A Book Obsession..: Devon Monk

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Early Review: Crucible Zero by Devon Monk

, by Kt Clapsadl

Crucible Zero by Devon Monk

House Immortal #3

The national bestselling author of Infinity Bell returns to her “fresh and unique”* world where the truce between the ruling Houses has shattered and chaos now reigns. Only one woman has the power to save the world—but she could also destroy it...

Matilda Case never thought of herself as a hero. But because she is galvanized—and nearly immortal in her stitched, endlessly healing body—she doesn’t have much of a choice. Even if she doesn’t want to save the world, she’s the only one capable of traveling in time to do so.

But her rescue attempt hasn’t gone as planned. She’s stuck in an alternate universe, and her world is in danger of disappearing. Worst of all, an unfathomably powerful man who can also travel through history doesn’t want her to put things to rights. He’s willing to wage bloody war to stop Matilda, unless she surrenders control of time to him.

Now, with the minutes ticking, Matilda must make impossible decisions, knowing that one wrong choice will destroy her—and any chance of saving everything she loves...

This book was one heck of a ride, there just isn't a better way to describe it. From the opening where we are thrust into a whole new version of Matilda's world. The ending events of the last book completely changed everything, and those changes are anything but calm. I was on the edge of my seat from the start. It's amazing how a world can be so similar and yet so very very different at the same time. Ms. Monk did an incredible job bringing all these changes to life and all the vast implications. From the lack of technology, to having to step into someone else's shoes, to the incredible differences with the Galvenized, Tilly had her hands more than full. The biggest challenge was in the romance department. The changes there felt like a sucker punch to the gut to be honest as I was sucked right into everything along with Tilly. Watching how everything panned out in this book definitely made for an enthralling and utterly engrossing read.

Series enders are always bittersweet for me with having to say goodbye to much loved characters, and CRUCIBLE ZERO is no exception. That being said, I'm really happy with how everything came together in the end in a very fulfilling matter, especially when you consider all the curveballs thrown in this last week. But don't take my word for it, go grab your copy and find out for yourself how great of a read this is. A guaranteed ride from start to finish, CRUCIBLE ZERO and the entire House Immortal series are must reads for avid fans of Urban Fantasy.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Previous Books:
1. House Immortal
2. Infinity Bell

Review: Infinity Bell by Devon Monk

, by Kt Clapsadl

Infinity Bell by Devon Monk

House Immortal #2

Return to national bestselling author Devon Monk's heartpounding House Immortal series, where eleven powerful Houses control the world and all its resources. But now, the treaty between them has been broken, and no one—not even the immortal galvanized—is safe....

Matilda Case isn’t normal. Normal people aren’t stitched together, inhumanly strong, and ageless, as she and the other galvanized are. Normal people’s bodies don’t hold the secret to immortality—something the powerful Houses will kill to possess. And normal people don’t know that they’re going to die in a few days.

Matilda’s fight to protect the people she loves triggered a chaotic war between the Houses and shattered the world’s peace. On the run, she must find a way to stop the repeat of the ancient time experiment that gifted her and the other galvanized with immortality. Because this time, it will destroy her and everything she holds dear.

is her enemy, and every second brings her one step closer to disaster....

Devon Monk's skill to keep a world fresh and interesting never ceases to amaze me. And her ability to shake things up? Surpurb. Of course that has a bit of downside as well, as the ending of this one has left me desperate to get my hands on the next installment to see how those wonderful twists play out. But perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself here skipping to already wanting the next one before even telling you why you want this one. Simply put, the plot behind INFINITY BELL is an on the edge of your seat roller coaster ride. I couldn't put it down once I started as I had to know what happens next. Granted I felt similar about the previous, but this one even more so. Everything has been turned upside down and I really enjoyed how easy it was to immerse into the book right alongside the characters. I'm being purposely vague here as you'll want to read for yourself, so just trust me when I say, this one has one heck of a gripping plot.

As much as I loved the intensity of the plot, the characters are who really stole show. Everyone from Tilly, Abraham, the two Neds, her brother, and so on, made me fall completely in love with them all over again. I just loved how fully fleshed out all the characters were and reading the book felt like I was experiencing things right alongside these fabulous characters. Then on the reverse side are the villians, and they were just as every bit as fleshed out as the main cast. I cannot tell you how much I despised the main villan. Of course, that's not a bad thing considering it only sucked me further into the plot and plight of the "good" characters. So overall, a stellar job on both the characters and the plot.

