Review: “Magic at the Gate”

Title: Magic at the Gate

Author: Devon Monk

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Published: November 2nd 2010 by Roc

Pages:346

Blurb: Allie Beckstrom's lover, Zayvion Jones, is a Guardian of the Gate, imbued with both light and dark magic and responsible for ensuring that those energies don't mix. But Zayvion lies in a coma, his soul trapped in death's realm. And when Allie discovers that the only way to save Zayvion is to sacrifice her very own magical essence, she makes a decision that may have grave consequences for the entire world.

Review:

Devon Monk has been on my auto-buy list for quite a while nw and I really love this series. So I was pretty sad that it took me so long to finally read Magic at the Gate. Good thing that I chose to start reading on the weekend, because I wouldn´t have been able to out it away otherwise.

Magic at the Gate kind of reminded me of the TV show LOST. No, seriously. When I read the first hundred pages, I was constantly thinking WHT?, but in a good way. A very good way.

Devon Monk takes her story to places I couldn´t have dreamed of. Each twist and turn was completly surprising for me. Magic at the Gate truly stands out among the mass of (sadly) often very similar books.

I can´t write about how awesome the story was, because I don´t want to spoil ot for anyone, so you just have to believe me! Devon Monk´s worldbuilding is one of the finest, richest and most detailed you can find.

The spells, the magic and all the creatures she comes up with along with the very consistent history of her alternative world and Portland amaze me every time I read one of her books.

I guess I already said somewhere that I love Allie. her sense of humor, her sense of loyalty and the way she deals with her life (and her undead father possesing her) just speak to me. I feel like she has come a long way since the first book. She´s become far more responsible, and less passive, even though she has a lot to deal with.

I was a little bit sad that we didn´t get to see her and Zayvion together in this book a lot, but Shame and Terric totally made up for that. The two of them almost stole the show from Allie sometimes. And of course there is Stone, my most favorite sidekick ever. Anyone else wants a gargoyle like him?

The more we lear about the Authority, the more I doubt any of them. Again, this is just like LOST! (Just kidding). Everyone seems to have his or her own agenda, everyone in the highest ranks seems untrustworthy. I really can´t wait to see how the story unfolds in the next book.

Oh man. I really would want to talk to someone about this book right now…

My Verdict:

5 Stars! I just have to say this: Devon Monk, I love your writing!