MAGIC SLAYS by Ilona Andrews

A Kate Daniels Novel #5
Publisher: Ace Books (Penguin Group)
Date published: June 2011
ISBN: 978-0-441-02042-3
Mass Market Paperback
Urban Fantasy
Reviewed by Tammy
Obtained via: publisher


The fifth book in Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series, MAGIC SLAYS, is a magically charged good time.

Kate Daniels has mated with the Beast Lord, quit the Order of Merciful Aid and set up her own shop. Now she just has to get a client. Then an SOS from Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead comes her way, her best friend, her wayward ward and her mutant dog come home and Kate even manages to hook a client. Now Kate is in a race to solve her case, and fast, or the entire magical community could be in serious danger of extinction.

Having not read any of the previous Kate Daniels’ books, this reader was pleased to find that although some character background was missing, it was pretty easy to figure out who everyone was and their connections to Kate. So reading the first four books in the series in definitely not necessary to enjoying MAGIC SLAYS. However, now that a taste of Ilona Andrews’ interesting world of magical beings has been had, the urge to run out and pick up the first four books is almost overwhelming.

MAGIC SLAYS started out a bit slow for this reader, perhaps because the characters were new to me and it was a tad difficult at first to figure out who was what and where they fit in to the story. That said, once the action begins, it just keeps on building momentum. Kate is an interesting mix of hard edged warrior and caring mate. And when she sets her mind to something, watch out. The secondary characters, and there are quite a few, are all well developed and multidimensional. This reader expects many will make return appearances in future books and have probably appeared in prior books already. The storyline picked up threads from prior stories, started a few new threads and answered a lot of questions all while racing toward a magical explosion of an ending. What this reader enjoyed most about MAGIC SLAYS was the way the authors mixed humorous quips and interactions between Kate and the Beast Lord into the story so that even the direst situation was a joy to read.

Ilona Andrews’ MAGIC SLAYS is fun, fast paced and fantastical. Where will this imaginative writing duo take Kate Daniels and friends next? This reader can’t wait to find out. But first, I’m off to the bookstore to pick up the first four books.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.