Title: Magic Strikes
Series: Kate Daniels #3
Author: Ilona Andrews
Genre: Urban Fantasy Fiction, Supernatural Fiction
Elements: Bean sidhes, Vampires, Necromancers, Shapeshifters, Werewolves, Psychic Abilities, Mages
Publisher: Ace Books, Penguin Group
Format: Mass Markest Paperback, 310 Pages
ISBN: 978-0-441-01702-7
Release Date: April, 2009
Source: Borrowed from Wentworth Library
Rating: 4/5
Tagline(s): When magic strikes and Atlanta goes to pieces, it's a job for Kate Daniels...
Summary: Drafted to work for the Order of Knights of Merciful
Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems these days than
she knows what to do with. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes
like the tide, that's saying a lot.
But when Kate's werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she
must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her
to the Midnight Games--an invitation-only, no-holds-barred, ultimate
preternatural fighting tournament--she ans Curran, the Beast Lord,
uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta's
shapeshifting community...
Review:
Curran's first law as Beast Lord was, "Don't touch the Games." The
Midnight Games is a gladiatorial-style tournament where teams of
supernaturals are pitted against each other. When Kate's friend Derek is
found near death, all signs point to a team in the tournament called
the Reapers. Determined to find those responsible, Kate and a small team
of rogue shapeshifters infiltrate the tournament. But the tournament
hold potential exposure for Kate, and those who work for her father are
closer than she ever thought.
Kate's stepfather told her that having friends would be the death of
her, and that may be so considering the number of times she's been near
death because she was helping someone out. But I think Kate has also
gained strength from having people she wishes to protect. The fact that
Kate risks potential exposure at the tournament shows a change in her
priorities and she's finally starting to live for herself. This
sacrifice is significant in that she is starting to open herself to new
friendships and relationships. And her loyalty to those she chooses as
her friends is undeniable. But she still fears these relationships
because she fears these people being caught up in her ever-approaching
battle with her father. She has lost so many people in her life already
because of who she is and she doesn't want to lose anymore. Derek's
attack at the hands of the Reapers brings those fears into reality.
Curran's advances toward Kate reach the stalker-level in Magic Strikes.
After the reeve attack in Magic Burns, Curran replaced her apartment
door and kept a copy of the key for himself. He goes to her place once
in a while, watches her sleep (and let's face it, he's probably the one
who ate her apple pie), just to know that she's safe. And after Kate was
attacked by some of the members of the Pack, Curran put out an order
stating that anyone who attacks her will be punished. Then there is the
Universe-explosive kiss that just leaves Kate wanting more. It's no
wonder Curran thinks that they're mated. Though Kate will deny it,
Curran notices her fear that there may actually be something more
between them. I have to say that I would love to be stalked by Curran
(who wouldn't?), and the verbal sparring between Curran and Kate is just
too funny. The only thing holding Kate back is her fear that Curran
will be killed because of who she is. With Curran's persistence though,
Kate won't be able to hold out forever.
Kate's father, who we know to be the infamous Roland, hires the Reapers
to take out the Pack. Curran's Pack is the second largest in North
America and it's growing everyday, so Roland sees them as a threat to
his growing empire. He has also sent Hugh d'Ambray, his Warlord, to
oversee the job and make sure that the Reapers do as they were hired to.
He goes so far as to lend them one of his personal weapons, forged of
his own blood, the Scarlet Star. This is the risk to Kate. She is the
only one who has the power to destroy Roland's sword, but doing so will
expose who she really is. The fact that Kate risked her own life to
protect them is not lost on her shapeshifting friends. This is Kate
first big show of loyalty to the Pack. This is a very powerful and
important moment in the Kate Daniels series so far. It's also a big
moment for Kate, because she learns that she also has the same ability
as her father to shape her blood.
Magic Strikes shifts from the usual Euro-Greco-Roman mythology of the
first two books to Hindu mythology. There is mention of Hindu gods,
creatures, and artifacts. And all of this informations is given to us by
Dali, an Indonesian, vegetarian, were-tigress. I usually prefer
Euro-Greco-Roman mythology to others, but the Hindu mythology used in
Magic Strikes was a refreshing change since I don't know much about it.
Stand Out Quotes:
"You're screening your calls?"
"Why not? It saves me from conversations with idiots."
"Is that an insult?"
"You're not an idiot. You're just a deadly psychopath with a god complex. What is it you want?"
"The Beast Lord--my own personl stalker. Gee, every girl's dream."
"I had no idea you were a sausage expert."
Die, die, die, die....
"Is he choking?"
"No, he just needs a moment. Young bouda males. Easily excitable."
"You came for me."
"Always."
About this Author:
Ilona 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.
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