Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
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Click to buy Paperback: 9780441017027, $7.99
Magic Strikes is the third in the Kate Daniels series, books about a pseudo-post apocalypse Atlanta which has been ravaged and mutated by the war, literally, between science and magic. As magic gains in power, buildings, machines and the trappings of science are falling apart. Likewise, creatures of magic, such as shape shifters, fae and vampires, are taking control, edging out mere humans with every magic wave.
Kate is an operative of the Knights of Merciful Aid, and a member of the Guild of Mercenaries. She’s also earned the friendship of The Pack, which means when something magical pops up and needs killing, twarting or rescuing she’s front and center.
This time Kate, fresh off a shift, is called to rescue her werewolf friend Derek who was caught breaking into the home of one of her business associates. To get Derek out of trouble she agrees to go with Saimain, a true shape shifter, to The Midnight Games, an underground fight specializing in displays of paranormal brutality. She quickly discovers that Derek was trying to save a girl only to be caught, beaten nearly to death and left as a message for the rest of the pack. Kate’s bit to save him from Saimain turns into a battle to either save Derek’s life, or get revenge for his death.
Now she has to face the games to save her friends in the Pack, which has been outlawed by both the Knights and the Pack, which means she has to defy Curran, the Beast Lord (ruler of the Pack) in order to stop him and the Pack from being destroyed. Not to mention fighting in the ring again (plus being attached to so many people) might just open her up and expose that deep, dark secret she’s been hiding for two books now.
Andrews nails a combination of tough and vulnerable in her heroine with an extra dose of sheer funny. She keeps the book clipping, and manages a perfect balance between a challenging plot and overwhelming. And in this book readers finally learn part of what Kate is hiding, which, as any good dark secret should do, just sets up an exciting promise for the future of the characters.
Put simply, these books are very, very good. If fights and funny and urban fantasy is something you enjoy this series should be tops on your buy list.