Thursday, October 1, 2015

#Thursday Review - Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews (Urban Fantasy)

Series: Kate Daniels # 8
Format: Hardcover, 342 pages
Release Date: August 4, 2015
Publisher: ROC
Source: Library
Genre: Urban Fantasy

After breaking from life with the Pack, mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate—former Beast Lord Curran Lennart—are adjusting to a very different pace. While they’re thrilled to escape all the infighting, Curran misses the constant challenges of leading the shapeshifters.

So when the Pack offers him its stake in the Mercenary Guild, Curran seizes the opportunity—too bad the Guild wants nothing to do with him and Kate. Luckily, as a veteran merc, Kate can take over any of the Guild’s unfinished jobs in order to bring in money and build their reputation. But what Kate and Curran don’t realize is that the odd jobs they’ve been working are all connected.

An ancient enemy has arisen, and Kate and Curran are the only ones who can stop it—before it takes their city apart piece by piece…




Magic Shifts is the Eighth installment in the Kate Daniels series. Two months ago, Kate and her ever present lover, fiancé, werelion, antagonist, and Beast Master Curran left the Shire behind after an ultimatum was given by her father, Roland. OK, it's not actually the Shire, it's the Pack, but you get my drift or humor attempt. Two months ago, Kate also claimed Atlanta to stop her father from going after those she loves. I do believe this is a filler book. Why you ask? Because Kate and Curran are in a transitionary phase of their lives. Do they continue to work at Cutting Edge now that Andrea has moved on, or do they take over the Guild? 

With Kate continually pressed and hated by certain pack members, including asshat Mahon, this move was necessary for both of their mindsets. Besides, Curran needs to be around Kate full time because she isn't one who is naturally concerned about her welfare or safety even though she has Julie to think about. It is now HER responsibility for the safety and welfare of everyone. This claiming hasn't come easy nor has it been exactly welcomed by everyone which should make for some interesting story material for future books. Then again, when has anything that Kate's done in the past gone over well? 

Right out of the starting gate Andrews gives readers a hint that this book isn't going to be about Kate and Curran sitting around breezing into their retirement. Nope. There are hordes of Ghouls showing up creating chaos. Were-buffalo Eduardo has gone missing after working for the Guild, and his fiancé Georgetta asks Kate and Curran for help in finding him. Creatures straight out of Arabian mythology (which is a definite change) appear which leads to the discovery that there is a powerful djinn offering people their hearts desire. 

I am with other readers/reviewers in saying that this change away from the Pack is probably a positive for this series. It gives readers, and the authors time to explore other avenues for Kate, Curran, Julie and their supporters. Personally, I was getting sick of all the politics and hatred towards Kate and really miss those like Aunt B who is no longer around. Now she has the people she respects and loves around her, including Christopher who is brilliantly written, while also reuniting with Guild and Order members she's worked with for years.

I know that Kate and Curran are in a "good place" at the moment, but he still aggravates me with his chest thumping and over protectiveness. Naturally, Kate isn't perfect in any way, but she has to be who she is. Yes, she puts herself in dangerous situations, and there is always the need for some reinforcement by certain doctors that she isn't immortal. But, why try to restrain or mellow out Kate? I would totally abandon this series if she was just another Fantasy heroine with some skill and not the daughter of a freaking god! I'm curious as to the future. 

Could it be that SOMEONE actually gave Kate an idea about how to defeat her father? Positive! I'm definitely interested in the Kate/Roland merry-go-round coming to an end. I am definitely eager for Kate to find a way to rid the world of Roland and his henchmen once and for-all and if this character has any ideas, I am all in. It was a rather interesting scene with Kate, Roland, Julie, and Curran at Applebee's don't you think?  

Could it be that the Andrews are finally giving Julie a major role in this series? Positive! I adore the fact that Julie got some major scene time in this book. After everything she's been through and everything that Kate has done in order to her to protect her, this was definitely major move in the right direction. Kate is a badass, and so isn't Curran, but Julie has her own talents and abilities. Let's just hope that Julie doesn't figure out Kate's secret any time soon. 

Interesting vision Kate received. Wondering if the authors are going to go in that direction. I dare say that this vision is most likely to be resolved in the final novel. I can't see where Andrews would go down that road until they are totally sure the series is wrapped up. Perhaps this vision will come true. Perhaps not. Perhaps I need lots more patience before I start hopping around like I just stepped on a nail.

Will Kate and Curran be happy where they are? Or, will they be forced to return to the Pack? I guess we shall see what the authors do next.




No comments:

Post a Comment