What do you think?
Rate this book
Broken Magic #4
Dirty Work
USA Today Bestselling author Devon Monk’s final book in her fast, magic-fueled, urban fantasy adventure series. Death and Life magic, enemies-to-brothers, chosen family, and a battle—and a choice—that will change the shape of the world. *Brand new short novel bursting with Heart, Snark, and glorious Ass-kicking.*
Shame Flynn is a Death magic user who has seen some shit. He and Life magic user, Terric Conley have spent the last three years keeping a lid on magic while hunting down the criminals and monsters bent on using it for revenge.
So far, they’ve managed to hide the magical hot spots from the world. But now their very smart, ex-magic user friends, Allie and Zayvion Beckstom-Jones are asking questions. Questions about magic Shame and Terric can’t answer if they want to keep their friends safe.
But when Allie and Zayvion’s three-year-old daughter disappears, there is no time for secrets. No time for subterfuge.
There is only time for justice.
The search for the missing girl triggers powerful enemies, ancient magic, and dangerous truths. Truths that will make or break Shame and Terric’s lives, and the lives of the people they would die for.
Shame Flynn is a Death magic user who has seen some shit. He and Life magic user, Terric Conley have spent the last three years keeping a lid on magic while hunting down the criminals and monsters bent on using it for revenge.
So far, they’ve managed to hide the magical hot spots from the world. But now their very smart, ex-magic user friends, Allie and Zayvion Beckstom-Jones are asking questions. Questions about magic Shame and Terric can’t answer if they want to keep their friends safe.
But when Allie and Zayvion’s three-year-old daughter disappears, there is no time for secrets. No time for subterfuge.
There is only time for justice.
The search for the missing girl triggers powerful enemies, ancient magic, and dangerous truths. Truths that will make or break Shame and Terric’s lives, and the lives of the people they would die for.
- GenresUrban FantasyMagic
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2023
19 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
Devon Monk
89 books2,063 followersDevon Monk is a national best selling writer of urban fantasy. Her series include Ordinary Magic, House Immortal, Allie Beckstrom, Broken Magic and Shame and Terric. She also writes the Age of Steam steampunk series, and the occasional short story which can be found in her collection: A Cup of Normal, and in various anthologies. She has one husband, two sons, and lives in Oregon. When not writing, Devon is either drinking too much coffee or knitting silly things.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 24, 2025
This review was originally posted on Books of my Heart
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Maybe our favorite Grim Reaper with a hangover, Shamus, can finally find his place in the world and learn how to deal with his death magic. It helps that he may have finally figured out his relationship with his soul companion and now bff Terric in Dirty Work the final book of the Broken Magic series. One wields death magic, the other life magic, and together they have to save the world from the magic hot spots that keep popping up unexpectedly.
Dirty Work is a good finale to a series. It gives the readers some solid closure on where the characters are going and how they are now in better places in their lives from the mess they started out with in Hell Bent. I think Dirty Work also is going to be a lot of fun for readers of the Allie Beckstrom series. It has been a few years since the birth of Allie's child and she is already a handful with her gargoyle accomplice in crime, Stoney. The entire team gets pulled into making sure some errant magic doesn't accidentally spill out and get used for nepharious deeds.
Cody plays a bigger role in this book and I enjoyed his character interactions. Dirty Work gets the gang all back together and clears the air. I think it brings a sense of balance to the closure of the story and is a great exit point from both series for Devon Monk. While the world isn't quite a safe place, it is a safer place with the gang back together, secrets out in the open and a new vision for how to save the world going forward.
Narration:
Performance: ★★★★★
Character Separation: ★★★★★
Diction: ★★★★★
Pacing/Flow: ★★★★★
Sound Effects: None
Paul Bellantoni continues on with the series. Like all the prior books, he does a fantastic job and really carries the book well. I enjoyed all of the various voices he brought for the supporting characters, Cody specifically has a great voice. His pacing for the jokes and sarcastic quibbles made me laugh but he also brought depth of feeling to the Shamus' voice. Another stellar performance!
Listen to a clip: HERE
Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Maybe our favorite Grim Reaper with a hangover, Shamus, can finally find his place in the world and learn how to deal with his death magic. It helps that he may have finally figured out his relationship with his soul companion and now bff Terric in Dirty Work the final book of the Broken Magic series. One wields death magic, the other life magic, and together they have to save the world from the magic hot spots that keep popping up unexpectedly.
