Larissa's Review: Hell Bent {Broken Magic #1} by Devon Monk

Instead of the deadly force it once was, magic is now a useless novelty. But not for Shame Flynn and Terric Conley, “breakers” who have the gift for reverting magic back to its full-throttle power. In the magic-dense city of Portland, Oregon, keeping a low profile means keeping their gifts quiet. After three years of dealing with disgruntled magic users, Shame and Terric have had enough of politics, petty magic, and, frankly, each other. It’s time to call it quits.

When the government discovers the breakers’ secret—and its potential as a weapon—Shame and Terric suddenly become wanted men, the only ones who can stop the deadly gift from landing in the wrong hands. If only a pair of those wrong hands didn’t belong to a drop-dead-gorgeous assassin Shame is falling for as if it were the end of the world. And if he gets too close to her, it very well could be...

• Publisher: Roc 
• Release Date: November 5th 2013   
• Series: Broken Magic Series  
• Author's Website
• Buy Hell Bent:

*NO Spoilers!

I am a huge fan of Devon Monk's Allie Beckstrom series, so when I read that Shame was getting his spin-off... I was over the moon!

I loved Hell Bent, I loved getting a glimpse into the characters I fell in love with through the years and also meeting a host of new characters and getting to know this new, post-catastrophe world.

Shame was always a favorite of mine and I worried that his darkness would make a not so enjoyable book... I shouldn't have worried so much, Shame is still in a very dark place, but Devon Monk did a great job in balancing that out in the story.

Hell Bent would have been worth 5 Loveys, if not for one details I can't go into in lieu of spoilers... However, I do comend Devon for being a fearless writer!

If you enjoyed the Allie Beckstrom series, this is a MUST! If you haven't read the previous series, it's totally ok too... Any Urban Fantasy Lover will get sucked in this awesome new series!

Next in The Broken Magic Series:

Expected publication: April 1st 2014 by Roc

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Series Catch-Up Reviews: Sacrificial Magic {Downside Ghosts #4} by Stacia Kane & Magic Without Mercy {Allie Besckstrom #8} by Devon Monk

***I'm having issues with the comment box on blogger, so I am sorry for not responding in the comments. I do read and appreciate ALL of them!

 

When Chess Putnam is ordered by an infamous crime boss—who also happens to be her drug dealer—to use her powers as a witch to solve a grisly murder involving dark magic, she knows she must rise to the challenge. Adding to the intensity: Chess’s boyfriend, Terrible, doesn’t trust her, and Lex, the son of a rival crime lord, is trying to reignite the sparks between him and Chess.

Plus there’s the little matter of Chess’s real job as a ghost hunter for the Church of Real Truth, investigating reports of a haunting at a school in the heart of Downside. Someone seems to be taking a crash course in summoning the dead—and if Chess doesn’t watch her back, she may soon be joining their ranks. 

As Chess is drawn into a shadowy world of twisted secrets and dark violence, it soon becomes clear that she’s not going to emerge from its depths without making the ultimate sacrifice.

From Goodreads.

• Publisher: Del Rey
• Release Date: March 27th, 2012
• Series: Downside Ghosts Series  
• Author's Website

*NO SPOILERS

The Good: Chess and Terrible are back! The action is top notch and it is a great book to read.

The Bad: Chess’s loves to mess up and we get plenty of that in Sacrificial Magic.

The Romance: Terrible 4EVER! That’s all I’m gonna say LOL.

  

Previously On The Downside Ghosts Series:

My Review of Downside Ghosts Books 1-3

Allison Beckstrom’s talent for tracking spells has put her up against some of the darkest elements in the world of magic, but she’s never faced anything like this.

Magic itself has been poisoned, and Allie’s undead father may have left the only cure in the hands of a madman. Hunted by the Authority–the secret council that enforces magic’s laws–wanted by the police, and unable to use magic, she’s got to find the cure before the sickness spreads beyond any power to stop it.

But when a Death magic user seeks to destroy the only antidote, Allie and her fellow renegades must stand and fight to defend the innocent and save all magic…

From Goodreads.

• Publisher: ROC
• Release Date: April 3rd, 2012
• Series: Allie Beckstrom Series  
• Author's Website

*NO SPOILERS

The Good: I love where Devon seems to be taking this series! When i started reading it, I never thought that the world Devon Monk created would become so rich and intricate. The stories just keep getting better and better. amazing characters and enthralling adventures galore.

The Bad: I feel that the books in the Allie Beckstrom series tend to happen in such a short span of time, I wish the book had moved further ahead in time. Other than that i don’t really have any complaints.

The Romance: I LOVE Zavyon and Allie! I do wish we got more romance time, but with everything else going on, it is totally understandable and it didn't take away from enjoying the book at all. We still got some great heart melting goodness =D.

Previously On The Allie Beckstrom Series Series:

My Review of Magic On The Storm

My Review of Allie Beckstrom Books 1-3

   

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xoxo,

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Top 5 Sundays #63 – Best Urban Fantasy Novels of 2011!

 

 

Hey everyone!

I love looking back at the past year for the best UF novels! Of course the year is not over and there still some books to be released so… these are my favorite, so far!

Hope you’ll join me!

 

   This week’s results:

Best Urban Fantasy Novel of 2011! =  24 (82%)

Best PNR Novel of 2011! =  5 (17%)

 

The theme for today is:

Best Urban Fantasy Novels of 2011!

 

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Every Sunday I will post a TOP 5 list on the blog. It can be about anything and every week I'll have a new theme {You can vote on next week’s theme on my left sidebar!} and I will ad the Mr.Linky bellow the post so you can do a list with the theme and add you link to it.

