Allie!
The Story
A wild magic storm is coming and Allie feels the power in the magic wells. Only she feels it being drained away.
The Characters
Allie Beckstrom Hounds illegal spells for Detective Stotts, by night she works for the Authority. Her father was Daniel Beckstrom, an extremely powerful magic user, who was murdered. Events in Magic in the Blood , 2, gave him the chance to possess Allie. Now he shares her mind and sometimes takes over her body. Kevin Cooper is with the Authority and a powerful magic user; he's also the pregnant Violet Beckstrom's bodyguard. And secretly in love with her. A fact that her dead husband is furious about. Stone is a stone gargoyle that Allie brought to life, an Animate. Now he lives with her and stacks things for fun. He makes an excellent bodyguard as well. Nola is a non-magic user and Allie's best friend. Only she lives on a farm 300 miles away in a magic-free zone. She's seeing Stotts. Cody Miller, the Hand who had been involved in Daniel's death, is now living with Nola.
Zayvion Jones is Allie's Soul Complement. He's a Closer — all Zen smooth and deadly — and the Guardian of the Gates using all magics.
The Authority is…
…the secretive underground magic organization that polices all magic users, except they all seem to be at odds with each other.
The Portland Authority
Shamus Flynn uses Death magic and supposedly washes dishes at his mum's restaurant. His mother, Maeve Flynn, runs Feile San Fhomeher (restaurant and inn) and uses Blood magic. She's also one of the Voices in the Authority along with Victor who is Zay's boss, head of the Closers, and uses Faith magic; Liddy Salberg who is another Death user and Jingo's boss; and, Sedra, their leader. Other members include Sunny, Ethan Katz who was Daniel's and now Allie's accountant, Carl and La who are twins; Jingo Jingo uses Death magic and is Shamus' boss; Dane Lannister is Sedra's bodyguard; and, Chase is another Closer, an ex-girlfriend of Zayvion's, and Greyson's Soul Complement. Allie hates Sedra's know-it-all, hate-everyone attitude.
The Seattle Authority
Terric is a Closer from Seattle — and Shamus' Soul Complement. A man Shame avoids even as he longs for him. Hayden Kellerman is another from Seattle, and he's staying with Maeve. Others include Pham, the Georgia girls, Darla who uses Death magic, Nick Pavloski and Joshua Romero are Closers using Faith magic, Mike Barham who thinks Daniel was a good man is Life magic, and Paige Iwamoto is Blood magic.
The Hounds are…
…magic users who can scent magic. They're employed by various people to track spells back to their source. They're also loners who endure too much pain because of all the magic they use, a pain they treat with drugs, alcohol, or self-abuse. Davy Silvers is Allie's secretary for the Pack. Blood magic happened to him in Magic in the Shadows , 3, and now he feels it when another Hound is hurting. Beatrice Lufkin and Jack Quinn are the only other active Hounds.
Tomi is the Hound Davy loves, who was broken in Magic in the Shadows and is now living with her grandmother in California.
Anthony Bell is a wanna-be Hound, a betrayer who got less than he deserved.
Portland PD
Detective Makani Love is partnered with Detective Lia Payne. Detective Stotts leads MERC. Julian, Roberts, and Garnet are part of Stotts' crew.
Grant runs Get Mugged, Allie's favorite coffeehouse. And her new landlord, for Allie has leased the old warehouse next door from him. She's fixing it up as a crash pad for her fellow Hounds.
Greyson is a Closer and a murderer. Allie thinks he got payback on that from his partner-in-crime, Frank Gordon. That Gordon turned on him and forced him into his half-man, half-beast form, a Necromorph.
Leander and Isabelle are a folktale, a true one. They were Soul Complements who got too deep into each other. So deep they tore the world apart. For this, they were separated. Kathy is one of the waitresses at Maeve's inn. Mama Rositto was the restaurant owner in Magic to the Bone , 1, whose son had almost died.
A wild magic storm is "violent and deadly, and will mess with the flow of magic that powers the city's spells". They're part of why the Beckstrom Storm Rods are essential for every householder and building owner. Violet and Daniel invented magic disks that can hold magic and not require the user to endure the pain of using them. Oopsies. Dr. Frank Gordon was the guy who dug up Allie's father and tried to kill Allie in Magic in the Blood .
