Magic in the Shadows (Allie Beckstrom, Book 3)

I liked this book enough to decide to write my first web review about it but I have to admit I was intimidated by the length of the other reviews that are posted. Ultimately I decided to go ahead and forge ahead even tho I feel I'm a bit out of my depth. The "Magic to the..." series has become one of my favorites. I'm just your normal run-of-the-mill reader and don't really look at books critically, I look at them for the enjoyment they give me. Allie Beckstrom is a smart, intrepid main character with a distinctly vulnerable side that I find appeals to me. When I am reading Devon's books basically my life goes on hold because I don't want to do anything else except find out what's going to happen next. She has slowly developed Zayvion's character in such a way as to make him unutterably appealing as well, which makes him and Allie as a couple all the more perfect. The situations that girl gets herself into crack me up and keep me on the edge of my seat at the same time. And speaking of cracking up - the saracasm and wit woven into tne book provide just the right amount of balance to all the danger and tension. I love that there are many Portland landmarks prominent in the books, which gives it a certain credibility in the midst of the fantasy. Who knows what the future holds? Maybe magic might truly run beneath our feet someday....! I appreciate all the new characters that were introduced in this book and look forward to seeing where she's going to take all of them. Anyways, it's my humble opinion that these are great books and I would heartily recommend them to anyone as a very good read. I'm anxiously awaiting the next one!!

I've read both the previous books, and really love the way the author describes magic. It's utterly fascinating worldbuilding, and Devon Monk deserves every kudo for it. But this book only gets two stars from me, because it was terribly thin on plot, being mostly Allie's squicky internal struggles with the dead father who has possessed her. As in the previous two books, I can guess the whole "mystery" by the end of the first few chapters. And, most of all for me, because of the failure of the author to make a sympathetic, compelling main character.

Unfortunately, Allie Beckstrom is really starting to ruin this series for me. I don't believe I'll be continuing the series after this offering, because Allie just seems to get more annoying with every book. And since the books are written in the first-person POV, it's just impossible to get away from the increasing stupidity of this girl. There's no escape. We're stuck in her head along with her ol' dead daddy, and it is a frustrating, exasperating, and silly place to be. I like an urban fantasy heroine to have a little intelligence to go along with her (inevitably) hot body. She doesn't have to be some kind of uber-tough psychopath anti-hero, like Anita Blake has become, but an out-an-out ditz? It wouldn't annoy me so much if Allie was presented as being IQ-challenged by the author, maybe a little retarded, but the implication is that she's hot stuff on all levels, and she just doesn't demonstrate much intelligence in her actions. Also, her internal dialogue is just TOO cutesy-snarky. I know the author is trying to be funny, but it just makes Allie sound even sillier to me. Frankly, I have no idea what a hot, smart magic-user like Zayvion Jones sees in someone like her, other than her looks. I guess the whole Soul Complement thing trumps all--he's stuck with a ditzy, immature, impulsive, suicidally stubborn know-it-all who seems determined to kill herself in some spectacularly dumb way. And it's too bad, because the Soul Complement concept, and the way Devon Monk describes Allie and Zayvion's growing relationship, would have such potential for excellence and enjoyment for me...if only Allie wasn't one half of the Complement.

Since the books are first-person, it's no wonder that I can guess the solution to the mystery way before Allie. Bless her heart, she just is not very bright.

I like it when a main character is flawed--it makes for a realistic story. But in a series like this, one hopes that the character will grow over the course of the stories, and in Allie's case, one wishes she would develop a little as a supposedly adult character and grow out of her childish stubborness. Maybe all the Hounding doesn't just strip away memory, but IQ points. Allie seems incapable of learning anything, and doesn't seem to want to, anyway. I have now come to expect that every time Zayvion or some other more knowledgeable person tries to warn Allie against some course of action, she will do it anyway and endanger herself and everyone else in the vicinity because her daddy issues won't let her listen to anyone but herself.

For such a promising premise and world, it's too bad we couldn't have a better main character. Sadly, this is the end of the series for me.

