A Novel in the World of Kate Daniels - Gunmetal Magic

I purchased the kindle edition of this book, and boy was it worth it. I felt like I was getting two books in one. *SPOILER!* Not only do you get Andrea's and Rafael's story, you also get a shorter story on Kate and Curran, based more or less in the same timeline. Both are great, and very well researched! I especially LOVED the neo-vikings! Yes, neo-vikiings. Read and you'll see what I'm talking about. Buy it! IT IS A WONDERFUL READ!

Gunmetal Magic is the book 5.5 of the Kate Daniels series featuring side character Andrea Nash in her first stand alone novel. The first novella featuring Andrea Nash was first published in the anthology "Must Love Hellhounds". You don't need to read the novella before reading this book but, it's a fantastic short story. This series takes place in Atlanta, GA after magic has brought all technology and life as we know it to ruins. There are vampires, shifters, magic users, and many other creatures often taken from mythology.

Andrea is the a-typical blond pretty girl. She's an expert marksman and is a bouda (hyena) shifter. She's recently come upon some hard times in her career and love life. Raphael, also featured in the "Must Love Hellhounds" novella, is the son to the alpha of Clan Bouda and former mate to Andrea. Shifter murders on Raphael's construction site means they must work together to solve this crime.

I am a huge fan of just about anything written by Ilona Andrews. The cover of Gunmetal Magic is a great illustration of the wrecked Atlanta and Andrea's attitude. Andrea is confident and tough and anyone would be crazy if they messed with her. I thought the book went over most major plot points so; a new reader to the series wouldn't be too confused. I love how the major conflict in the story is another mythological figure that's been tweaked to create a terrifying villain.

Andrea and Raphael's break up is finally revealed is detail. The reader gets the full story on each person's reasoning and feelings. Ilona Andrews does a great job at relationship building and the conflicts the arise. I hope that there will be more books with Andrea as the main character in the future!

Memorable Quote
I gave him my Order smile: sweet grin, hard eyes, reached over to my passenger seat, and pulled out my submachine gun. About twenty-seven inches long, the HK was my favorite toy for close-quarters combat. The rider's eyes went wide.
"This is an HK UMP submachine gun. Renowned for its stopping power and reliability. Cyclic rate of fire: eight hundred rounds per minute. That means I can empty this thirty-round clip into you in less than three seconds. At this range, I'll cut you in half." It wasn't strictly true but it sounded good. "You see what it says on the barrel?"
On the barrel, pretty white letters spelled out PARTY STARTER.

Review originally posted at: [...]

Like other reviewers, I am definitely a fan of the Kate Daniels universe. This book is another entry in that universe, this one told from the POV of Kate's friend Andrea Nash, and I was fully prepared to enjoy it just as much as the rest of the books. On one level, this book is about how Andrea, a former Knight, manages to integrate herself into the society of the Clan, and it's an interesting journey. She's working now at Cutting Edge, the private agency that Kate Daniels set up to provide herself with an independent life. (And perhaps that should have warned me; there is a subtext through these books that if a woman falls in love, she becomes a possession of her dominant, alpha male, Aunt B notwithstanding.) When four shapeshifters are found murdered at a reclamation project being run by Raphael, Andrea's former boyfriend, Andrea is pulled in to discover what happened and why.

However, the authors did the job of drawing the character of Raphael just too well. He is, in their own words, "a jerk... spoiled... obsessive... possessive... irrational... arrogant." That's exactly what he is, and I have yet to find a redeeming quality in him. The fact that he's very handsome and loves his mother is supposed to make up for that. It doesn't. Raphael reminded me far too much of the kind of guy who slaps his woman around and winds up killing her because she looked at another guy. I don't care if he's a bouda; it's not attractive, it's not romantic, and if this is what "mated" means, I want no part of it. The authors keep repeating that "they've both made mistakes," and that's supposed to excuse his behavior. It doesn't. It's repellant, at least to this reader, and sexual attraction is not enough to overcome the casual "oh, he's a guy, he's hot, he's entitled" attitude here. (When the reader finds herself mentally yelling at the heroine, "Will you just dump this a**hole [another term the authors use!] and get on with your life!", you know it's bad.) I liked Roman, the black magician, much, MUCH better as a character--he's attracted to Kate, but he has a sense of humor (a real one) and treats her with respect. But noooo, there's no "click," no hormonal response, so too bad for the nice guy.

I have made it to page 243 because I love this world. I really want to love this book. I don't know if I'm going to make it to page 244. I loathe Raphael, and I wish he'd go away. I think the authors are trying to set up a HEA, but it's a textbook abusive relationship and I see no "happily ever after" in it.

EDIT: I did finish the book (and the novella). I'm sorry, but real women in the real world are murdered every day as a result of obsessive, possessive jealousy. It is NOT sexy, it is NOT attractive, it is NOT appealing. And it is not something I'd expect to find in an "alpha" anything--they ought to be more secure in themselves; I'd look for that kind of response in, yes, an insecure, spoiled jerk who's desperately afraid someone's "gunna take HIS WUMMUN" away from him. So the characterization for Raphael still, emphatically, does not work for me, and neither does the characterization for Andrea. (Ditto for Curran, btw.) (Kate just barely manages to skim by.) And I hate seeing this behavior presented as something characteristic of or desirable in a hero, because it condones it, and it should not be condoned, and it should not be tolerated.

I still love this world, but jeez, I really wish the authors would re-think their social dynamics just a whole lot.

**slight spoiler alert!** The first thing I ever read of Andrews' was in "Hexed" Magic Dreams, with Dali and Jim. I absolutely loved it. From there, I have read everything else and enjoyed all of them. That being said, I did not care for Andrea's story all that much. It wasn't terrible, but I found the whole situation strangley disorienting. I am so used to seeing this world through Kate's eyes, and so many things that Andrea said was so Kate, it was strange. Also, I sort of thought Rafael was weak in this story, and Roman much more detailed and interesting. I was also bitterly disappointed with the "confrontation" scene with the bouda from Andrea's past. I wanted major butt-whoopin'! I am afraid I actually gasped in outrage, yes I did, followed immediately with, "REALLY?!" However, the novella at the end was very good. The world was right again, yay!

Was not sure if I would like this since I did not particularly like Andrea or Raph as side characters in Kate's books. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I enjoyed these characters much more in their own right now that the spotlight was on them. While this series simply will never be one of my favorites, it has proven to be a reliably good read when the mood strikes.

I don't think I have anticipated a book more than this one and I was terrified that it wouldn't live up to expectations. no worries on that score, this was just perfect! I'm not going to rehash the plot, others have explained it. This can definitely be read as a stand alone book, but you would be mad not to read the lead up books, the humor and wit are sublime, all the characters are endearing (you just want them to have all their own stories) and I am so glad Andrea and Raphael got to tell theirs. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THEM!!
P.S. How brilliant is Roman in this?!

First of all, it should be said that I am a huge, HUGE Kate Daniels fan. It is my all-time favorite series. There is no better female lead character than Kate. The relationship between Curran and Kate also can't be beat (pre- AND post hook-up, which is hard to do). And for me, the showdown between Kate and Roland is one of the most highly anticipated story events to date. I am completely invested in this series, and have found zero fault with books 1 - 5.

That being said, I was a bit hesitant to read Gunmetal Magic, which tells Andrea's story. I like her character in the Kate books (as I like all the supporting characters, good guy or bad guy, I like them all!), however, I didn't know if she could carry a whole book as the lead.

My verdict - the book is good. Not something I would re-read though (I have re-read all the Kate books several times, and I enjoy it each time). The 3 stars comes from my personal bias - I think I just favor Kate's point of view way too much, so I couldn't really get into Andrea's narration. There really are no big faults with this book - the story is engaging, the tension and outcome of the Raphael/Andrea relationship was well done, and I like that we get to know a side character more (Roman). But yeah, I'm just biased towards my girl Kate and her narration, which I guess is one of the drawbacks of a spinoff book - readers can't help but do the comparison thing.

Magic Gifts novella -
haha, 5 stars for this of course! A short story that complemented Gunmetal Magic - Kate and Curran had their hands full with "something" during parts of Andrea's story, and here we see what it was. Ghastek, one of my favorite supporting characters, is also featured here, as well as Jim. Nice complete story line, and it does add some new things to the goings-on of Kate.

I've passed on bying this book several times because it doesn't star Kate Daniels and I wasn't much of an Andrea Nash fan. I should have known better. It turned out to be a great read. I definitely recommend to fans of Ilona Andrews.

In general I'm a fan of this series, and I was curious as to how the authors would get past the stigma of the main characters hooking up and getting stable in the previous books as that is usually a problem for these series that they get a bit boring. Somehow I wasn't prepared for the authors to pool a "Edge-series" spin on it... changing the p.o.v. completely.
I don't mind Andrea at all.. she's a cool character, but I have to say I missed Kate, and foud the short bits we got from her and Curran to be too little.
If I distance myself from that, it really was quite a good novel.

But please: more Kate/Curran in the next book!

Love Ilona Andrews' writing. Very imaginative. Seemed shorter than the others but still a great read. Also written as Andrea being the nariator. I recommend this book to anyone who has already loved the rest of her Kate Daniels series.

I feel so jealous of all these other reviewers! I really love these authors, and their Magic series is definitely one of my favorites but I think they must've been off their game when they wrote this... Andrea basically pulls a Kate, though she is supposed to be coming into her own as a warrior/beastkin when she is charged with solving a mystery for the pack. Along the way she must reluctantly accept Raphael's help while Ascanio tags along (pretending to be Derek).