Closers can take people's (and Hounds') memories away. Grounding is a very high level skill that requires the user act as a lightning rod for someone else. Disbursement is a spell magic users cast to choose how to pay for using their magic. Allie turns it into colds, flu, aches, and pains and more. A Proxy is the alternative to a Disbursement. A magic user sends the pain to them instead of having to endure it themselves. Soul Complements share magic, combining it to be even more powerful. The negatives, however, are also tremendous. If they go too far, they forget who they are as individuals and go insane. Death magic transfers life energy into magic.
The Cover and Title
The cover is dark, a storm of determined rain and crackles of lightning battering Allie and a tall building, its windows shining in the dark with glowing runes circling around the tattooed Allie in her cropped black tank top and jeans, creating an irregular halo of light. She's in profile to us, looking over her right arm with a katana over her far shoulder, and it looks as if she's getting ready to swing.
The title is more hopeful than reflective as it's more "in the storm" than "on". Then again the Magic on the Storm could be a reference to the battle that breaks out.
October 5, 2015
When Magic on the Storm opens, two months have passed since Magic in the Shadows and things are unusually calm in Allie's life. She's made a big decision, one that will change her life, and she's happy. The only pain she's feeling is the result of rigorous magical and physical training. She's also seeing a more relaxed Zayvion, who's smiling and laughing more. But, this peace, this calm cannot last forever ...
I'm enjoying this series SO much! The action keeps you on the edge of your seat, the side characters are endearing, and the splash of romance doesn't hurt one bit. I seem to fly through each installment no matter how slowly I try to read them. Thankfully, I still have five installments remaining + the two spin-off installments. This one ended in a bit of a cliffhanger, so I'm jumping straight into #5, Magic at the Gate, next!
"There's a storm coming ... Wild magic ... And it's aiming straight for the city."Portland is in danger, once again. Things didn't go so well for Allie the last time she faced down a wild, magical storm - she lost a lot. This time, the Authority has called in other members, outside of Portland, to help. The hope is that this larger group of Authority members can somehow filter the magic from the storm so that it doesn't obliterate everyone and everything.
There was so much of my past that I'd lost - memories magic had taken away from me - moments I wished I could have back. It was odd to hear someone choose not to remember.One of those called in is Terric Conley, who has history with Zay and Shame. And, after learning the bits that I did, I'm super anxious to get to Monk's spin-off series, Broken Magic, that features Terric and Shame. There's much more to learn about them still and I can't wait. We also learn a bit more about Zay's past though he continues to remain rather tight-lipped about just about everything.
I'm enjoying this series SO much! The action keeps you on the edge of your seat, the side characters are endearing, and the splash of romance doesn't hurt one bit. I seem to fly through each installment no matter how slowly I try to read them. Thankfully, I still have five installments remaining + the two spin-off installments. This one ended in a bit of a cliffhanger, so I'm jumping straight into #5, Magic at the Gate, next!
September 12, 2012
I have had a love hate relationship with Allie and her series. I find this new world of magic interesting and yet sickening all at once. It's very fascinating, this idea that when you use magic it uses you right back. I do have an issue with the way people use magic. I have said it time and time again, but I have a serious problem with the addict aspect of the series.
With "Magic on the Storm," I finally got Allie and Zayvion. I buy that they're absolutely in love and that their love is terrifying, because it is not only a powerful emotion, but also enhances their magic. I really like that we delved deeper into soul compliments and what that means and how magic works when two people are compliments and combine their power.
That being said, I have no idea what Allie was doing for most of this book besides narrating. Huge matters of life and death happen and Allie just kind of stands there watching. She watches people she loves get hurt and maybe even killed. I don't understand why she stood there. There were two battles in this book, where Allie spends most of it just watching and giving us a play by play. I'm not sure if I missed someone putting her into a binding spell that made it impossible for her to move or something, but I kept saying DO SOMETHING!
The prior books have her jumping into action, running into danger and fighting the bad guy. All of a sudden people are like "stay here you have no experience" and she's like "ok." HELLO! I thought the point of this series was that Allie had some kind of special magic, that made everyone afraid of her. Perfect time for Allie to work some kind of mojo and have everyone awed and terrified.
