Book Review – Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews

Author: Ilona Andrews
Publisher: Ace
Binding: Paperback
Publication Date: March 2009
Cover Design: Chad Michael Ward

Magic Strikes is the third book in Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series—and it’s every bit as good as the first and second in the series. I’m not sure which of the three is my favorite, but both two (Magic Burns) and three (Magic Strikes) are going to make my “best of” for 2009. The first book (Magic Bites) easily made the “best of” for 2008.

Kate Daniels is a mercenary that works in the city of Atlanta—after magic has come back. Only the magic isn’t always around, it comes in flares. Technology runs the world when the magic isn’t in a flare state. The tandem creates some wonderfully interesting situations because when magic works, technology doesn’t. Kate has a rather mysterious background with a lot of enemies. Throughout the three books, tidbits of Kate’s past are doled out. By the third book though, we find that her relationships have developed such that she has a lot of people to protect and even a few willing to help get her butt out of the fire. Her talents grow slowly through the series as well, but her sword is always her first choice.

In Magic Strikes, Kate is forced to deal with a number of emotional issues; her growing attachment to a young girl she took under her wing, a friend with a secret, and a shapeshifter who was once assigned to protect her that is now in trouble.

Here’s a sample of a favorite section:

It was a peculiar thing to see: he shot in the air, unable to stop himself, but instead of going long, he jumped straight up, landed in almost exactly the same spot, turned on one foot and sprinted to me.

In a breath he halted by my side. “I lied. I need your help.”

“Who are we killing?”

“Do you have a pen?”

This is one of those rare series that combines mystery, fantasy, and romance in a perfect balance without ever letting any of the three overwhelm the others. Kate has solid relationships with both male and female characters, which creates a realistic and enjoyable world. The dangers are frequent, the creatures created by Andrews are far more interesting than the occasional werewolf and vampire. Even with those two, she doesn’t stint on background, rules or adding a unique twist. She uses other cultures and creates here own legend or two when necessary.

I really have no complaints about the book; a minor nitpick for Magic Strikes would be that the battles at the end, though they fit perfectly, were in danger of going too long. The setup was necessary so it doesn’t detract from the book. There was also one spot where it’s possible a place was referred to incorrectly—I know I got confused, read back and still couldn’t figure out the reference. I mention only for completeness.

I highly recommend the entire series. Ilona Andrews is one of those rare authors whose work I will actively seek out—and no matter what she writes I’ll be giving it at try. (I think “Ilona Andrews” is actually a team of two writers- Andrew Gordon and Ilona Gordon, but I haven’t researched it yet.)

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About Maria

Maria is the author of a few short stories, including the anthology Sage: Tales from a Magical Kingdom. She enjoys reading, cooking, gardening and forums. Stop by her website, www.BearMountainBooks.com and say hello.