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Kate Daniels #5.6
Gunmetal Magic
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Paranormal Fantasy (2012), Nominee for Best Goodreads Author (2012)Includes a free bonus: a Kate Daniels novella, "Magic Gifts"
The New York Times bestselling Kate Daniels novels have been hailed as “top-notch urban fantasy” (Monsters and Critics). Now, Ilona Andrews delves deeper into Kate’s world, and reveals its untold stories…
After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea’s whole existence is in shambles. She tries to put herself back together by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend. When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano—the male alpha of the Clan Bouda, and Andrea’s former lover—die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate. Now she must work with Raphael as her search for the killer leads into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta. And dealing with her feelings for him might have to take a back seat to saving the world…
The New York Times bestselling Kate Daniels novels have been hailed as “top-notch urban fantasy” (Monsters and Critics). Now, Ilona Andrews delves deeper into Kate’s world, and reveals its untold stories…
After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea’s whole existence is in shambles. She tries to put herself back together by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend. When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano—the male alpha of the Clan Bouda, and Andrea’s former lover—die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate. Now she must work with Raphael as her search for the killer leads into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta. And dealing with her feelings for him might have to take a back seat to saving the world…
443 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2012
About the author
Ilona Andrews
143 books31.6k followersIlona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.)
Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Oregon with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge.
Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Oregon with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,260 reviews
July 21, 2021
So...we have to go a year without a Kate Daniel's book. I admit, I cried, I fell to my knees and howled to the moon "whhhhhhhhhhhhhhhyyyyy" in most most despairing tone...but once they let me out the padded room (major over reaction by the way, just because you howl at the moon, it DOES NOT make you crazy!) and ate some chocolate my rational brain smoothered my crazy brain and I started to think. I like Andrea, she is a kick arse female, I wanted to know what would happen with her and Rapheal and Kate and Curran would surely peek in at some point; all is not lost. So I pulled on my big girl panties, went back to work and put the pint of emergency Ben & Jerrys ice cream back in the freezer for another day. And now after reading Gunmetal Magic I am currently eating my celebration tub of Ben & Jerry's (yes, I have a pint for all occassions) quite simply...it kicked "goods" bottom and immediatly upgraded to awesome. As if Andrea would have it any other way.
In all honesty this wasn't actually that much different from a Kate Daniel's book, it had the action packed plot full of freaky imaginative creatures and self obsessed demi-gods set in the backdrop of a wild Atlanta where quite literally anything can happen. It also had that dash of romance as we get to see Andrea and Rapheal play out the mating dance...again only bigger and better this time. This quote really caught my eye and explains thier relationship perfectly:
"If you put up with me, I will put up with whatever you can throw my way," he said. "Bad days, good days, 'I'll cut you if you look at me the wrong way' days. I'll take them all."
But most importantly it had a great female lead character. Andrea. She might not quite have Kate's great mix insanity and sarcasm but Andrea as her own kind of crazy which was just as enthralling to read as she begins to accept parts of herself that she has been trying all her life to ignore. These parts of her though have breasts, furry breasts that the men in this book couldn't seemed to ignore, best recurring joke ever! And Gunmetal Magic does funny really well, although some serious things are happening and Andrea is an intense person. I love that humour is still included, especially when it is between two of my favourite gals:
"If you paste some stars on her butt, you'll be riding My Little Pony." [Kate]
"Bugger off." I patted the mare's neck. "Don't listen to her, Sugar. You are the cutest horsey ever. The correct name for her color is strawberry roan, by the way."
"Strawberry shortcake, more like it. Does Strawberry Shortcake know you stole her horse? She will be berry, berry angry with you."
I must also mention Ascanio, our teeange delinquent Bouda...if I were 10 years younger there would be posters of him all over my wall...okay I have a slight crush on him, it feels wrong, but I can't help it. I can't wait to have a book about him *hint hint* He is charming, lethal, gorgrous, funny and very very wicked:
"Did those nice church ladies come by again?"
He nodded. "I asked them if a man died and then the woman remarried, and the three of them met in heaven, would it be a sin for them to have a threesome, since they were all married in God's eyes. And then they decided they were late to be somewhere else."
This was the right blend of action, humour and romance that has created a fantastic read that I all but devoured and reminded me (not that I would ever forget) why Ilona and Gordon Andrews are my favourite authors. I promise I will never doubt you again!
*opens up a second pint of Celebration Ben & Jerry's*
*ARC provided by publisher
May Update: I was lucky enough to get a ARC of this....and although Dave didn't pop up *sad face* I was right 5 Stars despite the lack of nekkid Curran appearances *sigh* ah well you can't have it all! Another fab-tastic book and I will post a full (gushey-fangirl) review nearer to the release date.
At first I was annoyed that this wouldn't be a Kate book, but now I like the idea of Andrea getting her own book. Frankly, I love this series so much that by July they could do a book about an orange spotted monkey called Dave and so long as Kate and Curran arrived in it at some point I would still give it 5 stars.
Awww who wouldn't want to read a book about this little chap?
In all honesty this wasn't actually that much different from a Kate Daniel's book, it had the action packed plot full of freaky imaginative creatures and self obsessed demi-gods set in the backdrop of a wild Atlanta where quite literally anything can happen. It also had that dash of romance as we get to see Andrea and Rapheal play out the mating dance...again only bigger and better this time. This quote really caught my eye and explains thier relationship perfectly:
"If you put up with me, I will put up with whatever you can throw my way," he said. "Bad days, good days, 'I'll cut you if you look at me the wrong way' days. I'll take them all."
But most importantly it had a great female lead character. Andrea. She might not quite have Kate's great mix insanity and sarcasm but Andrea as her own kind of crazy which was just as enthralling to read as she begins to accept parts of herself that she has been trying all her life to ignore. These parts of her though have breasts, furry breasts that the men in this book couldn't seemed to ignore, best recurring joke ever! And Gunmetal Magic does funny really well, although some serious things are happening and Andrea is an intense person. I love that humour is still included, especially when it is between two of my favourite gals:
"If you paste some stars on her butt, you'll be riding My Little Pony." [Kate]
"Bugger off." I patted the mare's neck. "Don't listen to her, Sugar. You are the cutest horsey ever. The correct name for her color is strawberry roan, by the way."
"Strawberry shortcake, more like it. Does Strawberry Shortcake know you stole her horse? She will be berry, berry angry with you."
I must also mention Ascanio, our teeange delinquent Bouda...if I were 10 years younger there would be posters of him all over my wall...okay I have a slight crush on him, it feels wrong, but I can't help it. I can't wait to have a book about him *hint hint* He is charming, lethal, gorgrous, funny and very very wicked:
"Did those nice church ladies come by again?"
He nodded. "I asked them if a man died and then the woman remarried, and the three of them met in heaven, would it be a sin for them to have a threesome, since they were all married in God's eyes. And then they decided they were late to be somewhere else."
This was the right blend of action, humour and romance that has created a fantastic read that I all but devoured and reminded me (not that I would ever forget) why Ilona and Gordon Andrews are my favourite authors. I promise I will never doubt you again!
*opens up a second pint of Celebration Ben & Jerry's*
*ARC provided by publisher
May Update: I was lucky enough to get a ARC of this....and although Dave didn't pop up *sad face* I was right 5 Stars despite the lack of nekkid Curran appearances *sigh* ah well you can't have it all! Another fab-tastic book and I will post a full (gushey-fangirl) review nearer to the release date.
At first I was annoyed that this wouldn't be a Kate book, but now I like the idea of Andrea getting her own book. Frankly, I love this series so much that by July they could do a book about an orange spotted monkey called Dave and so long as Kate and Curran arrived in it at some point I would still give it 5 stars.
Awww who wouldn't want to read a book about this little chap?
June 4, 2024
Andrea and Raphael take on a god.
Ok. The main thing to know is that this book takes place before Magic Rises and explains what happened to Andrea after she was injured in the events of Magic Slays.
The Order had been Andrea's life until they tossed her out after finding out she was a shapeshifter. But she's not just any kind of shifter, and this is the book where you find out exactly what all she's had to go through in her life and why.
Gunmetal Magic also fills in the gaps between the two Kate Daniels' books when it comes to Andrea and Raphael. In book 5 they're breaking up and then in book 6 they're back together.
This.
You need to read this to get the full scoop. It’s worth it because they’re adorable.
I'd also forgotten what a huge part Roman played in this. We met him earlier on in the series, but this is really the first time you get to know (and love) him a bit.
Now, you don’t have to read this as part of the Kate Daniels series. You’re not going to be lost if you don’t feel the urge to grab it as this is one of those that is pretty much skippable fan service.
But if you are a fan? Yeah. Go get it.
Highly recommended for KD completionists.
2014 review
Ok. The main thing to know is that this book takes place before Magic Rises and explains what happened to Andrea after she was injured in the events of Magic Slays.
The Order had been Andrea's life until they tossed her out after finding out she was a shapeshifter. But she's not just any kind of shifter, and this is the book where you find out exactly what all she's had to go through in her life and why.
Gunmetal Magic also fills in the gaps between the two Kate Daniels' books when it comes to Andrea and Raphael. In book 5 they're breaking up and then in book 6 they're back together.
This.
You need to read this to get the full scoop. It’s worth it because they’re adorable.
I'd also forgotten what a huge part Roman played in this. We met him earlier on in the series, but this is really the first time you get to know (and love) him a bit.
Now, you don’t have to read this as part of the Kate Daniels series. You’re not going to be lost if you don’t feel the urge to grab it as this is one of those that is pretty much skippable fan service.
But if you are a fan? Yeah. Go get it.
Highly recommended for KD completionists.
2014 review
May 24, 2024
Don't be ridiculous. Of course I enjoyed this book. It's set in the world of Kate Daniels, my favorite urban fantasy series ever.
Magic has returned to the world, coming and going in 'waves:' when magic is up, technology fails, and vice-versa (except telephones--they're unpredictible at any time). Magic hates concrete and tall buildings, and it's been a struggle for citizens to reclaim their city from pre-Shift buildings--now rubble--and magic-powered areas of wildness. Reclamation companies specialize in materials recovery from collapsed buildings, and a shapeshifter group run by Rapheal is successful at winning a contract from the city. They discover a hidden vault in a building and promptly assign four shapeshifters to guard it. In the morning, the shapeshifters guarding the vault are discovered dead, and Pack security chief assigns Andrea to investigate, putting her into direct contact with Rapheal after months of estrangement.
Absolute uppers: fun, fun, fun. There's nasty bugs in Andrea's building's basement. Atlanta's police trying to put the moves on Andrea for a few deaths here and there. There's post-break-up transformation, a hot dress and Egyptian almost-gods. Roman, the Russian volhv (druid) is hanging out and doing his lecherous dark-and-evil routine. Then there's snakes--why'd it have to be snakes? Lots of humor sprinkled throughout, particularly from Roman, and Ascanio, the teenage bouda.
Sort-of-downers: Andrea's full personality is definitely bouda, which makes sense--her father was a hyena transformed by the Lyc-V virus and her mother a hyena shape-shifter. But now I'm wondering how much of Kate is bouda too. No, she isn't, I know. But I started to feel like there was personality semblance towards the end. I don't much care; Kate's an awesome character. I'm just saying I'm not sure if Andrea's distinctive voice was ever achieved. A couple of scenes remind me of Kate books; Andrea's trip into the Glass Menagerie mirrored Kate's first trip into the Honeycomb, and one of Andrea's phone conversations with Raphael--complete with eavesdroppers--paralleled Kate's phone conversation with Curran.
Neutral reaction: it is a reconciliation love story. Not heavy on the romance, but a certain failed relationship is weighing heavily on Andrea's mind, lingering and intruding the way it does after a turbulent break-up. I'm not one for romance, but there was enough actual investigating and non-romance-based action to keep me interested, and of course, bouda love is different. Many of the relationship issues are carried over from another book (one of the Kate Daniels books, I think), but enough recap is done to remind those of us who are old and forgetful (cough).
Bottom line--if you love the series, don't avoid it just because it's about a secondary character. It contains all the great world-building that makes the series special, with plenty of fights, odd monsters and a magical investigation to move it along. Glad I bought it and I'll undoubtedly re-read.
2024 update: Andrews did something interesting here--I don't think I've ever read a reconciliation romance, which must be a thing. It's actually an interesting angle to take, and I appreciated how it avoided all the usual insta-love for conversations on how people relate, and the ambivalent feels that result from remembering both loving and rough times.
Cross posted at http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2013/0...
Magic has returned to the world, coming and going in 'waves:' when magic is up, technology fails, and vice-versa (except telephones--they're unpredictible at any time). Magic hates concrete and tall buildings, and it's been a struggle for citizens to reclaim their city from pre-Shift buildings--now rubble--and magic-powered areas of wildness. Reclamation companies specialize in materials recovery from collapsed buildings, and a shapeshifter group run by Rapheal is successful at winning a contract from the city. They discover a hidden vault in a building and promptly assign four shapeshifters to guard it. In the morning, the shapeshifters guarding the vault are discovered dead, and Pack security chief assigns Andrea to investigate, putting her into direct contact with Rapheal after months of estrangement.
Absolute uppers: fun, fun, fun. There's nasty bugs in Andrea's building's basement. Atlanta's police trying to put the moves on Andrea for a few deaths here and there. There's post-break-up transformation, a hot dress and Egyptian almost-gods. Roman, the Russian volhv (druid) is hanging out and doing his lecherous dark-and-evil routine. Then there's snakes--why'd it have to be snakes? Lots of humor sprinkled throughout, particularly from Roman, and Ascanio, the teenage bouda.
Sort-of-downers: Andrea's full personality is definitely bouda, which makes sense--her father was a hyena transformed by the Lyc-V virus and her mother a hyena shape-shifter. But now I'm wondering how much of Kate is bouda too. No, she isn't, I know. But I started to feel like there was personality semblance towards the end. I don't much care; Kate's an awesome character. I'm just saying I'm not sure if Andrea's distinctive voice was ever achieved. A couple of scenes remind me of Kate books; Andrea's trip into the Glass Menagerie mirrored Kate's first trip into the Honeycomb, and one of Andrea's phone conversations with Raphael--complete with eavesdroppers--paralleled Kate's phone conversation with Curran.
Neutral reaction: it is a reconciliation love story. Not heavy on the romance, but a certain failed relationship is weighing heavily on Andrea's mind, lingering and intruding the way it does after a turbulent break-up. I'm not one for romance, but there was enough actual investigating and non-romance-based action to keep me interested, and of course, bouda love is different. Many of the relationship issues are carried over from another book (one of the Kate Daniels books, I think), but enough recap is done to remind those of us who are old and forgetful (cough).
