Stone Cold (A Broken Magic Novel)

I know all good things must come to an end. I have to say, I am sad to leave this world behind, but I am utterly and completely satisfied by this ending. What a great conclusion! Devon Monk has done such a wonderful job crafting these characters. They are so distinct and nuanced; I really feel like I know them now. I love them. And for them, this is one of those stories where it always darkest before the dawn.These books have always been dark, but this may be the toughest one yet. Shame and Terric have to endure new heights of pain here. It's tough to watch. But it's not gratuitous. Everything happens for a reason, and it's worth it in the end.As I have said many time in reviewing this series, these books are not standalones. What makes them so good is the built emotional investment in the characters and the stories that advance over arcs from book to book. This is a direct continuation from Hell Bent. If you're a new reader, at the very least start there, but I think you would be best served starting with Magic to the Bone. Be warned, spoilers for previous books are ahead.So as the story begins, Shame is on a mission to kill Eli Collins. The feeling is mutual. Collins killed the woman Shame loved; Shame retaliated by killing Collins' soul compliment. Now, neither will be satisfied by anything less than the total annihilation of the other. In a way, they both get what they want, because the war between them is bloody --and full of misery, torture, and death. One of the many things that is cool about these books, though, is that life and death aren't the absolutes they are in the real world. I love how Monk manipulates this here. Sometimes, it's hard to know which end is up, but I love that. The plot is full of surprises. It's action packed, and still manages to be emotional at times. I cried more than once.Shame is so different from any hero I have read. He is a killer. Scratch that. He is Death. His magic eats people. He destroys them, even as he fights it with his entire being. It's impossible not to sympathize with him. But if you weren't inside his head, it could be so easy to see him as a monster. I guess, in some ways, that is exactly what he is, but that isn't all that he is. There is so much more to Shame. I loved being in his head.Double bonus points: we also spend a few chapters in Terric's head, which I loved too. Perhaps, the best perspective of all came in the moments these two saw each other the clearest.The main characters carry this book, no doubt, but the secondary characters really make it so much richer. Like Eleanor, who has been through so much; she has a strong supporting role here and I loved her for all the choices she makes. Allie and Zay, of course, were hits for me, because I love seeing their happy ending. I loved getting cameos from dead characters I never expected to see again. Dash was super awesome. And Collins was the perfect mad scientist. He is perfectly calibrated as 10 shades of crazy with a side order of sadism.With it all over, I feel at peace with everything. I feel like it was worth it to read all 11 books in this world. And I know I will not hesitate to read from this author again. Would definitely recommend investing in this series.

Quick Overview: Shame and Terric are bonded by the magic they carry. Soul Complements. Death and Life. Literally. A government plot and a very crazy Eli Collins are after them. Both want to control them. Use them for their own purpose. At the expense of many lives. (Includes cameos from others of the Allie Beckstrom series as well!)Great conclusion for Shame and Terric. This one is written so that readers get both views. The first book gave a lot more depth and explanation of Shame. You can see how he ends up where does due to his destructive thought process. Terric is finally revealed in this one. While he is shrouded in calm and dignity, some things do get him quite rattled.I am very happy with the ending Monk chose for this short series. Shame and Terric, Zay and Ally, Davy and Sunny. All of them got a very good wave goodbye.

I loved this story. The story is told from both Shame and Terric's pov, mostly Shame's. In the beginning, Shame is pretty broken and depressed. He is trying to live with Death magic and Terric is trying to live with Life magic. Although as outsiders we can see they might be able to pull it together and work together, they are both too stubborn and in too much pain to do it. I love Devon Monk's storytelling ability, she weaves an amazing story with lots of ups and downs, lots of action, and great characters. Once I got about half way through, I couldn't put it down. I am so happy with the way it turned out. Not sure if there is going to be another story, but I would love to see more of Shame and Terric in the future.

In this second book of the series from Shame's point of view the reader is hurled through grim situations after grim situations. Well plotted, but with some cliched conversations that anchor the reader in the familiar, the conclusion leaves us wondering, "What next?" Clearly, there may be a "next". In my opinion this is not the strongest book in the series. That said, I enjoyed it and recommend it if the reader has read all or most of the preceding books in the "Magic" series and the first book in this series. Only then do a lot of the assumptions made in the book make sense.

This is one of the best books I've ever read. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I honestly wasn't sure until the very end that the goods guys actually would win, and, even if they did, if anyone would be around to enjoy the victory. This pretty solidly wraps up the world, although she's got a little wiggle room to continue if she really wanted.

It's a good addition to the other two or is that three series set in the same America where all this takes place... I only wish it had been longer... but it was free so what the heck... I'll certainly be picking up the next book in the series.. The main reason I gave it the three stars was because the shortness of the book... There was no time to really develop a complex plot.. and because of that the story line was fairly predictable, with a few twists..

Great book! Good to have another shot at the off shoot series.

First of two follow-on stories from Devon Monks magical world.I would read her books about Allie and Zay first to establish context ofthe two characters starring here.Starting in with the book cold, would be fairly frustrating without thebackground detail of her previous works.This is further adventures after the magical apocalypse.

We're to begin. I guess a book doesn't impress more than its opening lines "the door behind Eleanor opened letting in the March rain and the man I' d come here to kill." Fantastic. Ideas of soul complements etc. wow. Astounding, creative , imaginative, touching , sensitive SO captivating could' put down. Unfortunately only read book two . It does not matter so well written . This is a story so well weaved . A story that is a joy to read, the quality of story ,the writing ,the Use of words and descriptions are faultless ... Sometimes when I read a book the grammar used is fustrating and painful in its ineptitude . Not this book. Wow again just finished reading. I feel like Oliver Twist. Please sir can I have some more. Can this story please continue. Can't believe I'm only number 7 to leave a good review. I was hesitant to pay £4 something for book. Such high quality writing and story worth ten times this amount. Oh joy see back lash seems to be next title. Little inner dance brain craving more of this brilliant story. Thank you thank you thank you

I really enjoyed this spin off from the Allie/Zayvion series. The Broken Magic books - Stone Cold and Hell Bent - are stories about Shame and Terric and can be read if you haven't read the preceding series, but I would recommend those as well. Highly enjoyable books which keep you turning the pages. Dark at times, but also funny and touching.

Love this new series of books. Shamus is definitely one of the best characters out of the entire previous series devon monk did. If you liked the previous books you will definitely enjoy these. Just wish there were more coming.

Yet again Devon Monk hits the road running with a great tale. Shame and Terric are put through the wringer again but these two never get boring. Sorry to see what feels like the end of the tale even though its as happy as their ending could be.

I really enjoy Devon Monk as an author and this did not let me down. Loved all the characters and the story progression. Hope there are more to come.