So I did not find the story very engaging here but maybe it will suffice if you dug the last two Edge books (I wasn't thrilled with those either, but hey I seem to be in the minority there, too). To me, this read like an Edge book and the plot seemed disjointed, with many of the fight scenes and explanations being really long and drawn out and sometimes confusing. It was strange because usually I am hanging on these characters' every word and every move in the other books, but in this one? Not so much (ugh especially when they were getting it on; i was so not into the romance here).

And I hate even mentioning this, but another thing that bothered me were the characterizations. They seemed off and I'm really hoping it was just a temporary thing. I wasn't expecting Andrea to be able to replace Kate so I had kept my expectations low for this book, but what with Andrea suddenly turning into an almost 2 dimensional version of Kate throughout it, I kept missing the real Kate and wishing Andrea's boring story would just end already so I could read Kate's novella. And the thing is, I found the novella pretty disappointing too! Even Kate and Curran and Co. all seemed sorta like distorted caricatures of themselves...for instance, Curran has suddenly become ultra protective to the point where he no longer allows Kate to go anywhere without him anymore (at the same time, he allows her to get bruised and beaten while they visit the vikings? why even come?). Curran and Kate also both instantly decide that it's worth risking both their lives (and the lives/future of their pack etc) for some little kid they don't even know. I mean, only one book ago they were debating about whether it was even worth risking Kate's life to save Julie (even Kate thought twice about doing it) but now all of a sudden they've both become such Irrational Saviors of All Things Young At Any Cost No Matter What over some kid they don't even know? Ugh.

I did enjoy learning about the Guild though, and I look forward to reading more about it in the next Magic book, though for the most part I mostly look forward to the moment when Ghastek's giant head gets unstuck from his ass and he realizes, hey wait a minute! Isn't that crazy Erra woman Roland's sister, and didn't she look exactly like Kate? And isn't this the very same Kate that broke Roland's unbreakable sword about 2 books ago in the arena? I guess for now his head is just too far up there for him to notice, but man I am dying for the day he gets a clue.

First, she wins her lover back, after thinking she'd lost him forever to a blonde bimbo. Then, she gets into a battle for her life, and discovers that the Pack has her back, and that she now has a home in the Pack!

So the title is wrong - this is the first novel based on Andrea's POV.

And I loved it! Andrea is a complex character and I'm so glad we get to know her better. Seeing Kate from the outside is fascinating too.

I love all the Kate Daniels universe books. Read this - it will not disappoint.

I bought this book because I loved books 1 and 2 of the Kate Daniels series -- in fact, I think those books are exemplary, quite amazing, and I look forward to reading them again. But this book -- I read the first few pages with rapt attention and then things sort of started to slip and then I started skipping over words, then sentences, then paragraphs, then pages, all the way through. And I was amazed that this book was written by the same people who wrote Kate Daniels. But was it? Or was it written by a ghost? Very strange.

I hate to give a bad review to an Ilona Andrews book, but I really did not like Gunmetal Magic. The story would be better if the two main characters were more interesting. I love the Kate Daniel Series--I love Kate Daniels as a main character. Andrea reminds me too much of Kate (they talk and think alike), and for some reason she seems less interesting than Kate. Even her boyfriend, Raphael, is kind of boring and sometimes annoying...Kate is a hard ass, and I picture her being closer to women less like herself (she should hang out with Dali more--Dali is funny and refreshingly different from Andrea and Kate).

Also, one of my pet peeves is poor writing/editing in a published book. It seemed like there wasn't much time put into editing this book. For example, Barabas the Pack lawyer said, "You see, even us dirty Pack lawyers have to pass the bar just like everyone else..." Come on, Barabas, if you passed the bar you, you must know proper English (having written a lot of papers) and would have said "WE dirty Pack lawyers" instead of "US dirty Pack lawyers." Maybe I'm just a perfectionist, but it really grates on me to see these kinds of mistakes in a published book.

The best thing about Gunmetal is seeing Kate through the eyes of someone else. I can't wait for the new Kate Daniel book to come out! Since I have written a bad review here, I will go and write good ones for the rest of the Kate Daniel series

I enjoyed this book. This was a re-read for me and I had a lot of fun re-visiting this book since I know what will happen to these wonderful characters as the series moves forward. I do remember being slightly disappointed when this book was first published simply because I wanted another book featuring Kate and Curran and I got Andrea instead. I ended up loving the book though.

Andrea and Kate are best friends so their lives overlap in a lot of areas but Andrea does have her own story to tell and I am glad that Ilona Andrews made the decision to let her do just that in this book. Andrea is not in a great place as this book opens. Her relationship with Raphael is over and she has lost her job with the Order. Both of these things meant the world to her and helped shaped her identity.

Andrea is working with Kate at their new agency, Cutting Edge, when she gets a call about a new case. This new case just happens to be tied to Raphael which only proves to make things more interesting. Throw in some strange snake people and a complex mystery and you have plenty of excitement. All the action is nicely balanced with a bit of humor and romance.

