Monday, October 6, 2008

Review - Magic to the Bone by Devon Monk

Magic to the Bone
Devon Monk
ROC
November 4, 2008
ISBN# 978-0-451-46240-4

Book Blurb:
Everything has a cost. And every act of magic exacts a price from its user--maybe a two-day migraine, or losing the memory of your first kiss. But some people want to use magic without paying, and they offload the cost onto an innocent. When that happens, it falls to a Hound to identify the spell's caster--and Allison Beckstrom's the best there is.

Daughter of a prominent Portland businessman, Allie would rather moonlight as a Hound than accept the family fortune--and the many strings that come with it. But when she discovers a little boy dying from a magical offload that has her father's signature all over it, Allie is thrown back into the high-stakes world of corporate espionage and black magic.

Now, Allie's out for the truth--and the forces she finds herself calling on will overturn everything she knows, change her in ways she could never imagine...and make her capable of things that powerful people will do anything to control.

My thoughts:
Refusing to live under her wealthy father’s influence, Allison Beckstrom has been on her own for years. Allie’s a Hound, able to sniff out a magic user’s signature and trace it back to the source. Hers is a talent that comes in quite handy when someone illegally offloads the price to be paid for magic use on someone else. When she’s hired to find the identity of a spell caster that sent their debt on to a young boy, Allie’s reluctant to share the name of the source, but she’s not about to let them get away with it.

Confronting her father on his company’s illegal practices isn’t Allie’s best move, but it’s necessary for her own peace of mind. She soon learns that a helpful man who’s been stalking her every move was actually hired by dear old dad, and with magical technology on the line not even his efforts will be enough to keep her safe.

This is the first installment in this new urban fantasy series featuring Allie Beckstrom. Ms. Monk makes a grand entrance with her debut novel, captivating readers with a well-imagined tale of magic and suspense. Magic to the Bone delves into a dark edged magic and adds a touch of romance that keeps the heroine more human than those around her. I’m looking forward to seeing where the next portion of Allie’s journey takes her.

To learn more about Magic to the Bone, please visit Ms. Monk’s website: Here

Kimberly Swan, Darque Reviews

11 comments:

Angiegirl said...

I'm looking forward to this one. Thanks for the early glimpse!

Kimberly Swan said...

Hope you'll enjoy it Angie! I loved that the author set up the story so that there was balance in magic use...if you chose to use it you had to pay a physical price. Of course that's where much of the trouble comes in....you know how rules are, there's always someone eager to break them. :)

SciFiGuy said...

This was all new to me and it sounds fresh. Thanks for the preview.

Kimberly Swan said...

SciFiGuy - Seems like I read a blurb for it quite a while ago, so I was really happy when it came to me for review. Thanks for stopping by! :)

Christine said...

I've had this book on my wish list for quite some time now and am really looking forward to it.

Kimberly Swan said...

Hi Christine - So I wasn't the only one who has known it was coming up! :)

Ruth Schaller said...

Hey there!

I just wanted to drop you a note saying that I nominated your blog with the "I Love Your Blog' Award!!

Hop on over to www.ruthiesbookreviews.blogspot.com
and check out the rules and such and keep spreading the love!

Anonymous said...

I just read the the blurb for this book on Barnes & Noble and you make me want it even more. :)

Kimberly Swan said...

Hi SCooper - If you get a chance to check it out when it releases you'll have to let me know what you think. :)

Unknown said...

I put this on pre-order ages ago but then the release date changed for Europe. It still keeps showing up as being released in January...but you have it as November...sigh...

Kimberly Swan said...

Have they ever given you a straight answer on why that is that they don't at least move the release date up?