In my review of the previous book I called her a powerhouse in the genre, and that proved itself true again in INFINITY BELL. I know with absolute certainty that when I pick up one of Devon Monk's books I'll have a guaranteed solid block of entertainment that I'll immensely enjoy. The track record is holding steady, and this series and INFINITY BELL are an absolute must buy for fans of the genre.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
Between Dreams and Reality
Carole's Random Life
Vampire Book Club

Previous Books:
1. House Immortal

Early Review: House Immortal by Devon Monk

, by Kt Clapsadl

House Immortal by Devon Monk

House Immortal #1

One hundred years ago, eleven powerful ruling Houses consolidated all of the world’s resources and authority into their own grasping hands. Only one power wasn’t placed under the command of a single House: the control over the immortal galvanized....

Matilda Case isn’t like most folk. In fact, she’s unique in the world, the crowning achievement of her father’s experiments, a girl pieced together from bits. Or so she believes, until Abraham Seventh shows up at her door, stitched with life thread just like her and insisting that enemies are coming to kill them all.

Tilly is one of thirteen incredible creations known as the galvanized, stitched together beings immortal and unfathomably strong. For a century, each House has fought for control over the galvanized. Now the Houses are also tangled in a deadly struggle for dominion over death—and Tilly and her kind hold the key to unlocking eternity

The secrets that Tilly must fight to protect are hidden within the very seams of her being. And to get the secrets, her enemies are willing to tear her apart piece by piece.…

House Immortal started off as a bit of a slow read for me. Luckily after a while it really started to pick up. So, bear with me as I explain what didn't work in the beginning. I promise, the book turns around as the trade off of the unique world is more than worth the rocky start. That being said, the info dump beginning left me more confused and out of sorts than sucked into the story. Don't get me wrong, the world is very interesting and I love the concept behind it, but frankly it was rather complex and there was a whole lot going on. In fact, I'm still not really sure I grasp all of the different aspects, but looking back, I felt this same way after reading the first book in Devon Monk's Allie Becktrom series, disconnected and a bit overwhelmed, and that series is one of my all time favorites now. So, bottom line, what I'm saying is that even if the beginning of House Immortal is a rough read, it's more than worth hanging on and pushing through to get to the good.

So, negative stuff over, let's move on to Tilly. I really adored her. She's so strong and determined to take care of others despite her very very vulnerable position. And while she never rolls over quick to other's demands, she sacrifices herself over and over for others. It's really admirable, especially when you account for the fact that others don't even consider her to be human. I think one of the best parts of this book was how it made you question what it really meant to be human. Sure, Tilly was stitched together and "made" but she has a real human soul, and she shows more kindness and humility than most of the "real" people in this book. Some of their actions were atrocious, and yet they treat her as subhuman. Like I said, it really made you question the definition of humanity, and I love it for that.

Now onto the good aspects of that world. The whole idea of eleven houses controlling the world, with each focusing on a different "trade" and immortal beings that were literally stitched together is absolutely fascinating. Add that to those immortal being selling themselves willing to the houses in slavery so many years to stop a war, and the rest of the structure and I was hooked. Again, the introduction into this world is a bit bumpy, but the uniqueness more than makes up for in my opinion. I love the urban fantasy world with a fierce passion, and this genre will probably always be my go-to books, but even so I still get tired of the same old same old from time to time. So it's so nice to read something completely fresh and unique like this.

All in all, I'm rather pleased with House Immortal's start to this new series. A fresh and unique new world, House Immortal will appeal to fans of Urban Fantasy. Devon Monk once again proves she's a powerhouse in the genre. Major kudos!

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Kirsten Reviews: Stone Cold by Devon Monk

, by Kt Clapsadl

Stone Cold by Devon Monk

Broken Magic #2

Marked by Life and Death magic, Shame Flynn and Terric Conley are “breakers”—those who can use magic to its full extent. Most of the time, they can barely stand each other, but they know they have to work together to defeat a common enemy—rogue magic user Eli Collins.

Backed by the government, Eli is trying to use magic as a weapon by carving spells into the flesh of innocents and turning them into brainless walking bombs. To stop him, Shame and Terric will need to call on their magic, even as it threatens to consume them—because the price they must pay to wield Life and Death could change the very fate of the world...and magic itself.

