Magic to the Bone
by Devon Monk
Book Summary Information
Author: Devon MonkEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2008-11-04
ISBN: 0451462408
Number of pages: 368
Publisher: Roc
Book Reviews of Magic to the Bone
Book Review: Interesting System of Magic
Summary: 3 Stars
Magic as pain, off-loaded onto others, has by been done by Kim Harrison (soul darkening demon smut in her Hollows novels) and C.S. Friedman (random deaths in the population -- Feast of Souls). Devon Monk distinguishes her voice by having the cost happen immediately with physical bruising, though it can be specified how the caster wishes to be hurt as part of the spell. Holly Lisle's Vincalis the Agitator also came to mind, but that was a fantasy offering where magicians used slaves for spell power and offloading (sometimes physical) consequences.
Based on the awesome cover blurb, the book is fantastic. This impression lasts until you start reading. The magic system does come into play, but instead of using her unique idea to the fullest, Devon Monk makes tons of mistakes. She gives her main character a get-out-of-jail free card which lets her somehow sidestep payment of spells. Monk intros this 'new type of magic' mid-book. For me, this was a huge letdown, and I felt like the cool novel I'd been reading was ruined.
Other mistakes: the main is character is dirt poor yet frivolous with money. This doesn't matter since her estranged rich Dad is killed, and obviously she'll inherit by the end of the book. The sexual tension between Alice and Zevyon is contrived. Telling me 'her stomach flipped' every time she looks at him (at least five times by page 150, that exact phrase) made me question the skills of the editor. Finally, absolutely no need for the multiple chapters from the perspective of Cody Hand. They ruined suspense.
I also disliked the names of minor characters. Several young men named 'Boy.' A kitten named 'Kitten.' Devon Monk couldn't be bothered with names? Come on.
Overall, an extremely weak first novel. As with other Urban Fantasy offerings where I liked parts of novel one, I plan on giving novel two a chance. If Monk doesn't improve markedly in the second book though, I won't be reading further.
Science Fiction & Fantasy Books
Book Subjects
- Arts & Photography
- Audiobooks on Cassette
- Audiobooks on CD
- Biographies & Memoirs
- Business & Investing
- Children's Books
- Comics & Graphic Novels
- Computers & Internet
- Cooking, Food & Wine
- e-Books
- Engineering
- Entertainment
- Gay & Lesbian
- Health, Mind & Body
- History
- Home & Garden
- Horror
- Law
- Literature & Fiction
- Medicine
- Mystery & Thrillers
- Nonfiction
- Outdoors & Nature
- Parenting & Families
- Professional & Technical
- Reference
- Religion & Spirituality
- Romance
- Science
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Sports
- Teens
- Travel
Most talked about in Upcoming Urban Fantasy 2008 - Part II
Evil Ways (Quincey Morris 2)by Justin Gustainis
Solaris; Published: 2009-01-05; Paperback; Book
Unclean Spirits: Book One of the Black Sun's Daughterby M.L.N. Hanover
Pocket; Published: 2008-12-02; Paperback; Book
Best price: $10.20
Price in other shops:
New Tricksby John Levitt
Ace; Published: 2008-11-25; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.45
Price in other shops:
On the Prowl (Tales of an Urban Werewolf, Book 2)by Karen MacInerney
Ballantine Books; Published: 2008-11-25; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $2.85
Price in other shops:
Better Off UndeadDAW; Published: 2008-11-04; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.50
Price in other shops:
Magic to the Boneby Devon Monk
Roc; Published: 2008-11-04; Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.99
Price in other shops:
Living with the Dead (Women of the Otherworld, Book 9)by Kelley Armstrong
Spectra; Published: 2008-10-21; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $11.00
Price in other shops:
Brimstone Kiss (Delilah Street, Paranormal Investigator)by Carole Nelson Douglas
Juno Books; Published: 2008-10-29; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.80
Price in other shops:
Wolfsbane and MistletoeAce Hardcover; Published: 2008-10-07; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $15.53
Price in other shops:
Midnight's Daughter (Dorina Basarab, Dhampir, Book 1)by Karen Chance
Onyx; Published: 2008-10-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.73
Price in other shops:
Similar books summaries and other product reviews
White Witch, Black Curse (The Hollows, Book 7)by Kim Harrison
Eos; Published: 2009-03-01; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $17.15
Price in other shops:
Hunter's Prayer (Jill Kismet)by Lilith Saintcrow
Orbit; Published: 2008-09-01; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.49
Price in other shops:
Brimstone Kiss (Delilah Street, Paranormal Investigator)by Carole Nelson Douglas
Juno Books; Published: 2008-10-29; Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.78
Price in other shops:
Cast in Fury (Chronicles of Elantra, Book 4)by Michelle Sagara
Luna; Published: 2008-09-22; Paperback; Book
Best price: $9.02
Price in other shops:
Redby Jordan Summers
Tor Paranormal Romance; Published: 2008-11-04; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $4.00
Price in other shops:
Bone Crossed (Mercy Thompson, Book 4)by Patricia Briggs
Ace Hardcover; Published: 2009-02-03; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $16.47
Price in other shops:
Swallowing Darkness (Meredith Gentry, Book 7)by Laurell K. Hamilton
Ballantine Books; Published: 2008-11-04; Hardcover; Book
Best price: $15.00
Price in other shops:
Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, Book 3)by Ilona Andrews
Ace; Published: 2009-03-31; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $7.99
Midnight's Daughter (Dorina Basarab, Dhampir, Book 1)by Karen Chance
Onyx; Published: 2008-10-07; Paperback; Book
Best price: $3.63
Price in other shops:
Destiny Kills (Myth and Magic, Book 1)by Keri Arthur
Dell; Published: 2008-10-28; Mass Market Paperback; Book
Best price: $1.99
Price in other shops: