***Spoilers if you are not up to date with the series***
I always look forward to the sound of the UPS truck stopping in front of my house. Who doesn’t right? I have to fight the urge to run out and help the nice man in brown shorts gather up and sort my packages. He doesn’t seem to think he needs help. Whatever. Part of the excitement is never really knowing what’s in those large cardboard-ish envelopes. There’s always something good and worth squeeing over but now and then, something super squee worthy arrives. I was absolutely thrilled to see a shiny new copy of Magic Slays smiling up at me from the piles of packing envelopes. Yes, my copy smiles at me. I’m positive.
Kate and Curran are now officially mated, and Kate is struggling to get her new business running after her former employer has bad mouthed her and stained her reputation. The action picks up quickly when Ghastek calls on Kate to track down a vampire on the loose. In the confusion of the vampire take down mission Kate ends up in a stand-off and we see the return of her friend Andrea who has undergone some major life changes. She is now a working with Kate as her partner. Their first case tracking down a kidnapped scientist turns into much more than they bargained for. The entire magic community is at risk of being destroyed unless Kate can get to the bottom of the mystery.
I’m so pleased to have Andrea (and Grendal the attack poodle) back and working side by side with Kate as she’s one of my favorite secondary characters in this series. I always appreciate it when an author can write a good, convincing best friend for a lead character that can command attention and entertain without showboating and overshadowing the protagonist. The banter between Kate and Andrea is funny and flows so naturally. I always look forward to scenes with Andrea and Kate and this book left me hoping that we’ll see Andrea integrated into the series even more in the future.
While I’ve always loved the romantic story arc in this series it really is the outstanding world building and heart stopping action that draws me in and keeps me eagerly anticipating the next release. Magic Slays certainly does not disappoint in that department but I’ll get to that in a minute. Ilona Andrews really brought the romance this time. Now that Kate and Curran are mated I thought I’d miss the tension and unknown in their relationship but they still have so much to work out. Although they are mated all is not smooth sailing for them. Kate still stands up to “His Furriness” and although it’s clear Curran would not have it any other way he’s still asserting his “alpha-ness” every chance he gets. It was really nice to see Kate finally settling into her relationship with Curran. In Magic Slays Curran leaves no room for doubt about his feelings for Kate and the lengths he’s willing to go for her. *swoon*
We get to know a little more about Kate’s background and her history. While we’ve known bits and pieces about Kate’s past, we get a good look back into just how crazy and messed up it all is. Kate faces even more betrayal and my heart really went out to her this time. The tension continues to build toward the final showdown with her father.
Julie, Kate’s adopted daughter hasn’t always been my favorite character with her rebellious nature and teenage angst. But, Kate has always believed in her and I can sympathize since she has not had it easy in life. Julie gets some good page time this time and she seems to be really coming into her own. We see a little less teen-age angst and more potential bad ass with a nice little fight scene and I’m really looking forward to whatever is coming next for her. As do many teens, she gives her mom plenty to worry about.
As I said, the action and the world in which this series is built did not disappoint in any way. From beginning to end Ilona Andrews kept me riveted with a tight story, and an amazingly vivid setting. The final action scene was so intense and once it was over I was actually exhausted! Everything comes together perfectly in the end for a well rounded story and the final line in the book left me eagerly anticipating the next book. I think I might have even heard music in the background….dun, dun dunnnn.
Magic Slays is my favorite book in the series so far with its brilliant world building, heart stopping action and romance that made me swoon.
Favorite Quote:
“This is the hand I slapped Aunt B with.”
“Maybe you should have it gold plated.”
“Here, you can touch it, since your my best friend.”
Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews
May 31st 2011 by Ace
Urban Fantasy
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About Sophia (FV)
I stayed up till almost 3 am reading this last night. SO GOOD!
@MinnChica: Yes I had a hard time putting it down too. Not only was the conflict excellent the romance was so awesome. I really loved Curran in this one.
Ok I did not read a word except for the 5
Too scared for spoilers
Hah ha, I love the quote! I’m glad to hear that Andrea is back and that Curran and Kate’s relationship hasn’t lost any of the tension. Great review, Sophia!
I totally stayed up until 3am reading it. I got mine early thanks to Walmart. Andrews is one of the few authors that I’m willing to go back to dead tree books for LOL. I’m now reading Kiss of Snow but I have to say that so far I’m liking Magic Slays more.
Nice review!!! I love what we get with Curran and Kate, and as usual there are great moments with the supporting characters (yay Andrea!)
I just love Kate Daniels. She is so honest with herself and others. And what Curran says/does towards the end – I swooned too
@Catherine: Some of the tension is gone but they still have that battle of the wills going on. But in a good way.
@CK: Yay for Walmart. Seems like they put new releases out often. Not too many series books can lure me to purchase a bound book but this series could.
@Mandi: Oh yes, Curran was AWESOME. I wanted to purr.
Great review!! Co-sign!
@The Queen B: LOL co-sign.
Great review, thank you! I agree with your comments completely. IMO, this is the best book yet – each book a little stronger and more fulfilling than the last. It was my first (and so far only) 5 Star Rating in 2011. Ilona Andrews has an amazing talent and I cannot wait to see where they take Kate next!
@twimom227: Yes! each book is another layer of goodness.
Great review. I didn’t read it till after I finished the book because I wanted my opinion of this book to be all mine.
I totally agree on everything you said about it!
This is the best book in the series so far. I loved the action and I loved the interaction between Kate and Curran. Everything about this book works for me. I think I’m going to re-read this series before I pick up a new book. It’s just that awesome.
This is a great review! It had everything I would want to know before reading the book without giving away too much. I really enjoyed this book. The quote you listed is also one of my favorites. I only hope one day my reviews will be as good as ours.