Ilona Andrews - Magic Triumphs

Kate has come a long way from her origins as a loner taking care of paranormal problems in post-Shift Atlanta. She's made friends and enemies. She's found love and started a family with Curran Lennart, the former Beast Lord. But her magic is too strong for the power players of the world to let her be.
Kate and her father, Roland, currently have an uneasy truce, but when he starts testing her defenses again, she knows that sooner or later, a confrontation is inevitable. The Witch Oracle has begun seeing visions of blood, fire, and human bones. And when a mysterious box is delivered to Kate's doorstep, a threat of war from the ancient enemy who nearly destroyed her family, she knows their time is up.
Kate Daniels sees no other choice but to combine forces with the unlikeliest of allies. She knows betrayal is inevitable. She knows she may not survive the coming battle. But she has to try.
For her child.
For Atlanta.
For the world.

Comment: This will be a short comment.

I've been a fan of this series for a long time and each new installment a absolute pleasure to devour. This is the last installment of the Kate Daniels series, even if, by the way the authors have written things and the already existing spin off, readers will certainly be aware of what happens in this universe for longer. However, it's always a little sad when we know we must say goodbye to beloved characters or, at least, the expectation of reading about them in a somewhat consistent schedule.

Basically, this story focus on how Kate and all her friends team up not only to stop Roland, her father, from enslaving everyone she cares about, but also a new ancient threat which only by joining forces with her untrustworthy father will she be able to defeat.

This is trademark adventure story with all the funny little scenes in between and amazing new discoveries here and there...

Much has been said about the series, readers have loved it overall even if some installments weren't as strong.

For me, this series worked wonderfully in what I came to want to see the most: the family/friends connections and all the dynamics of mixing up different people in a homogeneous way so that it does feel like they could be live people just down the road. (except for the killing and all that)

I can also be aware of the issues but I confess I wasn't too worried about them because what I wanted out of this series was the story of the protagonists and not much of what they can do.

In this last installment, things progress pretty much as usual and I don't think readers will be disappointed by the way Kate acts and finally comes to a conclusion about how to solve all their problems. It wasn't an end as definite as it could but it did fit the main theme of the stories in which we've come to accept Kate is special but not perfect nor a goddess, so it's believable she has flaws and things she can't do. I also liked how Curran played a part in this, he is an amazing hero and his scenes are all incredible (to me). 

It's also adorable how some details in this story showed a softer side to Kate and Curran but not to the point they get unrecognizable. In fact, their bond is as strong as ever and it's so good to see an established couple still dealing with problems but not giving up, not letting go. I do like them a lot as a couple.

I won't say more so I don't get into spoilers, but this was a great story, many interesting details about secondary characters... I wouldn't say I liked the last chapter, a sort of epilogue but nothing bad happens, I just felt...ehh, sort of sad, I guess. All in all, though... amazing.

Grade: 9/10

Ilona Andrews - Iron and Magic

Hugh d’Ambray, Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Warlord of the Builder of Towers, served only one man. Now his immortal, nearly omnipotent master has cast him aside. Hugh is a shadow of the warrior he was, but when he learns that the Iron Dogs, soldiers who would follow him anywhere, are being hunted down and murdered, he must make a choice: to fade away or to be the leader he was born to be. Hugh knows he must carve a new place for himself and his people, but they have no money, no shelter, and no food, and the necromancers are coming. Fast.
Elara Harper is a creature who should not exist. Her enemies call her Abomination; her people call her White Lady. Tasked with their protection, she's trapped between the magical heavyweights about to collide and plunge the state of Kentucky into a war that humans have no power to stop. Desperate to shield her people and their simple way of life, she would accept help from the devil himself—and Hugh d’Ambray might qualify.
Hugh needs a base, Elara needs soldiers. Both are infamous for betraying their allies, so how can they create a believable alliance to meet the challenge of their enemies?
As the prophet says: “It is better to marry than to burn.”
Hugh and Elara may do both. 

Comment: What a complicated week I've had! I was a lot busier than I expected and my reading time has resented that. This book, which considering the authors and the theme, should have been read in one day and a half or two days actually took me four days. I'm glad I've read this book but I must also say that if I could have read it all in a row, I'd certainly have appreciated it even more.

This is the now famous spin off Iron Covenant series by author team Ilona Andrews. Their Kate Daniels' series is recognized by the clever characters, the steady plot and consistency. One of the characters that readers have come to dislike/hate is Hugh d'Ambray, who has repeatably tried to kill Kate or her friends or somehow ruin her life. However, this is the first of his books where he will have his own HEA. 

Yes, how can a villain be this redeemed but apparently there isn't a goal the authors can't meet and Hugh not only managed to find courage after Roland, the big bad guy "dumped" his services, and re-shaped his Iron Dogs team but he also found a place where they could get their focus back. In making a deal with Elara Harper, a mysterious woman in charge of an even more mysterious group of people, Hugh now has some of his self worth back but can it last when enemies are still trying to get revenge?

There are certainly mane adjectives one could use to talk about the bulk of the author's talent and eye for detail while writing. I've commented on several of their books so I won't repeat myself by saying all that but to simplify, they not only write well but are able to give the reader a notion of setting/characterization that I suppose it's not possible to ignore as being steady and well done.

This new story is quite interesting mostly because of who is the protagonist. I've read that the idea of this story begun as a joke or something along the comedy lines but apparently there isn't much these authors can't try and this book proved that even bad guys can have a heart.

