Title: Gunmetal Magic
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #5.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Paranormal fantasy, Shapeshifters
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace fantasy
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: A loud hyena cackle rang through the clearing.
After eviction from the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea is a wreck. She starts work for best pal PI Kate Daniels. Shapeshifters under Raphael Medrano — Clan Bouda male alpha, Andrea’s ex-lover — die suddenly at a dig site. With Raphael, she seeks killer in deep dark Atlanta. Her feelings for him may take a back seat to saving the world…
The Raphael-Andrea relationship takes centre point in this story as they both try to negotiate their changes in their lives. It was actually one of the most frustrating, and difficult things that I have read in a while. I became so invested in their relationship throughout the previous Kate Daniels books, and watching two characters that I am so emotionally invested in argue and fumble around in their lives was quite painful. Although, it was so easy to understand both aspects of their argument and frustration – neither Andrea nor Raphael are completely innocent, but both too proud and guilty in their past acts.
In this story, Andrews jumps from Russian folklore to tales of Egyptian mythology. I loved the representation of the god-like characters in the story. The sheer range of religions and mythologies that are alluded to in this series continues to stun and amaze me. Probably part of the reason why I love it so much.
This is well and truly the story of Andrea. She is forced to face up to her past, both the immediate past and her childhood. Undergoing a complete metamorphosis in this story, she not only faces up to her dismissal from the order, but also her place within the Pack hierarchy. I love that this whole process leads to Andrea finally accepting herself, everything that she is and can be.
Earth and Skye 
2 thoughts on “Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews”