Magic ShiftsAuthor: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #8
Published by: Ace
Publication Date: August 4, 2015
Format: eBook
Pages: 343
Source: Purchased
After breaking from life with the Pack, mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate—former Beast Lord Curran Lennart—are adjusting to a very different pace. While they’re thrilled to escape all the infighting, Curran misses the constant challenges of leading the shapeshifters.
So when the Pack offers him its stake in the Mercenary Guild, Curran seizes the opportunity—too bad the Guild wants nothing to do with him and Kate. Luckily, as a veteran merc, Kate can take over any of the Guild’s unfinished jobs in order to bring in money and build their reputation. But what Kate and Curran don’t realize is that the odd jobs they’ve been working are all connected.
An ancient enemy has arisen, and Kate and Curran are the only ones who can stop it—before it takes their city apart piece by piece…
I can always count on Kate for a good time! I mean, at this point I’m like a broken record because I’m continuously expressing my love for each book in the series. I haven’t read an Andrews book that I haven’t loved. Perhaps one day they’ll surprise me and write something crappy, but I highly doubt it.
Okay, so not going to lie, I was a little worried about whether this book would have the same feel as the previous ones. Kate and Curran broke away from the pack in the last book and it felt like the end of a chapter for the series. The pack is a huge reason I love this series, so what if they aren’t as involved anymore? Ha! I worried for nothing. Magic Shifts is more of a transition book in the series, sort of like we’re starting the second act of the play.
Thankfully it wasn’t a bunch of filler. The plot was fresh, yet retained that same great Kate Daniels feel while still moving everything forward. I love that there are new cases and threats that they take on, but the Andrews always masterfully weave it into the ‘bigger story’ somehow.
I swear, Kate and Curran are one of my most favorite couples! They’ve always been a great team, but I love how they’re working together as partners now, building a business. These two always make me laugh, but what puts them above so many other fictional couples is their mutual respect. Yes, Curran is protective and alpha, but so is Kate. They have trust in each other and know that they’re both going to do what needs to be done. Curran sums it up perfectly:
“How do you feel about her doing this?” That had to be Mahon. That low-pitched growl could only come from him.
“We let each other be who we are,” Curran said. “I don’t have to like all of the things she has to do. I love her.”
I really was relieved that so much of the pack was present. I love all the humor that comes with them, but also the immense loyalty and respect. And woo boy, Julie is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future. It’s interesting the difference in the way Kate is teaching her, and the way Kate was raised.
Anyway, Magic Shift certainly did its job. It has humor, feels, excitement, great characters … on and on. I can’t wait for the next installment!
Yes. I loved this one. You have to start in Edge series it is so good!!
I’m with you! I am always happy to spend some time with Curran and Kate and the rest of the motley crew of the pack! And I’m also always satisfied with these stories, because they are both complex and well done. Awesome review, Christy 🙂
I have so much love for this series! Kate and Curran are so good together and I love the banter in the books. I was a bit worried about this one as well for the same reasons but I ended up loving them in their new location. I can imagine Curran taking walks in his new neighborhood. 🙂 Great review!
I’ve been wanting to try some books by Ilona Andrews. I think I even own a couple. Never enough hours… However, this series sounds like its a hit with you so maybe I will give it a try 🙂
I bought this but I’ve yet to read it because of the same fears you had as well. So glad it was good. Dang it, I should have read it with you!
I thought you read it already! You mean you read Magic Stars before this one? Shame shame. 😛
I know! I totally did though because I was worried about what this would be like. I should have known not to worry at all.
You’ll love the novella, I just wish it would have been longer.
Ahhh this series. Yeah I’ve not read anything by them that sucked. I haven’t read this one yet though it’s sitting on my shelf waiting for me. I got a wee bit behind. *flails* Glad it delivered!
I was worried too that the pack wasn’t going to be as involved, and I am so glad I as wrong. I love this series. I totally loved that whole scene with her dear old dad and Applebee’s.
Me too. I love those scenes, but they make me incredibly nervous about what he’s up to.
Yay for these
I’m trying to get my library to get the rest of the audios for this one. I’m stuck so far but will catch up and may have to end up reading the rest. Not a biggie but it is easier for me to catch up on audio. GAH! I love that quote. SWOON So glad it still rocks at #8!
Am I the only one who is behind this & Darynda’s series?
Yes, not get to reading them ASAP! 😀
I need to start this series. Gah. I found the first book in my stash two weeks ago, so yay!
I really feel like I’m one of the few people that don’t read much urban fantasy. I definitely want to get into it more. Great review!
I kinda hate that you have read this before me, but that’s what I get for waiting. Okay, thank goodness it’s not only me, I LOVE the Pack so I am worried this book won’t be the same. Our fears seem to be for nothing. Yay!!!
I just read this one a few weeks ago and had the same twinge of worry going in. I knew they had turned a corner at the end of the last one and worried that all the good stuff would change. But nope! This was another fantastic one.
They sound like a great couple and team
KATE AND CURRAN FOREVER CHRISTY!!! I love how they are together as well – supportive even when they don’t love that the other puts themselves in danger. Now I need to go and read the Julie and Derek story, I’m in a Kate Daniels world mood after reading this!!!
Gosh that quote! <3 <3
I still have a couple of more books to catch up on with this series, but I SERIOUSLY love these books so much! I saw there was a spin off series too and I can't tell you how happy that makes me because MORE of these characters!
I'm glad that the authors were still able to keep this book fresh. I always worry about that with long series like this one.
Great review, Christy!
I am way behind on this series but given the drastic change with the pack, I’m glad to hear this wasn’t just a filler book leading into the new setting.
I always worry about each new book in this series but like you, I’m always sooooooo pleased!
I’ve only read the first book in this series and wasn’t too impressed with the first book, so not sure if I will continue the series, but everyone says the second book is better, so who knows? Maybe I’ll pick it up eventually. Kate and Curran does sound like a great couple and you make these books sound so good, so that does make me curious! Great review!
DEFINITELY read the 2nd book. I enjoyed the first book, but A LOT of people who love the hell out of the series didn’t love the first one. It gets WAY better. Don’t wait too long though.
Love the series! I do wish we had gotten more of the secondary characters (I’m a sucker for a certain Boy Wonder), but overall I really enjoyed it. Can’t wait for the next one!
Does this entire series have humor? I had no idea!! The covers are so, so serious. I’m supposed to start the first one this month for the TBR Challenge, YAY!!
Yes! Kate is pretty funny. I know a lot of people weren’t as into the first book, so keep that in mind. I highly suggest if that’s the case for you, immediately read the 2nd book after. I loved the first book, but admit they do get a LOT better.
I lightly skimmed your review. I’m listening to the first book on audio and am almost done. I kind of wish I didn’t know that her and Curran end up together (I have known that forever just from reviews and from reading the spinoff) but I’m liking it fairly well. I’m not loving it but I think it’s a series that probably gets better and better (that’s what I’ve heard). I’m glad you loved this one.
Yeah, it was pretty much ‘common knowledge’ that they hooked up by the time I started reading the series too. Definitely give the 2nd book a go. The sooner the better after finishing the first one, because it’s a lot better than the 1st.
I’m all caught up! I literally just finished this book. I had put it off so long, and just finally bought it instead of waiting for the holds list to thin at the library. As soon as the UPS man delivered it, I was sitting up in bed reading. I love this series so much!
This is the next book I need to read in the series… I am looking forward to Kate and Curran outside the pack! Glad you loved it!
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oh yes I enjoyed this one as well. And they did a great job with the changes in leaving the pack.