This is basically the key element here: for readers who have devoured the Kate Daniels' series, Hugh was/is a bad guy. He was an opponent to Kate until some things happened and he got out of the way but he was not HEA material.

I guess I should say that while this book is perfectly well structured it's not as delectable if read without background.

Hugh is not a character that suddenly decides he is a victim so his past actions are meaningless now. This means that, in this story, we still see a not so acceptable behavior and attitude from Hugh. I don't think the authors could justify a turnaround on who Hugh is but it's satisfying to see they tried to humanize his decision based on what happened to him, on what he did in his past and a little bit in why he felt he had to do it. I will look for to see what will happen in the future (two?) books because now Hugh has come to terms about certain issues and how that will play out in a conclusion, I'm quite eager to find out.

This is not a book only about who Hugh is or why he was shaped to be this way but also about his courage and team behavior, in the sense he helps those he feels are his responsibilities. I think there is a good balance between several aspects of all the parts that make this character realistic. However I'd have preferred certain things to be better explored in detriment to others but... oh well.

Some battle scenes and fights - despite common in the worlds created by Ilona Andrews - just felt a little too much for me, I'd hae liked to focus even more on the little details and psychological side.

There's a romance starting in this story because Hugh has center stge but he enters a marriage of convenience with Elara to improve his team's survival chances but Elara isn't a wimp or a prop. She is a full created heroine who has many secrets. I liked some of their interactions and the convincing way they started to deal with one another. The next Iron Covenant story will weight more on Elara and her past and I'm curious to see how that will be matched with what happened to Hugh and the happenings in the central Kate Daniels' series final book.

This was a very well done story, many elements were well chosen, inserted enough to make the reader curious and I think this is brilliant since one can feel that there is a lot more to happen without having it all there promised but then not delivered. The authors have a great eye for detail and both Elara and Hugh seem to be a good match in personality and state of mind, something that would have been easily done another way. I'm glad I liked this book even if some pacing wasn't as consistent as I imagined it would but still, great job letting the reader wonder about and root for Hugh.

Grade: 8/10

Ilona Andrews - Wildfire

Just when Nevada Baylor has finally come to accept the depths of her magical powers, she also realizes she’s fallen in love. Connor “Mad” Rogan is in many ways her equal when it comes to magic, but she’s completely out of her elements when it comes to her feelings for him. To make matters more complicated, an old flame comes back into Rogan’s life…
Rogan knows there’s nothing between him and his ex-fiance, Rynda Sherwood. But as Nevada begins to learn more about her past, her power, and her potential future, he knows she will be faced with choices she never dreamed of and the promise of a life spent without him.
As Nevada and Rogan race to discover the whereabouts of Rynda’s kidnapped husband and are forced to confront Nevada’s grandmother, who may or may not have evil motives, these two people must decide if they can trust in each other or allow everything to go up in smoke. 

Comment: This will be a short comment because I don't have much more to say besides "this is perfection", which sort of makes it difficult to keep writing and writing about what can be summarized with the word "perfection" like I said.

This the third installment in the Hidden legacy series, (well at least I hope it's a series and not just the so far trilogy) and in this book Nevada finally faces the reality and makes the request to start a House with her family. She is also tasked with finding her boyfriend's ex fiancé's husband and she needs to deal with the fact her paternal grandmother is after her and her family because of their magic. Thankfully, Nevada is smart, resourceful and she has people and family with her...

This is an excellent addition to the series. I know I already said so, but this felt perfect to em, especially when it comes to plot structure and details intertwined together so well it just feels and seems so easy when countless not so good books out there proof it isn't so.

The authors must have a great technique when it comes to communicate what they want to achieve, what details to use and can grab the reader's attention the best.

The thing is, the books by these authors all feel they could only go the way they do and each little detail, every sentence, even the ones used to portray a comedy scene are chosen to better highlight the story. It really feels that way. 

One could say there lots of details, especially related to some character's powers or other more domestic situations not directly related to the main plot that are irrelevant but honestly, it feels that is the reason why the books seem so vibrant and the characters alive. It just paints a picture that is so easy to imagine and wonder what it would be like to be part of.

As for the main plot, I think it followed the expected path, the characters keep surprising us and I loved how we get glimpses of everyone, and that makes them more realistic to us.

I think the end isn't as definite as it could, so I hope more books will come. I loved how some details in several scenes only made me more curious about the characters and what they go do in the future. I just love this world and how everything is expected to work out. Some of the best hours I've spent reading!

Grade: 10/10

Ilona Andrews - Hidden Legacy series

Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile case. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.
Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run or surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.
Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world. 


Nevada Baylor has a unique and secret skill—she knows when people are lying—and she's used that magic (along with plain, hard work) to keep her colorful and close-knit family's detective agency afloat. But her new case pits her against the shadowy forces that almost destroyed the city of Houston once before, bringing Nevada back into contact with Connor "Mad" Rogan.
Rogan is a billionaire Prime—the highest rank of magic user—and as unreadable as ever, despite Nevada’s “talent.” But there’s no hiding the sparks between them. Now that the stakes are even higher, both professionally and personally, and their foes are unimaginably powerful, Rogan and Nevada will find that nothing burns like ice …

Comment: The second book in this Hidden Legacy series by author Ilona Andrews was the choice for one of my book clubs, the one I participate in the most. At that moment, I hadn't yet read the first one but was obviously curious about it. The third book will be released very soon, which makes me very happy and that was why I just grabbed both first books and devoured them in the past three days.

