By Devon Monk
Roc, $7.99, 368 pages
Allison Beckstrom has discovered the hard way that magic has been poisoned. To find the antidote, she must defy the potentially corrupt Authority (the secret council that enforces magic’s laws), run from the police and listen to the advice of her undead father. The war between Death, Life, Flux, Faith and Blood magic is quickly escalating. As thousands of Portland’s magic users become deathly ill, Allie and her supporters are the only ones left who are capable of defending the innocent and saving magic. Devon Monk’s Magic Without Mercy is urban fantasy at its finest. Readers become invested in the fate of each character as they navigate the complex world Monk has created. As someone who has read all eight books, I can confidently say that Monk’s series keeps getting better with each new installment. If you are looking for a new series to immerse yourself in, start with Magic to the Bone, the first Allison Beckstrom novel. Every book is packed with action, adventure, humor, battles, romance, drama and suspense. Zayvion, Nola, Cody, Stone, the Hounds, Shame, Terric and other fan favorites are back. Clear your calendar. Once you start reading, you won’t want to stop.
Reviewed by Kathryn Franklin
