I really do love Ilona’s world building and the cast of characters she has created. Magic Slays has a great deal of heavy moments, but also some light ones, mainly due to the way Kate reacts to situations. Kate’s entire focus has changed. She used to work for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, but after being fired she now has opened her own business calls Cutting Edge Investigations. Business is very slow on her end, mainly because of her reputation and being the female alpha alongside Curran, the Beast Lord. Kate also has an adopted daughter Julie, who causes more problems than Kate can deal with. Plus, she has to put up with dangerous mindless vampires popping up at any moment when their masters can’t control them. It’s never a dull moment for Kate.
Trouble seems to follow Kate wherever she goes. She takes on a dangerous job of finding a top secret item that was stolen. This stolen item isn’t something simple as locating a piece of priceless jewelry or a painting. A device has been created to bring forth destruction to Atlanta. Think of this as magical atomic bomb that in the wrong hands will bring forth a post-apocalypse, and destroy not only humans, but every supernatural creature that comes in contact with. The inventor of this machine is also missing and the only one with the knowledge to destroy the doomsday device. Kate, along with Curran and his pack must stop Armageddon before it’s too late.
Magic Slays is a wild ride. Poor Kate gets beaten within an inch of her life. I can’t understand how she’s still standing and goes back for more. The last 30 pages are intense, where you’ll practically be on your feet cheering. And even though there are bleak times ahead for Kate, she is mentally strong. She now has a “family” of her own who would die for her. She is no longer alone and trying to survive day to day. Curran won’t let her close herself off, and I’m not just talking about the way they share their bodies with one another. Their tug-o-war is over and they have created a bond that won’t be broken. These two are perfect for one another, although again, this outcome between Kate and Curran has come to an end. There’s not much more Ilona can do with these two in terms of excitement. Perhaps some readers will find Kate and Curran’s relationship like a pair of comfy slippers they can slip their feet into. It’s nice to see Kate have some happiness in her life, but when this romantic part of the series has been tied up, what more can happen with them?
Magic Slays is easy reading where you’ll gasp in outrage, as well as laugh and sigh (sigh as Kate and Curran share a bath together. Le rowl). I really have enjoyed Kate’s take control of the situation attitude, wit and how she keeps getting back up to take down the bad guys whose purpose is to make people suffer. Ilona Andrews fans will not want to miss this one. (Ace)
Final Grade: B+
8 comments:
I just finished this one this past weekend. I enjoyed it - it's not my favorite of the series. I think you do make a good point about their romance. My favorite book is the one where that particular arc comes to it's climactic point, and I do think some of that tension and suspense that made their romance so exciting was missing this time. My only real complaint about the book, though, is I felt this one's pace was pretty slow for the first several chapters, but it did speed up almost to the usual excitement level eventually.
I think you describe this book, at this point in the series pretty well - like slipping on a pair of comfy slippers.
How many more books do you think there will be? I'm afraid that although the series is popular, I can't see it going on forever, like many other series, especially with Urban Fantasy. All that's left to finish is the Kate and her father storyline. I hope that doesn't drag out so there are more books published that aren't necessary.
I'm btting they've said somewhere on their site about how many will be in the series, but I haven't been looking for it either so I'm not sure.
But you're right, I think, that it can't go on much longer. Her father is what the series has been building towards, true, and it just feels like that has to come to a head soon. I do wonder though if there's any possibilities for spin offs from this series. Off the top of my head I can't imagine who it might be if it was a character we've already seen - maybe ANdrea?? - but I just loooove the worldbuilding. I guess I wouldn't mind seeing something spin off from it all.
Great review KB. I liked this one. It wasn't my fav (Magic Bleeds will always have that top spot) but I liked the reassurance it gave. I needed a come down book after the last 4.
Last chat I was in with Ilona,they were contracted for 7 books in this series and pretty much said that 7 was enough.
She has a new series suppose to come out next year-Alpha Menz- that looks very dark.I can't WAIT!
I was disappointed that the Alpha series is debuting as a short story. Eh, I just never manage to pick those particular books up!
I haven't read the book yet, so I'm not fully qualified to render a judgement. I will say, however, that one of the things that I really (REALLY) like about this series is that Kate and Curran have a relationship that has developed over time. I like Patricia Brigg's series for the same reason. I can also see ways in which their relationship could continue to develop and change (unlike the Robb stories). They could, hypothetically, have children. Eeek! ;)
I believe that they have contracted for 7 books in this series.
I myself stop reading series that have the Homer Simpson rule in the play (nothing ever really changes - at the end the characters are still in the same place they were when they started). I could name several that follow this model. I find it frustrating and contrived. Some of these characters end up seeming like Erika on Days of Our Lives. How many "serious" partners can a gal have? Well, maybe that's a different type of fiction. :D
Just a vote for stable romance in a series.
ddsun: Have you read Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series? The couple in book 1 are together and married. Cat and Bones are awesome together.
I'll have to try those books again. I hear really great things about them, but the first book didn't work for me. Skipping past book one, any particular one I should pick up?
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