Magic Burns
Book #2 of Kate Daniels Series
by Ilona Andrews
Published: April 2008
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 272 (paperback)
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Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Summary
As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.
When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest – and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug-of-war between two gods hoping for rebirth. And if Kate can’t stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive…
The Good
A great sequel to a promising series. Andrews has once again found a balance in her writing that combines fast-paced action, emerging romance, magical beings, and temperamental characters and makes it believable.
In this book, Kate’s ever-mysterious origins start to emerge. Curran and Kate’s strained “relationship” begins to show signs of future romance. And we get to meet Julie, the young teenage daughter of a missing witch who is somehow involved in the mess Kate has found herself in. Because Kate without danger, excess fighting, and world destruction just wouldn’t be Kate.
Anytime Kate has to work with The People (vampire navigators) and The Pack (shapeshifters), the action and mayhem are sure to follow. The supporting characters, like Ghastek, Saiman, and Andrea, continue to add their own flavor to each page.
The mythological research woven throughout the novel was superb, and we slowly learn more about each supernatural group, which has helped the story to come more alive, more real.
The precarious balance of dark adventure and comedy has in no way fazed Andrews. I love how this book can be both dark and light, serious and funny.
Kate grows some from the character we left in Magic Bites. She develops more relationships and finds more compassion, maybe to a fault. She risks her life continuously for her friends without hesitation.
The Bad
Um, nothing. Everything pretty much got better from the first book, which I thought was impossible based on how much I loved Magic Bites.
The Snuggly
Again, no sex. But the sexual tension makes an appearance again.
Overall
I think Ilona Andrews is one of the best writers I have come across. Her story lines are interesting and keep their momentum. The action, description, back story, and dialogue are balanced to ensure the reader never gets bored. I am only falling in love more with each character. There is no doubt I will continue to read this series.