Dirty Work is a good finale to a series. It gives the readers some solid closure on where the characters are going and how they are now in better places in their lives from the mess they started out with in Hell Bent. I think Dirty Work also is going to be a lot of fun for readers of the Allie Beckstrom series. It has been a few years since the birth of Allie's child and she is already a handful with her gargoyle accomplice in crime, Stoney. The entire team gets pulled into making sure some errant magic doesn't accidentally spill out and get used for nepharious deeds.
Cody plays a bigger role in this book and I enjoyed his character interactions. Dirty Work gets the gang all back together and clears the air. I think it brings a sense of balance to the closure of the story and is a great exit point from both series for Devon Monk. While the world isn't quite a safe place, it is a safer place with the gang back together, secrets out in the open and a new vision for how to save the world going forward.
Narration:
Performance: ★★★★★
Character Separation: ★★★★★
Diction: ★★★★★
Pacing/Flow: ★★★★★
Sound Effects: None
Paul Bellantoni continues on with the series. Like all the prior books, he does a fantastic job and really carries the book well. I enjoyed all of the various voices he brought for the supporting characters, Cody specifically has a great voice. His pacing for the jokes and sarcastic quibbles made me laugh but he also brought depth of feeling to the Shamus' voice. Another stellar performance!
Listen to a clip: HERE
July 5, 2025
Time has passed since the last audiobook. Allie’s daughter is now a child. Terric and Shamus have been keeping their distance from their friends since both are still struggling with their gifts. However, they are summoned for a party and attend. Their friends press them about the distance they have put between them, and the gang eventually get together to tackle errant magic and the guys spill their secrets.
Monk did a stellar job of wrapping up this series, bringing closure and friends together. I loved the larger role Cody played and our Gargoyle Stoney was adorable, protective and ends up assisting. This motley crew of friends really knows and care for each other. Allie made me laugh, and I have to go back and read her series.
While Dirty Works ends the Broken Magic series, Monk left the door open for our friends to work together again now that the secret is out! I am excited to explore more of Devon Monk’s series in the meantime.
Paul Bellantoni nailed the narration, providing unique voices that captured the personalities of each character. His tone and pacing as well as Shamus’ voice added depth to this enthralling series. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Monk did a stellar job of wrapping up this series, bringing closure and friends together. I loved the larger role Cody played and our Gargoyle Stoney was adorable, protective and ends up assisting. This motley crew of friends really knows and care for each other. Allie made me laugh, and I have to go back and read her series.
While Dirty Works ends the Broken Magic series, Monk left the door open for our friends to work together again now that the secret is out! I am excited to explore more of Devon Monk’s series in the meantime.
Paul Bellantoni nailed the narration, providing unique voices that captured the personalities of each character. His tone and pacing as well as Shamus’ voice added depth to this enthralling series. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
September 10, 2023
Shame, Terric, Allie, Zav, Cody, Stoney.... the GANG IS BACK!!
The last book of this series was Back Lash - and I read the original edition, meaning 8 years ago in 2015. I wasn't expecting to get more stories from this world. Until I saw that Devon Monk overhauled the last three books (of Shame and Terric) and then released this one.
The story was short, but it didn't diminish the fun. I LOVED the original series Allie Beckstrom and the follow-up. I LOVED the whole gang. And in this novella, the "original" casts* were back together, after magical hot spots appeared in several places and well, apparently magic wasn't exactly contained anymore.
Yes, the story was only from Shame's perspective, but the dynamic was still very spot on. And it was wonderful to finally get more updates on Allie and Zav's daughter, Ramona Jo.
I hope Monk doesn't really stop with this one. Who knows, maybe there will be more in the future. I'm always up for that
*PS: I said the "original" because Terric's boyfriend (Dash) who made appearance in the last books, wasn't here. But it was okay, Terric and Dash were still together... Terric's sister who was in Back Lash also not featured here.
The last book of this series was Back Lash - and I read the original edition, meaning 8 years ago in 2015. I wasn't expecting to get more stories from this world. Until I saw that Devon Monk overhauled the last three books (of Shame and Terric) and then released this one.