I'll just write a few sentences about the two books but I won't take too long for one simple reason: the books are superb and as a whole, they put in evidence the amazing talent  of the authors and how cleverly they created such an amazing world.

In this new series, the plot revolves around Nevada Baylor, a private investigator who runs her family's company, something started and developed by her late father. Now Nevada provides for her family but all family members contribute for it. 

The story in book #1 begins when her boss, for her company belongs to a bigger one, financially speaking, asks her to do a job and Nevada realizes she is being asked to fail because the task is to convince Adam Pierce, a powerful pyrotechnic, to come with her and get back to his family which apparently he doesn't want to do. In comes Mad Rogan, a very powerful magic user who also has an interest in finding Adam. The two join forces to not only find Adam but to hand him in alive.

In book #2, the case and problems from book #1 were solved but now there is another situation which starts innocently enough but proves to be the starting point of Nevada's need to think about her life and of her family when it comes to their magic. While helping a client finding out who murdered his wife, Nevada once more joins forces with Mad Rogan and this time it seems their connection won't be denied.

Both books were amazing. I especially liked how, in book #1, the authors included a note explaining how this magical world came to be and how there are normal humans and there are magic users, whose magic can come in countless ways. I liked this small explanation because I can be aware of what allows this world to be this way without having to see it simply in conversations characters have. This means when they do talk or address that, we already have an idea.

I need to say again how amazed I get because this team of writers seems to flawlessly create a world where everything is not real but feels like it could be. The world building is simply extraordinary and realistic within its own rules.

Then we have several characters and their lives and hey bring to life this world. I always feel lie I could know these characters, hey can be amazing and special but there is a human side to them which makes them people I'd love to know personally. They matter and they think about what surrounds them and often there are humorous scenes to let us know it's not all about fights and power.

I won't go into specifics because this series (a trilogy to be more precise) is incentive enough to make people want to read it. The talent of the authors is obvious here and each page is a complex mix of addiction which explains why I read the books written by them so quickly. But the plot is interesting, it can appeal to different readers and it truly fascinating. I had a great time reading and can't wait for more. I know I'm being very vague but it's a double recommended book, not only for plot for for romance as well.

Grade: 9/10

Ilona Andrews - Magic Binds

Kate and the former Beast Lord Curran Lennart are finally making their relationship official. But there are some steep obstacles standing in the way of their walk to the altar…
Kate’s father, Roland, has kidnapped the demigod Saiman and is slowly bleeding him dry in his never-ending bid for power. A Witch Oracle has predicted that if Kate marries the man she loves, Atlanta will burn and she will lose him forever. And the only person Kate can ask for help is long dead.
The odds are impossible. The future is grim. But Kate Daniels has never been one to play by the rules…

Comment: This is the most recent installment in the Kate Daniels series featuring one of the most vibrant worlds created in fantasy and one of my favorite fictional couples, Kate and Curran. It's the type of book I start as soon as it gets in my hands.

In this new book, Kate and Curran have decided to finally get married. Things are getting ready for the Big Day but Kate's father kidnaps someone from Atlanta, a territory now belonging to Kate. Trying not to start a fight but knowing a Witch has predicted pretty bad things, Kate has to find a way to not die and not let everyone she cares about die too.

Helps comes from an unsuspected source but sometimes it's the only way to accomplish things. Can Kate solve the problems in her path?

As always, I loved a book by these authors. I think there aren't many writers of fiction/fantasy that can present such a clever and well structured world. This is a harsh world but I still feel the eagerness to be part of it and if it were real even more so but reading about it is close enough. Many authors have talent, but the ability to understand how a plot can be structured in such a way while giving us amazingly well depicted characters is really almost perfection. Sure, there are always things one would change but for the most part, all is good.

I won't take too long, after all how to explain something that is better understood read?

I like the way the author have put Kate and Curran at the place they're at right now. There's consistency and cohesion to their choices, their lives and I love how everything they do and did matters to who they are now. Often heroes and heroines are something for one book then they change somehow, but this couple maintains their charm and personality and I cherish them for that.

The plot is very smart, the author have to find a way to keep readers interested while not eroding the series to a point where it would be redundant. What I especially like are the little details that seem to matter little but end up being very important.

I also love the details about other characters, how we get to learn a bit more with a simple sentence, a question, one little thing not vital to whole scheme of things but that turns those characters into people you would like to know. For instance, I can't wait to see more Barabas and Christopher!

All things considered, I don't have much to say, I really love every book in this series some more than others, but the authors always keep the taste and the polish we expect. I can't think of better fantasy writers who deliver always amazing books.

My recommendation, just go read Kate Daniels series!

Grade: 9/10

Ilona Andrews - Magic Shifts

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…

Comment: This is the most recent installment in the Kate Daniels seres by Ilona Andrews. This is one of my auto-buy series so, as soon as the book arrived in the mail and I finished what I was reading, I immediately jumped to this one.

In this book, Kate and Curran are working together but away from the Keep and the Pack as agreed with Roland in the end of the previous book. They are living in a new neighborhood, they take care of their jobs and Julie and any pack member that leaves the Pack for good to stand by them.

However, something is threatening Atlante and Kate feels she has to do something, making her go on an adventure to solve who is behind the recent weird and fatal attacks. But this time the danger is too big and Kate might not be able to do it on her own...

Again, I was taken to this amazingly imaginative world and became completely entranced in it, to the point where I couldn't put this story down. I was very dedicated to know what would happen next because anyone who has read a book by this duo knows there's a lot of action, fast scenes and amazing sequences to follow. I've read a lot of their books to know the balance between out of this world action scenes and emotional issues is perfect and I was proven right again with this book.

I thought it would be weird to see Kate and Curran out of the Keep, becoming different than what I got used to see them, meaning an united Pack front. But the path this is taking suddenly makes sense I was convinced what is happening to them is the solution to happiness and I wasn't as bothered anymore. The authors are perfect writers and their stories feel well thought, well structured and wonderfully presented.

Once more, the villains in the story seem too well imagined to be something normal people could think of. We keep seeing how the research they did bears fruits because all the elements to "build up" the villains, the way they appear and how, the background and explanations, everything makes sense. Their writing and picking of the information to use in the story is brilliant and not many authors can write effectively and with their purposes in perspective.

There are some scene' details, which help the plot move along, that don't seem as easy to overlook when we notice the wrongness of them - if we do notice -  but I've came to think no author is perfect all the time. Nevertheless, the way the plot moves and how it seems there aren't no missteps in the path from one scene to another, the rest is just random noise.

I loved seeing Kate and Curran happy, or trying to live a life as happily as they can, worries and problems aside. Another great aspect of this series is, no matter how well we know the characters and think they are open books to us, in this case they keep on revealing new facets, new details about their personalities that make the reader learn more and know more about them. And I mean this in a good way, not that we get useless information to just fill blanks.

I also liked the secondary characters. I especially like seeing beloved characters showing up, being part of the plot still. They feel like a big family sometimes...

I know I might sound too vague but I don't want to spoil things. This series is so wonderful, I think it's an unique experience to read and savor each chapter, each book. I think it's difficult to find any other series like this one in terms of plot and execution in this genre, that is as great as this one.

For me, this rocked, despite the minor little details I think didn't have to exist.

Grade: 9/10

Anthology Night Shift

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh delivers a smoldering story with Secrets at

Midnight , as the scent of Bastien Smith’s elusive lover ignites a possessiveness in him that’s as feral as it is ecstatic. And now that he’s found his mate, he’ll do anything to keep her.
In #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews’ novella, Magic Steals , when people start going missing, shapeshifting tigress Dali Harimau and jaguar shifter Jim Shrapshire must uncover the truth about the mysterious creatures responsible.
From Milla Vane—a warrior princess must tame The Beast of Blackmoor to earn a place among her people. But she quickly discovers that the beast isn't a monster, but a barbarian warrior who intends to do some taming himself.
It’s seer Makenna Frazier's first day on the job at Supernatural Protection and Investigations, and her first assignment is more than she bargained for when bodyguard duty for a leprechaun prince’s bachelor party goes every which way but right in national bestselling author Lisa Shearin’s Lucky Charms . 

Comment: As soon as I realized this anthology would have stories by to of my favorite authors, I pre ordered right away. The book arrived and I started reading it that same day. I know most readers only read and review the two stories I also liked best, the ones by Nalini Singh and Ilona Andrews, because the other two aren't as fascinating, for several reasons. 

Personally, I read them all, this is an anthology after all and my grade is according to it. It's one of those things if we knew, then we could have waited for our favorite stories to be released alone, which they will surely be someday. If the stories by the author I've read were amazing for me, the same can't be said for the other two, which bored me a lot and it took a real dose of patience to go through, although thankfully they were short.

Here's a small comment about each one:

Secrets at Midnight is a wonderful story about one of Mercy's brothers, Bastian. He senses his mate one day and can't let go but of course finding her isn't as easy. When he meets her at last he knows who she is for him but she doesn't seem to feel the same and the story is mostly about they finding out why Kirby acts and smells weird something. I liked the story, it has all the usual ingredients in a Singh's story, with several references to beloved characters. It's like meeting new friends through old friends and the plot, despite short, was still well paced. 


Magic Steals is a short story focusing on Jim and Dali, while Curran and Kate are in Europe. This story is pretty much in the same level as another one featuring them, we see their relationship develop slowly, we get the idea they have been seeing each other, not as much as that, but still, and now they unite forces to fight someone/something that is targeting innocent people. I liked this story not only for the personal development of both Jim and Dali, as they grow to admit things for each other and between them, which is refreshing, but also because Dali recognizes she is worthy of him and together they are stronger than she would think. Loved reading this one, it was actually the one I've read first.

Lucky Charms is hard to explain, honestly. Ive recently tried my first book by the author and wasn't impressed. I'm afraid this author just isn't for because despite the interesting plot and world building, I can't seem to go past the narrative style, which I don't like. This story focus on Makenna's first day on a new job and we get a description of several beings that populate the world, goblins, vampires, ogres, nymphs, etc, which tells me there would be diversity, but the way the story is told, how Makenna is involved with a job and characters that didn't strike me as intriguing, then I wonder why bother. Not close to be enjoyable for me.

The Beast of Blackmoor is a weird story which I still haven't really understood. It's about a man who mocked a god and was punished, then years later he is doing a sort of penitence? and the heroine, a warrior of some sort is doing a god's quest to earn her place at court or something so she has to defeat the warrior they call beast but when she finds him, he lives in a very deplorable place, where everyone is prey to a wealthy and powerful man and the beast is actually the one who helps. Anyway, interesting idea, but the execution felt rushed and sincerely, the world described was boring and too harsh for such a story, I think. I wasn't really focused on it and struggled to finish.