Then there is the final scene. The authority is like do this potentially dangerous thing that may kill you, just because we said so and without any prior warning or training and Allie goes, ok. I have been annoyed with Allie's pigheaded ways, but this follow the leader Allie was a lot worst.
With "Magic on the Storm," I finally got Allie and Zayvion. I buy that they're absolutely in love and that their love is terrifying, because it is not only a powerful emotion, but also enhances their magic. I really like that we delved deeper into soul compliments and what that means and how magic works when two people are compliments and combine their power.
That being said, I have no idea what Allie was doing for most of this book besides narrating. Huge matters of life and death happen and Allie just kind of stands there watching. She watches people she loves get hurt and maybe even killed. I don't understand why she stood there. There were two battles in this book, where Allie spends most of it just watching and giving us a play by play. I'm not sure if I missed someone putting her into a binding spell that made it impossible for her to move or something, but I kept saying DO SOMETHING!
The prior books have her jumping into action, running into danger and fighting the bad guy. All of a sudden people are like "stay here you have no experience" and she's like "ok." HELLO! I thought the point of this series was that Allie had some kind of special magic, that made everyone afraid of her. Perfect time for Allie to work some kind of mojo and have everyone awed and terrified.
Then there is the final scene. The authority is like do this potentially dangerous thing that may kill you, just because we said so and without any prior warning or training and Allie goes, ok. I have been annoyed with Allie's pigheaded ways, but this follow the leader Allie was a lot worst.
January 28, 2015
These endings are killing me. Just when I thought this series couldn't turn on its ear any more than it already has, Devon Monk manages to pull the rug out from under me yet again. This book has something of a slow build at the beginning, but wow does it explode in the second half. And it ends with a cliffhanger that made want to throw my real-life responsibilities out of the window and dive right in to the next installment.
This book picks up about two months after the events of the last one. Allie and Zayvion are in a good place, which I really loved getting to see. Poor Allie has been to hell and back and it gave me the warm and fuzzies to have them just reveling in their happiness. But you know it can't last.
The Authority has discovered a wild-magic storm on the horizon and Allie, Zay and the others must come together to save Portland from the effects. This, as unrest grows in the ranks of the powerful magic society. Allie has no idea who the Good Guys and the Bad Guys are. Frankly, she is pretty clueless about everything, but she is trying to learn. Meanwhile, she is working to figure out what is going on with her father's consciousness --and there's still that pesky problem of Chase and that creepy hybrid Greyson.
It's not all action and angst. In addition to the growing romance between Allie and Zay, there is the sweet and loveable gargoyle, Stone. And I would be remiss if I didn't point out the disarming and engaging relationship between Shame and his male, straight soul-mate Terric. Such an interesting dynamic there.
But at its heart, this book is about Allie. About her growth as a magic user, her growth as a person, and her ties to the people in her life, both good and bad. For me, it worked. And the end... I guess I can be excited, because the next book is already out and ready for me to start. If I would have had to wait a year, I might have gone crazy. Because it looks like this ride is just getting started.
Rating: B+
This book picks up about two months after the events of the last one. Allie and Zayvion are in a good place, which I really loved getting to see. Poor Allie has been to hell and back and it gave me the warm and fuzzies to have them just reveling in their happiness. But you know it can't last.
The Authority has discovered a wild-magic storm on the horizon and Allie, Zay and the others must come together to save Portland from the effects. This, as unrest grows in the ranks of the powerful magic society. Allie has no idea who the Good Guys and the Bad Guys are. Frankly, she is pretty clueless about everything, but she is trying to learn. Meanwhile, she is working to figure out what is going on with her father's consciousness --and there's still that pesky problem of Chase and that creepy hybrid Greyson.
It's not all action and angst. In addition to the growing romance between Allie and Zay, there is the sweet and loveable gargoyle, Stone. And I would be remiss if I didn't point out the disarming and engaging relationship between Shame and his male, straight soul-mate Terric. Such an interesting dynamic there.
But at its heart, this book is about Allie. About her growth as a magic user, her growth as a person, and her ties to the people in her life, both good and bad. For me, it worked. And the end... I guess I can be excited, because the next book is already out and ready for me to start. If I would have had to wait a year, I might have gone crazy. Because it looks like this ride is just getting started.