I really enjoyed seeing Kate, Curran, and all of the other characters from a different perspective. I think that Andrea is in a unique position to give that perspective because she is close to a lot of the key characters but she still feels and acts like an outsider. Andrea grows a lot as a character over the course of this book and the insight into her background really helps with understanding some of the ways that she looks at the world.

Renee Raudman does a fabulous job with this series. It is funny that I didn't really care for her narration for the first couple of books in the series but now I couldn't imagine anyone else. She really is able to perform a wide range of characters very well and with a lot of emotion. She has a very pleasant voice that is easy to listen to for hours at a time.

I highly recommend this series to others. This is a series that you do need to read in order since each book builds on the last. This is a very important book in the overall story arc and should not be missed. I can't wait to continue with my re-read of this wonderful series.

I admit that I was kind of excited to get out of Kate’s head and into somebody else’s. That lasted only a few chapters in and then I was kind of sad to be completely without Kate. There’s something about her sarcasm and wit that really keeps things moving for me. Andrea is a different beast (haha) entirely.

So, as I already said, this really is exclusively an Andrea story. Kate is in maybe 5% of the book and that’s really only as a supporting character. Yes, you get Raphael (of course), but it really hurts for a while to watch Andrea muddle through her broken relationship and her feelings towards said relationship. Sure, Andrea is a tough chick who can handle herself in analytical situations, but she is severely lacking when it comes to the interpersonal stuff. Maybe that’s why she and Kate get along so well.

What’s the main story? Gah – in keeping with the rest of the series, this gets complicated. Andrea is called in to help Jim out with a murder investigation. It (of course) happens on one of Raphael’s sites, which puts them in direct contact for the first time since their “break-up.” We do finally get to learn what happened to Andrea during her time MIA. I’m glad I read the short story that runs parallel before this book, too, and highly recommend it.

Andrea’s adventure in this book takes her to visit Roman, who we met in the previous book. He was a welcome addition to the usual crew and I look forward to more interaction with the witches (am I allowed to call them that?). Do we get some resolution on the Andrea/Raphael front? Yes. Do we get to watch Andrea fall apart for most of the book? Yes. If you want both of those things, you’ll have to check this book out.

I’ve always liked Andrea as a character in Kate’s books, but I never quite understood where she was coming from. This book has given me a firm grounding in her background; all those things that happened to make her the loveable bada$$ she is today. I’ve also always like Raphael, and I know that’s not always the popular opinion. I loved that this book was the equivalent of locking the pair in a small room and forcing them to figure it all out. (Let me just say that the scene with the purple shag carpeting is utterly priceless.) This book, for me, was more about the characters than it was about anything that was happening. I appreciated Andrea and Raphael getting their ‘stuff’ straightened out, but it was the secondary characters that stole the show; Ascanio, Barabas, and Roman especially. These three characters are filling out nicely and could easily carry their own stories soon.

Yes! It was everything I had hoped it would be! Sure some of my illusions of Andrea were kind of shattered, but overall I still love her and enjoy her bad ass self. Seeing Kate and Curran from Andrea's eyes was awesome, even more when they both stepped into the story. Raphael actually kind of transformed into a ninny for me . . . but hey.

First off both Andrea and Raphael make stupid mistakes, mainly caused by miscommunications. Though Raphael assuming the worst and being unable to walk in someone else's shoes does not help things. What’s worse is that he brings a “finance” into the equation dragging her into Andrea's place of work, even after Andrea extends the olive branch. What's worse—yes, more—is that I find every move Raphael makes from there on rude, childish, and not in the least bit showing how he feels for Andrea. It takes a while for me to feel love, but Andrea certainly feels it. After each aggressive move by Raphael she keeps promising revenge. She turns him on and makes out . . . but of course she's totally into it and it doesn't feel like any kind of revenge. Not to mention the fact that when she FINALLY makes her move it's more hilarious and she caves right after. Which is fine, but like Andrea states Raphael is sooooo spoiled. Man needed some bones broken.

Still, I loved it! Minor annoying things aside. Because Andrews makes amazing characters. Which we get to enjoy even more by seeing those beloved characters through other character's eyes. The world is awesome seeing from the eyes of a shifter, especially someone who is a “social leper” in the shifter world. Seeing the shifter politics are awesome. Especially as Andrea navigates her way into joining them.