-> So, after having read the 4 stories, I must say two were great, combining both limited page count and rich story telling, and the other two were weird and not that interesting, but like everything in life, it's all about one's taste.

The anthology offered a good time, despite the less appreciated stories so I don't think this was totally a waste of time, but in the future I'll take a better look at all the titles before buying anthologies.

Grade: 6/10

Ilona Andrews - Magic Breaks

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…

Comment: This is the most recent installment in the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, the known team of husband and wife. I thin this is one of those series whose books I devour the moment I get them in my hands.

In this new adventure, Kate has to deal with some pack business because Curran is traveling. Kate thinks this is just another of the boring but demanding tasks that came with the job and she's hoping everything ends fast because she has Roland to worry about.
But something goes wrong and a shape shifter is accused of murdering someone from The People. Kate now has to find that shape shifter and solve the problem before her father shows up and destroys everyone and everything she cares about.

Well, I liked this book. Usually I like anything this team of writers give to the reader. There are things in the story I wish could be different, way different but I don't think they changed Kate's character like some other readers out there seem to think.
I think Kate is a strong heroine and honestly, her show off near the end of the story was quite the scene, like a movie.
Another thing, this was supposed to be the last book in the series, like the authors say in a note at the beginning of the book. But since they have a contract to write three more books, I'm not disappointed, I'm actually very eager to see what comes next.

This book is another classic Kate Daniels story, with many turnabouts and cliffhanger scenes we can't seem to avoid even knowing it might not end well. Of course Kate saves the day and she is a team with Curran, which I found the best thing ever, because Kate always seemed alone and with Curran she is so much more. Kate isn't a vicious killer although she could be. What I love the most about her is that even when she seemed reluctant in the past to care for people she did and now that she loves even more, she wants to protect and take care of those she cares about, I think her softer side is as interesting and vital as her warrior one.
Kate has a lot to worry about in this story and I think she did the best in the circumstances she was dealt with. I still consider her one of the best heroines ever.

What annoys me just a little bit is the amount of deaths that occur int he books. Sometimes it's hard to read because obviously things are written in a way to make us care about what happens and I confess I cried fr those who died and for those who watched. I understand the way the series is shaped for, but it's still something I don't enjoy reading about.

Curran and Kate are in love. I love their scenes together and how each one has something that complements the other. The end of the book is a bit of a shock but I have hopes the next books to come will show them happy and still in charge.
I also liked seeing everyone else and I especially enjoyed seeing another side of some characters that weren't as key players in the past and now were shown a side I really was interested in seeing develop. I have to say I love the rats alphas a lot!

In the end, I still loved this book. It had plot elements I think were a bit over the top, namely the fighting and the need to say how things would go wrong if a certain step was taken and so on, but this series isn't about rainbows and unicorns so it's better to enjoy the good things because they have to matter more than the bad things.
I have high hopes for the next stories. This one, for me, was still great!
Grade: 8/10

Ilona Andrews - Magic Rises

Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them--no matter the cost.
Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack's shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there's little available in Atlanta.
Kate can't bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute--and they'll pay him in medicine. With the young people's survival and the Pack's future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer--but they have little doubt that they're heading straight into a trap...

Comment: I'm a big fan of this series, so it was more than natural that, as soon as the book arrived, it had to be my next read, no matter my plans. Since I found out about this "world", I just can't seem to put down a book by these authors. Their ind of writing is one of most appealing to me.

This time, Curran and Kate have gone overseas, in an attempt to gain more panacea, a medicine that would help loupism, something shapeshifters battle and not always win, in particular in children and thinking how awful is to see a child suffer like that, and their parents, the alpha couple embarks on a mission with a group and they just want to survive and bring the panacea back with them.

As always I loved this book. I don't think it had the same sort of anticipation and beauty as Magic Bleeds, my favorite of the series so far, but it provided a strong and emotional story to follow.
Kate and Curran are a united front. They both know the other is with them for keeps and no matter what, neither would leave the other. In this new adventure, their relationship is put to the test because someone from Curran's past shows up in the mission they see themselves in, and ate feels the jealousy and the verbal attacks her rival makes. Trying to keep the peace among the group, Kate holds on and hopes it's all part of a plan she doesn't know about, but she still feels a tiny doubt when Curran doesn't say anything about the whole thing. 
The authors have shown with this plot line that a relationship is only as strong as the will and faith of the ones in it, and we see Kate and Curran talk about them, about what they want and sometimes it's better to discuss things than to believe things would work out for themselves. Once again, we see a believable take on a relationship not very supported but as true and balanced as their hearts.

As for the main story, it had its moments, it's strengths and weaknesses. I was sad over some things...I don't thin some things had to be like that, but since it happened it's done. I thin it was a clever plot but I always thought it was obvious some things wouldn't be as easy as that. It's obvious the authors have a plan and they want the reader to be a determined position to enjoy the story as it is. I, for one, can't wait for more. I'm eagerly waiting to see what happens next.

The characters play a wonderful part. I've always loved the characterization of everyone and even more how I really wanted to see them act and imagine their behaviors and so on. Another example of the author's talent. The secondary characters are vivid and s strong in this series as the protagonists and I also want to see what happens to them.

The plot was interesting, smart and despite not being my favorite of the series, I still think it's was ingenious and well done. I hope it stays like this forever, a solid, smart series.

