“Inspirations and Influences” is a series of articles in which we invite authors to write guest posts talking about their…well, Inspirations and Influences. The cool thing is that the writers are given free reign so they can go wild and write about anything they want. It can be about their new book, series or about their career as a whole.
Today’s guest is Urban Fantasy novelist Devon Monk. Devon is the author of the Allie Beckstrom series – Magic to the Bone, Magic in the Blood, Magic in the Shadows, and Magic on the Storm (you can check out Thea’s review of book 1, Magic to the Bone, HERE). To celebrate the release of the fourth book in the series, Magic on the Storm, we’re having the lovely Devon Monk over to talk about her writing, magic, and her Inspirations & Influences.
Please give it up, ladies and gents, for Devon Monk!
When I was a kid, I was convinced there was a secret room in our house. I knew that if I just touched the right bricks in the right order on our fireplace, or pulled the right book off the bookshelf, I would discover a doorway into another world, and that world would be magic.
Even back then, I understood magic wasn’t free. I grew up reading old fairy tales and very quickly it became clear to me that magic always came at a cost. The little mermaid gave up her voice for the magic of legs, the miller’s daughter offered her child’s life for the magic to turn straw into gold. Even the little match girl gave up her matches–the only thing that could keep her warm and alive–to see a magical glimpse of her loving grandmother’s ghost.
But there was also hope in those stories. Beauty saw the kindness in Beast and fell in love with him despite his monstrous appearance. Her love broke his curse. The sister in the Six Swans never gave up silently knitting shirts for her brothers, not even when she was almost burned at the stake. Her love broke their curse. In fairytales, a kiss, or a single tear from a One True Love can break any magical spell or wicked brew.
Magic comes at a high price in fairy tales. Yet those stories also promise that love, courage, and the strength of the human spirit is just as strong–if not stronger–than anything magic can do.
When I started writing MAGIC TO THE BONE, the first book in the Allison Beckstrom urban fantasy series, I wanted to be true to certain things about magic I had learned from fairy tales.
One: Magic has a cost, and that cost is always a very high price.
Two: Just like in fairy tales, people can do good things or horrible things with magic.
Three: Courage, hope, and love can be every bit as strong as the darkest spell.
Now that the fourth book, MAGIC ON THE STORM is out, we know Allie lives in a dangerous world where magic is around every corner, on every fingertip, and at the edge of every blade. The city streets of Portland, Oregon have been changed by the magic that flows beneath the city, and so too, have the people who live there. And even the Authority, a secret society that guards the darker aspects of magic, will have to struggle to keep the wild magic storm, and the dark souls who want to control all magic, from destroying the city.
Even though Allie carries magic in her body, she is still learning how to use it. But she never gives up on the people she cares about, she never stops fighting for what she believes in, and she never expects someone else will ride to her rescue.
Allie is a modern-day heroine, like Leeloo in Fifth Element, or Ridley Scott in Aliens.
And just like the brave heroines in fairy tales, she finds the strength to pay the price for magic, to fight the battles for the innocent, and to have the courage to fall in love with the one man who has always stood at her side, the mysterious Zayvion Jones.
In MAGIC ON THE STORM Allie will face the hardest choice of her life. She must decide just how much she will pay to see that not only are the people and the city she calls home safe, but also how high a price she will pay to be with the man she loves.
Devon Monk spent her early childhood tucked behind couches or any other place with low light, “ruining her eyes” and reading. Her love of fairytales turned into a love of adventure, magic, future science, romance, mystery, humor, noir, and anything else she could get her hands on.
She wrote her first story when she was six. When her teacher praised its quality, Devon was surprised. She looked it over again and all she thought was, “I can do better than this.”
And thus, a writer was born.
