Review: Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews

Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews
Also by this author: Clean Sweep, Magic Binds, Wildfire, Magic Triumphs
Published by Berkley on July 30th, 2013
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Urban
Format: eBook
Goodreads

Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…

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Karen’s Review

I have read many paranormal series, and honestly some start to wane after awhile.  It’s as if I’ve been there and done that, have the T-Shirt, stopped and had a snack.  I end up lamenting the earlier books and I find the newer books of a series to be subpar, because, let’s face it, the old books were the best   Meanwhile, as I read these newer books I cringe at the all too predictable plot……

But, (yes I am starting a sentence with BUT), I have never mourned a single book in the Kate Daniels Series or World by Ilona Andrews.  The married writing team of Ilona and Andrew, are always able to stun me with their wonderful adventures.  Magic Rises is the sixth book in the series, and I honestly didn’t think the husband and wife writing duo could get much better. But they have!   Magic Rises has lived up to the paranormal adventure genre and has surpassed all my expectations, and I have some pretty darn high expectations.

All the usual characters from the series  that I have come to love, are all on board for Magic Rises.  Reading one of their books  always makes me feel like I’m coming home to a group of great snarling, killing, homicidal friends; yes it makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.  These are the type of friends who will have your back no matter what; even when they disagree with you.

So let me introduce you to Kate Daniel’s World. In our not too distant future, technology has been knocked on its behind by the reemergence of magic.  The magic has changed the landscape of the world and how humans live in it.  The first slam of magic that infected the world was called the ‘shift’. Now humans live in a ‘post- shift’ society, in which technology and magic are at war against each other. At times technology is still useable; but at other times, magic is in charge. These periods could last hours or days.

The world has been changed and so has the human populace. Myths and legends are no longer purely fantasy.  One extremely interesting aspect is that vampires don’t sparkle, nor do they fall deeply in love,  and no they are not handsome. They are murdering machines if left to their own devices.  They are merely desiccated hulls, piloted by the brains of other people.

Another paranormal element are Shapeshifters, they come in all shapes and sizes in this post shift world. Atlanta is where most of the series takes place and where shifters live in packs. These various animal-form shapeshifters are comprised of clans and are separated according to the animal they shift into.  Throw in gods, goddesses, immortals, witches, warlocks, one kick-ass heroine; and you have an engaging, heart pounding, and adventurous paranormal series.

The premise of the latest Kate Daniel’s book Magic Rises is simple; European vacation meets Kate Daniels’…shapeshifter style.  The books that team Andrews’ writes are not stand alone, and they should be read in order so that none of the twist and turns of the adventures are missed.  In book six there is a medicine that the shapeshifters need, and only the European shapeshifters have it; and so this is the draw to get the merry band of homicidal ‘team good’ cohorts to go to Europe. (Homicidal is used here as term of endearment).

There  is so much packed into this adventure, that I could not put this book down.  One aspect I do love about these books is that they are never boring and they are never stale, and this newest book does not disappoint.  The authors have taken their time to craft a well thought out story.  Is everything all kumbaya with the pack and Kate? No. But has it ever been?  Are there revelations that shocked the heck out of me? Yes. I really felt Kate’s vulnerability in this book, and I was angered at the source that made her so. I was so upset for her that I wanted to punch someone, and mind you, I have a mean left hook with a quick follow through with an elbow to the nose.  Kate’s pain in one poignant scene, which I refuse to spoil, gutted me, and it made Kate rethink her place in the pack.   When you read it, you’ll know which one I mean. I was just shocked by the betrayal. I guess by now you have figured out that I highly recommend this book, and I give it a Five Freaking Finger Stars and I’ll even throw in my left arm, because it’s that good. But my right arm, well, I have to keep that… cause that’s my sword arm.

Step into Kate Daniels World by clicking HERE