Bottom line--if you love the series, don't avoid it just because it's about a secondary character. It contains all the great world-building that makes the series special, with plenty of fights, odd monsters and a magical investigation to move it along. Glad I bought it and I'll undoubtedly re-read.
2024 update: Andrews did something interesting here--I don't think I've ever read a reconciliation romance, which must be a thing. It's actually an interesting angle to take, and I appreciated how it avoided all the usual insta-love for conversations on how people relate, and the ambivalent feels that result from remembering both loving and rough times.
Cross posted at http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2013/0...
July 27, 2019
🐈 The Adventures Of A Brave Little Kitty Buddy Rerererereread (TAOABLKBR™) with the IA Addicts 🐈
➽ And the moral of this particular rererererereread is: Roman. I want moar Roman. BecauseEeyore pajama pants reasons. And also because ex-army ranger turned Dark Volvh reasons. And also also because hahahahaha more reasons. And stuff.
👋 Until next time and stuff.
[August 2018]
➽ And the moral of this particular rererereread is : NEVER open an Ilona Andrews book by accident. You won't be able to resist reading it if you do. It's an immutable law of the universe and stuff.
➽ And the other moral of this particular rererereread is : see moral of previous rererereread. Thank thee kindly. Oh, and by the way:
Don't ask.
⚔ The Grand IAA™ KD Buddy Rerererereread Extravaganza (GIAAKDBRE™), aka theyellow brick road to Magic Triumphs ⚔
➽ And the moral of this particular rererereread is :
I 💜 Andrea. Duh.
I 💛 Roman the Riveting Russian Rake, aka R⁴. Too bad he doesn't date, and only steals virgins to sacrifice. Damn.
I 💚 Barabas, his serrated teeth and frightened hedgehog hair.
☠ 💣 Raphael is a heartless bastard 💣 ☠
I 💙 Ascanio, aka Robin of Loxley, aka the Underage Screwing Machine (USM™).
I 🖤 Cuddly Fluffy Cutesy Jackals (CFCJ™).
I 💛 Roman the Riveting Russian Rake (aka R⁴), especially when he wears Eeyore pajama pants.
☠ 💣 Raphael is a heartless bastard 💣 ☠
I 💜 slightly deranged snake people.
I 💚 purple ultra long shag carpet.
I 💛 Roman the Riveting Russian Rake (aka R⁴), especially when he flex his biceps muscles inconspicuously.
☠ 💣 Raphael is a heartless bastard 💣 ☠
I 💜 the Psychotic Consort and her sugar woogums .
I 💙 dismemberment. And tentacles.
I 🖤 somewhat villainous and cunning and devious Egyptian scumbags.
I 💛 Roman the Riveting Russian Rake (aka R⁴), especially when he uses his big, um, staff.
Let's daaaaaaannnnnnnce!!!!!!
P.S. ☠ 💣 Raphael is a heartless bastard 💣 ☠ (just so you know).
[Original review (I apologize for its utter and absolute crappiness, I was barely out of the womb when I wrote it) ]
To think I didn’t like Andrea much before reading Gunmetal Magic! I just love her now! The real Andrea is unveiled here and she is completely different from the Andrea depicted in the series so far. She was fairly badass but I can’t say I was that interested in her character until now. The Andrea we see here is raw, she is pure rage and anger. She has been repressing her feelings for years but she finally lets it all out in Gunmetal Magic and lets the beast in her take over. Very cool and yet another wild ride courtesy of Ilona Andrews! This book is an explosive mix of action, humour, emotion and amazingly creative and complex world-building. Well, that pretty much sums up every book in the series so far…
The problem I have with the books in this series is that they are so hard to review. They make me feel like a silly teenage fan girl and have me mentally jump up and down while clapping my hands as I read. Which might explain why my reviews for anything Kate Daniels related might not make a lot of sense.
I think I’ll forget about trying to make any sense and will just make a totally random list of things I loved about Gunmetal Magic: the scene when Raphael shows up at Cutting Edge with his “fiancée,” when Anapa talks about the Firsts (precious info about Curran right there), the scene with Andrea, Raphael, Roman and Anapa (great dialogues!); Egyptian mythology and how it effortlessly blends into the story, any dialogue between Raphael & Roman… What else? The scene when Jim shows up at Andrea’s place with Barabas, Derek (among others) and see what Raphael has done with her apartment, Kate helping Andrea with the carpet thing at Raphael’s place (with Curran showing up and actually helping out). I love that Ascanio is one of the characters featured in this story and I just can’t get enough of Roman... There are so many things! Oh and the final battle is beyond epic, especially when That was pretty mind-blowing!
Favourite lines & quotes (sorry, I just can’t resist this):
➽ And the moral of this particular rererererereread is: Roman. I want moar Roman. Because
👋 Until next time and stuff.
[August 2018]
➽ And the moral of this particular rererereread is : NEVER open an Ilona Andrews book by accident. You won't be able to resist reading it if you do. It's an immutable law of the universe and stuff.
➽ And the other moral of this particular rererereread is : see moral of previous rererereread. Thank thee kindly. Oh, and by the way:
Don't ask.
⚔ The Grand IAA™ KD Buddy Rerererereread Extravaganza (GIAAKDBRE™), aka the
➽ And the moral of this particular rererereread is :
I 💜 Andrea. Duh.
I 💛 Roman the Riveting Russian Rake, aka R⁴. Too bad he doesn't date, and only steals virgins to sacrifice. Damn.
I 💚 Barabas, his serrated teeth and frightened hedgehog hair.
☠ 💣 Raphael is a heartless bastard 💣 ☠
I 💙 Ascanio, aka Robin of Loxley, aka the Underage Screwing Machine (USM™).
I 🖤 Cuddly Fluffy Cutesy Jackals (CFCJ™).
I 💛 Roman the Riveting Russian Rake (aka R⁴), especially when he wears Eeyore pajama pants.
☠ 💣 Raphael is a heartless bastard 💣 ☠
I 💜 slightly deranged snake people.
I 💚 purple ultra long shag carpet.
I 💛 Roman the Riveting Russian Rake (aka R⁴), especially when he flex his biceps muscles inconspicuously.
☠ 💣 Raphael is a heartless bastard 💣 ☠
I 💜 the Psychotic Consort and her sugar woogums .
I 💙 dismemberment. And tentacles.
I 🖤 somewhat villainous and cunning and devious Egyptian scumbags.
I 💛 Roman the Riveting Russian Rake (aka R⁴), especially when he uses his big, um, staff.
Let's daaaaaaannnnnnnce!!!!!!
P.S. ☠ 💣 Raphael is a heartless bastard 💣 ☠ (just so you know).
[Original review (I apologize for its utter and absolute crappiness, I was barely out of the womb when I wrote it) ]
To think I didn’t like Andrea much before reading Gunmetal Magic! I just love her now! The real Andrea is unveiled here and she is completely different from the Andrea depicted in the series so far. She was fairly badass but I can’t say I was that interested in her character until now. The Andrea we see here is raw, she is pure rage and anger. She has been repressing her feelings for years but she finally lets it all out in Gunmetal Magic and lets the beast in her take over. Very cool and yet another wild ride courtesy of Ilona Andrews! This book is an explosive mix of action, humour, emotion and amazingly creative and complex world-building. Well, that pretty much sums up every book in the series so far…
The problem I have with the books in this series is that they are so hard to review. They make me feel like a silly teenage fan girl and have me mentally jump up and down while clapping my hands as I read. Which might explain why my reviews for anything Kate Daniels related might not make a lot of sense.
I think I’ll forget about trying to make any sense and will just make a totally random list of things I loved about Gunmetal Magic: the scene when Raphael shows up at Cutting Edge with his “fiancée,” when Anapa talks about the Firsts (precious info about Curran right there), the scene with Andrea, Raphael, Roman and Anapa (great dialogues!); Egyptian mythology and how it effortlessly blends into the story, any dialogue between Raphael & Roman… What else? The scene when Jim shows up at Andrea’s place with Barabas, Derek (among others) and see what Raphael has done with her apartment, Kate helping Andrea with the carpet thing at Raphael’s place (with Curran showing up and actually helping out). I love that Ascanio is one of the characters featured in this story and I just can’t get enough of Roman... There are so many things! Oh and the final battle is beyond epic, especially when That was pretty mind-blowing!
Favourite lines & quotes (sorry, I just can’t resist this):
Between Kate Daniels and me, we had a wealth of skills, a small sea of experience, and enough smears on our reputation to kill a dozen careers.
“Where is the bane of my existence?” “In the shower, freshening up.” “Oh God, who did Ascanio screw now?” “No, no, he’s covered in blood.” “Oh good.” She sighed and stopped. “The kid is covered in blood and we’re relieved. There is something wrong with us.”
I don’t date. I only steal virgins to sacrifice.
“Raphael?” He opened his mouth. Nothing came out. “Are you okay?” Raphael’s lips moved. He swore. Ha! I got him! Drink it in, darling. Where’s your seven-foot-tall fiancée now? “Is there something wrong with my dress?” Rub it in, rub it in…
It’s never a good thing when the black volhv says “Uh-oh” and then runs for his life.
“The Consort in the flesh. You grace us with your presence, Your Majesty. I’m so honored.” I pressed my hand to my chest, hyperventilating. “I shall alert the media posthaste!”
“Your pajamas have Eeyore on them.” “I like Eeyore. He’s sensible. A sober outlook on life never hurt anyone.”
Kate smirked. “What?” “Your horse looks pink.” “So?” “If you paste some stars on her butt, you’ll be riding My Little Pony.” "Bugger off."
Ha. We killed an unkillable giant. Eat your heart out, Beast Lord.
“It’s only ribs,” Kate told him. “And they’re not even broken. They are fractured.” “And the hip,” Doolittle said. “And the knee.” There you go. Don’t expect mercy from a honeybadger.
“Go. Away,” Raphael said. The volhv leaned back, his arms behind his head. “How about you go fuck yourself.” Nice repartee. Not. Raphael smiled. “Big talk for a man in a dress.” “It’s not a dress. It’s robes, which are my work clothes. You know, work? The thing real men do?” Uh-oh.I could go on and quote pretty much the whole book but I’ll try and show some mercy here.
August 18, 2023
4.25 stars.
Many IA fans seem to prefer the heroines who are strong in classically masculine ways—stoic protectors who are competent fighters and provide for their families. The Kate Daniels and Nevada Baylors.
I actually really love the IA heroines who have more classically feminine strength—those who take the world’s traumas to heart, are open with their affections, and sometimes allow their emotions to rule them. The Dali Harimaus and Catalina Baylors.
I think Andrea Nash falls somewhere in the middle…but she’s a wonderful mix of the two. Gunmetal Magic follows Andrea’s reunion with her mate Raphael and her fight to overcome past trauma and take her place in the Atlanta Pack.
There’s also a classic IA murder mystery case involving dead shapeshifters, old gods, and lots of snake venom. Roman has now become one of my favorite side characters in the Kate Daniels world. In that respect this book was super par for the course in the series.
Raphael acted like a complete idiot for the first half of this book, and I was pretty annoyed with him. He redeems himself more or less but honestly I think Andrea should have made him work for her forgiveness more.
Many IA fans seem to prefer the heroines who are strong in classically masculine ways—stoic protectors who are competent fighters and provide for their families. The Kate Daniels and Nevada Baylors.
I actually really love the IA heroines who have more classically feminine strength—those who take the world’s traumas to heart, are open with their affections, and sometimes allow their emotions to rule them. The Dali Harimaus and Catalina Baylors.
I think Andrea Nash falls somewhere in the middle…but she’s a wonderful mix of the two. Gunmetal Magic follows Andrea’s reunion with her mate Raphael and her fight to overcome past trauma and take her place in the Atlanta Pack.
There’s also a classic IA murder mystery case involving dead shapeshifters, old gods, and lots of snake venom. Roman has now become one of my favorite side characters in the Kate Daniels world. In that respect this book was super par for the course in the series.
Raphael acted like a complete idiot for the first half of this book, and I was pretty annoyed with him. He redeems himself more or less but honestly I think Andrea should have made him work for her forgiveness more.
August 10, 2018
Andrea and Raphael's story. Andrea was trying to survive from day to day and Raphael was being an ass by bringing his current flame to meet his ex. oh yeah it didn't go well. Half of the time, Andrea spent crying over her ex and the other half was spent kicking whoever comes in front of her except Roman. Raphael didn't let go any chance of letting us know that he was an alpha and would do everything to get back his mate.
it was enjoyable but I kept missing Kate and Curran. I kept turning pages to catch a glimpse of my favorite couple. Andrea and Raphael were not bad, it's just they were not in the league of Kate and Curran. And if you have read those two then everything else pales in comparison, even the best friend and the super hot bouda.
it was enjoyable but I kept missing Kate and Curran. I kept turning pages to catch a glimpse of my favorite couple. Andrea and Raphael were not bad, it's just they were not in the league of Kate and Curran. And if you have read those two then everything else pales in comparison, even the best friend and the super hot bouda.
November 24, 2016
Major events happen in this book and they are life changing for Andrea :
1. Her position in the Shifters’ clan in general and in Bouda’s clan in particular is shorted out. She finally belongs somewhere (“We take care of our own”)
2. She successfully deals with Aunt B, Bouda clan’s Alpha who is also apparently her future mother in law.
3. It is about time to stop the games and decide if Raphael is the man (or maybe better the hyena) of her life and mate with him.
4. She accepts her past (her painful childhood, the rejection from the Order) and somehow she is making peace with it.
5. She will accept the fact she is Beastkin. She will wear her skin proudly.
During these personal matters, moreover she
• has to analyze and investigate the death of 4 shifters,
• meets some scary mythological creatures (a. huge wingless monster wasps, b. huge creatures with feline jaws and twin rows of tiny eyes and long segmented tails with a scorpion stinger, c. snake people with snake fangs in their heads etc.)
• is blackmailed by a true God (the God of the Dead)
• saves a child
• saves the world
I really like Andrea. She has her own personality. She is not an imitation of “Kate with lipstick”.
Andrea and Raphael are awesome together . They were behaving like the leading stars of a Latin America soap opera. Lots of drama, lots of tears. I also enjoyed the games Andrea and Raphael were playing before mating – especially Raphael’s pranks were excellent!
It was good for Raphael to have a bit of a competition. Volhv Roman has a great sense of humor, he is a wizard, he can do magic, he is a gentleman and he can make Raphael foam every time he looks and talks to Andrea.
Note: You MUST also read the book “Magic gifts”!
“Gunmetal Magic” (Andrea’s POV) and “Magic gifts” (Kate’s POV) complement each other and they present events that happen the same time period.
1. Her position in the Shifters’ clan in general and in Bouda’s clan in particular is shorted out. She finally belongs somewhere (“We take care of our own”)
2. She successfully deals with Aunt B, Bouda clan’s Alpha who is also apparently her future mother in law.
3. It is about time to stop the games and decide if Raphael is the man (or maybe better the hyena) of her life and mate with him.
4. She accepts her past (her painful childhood, the rejection from the Order) and somehow she is making peace with it.
5. She will accept the fact she is Beastkin. She will wear her skin proudly.
During these personal matters, moreover she
• has to analyze and investigate the death of 4 shifters,
• meets some scary mythological creatures (a. huge wingless monster wasps, b. huge creatures with feline jaws and twin rows of tiny eyes and long segmented tails with a scorpion stinger, c. snake people with snake fangs in their heads etc.)
• is blackmailed by a true God (the God of the Dead)
• saves a child
• saves the world
I really like Andrea. She has her own personality. She is not an imitation of “Kate with lipstick”.
Andrea and Raphael are awesome together . They were behaving like the leading stars of a Latin America soap opera. Lots of drama, lots of tears. I also enjoyed the games Andrea and Raphael were playing before mating – especially Raphael’s pranks were excellent!
It was good for Raphael to have a bit of a competition. Volhv Roman has a great sense of humor, he is a wizard, he can do magic, he is a gentleman and he can make Raphael foam every time he looks and talks to Andrea.
Note: You MUST also read the book “Magic gifts”!
“Gunmetal Magic” (Andrea’s POV) and “Magic gifts” (Kate’s POV) complement each other and they present events that happen the same time period.
July 2, 2018
3.5 stars. Kate Daniels' best friend Andrea, a werehyena/bouda/beastkin, gets her own novel with Gunmetal Magic. She's dealing with a rough breakup with Raphael (another bouda), a problematic investigation that involves several murders, and her own painful past involving physical abuse as a child. There's lots of relationship drama in this book.
I like Andrea, whose combat and kickass abilities seem to be about on a par with Kate's, but she's certainly carrying around a huge bundle of personal issues from her past, which frequently get in the way of her relationships and life in general. She's slowly working through those issues, but it's painful to watch her when she makes bad choices. I kind of hate it when people (including book characters) get in the way of their own happiness but, in fairness, she does show a lot of growth over the course of the novel.
The mystery unfolds slowly, but involves deadly snakebites from very large fangs, ancient and mysterious artifacts, and Egyptian gods with self-serving agendas. It's a satisfying mystery that kept my interest. I liked the secondary character Roman, the Russian dark wizard or volhv, and hope to see more of him in later books. He deserves more air time.*
Not quite up to par with the better Kate Daniels books, but still a fun read.
* ETA:
I like Andrea, whose combat and kickass abilities seem to be about on a par with Kate's, but she's certainly carrying around a huge bundle of personal issues from her past, which frequently get in the way of her relationships and life in general. She's slowly working through those issues, but it's painful to watch her when she makes bad choices. I kind of hate it when people (including book characters) get in the way of their own happiness but, in fairness, she does show a lot of growth over the course of the novel.
The mystery unfolds slowly, but involves deadly snakebites from very large fangs, ancient and mysterious artifacts, and Egyptian gods with self-serving agendas. It's a satisfying mystery that kept my interest. I liked the secondary character Roman, the Russian dark wizard or volhv, and hope to see more of him in later books. He deserves more air time.*
Not quite up to par with the better Kate Daniels books, but still a fun read.
* ETA:
December 20, 2023
An entire novel dedicated to badass Andrea Nash? Sign me up, please. GUNMETAL MAGIC explored her past and hatred of the boudas, as well as had her off on assignments for the pack with Estancio (yay! Another favorite.) All your favorite boudas in one awesome novel. And the love-hate thing going on with her and Rafael… damn, that was some hot writing. The backstory behind why things hadn’t worked out… and then did which was in the background in the main series was front and center here. All boudas all the time, with a brand new mystery to figure out when a group of shifters is killed. Cameos by Kate and Curran. And Aunt Bea, who is absolutely one of my favorite characters in the entire series. This one was just phenomenal!!
September 22, 2020
4.25/5 ⭐
Okay wow, let me say it: this should be a book of its own, not a novella.
It was amazing!
I love Andrea even more now, she is a total badass and after absolutely everything she's been through, she deserves only the best. I am not the biggest Raphael fan (I only like him sometimes and I would definitely read a 300 pages long book where Roman roasts him on a stick) but I definitely love him and Andrea together, they are amazing!
I also appreciate the fact that this book encompasses more myths and legends: Slavic, Norse, Egyptian. It's wonderful to see how everything binds together.
Okay wow, let me say it: this should be a book of its own, not a novella.
It was amazing!
I love Andrea even more now, she is a total badass and after absolutely everything she's been through, she deserves only the best. I am not the biggest Raphael fan (I only like him sometimes and I would definitely read a 300 pages long book where Roman roasts him on a stick) but I definitely love him and Andrea together, they are amazing!
I also appreciate the fact that this book encompasses more myths and legends: Slavic, Norse, Egyptian. It's wonderful to see how everything binds together.
January 16, 2021
1st read - August 2013 - 4 stars
2nd read - June 2015 - rating Increased to 5 stars
3rd read - July 2016
4th read - February 2018
5th Read - July 2018
6th Read - July 2019
7th read - October 2020
8th read - January 2021
Original Review
I have loved Andrea ever since she was introduced to the series so I was quite excited when I found out she was getting her own book. I love her friendship with Kate and the fact that she is another strong female character who is able to stand up for herself and fight when she needs to. I also really enjoyed the novella Magic Mourns staring Andrea and Raphael so after the developments in Magic Slays I was very curious to see how they would manage to fix their relationship.
Andrea has been through a lot since the series began, she has spent years trying to forget her upbringing at the hands of an abusive bouda pack and has done everything in her power to push her Beastkin side into the background and live as a human. It took a lot of work for her to gain respect in the Order but as soon as they found out about her shapeshifting abilities they kicked her out. Now she is left feeling lost and abandoned and is trying to rebuild a new life for herself working alongside Kate. Andrea needs to come to terms with who and what she is before she can move forward in her life though. It's something she has put off for a long time but when she decides to embrace it she goes full out with a take no prisoners attitude. It was great to see her come to terms with her past and start to accept herself and find her place within the Pack hierarchy. I loved seeing so much growth in her character, she really did a lot of growing up and is now stronger than ever.
I also enjoyed seeing her fighting for her man. Raphael did some things that really annoyed me in this story, in some ways he acted like a spoilt child but Andrea wasn't afraid to call him out on it and give him the kick up the butt that he needed. They make a great couple and I was pleased to see them start working things out. Although the story has a lot of focus on them as a couple it also has all the things you'd expect from Ilona Andrews and there is plenty of action to keep you on the edge of your seat. It was nice to see brief appearances from Kate and Curran but I'm glad that they weren't in the story too much because it would have been too easy for them to take the focus away from Andrea and Raphael. Andrea and Raphael will never replace Kate and Curran as my favourite couple but I still really enjoyed spending time with them and would like to see more stories from their point of view in the future.
Gunmetal Magic also includes Magic Gifts, a novella starring Kate and Curran. The timeline coincides with the first half of Gunmetal Magic and although the novella is at the back of the book I would actually recommend reading it first. Anyone who has read any of my previous reviews will know how much I adore Kate and Curran so of course I jump at the chance of reading any story containing them and Magic Gifts was a fabulous one.
_______________________
2nd Read
I think I was a little less forgiving of Raphael's behaviour on my second read through and I think Andrea should have kicked his arse for some of his actions. I still love them as a couple & was pleased with the way things turned out but really wanted to punch Raphael in the face at the beginning of the book
_______________________
3rd Read
I love Andrea and Raphael as a couple, they both make mistakes but they're both willing to admit to it and apologise when they do. I'm so happy they've worked things out.
Other random thoughts:
- the friendship between Kate and Andrea is my favourite
- Ascanio cracks me up
- Andrea's meeting with Aunt B was brilliant & so was her revenge on Raphael
- this was the book where Roman started to get REALLY interesting
- Andrea has great scare tactics
2nd read - June 2015 - rating Increased to 5 stars
3rd read - July 2016
4th read - February 2018
5th Read - July 2018
6th Read - July 2019
7th read - October 2020
8th read - January 2021
Original Review
I have loved Andrea ever since she was introduced to the series so I was quite excited when I found out she was getting her own book. I love her friendship with Kate and the fact that she is another strong female character who is able to stand up for herself and fight when she needs to. I also really enjoyed the novella Magic Mourns staring Andrea and Raphael so after the developments in Magic Slays I was very curious to see how they would manage to fix their relationship.
Andrea has been through a lot since the series began, she has spent years trying to forget her upbringing at the hands of an abusive bouda pack and has done everything in her power to push her Beastkin side into the background and live as a human. It took a lot of work for her to gain respect in the Order but as soon as they found out about her shapeshifting abilities they kicked her out. Now she is left feeling lost and abandoned and is trying to rebuild a new life for herself working alongside Kate. Andrea needs to come to terms with who and what she is before she can move forward in her life though. It's something she has put off for a long time but when she decides to embrace it she goes full out with a take no prisoners attitude. It was great to see her come to terms with her past and start to accept herself and find her place within the Pack hierarchy. I loved seeing so much growth in her character, she really did a lot of growing up and is now stronger than ever.
I also enjoyed seeing her fighting for her man. Raphael did some things that really annoyed me in this story, in some ways he acted like a spoilt child but Andrea wasn't afraid to call him out on it and give him the kick up the butt that he needed. They make a great couple and I was pleased to see them start working things out. Although the story has a lot of focus on them as a couple it also has all the things you'd expect from Ilona Andrews and there is plenty of action to keep you on the edge of your seat. It was nice to see brief appearances from Kate and Curran but I'm glad that they weren't in the story too much because it would have been too easy for them to take the focus away from Andrea and Raphael. Andrea and Raphael will never replace Kate and Curran as my favourite couple but I still really enjoyed spending time with them and would like to see more stories from their point of view in the future.
Gunmetal Magic also includes Magic Gifts, a novella starring Kate and Curran. The timeline coincides with the first half of Gunmetal Magic and although the novella is at the back of the book I would actually recommend reading it first. Anyone who has read any of my previous reviews will know how much I adore Kate and Curran so of course I jump at the chance of reading any story containing them and Magic Gifts was a fabulous one.
_______________________
2nd Read
I think I was a little less forgiving of Raphael's behaviour on my second read through and I think Andrea should have kicked his arse for some of his actions. I still love them as a couple & was pleased with the way things turned out but really wanted to punch Raphael in the face at the beginning of the book
_______________________
3rd Read
I love Andrea and Raphael as a couple, they both make mistakes but they're both willing to admit to it and apologise when they do. I'm so happy they've worked things out.
Other random thoughts:
- the friendship between Kate and Andrea is my favourite
- Ascanio cracks me up
- Andrea's meeting with Aunt B was brilliant & so was her revenge on Raphael
- this was the book where Roman started to get REALLY interesting
- Andrea has great scare tactics
August 7, 2024
This was a mixed bag for me. A lot of entertaining parts, but I didn't love the timeline this established and just how much Andrea and Raphael's conflict was drawn out (and other aspects of said conflict). Not my favorite in this series.
Yes, Andrea is in her emo teenager era in this one. “[...]three men on one side and a woman waving good-bye. Or maybe hello.
Nope, it was probably good-bye. Life was mean like that.”
Oh boy. “'You want to know what the best thing about Rebecca is?'
His eyes were pure ruby and they burned. I was hanging on by a thread.
'She isn’t you.'
My humanity tore and the other me spilled out.”
Andrea did disappear for half a year, but this was still a shitty move. I'll consider them even if Rebecca turns out to be just an instrument of his petty revenge and not his actual new squeeze (also so icky in the way she's characterized; can we stop equating pretty and feminine to shallow?).
A hyena shifter walks into a bar. “Okay, you’ve got something that says you’re from the Pack?”
Ascanio coughed a bit.
I swept the hand from my forehead to my chin, indicating my face. “Do I look like I need to prove I’m from the Pack?”
I'm so proud of him too. “Ascanio tripped Tony, pulled him to the ground, facedown, and leaned one knee on his back. 'Don’t move, sir.'
He remembered. I felt so proud.”
Some animalwere info. “For my father to exist, the virus had to have infected a human, and then passed from the human back to my father. This almost never happens because people don’t run around the wilderness biting animals.”
They're both being so petty, and I'm here for it. “Thank you for your concern, but have no fear. I prefer men, not boys. That’s why I’m not with you anymore.”
Move aside, human men.“'Giving up?' I asked.
'She isn’t interested,' he said. 'Cute, but not interested.'
That was one thing I could honestly say about the Atlanta boudas: the men always understood the difference between no and maybe.”
Roman as usual. “Are you asking me on a date?” Flirting or not flirting?
Roman leaned one arm against the bookcase. “Who, me? I don’t date. I only steal virgins to sacrifice.”
Just get a room already. “'Are you going to let me make my point or do I have to bite you to keep you from interrupting?'
'If you bite me, I’ll bite back. And I grow bigger teeth.'
Oh, it’s like that, then. 'But I’m much more motivated.'”
Great. They're both insane. “The scratches looked suspiciously like letters.
I climbed on a chair and looked at it from above.
MINE.”
The precious boy😭 “He didn’t say anything about your past,” she said. “Except that you have had a hard time, and there was abuse and it was bouda-related.”
I think I have a crush. “That’s how you intimidate people. No witnesses and not a mark on him. Get your asses to the car.”
Just two sillies and their pink carpet. “'You’ll never take me alive,' I told him. It felt appropriate.”
Kate's puns continue. “Does Strawberry Shortcake know you stole her horse? She will be berry, berry angry with you.”
Tired. “What are you two doing?” I asked them. “Don’t we have a bigger fish to fry?”
“Stay out of it,” Raphael told me. “This is between him and me.” Can we not do this? Roman was literally just talking to her.
Authors, please stop with the universal forgiveness that's actually just a lack of consequences. So Raphael decided it's okay to just let Michelle go because she has kids? Because she has to teach her kids how to be bigoted torturers like her? A woman who Andrea describes as: “Michelle Carver, who put a nail through my hand when I was five, because she thought it was funny to hear me scream. Michelle Carver, who pelted me with bricks, after Candy broke my legs. All I could do was crawl and Michelle chased me and threw bricks and rocks at my head.” She doesn't have to be tried in court even, according to Raphael. Who does then, Raphael? If not someone who tortured your mate and her mother for 11 years? That whole scene was bonkers.
Two kinds of people. “They built an enormous dog turd,” Raphael murmured.
“It’s a snake,” Roman said. “Look, see the head is resting on the top, and the snake is curling down around the pyramid. They’ve made their god out of clay, and then they’ll animate him. It’s very clever, actually.”
Yes, Andrea is in her emo teenager era in this one. “[...]three men on one side and a woman waving good-bye. Or maybe hello.
Nope, it was probably good-bye. Life was mean like that.”
Oh boy. “'You want to know what the best thing about Rebecca is?'
His eyes were pure ruby and they burned. I was hanging on by a thread.
'She isn’t you.'
My humanity tore and the other me spilled out.”
Andrea did disappear for half a year, but this was still a shitty move. I'll consider them even if Rebecca turns out to be just an instrument of his petty revenge and not his actual new squeeze (also so icky in the way she's characterized; can we stop equating pretty and feminine to shallow?).
A hyena shifter walks into a bar. “Okay, you’ve got something that says you’re from the Pack?”
Ascanio coughed a bit.
I swept the hand from my forehead to my chin, indicating my face. “Do I look like I need to prove I’m from the Pack?”
I'm so proud of him too. “Ascanio tripped Tony, pulled him to the ground, facedown, and leaned one knee on his back. 'Don’t move, sir.'
He remembered. I felt so proud.”
Some animalwere info. “For my father to exist, the virus had to have infected a human, and then passed from the human back to my father. This almost never happens because people don’t run around the wilderness biting animals.”
They're both being so petty, and I'm here for it. “Thank you for your concern, but have no fear. I prefer men, not boys. That’s why I’m not with you anymore.”
Move aside, human men.“'Giving up?' I asked.
'She isn’t interested,' he said. 'Cute, but not interested.'
That was one thing I could honestly say about the Atlanta boudas: the men always understood the difference between no and maybe.”
Roman as usual. “Are you asking me on a date?” Flirting or not flirting?
Roman leaned one arm against the bookcase. “Who, me? I don’t date. I only steal virgins to sacrifice.”
Just get a room already. “'Are you going to let me make my point or do I have to bite you to keep you from interrupting?'
'If you bite me, I’ll bite back. And I grow bigger teeth.'
Oh, it’s like that, then. 'But I’m much more motivated.'”
Great. They're both insane. “The scratches looked suspiciously like letters.
I climbed on a chair and looked at it from above.
MINE.”
The precious boy😭 “He didn’t say anything about your past,” she said. “Except that you have had a hard time, and there was abuse and it was bouda-related.”
I think I have a crush. “That’s how you intimidate people. No witnesses and not a mark on him. Get your asses to the car.”
Just two sillies and their pink carpet. “'You’ll never take me alive,' I told him. It felt appropriate.”
Kate's puns continue. “Does Strawberry Shortcake know you stole her horse? She will be berry, berry angry with you.”
Tired. “What are you two doing?” I asked them. “Don’t we have a bigger fish to fry?”
“Stay out of it,” Raphael told me. “This is between him and me.” Can we not do this? Roman was literally just talking to her.
Authors, please stop with the universal forgiveness that's actually just a lack of consequences. So Raphael decided it's okay to just let Michelle go because she has kids? Because she has to teach her kids how to be bigoted torturers like her? A woman who Andrea describes as: “Michelle Carver, who put a nail through my hand when I was five, because she thought it was funny to hear me scream. Michelle Carver, who pelted me with bricks, after Candy broke my legs. All I could do was crawl and Michelle chased me and threw bricks and rocks at my head.” She doesn't have to be tried in court even, according to Raphael. Who does then, Raphael? If not someone who tortured your mate and her mother for 11 years? That whole scene was bonkers.
Two kinds of people. “They built an enormous dog turd,” Raphael murmured.
“It’s a snake,” Roman said. “Look, see the head is resting on the top, and the snake is curling down around the pyramid. They’ve made their god out of clay, and then they’ll animate him. It’s very clever, actually.”
March 23, 2021
February 2018 Reread. I'm more mad at Raphael this re-read. His stunt at the beginning of this book is absolutely ridiculous. But, as Kate says at one point, they both need to figure out what they want and what's worth fighting for, and stop being hurt at some point. Because if they want each other, they have to get over it.
August 2016 re-read: My opinion of Andrea (especially) and Raphael continues to grow with each reading. Before this read I'd always held onto the grudge of Andrea not contacting Kate after the Big Battle (at the end of book 4). And I still hate it. But for some reason, it's easier to forgive now, too. I get the why of it. I understand.
And if I could get a series about Roman, I'd be forever grateful - well, hell, I'll be forever grateful if Ilona Andrews just decides to continue writing for the rest of my life.
October 2015 re-read.
Original review:
Okay, here's the thing: I don't love Andrea. I know there are a lot of people out there that do, but I just don't. I also don't love Raphael. I never had prior to this book. They're both spoiled, think little of others, and whine when things don't go their way. Meh. I'm not into it.
That being said, by the end of Gunmetal Magic, even if I still don't LOVE them (like I LOVE Kate), I like them - although truth be told, I think it's because the drama between them is over now. At least I hope it is. Please gods, let it be over.
Anyway. So, with the fact of not loving Andrea and Raphael, I wasn't expecting to enjoy the romance, but I actually did. When the two of them decided to stop hurting each other purposely (which didn't do a lot to endear them to me), and get out of their own way - they found their HEA. I'm glad they did. They're actually better together than they are apart - truly. I like them much better as a couple than I ever did them individually. And while I also think that Kate and Curran are better together than apart, it's for different reasons. Kate and Curran are perfectly awesome, capable, GOOD people. They're whole and able to function without each other. They're not as happy as they deserve to be, and they are definitely stronger together, but if they had never gotten together they'd still be the kick-ass people they always were. Andrea and Raphael, on the other hand, seem to need each other to truly complete themselves. They're not whole, strong, good people without the other to balance them out. So, I'm glad they're together now.
The best part of this book is the plot and mythology. I was completely fascinated with it, and love that Ilona Andrews continues to bring amazing mythologies to play in their series.
And the saving grace here? Roman. I adore Roman. Black volhv. Eeyore-pajama-wearing. Geek. Former Army Ranger. He's funny (somewhat surprisingly), good-natured, powerful, and kick-ass. I definitely want more. A lot more.
It's always fun to see Kate and Curran from different points of view, and this was no exception. Make sure to check out exactly what Kate's up to during most of this book in the novella "Magic Gifts", which is at the end of Gunmetal Magic. It should really be read prior to Gunmetal Magic, though you're not really missing out on anything if you read it after, I suppose.
So, good plot, better than expected romance, and some favorite characters really shining. I'm happy with this story in the series.
I still need more Roman, though. Can someone make that happen?
Review to come later. I really enjoyed this addition, and LOVE Roman now. I need more of him, seriously.
August 2016 re-read: My opinion of Andrea (especially) and Raphael continues to grow with each reading. Before this read I'd always held onto the grudge of Andrea not contacting Kate after the Big Battle (at the end of book 4). And I still hate it. But for some reason, it's easier to forgive now, too. I get the why of it. I understand.
And if I could get a series about Roman, I'd be forever grateful - well, hell, I'll be forever grateful if Ilona Andrews just decides to continue writing for the rest of my life.
October 2015 re-read.
Original review:
Okay, here's the thing: I don't love Andrea. I know there are a lot of people out there that do, but I just don't. I also don't love Raphael. I never had prior to this book. They're both spoiled, think little of others, and whine when things don't go their way. Meh. I'm not into it.
That being said, by the end of Gunmetal Magic, even if I still don't LOVE them (like I LOVE Kate), I like them - although truth be told, I think it's because the drama between them is over now. At least I hope it is. Please gods, let it be over.
Anyway. So, with the fact of not loving Andrea and Raphael, I wasn't expecting to enjoy the romance, but I actually did. When the two of them decided to stop hurting each other purposely (which didn't do a lot to endear them to me), and get out of their own way - they found their HEA. I'm glad they did. They're actually better together than they are apart - truly. I like them much better as a couple than I ever did them individually. And while I also think that Kate and Curran are better together than apart, it's for different reasons. Kate and Curran are perfectly awesome, capable, GOOD people. They're whole and able to function without each other. They're not as happy as they deserve to be, and they are definitely stronger together, but if they had never gotten together they'd still be the kick-ass people they always were. Andrea and Raphael, on the other hand, seem to need each other to truly complete themselves. They're not whole, strong, good people without the other to balance them out. So, I'm glad they're together now.
The best part of this book is the plot and mythology. I was completely fascinated with it, and love that Ilona Andrews continues to bring amazing mythologies to play in their series.
And the saving grace here? Roman. I adore Roman. Black volhv. Eeyore-pajama-wearing. Geek. Former Army Ranger. He's funny (somewhat surprisingly), good-natured, powerful, and kick-ass. I definitely want more. A lot more.
It's always fun to see Kate and Curran from different points of view, and this was no exception. Make sure to check out exactly what Kate's up to during most of this book in the novella "Magic Gifts", which is at the end of Gunmetal Magic. It should really be read prior to Gunmetal Magic, though you're not really missing out on anything if you read it after, I suppose.
So, good plot, better than expected romance, and some favorite characters really shining. I'm happy with this story in the series.
I still need more Roman, though. Can someone make that happen?
Review to come later. I really enjoyed this addition, and LOVE Roman now. I need more of him, seriously.
July 10, 2013
2.8/5 stars
I've never liked Andrea and Raphael, not like I do Kate and Curran or Jim and Dali. I was hoping their book would change that, but I think I like them even less now.
I had a lot of trouble connecting to the characters and story. Andrea was cold and hard to relate to. Raphael was okay, didn't really have the most noteworthy of personalities. Basically, I like Raphael and Andrea as a couple, but not so much as individuals.
The action part bored me to tears and I really didn't care for it. The writing also felt a lot less polished than the Andrews' other books. Like this, for example:
There were numerous times throughout the story when I couldn't make head or tails of the dialogue or descriptions at all. Not sure if they were intentional and maybe I was just missing the point, but they seriously interrupted the flow of the story for me.
Everything else notwithstanding, Andrea and Raphael's romantic moments were adorable and reminded me fondly of Kate and Curran's "courtship". As a standalone, this isn't really bad, but it's not as good as I was hoping either.
For more reviews, visit my blog.
I've never liked Andrea and Raphael, not like I do Kate and Curran or Jim and Dali. I was hoping their book would change that, but I think I like them even less now.
I had a lot of trouble connecting to the characters and story. Andrea was cold and hard to relate to. Raphael was okay, didn't really have the most noteworthy of personalities. Basically, I like Raphael and Andrea as a couple, but not so much as individuals.
The action part bored me to tears and I really didn't care for it. The writing also felt a lot less polished than the Andrews' other books. Like this, for example:
"...that totally could be taken the wrong way."
Isn't that supposed to be "that could totally be taken the wrong way"?
There were numerous times throughout the story when I couldn't make head or tails of the dialogue or descriptions at all. Not sure if they were intentional and maybe I was just missing the point, but they seriously interrupted the flow of the story for me.
Everything else notwithstanding, Andrea and Raphael's romantic moments were adorable and reminded me fondly of Kate and Curran's "courtship". As a standalone, this isn't really bad, but it's not as good as I was hoping either.
For more reviews, visit my blog.
October 1, 2017
Next to Kate, Andrea is my favorite woman in their world. She is so cool! This in-between book is told through her POV.
Andrea and Kate have mended their fences and one of my fav female friendships in literature is back and going strong.
Andrea has decided to accept her beastkin. After Raphael pulls a truly jerky stunt, the changes she has been undergoing step out for the world to see. She has walked out of the animal closet and now she has to join the pack.
Meanwhile, shapeshifters are dying and Andrea is on the case. All in a days work for the detectives at Cutting Edge. But in the words of Indiana Jones, "Did it have to be snakes?"
Andrea and Kate have mended their fences and one of my fav female friendships in literature is back and going strong.
Andrea has decided to accept her beastkin. After Raphael pulls a truly jerky stunt, the changes she has been undergoing step out for the world to see. She has walked out of the animal closet and now she has to join the pack.
Meanwhile, shapeshifters are dying and Andrea is on the case. All in a days work for the detectives at Cutting Edge. But in the words of Indiana Jones, "Did it have to be snakes?"
September 21, 2012
Regardless of whether Ilona Andrews writes a Kate Daniels or an Edge book, know that each time you will be getting a quality, action-packed novel. There's just something about their writing style that captures you - hook, line and sinker. The Ilona Andrews name on a book is like a guaranteed seal of fantastic entertainment. A must-read for sure!
GUNMETAL MAGIC is a guaranteed good read. Ilona Andrews skillfully mixes action, suspense, and humor with heady romance in their alternate reality Atlanta. It makes me wish I were a bouda's mate!
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
GUNMETAL MAGIC is a guaranteed good read. Ilona Andrews skillfully mixes action, suspense, and humor with heady romance in their alternate reality Atlanta. It makes me wish I were a bouda's mate!
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
April 28, 2015
The was recommended to me since I loved Andrews Edge series, my friend thought I might like this one as well. She was right! I'm not a big urban fantasy fan as I get annoyed with the heroines who are extremely stubborn and refuse all help - yes they kick-ass and are independent, but they rub me the wrong way. I love strong female protagonists, but I also like a little romance :) This book had both and I'm now curious about Andrews books about Kate Daniels.
So has anyone read the Kate Daniels books? Do you think I'd like them?
So has anyone read the Kate Daniels books? Do you think I'd like them?
July 30, 2012
I had conspired to break the law with my ex-boyfriend, who I professed to hate, broken said law, destroyed the victim's attack dog/magic creature in a fit of murderous frenzy, and then ran away across the city, wandered around some woods, and fell asleep in a tree in my beastkin shape. When I went off the rails, I didn't do it halfway. No, I flipped a few times, caught a lot of air, and then exploded in a fiery crash.
I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to review this book early and let me tell you that Gunmetal Magic by far exceeded my expectations prior to reading.
"The one where you go f*-k yourselves." A snarl crept into my voice. "You come here to my territory and you think you can push me around? Well, come on. Push. See what it will get you."
