Monsters, gods, and mayhem…
Police Chief Delaney Reed can handle the Valkyries, werewolves, gill-men and other paranormal creatures who call the small beach town of Ordinary, Oregon their home. It’s the vacationing gods who keep her up at night.
With the famous rhubarb festival right around the corner, small-town tensions, tempers, and godly tantrums are at an all-time high. The last thing … high. The last thing Delaney needs is her ex-boyfriend reappearing just when she’s finally caught the attention of Ryder Bailey, the one man she should never love.
No, scratch that. The actual last thing she needs is a dead body washing ashore, especially since the dead body is a god.
Catching a murderer, wrestling a god power, and re-scheduling the apocalypse? Just another day on the job in Ordinary. Falling in love with her childhood friend while trying to keep the secrets of her town secret? That’s gonna take some work.
Exciting new urban fantasy series by national bestselling author, Devon Monk
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This was a fun read. More romance than I expected (and that thread didn’t finish in this first book). I don’t normally like books that include “gods” but this one had a fresh and unique take on them. Fun read.
After reading the deliciously intense Allie Beckstrom series, I’m definitely a fan of Devon Monk. Her first book in the Ordinary Magic series caught me by surprise: it’s just plain FUN.
As before, Monk’s created an amazing supernatural world populated by unforgettable characters but the quirky humor is dialed up and it’s a quick and easy romp that pulls you through the pages. I bought Book Two literally within seconds of finishing Book One! I loved the world of Allie Beckstrom. I want to LIVE in the world of Ordinary Magic!
Loved this! In fact I read the rest of the series. Can’t wait until the next book
Having enjoyed Devon Monk’s previous series, I gave “Death and Relaxation” a try, and I really enjoyed it. Ordinary, Oregon is anything but ordinary. It’s the little town where gods and goddesses of all origins go to vacation, with the agreement that they will put down their god-powers while they are on vacation. Most humans in the town are not aware that there are gods among them, and also aren’t aware that there are non-humans (vampires, gillymen, werewolves) in the neighborhood. There is a small mystery in the book, and a budding romance, but the fun part of this book is the world building of gods without power, and paranormals trying to keep their nature hidden from their human neighbors.
First book of the excellent Ordinary Magic series
I have to say I am somewhat shocked by some of the meh reviews. Devon Monk is one of my favorite authors, and while these books aren’t as dark and intense as her other books, they are still a wonderful introduction to a mixed up and fascinating world. Consider this the equivalent of Ilona Andrews’ Innkeeper series to her Kate Daniels books.
The background stories of the various gods and deities we know from mythology are brought to modern day with all the trappings and quirks of personality that come with having to put down their “god powers” when they want to go on vacation. Just the premise of gods wanting to take a vacation, and having to take up human jobs to stay, is in itself worth reading. The infighting of the gods also takes on new intricacies when done from the standpoint of human bodies, rules and limitations. I find these books to be fun, charming and witty. They’re stories about the bonds of family, responsibility, and loyalty and if you like shows like Charmed, these are the sisters for you.
My kind of easy reading, I enjoy a nonfictional book that is a little out there.
Devon Monk has a way of making you feel like you are in her stories. The women are bad ass, the men are alphas. I like the quirky characters and the town they live in. It’s fast paced, it’s fun, holds my interest. Can’t wait to read the next one.
I bought all the books in the series to see how it ended.
This entire series about the unusual town of Ordinary is amazing. Interesting characters, unexpected twists and a fresh take on all things Extra Ordinary.
interesting characters
* * * 3/4 Fun supernatural series about the Reed sisters in Ordinary, Oregon, who police mortals, supernaturals and gods. Cleverly written and entertaining. Lightweight but fun.
It’s a strange story were God’s specifically the ancient Roman God’s and others come to the town of Ordinary for a vacation. A vacation of many years. The whole idea is confusing for me. I’m very familiar with the Ancient Roman god’s especially. For one I don’t know how active these gods would be nowadays. They had powers of life and death, wars, earthquakes etc, and had numerous monsters causing death, and havoc. Them not friendly especially. There were hero’s battling, winning and losing with these monsters .
Why one of these gods would give that up for a vacation baffles me. Tired of dealing with people and causing havoc in their lives. Why would a god chose to join and be one of them in the first place?, and what of the modern One modern God of today? I would have to go through this book a second time to see how you dealt with Him. ?
Would love to read more my this author.
Starts out fun and I like the premise. I got sick of the romantic angle- this grown woman is a chief of police but she acts like a teenager when it comes to cute boys.
I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in the Ordinary Magic series, what a fantastic little town Ordinary, Oregon is. It’s filled with vacationing gods, werewolves, vampires and other creatures, as well as the normal humans – and then there is Delaney Reed who has been the police chief ever since the death of her father a year ago. It’s her job to keep all of the towns secrets from the regular humans and tourists and keep the peace, along with her two sisters, which make up the town’s police force. When a dead god washes ashore, her ex-boyfriend shows up in town, Death decides to take a vacation, and the man she’s had a crush on for years finally seems to take notice, she’s not sure she’s going to keep it all under control. I loved the quirky characters in town, but I’m not sure about that man she has a crush on, he’s keeping secrets and I need to learn more about him before I decide if I like him or not. I’m really looking forward to reading more stories in this series set in the extraordinary town of Ordinary.
Delaney and her sisters are great characters.
I got hooked and bought the whole series!
A great book to read relaxing on the porch glider.
Loved this book! The characters are well developed and the plot has many twists. Definitely a page turner that you won’t want to put down!!