Release Day Review: Hell Bent by Devon Monk
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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