Rating: B+
May 24, 2010
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.
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.
March 3, 2012
Argh! Once again the begging was like walking through mud that’s up to my shins. I mean, I love Allie and Zay together and am usually all for tender moments and sex, but there were so many times when the scene would end and I assumed we’d move on to what was really important. Instead, we got every teeny tiny detail of what Allie needed to do. For instance, the whole chapter dedicated to going back to Allie’s to shower, while yes the shower was nice and the revelation about the whole Soul Complements thing was interesting, we could have easily skipped over that and moved straight to Maeve’s inn. There were other ways to get the Soul Complement info in there without all the yawning I did in between the pieces of action. And like the other books, the last half of the book was so damn exciting I couldn’t put the book down. In fact, my Kindle died with less than 10% left to read because I refused to put it down long enough to charge it. I had hoped that I could finish it in time, instead I had to wait.
But in all honesty, the break was probably a good thing. For most of the end I wanted to smack Allie in the head, get her to do more than just observe everything around her. It was great getting a total picture of what was going on, but not at the expense of her standing on the sideline and doing nothing for most of it. But of course all that was made up for in the end and now I can’t wait to get started on Magic at the Gate!
But in all honesty, the break was probably a good thing. For most of the end I wanted to smack Allie in the head, get her to do more than just observe everything around her. It was great getting a total picture of what was going on, but not at the expense of her standing on the sideline and doing nothing for most of it. But of course all that was made up for in the end and now I can’t wait to get started on Magic at the Gate!
February 2, 2016
A wild storm is headed for Portland, destabilising magic and threatening to leave devastation in its wake. Members of the Authority gather in the city to form a plan to avoid wholesale destruction, but the organisation is split up into factions vying for control in an internal conflict that may escalate into war at the slightest push. Allie may be part of the Authority now, but she certainly doesn't trust them - she simply has no choice but to follow their orders for now. The storm isn't her only problem, though: her Hounds are in trouble and her dead father is still stuck in her head, offering unsolicited advice and attempting to take over her body whenever he pleases. Then Greyson's on the loose again, and he's coming for her at the worst possible time...
This one started out very slow, and for about the first third of the book I was rather bored, waiting for something to happen. But oh boy, did the pace pick up! The second half of the book is packed with action, hurtling toward a pageturner climax until you just stare dumbfounded at the last page cursing Devon Monk for the evil, evil cliffhanger. I certainly won't be waiting long until I pick up the next part. I still wish I felt a little more emotionally invested in the whole Allie/Zayvion romance, though... but nope, still don't like him and still not feeling it. Oh well. The action-filled scenes and interesting minor characters like Shame, Terric and Davy certainly make up for the lack of romance appeal for me.
This one started out very slow, and for about the first third of the book I was rather bored, waiting for something to happen. But oh boy, did the pace pick up! The second half of the book is packed with action, hurtling toward a pageturner climax until you just stare dumbfounded at the last page cursing Devon Monk for the evil, evil cliffhanger. I certainly won't be waiting long until I pick up the next part. I still wish I felt a little more emotionally invested in the whole Allie/Zayvion romance, though... but nope, still don't like him and still not feeling it. Oh well. The action-filled scenes and interesting minor characters like Shame, Terric and Davy certainly make up for the lack of romance appeal for me.
October 28, 2010
Observations: I truly disliked the first 1/3 of this book. It was slow moving, and boring as hell. Ok we get it already. Allie and Zavy are madly in lust with each other. As if we weren't expecting that to happen since the second book. The middle of the book got better knowing that this storm was coming and that there was going to be a huge battle within the Authority. Best character? Stone the animated gargoyle. Interesting new character I want to hear more about? Terric. Evil villian you actually SAW coming? Jingo Jingo. I mean c'mon folks! You could see this coming from a mile away! Most untrustworthy character no matter what anyone says? Her father. So we have ONE whole scene where he shows his love for Violet who is his what 6th wife and is now pregnant with his child? Really? Gag me with a huge spoon already. Allie, however, has become a true heroine who you want to route for. Too bad she can't trust anyone around her including her own hounds. The last 1/3 of this book when the actual storm shows up, and then Allie has to decide whether to follow her father into the void...not bad. I especially love the fact that we actually find Allie with a Katana. Let's just say that I love sword fight scenes and wish there were more of them in this series.
