This isn’t going to be a great critical review, I’m sorry to say. I really enjoyed this book and I feel that it’s a perfect addition to an already stellar series, which I raved about in one of my earlier CBR6 reviews.
Goodreads summary: “As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers. Since Kate’s connection to Roland has come out into the open, no one is safe—especially those closest to Kate.
As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of the leaders from the various supernatural factions in Atlanta. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered there, apparently at the hands of a shapeshifter, Kate is given only twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war which could destroy everything she holds dear…”
Magic Breaks is, like the other books in the Kate Daniels series, exemplary in the urban fantasy genre. There isn’t much left to say that hasn’t been said about the top-notch quality of the world-building, the strength of Kate as a lead character, the humor, the gripping action sequences… I could go on.
Before I started reading, I read the note from Ilona Andrews; it says that the Kate Daniels contract will extend the series to 10 books, and even though the consequences of what happens in Magic Breaks feel like they are epic and an ending, there is a lot more story to be told. It’s true, and the arc is more interesting for it. Instead of using 10 books to build up to a showdown with Roland, the ultimate Big Bad, Kate encounters him here and more or less shows her hand. Whereas a more obvious series would take the long arc and find a way for Kate to miraculously win against all odds, Andrews establishes what’s certain to be an uneasy stalemate between the two of them here, leaving the next three books completely up in the air. I can think of any number of ways to take the story, and I’m sure the way they’ll end up taking is one I won’t have even thought of. I’m very much looking forward to it.
I’m really looking forward to where they go next. It’s going to be interesting.
I am really excited for the next book, I love the pack but feel they’ve been a bit bogged down in too many characters and I’m excited to have Kate+Curan to have more alone time :)
Am midway through Burn for Me (by Ilona Andrews) and if you like this, you would like that. Many parallel themes (smart detective female, mega-alpha protagonist, magic) but it’s a lot of fun :)
Yeah, I know we haven’t seen the last of the Pack, but I totally agree that shifting away from Pack politics is a welcome turn. Kate spent a lot of this book away from Curran, and while it was good to establish her competence (if unwilling) as an alpha, I want those crazy kids to have a minute alone in their room without someone trying to kick the door in!
What Alexis said, on both counts. Can’t wait to see where Kate and Curran go next, Magic Breaks is so my favourite book in the series and I suspect I will be re-reading it before the year is out. Burn for Me is also excellent. I suspect books 2 and 3 in the series will even better.
I didn’t even KNOW there was another series! I’ll always happily accept more Ilona Andrews, especially if it’s as good as you both say!
Have you read their Edge books yet? It’s an already completed four book series, consisting of On the Edge, Bayou Moon, Fate’s Edge and Steel’s Edge. It’s very good, if more romance centred than the Kate books, as each book features the romance of one couple. As always, the world building is fascinating, the characters are awesome and the plots are a rollicking good time. Clean Sweep, the first book in their Innkeeper series is also a lot of fun. I’m currently eagerly awaiting each new installment of the sequel on their website.
I’ve read On the Edge, and have been saving/looking forward to the rest during the break after I finished Magic Breaks so I’d never have to be without Ilona Andrews for too long!