Review: Magic Strikes

Reviewed by Jen
 

I’ve liked the Kate Daniels series from the very first book. But with Magic Strikes, that like has turned in to full-blown love.

Two months have passed since the massive magic flare and epic battle that ended the last book.  But there are new problems on the horizon.  They start when Derek gets caught trying to break in to Saiman’s apartment.  To keep the young wolf out of trouble, Kate agrees to accompany Saiman to a Gladiator-style game, to help him learn more about a mysterious team of participants called the Reapers.  But it seems Derek has a particular interest in one of the team-members and convinces Kate to pass the woman a note while she is there.

Kate senses it’s a bad idea. But things go more wrong than she ever imagined they could.  For vengeance, for justice, Kate and a band of her closest friends end up competing themselves.  Their goal, to take down the Reapers and win the grand prize.

There’s a lot of emotion in this book.  Most of it centers around the fact that Kate has real friends for the first time in her life.  Their fragility terrifies her. She is also hyper-aware that her love for them can be crippling. To lose one of them, could damage her in a way that couldn’t be done when she lived her life as a loner.  We see how much Derek, Andrea, Julie… and even Curran have ensconced themselves into her heart.  –And speaking of Curran, the sparks between these two grow hotter with every book.  There is phenomenal sexual tension and it’s played to perfection.

We also finally find out the big secret Kate has been carrying.  It’s been foreshadowed, but hearing her admit her heritage is still a pretty big deal. And you can tell it’s only a matter of time before it all blows up in her face. 

This book was outstanding. It had big emotion, lots of action, and the fantastic & witty dialogue that’s a hallmark of the series.  5 stars.

Magic Strikes

by Ilona Andrews

Release Date: May 31, 2009

Publisher: Ace