You can read more about Devon on her website, or follow her on her blog.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
To celebrate its release, we are giving away FOUR COPIES of Magic on the Storm! The contest is open to addresses in the US and Canada, and will run until Saturday, May 8 at 11:59 PM (PST). To enter, simply leave a comment here letting us know what YOUR favorite book, series, or story featuring magic is (for example: The Allie Beckstrom books, the Harry Potter books, Beauty by Robin McKinley, etc). Only ONE comment per person please! Multiple comments (even if they are saying “Oops, forgot to leave my email address!”) will be disqualified. Good luck!
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89 Responses to Guest Author & Giveaway: Devon Monk on Inspirations & Influences
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My all-time favorite series is the Black Jewels series by Anne Bishop. My husband and I both love it so much we would have named our child after one of the characters had he been a she.
However, the Harry Potter books are a very close second. Very very close.
Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels is also a favorite of mine. I’m just now getting to “know” Allie, since I’m into the first book now. I think Kate and Allie would be friends, I can totally see them having coffee together, lol.
I love Kim Harrison’s Rachel Morgan series, and Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden series.
I’m looking forward to getting started reading the Allie Beckstrom series.
I had to share a story about searching for magic doors. When I was four, I lived in an old farmhouse that was over a hundred years old. My twin and I were sure that there were secret rooms somewhere. We looked and found a panel that moved and behind it was a dishwasher. I am not sure to this day why someone went to all the trouble to have a secret dishwasher installed.
Right now, I like Hood by Lawhead for a different look at an old story and subtle use of magic.
I just recently finished Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins, and I absolutely loved it! I’ve read book one of Devon’s Allie Beckstrom series, and am looking forward to the rest.
Wow there are a lot out there! I really like Karen Chance and Ilona Andrews releases.I also really enjoy Donna Grants work! She does great Druid/Fae storylines.
Ilona Andrews
Jim Butcher
I Haven’t Really Read Many Books With Magic In Them. But A Series That I Love That Has Magical Elements To It Is The Mortal Instruments Series By Cassandra Clare. The Way They Are Able To Cast Runes On Themselves Not To Mention The Warlocks Who Have Amazing Abilities Macks This A Great Magic Series In My Opinion.
My favorite series would have to be Alexander Ivy’s darkness series. But Harry potter had more magic.
I’m entering this for my daughter, I know she loves Harry Potter.
The Magic Knot is one of my favorites and my grand daughters.
I’ve tended to stay away from books and series that are based on magic (although I loved Harry Potter), but I recently got sucked into the Kate Daniels series and am loving it. From the descriptions I’ve seen of the Allie Beckstrom series, it sounds like I’d probably love it too especially if the magic comes with a cost.
love the HP books cause the sucked my kiddos into their world too and Love Syndey somers witch series but kiddos are not allowed those books. lol
scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com
My favorite magic series is the Lord of the Rings Triology (okay the Hobbit too). I think because it was my first intro to fairy tales for adults that it will always hold a special place in my heart. Of course, I enjoy the Relics of Merlin series, so don’t think I’m too far behind on my reading.
linda @ lindaandrews.net
I love Devon’s books but I would have to say the Greatest magic books would be THE HARRY POTTER series
I love the Karen Chance books with Cassie Palmer!!
My favorite series with magic is The Hollows series by Kim Harrison.
Recently, I’ve been stuck on Daughter of the Forest, which involves magic, as its an adaptation of the Six Swans story mentioned above. The protagonist’s courage and dedication to her brothers is really impressive. In her position, I think I would have given up hope for my siblings pretty quickly.
Other magic stories set in more modern times that have been stealing my time include the Kate Daniels series, Patricia Briggs books, and your Magic series. And now, back to finals…
My all time favorite fantasy series is the Valdemar series by Mercedes Lackey. She actually started me off on it. And I love how she makes the entire magic a part of the fabric of the Valdemarian universe!!! Ever since then, I’ve been hooked on fantasy. I love the Allie Beckstrom books, but the Valdemar series (and the Dark is Rising series by Susan Cooper) really vetted my appetite for fantasy
I am waiting to read “Magic on the Storm” though!!