June 20, 2010
another amazing installment of Allie Beckstrom. this book let us see Allie fall into a routine with her life in the Authority as well as leading the Hounds. of course things cant stay calm for long.
as much as i adored seeing allie and zay together in this book the real treat was peeking more into Shame. we got to see him used to lighten scenes in the past but in this book we really got to look at him and see that there is a lot more going on with him than on the surface. as we went down that path we were also introduced to other characters that i hope stick around awhile.
the only complaint i have is the ending of this book. it was one heck of a cliffhanger. i think it is just unfair to make us wait for the second half of this story. ;)
as much as i adored seeing allie and zay together in this book the real treat was peeking more into Shame. we got to see him used to lighten scenes in the past but in this book we really got to look at him and see that there is a lot more going on with him than on the surface. as we went down that path we were also introduced to other characters that i hope stick around awhile.
the only complaint i have is the ending of this book. it was one heck of a cliffhanger. i think it is just unfair to make us wait for the second half of this story. ;)
February 5, 2022
Ratings - abandoned series:
#1 Magic to the Bone: ★★★★☆
#2 Magic in the Blood: ★★★☆☆
#3 Magic in the Shadows: ★★★☆☆
#4 Magic on the Storm (this book): ★★★☆☆
#5 Magic at the Gate: ★★☆☆☆
#6 Magic on the Hunt: ★☆☆☆☆ / DNF
#1 Magic to the Bone: ★★★★☆
#2 Magic in the Blood: ★★★☆☆
#3 Magic in the Shadows: ★★★☆☆
#4 Magic on the Storm (this book): ★★★☆☆
#5 Magic at the Gate: ★★☆☆☆
#6 Magic on the Hunt: ★☆☆☆☆ / DNF
May 18, 2013
I don't know if I can take these books anymore. Zay is in a coma because of Allie!!! OMG she watches him get knifed and does....NOTHING!!!! I don't know if I can take this anymore why are all female heroes...idiots! The fact that she's claustrophobic is starting to annoy me. We get it we don't need to be reminded every other page. A quick "taking the stairs" would be fine.
March 30, 2021
most of the action was in the last third, a little slow. Awesome cliff hanger.
December 2, 2015
Nan mais c'est quoi ce cliff de fou, là ??
Un bon tome même si on reste dans le flou sur pas mal de point, hâte de lire la suite.
Un bon tome même si on reste dans le flou sur pas mal de point, hâte de lire la suite.
June 11, 2017
Holy shit! That was so exciting!
March 10, 2018
The series continues, it was okay.
September 19, 2018
Much better book in the series!! Shamus is definitely a highlight to me! What a great character!
May 13, 2016
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...
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About the AuthorDevon Monk has one husband, two sons, and a dog named Mojo. She lives in Oregon and is surrounded by colorful and numerous family members who mostly live within dinner-calling distance of each other. She has sold over fifty short stories to fantasy, science fiction, horror, humor, and young adult magazines and anthologies. Her stories have been published in five countries and included in a Year's Best Fantasy collection. When not writing, Devon is either knitting, remodeling the house-that-was-once-a-barn, or hosting a family celebration.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.Two months of self-defense classes, mixed martial arts, and weapons training did not make it hurt any less when I was thrown over my opponent’s shoulder and slammed into the ground.
Yes, I should have tucked and rolled. Would have too, if he hadn’t kept hold of my arm and twisted at just the right instant to knock my balance off and make me sprawl like a dead jumper waiting for my chalk outline.
“Give up?” he asked.
My right wrist still locked in his grip, I stretched out my left hand and grabbed his ankle, leveraged to pull down, and twisted. I broke his hold on my wrist and rolled up onto my feet. I got off the mat and out of arm’s reach quick.
“I’ll take that as a no, then?” Zayvion Jones asked. He was a little sweaty, a lot relaxed, standing halfway across the mat from me. Barefoot, he had on a pair of jeans that, if there were any justice in the world, would not let him flex and move and stretch the way he did in a fight, and a nice black T-shirt that defined the muscles of his chest, his thick, powerful arms, and his flat, hard stomach.