The story was short, but it didn't diminish the fun. I LOVED the original series Allie Beckstrom and the follow-up. I LOVED the whole gang. And in this novella, the "original" casts* were back together, after magical hot spots appeared in several places and well, apparently magic wasn't exactly contained anymore.
Yes, the story was only from Shame's perspective, but the dynamic was still very spot on. And it was wonderful to finally get more updates on Allie and Zav's daughter, Ramona Jo.
I hope Monk doesn't really stop with this one. Who knows, maybe there will be more in the future. I'm always up for that
*PS: I said the "original" because Terric's boyfriend (Dash) who made appearance in the last books, wasn't here. But it was okay, Terric and Dash were still together... Terric's sister who was in Back Lash also not featured here.
August 27, 2023
Balance
As we should know, balance is required. That takes many cooperative actions, and people who know the down side of imbalance. So, this is a rest between now and future action. During which other stories will be revealed! Thank you dear Devon! I still have catching up to do, spending pleasurable time in your worlds with your your characters. Ad astra!
As we should know, balance is required. That takes many cooperative actions, and people who know the down side of imbalance. So, this is a rest between now and future action. During which other stories will be revealed! Thank you dear Devon! I still have catching up to do, spending pleasurable time in your worlds with your your characters. Ad astra!
August 31, 2023
lovely to see old friends
This crew is what other authors copy to gain traction in their work. I can’t say enough words, in enough ways to express how much I love them.
One of my most cherished story lines. Fun characters, and a whole lot of exciting ass-kicking.
Really want more of them from this author. I hope there’s more Shame and Terric coming!
This crew is what other authors copy to gain traction in their work. I can’t say enough words, in enough ways to express how much I love them.
One of my most cherished story lines. Fun characters, and a whole lot of exciting ass-kicking.
Really want more of them from this author. I hope there’s more Shame and Terric coming!
September 5, 2023
Big cap between installments, but psyched to have more in this world. I think this is the final book in the Allie Beckstrom spin-off series. Monk did a good job wrapping things up, if it was, and leaving things in a way that keeps the door open for more should she go that way. I'm all for it. I was a big fan of Allie and thrilled she and her family made an appearance.
June 12, 2025
An enjoyable conclusion. To a wonderful series, well 2 series
This book is the conclusion of the Allie beckstrom series and the broken magic series both are really good series. I highly recommend both. most of the books got 5 stars From me because they were so good they made me laugh and they made me cry They are a must read for any paranormal fantasy Reader.
This book is the conclusion of the Allie beckstrom series and the broken magic series both are really good series. I highly recommend both. most of the books got 5 stars From me because they were so good they made me laugh and they made me cry They are a must read for any paranormal fantasy Reader.
October 10, 2023
Too Short
I really enjoyed re-visiting these characters. I became very attached to each of them in the Allie Beckstrom and the Broken Magic books.
The story was well written as always, but this book was just too short.. I want... I need more!
I really enjoyed re-visiting these characters. I became very attached to each of them in the Allie Beckstrom and the Broken Magic books.
The story was well written as always, but this book was just too short.. I want... I need more!
January 8, 2025
Another great story!
Loved getting to hang out with the gang again - definitely read the whole series if you haven’t already.
I also recommend the Ordinary series (lots of fun with great characters) and the Wayward Souls series (great characters and storyline)!
Loved getting to hang out with the gang again - definitely read the whole series if you haven’t already.
I also recommend the Ordinary series (lots of fun with great characters) and the Wayward Souls series (great characters and storyline)!
August 30, 2023
Loved it. Stoney and Ro-Jo are fabulous!
February 19, 2024
4 Stars:)
December 17, 2024
I miss this series!
Shame and Terric have made an error and Jav and Allie ask a lot of questions! Cody is involved too!
Shame and Terric have made an error and Jav and Allie ask a lot of questions! Cody is involved too!
February 17, 2025
Gentle ending and beginning
Keeping secrets is not good between friends. I like how this one started out rough and the lightened at the end.
Keeping secrets is not good between friends. I like how this one started out rough and the lightened at the end.
April 27, 2025
It was really nice to revisit these characters. I could never finish the last Shame and Terric book, but including Allie and Zayvion was a much-needed addition. Their daughter was cute, Stone is incredibly cute and the characters are likeable. It was more of a novella, but enjoyable enough.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews