Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

Kate Daniels book 5



Magic Slays 

by Ilona Andrews

Book Blurb:Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job.

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be—now that the Order is disparaging her good name, and many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate.

So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. Turns out this is not an isolated incident, and Kate needs to get to the bottom of it—fast, or the city and everyone dear to her might pay the ultimate price . . .

Wow these stories just keep getting better. 

I love when authors can prove that characters can be together as a couple and still have awesome storylines! I think Magic Slays just may be my favourite book yet and with Kate and Curran's private moments in their Keep apartment being my favourite part of the story. I just want to clarify here; I don't mean sex. I just mean the two of them joking around and being together unguarded and relaxed. No kick ass, Kate or bossy alpha man, Curran. 

There are a lot of background stories revealed in Magic Slays. The readers learn some more insight into Kate's childhood and her fabled thoughts towards her parents are crushed. We also experience what happens when technology and magic go head to head as extremists try to swing the pendulum all the way over to one direction.  There is a lot of hate with these extremists. So much hate that they don't mind having children and innocent adults (normal humans) just like themsleves be murdered for their cause. Its always a low part of humanity when groups ignore death and destruction just to meet their goals. You can feel the hatred drip off the pages and you just want to punch them. Lots of emotions surface in Magic Slays. 

Kate gets her first real case at her new Pack sponsored business, Cutting Edge Investigations. With no real solid leads I was amazed on just how smart Kate and her best friend Andrea are with the breadcrumbs of clues. (Yes Andrea comes back!) Ilona Andrews effectively writes how all of the clues slowly fit together as the story enfolds. I know that I was half way through the book and I was astounded how far the investigation came with just the tidbits of information. 

Magic Slays was a great title for this book because it was a real insight on how the magical community (for once) had to come together and actually work together to eradicate the enemy. That was a tough go for some of those powerful closely knit groups who prefer isolation and deep secrets. 

Another story within Magic Slays is Kate's acceptance within the Pack and her role as the alpha mate. That has got to be a hard job to be the alpha mate of a community of shapeshifters and you aren't even a shapeshifter yourself. Not to mention, her entire life Kate has avoided having friends and being responsible for anyone but herself. Now she finds that she in charge of massive group of powerful and sneaky clans who are constantly trying to be thwart and challenge her. 

Kate does some wicked cool magic in this story too. I won't release spoilers but lets just say that she may kick ass in a fight but she is really starting to kiss ass with the magics. Through it all, she somehow remains so grounded and real. 

Teasers: Andrea comes back from the Order and stays, the truth of Kate's dad & mom, volhvs & the witches (they're related! who knew?), weapon of mass destruction that started with good intentions