More god plot lines here and lot's of fun. Namely Roman. Roman. Roman. Roman. While I'm bothered that he got third wheeled in Andrea's little love drama. You can't blame Andrea for wanting to try something with Roman. Roman is a character that I loved to death in Magic Slays, and now I LOVE'EM to DEATH. No really. There has to be more Roman time. If there was a spinoff for him, I'd be all over it. Since there probably isn't going to be, I just hope there will be more book time for him in the future. Because he is all kind of awesome! ****(The authors answered some questions about the future of the series and Roman is a character they wouldn’t mind doing a spinoff for!! Yeah!!)****

Overall another great read from my favorite authors. The Kate Daniels universe is fantastic and with each new entry the series keeps getting better and better. The characters and world are mesmerizing and gritty. Everyone has a past. Each move has a consequence. Oh, and the humor is fantastic as usual. Banter is the name of the game with the couples and Andrews bring their A game. In the end while I want more “Kate” books, I won’t be too nervous if they have to tell the story from another view point again.

Sexual Content: Some making out, sex scene, sexual humor/banter, and some jesting. Overall some good times.

3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.

Originally reviewed at Book Whispers.

Andrea Nash is still floundering. Just when she thought she was getting her life on track, her rug is pulled out from under her. Andrea is dismissed from the Knights of the Order after it is discovered that she is Beastkin. This is how the Order pays her back for her years of service, not to mention, she sacrificed her relationship with Raphael to stay with the Order. Luckily, she still has her friend Kate Daniels. Kate at least was able to give her a job. When several shapeshifters die while working for Raphael at a dig site, Jim assigns Andrea to find out who or what was behind the murders. This forces Andrea to work with Raphael, and either they will come to an agreement regarding their failed relationship, or they will strangle one another. In the meantime, can they catch the killer?
What I Liked:
*While reading the Kate Daniels Series, I have become a big fan of Andrea. I was thrilled to find that this is actually a full length novel from Andrea's point of view. So if you are a fan of the series, do not miss this one thinking it is a novella. This is everything you wanted to know about Andrea. I loved digging deep and getting to know Andrea.
*You would think it would be a bit difficult to suddenly switch to Andrea's point of view after getting settled in with Kate for the last five books, but I had no issues. Andrea is just as interesting as Kate. She has her own brutal and messed up past, and her own obstacles and romantic stumbles to hurdle over. I loved peeling back all of Andrea's layers and seeing who she was. This is also a book of growth for Andrea as she finally gets comfortable in her Beastkin form, breasts and all. Andrea is just as complex as Kate, and I was completely invested in her story.
*The romance between Raphael and Andrea is a bit like Kate and Curran's in that you have two stubborn, pig headed people, who fail to communicate. When they do get it right they have amazing chemistry, but when they are on the outs, heaven help those who run across their paths. I loved the dynamic between the two, and even though, I got a bit irritated with them for being stubborn and not communicating, once the purple shag carpet incident occurs, everything moves in the right direction.
*Just like an installment of Kate Daniels, this book has a complicated plot full of mythology and several story lines. There is always a lot going on, not to mention plenty of riveting action scenes and Egyptian lore, with a few snake people tossed in for added danger. If you are a fan of the series, you won't be disappointed.
*I love the humor and snark in this series, and this book is no exception. I love that I can laugh in between all the action scenes.
*The cast of secondary characters shines in this book. I am loving watching Aunt B and Andrea square off. Not to mention, I am taking a strong liking to Ascanio, and I am enjoying watching the developing relationship between he and Andrea. Kate and Curran make a few appearances, but this is mostly Andrea and Raphael's story. I was most surprised by Roman the Black Vole. He plays a large in this one, and I am now a fan of him.
*The ending is an edge of your seat thrill ride to the breathtaking end. Prepare for a life and death battle and non stop action. Luckily, everything culminates to a nice finish, leaving Andrea in a better place. I am looking forward to seeing Andrea and Kate in action again in the next Kate Daniel's book.
*I am continuing my journey through the Kate Daniels Series via audiobook, and Renee Raudman knocks it out of the park. Her voices have improved tremendously since the first book. I think her narration is fantastic and I am thrilled that she continues to narrate everything Ilona Andrews puts out. If you get the opportunity to listen to this series, I highly recommend it on audiobook.
And The Not So Much:
*I get that this is Andrea's book, but I was a touch disappointed that Kate didn't have a larger role. I absolutely love the hilarity that ensues when Kate and Andrea are working together. Not having that dynamic in this story was a bit of a let down. Yes, Kate makes appearances, but her presence isn't strong, and when they are together, there isn't a lot of the witty banter I love.
*Even though I like the romance, I felt like it was a bit too similar to Kate's and Curran's because Raphael and Andrea behave much like Kate and Curran. They act stubborn and refuse to discuss things through. Not a big deal, but I just felt like I had been there done that a bit with the romance.
*As always with a book in this series, there is so much going on and a lot to keep track of. I didn't think this one flowed as well and it felt a bit disjointed. I still wasn't sure how the first scene with the webs and spiderlike creatures fit into the story.

Gunmetal Magic is a not to be missed book in the Kate Daniels Series. This is not a novella, but rather a full length novel that features Andrea, Kate's best friend and sidekick. I loved uncovering Andrea's history and seeing her overcome her issues and conquer her past. Not to mention there is, as always, lots of danger, action and plenty of legend and mythology sprinkled in. If you are a fan of The Kate Daniels Series be sure to grab this one.

