Check out on Goodreads | Buy on Amazon Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Also by this author: Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1)
Series: Kate Daniels #7
Publisher: Ace
Source: My shelves
No matter how much the paranormal politics of Atlanta change, one thing always remains the same: if there’s trouble, Kate Daniels will be in the middle of it…
As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers. Since Kate’s connection to Roland has come out into the open, no one is safe—especially those closest to Kate.
As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of the leaders from the various supernatural factions in Atlanta. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered there, apparently at the hands of a shapeshifter, Kate is given only twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war which could destroy everything she holds dear…
In the interest of transparency … I reread this series often ? Ilona Andrews (a husband-and-wife writing duo) were also the first (and only!) author I’ve gone to see specifically. I’ve certainly gone to different book conferences and such where many authors are, but I drove to a different state specifically for them in this case! I would show pictures, but that was several years ago and … let’s just say braces were involved.
* As this is the seventh book in the series, I am not going into super deep detail in explaining things. If you feel confused, please navigate to the other reviews at the bottom of this post (they’re listed in order from one to three). Or you can click the links provided here (or at the bottom of this review): Magic Bites (book one), Magic Burns (book two), Magic Strikes (book three), Magic Bleeds (book four), Magic Slays (book five), Magic Rises (book six). See all Kate Daniels reviews here.
Oh my god ?? So much happens in this book!! I was LOL-ing at the authors’ note in the beginning that said “there’s a lot that happens, but it is not the final book of the series,” but damn, it’s a good thing they made that clear ?? I absolutely adore this series, and it’s never been more abundantly clear how far these characters have gone and grown in this series than in this book ✨
She tried to hide in plain sight. She might have succeeded except she ran into the Beast Lord. As I mentioned, he is a scary, bossy bastard. She hates all authority. He said, “Jump.” She said, “Screw you.” Of course, they would fall madly in love after that. And when I say madly, I mean it.
My girl Kate has gone so far ? This book… oh my gosh it just broke my heart. I don’t know what to say!! Well, I’m actually thrilled that this isn’t the last book, but even as far as she’s come, she isn’t ready to face Roland. And yes, we finally meet Roland!! He’s…. cool???? I am confused by this ? He’s the baddest of bad guys, but I’m getting such Poseidon (from Percy Jackson) vibes from him? Like he’s just chilling, wanting to be a dad, and test Kate to see how cool she is (even if they’re pretty life-threatening tests). Kate having a meddling/helicopter-ish parent is going to be the funniest shit ever.
Then there’s Hugh d’Ambray (which is not a spoiler, because we all knew the bastard would survive). It’s an interesting feeling rereading these books after reading Hugh’s book, Iron and Magic, I have to say ?? I definitely can’t hate him anymore, but LORD it’s hard. Also, yes you do have to read Kate’s series before Hugh’s. He really stoops to new levels with Kate in this one. But I can’t help but love him ?? What an interesting and flawed character ? (even though he’s actually horrible LOL)
I love the expansion of the “inner Pack circle” in this one, too. We know and love Barabas, Andrea, Raphael, Derek (?), Jim, and Doolittle, but now we get to love on and Robert and Thomas Lonesco! I can’t help but adore them, even though they’re Rat shifters (ew, icky), and we also get a lot of Desandra in this one!! I adore her so much, and I’m so glad her role didn’t end in Magic Rises. Ghastek, too, gets a brighter spotlight in this one!! Poor guy had no idea who Kate was still, but awee I can’t help but be fond towards him anyway.
“You could’ve been a hired killer or someone’s private weapon. Instead, you chose to protect everyone around you. It’s as natural to you as breathing and I selfishly count myself to be very lucky to benefit from that, even if that urge sometimes takes you too far.”
It’s important to remember that Kate is one of the good guys because she chooses to be, because she can’t help but fight for the underdog. But she was raised and trained to be a sociopathic killer and survivalist, ready and willing to do whatever it takes to knock Roland off his throne. It’s only because she finally claimed her life as hers to live and her future as hers to dictate that she tightened up her morals and became the Kate we’re getting to know (and she’s learning right along with us). Hugh is a great parallel and reminder of what she could have been.
Okay, so the characters just kicked butt in this book – literally and figuratively. This book was an adrenaline rush and never stopped from the word “Go!” The Andrews’ always keep me on my toes, never sure what’s happening next. It was so suspenseful and really showed how much stronger the books are getting as the series progresses. That said… that thing that happened at the end??? Not sure how I feel about that ? (Spoiler alert: It worked out!)
This book is the one I always leave off at in my past reads and rereads, so I actually have not read the final four books of the series! I finally purchased them this summer, determined to make it happen ✨
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Series Reading Order…
Are you an Ilona Andrews fan? What’s your favorite urban fantasy series? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear from you!
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