I originally wrote this for my website, Hope on Remand, but hopefully it'll help you folks too. I don't think it's spoilery, but here goes.

The idea of this book is that Allie has to deal with the soul of her dead father cohabitating her body and generally trying to tell her what to do. She also has to deal with the Authority, which her father was a member of, though he did his dead level best to keep her off their radar and vice versa. Her main goal is to learn to better use her magical abilities, except nothing really comes out of that and she doesn't learn to do too much that's new.

Book three starts almost immediately where book two left off, which isn't something I really like in a series, mostly because it doesn't allow for as much of a lead-in to this story, and because it requires a lot more info-dumping in the beginning to catch the reader up. Unfortunately, MAGIC IN THE SHADOWS kicked off with a lot of infodumping, and I didn't enjoy the set-up too much, although the opening scenes were rather good visually. The pacing was good in the beginning, and we never got cheated out of our payoff.

Unfortunately, as I read through the rest of the book, the pacing started to feel a little hectic. Though I really enjoyed book two and book one had quite a bit of promise, book three felt like a bit of a let down. It was still a solid book, with a solid premise and a lot of good things about it (for instance, there's a moment when Allie splits her lip and she and her boyfriend stop kissing because she hasn't been tested lately, and recently she's had a few sketchy things happen to her--like being injected with a needle and stabbed, and she came into contact with bleeding people while she had open wounds--which I think is a great thing to see happen in a novel) but it wasn't excellent.

MAGIC IN THE SHADOWS felt a bit like the editor saw the burgeoning success of the series and decided to slack off a bit in urging the right amount of tightening around the middle and the end. The sub-threads (involving the creepy nightmare thing, Davy's ex-girlfriend, Allie's father) mostly come together in the end, though Allie's father randomly stops insisting that she find the discs find the discs find the discs, and there's no real indication of why his behavior changed. Allie also doesn't talk to Violet about how her father might be affecting their relationship, even though it seemed like she intended to and she certainly should.

But the main thing that bothered me about this book was the loose ends. Things didn't get ignored, subplots didn't get dropped, no, but so many things were planned out that didn't happen. Though it seems they'll be looked at in the next book, and I don't mind when the last 10 pages set up the thing to be dealt with next time or if there are subplots that span multiple novels (for instance as happens in The Dresden Files) that's not what happened here. Instead, Nora came into town to get Cody, and sure, there was a happy ending there, but Allie never actually gets a free minute to sit down and bond with her friend. They see each other in passing, and it's a bit irksome. There are things that Allie plans to tie up with Violet that she never gets to. She has lessons she's agreed to start taking, but she never even picks out an instructor. Because she never has time, it's pushed off "until later." But as a reader, I want the "later" to come during the time frame of the book. I want the story to be wrapped up.

Unfortunately, this one wasn't, and one of the side effects of this is that the pace felt hectic. Which brings me to my last problem with MAGIC IN THE SHADOWS, which was that it was kind of confusing. I don't want to sound like I didn't understand what was happening or that the plot didn't make sense, because it did. But there were moments when I felt a little lost about what was going on, and they didn't all get cleared up. As a reader, I don't like that feeling of quicksand beneath my toes, even if the narrator is probably feeling the same way.

That said, there certainly were things I enjoyed about MAGIC IN THE SHADOWS. I really liked the gargoyle, and the subtle hints that were dropped about the Hand who created it and the relationship that Allie and he have that may have allowed her to set him free. I loved that we got to see Nora again, and the way that Zay and Allie begin working on their relationship. Seamus was a great character, and seeing him (an adult) interact with his mother (a real badass) was very cool. It was also good to see Zay interact with his peers, have a friend, instead of just playing strong, silent type with Allie. We see a lot of his past--including an ex that causes trouble for Allie, though the way Allie refrained from being catty was great to see, given the general bitchiness that pervades the genre. Monk also does a good job showing characters who have dark tendencies, unfortunate addictions, and real problems, while letting those problems be problems without defining the characters or making them into cookie cutter bad guys while simultaneously refusing to forgive those dark traits just because the characters are on the side of the angels.