I borrowed a copy of this book from the library. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

~ 5 Gunmetal Magic Stars ~

There is just something special about the Andrews team writing that will capture you and take you on an action-packed adventure through the lives and world of their characters.

In Gunmetal Magic we get Andrea and Raphael’s story with Kate and Curran making a few short appearances. From what happened in Magic Slays, things are tense between this couple and Andrea is still not sure if she wants to join the Pack. She spends the book finding her place in the world.

I absolutely loved the development and struggles Andrea goes through. We get to learn about her history (which is sad) and everything that is going on between her and Raphael. The history we learn gives us great insight as to why she is so leery in joining the Pack and we also get to see her finally come to terms with her beast-kin side as the novel develops. The relationship between Andrea and Raphael is officially over or is it? These two are a power couple, both Alphas and both Powerful. They both do a number on each other, but we see how the shapeshifters work through their problems and well the best part was Andreas revenge on Raphael.

The secondary characters are just as entreating. I love Barabas. He is such a great character. We also get to learn more about the teenage bouda, Asciano, who starts to play more of a roll.

Their is also a Bonus Novella - Magic Gifts, which I love.

This novella is in Kate’s POV and is during the same time frame as Gunmetal Magic. I always love return to Kate and Curran. A murder mystery takes place with a kids life in danger. Plus we finally see Kate deal with The Mercenary Guild and she resolve this issue in Grand Style.

If the book has Ilona Andrews name on it you are guaranteed a extraordinary entertaining read. They are a must read for anyone!

Andrea is Kate Daniel's best friend and now partner in Cutting Edge Investigations since being involuntarily retired from the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid. They're working hard to get the business off the ground, so when a job comes up investigating the deaths of several shapeshifters, even though they work for Raphael Medrano (Andrea's former lover), she can't turn down the assignment. Since being around Raphael is the last thing she wants, Andrea is hoping to avoid him and just concentrate on the job, but he's determined to make that impossible. Some of the stunts they pulled on each other were a bit hurtful at first, but as time went on, they got more creative and ridiculous, and I knew that this couple wouldn't be able to resist each other for long. It was interesting to see events from Andrea's point of view; although she's busy with her own investigation and isn't involved with Kate's activities they do cross paths. Andrea is a very different character than Kate, but she can hold her own when it comes to the action in the story. Ascanio as Andrea's sidekick is also entertaining; I love that smart mouthed teenager, especially when he gets to kick some butt. I'm so happy to have had this other view of the Kate Daniel's world, and I hope there will be more books to come.

This book also includes the bonus novella Magic Gifts:
Although this novella takes place at the same time as Andrea's book, Gunmetal Magic, and by reading both you get to see some events from two different perspectives, I would recommend reading this one first. Kate and Curran are trying to have a night out together, but with these two, nothing ever seems to be that simple. They become involved in a quest to save a young boy's life, and there are drunk Vikings, vampires on the loose, necromancers, Norse magic, and lots of the kind of action that I so look forward to with any Kate story. I think it's a great addition to the Kate Daniels world, and I'm so happy it was included with Gunmetal Magic.

For Andrea Nash, being kicked out of the Order of Knights Merciful for being a shifter, she has no idea what to do and her life is in shambles. Trying to pick herself up after that loss is hard and her best friend, Kate asks her to help out at her investigative firm, Cutting Edge. She never anticipated getting a case that involves her ex, Raphael Medrano, the alpha from Clan Bouda or that she will have to make a choice to join with Clan Bouda or be forced to leave Atlanta and her friends. Andrea is determined to solve the case, ignore Raphael and get on with her life. She just never anticipated finding herself drawn back to Raphael or that the killer will lead her on a chase that could end her life as well as the world as she knows it. Life is just about to get interesting in Atlanta…

Ilona Andrews is a talented writing team and I devour their books like mad. With heart stopping action to a bit of romance to a cast of characters you can’t help but fall in love with, the reader is taken on a wild ride from start to finish with a book by this author. The story kicks off with a bang and the mystery goes into overdrive. When Andrea and Raphael finally get face to face you can see the sparks fly right off the pages. These two characters are two very strong dominant personalities and I was on the edge of my seat to see if these two could reconcile amid all the carnage, mystery and more. What I really enjoyed was seeing some of the secondary characters become front and center in a story. Kate and Curran pop up occasionally but this was Andrea’s story. The plot is strong with a few twists that left me gasping as I flipped the pages to see what happens next for these stalwart characters.

