Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels #5.5) by Ilona Andrews
Urban Fantasy
July 31, 2012
Ace
Reviewed by Tori
Favorite Quote: “From the moment I was born, I learned I had two choices: to fight or to die.”
Andrea made a choice to remain with the Order instead of riding with Kate to the Pack when the shifters call for help. In doing this, she sealed her fate with the boudas and with her lover, Raphael. Months later, Andrea is standing on the corner of depression and heartbreak. Having been forced into early retirement by the Order for being a shapeshifter and no longer with Raphael, Andrea is feeling lost and broken. Now working with Kate at her investigative firm, Cutting Edge, Andrea gets a chance to right some wrongs when a rash of shifter murders falls across her desk. The problem? She has to work with Raphael.
Raphael has had it easy all his life. His mother is the alpha of the boudas and he has been treated like a favored prince all his life. When Andrea didn’t do what he thought she should do, his pride was hurt more then anything and after verbally eviscerating her, he left her. With the murder of his crew, Raphael knows he will have to work closely with Andrea. Can he forgive her? Will he forgive her? And most of all…will she forgive him?
Anyone who knows me knows I am a huge fan of the writing team Ilona Andrews. From the moment I snatched Magic Bites out of that little old lady’s hand, I was hooked by this world they have built. This is an urban fantasy series that maintains the perfect balance between action, adventure, and romance. Sly, witty humor permeates the series, which keeps it from becoming too dark. Heavily character driven, you find yourself becoming intimately connected with these people. Their joy, sorrow, successes, and failures transcend paper and bleeds into your consciousness.
I have waited a long time for Andrea’s story. Kate’s BFF, Andrea’s life has been a study in lies and deceptions. Born beastkin, she was horrifically abused by her former pack until she and her mother ran away. From that day on Andrea did everything humanly possible to never be made a victim again. She joined the Order, hid her shapeshifter status, and excelled at weaponry. Magic Bleeds was the point of no return for Andrea. One choice causes her to lose her autonomy, and in losing that, she lost it all. She disappeared for a few months, abandoning Raphael and Kate. Now she’s back, and while Kate has forgiven her, Raphael has not. Andrea knows she will have to do some bowing and scraping, but when Raphael decides to come to her office for a meeting, bringing with him his new honey bunny, all bets are off. Andrea makes the decision to stop trying to be what she’s not and embrace what she is.
I examined myself sitting there. I’d held back for so long. I’d been good for so long. I’d always did as expected. I followed the rules and regulations. Look where it got me. Being good hurt.
Andrea is HILARIOUS in here. She excels with her take no crap from no one attitude that we have grown to love but in here she takes it to a whole new level. Andrea the knight was scary. Andrea the beastkin is terrifying. While Andrea is investigating the murders, she is also trying to deal with Raphael and keep Aunt B from dragging her into the fold. The dialogue between Andrea and Raphael will keep you rolling as the sarcasm and insults fly between them.
"It not enough you bring your floozy in to my office, now you’re harassing my intern?"
"Intern, huh. Just what is he learning under you?
"Are you alright? First you replace me with a bimbo, now you’re feeling threatened by a fifteen year old boy? Did something happen to give you an inferiority complex?"
"That boy has a long resume of sleeping with adult women and you looked a bit desperate last time I saw you."
I pictured myself reaching through the phone and slapping him off his chair. "Thank you for your concern, but have no fear. I prefer men, not boys. That’s why I’m not with you anymore."
What makes this story so delightful is the way family is interwoven into it. Andrea has never had a “real” family. She thought the Order was her family but she soon learns that she was just an expendable weapon for them to use. Her prejudice concerning the pack dates back to her childhood. Yet, throughout the book, Andrea is given many examples of how the pack considers her family.