Stone Cold by Devon Monk is the sequel to Hell Bent, and the second book in the author’s Broken Magic series. Firstly, this is a spinoff from Monk’s Allie Beckstrom series, but new readers don’t need to have read those books first in order to jump right into the storyline. For the record, that’s a good thing, because if you like this book, then you can go back and read the others to pick up additional details.

The shortest way to describe the world these books take place in is: magic is real and so are its problems. That’s putting it extremely simply, but this book is replete with interesting characters, and the issues that come from having any sort of contact with, or ability to wield magic. As is amply demonstrated by the two protagonists, Shamus ‘Shame’ Flynn and Terric Conley, who happen to be Death and Life magic users, and soul complements. This doesn’t mean they’re the best of friends, or that they want to spend every waking moment together. In fact, they often want to avoid each other for some very good reasons. But, they have a common foe; Eli Collins, who has aims beyond mundane crime and mayhem, and is the sort of adversary that will take both of them working together, in the truly impressive, and often scary way that they do so well.

Shame, as he’s called by everyone, is the most powerful wielder of Death magic alive. Terric is his equal in Life magic, and were close growing up, but finding out that they were soul complements made things more complicated between them. Notably, their relationship is platonic, while Terric is gay, and Shame is not, and Shame often pushes Terric to go out and find love, as he deserves it. Meanwhile Shame has a ghost or two following him around, and tries to avoid emotional entanglements because he literally kills people for a living.

Ordinarily, being so powerful would give Terric and Shame an edge on somebody like Eli Collins, but there’s the not insignificant issue of them having become the literal embodiments of Life and Death. Unsurprisingly, this is slowly eating away at their humanity, and each of them has issues asking for help.

Throw in complications from a coterie of other characters, including Davy, Allie, and Zay, a large amount of mortal peril, and this book stands alone from its parent series, and is a pleasure to read.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Other Reviews:
A Book Obsession (Katie's Review)
BiblioSanctum
Bookworm Blues

Previous Books:
1. Hell Bent

Early Review: Stone Cold by Devon Monk

, by Kt Clapsadl

Stone Cold by Devon Monk

Broken Magic #2

Marked by Life and Death magic, Shame Flynn and Terric Conley are “breakers”—those who can use magic to its full extent. Most of the time, they can barely stand each other, but they know they have to work together to defeat a common enemy—rogue magic user Eli Collins.
Backed by the government, Eli is trying to use magic as a weapon by carving spells into the flesh of innocents and turning them into brainless walking bombs. To stop him, Shame and Terric will need to call on their magic, even as it threatens to consume them—because the price they must pay to wield Life and Death could change the very fate of the world...and magic itself.

It seems impossible, but prior to diving into STONE COLD I had almost forgotten how much I love Shame. As I've said before in previous reviews, he's so broken and really has such a bleak outlook and yet he always tries so hard to not let the Death part of him take over. And when he slips up he's so devastated that my heart only breaks even more for him. It's because of that attachment that a lot of this book made me very angry. Being in Shame's head you see how damaged he is, and just how determined he is to use his abilities for good and not let the dark take over. BUT there's times where his control slips and he tries to get away from the people around them to keep from hurting them. But they never listen, and only make it so much more difficult for him, which led to a few bad, bad slipups, and yet these people wanted to cry foul and act like he was a monster. He warned them, and they didn't listen so they only have themselves to blame, and it really broke my heart to see the suffering and self-hatred he went through. That being said, never fear, there is a good bit of character growth and resolution in this book as it is the last one in the series, so it's not all doom and gloom completely. There's hope, and sometimes that's really all you need.

Speaking of growth and resolution, we saw a little bit of this in the last book, but the dynamic between Shame and Terric plays an even bigger role in this book and I couldn't have been happier. I had been dying to know how these two would resolve their issues and find a way to manage some sort of middle ground and I'm so glad I stayed along for the very long ride between both series to see it. That being said, this book was by far the bumpiest of rides between them, and yet somehow it brought them even closer and that much needed clairity seemed to finally be in reach.

