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Author: Ilona Andrews
Title: Magic Rises
Series: Kate Daniels #6
Release: July 30, 2013
Reviewer: Mona Leigh
Source: Author

Purchase: | Book Depository

Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…

Once again, I was blown away by the creative talents of this writing duo. Magic Rises kept me on the edge of my seat reading when I should’ve been doing other things – like feeding my much-ignored husband.

I realize that for many writers it’s a struggle to keep the magic alive (no pun intended) after their main characters become a couple, but that hasn’t been a problem with this team. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The more Kate and Curran invest in their relationship, the more they fight to protect it.

In this instance, the offer of panacea (the cure for loupism) in exchange for protecting an alpha’s pregnant daughter takes them to Europe and places everyone in danger. It’s a risk they’re willing to take, though, if it’ll save the lives of shifter children and prevent them from turning loup.

Throughout this adventure, everything about Kate and Curran’s relationship is tested. When Curran spends nearly every waking hour with a gorgeous young shifter named Lorelei, can Kate trust him to be faithful? And when Hugh tries to put the moves on Kate, their bond is stretched to impossible limits.

We’re introduced to new, fantastical creatures that force Pack members to fight for their lives, and not all of them survive. Other creatures (that aren’t at all what they seem) come in handy when the time is right. Kate learns more about her magic and how to use it, and her compassion for others ends up reaping unbelievable rewards.

As always, the fight scenes are incredible, and I caught myself holding my breath as I read. The Andrews’ signature humor is there in spades, and several times, I had to stop and read passages to my husband because they were just too good not to share.

I don’t know how they do it, but this series never gets old or flat. Quite the contrary; it grows fuller, more complex, and more vibrant with each book. The wild imaginings and vivid details that go into each creature, each landscape, and each scene transports the reader to that time and place, making us feel as if we’ve personally experienced each sword fight and passionate reunion.

If you haven’t read this series, you’re missing out on some of the best fantasy fiction ever. If you’re a fan, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

Mona Leigh

Mona's first grade teacher, Mrs. Stanford, gifted her with the love of reading. For that, she'll always live in her heart. But reading took over Mona's life, eclipsing everything but playing sports, and has continued to be a huge part of her life. Although she has always written poetry and stories for her self, last year she decided to try her hand at writing fiction. She is currently editing her first urban fantasy and hopes to have it ready for the agent by summer's end. Besides reading, Mona loves speed in the form of fast cars. The faster, the better! In her next life, she plans to drive race cars (or whatever happens to be their replacement in the future) all while reading and writing. She has also taken up rune reading, and find it to be disturbingly accurate and exciting.

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