He was every kind of good-looking in the dictionary.
“Take it as a hell no,” I said sweetly.
That got a grin out of him, his teeth a flash of white against his dark skin, his thick lips open enough that I suddenly wanted to drop this whole I-kill-you/you-kill-me act and kiss the man.
Instead, I rolled my shoulder to make sure my arm was still in its socket—Zayvion Jones played for keeps—and tried to come up with a game plan to tip the fight to my advantage. He might have bendy denim on his side, but I had something better. I had magic in my bones.
My shoulder sore but still attached and functioning, I stepped back onto the mat.
I could use magic on him. It might be worth ending up in bed with a fever just to take Mr. Superpowerful-Guardian-of-the-Gates down a notch during a practice match.
The void stone necklace, a chunk of rock caught up and caged between silver and copper whorls and glass beads, rested against my sternum and made the magic in me lazy and slow. I could still use magic, but it took a little more effort when I was wearing the stone.
If I’d known about void stones, I’d have found a way to steal one months ago. Not that they were common knowledge. The Authority had lots of tricks up their sleeve that they didn’t like the common magic user to know about.
“Is there a particular way you’d like to end up on the floor this time?” he asked as he shifted his stance and waited for me to attack. “Or do you just want me to surprise you?”
“Gee, if I get a choice, how about if I end up on top this time?” I gave him that slow blink–smile combination that always got him into bed.
He licked his lips, and a flash of uncertainty narrowed his eyes. “I thought you said you wanted to fight.”
I strolled up to him and paused. Out of arm’s reach—I’m not dumb. “I thought you were asking me how I wanted this to end.”
Zay studied me, his brown eyes just brown, no hint of the gold that using magic always sparked there. As far as I could tell, he hadn’t been using magic for the past couple months. Ever since my test to see whether I could become a part of the Authority, and the craziness with the gate between life and death opening right in the middle of the test room, things had been quiet.
And I mean quiet. I’d Hounded only a couple magical crimes for Detective Paul Stotts. My dead father, who had taken up residence in my head, seemed to be so distant, he mostly appeared in my dreams. And my training—both physical and magical—with members of the Authority had been exhausting, but a long way from life threatening.
Things were actually pretty good. I liked that. Liked not having to worry whether I’d survive the day. And it wasn’t just my life that was better for the downtime. Over the last several weeks I’d watched Zayvion change from a somber, tightly controlled, dutiful man, to someone a little surprised he was enjoying life.
Time off from his duties with the Authority looked good on him. Sexy.
“I wasn’t talking about ending this,” he said, and it took me a minute to remember what we were talking about. Oh yeah, the fight. “But we can call it a day. Since you’re surrendering and admitting you lost. Again.”
As if I’d give up that easily. I glared at him.
Light poured in through the windows, casting warm coffee-colored shadows beneath his high cheekbones and jaw. His hair was always short, but he’d recently buzzed his dark curls, which somehow only enhanced his beautiful eyes and strong, wide nose. The look of worry that I only occasionally glimpsed through his Zen mask had been absent for weeks. He smiled more. Laughed more.
And it made me realize how hard I’d fallen for him. I didn’t want what we’d had for the last few weeks to change or disappear. But I’d lost too many people in my life, and too many memories along the way, for me to think things would always be this easy between us. The idea of losing him made it hard to breathe.
I tried to push that fear away, but it clung like a bad dream.
“Allie?” Zay was no longer smiling. “Are you hurt? Your shoulder?” He came closer and put his wide, warm palm on my shoulder.
That touch gave me the faintest hint at what he was feeling: concern that he’d torn my arm out on that last flip, which, yes, he could have, but no—I wasn’t that fragile.
And that reminded me of what this little get-together was all about. Fighting. Training. Becoming strong enough to hold my own against anyone. Even the legendary Zayvion Jones.
I knew I shouldn’t do it. But hey, a girl has to take what opportunities present themselves, right? I had my game plan.
I stepped into him and turned my hip, sweeping his foot out from under him. He went down, rolled, but I was there, got in close, getting his arm back, my arm through it, and the other over his throat.