When I first heard that Andrea was getting her own book, I'll admit that I was super excited...that is, until I realized that her book was going to put a new Kate and Curran installment on the back burner for another year. *insert sad face* However much to my excitement SHOUTY capitals within the first chapter I was like "Kate and Curran who?" LOL, okay that's not exactly true but Andrea and Raphael were such an exciting, funny and tumultuous couple that I was immersed in Gunmetal Magic immediately and let me just say that their book wasn't lacking in any category including humor, lust, love, fighting, flirting, blood, and gore. I was always a fan of Andrea but now after reading her story it's obvious why she and Kate are such close friends and her daredevil ways rival Kate's while Raphael's alpha-Licious persona mirrors Curran's as well, though in their own completely different ways.
A dark figure stepped into the office...... Six foot three, lean, wearing a black leather jacket and faded jeans....He stepped into the light. Dark blue eyes looked at me and the world fell apart around us. His face, framed by soft black hair, wasn't perfect in the way Ascanio's was, but it was a masculine and handsome, and his eyes communicated a kind of sexual intensity, a promise and a challenge, that made women lose all of their self-respect and try to proposition him I plain view of their dates. The familiar scent washed over me like a pain-filled perfume. Raphael
The first scene with Raphael broke my heart. *insert heavy lump in my throat here* The best thing about reading and ARC is you get the opportunity to review it first and the worst thing is that while my chest felt heavy and my heart was dying inside I had no one to discuss it with. One thing I find so admirable in a strong female role is that, if my heart was breaking then Andrea's must be shattering and instead of crying and throwing a fit, she held her own, (while I was seething) and didn't back down when things were not going in her favor because shes a strong willed woman. She knows that life must go on. She doesn't curl into a bawl and sob which would have been acceptable, no she plans a way to face the facts laid out before her and how to go about her life without her job and sense of duty suffering! She is such a courageous and fascinating addition to the Kate Daniels series that wouldn't be the same without her in it.
"You mean you showed her your guns and she didn't faint?" Ha-ha-ha. "No, honey, you're the only one who does that." As I recall, it was usually the other way around." I've seen plenty of guns. You have a nice one, but it didn't Make me faint." "That's what you say now.""Raphael, I don't own this phone. Don't make me break it, because I just gave up my last ten bucks to use it."
When she is hired by Jim to investigate a murder scene and discover who has sent venomous snakes to kill employees of Raphael and that hits close to him since Andrea is familiar with these workers and she believes in justice being served. True to her protective and badass nature she won't let anything or anyone get in the way of her investigation despite her uneasy personal life.
"Maybe you needed backup to help you with Roman," I told him. "I don't need backup. I can take him with one hand tied behind my back." "He had one hand tied behind your back." "Maybe it looked that way from where you were sitting......"
Raphael has always been described as a gorgeous, spoiled, player relentlessly sought after by women based on his looks alone and so I never took him as having much depth to his character except that he's a pretty boy to look at. Well we finally get to see the incredibly wonderful side of Raphael that left me not only crushing on his good looks but his mind as well. He's a powerful protector and he knows no lengths when it comes to getting the attention of the one he loves. It's apparent in this book that he would walk through fire if it meant protecting Andrea and making her his. I just love these Boudas when they get all growly and possessive when claiming "mine". RAWR. Some of my most memorable scenes in this book involved the verbal sparring between Andrea and Raphael, and it felt like I was a voyeur into a couples foreplay. It was sexy, hot and irresistible to watch.
His voice was sweet as honey. "Darling, do you need me to loan you some money?" "Ive never in my life needed you to loan me money. If I were dead, and the ferryman needed a coin to take me across the river to the afterlife, and you had the only quarter in existence, I'd tell you to stick it up your ass."
Asciano is such a cool character, we don't really get to know much of him in the past but luckily we truly get to know more of him. He a teen bouda that rivals Raphael's man charm and charisma. He's funny, fearless and can hold his own in a fight, all the while working as intern at The Cutting Edge with Kate and Andrea. He has grown so much in character since we first met him and he's growing into a young man that is going to be a powerful man. I loved Asciano.
A loud hyena cackle rang through the clearing. I turned. He stood on top of the beast. Blood drenched his fur. His monstermouth split in a happy, psychotic grin.
So I've visited Graceland a few times since I have a momma that is obsessed with Elvis Pressley and something I was fascinated with was that in his home he has shag carpet not only on the floor but in the walls as well. All I can say is that, there's some purple carpet that had me rolling over with laughter and all I could think of was Graceland! LOL. Mating rituals, need I say more?
"I asked you a question," Raphael said, his voice saturated with menace. Roman's voice turned icy. "And I told you to f*-k yourself. Which part wasn't clear?"
Roman the volhv, has turned into a character that I'm anticipating hearing more from. He's so funny and his sparring matches with Raphael are unforgettable and I just love reading about two men measuring their "sticks" in female attention rivalry. He's gorgeous and powerful and I'm dying to see him paired up with an equally witty character myself. Between he and Asciano, these two can steal a scene from anyone they're so charismatic.
To me being a shapeshifter meant being hurt, degrades, and living in fear. Every bone in my body had been broken by shapeshifter a before I was the years old. I've been stabbed, punched and kicked, whipped, and set on fire. I've watched my mother being beaten to a bloody pulp repeatedly and with vicious glee. I had rejected that life and chose the Order instead. The Knights were my pack and Ted was my alpha.
Andrea has a tortured past that we finally discover in Gunmetal Magic and my heart broke for her. Until reading this installment, Ilona Andrews has brilliantly kept us in the dark about her dreary and tragic childhood that left her vulnerable and robbed her of a happy life as an adolescent. With this torture we will now understand the true reasoning behind why she feels more comfortable hiding her shifter side and remaining in favor of only exposing her human side. When the Order released her from their service upon discovering her secret, that's when we truly got a glimpse of Andrea's shame that surrounds her shifter side, her fear of her Beastkin becoming public knowledge and her stubbornness to let down her guard. I'll admit I was puzzled in the past as to why Andrea would lack the pride in her shifter self that all the other shifters possess and I might have briefly blamed her for hurting Raphael and not throwing away her pride and meeting him halfway, but I was completely wrong. Andrea needs to deal with her painful past her own way and her journey begins in Gunmetal Magic and I'm so elated to see the powerful and positive change in Andrea towards herself, her shifter abilities as well as her strength to let the past go, forgive, yet to never forget her torture and the strength to know that she can assist other shifters and make sure they never endure the pain she once endured. For that I felt this book was truly outstanding!!!! Its obvious as to why Andrea is such a strong and admirable character because she has an ugly past that has shaped and molded her into the awesome character she is today!
The three shapeshifters stared at me, open-mouthed. "That's how you intimidate people. No witnesses and not a mark on him. Get your asses to the car."
If you're going in reading this book hoping for cameos with Kate and Curan you will get your cameos, however I didn't miss Kate and Curran when they were not around because Ilona Andrews proves once against how amazing this lovely pair know how to write amazing love stories, intertwined with a dark and scary plot that managed to keep me laughing and cheering the entire book. I was glued until the very end, and upon completing it, I wanted more. These exceptional authors know how to flirt with danger, tug at my heart strings and leave me yearning for more. Gunmetal Magic is a MUST read. It was incredible, and Andrea's charm was stunning.
"Bad days, good days, 'I'll cut you if you look at me the wrong ways' days. I'll take them all."
ARC provided by ACE Fantasy
My review is also posted on my blog at Miss Vain's Paranormal Fantasy
Please stop by my blog also on Thursday August 2, 2012 to enter my Gunmetal Magic Tour stop giveaway!
I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to review this book early and let me tell you that Gunmetal Magic by far exceeded my expectations prior to reading.
"The one where you go f*-k yourselves." A snarl crept into my voice. "You come here to my territory and you think you can push me around? Well, come on. Push. See what it will get you."
When I first heard that Andrea was getting her own book, I'll admit that I was super excited...that is, until I realized that her book was going to put a new Kate and Curran installment on the back burner for another year. *insert sad face* However much to my excitement SHOUTY capitals within the first chapter I was like "Kate and Curran who?" LOL, okay that's not exactly true but Andrea and Raphael were such an exciting, funny and tumultuous couple that I was immersed in Gunmetal Magic immediately and let me just say that their book wasn't lacking in any category including humor, lust, love, fighting, flirting, blood, and gore. I was always a fan of Andrea but now after reading her story it's obvious why she and Kate are such close friends and her daredevil ways rival Kate's while Raphael's alpha-Licious persona mirrors Curran's as well, though in their own completely different ways.
A dark figure stepped into the office...... Six foot three, lean, wearing a black leather jacket and faded jeans....He stepped into the light. Dark blue eyes looked at me and the world fell apart around us. His face, framed by soft black hair, wasn't perfect in the way Ascanio's was, but it was a masculine and handsome, and his eyes communicated a kind of sexual intensity, a promise and a challenge, that made women lose all of their self-respect and try to proposition him I plain view of their dates. The familiar scent washed over me like a pain-filled perfume. Raphael
The first scene with Raphael broke my heart. *insert heavy lump in my throat here* The best thing about reading and ARC is you get the opportunity to review it first and the worst thing is that while my chest felt heavy and my heart was dying inside I had no one to discuss it with. One thing I find so admirable in a strong female role is that, if my heart was breaking then Andrea's must be shattering and instead of crying and throwing a fit, she held her own, (while I was seething) and didn't back down when things were not going in her favor because shes a strong willed woman. She knows that life must go on. She doesn't curl into a bawl and sob which would have been acceptable, no she plans a way to face the facts laid out before her and how to go about her life without her job and sense of duty suffering! She is such a courageous and fascinating addition to the Kate Daniels series that wouldn't be the same without her in it.
"You mean you showed her your guns and she didn't faint?" Ha-ha-ha. "No, honey, you're the only one who does that." As I recall, it was usually the other way around." I've seen plenty of guns. You have a nice one, but it didn't Make me faint." "That's what you say now.""Raphael, I don't own this phone. Don't make me break it, because I just gave up my last ten bucks to use it."
When she is hired by Jim to investigate a murder scene and discover who has sent venomous snakes to kill employees of Raphael and that hits close to him since Andrea is familiar with these workers and she believes in justice being served. True to her protective and badass nature she won't let anything or anyone get in the way of her investigation despite her uneasy personal life.
"Maybe you needed backup to help you with Roman," I told him. "I don't need backup. I can take him with one hand tied behind my back." "He had one hand tied behind your back." "Maybe it looked that way from where you were sitting......"
Raphael has always been described as a gorgeous, spoiled, player relentlessly sought after by women based on his looks alone and so I never took him as having much depth to his character except that he's a pretty boy to look at. Well we finally get to see the incredibly wonderful side of Raphael that left me not only crushing on his good looks but his mind as well. He's a powerful protector and he knows no lengths when it comes to getting the attention of the one he loves. It's apparent in this book that he would walk through fire if it meant protecting Andrea and making her his. I just love these Boudas when they get all growly and possessive when claiming "mine". RAWR. Some of my most memorable scenes in this book involved the verbal sparring between Andrea and Raphael, and it felt like I was a voyeur into a couples foreplay. It was sexy, hot and irresistible to watch.
His voice was sweet as honey. "Darling, do you need me to loan you some money?" "Ive never in my life needed you to loan me money. If I were dead, and the ferryman needed a coin to take me across the river to the afterlife, and you had the only quarter in existence, I'd tell you to stick it up your ass."
Asciano is such a cool character, we don't really get to know much of him in the past but luckily we truly get to know more of him. He a teen bouda that rivals Raphael's man charm and charisma. He's funny, fearless and can hold his own in a fight, all the while working as intern at The Cutting Edge with Kate and Andrea. He has grown so much in character since we first met him and he's growing into a young man that is going to be a powerful man. I loved Asciano.
A loud hyena cackle rang through the clearing. I turned. He stood on top of the beast. Blood drenched his fur. His monstermouth split in a happy, psychotic grin.
So I've visited Graceland a few times since I have a momma that is obsessed with Elvis Pressley and something I was fascinated with was that in his home he has shag carpet not only on the floor but in the walls as well. All I can say is that, there's some purple carpet that had me rolling over with laughter and all I could think of was Graceland! LOL. Mating rituals, need I say more?
"I asked you a question," Raphael said, his voice saturated with menace. Roman's voice turned icy. "And I told you to f*-k yourself. Which part wasn't clear?"
Roman the volhv, has turned into a character that I'm anticipating hearing more from. He's so funny and his sparring matches with Raphael are unforgettable and I just love reading about two men measuring their "sticks" in female attention rivalry. He's gorgeous and powerful and I'm dying to see him paired up with an equally witty character myself. Between he and Asciano, these two can steal a scene from anyone they're so charismatic.
To me being a shapeshifter meant being hurt, degrades, and living in fear. Every bone in my body had been broken by shapeshifter a before I was the years old. I've been stabbed, punched and kicked, whipped, and set on fire. I've watched my mother being beaten to a bloody pulp repeatedly and with vicious glee. I had rejected that life and chose the Order instead. The Knights were my pack and Ted was my alpha.
Andrea has a tortured past that we finally discover in Gunmetal Magic and my heart broke for her. Until reading this installment, Ilona Andrews has brilliantly kept us in the dark about her dreary and tragic childhood that left her vulnerable and robbed her of a happy life as an adolescent. With this torture we will now understand the true reasoning behind why she feels more comfortable hiding her shifter side and remaining in favor of only exposing her human side. When the Order released her from their service upon discovering her secret, that's when we truly got a glimpse of Andrea's shame that surrounds her shifter side, her fear of her Beastkin becoming public knowledge and her stubbornness to let down her guard. I'll admit I was puzzled in the past as to why Andrea would lack the pride in her shifter self that all the other shifters possess and I might have briefly blamed her for hurting Raphael and not throwing away her pride and meeting him halfway, but I was completely wrong. Andrea needs to deal with her painful past her own way and her journey begins in Gunmetal Magic and I'm so elated to see the powerful and positive change in Andrea towards herself, her shifter abilities as well as her strength to let the past go, forgive, yet to never forget her torture and the strength to know that she can assist other shifters and make sure they never endure the pain she once endured. For that I felt this book was truly outstanding!!!! Its obvious as to why Andrea is such a strong and admirable character because she has an ugly past that has shaped and molded her into the awesome character she is today!
The three shapeshifters stared at me, open-mouthed. "That's how you intimidate people. No witnesses and not a mark on him. Get your asses to the car."
If you're going in reading this book hoping for cameos with Kate and Curan you will get your cameos, however I didn't miss Kate and Curran when they were not around because Ilona Andrews proves once against how amazing this lovely pair know how to write amazing love stories, intertwined with a dark and scary plot that managed to keep me laughing and cheering the entire book. I was glued until the very end, and upon completing it, I wanted more. These exceptional authors know how to flirt with danger, tug at my heart strings and leave me yearning for more. Gunmetal Magic is a MUST read. It was incredible, and Andrea's charm was stunning.