While I'm sad to be saying goodbye to all of these much loved characters between the two series, I'm very happy with the way things ended up. Things aren't all happiness and roses, but I was definitely left feeling a sense of satisfaction and completion that felt true to the story. All I can say is trust me, if you are as big of a fan of Shamus and Terric as I am, this book is absolutely not to be missed. I can't wait to see what Ms. Monk cooks up next!

(Received a review from the publisher)

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BiblioSanctum

Previous Books:
1. Hell Bent

Stone Cold Blog Tour

, by Kt Clapsadl

*At what point in the Allie Beckstrom series did you know you would write Shame's books?

I think it was somewhere around book six when I knew Shame would be fun as a point of view character. But I also knew his path was leading toward pretty dark things, and I wasn't sure readers would be interested in a flawed, but (I hope) loveable character going through some of the hardest times of his life. When one particular reader (and Shame fan) asked me a particular question, Shame's books snapped into focus for me. That was probably when I was writing book #8 in the Allie series: Magic Without Mercy.

* Since this is the last book in the series, what's coming next for you?

House Immortal, book one of a new trilogy comes out September 2nd! My editor calls it "Allie Beckstrom meets Firefly" and I hope I have captured the essence of that. I call it my Frankenstein farm girl, near-future, gently dystopic, steampunk-light, not-quite urban fantasy, save-the-world fantasy series.

*If your books were to be made into a movie, who would be your top picks for the cast?

Oh, man. I suck at this question because I don't keep up with movies stars like I should. So...I'm going to say....cool people. Cool people should totally be the characters from my books. Or just one really cool person with a lot of wigs and costume changes.

*Could you tell us a little about the ups and downs you have experienced in publishing?

I started my publishing career writing short stories, which are a very different beasty than novels. After somewhere around six pounds of rejections, and several dozen sales, I decided to give novel writing a try. My first novel, in fact, is based off of a rejected short story.

I came into the urban fantasy genre when it was just picking up steam, and I feel very lucky to have had a chance to write the nine-book Allie Beckstrom series and the two-book Shame spin off series. I also have written three steampunk novels which blend magic, steampunk, and the old west, and now I'm writing a not-quite-urban fantasy near-future fantasy. So to say I'm a fan of the rise of cross-genre work is an understatement.

When I started in novels, ebooks were a fairly new thing, and we were all wondering if anyone would really read for pleasure on a hand-held screen. I've seen the fall of Borders, the closing of excellent genre magazines, the decline of mass market print orders, the rise of self and epublishing, the growth and death of various social media platforms, plus many, many other ups and downs in the industry.

But one thing that has remained constant is that good stories will always find their reader, and writers will always find a way to get those stories in their reader's hands.

*What are some of your favorite books in the paranormal genre?

I love Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson series and Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series. I also think ML Brennan's American Vampire books are a great fresh take on vampires.

*If you could tell readers one thing about yourself or your books, what would that be?

That I am always unprepared and panic when people ask me this question. Um: kumquats! For some reason I have never found a way to work kumquats into my books.

*What is the craziest or at least most interesting thing you have ever done?

Maybe not all that crazy, maybe not that interesting...is silly okay? I recently spent one night gnome-bombing my friends and family. Basically, I snuck to all their houses in the middle of the night and anonymously left random gnomes in their yard.

*Finish this statement: "You'll like the Broken Magic series if...

You like dark heroes who are flawed but doing their damndest to make sure their loved ones stay safe in a crazy world filled with crazy magic that is trying to kill them. Or maybe you'll like it if you are tired of reading books with all those kumquats in them.

Thanks Devon!

Author Info:

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.

Devon has sold over fifty short stories to fantasy, science fiction, horror, humor, and young adult magazines and anthologies. Her stories have been published in five countries and included in a Year’s Best Fantasy anthology. In 2010, Fairwood Press published twenty-two of her short stories in a collection titled: A Cup of Normal.

She is currently writing two series. The Allie Beckstrom books (Magic to the Bone, Magic in the Blood, Magic in the Shadows, Magic on the Storm, Magic at the Gate, Magic on the Hunt) are urban fantasy set in modern-day Portland, Oregon where magic is the new technology. The Age of Steam books (Dead Iron) are steampunk set in the 1800′s American West.

Devon has one husband, two sons, and a dog named Mojo. She lives in Oregon and is surrounded by colorful and numerous family members who mostly live within dinner-calling distance of each other. When not writing, Devon is knitting strange things, remodeling the house-that-was-once-a-barn, or hosting a family celebration.

