Magic Tides and Magic Claims by Ilona Andrews
book 8 & 10 -- heck yeah!
In my goal to reach 100 books, not only would I have already counted novellas, but any novella by Ilona Andrews connected with the Kate Daniels series is an instant read for me.
Bonus points for an unexpected second in the series that is more novel length. I’ve loved this series since I first read it and any installment is a source of excitement.
The summary ahead does hold SPOILERS for the Kate Daniels series, so if you don’t want to be SPOILED skip ahead to my review which I will keep SPOILER free.
Ilona Andrews invites you back to the #1 New York Times bestselling Kate Daniels series in this exciting new long novella featuring Kate, Curran and Conlan, some familiar faces, some new friends, and all the special brand of chaos they create!
Kate, Curran and their son, Conlan have left Atlanta, vowing to keep a low profile, and are settling into a new city and new house…but some things never change! Magical mayhem is about to erupt when Kate undertakes the rescue of a kidnapped youth, while Curran guards the homefront.
It should be a simple retrieval, but with monsters on land and sea, Kate’s got her work cut out for her. Still, she's never let her blade dull or her purpose falter. And that low profile? It’s about to wash away with the raging tides!Summary from Goodreads
A new town, new friends, new challenges…. And a new heart-stopping adventure from #1 New York Times bestselling author, Ilona Andrews. Kate, Curran, and Conlan may have left Atlanta for Wilmington, but the usual magic mayhem has also hitched a ride!
Kate and Curran have just settled into their new home and their 'low prolife,' when a local businessman approaches them with an offer they can’t refuse. A mysterious evil has spawned in the nearby forest and is holding a defenseless town hostage. The ‘due date’ is rapidly approaching.
It’s exactly the kind of fight the Lennarts can’t resist, not for the prize the town offers, but for the people who will surely die if they ignore it. If they succeed, they’ll be rescuing an entire community and can build a strong new base for their family and the Wilmington Pack. If they fail...well, fail is a four-letter word.
Nothing comes without a price. Now Kate must decide if she has what it takes to pay it.Summary from Goodreads
My Review
I discovered the Kate Daniels series a few years ago, and since then I have read through the entire series at least three times. To me, it is a rollicking good time filled with action, humor, and some gnarly magic systems. Even the romance heating up beyond closed door (which is not my thing) did not deter me because by the time that happened, the characters had established an actual relationship that had a foundation that was beyond sex. Also, those scenes are skippable and not so numerous that I’m skipping half the book.
This novella picks up a little bit after the main series left off - so to speak. There is one spin-off book with one character, another spin-off book and novella with some other characters, and potential for so much more.
This novella lets the readers get up to date with Kate Daniels, who is just as irascible as ever.
It was a delightful little romp into the Kate Daniels world once more.
I was so excited when I realized there was a novel-length sequel to the new series. Magic Claims continues after Magic Tides with a dangerous new enemy and proposal from a beleaguered town that could start Kate and her family on an entirely new course.
With interesting new characters - and a terrifyingly inhuman villain - Magic Claims was such a fun read that I ended reading it all in one sitting. The action was typical of the Kate Daniels series, i.e., it was awesome and choices she has to make give the hint that there may be more books to come.
If you’re interested in starting the Kate Daniels series, the first book is Magic Bites. Fair warning: the series contains violence, mentions and illusions to things like sexual assault and abuse, and some monster gore. Ilona Andrews do not pull their punches when they write, but I would not necessarily call them grotesque or over-the-top for shock factor either. Granted, I’ve yet to read their other series, but I’m a huge fan of this one.
All in all, a really satisfying read.
Have you read a book that has picked up the story after a series you’ve loved? Did you like it? What are some of your favorite urban fantasy books? Let me know in the comments!