Magic Burns

Author: Ilona Andrews
Copyright: 2008 (Ace); pgs. 260
Series: Kate Daniels #2
Sensuality: N/A

In the second book of the series, Kate Daniels is holding down two jobs (her day job at the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, plus the occasional Mercenary Guild assignment with Jim, the werejaguar) and paying two mortgages. For the last month or so, she’s successfully avoided getting involved with the Pack — except working with Jim, of course — and its infuriating leader, Curran.

Kate agrees to track down the thief who stole valuable maps from a Pack survey team. Since the thief also interfered with her most recent Merc assignment, Kate’s already interested in finding the guy. In the course of her investigation, she encounters a girl named Julie – who’s mother was involved in an amateur coven and is missing; Red – the street shaman who helped her in the first book; and assorted Celtic-themed weirdness, all of which is somehow connected. Kate’s got to solve the mystery before the flare arrives.

I finished this book weeks ago. Writing a coherent review has become impossible to do. Every time I’ve sat down to do it, I end up picking up the book and re-reading parts of it. I loved this book. I love the characters. We got more insight into Curran — likes catnip-filled toy mice and Kate. It seems that he’s really interested in Kate, and if Aunt B’s assessment of the situation is correct, it’s more than just for a quick tumble. I won’t go as far as saying she had him at “Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.” — oh, wait. I pulled out Magic Bites to get the quote right and re-read the scene (SEE?! I did it again!). Kate doesn’t back down, do humble, or gives up a fight easily. If Curran’s looking for a. . .consort, Kate is Alpha material. Kate, on the other hand, is in denial. She cares about him, and there is a physical attraction as well. But Kate’s also afraid that Curran will kill her without a second thought if he learned her secret. I think he knows it and if he doesn’t, I don’t think he would kill her, based on his worldview: he doesn’t hold the sins of the father against the child. Kate also believes she can’t get involved with anyone because her heritage makes her target and she doesn’t want people she cares about to be targets as well. Kate’s the sort of person who will sacrifice herself for the greater good, and being involved with someone just makes it harder.

Eagerly waiting for book 3. I hope the focus starts turning toward Roland soon, and how Kate’s going to deal with him.

(Well, that wasn’t too bad. I’m not messing with it any more.)

Started: 3 April 2008
Finished: 5 April 2008

Rating:

LOVED IT !!