Find Devon Online:

Website Blog Twitter Facebook Goodreads

Book Info:

Marked by Life and Death magic, Shame Flynn and Terric Conley are “breakers”—those who can use magic to its full extent. Most of the time, they can barely stand each other, but they know they have to work together to defeat a common enemy—rogue magic user Eli Collins.

Backed by the government, Eli is trying to use magic as a weapon by carving spells into the flesh of innocents and turning them into brainless walking bombs. To stop him, Shame and Terric will need to call on their magic, even as it threatens to consume them—because the price they must pay to wield Life and Death could change the very fate of the world...and magic itself.

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Release Day Review: Hell Bent by Devon Monk

, by Kt Clapsadl

Hell Bent by Devon Monk

Broken Magic #1

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...

Magic no longer packs much of a punch, more of a whimper at this point. At least that is for most people, but not Breakers, like Shame and Terric. When the goverment starts targeting them and others like them, the pair has to decide whether to stand up and fight or go into hiding. But since the two have never backed down before, the choice isn't too hard. Only this time, they may have finally bitten off more than they can chew.

Oh Shame, let me count the ways that I adore you. Seriously, he's so deliciously broken, and think's he's a hopeless case. He tries to push everyone away, but they, like the reader can see underneath the front he puts on to the man he is inside. It really is incredible that he is so good at the core when you consider just how much death magic is coursing through him. Your heart cannot help breaking for him as you watch him struggle to control and contain his power, knowing that one day, he will finally snap and lose the control he has worked so hard at. It's largely the reason he's pushed Terric away. Boy is that a complicated relationship, and honestly I'm not really sure what I'm rooting for at this point. The two truly need one another and can be great, but I just don't think Shame has it in him to give Terric what he needs. He's not gay, and no matter what Terric means to him (even if he doesn't show it), I just don't see that kind of relationship working. That being said, once Shame decides to hopefully get his head out of his arse as it were, I think the two of them could support one another as brothers and all the closeness that comes with that. Perhaps only time will tell though.

While this is the same world as the Allie books, it was really interesting to see how much things have changed now that magic isn't so readily available to be used. At least to everyone who isn't Breakers of course, soul complemented pairs who can "break" magic and mold it to their whim. The plot line of these Breakers being targeted to use was really intense, and honestly I'm surprised it took as long as it did for this to happen. Three years is a long time for people used to having the power of magic to go without it. Of course, in true Devon fashion, there's a whole lot more going on than just that, making for one heck of an intense read.

I'll admit that sometimes spin offs can be a bit hit or miss for me, so I was really happy that HELL BENT was all hit, well that is minus the shocker towards the end of the book. I get why Devon did it, but man did it cut my legs out from under me. It will definitely make the next book interesting, and therefore I cannot wait to get my hands on it. Even if you haven't read the Allie Beckstrom novels, HELL BENT is a must read. From fantastic characters to an intense plot with magic gone awry, this one is not to be missed!

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Yummy Men and Kick Ass Chicks
Gizmos Reviews

Early Review: Magic For a Price by Devon Monk

, by Kt Clapsadl

Magic For a Price by Devon Monk

Allie Beckstrom #9

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…

Allie Beckstrom has faced down some pretty steep odds and came out on top in the past, but this time things may just be insurmountable. Magic itself is poisoned and killing people at an alarming rate. Even worse, while Allie has always been able to rely on her magic in the past, she now suffers in agony after using only the smallest spell. But, she's the only one who even stands a chance at healing magic, and no matter the price, she'll pay it to keep both her city and the people she loves safe.

After finishing Magic For a Price I knew I would have to wait a few days before writing this review to let the epicness really sink in so I wouldn't sound like an incoherent fan girl squealing. However, even after taking those extra days, I'm still having a hard time putting my thoughts to words. It's just hard to express all of the emotions that were running through my head, from outright anger to devastation, and even the other end of the spectrum with sheer and utter joy. It really is amazing when you take a step back to look at the range and depths of emotions that were in Magic For a Price.