“Give,” I said. We were in close contact, but I was too busy staying on the winning side of the tussle to have brain cells left to concentrate on what he might be thinking.
“No,” he grunted.
Even though I am a tall woman, Zay still had me on sheer muscle. He flexed and managed to break my hold, twisting over and onto his back, his legs scissoring to catch mine.
No way I’d let him do that.
I followed him, using his momentum to roll over him and then behind. I huffed out air, got to my knees, and tried to keep his arm pinned.
He shifted, rolled. I ended up kneeling with him beneath me. Boo-ya! I was on top.
I had one knee planted beside him and the other foot braced on the other side. Forget about his arm—I wrapped my hands around his throat, knuckles at his windpipe.
He pressed his palms flat against my hip bones and tilted his hands inward so his fingers stroked upward beneath my T-shirt. I glared at him as the heels of his hands slid over the bullet scar on my left side and the smooth skin on my right. Then up and up. His thumbs tracked slower than his fingers over my stomach, pausing to dip and press at my navel. Then he fanned his hands outward, upward, and rested them beneath the curve of my breasts, supporting the weight there.
I raised an eyebrow. “You do notice I’m choking you?” I squeezed a little harder in case he thought I was kidding around.
He grunted.
I most certainly was not kidding around.
He shifted his grip. Tried to pull me down and rolled one hip to throw me. No chance. I braced my heel to stay out of the roll and pressed harder.
“Mercy,” he whispered.
I relaxed my grip. “Say I win.”
“I win,” he managed.
I retucked my thumbs against his windpipe. “What? You win? Is that what you said? I must not have heard you correctly.”
“Draw,” he whispered.
“Oh, sweet hells, Jones. You have got to be the most stubborn man I know. You lost.”
“I agree,” he said.
Huh. I hadn’t expected him to give in that easily. I pulled my hands away, rested them against his chest.
“I am the most stubborn man you know.” He rubbed at his throat with one hand. Grinned at me.
I smacked his other arm. “My honor’s at stake here. You lost. I won. If you can’t admit that, I’m not sure our relationship will survive.”
He snorted, grabbed my shirt, and pulled me fully on top of him. His fist, in the valley between my breasts, was a hard pressure between us.
“Nothing’s going to get in the way of our relationship.” His gaze searched my own, and the slightest fleck of gold sparked there. “So long as we want this, nothing can stand in our way.”
Damn. Could the man get any more romantic?
I tipped my head down and caught his lips with my own, soft, thick, hungry. He instantly responded, then licked gently at my mouth until I opened for him. He tasted of deep, warm mint, and his pine scent, peppered by sweat, carried the memory of the countless times we had touched, loved.
I explored the textures of his lips, his mouth, savoring him slowly, and he did the same, his tongue stroking a delicious heat through my body. I moaned softly and gave in to the liquid fire burning through me.
I wanted him. And it was very clear he wanted me.
He flattened his fist and released my shirt, then wrapped his arm around me, holding me tightly, as if he were afraid I might disappear.
A little too tightly. Claustrophobia ticked the back of my throat. It was suddenly hard to breathe.
I exhaled and pushed back enough that he knew ...
December 30, 2020
Magic on the Storm is the fourth book in the Allie Beckstrom series written by Devon Monk. It centers on Allison Angel "Allie" Beckstrom, a Hound, who solves cases of corporate espionage, black magic, ghostly apparitions, and dead spirits who want to come back to life.
Allie Beckstrom continues her training with Zayvion "Zay" Jones and other members of the Authority. As a Hound, she already knows magic and she’s already very good at what she does. However, she discovered in the previous installment that there is a whole lot more she could learn to make her even stronger and that is what she is learning at the beginning of this book.
Her further training comes in handy as a magical storm – an apocalyptic one bearing down on Portland, when such a storm hits, all the magic in the area will turn unstable and destructive. To stop it from taking out the entire city, the Authority, an elite, secretive underground group of magic users that set and enforce rules about magic use to avoid problems with the government and policing authorities, and protect wells of magic around the city – like taking on a magical wildstorm that will obliterate anything magical in its path.