The main conflict and romance are both solid well balanced storylines that blend together perfectly; intertwining and elevating each other. Andrews introduces Egyptian mythology which makes for an interesting villain and plotline. We see many favorite characters in here. Ascanio maintains a solid presence in here as Andrea’s partner in crime. He is altogether adorable in his desperate petitions for more freedom. Kate and Curran make a few key appearances while Roman, the volhv we met in Magic Slays, also enters the fray when Andrea enlists his help. Roman is deliciously funny and I hope he gets his own story. Of course, no story in this series is complete without Doolittle. His medmage ways are a constant source of delight to me.
The conclusion is filled with nerve racking action and heart stopping decisions as Andrea fights to save herself and everyone she loves from a power hungry God. Ilona Andrews once again produces a gold medal winner with Gunmetal Magic. As I stated in the beginning, I am a huge fan of this series and will continue to recommend them to anyone who will listen to me. Though this story has a fully resolved main conflict, I do not recommend reading out of order. You need to start with the first in the series-Magic Bites- or you lose out on the overall arc advancement and character development that makes this series so unique. I want to add that the Christmas freebie novella, Magic Gifts, is also included.
Overall Rating: A
Recent Reviews:
Vampire Book Club – 4.5/5
That’s What I’m Talking About – A+
All Things Urban Fantasy – 5/5
Goodreads
Author’s Website l Series Listing
The publisher is providing us with a copy of Gunmetal Magic to give away! To enter, just leave a comment – open to US only.
However, we also have a second, brand new copy of this book, which we will give a way to a second winner who lives outside the US. If this is the case for you, please note that in your comment so we can pick a winner accordingly.
Contest open through July 31.
I have been waiting for this book all summer! I love Ilona Andrews: their books all have the right combination of action, romance and hilarity.
Thank you for contest.
I participate in the book for foreign.
Sorry for my english, I’m french.
Thanks so much for this review! I’ve been waiting for this book also. I love this world and the characters that live there, and I can’t wait to go back!
I love this series and can’t wait to read this book!
I’m excited to read this book! Andrea deserved her own book. Keeping my fingers crossed that I win.
I love, love, love these characters! Can’t wait to read this book!
Wowzer. On my list. Haven’t read anything by Ilona Andrews but now will. But winning a copy is always a good incentive too. :)
Great review and now I need this book even more. This is one of my favorite series and I’m so excited for Andreas story. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Not entering the giveaway
So many things to love about this book. Andrea was fantastic. As much as I love Kate and was happy to see her and Curran, I’m glad there wasn’t too many scenes with them because they could have taken over this book. Nice review Tori!
Love this series!!!
This book looks great. I live in Spain I would love to win
I wanted this book since I heard about it. Counting down the hours til it’s available! Love the Andrews team!
Oh oh oh *jumps up and down with a raised hand*
Outside the US person here!
I so want to read this one. I love the Kate series so it will be fun to see what Andrea is up to
Hi
Wonderful post. I love Ilona’s books and look forward to reading anything they write.
Thanks for the chance.
Pam
Thanks so much for the contest! AM DYING for this book! Glad to see you liked it . I live outside the US . :)
I want this book right now! Thanks for the giveaway! I love Kate Daniels and all the characters in her world.
I. CAN’T. WAIT. FOR. THIS. BOOK. TO. COME. OUT! I’m a massive Kate Daniel fan from Germany and I can’t wait to add this book to my collection.
Thanks for the giveaway and for the chance for international readers of your blog to win this! woohoo :D
Ahhhh! So freaking excited!
I am so glad to see you enjoyed it and gave it an A. I plan to be at B&N so early tomorrow, they probably won’t have the books out of the box.
I fangirled all over this one when I got it (so please don’t enter me–give it to someone who hasn’t already read and adored it!). Andrea is such a great character–I love that, even though she’s quite damaged, she keeps a sense of humor (even if it is the sighing, eye-rolling kind).
I’ve beeb waiting for this book! Thanks.
Thank you so much for the giveaway! Can’t wait to read this book. :)
I would love a chance to read and review this novel.
sandy@thereadingcafe.com
So flippin’ excited for this book! Cannot wait! Count me in! :)
I’m so excited for this book. I love the Kate Daniels world & Andrea is one of my favorite characters. Thanks for the chance to win!
I. Can’t. Wait!!
Great review – it made me want to go tackle someone to get my hands on it a day early.
Been waiting for this book to come out. Hope I win.
Enter me in the international contest, please. I have waiting for this book since Magic Slays. A bit sad that its not a Kate and Curran novel but looking forward to catching a glimpse of them in this book!!
Oh my, I’m so excited for Andrea’s story! Thanks so much for the giveaway
Thanks for the giveaway…
Sounds like an excellent read!
This is one of my favourite series. I have just re read the last 2 books so I can jump straight into Gunmetal Magic.
I’m in the UK.
Andrea is a great character, and I have felt for her as she is so alone. Glad to hear that family plays a role in this book. =)
Nice review, can’t wait to read this!
Yes, yes sign me up for the giveaway! I love these books and I was so glad to see you liked it. An “A” is a hard grade to give and that makes this book on my MUST GET LIST.
I’m so excited for this book! I love the Kate Daniels series and I can’t wait to read Andrea’s story. Thanks for the giveaway!
OMGWANT
Thanks for the giveaway!
I am so excited to read this book!!
I love, love, love this series. I want to get my grubby hands on a copy so sign me up for a copy! :)
Yay, Andrea! I can hardly wait to read this book! I wanna win it, ‘cuz otherwise it will have to wait a month or two… :( Thanks for the giveaway chance!
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Thanks for the great review. Can’t wait to get my hands on it!
(No need to enter me in the contest, it’s being delivered to me on my Kindle)
I can’t wait to read this book!!!!
I am so excited for this book! It’s been on my super duper anticipated list all year!
Sign me up for international contest!::crossing fingers::
I enjoyed your review and I’m glad to see you enjoyed the book. I love the Kate Daniels series and I’m looking forward to reading Gunmetal Magic.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
Thanks for the giveway, looking forward to reading this! Thanks for the review too!
I’m so excited about this series! I’ve been keeping up with it for a while now. Love Andrea, and from all of the teasers posted on the Illona Andrews blog this book will not disappoint! Thanks for the giveaway! :)
I’m so glad to see that the book is as awesome as expected. I hate being disappointed and can’t wait till it’s available tomorrow!
Great series, fabulous cover!
b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love this series. Andrea and Raphael are so good together. Please count me in for a the international giveaway. Thx ladies :)
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
I love Andrea in Kate Daniels series!
I can’t wait to read this book! Love the cover.
I adore this series. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
I’m really looking forward to reading Gunmetal Magic. Andrea and Raphael are so worthy of a full length book.
US
acm05atjuno.com
Cant wait to read this book :) Thanks for the giveaway!
US Address
I am very excited about the book. Thank you for the great giveaway!
US Address
I absolutely love this series. Looks to be another great entry.
[Outside US]
WOOO HOO! I’ve been waiting for this one for awhile now! *crosses fingers*
(I’m in the US)
I would like to enter the contest please : )
Thanks for sharing your views on this! Can’t wait to read it myself :)
Would love to be entered in the giveaway!
(Not in US)
ooh an A rating….looks to be a great read.
sandy@thereadingcafe.com
I like that there is some focus on family in the story. It helps me to get the character better. I would like to win this!
Non-US.
I could really use some good news like winning this book! I can’t wait to read it!
I am already a fan, and have been reading some amazing reviews of this book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I would love to read this book. it sounds very good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
I really can’t wait to read this!!
I’m sorry to say I’ve only just read your review Tori, but it was briliant! I have been waiting with bated breath for this, but your review has me desperate to read it! Loved that second segment of quotes!
So excited for this book! I really liked Andrea in the Kate Daniels series :)
I’m in the US.
Love this series – picked it up earlier this year after hearing about it and just glommed onto them all! Can’t wait to read this one!
I love this series!! Definitely count me in :-)
smaccall AT comcast.net
Awesome review. I SOOO loved this one. And Roman – what a hoot! I want more of him! The Kate Daniels Series has cemented itself as my #1 must read series! Thanks!
Sounds like a good book.