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Friday, August 14, 2015

Review: Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews


Magic Shifts
(Kate Daniels #8)
Ilona Andrews
Release: August 4, 2015
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In the latest Kate Daniels novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews, magic is coming and going in waves in post-Shift Atlanta—and each crest leaves danger in its wake…

After breaking from life with the Pack, mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate—former Beast Lord Curran Lennart—are adjusting to a very different pace. While they’re thrilled to escape all the infighting, Curran misses the constant challenges of leading the shapeshifters.

So when the Pack offers him its stake in the Mercenary Guild, Curran seizes the opportunity—too bad the Guild wants nothing to do with him and Kate. Luckily, as a veteran merc, Kate can take over any of the Guild’s unfinished jobs in order to bring in money and build their reputation. But what Kate and Curran don’t realize is that the odd jobs they’ve been working are all connected.

An ancient enemy has arisen, and Kate and Curran are the only ones who can stop it—before it takes their city apart piece by piece…

Review by Rose Red:

 Okay. Where do I start with this review? Over the last few months, I have written a review on all of the main series books and I find that I’m running out of ways to sing my praises to this series without being repetitive. I’ll try but Holy Hell! The writing duo that makes up Ilona Andrews did it again!

This book is kind of a transition book because, let’s face it, things were left wide open after the end of Magic Breaks. The whole series up to that point dealt with what was going to happen when Kate and Roland meet for the first time. There was sort of a resolution but we really didn't know what it meant. And of course, Curran's decision at the end had our jaws on the floor even though it was an action that is in complete harmony with his character. I had no idea what to expect but I can tell you I didn't expect this book. It was fan-freaking-tastic! It made laugh, it made me cry, and it made me almost have an anxiety attack. It was perfect! My love for this series has no bounds! The plots are multilayered, interesting and unpredictable. But the thing that makes this series such a huge success is the characters! Add in some of the best snark ever and you have a mix that can’t lose.

I have found that I tend to read to each new Ilona Andrews book the same way. I dive in and read it all in one sitting if possible. The addiction is strong with this series. I always want to make it last as long as possible but I never the willpower to make these books last so I end of impatiently waiting for the next installment in the series.

The action in Magic Shifts starts right away and never really lets up through out the whole book.. What I found the most interesting in the beginning were the pack rules Kate and Curran had to obey. I wanted everyone to play nice. But with the way the rules are set up, they really can't. There are agendas that need to be followed and the pack's future to worry about. At first I was stunned with some of the Pack’s manipulations but they soon made sense. Some of those said manipulations look to have a big part in the coming books.

Another thing I liked was the change we see in Curran. Don’t worry. He’s still the Curran we all know and love but he’s definitely a bit different than before. He needed a change from being the Beast Lord and boy did he ever get one. He's a schemer and needs problems to overcome so he doesn't get bored. We get to see a whole new side of Curran and there is definitely no shortage of page time with everybody's favorite beast lord. He's one of the strongest characters of the book (and not just physically of course). He's such a complex character! I love him, stubbornness and all!

What I really loved most in this book is how much we got to see of Kate and Curran’s relationship! It was awesome seeing how far their relationship has come in the last few books. They are deeply in love at all times and it shows. I don't see any fan of these two finishing this book unsatisfied with their dynamic. I loved that they got to be themselves in this book. Normally it's all about the pack and their responsibilities as Beast Lord and Consort. And even though they are not the alpha couple anymore, they don't completely cut ties with their people. They are feeling the effects of this transition and some things will never change. But I did like that they got to do their own thing for a little while. We see change in not only Curran but in several of the characters. I really enjoyed learning more about each and every one of them. I was always a big fan of Mahon but this book definitely made me look at him in a different light.

I was a little nervous about starting Magic Shifts but I wasn’t done with page one before I was wanting it to never end. The husband and wife team of Ilona Andrews have never disappointed me and now I can only wait to see what they come up with next. Each new Kate Daniels book just adds more awesomeness to an already amazing series. The progression of ALL the characters blew me away. The research and imagination in each book is always on point and has become one of my favorite things about this series! Well, besides Kate and Curran of course. The storylines change and grow, the intensity of each plot always puts me on the edge of my seat, and each of the characters have found a place in my heart.

The only problems I had with this book were that I ran out of pages and that I now have to wait another year for the next one. Ilona Andrews will forever be on my auto-buy list and they've rightly earned their spot on my list of favorite authors. I think I need to do another reread.

P.S. If you love audiobooks, I'd highly recommend getting these books on audio! Renee Raudman does a fantastic job of narrating this series!


    
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