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.

Image source: Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Gifts
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #5.4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Paranormal fantasy, Shapeshifters
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Ace fantasy
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: “Why the secrecy?”

Dinner date after a hard workday should be heavenly. Of course, dates between the Beast Lord and Kate Daniels don’t always go as planned. Undead run amok, heads are chopped off, lawyers are deployed with extreme prejudice, and drunk vikings call people out.

Magic Gifts is a cute little aside that occurs while Andrea is running around town in Gunmetal Magic. It also helps to fill in some of the gaps to the interactions between Andrea and Kate. I love the way that Andrews is able to fill in the backstory to Håkon and why Curran was so terrified of Kate’s return.

Kate and Curran’s attempts at functioning like any other couple is kind of adorable. They are too volatile and prone to attracting danger in any shape or form. It is so sweet that they try though. Magic Gifts also highlights the love between the two characters – they both try to protect and care for each other, regardless of the outcome. But they also will do anything to protect those that are weaker and innocent, such as children.

Curran has a more than slightly insane protective streak. Sure, it comes from a nice place, but it’s kind of patronising. Kate, however, completely ignores this and does what she wants anyway. The ability to take into account someone else’s feelings, but act of your own accord is something that I greatly admire.

Image source: Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Slays
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #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: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: And none of the gods from the Norse pantheon were strongly associated with ants.

Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job.

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be—now that the Order is disparaging her good name. Plus, many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate.

So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. But it turns out that this is not an isolated incident. Kate needs to get to the bottom of it—and fast, or the city and everyone dear to her might pay the ultimate price…

Kate has slowly developed and changed throughout the Kate Daniels series, but it is in Magic Slays that this change is most obvious. At the beginning of the series she is prickly and difficult, and has no close people in her life. However, as she slowly lets people in, these walls dissolve around her. Andrews does this so naturally that it is easy to picture this character evolution, and this great character development was so gradual that it is difficult to pinpoint an exact moment in which this change occurred.

Part of this evolution comes in the form of Curran and Kate’s relationship. I love that although they are committed, the parameters of the bond are still being negotiated. Kate refuses to lose herself within his life and role, but, as in all relationships, a compromise must be reached. Their unique brand of sarcastic quips and stubborn refusal to meekly submit left me giggling out loud (not the best thing to do when you are sitting on the bus).

Kate also thaws a little in her relationship with Julie – although she has taken care of and showed her love for her ward throughout the other books, the lengths she is prepared to go to to save her are remarkable. I’m not ashamed to say that my heart skipped a beat, and my eyes leaked a little when I read how far she would go to save part of her small family.

Magic Slays, other than beautifully investigating Kate’s evolution throughout the series, also delves into the idea of ‘them vs. us’. The danger of having such a mentality in its ability to be turned against others (and leads to acts of atrocious inhumanity) is beautifully highlighted in the attempted slaying that takes part throughout the story. I loved the gentle way in which Andrews highlighted this issue, without completely ruining the storyline.

Image source:The Book Smugglers

Title: Magic Bleeds
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #4
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: 2010
5th entence, 74th pages: “I’ll heal, you won’t.”

Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren’t for the magic. When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose.

Kate Daniels works for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, officially, as a liaison with the mercenary guild. Unofficially, she cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to handle—especially if they involve Atlanta’s shapeshifting community.

When she’s called in to investigate a fight at the Steel Horse, a bar on the border between the territories of the shapeshifters and the necromancers, Kate quickly discovers there’s a new player in town. One who’s been around for thousands of years—and rode to war at the side of Kate’s father.

This foe may be too much even for Kate and Curran, the Beast Lord, to handle. Because this time Kate will be taking on family…

Finishing this book left me with an incredibly warm, fuzzy feeling. The storyline was beautiful and so many questions that I had from the previous books were finally answered, much to my relief. The underlying storyline throughout the series continues, but it moves forward and there is a whole new battle in the future. One that I, personally, can’t wait to sink my teeth into!

The slow leaking of information about Kate’s biological parentage, and the ways in which she was raised, is amazingly tantalizing and enthralling. Finding out more about such a fascinating and in depth back story has been thoroughly enjoyable throughout the first three books. The gradual leaking of information, whilst enjoyable, was starting to irritate me. Andrews’ revealing of Kate’s father and aunt was performed at a perfect time within the storyline – the revelation was amazing and I was still surprised at the reveal.

Kate’s aunt is also a fascinating insight into what Daniels can become if her future path takes her away from everyone and everything that she loves. I liked this contrast between characters and the foreshadowing of Kate’s potential future. Luckily, she chooses not to fall down this path, but it is a constant shadow looming over her decisions and an insightful way in which to explore the different paths that a character can choose.

Curran and Kate’s relationship further develops in this story. I love that although the attraction between the two is palpable, Daniels continues to fight it tooth and nail. Neither one is a simpering fool in love and unable to function without the other, they accept each other, flaws and all. To me, this is truly symbolic of a healthy partnership.

Image source: Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Strikes
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #3
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Paranormal fantasy, Shapeshifters
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace fantasy
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Have you ever seen him sunburned?