Magic on the Storm is written rather well. Monk has further expanded her world in exploring the Authority with Allie Beckstorm. While the narrative is a tad repetitive, the characters and their interaction further the narrative wonderfully as the characters are well-rounded and three-dimensional. The brief reminder of what happened in the first three installments was nice for readers that haven't binge read the series.
All in all, Magic on the Storm is written rather well and is a good and promising continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series, which I plan to continue in the very near future.
Allie Beckstrom continues her training with Zayvion "Zay" Jones and other members of the Authority. As a Hound, she already knows magic and she’s already very good at what she does. However, she discovered in the previous installment that there is a whole lot more she could learn to make her even stronger and that is what she is learning at the beginning of this book.
Her further training comes in handy as a magical storm – an apocalyptic one bearing down on Portland, when such a storm hits, all the magic in the area will turn unstable and destructive. To stop it from taking out the entire city, the Authority, an elite, secretive underground group of magic users that set and enforce rules about magic use to avoid problems with the government and policing authorities, and protect wells of magic around the city – like taking on a magical wildstorm that will obliterate anything magical in its path.
Magic on the Storm is written rather well. Monk has further expanded her world in exploring the Authority with Allie Beckstorm. While the narrative is a tad repetitive, the characters and their interaction further the narrative wonderfully as the characters are well-rounded and three-dimensional. The brief reminder of what happened in the first three installments was nice for readers that haven't binge read the series.
All in all, Magic on the Storm is written rather well and is a good and promising continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series, which I plan to continue in the very near future.
August 12, 2018
These books need to be read in order as the overall story is more of a focus than the story contained in each individual book.
While not my favorite Urban Fantasy series, Allie Beckstrom has grown on me as I get into the series. These books do not have the vast array of creatures that most of the other UF series have, and I find that I miss that somewhat. But the (slightly) more Real World feel adds to tension and believability of the story (once I got used to it anyway). I find it to be a good book to pick up after reading several 'normal' UF books.
There are a few minor annoyances in the book. First, Allie spends way too much time describing her boyfriend, Zayvion. In the first 3 chapters alone she probably describes him as Zen at least a dozen times. I got it the first time, please move on. The second issue I have is that this book ended on a cliffhanger... or maybe more of a "To Be Contined". It is just something that I do not really like, but as I said, this series is more about the whole story than the individual book story.
While not my favorite Urban Fantasy series, Allie Beckstrom has grown on me as I get into the series. These books do not have the vast array of creatures that most of the other UF series have, and I find that I miss that somewhat. But the (slightly) more Real World feel adds to tension and believability of the story (once I got used to it anyway). I find it to be a good book to pick up after reading several 'normal' UF books.
There are a few minor annoyances in the book. First, Allie spends way too much time describing her boyfriend, Zayvion. In the first 3 chapters alone she probably describes him as Zen at least a dozen times. I got it the first time, please move on. The second issue I have is that this book ended on a cliffhanger... or maybe more of a "To Be Contined". It is just something that I do not really like, but as I said, this series is more about the whole story than the individual book story.
January 31, 2018
War has come. Level upon level of deceit comes to fruition and with the looming Wild Magic storm, Allie is unable to stop the impending deaths.
Friends become enemies, good and evil become blurred, and Allie finds that in death, their can also be life.
I didn't find this book nearly as good as the last, probably because it was so angsty. In a lot of ways it's still not clear exactly who is bad and why things have turned the way they have.
Things I do like. Shame and Terric. Unflinching loyalty of friendship and the whole love conquers everything vibe. If I could have given half stars, it would have been 3.5.
Friends become enemies, good and evil become blurred, and Allie finds that in death, their can also be life.
I didn't find this book nearly as good as the last, probably because it was so angsty. In a lot of ways it's still not clear exactly who is bad and why things have turned the way they have.
Things I do like. Shame and Terric. Unflinching loyalty of friendship and the whole love conquers everything vibe. If I could have given half stars, it would have been 3.5.
August 12, 2017
Sadly, I should have started with book one. That's what happens when you have a ton of randomised books gifted to you by good friends. Sometimes, you gotta start with book four. As a result, things were a bit confusing for a while, what with all the foreboding and dark history and past events that I knew nothing about. Also, truth be told, a little dull. However it ends with some kind of magic Armageddon type battle. And who doesn't like those?
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