Magic in the Blood

Allie Beckstrom Series, Book 2

By: Devon Monk

Narrated by: Emily Durante

Working as a Hound---tracing illegal spells back to their casters---has taken its goll on Allison Beckstrom. But even though magic has given her migraines and stolen her recent memory, Allie isn't about to quit. Then the police's magic enforcement division asks her to consult on a missing persons case. But what seems to be a straightforward job turns out to be anything but, as Allie finds herself drawn into the underworld of criminals, ghosts, and blood magic.

©2009 Devon Monk (P)2011 Tantor

This Series is Pure Magic

I am a big fan of the Urban Fantasy genre... this is one of my favorite series. I enjoy a kick butt and take names type of heroine as much as anyone, but sometimes I get tired of that same-old/same-old cookie-cutter lead female character that you tend to see in the UF genre. My favorite series tend to have a world that is somehow unique (not been seen a dozen times over) and filled with interesting characters (whether I like them or not). For ME, this series has both of these things.

Allie Beckstrom is a head-strong, magically-gifted girl with a lot of raw power. She is also stubborn, suspicious, untrained, and sometimes a bit clueless --- partly from being intentionally kept in the dark about the true nature of magic & partly from magic's backlash taking a bite out of her memory every now and again.

If you need your lead character to be perfect/infallible, this is not the series for you. If you like your heroes/heroines to be human and don't mind them having faults, then you may want to give this series a chance.

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This is a 5-STAR SERIES!!!

I'd give the first 2 books Magic to the Bone & Magic in the Blood a 3.5/3.75 rating
for Story. (though the rest of the books are all 4 to 5 stars)

I would give the Narration/Performance 4-stars.... I originally rated this higher, then I realized that I was listening to the story at 1.25X speed instead of normal speed. I've found that I much prefer the slightly increased rate of speed/narration.

Overall... I'd give THIS book 4 stars out of 5.

Great world building

Quirky but loveable, Allie Beckstrom rocks the world of magic. I just wish her lover Zay had a larger role.

love the story line

this is a great series so far and no i am not going to put anything that happens so if that is what you are looking for sorry can't do you have to grab them..... anyway the only thing that I hate is you can't find any audio book after this one you are stuck having to read them and because I drive around 60000 miles a year with no extra time on my hands I can't finish them until they either come out with them:( oh well if you can get the paperback and read the rest of this it shows great promise !!!!

Loved it

Would you listen to Magic in the Blood again? Why?

I will listen to it again and the others as well. I am on the third in the set and will revisit after this one.

What did you like best about this story?

Settings and the new outlook on magic

What about Emily Durante’s performance did you like?

Her reading brings the character to life for me.

Don't Think I'll Continue This

Allie is totally clueless to the point where she's dumb! There are a lot of things going on around her and even with her memory loss she can't figure out she's in danger. Plus she has an attitude because other characters realize she's not safe although she doesn't. I like strong female characters, even if the action is improbable. Allie isn't one of them. I can't recommend this to anyone who is looking for a strong urban fantasy femal character.

Clever Magical Universe

I enjoy the magical universe that Devon Monk has set up. She's a clever writer and, while each book answers most of the questions posed, she leaves hints to tantalize the reader to continue reading the lengthy series. The pacing of revelations is good. My problem is with the main character. One of the given parameters is that magic uses the user and there is a physical price to pay for casting spells. Allie (yes, she's coping with memory loss caused by magic) still can't seem to remember to disperse magic when she uses it. She also seems to be too stupid to realize she needs to eat more than coffee and donuts. And doesn't seem to be able to come in out of the rain all the time, either. The narrator has a nice voice but as the tension ramps up, she becomes very whiny sounding rather than the tired/dogged voice I would expect from someone trying to save the world.

OK< I'm Fully hooked

What did you love best about Magic in the Blood?

I compared Magic to the Bone to Jim Butchers wonderful series, but without the comic elements. This book not only did a wonderful job of adding some silliness but 2 story twists gave Monk many great ways to add more interesting characters. This series is getting really good.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Magic in the Blood?

The addition of Stone, an animated gargoyle statue, has made my enjoyment of this series take great leaps. I???m sure Monk will have more interesting ways to weave this character in fun ways in the next books just like she did here.

Any additional comments?

I???m curious as to why Allie???s Father is obviously silent when she is in the presence of Zayvion. I???m sure there is some history there that will be revealed in a future novel.