Ilona Andrews - Steel's Edge

The Edge lies between worlds, on the border between the Broken, where people shop at Wal-Mart and magic is a fairy tale -- and the Weird, where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny…
Charlotte de Ney is as noble as they come, a blueblood straight out of the Weird. But even though she possesses rare magical healing abilities, her life has brought her nothing but pain. After her marriage crumbles, she flees to the Edge to build a new home for herself. Until Richard Mar is brought to her for treatment, and Charlotte’s life is turned upside down once again.
Richard is a swordsman without peer, future head of his large and rambunctious Edger clan -- and he’s on a clandestine quest to wipe out slavers trafficking humans in the Weird. So when his presence leads his very dangerous enemies to Charlotte, she vows to help Richard destroy them. The slavers’ operation, however, goes deeper than Richard knows, and even working together, Charlotte and Richard may not survive...

Comment: This is the last book in the Edge series by the authors. They did say that this is the last of this arc and maybe one day they'll get back to this world and write more about a different arc, which would be amazing, specially if that means we could have the stories of the youngest generation, like George, Jack and Sophie...it would be different but still in the same setting. I really hope they do this, because it would be such a shame to lose such a great world.

This is the story of Richard and Charlotte.

Richard is in a mission to stop slavery because of what happened to his niece Sophie. For years he has infiltrated and destroyed the most in the slavery business until he realizes who are the key people in the business, the five heads that control and demand the slavery to go on. He now has the target he wanted but it's not a matter of just killing those people, it's about ending their power and credible facade.He just needs the means to do that.

Charlotte is a blue blood and she's The Healer, the most powerful healer in her generation. She just finds out she's barren and her husband wants an annulment. So she gives it to him and feels because she can't stand the shame. She goes to the Edge because it's a place where people don't care about who you are. She befriends Eleanore, Rose's grandmother, and starts a simple life there. Until the day slavers arrive and destroy the peace she had. She decides to get revenge and joins forces with Richard to stop the slavery business and in the way...she finds true love.

Like always with this authors' writing, I loved this book. The story was solid and interesting, full of adventure and strong scenes. One of my favorites was when Charlotte used her magic to destroy a ship's crew with a disease and they simply flew into the wind, like a flower you blow on. It was quite strong visually and I think it was one of the best in the book. There were many more, the whole book is filled with good scenes, perfect to memorize and wonderfully inserted in the storyline.

Charlotte is a woman scorned because she can have children. I felt for her and wanted things to change, to be better and although she still couldn't have biological children by the end of the book, she did manage to find happiness and it was great.

Richard didn't seem that interesting in previous books but in this one we get to see his drive, his ambition and desire to end the slavery because he regrets what happened to his niece. Plus, he's a good guy, of course he wouldn't just wait for things..he wants to make them happen.

I liked the romance between them...considering both their past experiences I think it was a bit too quiet, but they had interesting dialogs between them. Their relationship did get to a point where words aren't needed all the time. I find very interesting how a couple could seem such in sync like that.

The secondary characters were an important part in the book, specially the kids, I really hope the writers can present their books one day...once gain, wonderful scenes with them.

One or two subjects have been dealt with too. George, Jack and Rose's missing father shows up and goes away again in an interesting turnabout. Spider, from last book shows up too, quite perky I must say, but I still think this wasn't the end of him...

In the end, Charlotte and Richard find happiness, they uncover the real villain and because of them a new beginning could arise. I loved how Charlotte saved the day and found the will and the love to become better and stronger than her own fate.And even better was the perfect way Richard said she was his and he would care for her no matter what. So romantic....so perfect.

This series is great, it has everything to work out and to be an amazing read. I hope everyone who doesn't know it, at least tries it.

Ilona Andrews - Fate's Edge

Audrey Callahan left behind her life in the Edge, and she's determined to stay on the straight and narrow. But when her brother gets into hot water, the former thief takes on one last heist and finds herself matching wits with a jack of all trades...
Kaldar Mar-a gambler, lawyer, thief, and spy-expects his latest assignment tracking down a stolen item to be a piece of cake, until Audrey shows up. But when the item falls into the hands of a lethal criminal, Kaldar realizes that in order to finish the job, he's going to need Audrey's help...

Comment: This month I read this book along with two friends because we're all fans of this series and the authors' too.

It's the third book in the Edge series and it's the story of Kaldar, a cousin to Cerise who was the protagonist in the previous book, Bayou Moon.

Like I said many times, the strength these two authors have in writing is incredible, they write things quite well and in a way that it looks like easy but I'm sure it took a lot of work and talent.

This second book follows Kaldar as he tries to do a mission for The Mirror, the sort of spy army he works for now. He is going to retrieve a stolen device originally meant for the Hand, the enemy. However, Kaldar hates the hand because of everything done to his family and he wants revenge.

Audrey comes from a family of tricksters, con men. Her father is a thief and all her family worked at least once in the business including herself as she has the magic predisposition to pick any possible lock. She didn't know her last work was that huge and now her conscience forces her to join forces with Kaldar in trying to stop the Hand to get the device.

This book was great. I still think it doesn't have the same feeling of discovering a new perfect thing like I did with the first book, but it's a world so well done, the writing so addictive and interesting I have no problems returning here.

The story was done in a good pace, nothing too fast or too slow, except foe the romance that, despite being a good one and quite sweet at times, could have used a stronger evolution. I mean, it was fine but it was slow during the book because Audrey was cautious and almost in the end, there you go all is clear. It was rushed I think. With so many pages what would be wrong with ten or twelve more just to keep things more balanced? Anyway, but this didn't ruin the book for me, quite the opposite.

