Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews

Kate Daniels, Book 5.5

Synopsis: Some people have everything figured out — Andrea Nash is not one of those people. After being kicked out of the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea’s whole existence is in shambles. All she can do is try to put herself back together, something made easier by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend, Kate Daniels.

When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano — the male alpha of Clan Bouda and Andrea’s former lover — die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate … and must work with Raphael. As her search for the killer leads her into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta, Andrea knows that dealing with her feelings for Raphael might have to take a backseat to saving the world …

Review: Hey you all know that I am a fan of Ilona Andrews and the Kate Daniels series, right? So how not to succumb to Gunmetal Magic? I’ll tell you, it is simply impossible! After reading Magic Slays, we have many questions about Andrea, including about her past because she does not want to talk about what she went through. This volume therefore responds to many questions that had arisen. What more can I say? All the characters in the series are there, so it can only be a pure delight!

Andrea has to investigate the murder of four persons of the pack and everything seems to be quite mysterious and strange about it. But this is not what disturbs our Bouda at first, oh no, it is the fact that she will have to work with Raphael to figure out who the culprit is while she has not seen him since her return. And I must say he is not really sensitive to her moods and does everything to provoke her, even bringing his human “bride” under her nose. But while their story is complicated, Andrea doesn’t know what she must do, and the problems amplify when some creatures try to kill her to stop her.

I do not know how my feelings would be at the end of the book, but I must say that I was totally conquered by this new heroine. Okay, I admit that when Kate was in the scene I had some trouble remembering who was the narrator in the dialogues, but this is only a tiny unimportant detail. Andrea is a character at the height of Kate, and we can easily get to understand and admire her strength and courage. Because I must say that she wasn’t really lucky in her life and we will be able to discover here her past as an abused child. It makes us sick at heart to see the obstacles she had to overcome, but we can only admire the person she has become. In this volume, we follow her decisions, doubts, and we discover her weaknesses along with her strength. Because it must be said that many things will change in her life now: a new Andrea is born.

Raphael is a great character too, he always have a lot to say and is determined to recover Andrea whatever she may decide. I loved their verbal sparring, it was so funny! I must say that they are constantly annoying the other. And while we had some little games in the Kate Daniels series between Kate and Curran, to show their interest towards one another, we have also that here and I was constantly wondering what would be the next step. Yes, Raphael was able to find Andrea’s limit, but she was really imaginative too! I loved it! Finally you understand that this is a new fascinating couple to follow.

We also learn a little more about Roman and Ascanio  these two characters we have not really had the opportunity to discover and who will be there throughout the story and I must say that I loved them very much. Ascanio is equal to himself, but it is sure that he is trying to acclimate. The funny thing is to see him alongside Julie I think. As for Roman, I am still very intrigued by this character and I hope we will have the opportunity to hear more about him.

Ilona Andrews is a master in Urban Fantasy and it can easily be seen here. I think it is impossible not to love this volume (okay I ‘m not very objective). In addition, I love everything related to myths and I was pleasantly surprised to see that the plot was revolved around it. I think it’s always fascinating to learn more like that. In any case, I’m conquered and I hope we will have the opportunity to discover many other spin-offs such as this one. But beware, do not act like me, telling yourself  before going to bed “and if  I was just going to read one chapter ?” Because no, it does not work at all, six chapters later we still have the same question.

A new great novel full of spice that I recommend to all the fans of theKate Daniels series. You will not be disappointed!

5

mellianefini

38 thoughts on “Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews

  1. I 100% agree. Andrews is such a freaking genius. And learning more about Andrea and Raphael was so freaking awesome!!! I felt so bad for Andrea, but she is so kickass, you know she is going to outsmart everyone.

  2. Ilona Andrews is one of the big names I still have to read, but I seriously can’t wait to put my hands on the Kate Daniels series!
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I’m very happy you LOVED this instalment! 🙂

  3. I can’t believe I still haven’t tackled this series it is on my tbr for sure this summer list. I love UF and I hear that this is one of the best series out there. Your review reminded me to get after it.

  4. I’ve heard SO much and I mean A LOT about this series! And I love that it’s getting spin offs and stuff to get even more face time with side (or new) characters. I really have to try it out I even think I have the audio of book 1. It sounds liek a series that just doesn’t quit with how interesting and great it is. It also sounds like the cast is very compelling with a lot of personalities to love. Great review, hun!

  5. I have read the first book in this series a while ago and now I need to make myself to read the rest of it. I know that first books in UF series are rarely ever the best that the series has to offer so I cannot wait to see more. I really like the sound of this novella and I’m glad you enjoyed it. Great review, Melliane 🙂

    • yes I think this series is better and better as we read it but the first one has a lot of things too. It’s not a novella but a spin-off series in the middle of the series.

  6. I want to read this one since i started the series but then stopped reading it for some reason and i’m really wondering hwy i’d ever drop such a series lol
    Great review!
    Lily

  7. I love the title for this! So it’s a spinoff? I noticed the “book 5.5” tag and thought that was a little unusual. I thought it might have been a novella too. So she wrote about another character in this book that takes place between books five and six of the Kate Daniels series?

    • yes spin off but I think they did 5.5 because it’s in the middle of the series and of you don’t read it you miss a part of what happenned. But as it’s not about Kate it’s not a real number. Yes exactly!

  8. I am quite addicted to this series. I have Magic Rises to read then the next. I love Raphael too and Ascanio is a bit cheeky. He’s only young but gets up to stuff.

    I just got #1 in The Edge series to read too.

    Glad you loved it! Andrea is a great character.

    Mich

  9. So glad you enjoyed Andrea’s story. Felt like the Kate Daniels world. 🙂 Glad you learned the missing pieces for Andrea’s history.

  10. SO glad you loved this! Ilona is my FAVORITE, and even though I was annoyed at the lack of a Kate book the year that this one came out, I still loved it AND the surprise Kate short story and the back . I can’t wait for July and book 7!!

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