"Bad days, good days, 'I'll cut you if you look at me the wrong ways' days. I'll take them all."
ARC provided by ACE Fantasy
My review is also posted on my blog at Miss Vain's Paranormal Fantasy
Please stop by my blog also on Thursday August 2, 2012 to enter my Gunmetal Magic Tour stop giveaway!
![Profile Image for Anna [Bran. San. Stan].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1593184464i/98245866._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
April 11, 2024
3.5 stars. Ilona Andrews simply can do no wrong; I just enjoy everything they write. As part of my re-read (via GraphicAudio), I’m including all the extra novels and novellas about minor characters this time.
I was looking forward to Andrea and Raphael‘s story and, for the most part, it delivered on everything IA usually delivers: a mystery to keep you on your toes (this time concerning Egyptian mythology) and character and relationship arcs to keep you emotionally invested.
I will say, though, the level of drama involved was a bit much for my liking. Sure, everything is resolved eventually but both Andrea and Raphael got in their own way a lot. Also, Raphael does something at the beginning that triggered some of my own baggage and even if everything was proven inconsequential in the end, he still did something really shitty in my mind.
Still, a definite reading recommendation for all fans of the Kate Daniels series. It sure was fun seeing Andrea shoot stuff! And I can’t wait to see more of Roman in the new novel later this year.
I was looking forward to Andrea and Raphael‘s story and, for the most part, it delivered on everything IA usually delivers: a mystery to keep you on your toes (this time concerning Egyptian mythology) and character and relationship arcs to keep you emotionally invested.
I will say, though, the level of drama involved was a bit much for my liking. Sure, everything is resolved eventually but both Andrea and Raphael got in their own way a lot. Also, Raphael does something at the beginning that triggered some of my own baggage and even if everything was proven inconsequential in the end, he still did something really shitty in my mind.
Still, a definite reading recommendation for all fans of the Kate Daniels series. It sure was fun seeing Andrea shoot stuff! And I can’t wait to see more of Roman in the new novel later this year.
“Where is the bane of my existence?“
“In the shower, freshening up.“
“Oh god, who did Ascanio screw now?“
“No, no, he’s covered in blood.“
“Oh good.“
January 5, 2024
2024 Re-read
It's always a good time to revisit Ilona Andrews. I never tire of these novels and I re-read them much more frequently than I admit here. I don't always include Gunmetal Magic in my re-reading cycle, but I really should. I love Andrea stomping all over Atlanta in her beastkin form and taking on the Pack and the Bouda clan on her own terms.
Original Review
Ilona Andrews has my number. This husband and wife team writes action adventure/romance fantasy novels that I am completely unable to resist. Whenever I need a little reading pick-me-up, I turn to one of their novels. I'm currently going a bit stir crazy at home these days and I'm still harbouring some doubts about re-entering our newly reopened economy.
The Andrews incorporate so many details in their books that I've been reading and enjoying since I was a teen. A female main character, well educated, curious, and brave when she needs to be. Not overly dependent on the men around her and doesn't use her looks or flutter her eyelashes to get men to help her. Even better if she has self defense skills and can hold her own. Doesn't require anyone to “complete" her, but wants a male companion who knows he can't boss her around or wrap her up in protection that interferes with living life.
But like any typical Gothic romance that I cut my teeth on, there has to be a drastic misunderstanding to create the plot tension that pulls the reader along. Andrea and Raphael are both stubborn people, so their conflict has to be worthy of two very strong people. The Andrews oblige in this story which stars these two boudas. Of course, we also get to see all of our other favourites along the way. Barabas, Jim, Doolittle, Ascanio, Derek, Julie, the list goes on. Not to mention Kate and Curran.
The authors follow their formula. For me, it's a winning one. Not everyone will feel the same way, but their writing matches my reading preferences so well that I am happy to read this set up over and over in varied fantasy worlds and starring various couples. They've written my happy place. Thanks, Ilona and Gordon!
It's always a good time to revisit Ilona Andrews. I never tire of these novels and I re-read them much more frequently than I admit here. I don't always include Gunmetal Magic in my re-reading cycle, but I really should. I love Andrea stomping all over Atlanta in her beastkin form and taking on the Pack and the Bouda clan on her own terms.
Original Review
Ilona Andrews has my number. This husband and wife team writes action adventure/romance fantasy novels that I am completely unable to resist. Whenever I need a little reading pick-me-up, I turn to one of their novels. I'm currently going a bit stir crazy at home these days and I'm still harbouring some doubts about re-entering our newly reopened economy.
The Andrews incorporate so many details in their books that I've been reading and enjoying since I was a teen. A female main character, well educated, curious, and brave when she needs to be. Not overly dependent on the men around her and doesn't use her looks or flutter her eyelashes to get men to help her. Even better if she has self defense skills and can hold her own. Doesn't require anyone to “complete" her, but wants a male companion who knows he can't boss her around or wrap her up in protection that interferes with living life.
But like any typical Gothic romance that I cut my teeth on, there has to be a drastic misunderstanding to create the plot tension that pulls the reader along. Andrea and Raphael are both stubborn people, so their conflict has to be worthy of two very strong people. The Andrews oblige in this story which stars these two boudas. Of course, we also get to see all of our other favourites along the way. Barabas, Jim, Doolittle, Ascanio, Derek, Julie, the list goes on. Not to mention Kate and Curran.
The authors follow their formula. For me, it's a winning one. Not everyone will feel the same way, but their writing matches my reading preferences so well that I am happy to read this set up over and over in varied fantasy worlds and starring various couples. They've written my happy place. Thanks, Ilona and Gordon!
August 1, 2012
4.5 stars
Gunmetal Magic in numbers:
Number of pages: 326
Number of hilarious sentences per page: Anywhere between 3 and 17
Number of characters I want to be best friends with: 5
Number of raw emotional moments: too many to count
It would appear that, at this point, the husband-and-wife writing team Ilona Andrews can do no wrong. There’s a reason why many people who don’t normally read urban fantasy adore their Kate Daniels series, and people who do read lots of urban fantasy usually single it out as their favorite.
This spin-off of sorts, Andrea’s book, had some pretty big expectations to live up to, but there was never any doubt that they’d succeed, and succeed they did. Fast-paced, emotional, filled with beloved characters and hordes of mythological creatures, Gunmetal Magic is, above all, fun. Mission accomplished, you guys.
Andrea Nash is a person tortured by her past in nightmares. She sleepwalks and wakes up in her closet clutching a knife, but then gets dressed and becomes this unflinching, self-assured heroine you can’t help but admire. Despite many similarities between her and Kate Daniels, the authors never allow you to forget whose eyes you’re seeing through.
They call people like Andrea beastkin, a taboo among the shapewhifters. Her mother was a werehyena and her father a hyenawere, an animal that turned into a human as opposed to the other way around. As a daughter of an animal that occasionally shifted into a mentally challenged human, she suffered abuse and torture that culminated with her being set on fire at the age of eleven. Even though she grew up to be strong and skilled, a knight of the Order of Merciful Aid, the fear and distrust toward her own kind never really left her. Gunmetal Magic explores Andrea’s journey from being completely and utterly broken to having a chance at happiness.
The amount of mythology included in these books is comparable only to Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid Chronicles, but unlike Hearne, Ilona and Gordon never allow themselves to get pulled into a dry lecturing mode. Instead, they mix a massive amount of information with their signature sense of humor – they’ve developed this skill so perfectly, in fact, that you don’t even notice you’re learning something new between bouts of laughter and all the tear wiping.
Smut is the only thing these two don’t do well. It’s no secret that they don’t enjoy writing it – in fact, they’ve explained several times how uncomfortable they are with it. Their books focus on other things and they have different priorities. I actually tend to agree with them up to a point and this never bothered me one bit (you want smut, you read paranormal romance… with UF you get blood and guns), but I feel that it bears mentioning. I’m not saying that there aren’t any sex scenes in their books – there are – I’m just saying they lack heat some other authors accomplish with little to no effort. For some, like me, it’s a good thing, but the others should be warned.
I will say this just one more time because apparently, I haven’t been loud and annoying enough so far: my Kate Daniels books are full of post-it notes and I reread parts of them more often than I care to admit. It is my favorite urban fantasy series by far, and I’m someone who reads a lot of urban fantasy. If you’re still undecided about picking it up, I say go for it as soon as possible. Given the chance, Kate and Andrea will win your heart in an instant.
Also posted at The Nocturnal Library
Gunmetal Magic in numbers:
Number of pages: 326
Number of hilarious sentences per page: Anywhere between 3 and 17
Number of characters I want to be best friends with: 5
Number of raw emotional moments: too many to count
It would appear that, at this point, the husband-and-wife writing team Ilona Andrews can do no wrong. There’s a reason why many people who don’t normally read urban fantasy adore their Kate Daniels series, and people who do read lots of urban fantasy usually single it out as their favorite.
This spin-off of sorts, Andrea’s book, had some pretty big expectations to live up to, but there was never any doubt that they’d succeed, and succeed they did. Fast-paced, emotional, filled with beloved characters and hordes of mythological creatures, Gunmetal Magic is, above all, fun. Mission accomplished, you guys.
Andrea Nash is a person tortured by her past in nightmares. She sleepwalks and wakes up in her closet clutching a knife, but then gets dressed and becomes this unflinching, self-assured heroine you can’t help but admire. Despite many similarities between her and Kate Daniels, the authors never allow you to forget whose eyes you’re seeing through.
They call people like Andrea beastkin, a taboo among the shapewhifters. Her mother was a werehyena and her father a hyenawere, an animal that turned into a human as opposed to the other way around. As a daughter of an animal that occasionally shifted into a mentally challenged human, she suffered abuse and torture that culminated with her being set on fire at the age of eleven. Even though she grew up to be strong and skilled, a knight of the Order of Merciful Aid, the fear and distrust toward her own kind never really left her. Gunmetal Magic explores Andrea’s journey from being completely and utterly broken to having a chance at happiness.
The amount of mythology included in these books is comparable only to Kevin Hearne’s Iron Druid Chronicles, but unlike Hearne, Ilona and Gordon never allow themselves to get pulled into a dry lecturing mode. Instead, they mix a massive amount of information with their signature sense of humor – they’ve developed this skill so perfectly, in fact, that you don’t even notice you’re learning something new between bouts of laughter and all the tear wiping.
Smut is the only thing these two don’t do well. It’s no secret that they don’t enjoy writing it – in fact, they’ve explained several times how uncomfortable they are with it. Their books focus on other things and they have different priorities. I actually tend to agree with them up to a point and this never bothered me one bit (you want smut, you read paranormal romance… with UF you get blood and guns), but I feel that it bears mentioning. I’m not saying that there aren’t any sex scenes in their books – there are – I’m just saying they lack heat some other authors accomplish with little to no effort. For some, like me, it’s a good thing, but the others should be warned.
I will say this just one more time because apparently, I haven’t been loud and annoying enough so far: my Kate Daniels books are full of post-it notes and I reread parts of them more often than I care to admit. It is my favorite urban fantasy series by far, and I’m someone who reads a lot of urban fantasy. If you’re still undecided about picking it up, I say go for it as soon as possible. Given the chance, Kate and Andrea will win your heart in an instant.
Also posted at The Nocturnal Library
July 30, 2012
Review posted at Demon Lover's Books & More
This book amazed me. That’s different than “this book is amazing” (although it is, that). What I mean is that I didn’t expect to be so wowed by it. The world, the characters, the storyline, all of it was so vividly built that I had no trouble at all picturing the Kate Daniels World.
I can’t get over how seamlessly the writing flows, at how darkly beautiful the world is, and how well-written this book is. I almost can’t even write my review because I am still a bit stunned from the book.
I haven’t caught up on my Kate and Curran, so I wasn’t so sure I could read it without being confused, but I absolutely think it can stand alone.
I won't go over the plot, since the back cover copy does that, but I will let you know that Raphael and Andrea are/were mates, but pride has gotten in their way. The scene where Raphael brings his new girl into Andrea’s office was so messed up. But the worst part in the entire book was where he told Andrea that he did it on purpose. It’s one thing to know, but to have him say it to her? That was harsh and cruel.
Their road to HEA was the dark and realistic kind where it isn’t as easy as the alpha saying “You’re my mate,” and the female saying “Yay! Let’s have the sex now!” This was a twisted road where you have the power to hurt the one you love the most because you know where to aim the barbs. Once Raphael realized that Andrea hadn’t betrayed him and the Pack for the reasons he thought, he started to see a little more clearly and the “you hurt my feelings” goggles came off. Without the pain obscuring his view, he sees what a hard decision that was for her.
For Andrea’s part, she knows she screwed things up, she knows this and tells him this, but he hurt her purposely. That is so hard to get over. She grows up, she looks at things differently, she understands that love isn’t always enough. They both have to work at it, not just say “I love you, my mate” and have life be sunshine and rainbows.
They worked their butts off for their HEA, and they earned it, no doubt. But in the meantime, the romance is intertwined with the horrific plot of someone trying to raise an old god from the dead. And it’s baaaad news.
Andrea is investigating the murder of some of Raphael’s employees and at the same time trying to figure out what may (or may not) have been stolen from a previously unknown vault. She and Raphael have to work together, and they have to deal with their break-up but in the mean time they are fighting to save the world.
It’s an intense book that will grab your from the first word and hold you in its grip until the last word.
***ARC courtesy of Ace Fantasy
This book amazed me. That’s different than “this book is amazing” (although it is, that). What I mean is that I didn’t expect to be so wowed by it. The world, the characters, the storyline, all of it was so vividly built that I had no trouble at all picturing the Kate Daniels World.
I can’t get over how seamlessly the writing flows, at how darkly beautiful the world is, and how well-written this book is. I almost can’t even write my review because I am still a bit stunned from the book.
I haven’t caught up on my Kate and Curran, so I wasn’t so sure I could read it without being confused, but I absolutely think it can stand alone.
I won't go over the plot, since the back cover copy does that, but I will let you know that Raphael and Andrea are/were mates, but pride has gotten in their way. The scene where Raphael brings his new girl into Andrea’s office was so messed up. But the worst part in the entire book was where he told Andrea that he did it on purpose. It’s one thing to know, but to have him say it to her? That was harsh and cruel.