When it comes to series ending books I'm always a bit a wary to start reading them because I know that no matter how good they are, there still will be the bittersweet goodbye. There also is the worry that not only will I have to say goodbye to characters that I have grown to love, but there also might be plot threads left open that will never be solved. Granted when things are wrapped up too neatly in a perfect bow, it does seem to lessen the realism of the story, but it still drives me insane when I'm left with unanswered questions. So, when Magic For a Price didn't let me down in either of those areas, you cannot possibly imagine my sigh of relief and contentment. There wasn't the bittersweet goodbye, because while Allie's narration is ending, Shame (LOVE that guy) will be getting his own turn in the limelight in a spin off and that means that there will be more from these awesome characters. On the second front, there weren't any major plot threads left open, but it also didn't turn into a sappy picture perfect ending. It ended perfectly and stayed true to the characters and the world, and I couldn't be happier. Seriously, I cannot remember the last time I was this content with a series ending book, and considering how many I have read, that is no small feat.

I realize I've been rather vague in this review, but the last thing I would want to do would be inadvertently spoil something as Magic For a Price truly deserves to be savored without any outside influence. In fact, this book easily earned itself a place on my top ten reads for the year. Fans of the series cannot possibly be disappointed with Magic For a Price as it is truly an amazing and incredibly satisfying end to the Allie Beckstrom series that will stay with you long after you finish.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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a GREAT read

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Early Review: Tin Swift by Devon Monk

, by Kt Clapsadl

Tin Swift by Devon Monk

Age of Steam #2

In steam age America, men, monsters, machines and magic battle to claim the same scrap of earth and sky. In this chaos, one man fights to hold on to his humanity--and his honor. . .

Life on the frontier is full of deceit and danger, but bounty hunter Cedar Hunt is a man whose word is his bond. Cursed with becoming a beast every full moon, Cedar once believed his destiny was to be alone. But now, Cedar finds himself saddled with a group of refugees, including the brother he once thought lost.

Keeping his companions alive is proving to be no easy task, in part because of the promise he made to the unpredictable Madder brothers—three miners who know the secret mechanisms of the Strange. To fulfill his pledge, Cedar must hunt a powerful weapon known as the Holder—a search that takes him deep into the savage underbelly of the young country and high into the killing glim-field skies defended by desperate men and deadly ships.

But the battles he faces are just a glimmer of a growing war stirring the country. To keep his word Cedar must navigate betrayal, lies, and treacherous alliances, risking everything to save the lives of those he has come to hold dear…

As a man of his word, once Cedar Hunt makes a promise he won't back out of it. Which is how he finds himself traipsing across the countryside with the most unlikely set of companions, to find a device known as the Holder. A task made more difficult by the trio of brothers he is beholden to, as their dedication to the cause is nothing short of fanatical, refusing to alter their course at all, even if it means sacrificing one of their traveling members. Cedar of course, won't allow that to happen and it becomes a battle of wills between them. But disagreements are the least of their concern as they are being hunted by a malevolent being intent on destroying them and claiming the Holder for their own.

Unfortunately just like the previous installment, Tin Swift starts off horribly slow, to the point where I kept finding myself easily distracted by other things. I was hoping this book would have been much more engrossing as being the second installment, there wouldn't be that typical first book learning curve. To make matters worse, after that slow start, the pace takes off like a rocket to the point where too much is going on. It just felt rather chaotic and jumbled especially as the perspectives kept continually rotating between characters. Even though I vastly prefer first person narratives, I understand the need for third person rotating perspectives. This gives the reader a chance to see more than one angle of things. That being said, I think I would have enjoyed Tin Swift more if the rotation had of been a little less often as I continually felt like I was being bounced around before I could fully settle into any character. I just couldn't get attached and in the end it made me feel rather blasé about the book overall.

Despite those issues listed above, there are still parts of this series that I really enjoy. The cast of characters is quite phenomenal. They are such a hodge podge coming from all different backgrounds, giving me different reasons to love each one. I especially enjoyed watching them grow in Tin Swift. Already they have come a very long way from where we met all of them in the previous installment, with only more room to grow. There also were quite a few new additions in Tin Swift that quickly grew on me and only complemented the previously establish characters in play.

In all honesty, I'm not really sure whether I'm going to continue on with this series. I'm not the biggest fan of Steampunk, and couple that in with the pacing and perspective issues, and I'm just not getting the enjoyment factor that I would expect. I absolutely love Devon Monk's Allie Becktrom Series, so I really wanted to love this one as well. In fact, I almost feel guilty for not liking, but unfortunately it just really isn't working for me. I have a feeling Tin Swift needs to be read by bigger fans of Steampunk to be fully appreciated. So if that's you, then I'd recommend giving it a shot.