This was a different sort of book. It featured a major secondary character from Kate Daniels Series and we finally see what made Andrea make the decisions she did after the events from Magic Bleeds and Magic Slays (books 4 &5 in Kate Daniels Series). The author does a great job in putting all those threads together in the story and gives Andrea a great storyline that meshes in the Kate Daniels Series perfectly. This was a curious story since it involves secondary characters, Kate and Curran were involved in something other than Andrea’s storyline and the authors did a great job in keeping Andrea’s voice and point of view from sounding too much like Kate’s in the book. Overall, this book rocked with Andrea as the main POV and helped answer questions a reader may have had about that sub-plot in the Kate Daniels series as well as introducing new characters, monsters and mythology to keep the reader glued to the pages. The reader also gets to see more of Atlanta as well. GUNMETAL MAGIC gives the reader glimpse of the city that we haven’t been to yet and it was a testament to the authors’ world building and pulls it off magically in GUNMETAL MAGIC. The dialogue is striking, the emotions conveyed perfectly of the characters and this is a perfect addition into the Kate Daniels Series.

GUNMETAL MAGIC is a wonderful companion to the Kate Daniels world and with a bonus novella, Magic Gifts (Kate Daniels story) that helps the reader see more answers to Andrea’s storyline as well. With their trademark storytelling, Ilona Andrews delivers a story about a deeply damaged person trying to find t heir place in life when it imploded. The author does a marvelous job in keeping Andrea front and center, the reader glued to the pages and left eager for more. If you haven’t tried the Kate Daniels series, I highly recommend it. You won’t regret it.

GUNMETAL MAGIC is truly one wild ride from start to finish and one I look forward to reading again in the future. For those who are fans of the author or just discovering this series, be prepared to read all night as these stories keep you highly entertained and on the edge of your seat.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

No Kate Daniels review of mine is complete without a quote, so let's kick it off with my favorite:

"We're engaged to be engaged," Rebecca said. "We're waiting until the end of the physical year to officially announce."
"You mean fiscal year?" Dear God, she was a moron.
"Yes, that's what I meant."

The Andrews clan has yet to let me down. I really enjoyed Andrea's short story, Magic Mourns, in the Must Love Hellhounds anthology. So I was really looking forward to her solo novel. As an added bonus, they even throw in the final version of the Magic Gifts novella. This book was a gift that kept on giving.

Andrea is down and out after being ousted by her old job. To make matters worse she goes through a nasty breakup with Raphael, and just for good measure she's still being pressured to join the Bouda clan. This threatens her lone hyena status which she likes just fine. She's trying to keep herself occupied by running her and Kate's start up investigation firm, Cutting Edge. Keeping her distance to avoid Raphael and his new main squeeze was initially going well, but unfortunately (or is it?) that becomes impossible as a string of murders ties his business into the thick of things. No, he's not the culprit, but the two must work together to solve the grisly crime. And sparks will fly...

This book offers everything you want in a Kate Daniels read. I laughed quite a bit, I cringed at some of the action and crime scenes, and I even found myself frustrated at times with the complicated relationship of Andrea and Raphael. Their banter is extremely entertaining, but I definitely found myself wanting to smack sense into both of them. So many of their issues could be solved easily through real communication, but hard heads make for soft bottoms.

I liked the addition of Ascanio, though it may have been a little formulaic. He felt like Andrea's Julie or Derek, but I like how the youth are incorporated and have interesting story lines. I find that I genuinely care about these characters because they are forced to grow up really fast, but they still possess threads of innocence and naivete.

The villains have interesting powers, but I wasn't quite as enthralled with the characters themselves. I was more interested in the lasting effects their powers could potentially have throughout the rest of the series. This felt more contained, but do hope it carries over to other novels.

Overall I thought it was a necessary novel to explore Andrea's character and her journey of self-acceptance while she puts her life on the line for the ones she loves. Though frustrating, Andrea is a fantastically layered character which can sometimes be a challenge for writers (which is why the most interesting characters are side characters), but the Andrews handled giving her the spotlight very well.

If you love Kate Daniels novels, I can't imagine you'll want to miss this. Kate and Curran do make cameo appearances here and there as well. It is worth the read.

Andrea Nash is a beastkin that is to say her mother is a were-hyena a human who changes shape to a hyena and her father is a hyena who changes shape to a human. As a child Andrea was tortured and abused because of this so it was no surprise that Andrea has kept her beastkin side hidden from everybody. In the KD series Andrea's secret is eventually outed and she is dismissed from her job as a Knight of the Order. Raphael is the male alpha of Clan Bouda, a pack of were-hyenas, he is the typical dark, gorgeous bad boy. Andrea and Raphael were an item for a while, however they broke up when Andrea helped out her human friends rather than the Clan and Gunmetal magic picks up their story as a spin off from Kate Daniels.

