Review: Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Strikes

Author: Ilona Andrews

Published: March 2007

Number of Pages: 310

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Stand Alone/Series: Kate Daniels #3
Book 1: Magic Bites
Book 2: Magic Burns

Why This Book: It's Kate Daniels!!! How can you pass it up?!

From the Author Site: Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with these days. 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…

Heroine: Kate Daniels is still the sword wielding manic that we have all come to love! She's still mouthy and has problems with authority figures (mostly Curran), but she is certainly learning all those codes and regulations. I guess that happens when you are a civil servant and lets face it working for the Order of Merciful Aid is definitely working in law enforcement. You know: bad pay, horrible hours, and doing things that no one in there right mind would actually volunteer to do. And on top of all that she's still the Order representative for all things mercenary or Pack related. AND she has to deal with Saiman! Poor thing! (*grins with glee*)

Review: This is another action packed page turner!! Ilona Andrews takes us back into Kate's world, the post-magic wave Atlanta, where all thing are not well. This story opens a few months after the events of Magic Burns. The post flare months were a bit slow, but with magic back in the swing of things, everything picking up. Once again, Kate's having to stick her neck, and sword, out to protect her friends and the world at large.

Once the action starts there is no stopping right up to the last page. The story is fast pace, the dialog is witty (still snickering at some of Kate exchanges with Jim and Curran) and well thought out. All those lovely details required for the story are filled out just enough to make every understandable and enjoyable. The world building in relation to Roland continues smoothly and it makes me eager to see the "final" battle/show down between Kate and Roland! This is what the whole series is building towards and I really love that about a series. An overall "goal" or outcome that the story it building towards. It helps keep all the stories in continuity with each other and makes for a great series.

Kate with her brash, no nonsense, kick ass attitude makes it a fun read. Since all is told from her perspective, we get all her inside thoughts and feeling. Which still a hoot! I just love the way her mind works (or doesn't at times). Though Kate doesn't want friends or responsibilities she's got them and she goes the extra mile and then some for them. She is definitely a great friend to have, especially if you need to kick some ass!

I honestly couldn't put it down. In fact I read it then pulled out books 1 and 2 and read right on through book 3 again! It was great! All that's missing is MORE! More Kate and her wicked sword skills, more Kate and Curran, more Roland, more, more, more! Ilona Andrews leaves us with tantalizing teaser which just makes me snicker then yell for MORE.

On Kate's relationship with Curran: I just love their banter! Their whole relationship has me laughing myself silly every time I thing about them. So let's sum up their relationship to date.

Magic Bites: At their very first meeting, she greets him with:

Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.

And he's response, after trying to wrap his head around her greeting, is:

What kind of woman greets the Beast Lord with 'here, kitty, kitty'?

Magic Burns: As their relationship starts to be more than just work, at least in Curran's eyes. Kate's whole take on it is:

If we were the last two people on Earth, I'd find myself a moving island so I could get the hell away from you.

To which he responds with:

We'll see

Magic Strikes: Curran is still is pursuit and Kate is, well, being Kate and is still evading and denying that anything at all exists. Kate:

I think you're confused as to the nature of our relationship ship. You and I don't get along. You're a psychopathic control freak. You order me around and I want to kill you. I'm pigheaded insubordinate ass. I drive you mad and you want to strangle me."

And Curran:

Once! I did it once!

LOL... I can't wait to see what happens. Especially with that tantalizing note at the end of the book!

What I liked Best: I have to say it's Curran's little note to Kate at the very end of the book. In fact it on the very last page of the book. It so totally makes me drool for the next book! And it's not out until March 2010!!! *sigh* And the best line in the whole book:

Er. I was sitting atop the Beast Lord in my underwear, holding a knife to his throat. What the hell was my next move?

What I found Most Annoying: Nothing! I love it. I think the only thing that bothers me is that I need MORE Kate! And now I have to wait until March 2010!! Good thing that whole Mayan end of the world thing isn't until December 2010 so there should be no trouble in getting the book! *grin*

Keeper?: YES!!! Must have!

Recommendation: I highly recommend this series. Although each book stands well on its own, in order to fully enjoy all of Kate's on-going relationship you should read the series in order.

Grade: A+
Series Grade to Date: A+