In general, I think the series is still promising. Monk does a lot of things right, and the things she does right are things that I find really important philosophically and that the majority of the genre tends to get teeth-grindingly wrong. However, I felt this book experienced a few growing pains.

3/5: The concept is great and this book did a lot of things right, but the pacing and loose ends caused a lot of problems for me.

Maybe my tastes have changed because I absolutely loved Magic to the Bone and Magic in the Blood, but I really didn't like this book. My main issue is the plot. There is some sort of creature running around trying to eat Allie's dad out of her head. This creature appears a few times and takes up maybe 20 pages total, the rest of the book consists of banter, banter, and more banter. There wasn't anything especially appealing about Allie's character in the previous novels, and if anything she has gotten worse. She doesn't understand much of anything and has an attitude about pretty much everything. I do enjoy flawed characters, but Allie crosses the flawed line and takes a bit of a leap into annoying. None of the other characters are really important enough to be considered. Their personalities don't really stand out, they are more like sidekicks. Speaking of sidekicks, we get to meat Shame in this book, the most annoying, generic, unlikable sidekick I've ever had the misfortune of reading. Putting that aside, what I did love about this series was the cost of magic. Using magic is not just something you do whenever; it takes a huge toll on you. Come to find out it doesn't have to be that painful, and there isn't even any memory loss anymore. When you take away the thing that most appealed to me about the series you have to make up for it somehow to keep my attention, and Magic in the Shadows just didn't live up to expectations. Let me just open to a random page:

"Who is Mikhail, and where did he go?" I asked.
Dad opened his eyes. "He was the leader of the Authority. And he is dead."
"Oh, could you guys get any creepier? I mean, seriously. Why would anyone think raising the dead is a good idea?"

See, I'm already annoyed. It's like that on any page of the book. The characters are grating, and there is no depth here. The plot takes up a few pages, and the rest of the book is dialogue. I usually like dialogue, but not this unimportant nonsense. To add insult to injury, Allie is turning into a super powerful magic user. She is one of a kind, awesomely powerful, and is going to fix everything. I really dislike those types of urban fantasy plots. Sadly, I won't be continuing this series. It is upsetting because I've been suggesting this series to those who enjoy grittier urban fantasy, and I can't recommend it any longer.

I don't really know which number in the series this is...because I didn't want to look. However, I bought the first book of this series because it looked SO good. I was really excited to get home and read this book, and I planned to read for hours. I read about 45 minutes..maybe an hour. It was the most stupid book I have ever read. I put it down and haven't read it since...In fact, I think it's still on my floor. Don't read this series.

Ever since I read Devon Monk's debut book (Magic to the Bone) I've loved reading her books. When I finished reading the second book, (Magic in the Blood) I wanted to read it again. With this book I felt the same.

In this installment Allie Beckstrom deals with having her brain inhabited by her father. She also acquires a sidekick (one of my favorite characters in the book). She is tested by the Authorities, has other-worldly beasties after her, and is trying to keep the Hounds safe, together and organized- something she had promised Pike she would do. Not all of the members of the Authority are happy to have Allie around. Some of them want to have her "closed", her magic use taken away, along with memories of magic. New human (as opposed to her new sidekick) characters are introduced. All of the characters in Devon Monks books are interesting-like real flawed people (except they use magic).

The conversations between Zayvion Jones and Allie are fun to read. I enjoyed Allie's adventures, even when she does something incredibly stubborn and stupid. There's a moment during a dangerous situation that Allie does something she's been warned - very strongly- not to do. The moment she does it, she's thinking she should have listened. There are moments with the Daddy presence in her head when they are both being incredibly stubborn - foolishly so- fighting over control of her body.

I enjoyed very much revisiting the world that Devon Monk has created with this series and I am already looking forward to the next book, Magic on the Storm. In the back of my head, I'm also already planning when I might re-read all three books (maybe this coming summer).

