MAGIC STRIKES by Ilona Andrews
Title: Magic Strikes
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels, Book #3
Publication Info: Ace Fantasy, March 2009
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
With this book, Ilona Andrews takes the crown as the new queen of Urban Fantasy.
No one is safe in this captivating post-apocalyptic world where waves of magic render technology useless and monsters roam the streets. Only a handful of brave souls fight to keep back the darkness. Rebel mercenary Kate Daniels is one of them. She has grown into her bad-ass, tough-as-nails persona in this third book. She is a survivor with a honorable streak a mile wide. She’s lost everyone she’s ever cared for, she protects a dark secret she would be killed for, but Kate can’t help putting her life on the line for her friends and the fate of the world. She’s everything I’ve ever loved in an Alpha Hero, with boobs. Forget sugar & spice, this girl is made of pure guts and determination.
Plot:
Shapeshifters are showing up dead and dismembered, but Kate is shut out of the investigation. She’s pissed, but the Pack follows its own laws. Besides, she’s exhausted from solving magical problems around the city. Before she can get any shut eye, her werewolf sidekick Derek is caught breaking and entering her sketchy, sometimes-informant Saiman. Kate to the rescue. Derek refuses to tell her why he tried to steal tickets to the illegal Midnight Games, but he gives her a note to give to a mysterious female gladiator on the Reaper Team. Kate promises to deliver the note, and gives her word she won’t read it. She accompanies Saiman to the Games and discovers a bloody tournament where magical beings fight to the death for fame and fortune. Before the night is through, Kate curses herself for not reading the note.
She discovers Derek at death’s door in a parking lot, and is immediately set upon by shapeshifters. No one may want Kate’s help, but her conscious won’t let her walk away from friends. It’s a race against time to figure out the connection between the Games and the murders, before the Reapers or the Beast King Curran tear them limb from limb. When Kate is forced to become a gladiator in the arena, her dark secret can’t remain hidden much longer. She has trained all her life for the upcoming showdown with Roland, but he’s had centuries longer to hone his eeevil skills. To save her friends, Kate must (once again) make the ultimate sacrifice.
Discussion:
Each book is better than the last. Kate as a character has grown from a rather whiny don’t-you-know-how-bad-ass-I-am into a real mean, lean fighting machine. She gets knocked down, but she gets up again, ain’t nothin’ gonna keep her down. She’s self-reliant, but loyal to a fault.
World-building and plot are what make this series so spectacular. The battles are epic.
The series is Urban Fantasy, not Paranormal Romance, but over the course of the series there a growing attraction between Kate and Curran (the Beast Lord). Ms. Andrews is a master of sexual tension. In each book, she gives the reader one big delicious bite, then keeps us hanging by our fingernails in eager anticipation of more. Inch by careful inch, Curran gets under Kate’s skin until I want to scream “jump him already!!!” The hot tub scene was priceless. The last scene – oh! I cannot wait to read what is going to happen next.
Ms. Andrews has at least two other series debuting soon. Though I am looking forward to reading them, I want her to DROP EVERYTHING AND WRITE ME MORE KATE & CURRAN.
I recommend reading this series in order: Book 1 – MAGIC BITES. Book 2 – MAGIC BURNS. Book 3 – MAGIC STRIKES.
PS: I did not end up receiving an ARC. Best 8 bucks I’ve spent in a long time!
Tags: book recommendation, book reviews, Ilona Andrews, Kate Daniels, Magic Strikes, Urban Fantasy
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April 7, 2009 at 10:22 pm
*sigh* I didn’t get an ARC either, but I agree with you. Each book does get better. I admit to being pretty ambivalent about books 1 & 2, so wasn’t sure what to think when I first started reading MS. All I can say is whoa! The sexual tension in this book is downright…yummy! LOL!
April 8, 2009 at 12:02 pm
I love when a series just gets better like this. I need to read this one!! You’re so right about the world building. Andrews is just masterful at it.
April 8, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Just finished it last night, and you are so right: each book is better that the last one (and they are all pretty awesome!) Somehow, Kate is able to be a tough as nails smart ass, and still be really likeable. (This doesn’t always happen with this type of heroine.) And don’t even get me started about Curran . . . (sigh.)
April 15, 2009 at 7:53 am
I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to see Magic Strikes earned five hearts from you! I have not read one less than stellar review for this novel. I just picked it up last week and can’t wait to read it for myself.
I agree that Andrews is masterful at building up the sexual tension between Kate and Curran. So much so that I think I may actually be seriously disappointed when it isn’t there anymore!