The plot was very interesting as always. It amazes me the imagination and thought processes the authors have to come up with to write this, and with so many different tones of scenes, we have funny ones, romantic, ones sad ones, thrilling ones and so on...talent indeed.

Obviously the good guys win although a certain scene in the end let's us know the bad guys might have another word to say, perhaps in the next book...

Another thing I liked a lot was one fighting scene in particular...I usually just take a peek at those because it's to much mess for me but there was one here so amazing and with all the "good" characters fighting I loved it.

One thing got me thinking...Audrey's family is quite the dysfunctional, it's explained why and why they don't change but one fact in particular caught my eye. Audrey's bother is an addict and we get to know how he started doing drugs. I was left moved by this because he was described as sweet despite aloof young man and drugs changed him completely. We get to know the reasons why he started and it amazes me that this could happen in real life, it's so...stupid, so incomprehensible but it can happen, it breaks my heart. 

In the end I was quite happy to have read it because the plot and the character's development is strong enough to keep me interested and eager to know more. Really god writing style.

I can't wait for the next and final one!

Ilona Andrews - Bayou Moon

The Edge lies between worlds, on the border between the Broken, where people shop at Wal-Mart and magic is a fairy tale -- and the Weird, where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny...
Cerise Mar and her unruly clan are cash poor but land rich, claiming a large swathe of the Mire, the Edge swamplands between the state of Louisiana and the Weird. When her parents vanish, her clan’s long-time rivals are suspect number one.
But all is not as it seems. Two nations of the Weird are waging a cold war fought by feint and espionage, and their conflict is about to spill over into the Edge -- and Cerise’s life. William, a changeling soldier who left behind the politics of the Weird, has been forced back into service to track down a rival nation’s spymaster.
When William’s and Cerise’s missions lead them to cross paths, sparks fly -- but they’ll have to work together if they want to succeed... and survive.

Comment: Finally I was able to pick this book. I wanted to get to it for ages but only now I could manage to find the right time for it. This was the first book of January, thus the year.

This is the story of William, he's a shape shifter we've known since the first book. He's kind of a loner because he feels he doesn't deserve anyone although he wants a real family.

Then there's Cherise, she's part of a big, crazy family and her parents are missing. She embarks in a trip to find a way to look for them and to allow her family to do it by law but in the way she finds not only William but also a group of strange enemies and reality is...shocking.

I loved the first book in this series. I thought it was as amazing - although different - as Kate Daniels' series. I keep saying that, to me, this couple writes some of the best books out there, not only because their stories are great but mostly because their writing style is one of my favorites ever. I know when I start a book by them that everything comes together in a way that's special, perfect. All the information is given, is interesting and they write like there's nothing more true or more sweet or more sad or more horrific or more perfect about whatever. I can't explain it well, but I love to read a book written by them, and I think I would always, even if the theme didn't interest me. This makes me trust them always and for this alone I'd read the book.

But the book is also sweet and full of lovely scenes and special moments between the main couple. I loved the romance, I loved how we got to know their personalities and to understand how well suited they were for each other.

I loved the secondary characters too it's so great to see beloved characters and to know others we just know will be special too. Can't wait for the next books.

The bad guys were pretty weird and made me wrinkle my nose because of how they were. The authors certainly have a vivid imagination and I can't forget about Cerise's mother fate in this book...how...morbid. But still it was melancholic and perfectly suited.

The storyline is full of little details that make the book more believable - for that world, of course - and I enjoyed getting to see them because it allowed me to savor the story much more. So many authors can't give their details the perfect amount of disclosure and mystery I think are needed to keep the reader interested. I think it's very well done here.

I can«t wait to read more about the world in the Edge.

Ilona Andrews - Gunmetal Magic

After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea’s whole existence is in shambles. She tries to put herself back together by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend. When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano -- the male alpha of the Clan Bouda, and Andrea’s former lover -- die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate. Now she must work with Raphael as her search for the killer leads into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta. And dealing with her feelings for him might have to take a back seat to saving the world…

Comment: This is an author whose books I always love. There hasn't been one yet I haven't absolutely adored.
This time it's a book in the Kate Daniels world, featuring Andrea, Kate's friend from the Guild and a bouda shapeshifter but whose father was a hyena and not a human, therefore making her a target for bulling and mocking and violence in her childhood.
Andrea and her mother have suffered prejudice so Andrea decided to omit the fact she's beastkin, a term defining her father's heritage, even to those close to her in the current times. But complications arise and she ended up revealing that to others and now everyone knows the truth. Still, Raphael, her lover, loved her and wanted her. But a decision she took put distance between them but now she's decided it's way time to accept who she is and face the truth and go after her happiness.

I liked this book. Andrea is a character we've followed since the first book, so a big part of her presence and behavior can be explained throughout the books, until we reach this one. In fact, this is a case where it's important to follow the books in order, to respect that reading order because even though this book explains things and sort of summarizes what happened, there are many nuances the reader might miss because of that. Also, it's a real pleasure to read all the books, I don't think it would be such a trouble to anyone.