I strongly suggest you read the previous books in this series (Magic to the Bone and Magic in the Blood) in order, before reading this book. This story picks up right where Magic in the Blood leaves off.

Allie Beckstrom's life has been invaded. She has gone from a life of intentional solitude, too having a full plate overflowing with family, obligations, responsibilities and friends. Allie's father has come back from the dead in spirit and created a little pocket of existence for himself in Allie's mind. Unfortunately for Allie, she became aware of this horrific fact while she's getting ready for a date with Zayvion; talk about awkward. Who wants their dad along with them on a date with a guy they are lusting after?

Daniel Beckstrom is still as magically powerful in death, as he was when he was alive. He is so powerful, that on occasion, he deliberately takes control over Allie's body. Allie's life gets even more complicated when she realizes she is being stalked by an undead. A creature that was a former human being, but has magically been turned into......something else.

The Authority follows through with their threat of testing Allie's magically ability and decides whether Allie's memories of how to use magic should be "closed" or not. Keeping her promise to Pike, Allie becomes accountable for Hounds, regardless of how disgruntle they are.

I really enjoyed this installment. Devon Monk has done an amazing job of weaving together many sides of a dark and dangerous world, where magic exist and is accessible to everyone. Although the cost for the magical usage is high, the possibilities for its uses are endless.

The relationship between Allie and all the supporting characters was fun and full of delightfully twisted humor. Allie has really grown as a person since the first book. She is still reckless but she now has a sought of maturity that was missing before.

For those Allie and Zayvion fans, this installment is a must read! There is plenty of fantastic interaction between Allie and Zay as a couple. Although they still drive each other crazy, they are interesting, stubborn and mysterious enough that they will never get bored with one another.

This installment was action packed, loaded with magic, exciting and creative. I highly recommend this book and entire series to fellow dark urban fantasy readers and I look forward to the next book Magic on the Strom due out 5/4/2010.

I also recommend:
[[ASIN:1416598146 Bitter Night: A Horngate Witches Book]]
[[ASIN:0061662410 Spiral Hunt (Evie Scelan)]]
[[ASIN:0425226921 Angels' Blood]]
[[ASIN:1439154287 Vicious Circle]]
[[ASIN:0451462807 Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock, Book 1)]]

I really liked the first book in the series and loved the second book; but I adore Magic in the Shadows.

Allie goes on a date, interrupts a kill site, almost gets killed, gets in a fight with her date, overloads on magic at the restaurant, trips and accidentally frees a gargoyle, and gets a good night kiss at the door. This girl knows how to be an interesting date! And that's just the start.

At a breakneck pace, situation after situation unfolds itself. Allie has assumed authority over the hounds. Peripheral characters shine and we are introduced to three of the most fascinating and lovable sidekicks ever: Shamus, Stone, and Grant, all of whom excel at staying under the radar. Ms. Monk expands on each character in depth. Allie's formal magic training continues; but it is interrupted when a challenge is issued forcing her to prematurely undergo the formal test for acceptance into the Authority. She is brought up against the most powerful magic wielder in the Authority because they fear that she will defeat all the others. Allie hasn't a clue about her power because she is in too much awe of the other members. If she fails this test, they will take away her magic and her memories will be wiped clean. Worse, they could execute her to eliminate her as threat. She is fighting the fight of her life against a shocking opponent.

Her father is now as active as he pleases in the back of Allie's mind, sometimes taking control of her thoughts and her body. Occasionally, Allie must listen to how to cast a spell or what step needs to be taken next and it galls her no end. She really wants to get dear old Dad out of her head and in the grave where he's already been buried twice. Through her interactions with her daddy dearest and his late wife Violet, we begin to ever so slightly question Allie's impression of her father. We have a fairly good understanding why he shielded her from the Authority and left her untrained in magic. Violet's perceptions of the man she married are contradictory to Allie's experience, too, and Violet paints an entirely different picture of an honorable and loving man. In spite of her father's presence in her head and his desire to "rule the world" with Allie at his side, everything he does is in Allie's best interests. He takes over her body and mind when her rebelliousness drives her into almost being killed. This is worth reading about just for the times when Violet is in the room and Allie's father starts talking love words to her out of, or wants to kiss her with, Allie's mouth.

