Magic Burns

Magic Burns (2008) Ilona Andrews

Book two in the Kate Daniels series finds Kate still working as a merc, but also still working for the Order.

We get more important introductions here: Julie, Andrea, Auntie B, Raphael… Most of the main characters have now entered the series. We’re still missing a lot about Kate’s history and background, but we get a few crumbs dropped.

But most of all we have lots of lots of snarky Kate.

“You’re not going to die?” she asked me very softly.
“Not right this minute.” And, of course, saying something like that usually resulted in immediate demise. I braced myself for a stray meteorite falling through the roof to crush my skull.

I also adored this description of Saiman:

“Is he a danger?” His tone had a slightly driven tint to it. His blood oath acting up again.
“I met him through the Guild, when I was a merc. On bodyguard detail. I saved his life and now he gives me a discount. Basically, he humors me and tries to get into my pants. He’s harmless.”

Yup. Harmless. (snicker)

I mentioned this is where we first meet Auntie B, right?

“Please tell me there is coffee.”

Aunt B grimaced. “They’re already crazy. If I let them have coffee, they’d be bouncing off the walls. We have herbal tea.”

Oh. Perhaps I’m a bouda. That might explain the reaction to caffeine. And perhaps some of the craziness. But not the other stuff.

And the random tidbit learned:

I almost whistled, except that my Russian father would have risen from his grave and smacked me for whistling indoors.

Makes me feel a little better about not being able to whistle.

Just a little.

And, I’m sorry, but I really hate this cover. I just looks cheap. Kate looks like a Photoshop creature holding a light saber. Just—no.

If you had not read the previous book, you could easily jump in here and be fine. Not so for some of the later books, but here. we’re still meeting everyone and learning how they tick. The Big Stuff comes a bit later.
Rating: 8/10

Published by Ace

 
 

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