Andrea is a strong character, she's survived a lot and she's got a decided mind..except to what she thinks might be the loss of her independence. To her, there's nothing worse than to depend on someone who should support you and doesn't, like happened to her childhood pack. In this book we se finally how awful it was for her. So, although she always said she didn't want a pack, she admits she likes and feels the need for the structure it might provide but she doesn't want to abide the rules that force to depend on others. But once she admits this pack isn't like the other and there are people she cares about and who like her back and that being in a pack might be a way for her to help other girls from being abused the same way she and her mother were, then she gives in. Then, there's Raphael, who loves for who she is and not what she is...I loved seeing them together. The only little small problem I had with this book is this: all this things make sense because I've read all the books and during them we saw her mind, so reaching this point wasn't sudden, but in the book was, I'd have liked to see her show to more people her decision to join the pack, in that aspect I think the actual decision was quite fast, but I don't think it's something that ruins the book or the story.

The authors have a real gift. They prove how someone can be so successful and amazing and others can't. When I sometimes think about the lack of flavor in some author's work, I immediately think about these two to comparison. They write not only beautifully but in such a structured and organized way...I can't explain it well, but it's like they have this puzzle and all the pieces fit perfectly and sometimes other author's don't. This team works perfectly, even if they have trouble during that process like they already said, but in the end it pays off. their work is vibrant, alive, emotional, heartfelt. I always look for their books and always feel so happy to read them.
This book is another success and for a fan, indispensable.

Ilona Andrews - On The Edge

Rose Drayton lives on the Edge, between two worlds: on one side lies the Broken, a place where people shop at Wal-Mart and magic is nothing more than a fairy tale; on the other is the Weird, a realm where blueblood aristocrats rule and the strength of your magic can change your destiny. Only Edgers like Rose can easily travel between the worlds -- but they never truly belong in either.
Rose thought that if she practiced her magic, she could build a better life for herself. But things didn't turn out the way she'd planned. and now she works an off-the-books job in the Broken just to survive. Then Declan Camarine, a blueblood noble straight out of the deepest part of the Weird, comes into her life determined to have Rose (and her power).
But when a terrible danger invades the Edge -- a flood of creatures hungry for magic -- Declan and Rose must overcome their differences and work together to destroy them, or the beasts will devour the Edge and everyone in it...

Comment: I loved this book!! I still can't believe it, I've finished this book last week and I still can't believe how truly amazing it was!!! It still is!
I've been a fan of the authors' other series but I postponed reading this one because I feared it wouldn't be as good and my opinion would be influenced by what I know and...oh well, I'm so happy to have read it.

So, this world is also filled with magic. There are three kind of dimensions in parallel in this world. Well, not exactly dimensions because they don't co-exist, they are side by side, but once stepped over each boundary it's like the world itself grows bigger. There's Weird, a world full of magic and Broken, a normal human world. These two worlds are key, but there's also The Edge, a in between where people can have magic or not, but aren't strong enough for the Weird and still manage to be different from humans.
It's in The Edge where we find Rose, a young woman taking care of her younger brothers and working as a cleaning lady in the Broken, the only place with steady paying jobs to help support the family.
Rose's family is poor but the tries her best to love them and help them despite the disappointments she suffered and the disillusionment.
One day Declan shows up, he's pursuing something but Rose is rude to him because he's a powerful blueblood from the Weird, which means his magic is one of the purest. But there's a thing....so is Rose's.

I already said loved the world, the way the authors imagine things is amazing. I'm so happy I enjoyed another world by them, I'm now positive they can't write crap! lol Everything they do is wonderful. And it's not only the world and the "rules" or even the slow but empathic way the reader acknowledges what is being read and what's supposed to be felt when reading a sentence. This is there too, but I think the best thing is when a small detail makes the sentence alive, makes that thought a human one or a heartfelt one. It's really amazing.
I liked how the story just flew, I was captivated from beginning to the end. Everything was fluid even when we read the villain's descriptions or about his past. It wasn't boring; it was purposeful to the plot.
But I really liked the little details about their lives, about what they were going through, I liked seeing Rose as someone poor but honest, and she loved for real. Her brothers are so cute and giving and there's this scene with one of them learning about the cycle of life, about the true meaning of why people die and it was so...so emotional and powerful I cried and cried and cried because it was so well written! As good as the whole story but like said over and over...their eye for details is unique. The authors are really gifted.
The romance is sweet too, I liked how they fought at first (I love when this happens, much more spicy lol) but slowly, step by step they saw in the other something true and special and it was great. I love how the story ended, I think it was more than perfect!
Now I can't wait for more, I already purchased the rest of the books, can't wait to have them in my hands! I more than recommend this, hope people would just go get it!

Ilona Andrews - Magic Slays

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 . . .

Comment: I loved this book. Curran and Kate are still one of my favourite couples in urban fantasy. Their relationship keeps strong and believable.

Well, this time Kate is a bit depressed because she's lacking clients in her business and she doesn't want to fail, so when a contract comes along, she jumps right into it. Then many wrong things start to happen and she looses control. She makes disturbing discoveries about her past, and we get to see more clues to her real upbringing.

I think one of the most wonderful things about this author's writting is the perfect balance between the overall storyline and the personal information we get about the main characters and some of the secondary ones. I never feel I'm being left out in knowing important things about them or about what's happening. Then there's the way they interact...it's really amaing to watch.

Another strong point is the fact we "see" the story moving along, there's always things happening in a way that is clear where things are going, even not knowing the how's of it. I believe this is quite well done. Many authors fail to move their stories in a balanced pace.

I like how the characters seem something and then we don't understand some things but in this case the characters usually justify their actions and it's interesting to watch their mental pathways to why they act the way they do.

All in all this series are totally worthy of the time and money we spend on them and I, for one, will religiously await for the next installment.