In the meantime, Allie is being hunted by a necromorph, part human and part something else. The human part is one of her father's murderers. The monster is after her father's soul and knows that Allie is housing it in her brain. It will do whatever it takes to suck her father from Allie into its body if it means killing Allie. Turns out that the half human is a former member of the Authority and boyfriend of Zayvion's ex-girlfriend, also a powerful magic user of the Authority. The necromorph has blood bound a hound to him to perform deadly blood magic.

We begin to suspect that Allie has been closed on one or more occasions, which could account for her memory losses.

A breach among the Authority members has occurred and they are uneasy with each other. Wild magic is on the wind. It all plays together for a breathtaking ride that I couldn't put down.

This is book three in Devon Monk's series.You must read [[ASIN:045146267X Magic in the Blood (Allie Beckstrom)]] and [[ASIN:0451462408 Magic to the Bone (Allie Beckstrom)]] first.

The action picks up after the events of book two. Allie hears her Fathers voice in her head, and realizes his soul know resides in her. Although I liked the book, there were several problems for me:

1.Allie's Dad popped in and out of her conciousness randomly. More of a plot device than anything else
2. Lots of info dumps about the history of magic and different glyphs and spells. It was confusing at times
3. Too many convoluted polt lines, many of which were left hanging- what happened to make Greyson a necromorph?, What will happen to Allie's Dad still in her head? Obviously leaving these hanging opens up the path for Book Four.
4. Some of the plot lines need to be cut- Hounds, Stotts, Authority, War between Magic users, Nola, Cody,.... Alot is going on. It is hard to care about so many plot threads.
5.I liked the character of Shame. The gargoyle character remined me of a smilar creature in Kim Harrison's series.
6. I liked the inter-racial romance, but I AM SO TIRED OF HER CALLING ZAYVION "ZEN"!! How many times does she have to use this word to describe him? Find a new adjective already. Also, I was a little put off by the author calling his lips "thick". I would have preferred using other words to describe his lips- full, pouty, etc come to mind.

Overall a good book but not as good as the previous two. However I am hooked, and I will be reading the next book which comes out in May 2010 [[ASIN:0451463277 Magic on the Storm: An Allie Beckstrom Novel]]

Magic in the Shadows introduces some fantastic new characters to the series. Allie gains an unusual and delightful companion/protector; while it's easy to see coming, I loved the idea so much that I didn't mind at all.

Here's the problem, however. I'm all for lead characters who have flaws. Those flaws, however, cannot be so overblown that they make the character unlikable, nor can they go on for books and books without any learning curve/improvement whatsoever, particularly when they have repeatedly put people in danger. I get that Allie is overly stubborn and that this causes her to sometimes do stupid things; hell, I can relate. I even get that it's a great way to connect her and her estranged father, who has similar issues. However, I can't buy into the idea that we're already in the third book and she still can't listen to people to save her life--or theirs. There are multiple occasions where she nearly gets people killed because she insists on getting involved in situations that she doesn't understand and for which she should be able to trust these people to do their jobs.

She should be learning from this and slowly improving, even if it's by fits and starts. She should be seriously losing friends since she isn't learning. She certainly shouldn't whine about other people not trusting her to know what she's doing or handle herself, since she doesn't treat anyone else that way. I became entirely too frustrated with Allie in this installment; luckily I enjoyed the other characters enough, and was curious enough about the world and ongoing storyline, to want to continue the series anyway.

There are also some spots where Allie fails to pass on important information, or notices something important and then ignores it. It resulted in some facepalm moments where it was obvious to me that someone was a bad guy, but it's clear the good guys aren't going to put two and two together for a while yet. Argh!

I'm still continuing onward; I'm invested, and the world-building is fabulous. But I look forward to improvement.