Their road to HEA was the dark and realistic kind where it isn’t as easy as the alpha saying “You’re my mate,” and the female saying “Yay! Let’s have the sex now!” This was a twisted road where you have the power to hurt the one you love the most because you know where to aim the barbs. Once Raphael realized that Andrea hadn’t betrayed him and the Pack for the reasons he thought, he started to see a little more clearly and the “you hurt my feelings” goggles came off. Without the pain obscuring his view, he sees what a hard decision that was for her.
For Andrea’s part, she knows she screwed things up, she knows this and tells him this, but he hurt her purposely. That is so hard to get over. She grows up, she looks at things differently, she understands that love isn’t always enough. They both have to work at it, not just say “I love you, my mate” and have life be sunshine and rainbows.
They worked their butts off for their HEA, and they earned it, no doubt. But in the meantime, the romance is intertwined with the horrific plot of someone trying to raise an old god from the dead. And it’s baaaad news.
Andrea is investigating the murder of some of Raphael’s employees and at the same time trying to figure out what may (or may not) have been stolen from a previously unknown vault. She and Raphael have to work together, and they have to deal with their break-up but in the mean time they are fighting to save the world.
It’s an intense book that will grab your from the first word and hold you in its grip until the last word.
***ARC courtesy of Ace Fantasy
September 17, 2017
*4.5*
Fanfuckingtastic.
I'll admit I was worried about this one. As Roman tells Andrea, "You were all clenched up before... Very serious. Robot Andrea." And she was. In Kate's books, I'd found her absolute devotion to rules and order difficult to relate to. I admired her skill and determination, but I didn't look forward to a whole book from her POV.
I was incredibly, blissfully surprised then to find myself adoring the new Andrea. She's changed, and it's all for the better. Though she still has the same strong moral imperative to help others, she's "so very, very tired of standing on [her] own brakes." She refuses to deny her nature, and she's a more engaging character because of it.
That's not to say she doesn't still have some issues to work through, but they no longer seem insurmountable. Much of the book is spent addressing just that, in both obvious and subtle ways. But as with everything else, once the tenacious Andrea has set her mind on rebuilding her life and confronting her issues, she can't do anything but succeed.
The change in her was refreshing. So, too, was the change in Raphael, whom I'd found lacklustre in a previous short. The badass, sharp, loving guy is back, and he's vicious in his pursuit of his mate. I enjoyed their dynamic, both of them knowing they'd royally screwed up and both attacking the resulting situation in so many wrong ways. There's a lot of hurt here, and the characters seem real in how they react without going over an unforgivable edge.
The book also addresses Andrea's relationship with the Pack in general. She's a woman who likes things on her own terms, and the way she handles the situation felt just right.
Andrea being Kate's best friend, it's understandable that the Beast Lord's Consort make an appearance or two. They're fabulous, shoring up my opinion of Kate as a sarcastic, badass, good-hearted phenom with completely insane eyes. Seeing her and Curran from outside the relationship confirms they are very much in love. And scary as hell.
Kate's presence also prompts direct comparison between the two heroines. As Jim states, you call Andrea when you need a methodical investigation. You call Kate when you want half the world to explode. Their differences are evident in the writing. For example, through Andrea's eyes the devastation of Post-Shift Atlanta seems more drastic, more alarming in scale. I got a much better grasp of the city from her detailed descriptions. Andrea is also willing to pore over evidence and spend hours conducting research. No worries - the story's pacing is perfect, with plenty of action...but can you picture Kate ever having the patience for such a thing? Ha. There's a reason she tolerates Saiman, the walking encyclopaedia.
All things considered, Andrea and Kate share many compelling traits, but they are certainly individuals.
As for the investigation, it was fun watching Andrea turn her vast knowledge of the laws to her advantage. Her understanding of people - borne from years of saving victims and defeating baddies while in the Order - serves her well. She's quick-thinking and almost always in control. There are plenty of brutal fight scenes, reinforcing her physical prowess and making her much more than the gun-loving girl of Kate's books. Following leads with her was exciting and tense.
The case also expands our knowledge of this world. More information is given on the Firsts - their creation, their powers. Anything Curran-related is welcome. We also spend more time with Roman. The black volhv is absolutely intriguing, and I stand with countless others in my hope for a story focused entirely on him. Lots of other known characters pop in and out, their behaviour revealing much in terms of Pack politics. It's fascinating to see so much of Kate's world from a different point of view.
The story wrap-up and epilogue succeeded in two things: bringing this story to a neat, satisfying close; making me wish desperately for more. If you told me tomorrow that Andrea would be getting her own series, I'd be thrilled. Yup. That's quite a departure from how I felt going in, and I'm utterly thankful to have my mind changed. Thanks, Ilona and Gordon, for creating yet another character I'd gladly follow anywhere.
Magic Gifts - *4*
Great novella with a sweet ending and a comeuppance-filled epilogue.
I'm glad I read this after Gunmetal Magic, contrary to the authors' suggestion. There are overlapping scenes between the two and I think one aspect was better experienced from Andrea's POV first, for shock-value.
Fanfuckingtastic.
I'll admit I was worried about this one. As Roman tells Andrea, "You were all clenched up before... Very serious. Robot Andrea." And she was. In Kate's books, I'd found her absolute devotion to rules and order difficult to relate to. I admired her skill and determination, but I didn't look forward to a whole book from her POV.
I was incredibly, blissfully surprised then to find myself adoring the new Andrea. She's changed, and it's all for the better. Though she still has the same strong moral imperative to help others, she's "so very, very tired of standing on [her] own brakes." She refuses to deny her nature, and she's a more engaging character because of it.
That's not to say she doesn't still have some issues to work through, but they no longer seem insurmountable. Much of the book is spent addressing just that, in both obvious and subtle ways. But as with everything else, once the tenacious Andrea has set her mind on rebuilding her life and confronting her issues, she can't do anything but succeed.
The change in her was refreshing. So, too, was the change in Raphael, whom I'd found lacklustre in a previous short. The badass, sharp, loving guy is back, and he's vicious in his pursuit of his mate. I enjoyed their dynamic, both of them knowing they'd royally screwed up and both attacking the resulting situation in so many wrong ways. There's a lot of hurt here, and the characters seem real in how they react without going over an unforgivable edge.
The book also addresses Andrea's relationship with the Pack in general. She's a woman who likes things on her own terms, and the way she handles the situation felt just right.
Andrea being Kate's best friend, it's understandable that the Beast Lord's Consort make an appearance or two. They're fabulous, shoring up my opinion of Kate as a sarcastic, badass, good-hearted phenom with completely insane eyes. Seeing her and Curran from outside the relationship confirms they are very much in love. And scary as hell.
Kate's presence also prompts direct comparison between the two heroines. As Jim states, you call Andrea when you need a methodical investigation. You call Kate when you want half the world to explode. Their differences are evident in the writing. For example, through Andrea's eyes the devastation of Post-Shift Atlanta seems more drastic, more alarming in scale. I got a much better grasp of the city from her detailed descriptions. Andrea is also willing to pore over evidence and spend hours conducting research. No worries - the story's pacing is perfect, with plenty of action...but can you picture Kate ever having the patience for such a thing? Ha. There's a reason she tolerates Saiman, the walking encyclopaedia.
All things considered, Andrea and Kate share many compelling traits, but they are certainly individuals.
As for the investigation, it was fun watching Andrea turn her vast knowledge of the laws to her advantage. Her understanding of people - borne from years of saving victims and defeating baddies while in the Order - serves her well. She's quick-thinking and almost always in control. There are plenty of brutal fight scenes, reinforcing her physical prowess and making her much more than the gun-loving girl of Kate's books. Following leads with her was exciting and tense.
The case also expands our knowledge of this world. More information is given on the Firsts - their creation, their powers. Anything Curran-related is welcome. We also spend more time with Roman. The black volhv is absolutely intriguing, and I stand with countless others in my hope for a story focused entirely on him. Lots of other known characters pop in and out, their behaviour revealing much in terms of Pack politics. It's fascinating to see so much of Kate's world from a different point of view.
The story wrap-up and epilogue succeeded in two things: bringing this story to a neat, satisfying close; making me wish desperately for more. If you told me tomorrow that Andrea would be getting her own series, I'd be thrilled. Yup. That's quite a departure from how I felt going in, and I'm utterly thankful to have my mind changed. Thanks, Ilona and Gordon, for creating yet another character I'd gladly follow anywhere.
Magic Gifts - *4*
Great novella with a sweet ending and a comeuppance-filled epilogue.
I'm glad I read this after Gunmetal Magic, contrary to the authors' suggestion. There are overlapping scenes between the two and I think one aspect was better experienced from Andrea's POV first, for shock-value.
July 18, 2014
The Re-read before Magic Breaks Continues
Another great re-read down and I continue on. Just a few more stories so go. I really loved the hoemance between Kate and Andrea in this. There Dialogue together is such a good time.
“Kate leaned back against her chair. "Where is the bane of my existence?"
"In the shower, freshening up."
"Oh, God, who did Asciano screw now?"
"No, no, he's covered in blood."
"Oh good." She sighed and stopped. "The kid is covered in blood and we're relieved. There is something wrong with us.”
While I always love the main characters in these the richness of secondary characters is what make all of these novels great.
Andrea and Raphael have some serious competition for favorites between Jim, Asciano, Roman and Barabas not to mention the times His Furiness and Kate and they steal the show.
Original review Nov 4, 2013
3.75 Stars
I totally love that Jim needs Andrea’s help with the murders of some shape shifters at a work sight because;
I can’t ask the Consort to look into it, because A) she and Curran are working on something else and B) when the Consort gets involved, half of the world blows up.”
Haha well isn’t that true. So Andrea is needed to solve the murder at a work sight owned by Raphael. To say that she has some unresolved issue with him is an understatement. She disappeared while dealing with the fall out of her being Beastkin and losing the job she fought so hard to keep. Her relationship was never resolved one way or another.
This is very much a book about Andrea becoming comfortable with her animal aspect. She was a Knight and that was all she knew for so long. She was ashamed of being Beastkin to the point of implanting herself with a bit of magic so she could never change shape. Now with all of that gone, she is trying to figure out how to be a PI with Kate and accept who she really is.
Andrea is stronger in this book than the others. I really enjoyed how she took charge of the investigation and how well she adjusted through the course of the book to the life she will have as a Beastkin.
I really enjoyed seeing Roman again. I thought that he was a particularly interesting character in Magic Slays and for a Dark priest he is pleasantly charming. When Andrea called him to help her get out of a bind
The dark scary servant of all evil was on his way to rescue me. Somehow that thought failed to make me warm and fuzzy
But he is great for some comic relief of sorts and the banter between Roman and Raphael just cracked me up. Ah boys and their testosterone.
Andrea’s resolution with Aunt B as well really showcased how far Andrea’s character has come. When those two women go head to head it is definitely a battle of wills. Aunt B remains one of my favorite side characters of the series. She is a strong, clever woman who positions herself well by thinking things through more than by force. She is able to remain strong without being bitchy and that is a tough line not to cross.
I enjoyed the general plot line and the use of Egyptian mythology. I usually like it a little better when Illona Andrews uses other mythologies in the books just because they usually aren’t as mainstream. But they did the Egyptian mythology well and believably. I didn’t become bored with it as sometimes happens to me in this type of story.
This book is for anyone that likes the world Illona Andrews has made for the Kate Daniels series, like me and just can’t get enough. It shouldn’t be read if you have not read books 1-5 of the Kate Daniels series as you would be completely lost. I really recommend reading this one before starting Magic Rises but it isn’t completely necessary. Magic Rises just doesn’t explain the Andrea/Raphael relationship and how they got there, you just know they did.
Another great re-read down and I continue on. Just a few more stories so go. I really loved the hoemance between Kate and Andrea in this. There Dialogue together is such a good time.
“Kate leaned back against her chair. "Where is the bane of my existence?"
"In the shower, freshening up."
"Oh, God, who did Asciano screw now?"
"No, no, he's covered in blood."
"Oh good." She sighed and stopped. "The kid is covered in blood and we're relieved. There is something wrong with us.”
While I always love the main characters in these the richness of secondary characters is what make all of these novels great.
Andrea and Raphael have some serious competition for favorites between Jim, Asciano, Roman and Barabas not to mention the times His Furiness and Kate and they steal the show.
Original review Nov 4, 2013
3.75 Stars
I totally love that Jim needs Andrea’s help with the murders of some shape shifters at a work sight because;
I can’t ask the Consort to look into it, because A) she and Curran are working on something else and B) when the Consort gets involved, half of the world blows up.”
Haha well isn’t that true. So Andrea is needed to solve the murder at a work sight owned by Raphael. To say that she has some unresolved issue with him is an understatement. She disappeared while dealing with the fall out of her being Beastkin and losing the job she fought so hard to keep. Her relationship was never resolved one way or another.
This is very much a book about Andrea becoming comfortable with her animal aspect. She was a Knight and that was all she knew for so long. She was ashamed of being Beastkin to the point of implanting herself with a bit of magic so she could never change shape. Now with all of that gone, she is trying to figure out how to be a PI with Kate and accept who she really is.
Andrea is stronger in this book than the others. I really enjoyed how she took charge of the investigation and how well she adjusted through the course of the book to the life she will have as a Beastkin.
I really enjoyed seeing Roman again. I thought that he was a particularly interesting character in Magic Slays and for a Dark priest he is pleasantly charming. When Andrea called him to help her get out of a bind
The dark scary servant of all evil was on his way to rescue me. Somehow that thought failed to make me warm and fuzzy
But he is great for some comic relief of sorts and the banter between Roman and Raphael just cracked me up. Ah boys and their testosterone.
Andrea’s resolution with Aunt B as well really showcased how far Andrea’s character has come. When those two women go head to head it is definitely a battle of wills. Aunt B remains one of my favorite side characters of the series. She is a strong, clever woman who positions herself well by thinking things through more than by force. She is able to remain strong without being bitchy and that is a tough line not to cross.
I enjoyed the general plot line and the use of Egyptian mythology. I usually like it a little better when Illona Andrews uses other mythologies in the books just because they usually aren’t as mainstream. But they did the Egyptian mythology well and believably. I didn’t become bored with it as sometimes happens to me in this type of story.
This book is for anyone that likes the world Illona Andrews has made for the Kate Daniels series, like me and just can’t get enough. It shouldn’t be read if you have not read books 1-5 of the Kate Daniels series as you would be completely lost. I really recommend reading this one before starting Magic Rises but it isn’t completely necessary. Magic Rises just doesn’t explain the Andrea/Raphael relationship and how they got there, you just know they did.
April 9, 2015
I was looking forward to reading more about Andrea, but, unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this book.
