Book Review: Magic Burns

Magic Burns (Kate Daniels #2)
Ilona Andrews

Release Date: April 2008

Book Description:

Down in Atlanta, tempers – and temperatures – are about to flare…

As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.

When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest – and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug-of-war between two gods hoping for rebirth. And if Kate can’t stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive…

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Review:
I don't know if I'm quite sold on Kate Daniels and the whole UF genre is not quite my thing, but I'm intrigued and look forward to reading more from the dynamic author duo of Andrew and Ilona Gordon.

Magic Burns is the second book in the series and I happened to get this one on audio, which in turn slightly affected my opinion of the story. The narrator - Renée Raudman does a decent job, but her inflections often felt exaggerated and forced. I also found some of the voices and accents that she employed to portray certain characters take something away from their appeal for me. It is unfortunate, but narrators can truly affect your perception of the book.



Other than that, this was a more action-packed book: the beginning and ending were more engaging than the first time around and the world better developed. [The world] is quite interesting - it's a mix of magic and mythology and the creatures/villains are not of the garden variety that you find in every other book these days, which is a big plus but also it's down fall. I had a hard time following and drawing that mental image of the world, but that wouldn't stop me for wanting to know it. As for the characters themselves, Kate is still a kick-ass heroine and I love that she is so fierce and doesn't need saving every other page. Curran is growing on me too; his and Kate's banter and building sexual tension are exhilarating to witness. I can't wait for these two to get together - I'm dying for romance (perhaps that's why UF is not usually my top reading pick - not enough romance! *gah*). The supporting cast also shines, both new and previously introduced characters are well developed and fun! I loved most of them from Jim and Simon, to Bran, Julie and Andrea.

All in all I found the story entertaining, even though the in-between parts felt slow and confusing at times. I'm diving straight into the next chapter and keeping my fingers crossed for some romance. *grabby hands*

Recommended

Kate Daniels series