Devon Monk: Magic in the Shadows

Praise forMagic to the Bone

“Loved it. Fiendishly original … a stay-up-all-night read. We’re going to be hearing a lot more of Devon Monk.”

— Patricia Briggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bone Crossed

“[A] gritty setting, compelling, fully realized characters, and a frightening system of magic-with-a-price that left me awed. Devon Monk’s writing is addictive, and the only cure is more, more, more.”

— Rachel Vincent, New York Times bestselling author of Rogue

“Highly original and compulsively readable. Don’t pick this one up before going to bed unless you want to be up all night!”-Jenna Black, author of The Devil’s Due

“ Magic to the Bone is an exciting new addition to the urban fantasy genre. It’s got a truly fresh take on magic, and Allie Beckstrom is one kick-ass protagonist!”

— Jeanne C. Stein, national bestselling author of Legacy

“The prose is gritty and urban, the characters mysterious and marvelous, and Monk creates a fantastic and original magic system that intrigues and excites. A promising beginning to a new series. I’m looking forward to more!”

— Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Spirits That Walk in Shadow

“Monk’s reimagined Portland is at once recognizable and exotic, suffused with her special take on magic, and her characters are vividly rendered. The plot pulled me in for a very enjoyable ride!”-Lynn Flewelling, author of Shadows Return

“Clever and compulsively readable. . Allie’s internal and external struggles are brilliantly and tightly written, creating a multifaceted character who will surprise, amuse, amaze, and absorb readers.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Devon Monk has created a cool new heroine in Allie Beckstrom. . She has developed a system of magic that is intriguing and distinct from those filling urban fantasies by the score. . With a strong heroine, a great setting, and an interesting new system of magic, Magic to the Bone is likely to give urban fantasy readers more of what they want: a worthy read. Recommended.” — SFRevu

“Devon Monk is casting a spell on the fantasy world. . Allie is a convincing, street-smart heroine. . Monk has done an outstanding job creating a gritty, authentic-feeling urban fantasy on par with Rob Thurman or John Levitt; it should be interesting to watch how this series develops.”-Monsters and Critics

“With style and a magical world that is quite fresh, Monk explodes on the scene and makes a few waves. . For sheer guts, stubbornness, and determination, they don’t come much feistier than Allie.” — Romantic Times

“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.”

— Darque Reviews

“An intelligent, entertaining mystery. The kick-butt heroine is strong and independent. . Exciting fun; readers will look forward to more adventures of Allie.”

— Genre Go Round Reviews

“This book is fresh, original, and so totally captivating that I could barely look away from the pages.”

— Errant Dreams Reviews

“A solid and pleasing mystery story. . engaging. . impressive. . [ Magic to the Bone ] introduced enough interesting concepts and potential story arcs to propel the series for some time to come. I expect big things from the next installment, Magic in the Blood .”- [http://SciFiGuy.ca] SciFiGuy.ca

“ Magic to the Bone is a breath of fresh air in the urban fantasy genre, in much the same way that Ilona Andrews’s Kate Daniels series is a breath of fresh air. Instead of the same tired werewolf/vampire soap opera that so many novels perpetuate, Magic to the Bone is more concerned with the ramifications of adding magic to modern society and exploring the realistic consequences. . an exciting and often poignant story. . Devon Monk shows the potential to be a standout writer in the subgenre. Most important, I could not put this book down; I read it in two nights, with only work and sleep coming between me and the pages. Well-done.” — Fantasy Literature

“A unique character, her interior quips are humorous. . The humor blends with the drama to make it stronger. Devon Monk has created some fantastic characters to inhabit her suspenseful story. The ending indicates this might be the beginning of a series, which is wonderful, because the story is as addictive as the use of magic, earning Magic to the Bone a Perfect 10.”-Romance Reviews Today

“A thrilling, magical ride that will leave you breathless for more. Toss in a bit of romance with gritty characters, a magical world, and a mysterious plot, and you have a superb adventure. Devon Monk is original and exciting and I can’t wait for more.”-Romance Junkies

“The magic system created by Devon Monk is inventive. . [She] is a fine writer and moves the plot along at a good pace. . If you like urban fantasy with a touch of romance, then you will thoroughly enjoy this novel.”

— Robots and Vamps

“ Magic to the Bone is a good mystery/adventure with a likable heroine, a mysterious hero, and cute supporting characters.”

— The Good, the Bad, the Unread

Also by Devon Monk

— Magic to the Bone

— Magic in the Blood

For my family

Acknowledgments

Writing is only part of what brings a story to its final form. Without the many people who contributed time and energy along the way, this book would not have come to fruition. Thank you to my agent, Miriam Kriss, and my editor, Anne Sowards, two consummate professionals and awesome people who make my job easy. Thanks also to Cameron Dufty, Ray Lundgren, and artist Larry Rostant, who have each contributed their remarkable skills to make this book what it is today.

My love and gratitude to my amazing first readers, Dean Woods, Dejsha Knight, and Dianna Rodgers. Your support and willingness to tell me what I got wrong and what I got right made this story shine. That said, any errors in this book are my fault alone.

To my sister Deanne Hicks and friend Sharon Thomp son, thank you for your unfailing encouragement. An additional huge thank-you goes out to my wonderful sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and distant relations who have cheered for me along the way.

All my love to my husband, Russ, and my sons, Kameron and Konner. You are, as always, the very best part of my life.

And perhaps most important of all: Thank you, dear reader, for letting me share this story with you.

Rush hour traffic below my apartment window breathed a deep note behind the rise and fall of winter wind. Rain tapped like pinpricks against glass. The only noise besides my rapid breathing was the cold water pouring into the bathroom sink.

That, and my dead father’s voice.

“Allison.” My father’s voice again. Distant, as if he strained to pitch it across a crowded room, a crowded street, a crowded city.

I was the only one in my apartment. And my father was really dead this time.

I’d gone to his funeral that morning and seen him buried-literally watched as his body was lowered into the grave. There was no mistake, no corpse stealing, no weird magical rituals this time. This time, he didn’t have a second chance, third chance. He was well and truly gone.