Andrews, Ilona: Magic Strikes
Magic Strikes (2009)
Written by: Ilona Andrews
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 310 (Mass Market Paperback)
Series: Book Three (ongoing)
It should come as no surprise that I caught up on this series so quickly, especially after loving the second book so much. I grabbed this book at my first opportunity, and obviously, I devoured it at the first opportunity as well.
The premise: ganked from the author's website: Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with these days. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that’s saying a lot.
But when Kate’s werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games--an invitation only, no holds barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament--she and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta’s shapeshifting community . . .
Review style: definite spoilers, so if those bother you, skip to the "My Rating" section of the review.
So here's what I've been told about the series: book one is okay, book two is a BILLION times better, and book three is good, but not as good as book two.
Now that I'm caught up on the series, I can safely say that this is an accurate assessment. Book three was good, but had some continuity issues that had me scratching my head. But before we get there, let's talk about the good.
I'm glad we got the complete picture of Kate's backstory. I suspected she was Roland's daughter, so it was nice to see that confirmed, but I loved learning just how old Roland really was, and I loved learning that Kate was essentially raised to be a sociopath. Which kind of makes her anti-social, bitchy behavior a little more tolerable in Magic Bites, because she's grown into someone more sympathetic and likable with each book. With each book, she's more and more devoted to the people she cares about. In this particular case, it's Curran. You know that in book one, Kate wouldn't have given a rat's ass about saving his hide, but here, she does.
And I've heard some grumbles about the romance in this series, namely because Curran's an grade-A Alpha asshole, but I've got to tell you: when Kate tricked him into falling into the trapdoor? The first thought in my head was, "These guys are perfect for each other."
That's because the grade-A Alpha asshole-ness has toned down a bit, and we know a little more about Curran and a little more about Kate. I think they're equals, and Curran realizes more with each book that she's not a woman to be dominated. Hell, she didn't give in during the bathtub scene, so when she finally does give in, even if there's a part of her that goes all weak and submissive on him in bed, she's always going to be her own person. Also, the note at the end? Made me laugh. If my hubby and I ever had such a bet, you can bet your bottom dollar he'd leave me the same kind of note! Granted, my hubby and I are married, but he would've done this when we were just dating, and while Kate and Curran aren't technically dating, come on! We've learned a lot about shape-shifter courting in this book (the background had me howling with laughter), and I think it's safe to say that Kate and Curran are an item, whether they've made it official or not, you know?
The games were also a really great touch. With each book, I'm more and more comfortable with this world the Andrews have created, and with this book especially, I found myself really able to visualizing this as a futuristic fantasy land, not just some magic-eaten dystopia, if that makes sense. If it doesn't, let me try again: Magic Strikes suddenly made this series feel epic in ways that your standard urban fantasy series simply doesn't.
Now, let's talk about some perceived continuity issues on my part. Please, if I'm mistaken, comment and let me know. :)
1) Kate doesn't seem to care so badly about bleeding everywhere. Yeah, yeah, I know there's moments in the arena where she knows her father and guardian are rolling in their graves, but earlier, when she's attacked by Jim's team of shape-shifters? When she head-butts one of her opponents in the arena? You know she should be bleeding because of those injuries, but it's never mentioned again, even though the Andrews have well-established that Kate is DILIGENT about keeping her own blood under wraps. I suspect this was intentional, as her identity is pretty much blown by the end of this book, and frankly, I want to see what happens if she ends up controlled by someone else. Call me a sadist, but it'd serve her right for not being careful in this book.
2) How does Curran keep coming into her house? Does he break in only when the magic is down and the wards aren't active? I didn't mind his magical ability to get copies of her keys, but short of coming through the roof (which was demonstrated in book one), how is Curran able to break her wards? Or is it because once someone's allowed to come through, the wards always allow that person through?
3) The gladiator teams: I thought there had to be two humans per team, and that an m-scanner insured this. If my memory serves me correct, everyone on Kate's team, except for Kate, should've scanned as a shape-shifter, yes?
4) Then there's a nitpick: Kate shows up at the safe house and meets Dali for the first time. After a few pages, Kate refers to the place being HER kitchen/apartment, but they clearly haven't changed locations. Sloppy, annoying, but understandably easy to miss. Still, I wish someone had caught it.
My Rating
Worth the Cash: not quite as strong as Magic Burns, but still good. Kate's slightly more bitchy in certain places, but her devotion to her friends definitely outweighs any bitchiness that isn't deserved. The book definitely catapults the series into more urgent territory, which makes me glad that I don't have to wait too long for the fourth and newest book in the series, Magic Bleeds. I still really enjoy and marvel at the world-building at work here, and I especially enjoyed the various forms of myth and legend that are brought to life within the pages, because it's not all fangs, fur, and fey. Anyone who's on the fence about the first book, Magic Bites, should take a deep breath, finish it, and read Magic Burns to redeem the series, which is solidly enjoyable. Magic Strikes, as I said, isn't quite as good as book two, but it's still a lot of fun, and Ilona Andrews starts handing out the answers readers have been looking for. Can't wait for the next one!
Cover Commentary: favorite of the series so far. I really like Kate's pose (though the lighting on the sword makes me think she's holding a lightsaber--yes, I'm a Star Wars geek), and the coloring is nice too. Something you won't notice unless you're looking at the book close up: there are bruises on Kate's arm, which is AWESOME, because she's constantly getting beaten up, and I'm glad the artist highlighted this.
Next up: Black Ships by Jo Graham