Love your series, Devon. I like wizards and witches and have some older favorites: Wizard of Seattle by Kay Hooper, and Maggie Shayne’s Eternity and Infinity.
Oh, I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and I can’t wait to read the others!
I think (for today, at least) my favorite book with magic in it is Diana Wynne Jones’ Howl’s Moving Castle. Because magic can be used for good or evil, and it crops up in the most surprising places! Thanks for the terrific giveaway!
My favourite so far is Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld series.
zita(at)dal(dot)ca
Hmm, my favorite fantasy series is probably Robin Hobb’s The Farseer Trilogy. Or pretty much any other Robin Hobb book. I love her writing and characters!
Favorite books with magic in it? Easy! It’s the new genre I’ve been tapping lately, right now I am finishing up Allie #3. Also love Kate Daniels. And I am in the middle of reading The Witch of Portobello, by Paulo Coelho. Btw, love your blog, I found so many great reads through it, so thanks very much. Please keep reading and writing about it!
(3) series favorites. Loved them all but for different reasons so its hard to say I loved one more than the other: “Harry Potter”, “Gemma Doyle”, & “Eragon”. I’m curious to check out the “Allie Beckstrom” series!
I know it is not surprising, but I have to go with the Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings series. They’re just so good! Although I have enjoyed many of the other books mentioned above.
There are so many good series that include magic now. I don’t think I can say I have A favorite, but 2 of my favorites are Kim Harrison’s Hallows and Mercedes Lackey’s Heralds series. The Herald books will always be high on my list.
I haven’t gotten a chance to try any of the Allie series yet.. they are on my wish list which continues to go at alarming speed after every stop here :}
Thank you for the chance to try a “new to me” author. Good luck everyone.
ioki_jo at hotmail dot com
Hi Devon. I’m new to your books and I can say that I love them. Out of all the magic books that I’ve read yours has made me tear for the main character since the first book. My favorite magic book would have to be The Black Jewel Trilogy by Anne Bishop and second to that are the books by Tamora Pierce. I can’t wait to read more of your books!
favorite series featuring magic would probably be the Harry Potter books
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
The Allie Beckstrom novels have been great so far and I’m looking forward to the next one.
I love’The Dark is Rising’ series by Susan Cooper-picked them up as a kid and still think they’re great.
I also really enjoy C.E. Murphy, particularly the Negotiator Series and Faith Hunter. They Rock.
This sounds like such a delicious book!
My favorite magic series is Harry Potter since it appealed to readers across so many demographics.
alohajeanne at yahoo dot com
I love the Allie Beckstrom books and have been waiting impatiently for Magic on the Storm!
My favorite magic themed book when I was growing up would have to be… Lavondyss by Robert Holdstock. It was deeply influential to me– I even named my dog after the main character.
It’s hard for me to pick just one…..but I’ll go with Jim Butcher’s Dresden series, which I absolutely love.
Great Giveaway! I love these books. My favorite magic books are Harry Potter and the Dresden Files
Not sure they are my favorite but I’m reading Jim Butcher’s series the Dresden files again.
I haven’t read very many magic-based books but I recently finished Beautiful Creatures and loved it. I’ve been wanting to read the Allie Beckstrom series for such a long time but I’m building up my collection so I don’t have to wait to start the next. I’ve heard great things about Devon’s writing.
My favorite book series about magic would be the Harry Potter series. Or maybe Robert Jordan’s the Wheel of Time Series. Hard to choose.
Hi everyone! My favorite series involving magic is mist definitely Harry Potter! But, there is a more mature series, The Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop, runs a very close second!
Just wanted to chime in to say:
Ridley Scott is not a heroine … unless he changed, a lot.
[...] Bone by Devon Monk Jump to Comments I first heard of Devon Monk when she guest blogged at The Book Smugglers. She wrote about magic in a fairly unique way, writing that she had learned about magic from fairy [...]