Magic at the Gate (Allie Beckstrom Book 5) by Devon Monk

 

Magic at the Gate picks up right where Magic on the Storm left off. And it's a good thing, because Magic on the Storm left us with a cliffhanger ending.

As I've been reading some of the advice while doing NaNoWriMo this month, I saw advice that basically said to do horrible things to your character, so that people can admire them for being able to survive. I think Devon Monk took that advice and ran with it. Seriously, she's done some really horrid things to Allie. And the latest book is no exception.

Here's the 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.

To rescue him, Allie must follow the specter of her deceitful late sorcerer father, Daniel Beckstrom, who is more than familiar with death's domain. 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.

I don't now that I can say a whole lot more than that without spoiling, other than to say I loved the ending this time. Adored it. Things are not settled, nor are they safe for the city... but the ending is about hope and friendship and it was a nice way to end it after everyone took the beating they take in the book. Still a bit of a cliffhanger, as there is a lot left unresolved, plus lots of smaller things that I can't wait to follow along with. But it was a good ending, considering there is still so much of this story left to tell.

As for the writing elements, the plot is genius, pacing is fine, prose and dialogue are both expertly done, character development continues to be stellar, and world-building is consistent with previous books, which means it is also well done and quite creative.

I'm giving Magic at the Gate a 9 of 10, and I'm raising the series from an 8 of 10 to a 9 of 10. I will again caution that I didn't care much for the first book in this series, but stuck with it because enough other people had said the later books were so good. I'm really glad I stuck with it, because this is a unique series with very creative worldbuilding, and with a fresh look at magic and magical systems.

Book Rating: Magic at the Gate: 9 of 10
Series Rating: Allie Beckstrom: 9 of 10






1. Magic to the Bone
2. Magic in the Blood
3. Magic in the Shadows
4. Magic on the Storm 
5. Magic at the Gate (Nov 2, 2010)
6. Magic on the Hunt (April, 2011)

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