Rules:

1. Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.

2. Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.

3. Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)

4. After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.

5. If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

This week’s theme is Best Urban Fantasy Novels of 2011!

*in no particular order

 

Magic Slays

Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews

This might be the best book of the year! Curran and Kate rock!

 

Heartless

Parasol Protectorate Series by Gail Carriger

It’s historical UF, but still UF and it was an amazing book!

 

 

Magic on the Line 

Allie Beckstrom Series by Devon Monk 

Devon left me panting after this book! Love Allie and Zay!

 

Blood Challenge 

World of Lupi Series by Eileen Wilks

 

Perfect book! Ben and Arj made it incredible!

 

Succubus Revealed

Georgina Kincaid Series by Richelle Mead 

The end of one of my favorite series ever! It was awesome!

 

Special Mentions:

   

Attention!

Please HELP!

If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments!

NEED IDEAS FOR 2012

Your input would be much appreciated!

 

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of Best Urban Fantasy Novels of 2011!

 Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

 

 

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

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Top 5 Sundays #61 – Favorite Fictional Pets!

 

 

Hey everyone!

Wow this theme was so much harder than I thought LOL I am SURE I forgot some =/

Hope you guys enjoy it!

 

   This week’s results:

Fave Fictional Kids! = 2 (20%)

Fave Fictional Pets! = 8 (80%)

 

The theme for today is:

Favorite Fictional Pets!

 

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Every Sunday I will post a TOP 5 list on the blog. It can be about anything and every week I'll have a new theme {You can vote on next week’s theme on my left sidebar!} and I will ad the Mr.Linky bellow the post so you can do a list with the theme and add you link to it.

Rules:

1. Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.

2. Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.

3. Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)

4. After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.

5. If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

This week’s theme is Favorite Fictional Pets!

*in no particular order

 

The Puffs 

Katherine “Kitty” Katt Series by Gini Koch

The puffs remind me of a pixar short that even won an oscar years ago. They are cuddly, super cute and deadly! The perfect pets LOL

 

Stone 

Allie Bckstrom Series by Devon Monk

I LOVE Stone!!! he is so cute! As cute as a Gargoyle can be!

 

Hedwig 

Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling

Hedwig was a great companion to Harry for years! How can you not love her?

 

George 

BDB Series by J.R. Ward

Whrath would NOT be the same without him! 

 

Spike, Cagney & Lacey

October Daye Series by Seanan McGuire

An odd variation of pets, 2 cats and a Rosegoblin, but all adorable and awesome! 

 

Special Mentions:

GRENDEL

Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews

 

   

Attention!

Please HELP!

If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments!

NEED IDEAS FOR 2012

Your input would be much appreciated!

 

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of Favorite Fictional Pets!

 Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

 

 

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

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Top 5 Sundays #62 – Favorite Sword Wielding Heroines!

 

 

Hey guys!

I gotta say that when I saw the theme that won, I was like “cool, this is gonna be fun” and then I started researching and discovered that it is much harder than I thought.

I read about a LOT of heroines, but a lot of them use knives, guns and not a whole lot go all the way to swords LOL

But I was able to find 5 I love in the end hehe.

Hope you’ll join me today! =D

 

   This week’s results:

Sword Wielding Heroines! = 5 (71%)

Best Fictional Sex Scenes! = 2 (28%)

 

The theme for today is:

Favorite Sword Wielding Heroines!

*Thanks Lieder Madchen for the Theme idea! =D 

But first, a little bit about this feature and the rules to join in…

Every Sunday I will post a TOP 5 list on the blog. It can be about anything and every week I'll have a new theme {You can vote on next week’s theme on my left sidebar!} and I will ad the Mr.Linky bellow the post so you can do a list with the theme and add you link to it.

Rules:

1. Write a post listing your TOP 5 choices within the theme I chose (or was chosen on a poll) for the week.

2. Mention this Blog on the post and link back to it.

3. Fell free to use the Feature's image (there is a smaller size version of it bellow)

4. After you've finished your post, add you link (of the post, not your blog's main page) to the Mr.Linky at the end of that week's post.

5. If you don’t have a blog to post, just leave your list in the comments =)

This week’s theme is Sword Wielding Heroines!

*in no particular order

 

Kate Daniels 

(Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews)

 

Not only does she know her way around a sword, she gets to go home to Curran! Nuf said =P

 

Merit 

(Chicagoland Vampires Series by Chloe Neill) 

 

From college student to kick-ass vampire sword wielding warrior… YES! 

 

Allie Beckstrom

(Allie Beckstrom Series by Devon Monk) 

Sword wielding AND awesome magic! Love it! 

 

Vicki 

(Deadtown Series by Nancy Holzner)

ZOMBIES!!! LOl It’s an awesome series and the heroine rocks!

 

Jill Kismet 

(Jill Kismet Series by Lilith Saintcrow)

 

Kismet is badass! And the end of her series is upon us! Cannot wait to read it! =D 

    

Attention!

Please HELP!

If you have any theme ideas for the next Top 5 Sundays Posts, please leave them in the comments!

Your input would be much appreciated!

 

Now I can’t wait to see who is in YOUR List of Favorite Sword Wielding Heroines!

 Write you post and leave your link so i can check it out!

Hope you guys have fun with it!

Don’t Forget to Vote for the Theme for

My TOP 5 Sundays Post on the Poll at the left sidebar!

 

 

Thanks so much for tuning in and I’ll see you soon!

xoxo,

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