Review: Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, #5)
Author: Ilona Andrews
Pages: 308
Publisher: Ace
Release Date: May 31, 2011

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 . . .

My Thoughts: I'm starting to realize I need to be very careful with this series. Since these Kate Daniels books are so fun and addicting, it makes me want to just pick up the next books that are already available and forget about the review books I should be reading instead. I have to say, it took a lot of effort for me to do the right thing once I was done reading Magic Slays. Hopefully I'm able to control myself for the next few months.

After the epicness of book four, Magic Bleeds, I had no idea what would be waiting for me in book five, but I couldn't wait to find out! Magic Slays started off with Kate and Curran in their bedroom, and by the time I was done with the novel, I felt like that beginning scene was a hint as to how much focus would be given to their relationship. What Kate and Curran went through in this book made what they shared even more real and authentic in my eyes. Not everything was perfect, but they tried to work out their problems. And I really appreciated that their relationship showed the importance of trust, honesty, and communication. I thought I couldn't love Kate, Curran, and their romance more than I already did, but Magic Slays proved me wrong.

As for the mission in the story, it still took a lot of hardwork for Kate and everyone to accomplish. However, I thought the resolution wasn't quite difficult as some of the others in past books. I felt the main purpose overall was to introduce a couple of new characters and for Kate to learn even more about her family's history. I actually had assumed there wasn't anything else for Kate to know, but I was so wrong. Some things that were revealed were a shock, and I'm not surprised this caused Kate to question her relationship with certain people. Kate's father Roland also continued to have a huge presence, of course. Although Kate's skills have improved and her knowledge has grown immensely, I'm not sure if I'll ever be ready for a Kate and Roland showdown. I'm pretty sure Kate feels the same way (see why I find it so easy to adore her?). It all seems impossible, yet I'm hoping by the time it happens Kate will be more than ready.

Magic Bleeds may still be my favorite Kate Daniels book so far, but Magic Slays was definitely an awesome addition to the series. It had the action, humor, mystery, and mythology I admired from the previous novels, and the romance developed in a realistic way that I couldn't help but to love. I cannot wait for the time when I'm finally able to continue on with the next books in this kickass series.

(By the way, anyone else have 'Kiss From a Rose' by Seal stuck in their heads after reading this book and can't help but to laugh because you'll forever associate that song with Saiman's Curran video? Yeah. I'm still cracking up over it.)

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars