Magic Slays

Magic Slays (2011) Ilona Andrews

Book five. Kate is no longer a member of the order, but is now running her own investigative agency. Not that she has any cases, but it’s her agency.

After having disappeared for two months, Andrea returns–a very different woman now that she has been kicked out of the order and lost everything that held her together.

“Shane can’t hold your property.”

“I know that. I’m still pissed off. It’s your duty as my best friend to be outraged with me.”

“I’m outraged!” I snarled. “That bastard!”

“Thank you,” Andrea said.

On top of that, something is eating wards and causing navigators to lose control of their vampires.

I’d actually forgotten about the scene where Curran gets his revenge upon Saiman. I’m glad that Kate took steps, because I quite like Saiman, and I’d not like it if he disappeared.

I also like Ghastek, but I recognize that I’m in the minority there. Like Saiman, Ghastek is what he seems–a man who wants power and is going to use every ounce of his talent to achive that.

He’s also quite savvy.

“Do you think you would have been burned at the stake in the sixteenth century?”

“No.”

“Because you’re not a woman?”

“Being a woman made little difference. Most witches burned in Iceland and Finland were men, for example. No, I wouldn’t have been burned, because I’m not poor.”

Also: We meet Ascanio, Julie is infected with Lyc-V, and Evdokia the Russian witch tells Kate many things about her past.

Evdokia raised the teakettle and refilled my cup. “Sugar?”

“No, thank you.”

“You should have some. I’m about to speak ill of the dead. Sugar helps with the bitter.”

And now onto book six. At least this is the last of the really awfully terrible covers.
Rating: 7.5/10

Published by Ace

• Browse the archives:
  
• Kate Daniels Short Stories » »
• « « Magic Bleeds