(Received a copy from the publisher)

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Dead Iron

Devon Monk Guest Post & Giveaway

, by Kt Clapsadl

Today I'm very happy to welcome Devon Monk to A Book Obsession.. as part of her Tin Swift Blog Tour. You guys are in for a special treat as this is no ordinary tour, as a story will be told across all of the stops. Plus, there will be a one of a kind giveaway with custom bookmarks handmade by Devon and her husband. The winner will also receive a copy of Tin Swift plus a matching magnet. So, after you finish today's portion of the story make sure you enter the giveaway!

Without further ado, I'll give you Devon's description of the story and today's installment:

HANG FIRE is a steampunk short story set in late 1800's America. It takes place between the Age of Steam book #1, DEAD IRON and book #2 TIN SWIFT. The story is broken into 20 "chapters" and posted, one chapter at a time, on 20 awesome blogs. To read the whole story, start at chapter 1 at www.candacesbookblog.com and follow the "read the next chapter" links at the end of the post.

Today we join cursed bounty hunter Cedar Hunt, his wolf-brother Wil, and the witch Mae Lindson running to save Rose Small, having just heard a scream in the forest....

...read chapter 4 at: The Qwillery http://qwillery.blogspot.com

HANG FIRE - Chapter 5

Cedar Hunt urged his horse into a run. Wil, beside him, darted through the shallow of the river just

steps ahead, wolf eyes and ears following the trail more easily than Cedar could, even with his

vision augmented by goggles.

     Mae Lindson was right behind them.

     That scream had been Rose Small, there was no doubting it. And Rose was not the kind of

woman to raise her voice in fear.

Why had she gone wandering off for a bit of metal, anyway? Wasn’t like they had time for her to set

up shop. They had to get Mae to the coven in Kansas before her witch sisters drove her insane,

and get the all of them through the mountains before winter hitched down tight.

     A deer trail broke the underbrush beneath the trees. That was the mostly likely path Rose had

taken. Cedar pulled his horse up short and scanned both up and down river for any other sign of

her.

     “It sounded like the scream came from the trees,” Mae said.

     Cedar nodded. There wasn’t a glint of metal anywhere along the bank. If Rose had gone off

looking for a matic of some sort, there was no sign of it now.

     “How big was the thing you say she went after?” Cedar asked.

     “Almost her height. Why?”

     “Big or small, it’s not here. Which means it either moved on its own, or someone moved it.”

   “And took Rose?” Mae glanced over her shoulder, then down river too. “Natives?”

     “Haven’t seen nor heard them.”

     “We’re going in there after her,” Mae said.

     “Yes,” Cedar said, “we are. But not blind.”

   Wil was already at the edge of trees. Cedar waited until the wolf picked a path and started into

the shadows before swinging down off of his horse.

     “You’re not going in there on foot are you?” Mae asked.

   “I hunt best on my feet.” As soon as his boots hit the forest floor, the beast beneath Cedar’s skin

rolled with pleasure. He took a steadying breath against the feral need.

     He was cursed to hunt Strange, cursed to kill Strange. But that curse, and the beast it turned him

into, had been growing stronger–so strong that even now, in full daylight, he had to swallow

against its hunger to kill.

     He jogged into the brush, pulling his goggles down around his neck again. In the uncertain shift

of shadow and light, he kept one eye on Wil and listened for Mae behind him. He needn’t have

worried about her. She stayed tight on his heels.

     The brush opened up suddenly, and Cedar squinted against the blast of light pouring down

through the trees.

In that light stood Rose. She had a walking stick in one hand, her boots and the hem of her skirt

wet.

She was bleeding from a wound on her head.

   A metal contraption the size of a small horse rolled across the forest floor toward her, fast

enough and heavy enough it was sure to crush her.

     “Rose!” Cedar yelled. “Behind you!”

...read chapter 6 at: Fantasy Literature http://www.fantasyliterature.com/author-interviews/chapter-6-of-hang-fire-by-devon-monk/

Thank you so much Devon!

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Book Info:

In steam age America, men, monsters, machines and magic battle to claim the same scrap of earth and sky. In this chaos, one man fights to hold on to his humanity--and his honor. . .

Author Info: