Magic at the Gate (Allie Beckstrom Series #5)

The latest Magic Beckstrom romantic urban fantasy is a great entry

In Portland, Guardian of the Gate Zayvion Jones lies in an otherworldly induced coma. His former girlfriend Chase and her former soul complement Greyson pushed his soul into the Death realm.

Zayvion's current love hound Allie Beckstrom is frantic, but knows what she must do to save the soul of her beloved. No one enters the realm of Death twice; as it is impossible to escape once you are there. Yet that is what Allie must do. She enters a macabre perverse looking Portland in which even the air feels dead to find the lost soul of her lover. Accompanying her are Stone her gargoyle and her deceased father Daniel, whose partial essence remains inside her. She trusts the gargoyle but not her deceased sire who betrayed her when he lived. The cost to her soul could prove eternal, but to save Zayvion is worth any price and not just because he is her love though in her heart that is enough; he is critical in the war between the forces of the light and the malevolence of the dark.

The latest Magic Beckstrom romantic urban fantasy (see Magic Storm and Magic in the Blood) is a great entry as readers accompany the heroine, the gargoyle and dad into a hellish version of Portland that screams of Edvard Munch. Allie makes the entry powerful with her willingness to die for love; as she believes death may be a sort of Eagles' Hotel California. Even if she cannot escape, she must find a way for her beloved to leave as he is needed in the realm of the living though she will miss him perhaps forever.

Harriet Klausner

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great Read

This book has the coming of age element that I really enjoy with the sci-fi fantasy genre along with a series of complex relationships between characters and a few twists that make it a true page turner. The heroine has a role that I consider similar to that of Kim Harrison's Rachael Morgan. In addition, there is an original take on how Magic works and how power must be paid for that is similar to how C. S. Friedman limit's character abilities several of her series.

Good sequel to a good series.

A solid book in the Urban Fantasy genre.

Wonderfully written, Intriguing story

I am so entranced with these characters, Monk can't write the stories fast enough. The character development is amazing. With each book Monk adds a few new characters. Some authors will add new characters, but takes others away. Monk let's us keep the old with the new in an odd twist of events throughout each and every book. I can't wait for the next one. I have so many scenarios in my head. Not many books can keep me interested like this one. Give me more!

BookWhisperer Review: Magic at the Gate

Allie Beckstrom is the kick ass heroine that keeps readers coming back for more. With such a talented author; Devon Monk writes this character as a powerful magical female that is not much different than you or me. Allie has more strength and endurance that imaginable, but Monk offers interpersonal characteristics that allow readers to really know her characters with stregnths and flaws. Allie is more powerful than she knows, but humble and modest to the core. The Allie Beckstrom series has had quite a journey in the past four books. Allie is what appears to be a loner, but as each passing book concludes I see that this character is no longer truely alone. Living a life as a Hound was hard enough; now with her fathers constant interference in her life she is finding herself in constant danger and turmoil. While Allie continues to try to find normalcy in this twisted world; trouble always seems to be just around this corner. Zayvion and Allie have had a very rough start, but it appears to be smoothing out for this couple. After having discovered themselves as soul compliments they must now be careful not to lose theirselves to their magic. Although, most of this novel Zayvion is in a coma it is obvious that the threat of loss is resolving at least for the moment. Monk offers adult novels with a clearn cut story. I appreciate an adult novel that offers suspense, romance, and action that can still be innocently written. Zayvion and Allie carry a very intense attraction that gives readers the mouth watering sexual charge and occasional intimate moment, but it is a welcomed addition to the story without turning the story into something erotic. Another dramatic aspect of the Allie books are the constant friction between Allie and her father. This book allowed a earnest twist to the ever growing dismay between these characters. Readers will find themselves wondering if this novel signifies a change in the future for these two important characters. Continueing an action packed journey through so many books has been a proven challenge for many authors. After five books some series will lose their mojo for such an addictive story; Monk seems to be overcoming this obstacle with each additional book. It appears as though she has much more to offer, and readers can rest assured they will not be disappointed.

Highly Recommended

I really enjoyed this book, as is usual with this series. It's not the most suspenseful writing, yet... the plot is always new and interesting, the characters continue to grow and change (love Shame and can't wait to see what happens with him and Terric), the main love interests have a real relationship and although they love each other they try not to lose themselves, we're constantly learning more about the heroine's past (enough in each book to progress the plot but not so much that you learn everything), and great side characters (Nola, Stolks, Davy, Stone, etc.) I definitely could have used a lot more Zavyion, but couldn't we all?

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