Review: Devils & Thieves by Jennifer Rush

Devils & Thieves

Jennifer Rush

(Devils & Thieves #1)

Publication Date: October 3, 2017

Hardcover, 393 pages, Little Brown Books

Genres: YA, Paranormal

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Power corrupts. Magic kills.

Eighteen-year-old Jemmie Carmichael is surrounded by magic in the quiet town of Hawthorne, New York. In her world, magic users are called “kindled,” and Jemmie would count herself among them if only she could cast a simple spell without completely falling apart. It doesn't help that she was also recently snubbed by Crowe—the dangerous and enigmatic leader of Hawthorne’s kindled motorcycle gang, the Devils’ League.

When the entire kindled community rolls into Hawthorne for an annual festival, a rumor spreads that someone is practicing forbidden magic. Then people start to go missing. With threats closing in from every side, no one can be trusted. Jemmie and Crowe will have to put aside their tumultuous history to find their loved ones, and the only thing that might save them is the very flaw that keeps Jemmie from fully harnessing her magic. For all her years of feeling useless, Jemmie may just be the most powerful kindled of all.

My Review

This book is a tough one. I love the idea of a magical motorcycle gang. I mean, who wouldn’t? It’s such a weird and unique concept. I also really enjoyed the complexity of the characters’ backgrounds. A teenage witch with drinking problems and a love interest who leads the motorcycle gang is an awesome romantic combo. I mean, I read the first two-thirds of this book in less than 24 hours; it was that addicting.

BUT, the ending was predictable. I knew who the bad guy was and what was happening in the main conflict halfway through the story. I also thought some of the dialogue, action scenes, and plot were rushed. The book needed 50+ more pages to flush things out.

All in all, this book made me keep reading, and it combined two things you wouldn’t think would go together: magic and motorcycle gangs. The entire thing had a Sons of Anarchy/Blood and Chocolate/Secret Circle kind of vibe.

*Note: I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library. This in no way affected my opinion/review.