November 15, 2017
Did I ever mention how much I love Andrea?
Well, now you know.
I love her character. And yes, I love Raphael, too.
But back to Andrea (because this series is pretty much the most heroine-centric series ever which is another reason why I love it so much).
She's dealing with the consequences of the events in book #5. One, the Order knows her secret and she's basically been unceremoniously shown the door. Two, her relationship with Raphael, the male alpha of the douda clan, imploded. Andrea felt unmoored and uncertain. Her heart was broken and my heart along with her.
Then there's Raphael. Andrea's ex...err, mate or whatever, acting like a royal ass. His male bouda pride can't quite grasp why Andrea made certain decisions in the past. He's hurt, too but he really pissed me off in this book.
But not for long. Andrea and Raphael's relationship is passionate as it is volatile and in this book, they're trying to get past everything that happened while dealing with another ancient power intent to annihilate everything in its path.
I enjoyed learning about the Firsts and how it relates to Curran and the implication it might have in the series. I also enjoyed Roman's cameo. He's fast becoming a favorite character of mine.
Fast paced, action packed and angsty, Gunmetal Magic packs a solid punch despite its shorter length.
Well, now you know.
I love her character. And yes, I love Raphael, too.
But back to Andrea (because this series is pretty much the most heroine-centric series ever which is another reason why I love it so much).
She's dealing with the consequences of the events in book #5. One, the Order knows her secret and she's basically been unceremoniously shown the door. Two, her relationship with Raphael, the male alpha of the douda clan, imploded. Andrea felt unmoored and uncertain. Her heart was broken and my heart along with her.
Then there's Raphael. Andrea's ex...err, mate or whatever, acting like a royal ass. His male bouda pride can't quite grasp why Andrea made certain decisions in the past. He's hurt, too but he really pissed me off in this book.
But not for long. Andrea and Raphael's relationship is passionate as it is volatile and in this book, they're trying to get past everything that happened while dealing with another ancient power intent to annihilate everything in its path.
I enjoyed learning about the Firsts and how it relates to Curran and the implication it might have in the series. I also enjoyed Roman's cameo. He's fast becoming a favorite character of mine.
Fast paced, action packed and angsty, Gunmetal Magic packs a solid punch despite its shorter length.
August 5, 2021
4 Sterne. Geheimtipp im Urban Fantasy Bereich, von dem ich einfach nicht genug kriege!
Ausnahmsweise wird dieser Band von Andrea (Kate Daniels bester Freundin) erzählt. Ihre Geschichte war zuvor am Rande immer angedeutet worden, kein Wunder also, dass ich auch diesen Spin-Off-Band genossen habe.
Wie immer: magisch und flott erzählt, mit starken, aber nicht unnahbaren Frauenfiguren, einem Love Interest, der gerade noch so besitzergreifend ist, dass ich es nicht als creepy empfinde.
Wichtige Erkenntnis für mich: Der absolute Höhepunkt kommt in den Büchern der Reihe immer eher am Ende, geht relativ schnell vorbei und auch danach gibt es nicht noch weitere 100 Seiten für die Zeit nach dem Höhepunkt. Wenn man das im Hinterkopf behält, wird man von dem steil abfallenden, dennoch immer gut erzählten Ende nicht enttäuscht.
Inhaltswarnung: häusliche Gewalt an Kindern
Ausnahmsweise wird dieser Band von Andrea (Kate Daniels bester Freundin) erzählt. Ihre Geschichte war zuvor am Rande immer angedeutet worden, kein Wunder also, dass ich auch diesen Spin-Off-Band genossen habe.
Wie immer: magisch und flott erzählt, mit starken, aber nicht unnahbaren Frauenfiguren, einem Love Interest, der gerade noch so besitzergreifend ist, dass ich es nicht als creepy empfinde.
Wichtige Erkenntnis für mich: Der absolute Höhepunkt kommt in den Büchern der Reihe immer eher am Ende, geht relativ schnell vorbei und auch danach gibt es nicht noch weitere 100 Seiten für die Zeit nach dem Höhepunkt. Wenn man das im Hinterkopf behält, wird man von dem steil abfallenden, dennoch immer gut erzählten Ende nicht enttäuscht.
Inhaltswarnung: häusliche Gewalt an Kindern
November 12, 2020
4 stars - zany fun from the the unpredictable boudas
"Birds of a feather flock together" sums up why Kate Daniels and Andrea Nash are best friends. Gunmetal Magic (#5.5) is a full-length novel showcasing Andrea's history and alpha-like personality. She just has an unholy love of weaponry that shoots (bullets, arrows, grenades, you get the picture) whereas Kate adores her sword Slayer.
In Magic Mourns (#3.5), a short story that featured Andrea and Raphael Medrano, Andrea had a significant decision to make, but it only got postponed until now. And now, Andrea's life is in shambles - forcefully retired from the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid and with Raphael as an ex. The timeline of Gunmetal Magic overlaps with the events of #5 Magic Slays. It fills in some of the gaps, such as just how well Andrea's meetings with Aunt B went. Aunt B is not only the bouda clan's alpha but her ex-boyfriend's mother. From Magic Slays -
Kate has employed Andrea in her struggling new business. While Kate faces the threat against Atlanta, Jim, the Pack's security chief, tasks Andrea with an investigation involving the deaths of Raphael's employees. It's a mystery influenced by Egyptian mythology, and it also involves Roman, the dark magic vohlv, who finds Andrea very attractive. But what I most enjoyed is an Andrea on the edge coupled with the distinctive bouda insanity.
#1 Magic Bites 3.5 ☆
#2 Magic Burns 3.5 ☆
#3 Magic Strikes 4 ☆
#3.5 Magic Mourns 3 ☆
#4 Magic Bleeds 4 ☆ - a favorite
#4.5 Magic Dreams 3.5 ☆
#5 Magic Slays 4 ☆
#6 Magic Rises 4 ☆
#6.5 Magic Steals 4☆
#7 Magic Breaks 4 ☆ - a favorite
#8 Magic Shifts 4 ☆
#8.5 Magic Stars 3.5 ☆
#9 Magic Binds 4 ☆
#9.5 Iron and Magic 4 ☆
#10 Magic Triumphs 4 ☆
Small Magics 4 ☆
"Birds of a feather flock together" sums up why Kate Daniels and Andrea Nash are best friends. Gunmetal Magic (#5.5) is a full-length novel showcasing Andrea's history and alpha-like personality. She just has an unholy love of weaponry that shoots (bullets, arrows, grenades, you get the picture) whereas Kate adores her sword Slayer.
I gave him my Order smile: sweet grin, hard eyes, reached over to my passenger seat, and pulled out my submachine gun. About twenty-seven inches long, the HK was my favorite toy for close-quarters combat. The rider’s eyes went wide.
“This is an HK UMP submachine gun. Renowned for its stopping power and reliability. Cyclic rate of fire: eight hundred rounds per minute. That means I can empty this thirty-round clip into you in less than three seconds. At this range, I’ll cut you in half.” It wasn’t strictly true but it sounded good. “You see what it says on the barrel?”
On the barrel, pretty white letters spelled out PARTY STARTER.
In Magic Mourns (#3.5), a short story that featured Andrea and Raphael Medrano, Andrea had a significant decision to make, but it only got postponed until now. And now, Andrea's life is in shambles - forcefully retired from the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid and with Raphael as an ex. The timeline of Gunmetal Magic overlaps with the events of #5 Magic Slays. It fills in some of the gaps, such as just how well Andrea's meetings with Aunt B went. Aunt B is not only the bouda clan's alpha but her ex-boyfriend's mother. From Magic Slays -
A crazy light sparked in Andrea's eyes. "I'll make it my mission in life to take [Aunt B] down."
And people said I was nuts.
Andrea raised her hand. “This is the hand that slapped Aunt B.”
“Maybe you should have it gold-plated.”
“Here, you can touch it, since you’re my best friend.”
Kate has employed Andrea in her struggling new business. While Kate faces the threat against Atlanta, Jim, the Pack's security chief, tasks Andrea with an investigation involving the deaths of Raphael's employees. It's a mystery influenced by Egyptian mythology, and it also involves Roman, the dark magic vohlv, who finds Andrea very attractive. But what I most enjoyed is an Andrea on the edge coupled with the distinctive bouda insanity.
When I went off the rails, I didn't do it halfway. No, I flipped a few times, caught a lot of air, then exploded in a fiery crash.
Our eerie hyena cackles echoed through the ruin. It wanted to play the hurting game against two boudas. It didn't stand a chance.
We mauled the beast.
#1 Magic Bites 3.5 ☆
#2 Magic Burns 3.5 ☆
#3 Magic Strikes 4 ☆
#3.5 Magic Mourns 3 ☆
#4 Magic Bleeds 4 ☆ - a favorite
#4.5 Magic Dreams 3.5 ☆
#5 Magic Slays 4 ☆
#6 Magic Rises 4 ☆
#6.5 Magic Steals 4☆
#7 Magic Breaks 4 ☆ - a favorite
#8 Magic Shifts 4 ☆
#8.5 Magic Stars 3.5 ☆
#9 Magic Binds 4 ☆
#9.5 Iron and Magic 4 ☆
#10 Magic Triumphs 4 ☆
Small Magics 4 ☆
October 29, 2020
< Q U E E N кαтє ∂αη��єℓѕ 2020 >
A Questionable Client (#0.5) ♚♚♚♔♔
Magic Bites (#1) ♚♚♚♚♔
Magic Burns (#2) ♚♚♚♚♔
Magic Strikes (#3) ♚♚♚♚♚ [it just gets epic from here]
Magic Mourns (#3.5) ♚♚♚♚♔
Magic Bleeds (#4) ♚♚♚♚♚
Magic Dreams (#4.5) ♚♚♔♔♔ I don't like Jim.
Magic Slays (#5) ♚♚♚♚♚ Curran and Kate 4ever.
Magic Gifts (#5.4) ♚♚♚♚♚ SO GOOD.
Gunmetal Magic (#5.5) ♚♚♚♚♚ One more star this time.
____
❈My 2019 Ⓚⓐⓣⓔ Ⓓⓐⓝⓘⓔⓛⓢ Re-read ❈
A Questionable Client (#0.5) ★★★★☆
Magic Bites (#1) ★★★★☆
Magic Burns (#2) ★★★★☆
Magic Strikes (#3) ★★★★★ [Amazing]
Magic Mourns (#3.5) ★★★★☆
Magic Bleeds (#4) ★★★★★ [Even better]
Magic Dreams (#4.5) ★★★☆☆
Magic Slays (#5) ★★★★☆
Magic Gifts (#5.4) ★★★★☆
Gunmetal Magic (#5.5) ★���★★☆
_________________________________
More like 4.5 Stars actually...
I LOVE THIS SERIES
A series where I love EVERYBODY's voice and POV??
Kate's POV: Kickassery
Dani's POV: Awkward and so much fun!
Curran's POV: Smexy
Jim's POV: Hot, hot, hot
Andrea's POV: Hilarious, adorable, compelling.
Amazing, amazing Andrea... I wasn't sure about reading a whole book through her eyes but I ended up loving her. She's brave, she's funny, she's struggling, she won't give up. She let go everything behind, she had closure and now she's getting ready to kick Aunt B's ass.
I really enjoyed the tension between Andrea and Raphael in the first half of the book even if I had not been a big fan of him before. Funny, yes, but I couldn't see more of him than just a spoiled, pretty boy. Here, I got to understand him a little more and I laughed so much with the purple carpet incident.
The plot was amazing and I really liked Roman. I hope to see him in the next installments. His impersonation of Gandalf was freaking funny.
A Questionable Client (#0.5) ♚♚♚♔♔
Magic Bites (#1) ♚♚♚♚♔
Magic Burns (#2) ♚♚♚♚♔
Magic Strikes (#3) ♚♚♚♚♚ [it just gets epic from here]
Magic Mourns (#3.5) ♚♚♚♚♔
Magic Bleeds (#4) ♚♚♚♚♚
Magic Dreams (#4.5) ♚♚♔♔♔ I don't like Jim.
Magic Slays (#5) ♚♚♚♚♚ Curran and Kate 4ever.
Magic Gifts (#5.4) ♚♚♚♚♚ SO GOOD.
Gunmetal Magic (#5.5) ♚♚♚♚♚ One more star this time.
____
❈My 2019 Ⓚⓐⓣⓔ Ⓓⓐⓝⓘⓔⓛⓢ Re-read ❈
A Questionable Client (#0.5) ★★★★☆
Magic Bites (#1) ★★★★☆
Magic Burns (#2) ★★★★☆
Magic Strikes (#3) ★★★★★ [Amazing]
Magic Mourns (#3.5) ★★★★☆
Magic Bleeds (#4) ★★★★★ [Even better]
Magic Dreams (#4.5) ★★★☆☆
Magic Slays (#5) ★★★★☆
Magic Gifts (#5.4) ★★★★☆
Gunmetal Magic (#5.5) ★���★★☆
_________________________________
More like 4.5 Stars actually...
I LOVE THIS SERIES
A series where I love EVERYBODY's voice and POV??
Kate's POV: Kickassery
Dani's POV: Awkward and so much fun!
Curran's POV: Smexy
Jim's POV: Hot, hot, hot
Andrea's POV: Hilarious, adorable, compelling.
Amazing, amazing Andrea... I wasn't sure about reading a whole book through her eyes but I ended up loving her. She's brave, she's funny, she's struggling, she won't give up. She let go everything behind, she had closure and now she's getting ready to kick Aunt B's ass.
I really enjoyed the tension between Andrea and Raphael in the first half of the book even if I had not been a big fan of him before. Funny, yes, but I couldn't see more of him than just a spoiled, pretty boy. Here, I got to understand him a little more and I laughed so much with the purple carpet incident.
The plot was amazing and I really liked Roman. I hope to see him in the next installments. His impersonation of Gandalf was freaking funny.
June 30, 2015
I was really surprised that this 1/2 book, in between the series, was a full-length novel about Andrea. I expected a short story because side characters can rarely carry a full book. But, it was okay. Not as good as the novels that are from Kate's POV, but okay. The thing is, Kate is the reason I read the books. Her snarky sense of humor is what I like, and she is hardly around in this one. Instead, we get Andrea's backstory, her moping around about her broken heart, and a really really long-winded bad guy. I mean, seriously, this bad guy sat them down and told them his life story and evil plans for almost 15 pages. 15 pages!!! Really? I don't have the attention span for that!! Evil villains are rarely as interesting as they think they are. The best character in this book was Roman, the magician (sort of) dude. I am hoping to see more of him in future books.
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