REVIEW by Dolly: Magic Slays (Kate Daniels #5) by Ilona Andrews (@ilona_andrews , @GordonSm3 , @fidget78 )

Kate Daniels has quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but starting her own business isn’t easy when the Order starts disparaging her good name. And being the mate of the Beast Lord doesn’t bring in the customers, either. So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead asks for help with a vampire, Kate jumps at the chance. Unfortunately, this is one case where Kate should have looked before she leapt.

This is the most current Kate Daniels title.  Now we have to wait, but I know the next will be worth it.  Of course, in the meantime, there is Gunmetal Magic with Andrea and Raphael’s story.  Ilona and Gordon are always putting tidbits etc out for their fans.  So, the wait will just fly by, right?

Trying to review the Kate Daniels series has greatly taxed my blogging ability.  I want the reviews to sound different but I’m afraid I don’t have the vocabulary or the writing ability to do the books justice.  I guess I will just lead with my emotions as that’s what this series has touched the most. 

Magic Slays begins not long after Magic Bleeds ended, time frame wise.  The Pack has financed Kate’s new investigative business.  The problem is The Order has somewhat damaged Kate’s reputation and she’s having a hard time finding decent clients.  Good paying ones that is.  I’m going to run all the fun parts together:  Julie has run away again from her boarding school, Andrea makes an appearance and has been “retired” from the Order.  Unbelievably strange things are happening which appear to have no logical explanation.  The Red Guard have hired Kate for a job and won’t/can’t explain the complete situation.  Kate is trying to come to grips with being Mate or her preferred title, Consort and she is saddled with a hormone ridden Bouda.  That’s just the highlights without all the drama in between. 

I was very afraid after Magic Strikes and Magic Bleeds that the series would slowly go down hill.  I was very afraid but I didn’t give Ilona Andrews enough credit.  The story arc in Magic Slays doesn’t disappoint and while it wasn’t as engrossing as the previous two novels, it’s a great addition to the series.  The character development continually surprises me.  After four novels, you would think you shouldn’t have any surprises left but that’s the genius of this writing duo.  Everything grows and changes just a bit in each novel so you don’t get too complacent in just skimming this book.  In addition, you can obviously tell the research this couple does before putting pen to paper.  I’m not a fact checker but some of the things they include, I wanted to know more about.  I looked it up and it was interesting and right on point. 

Hopefully by this point, I don’t have to reiterate how well written this series is.  It’s what we’ve come to expect and Gordon and Ilona deliver, time after time. 

Re-reading this series has been a delight.  I should and will do it more often.  I always pick up something new.  Adding in the shorts even makes more fun!!

My Rating:  4.25 Stars

A QUESTIONABLE CLIENT
Kate Daniels .5
Prequel from Magic Graves
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MAGIC BITES
Kate Daniels #1
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MAGIC BURNS
Kate Daniels #2
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MAGIC STRIKES
Kate Daniels #3
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MAGIC BLEEDS
Kate Daniels #4
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MAGIC SLAYS
Kate Daniels #5
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