When magic strikes and Atlanta goes to pieces, it’s a job for Kate Daniels…

Drafted to work for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems these days than she knows what to do with. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that’s saying a lot.

But when Kate’s werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games—an invitation-only, no-holds-barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament—she and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta’s shapeshifting community…

Magic Strikes finally lets us discover more about Kate’s unique and dangerous heritage. Something that has been niggling at me since I first started reading this series. Andrews is brilliant in slowly teasing out this information – each book reveals a new insight into her life before the series and provides an insight into her character and creation. Aside from the main plot line, this makes me want to continue reading the series.

Kate is finally letting people into her life and world, cracks are starting to appear in the veneer of her personal armour. Although I love the way in which she is able to stand on her own two feet and doesn’t require any romantic or social entanglement to feel whole, it is nice to see her finally reaching out for the companionship of another. Not only is her willingness to form relationships (and her struggle to go against Voron’s upbringing) endearing to the character, it also expands the cast of this story. This expansion is wonderful, and brings in so many more literary individuals that I have completely fallen in love with.

The extension of Kate letting people into her life is that Curran starts to truly pursue her. The rules of this are incredibly unique and weird, and left me giggling throughout the story. Although Kate is sorely tempted to pursue this relationship, she still continues to hold off. Not only due to her own issues, but also in an attempt to maintain her own identity and autonomy within the world. I loved that although she was tempted, she didn’t just fall out the man’s (lion’s) feet – as with everything that Daniels seems to do, there was a fight and warring attitudes within her own subconscious and she didn’t just fall for a pretty face. Such a refreshing courtship story, and one that I look forward to investigating further in the next book!

Image source: Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Burns
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Paranormal fantasy, Shapeshifters
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace fantasy
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: She kicked the blankets off and wrapped herself in the afghan, like a little mouse nesting.

Down in Atlanta, tempers – and temperatures – are about to flare…

As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.

When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest – and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug-of-war between two gods hoping for rebirth. And if Kate can’t stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive…

I loved Magic Bites, but Magic Burns was even better. Not only were the stakes increased, but Kate Daniels’ secret is closer to the surface and the challenges are WAY bigger. From the first moment, I felt thrust into the action. With Kate’s unique voice and independence, Andrews took us on a ride of pure enjoyment and enthralling fun.

Again, I loved the refreshing fact that although there were potential love interests in the book, and people who definitely wanted to sleep with the main character, it wasn’t even remotely an important part of the storyline. Kind of a by-line that served to remind me of the fact that many men are confused and challenged by women who refuse to sleep with them – not attracted to. Although I’m sure that eventually Kate and Curran will end up together, it really won’t matter, both to the storyline and to the overall character arches if they don’t. There is potential, which keeps us excited, but it doesn’t matter if they don’t.

Magic Burns further explains the amazing world that was so beautifully created in Magic Bites. With the flares of magic, more of the principles and rules that govern Kate Daniels’ world are revealed and slowly you begin to understand more and more of the story. The more you learn, the more immersed you become in her reality. This is no femme fatale that simpers and begs for pity – she is the kick ass heroine that we all wish we could be.

Image source: Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Bites
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Paranormal fantasy, Shapeshifters
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace fantasy
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: The morning after a night of hunting was the time for serene contemplation, as sacred to the shapeshifter as meditation to a Shaolin monk.

Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren’t for the magic…

When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake.

Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate’s guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta’s magic circles.

The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizarre killings—and the death of Kate’s guardian may be part of the same mystery. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she’s way out of her league—but she wouldn’t have it any other way…

“jeans loose enough to kick a man in the throat” – quite possibly the best clothing description I have ever read. And this quote alone really sets the book’s tone and shows you how tough the heroine truly is. And what a smart ass she tends to be, a fact that I truly appreciate. Most heroines in books are gorgeous and they’re cheeky, but still respectfully so. Kate Daniels is not a stunner, she’s adequately alright looking, and she is so damn cheeky that throughout the book I constantly expect her to have her head chopped off (literally). I love the departure from traditional heroine, and this is definitely what drew me in.

Throughout the story, Kate’s mysterious powers are alluded to, and, this being probably my least favourite part of the book, not actually shown or stated. It has something to do with blood, and that’s all I really picked up on. Maybe if I read through the book again, I’d pick up on more information. I had expected this information to be revealed at the end of the book, but, even though more clues were dropped, I still have no idea why Kate is so damn special. Andrews did a great job with this – I picked up the next book straight away and I am eagerly devouring it, not only for the great storyline, but also because I want to know! (Can you tell how frustrated I am?) But, all in all, it’s a fantastic by-line within the story.

Andrews really twisted the modern paranormal fantasy genre on its head. Not only through the use of a dystopian future, but in the fact that whilst Kate has romantic interests, it is a very minor point throughout the story. And then there is the battle between the vampires and werewolves, a tale as old as time, but Andrews put a completely different spin on it! Werewolves are part of a shapeshifting clan that includes rats, cats and any other animal you can possibly think of. Meanwhile, vampires are far more terrifying than anything I had imagined before.

All in all, this is a great beginning to a new (to me) series. If you like paranormal fantasy books, I would recommend reading this and being thrown into an entirely new, and very unique world.

Image source: Goodreads