I really like the Kate Daniels series and for that reason I read this book. This book can be read if you haven't read KD but I would urge you to read KD if you can first to get the most from this book. I wasn't too keen on Andrea in the Kate Daniels books so I wasn't holding out much hope for her in this one but I do have a huge hot spot for Raphael, I am such a sucker for dark haired sexy bad boys. Anyway it came as a huge surprise when I totally liked Andrea. She has had such a terrible childhood and we learn all about the racial abuses she endured as a youngster. But it is this mistreatment that she has received that has made Andrea the kickass that she is today. Raphael has come across as quite the jack the lad in the KD series but we see a different side to him here. We find out how grown up he is and how seriously he takes his role as male alpha in Clan Bouda.

Gunmetal magic has a different voice to that of Kate Daniels and I really liked it. Dare I say that I liked it more than KD? We get to see Kate Daniels and her mate the beast lord Curran from a different perspective too which was interesting. I really did enjoy this book, the plot was good the romantic teasing, tension and banter between Andrea and Raphael was awesome and it was a 5 star read for me until the plot gets solved in the last third of the book. I found the tone and pace of the book changes and it is this reason that I am going to give Gunmetal Magic 4 stars. It is a great read and I hope we have more Andrea and Raphael books. I would recommend this book to Kate Daniels and Urban Fantasy fans.

Urban fantasy rocks and I love the way the dynamic duo rock it! Eve Dallas, meet Mrs. Smith--but you should call her Ms. Nash (cause she's NaH-Stee).

Ilona Andrews gets the party started with a fresh new look at the Magic series world. Andrea Nash is the intrepid PI doggedly seeking answers to mysterious deaths within the local were pack. She's a lone bouda who is not very happy at having to step on alpha toes. However a girl's gotta have a goal, and this girl never backs down from hers--even if it requires a few bullets to make her point.

If things weren't complicated enough Andrea has to tread old ground in the form of her Ex, Raphael. The two try to set aside the pain and regret of a failed romance in order to consolidate their resources. Adventure and hilarity ensue as they bob and weave about a verbal boxing match while breaking the case.

If books were real people I'd be having this one's baby.

I'm incapable of describing how much I enjoyed the story. Fans of the magic series are given a clear picture of who Andrea is. She's always been more shadow than substance, even in the short story she and Raphael shared. Readers can finally hear her distinctive voice and better grasp her individual characterization. How Ilona Andrews can write a dramatically unique, yet enjoyably awesome, character amid such familiar circumstances and storytelling is crazy.

I liked this character and this story so much I ALMOST completely forgot...Kate, who? Of course Kate and Curran make an appearance--at which time I stood up and applauded like a sound track from a 70's sitcom. It was `so like' the coolest thing--evah!

This is a solid douse of urban fantasy with a pinch of PNR. Romance partly drives this entry. The romance in this book is mature fun--makes one want to grab one's man and feel him up (maybe throw in an offer of nookie with little to no begging). Don't expect to get all wet with wonder, but do expect to have a great time.

Gunmetal Magic stays true to the magic series and the original Andrea/Raphael short story. Still, it is a new story birthed from a nearly original direction in the magic plagued city of Atlanta.

Andrea's life is falling apart. After being booted out of the Knights of Merciful Aid Order and losing her mate-material boyfriend Raphael in the process, her life couldn't get much worse. Andrea's job at Cutting Edge investigations and her friendship with Pack Consort Kate Daniels are the only things holding her together. Still, Andrea almost dies of mortification when she is assigned to work with Raphael after four of his shapeshifters are found dead at a reclamation site. Keeping her raw feelings for him at bay, Andrea must do her best investigative work to find the killer before more shapeshifters are targeted. If that doesn't push her over the edge, Clan Bouda is pressuring her to join ranks or flee their territory now that her beastkin nature is public. With Andrea's conflicted pull towards Raphael, the investigation, and Aunt B's cronies at her door, her life is a constant juggling act, but is Andrea in all her dysfunctional glory up for the task?

When I first read on Ilona Andrews blog that there was an Andrea/Raphael book in the works, I was excited. As much as I adore Kate and Curran I've enjoyed the other couples Ilona Andrews has thrown at us. Meli and Celino, Cerise and William, and Jim and Dali in particular. I've always liked Kate's good friend Andrea and her special attachment to guns. Ridiculously good-looking Raphael, alpha male of Clan Bouda wasn't uninteresting either. I had no fears that it would fall short of what I've come to expect from a Kate Daniels book. And for the most part, any fears would've gone unfounded.

From the get go I suspected Andrea and I would get on. Not only is she already sympathetic with all the upheaval in her personal and professional life, but knowing her back story and how that has affected major life decisions makes her even more understood. But this doesn't make her any less tough. She stands apart from Kate yet just as strong. Sans guns, Andrea can claw and fight her way through anything. I loved the moment she finally embraces her true self and trounces around the city as a werehyena without a care after years of completely denying that side of herself. With the darkness accompanying Andrea's past, there is humor, and a lot of it, which should be unsurprising to Ilona fans. Raphael and Andrea's vindictive plays against each other are laugh-out-loud funny. I got a kick out of Ascanio, Andrea's teenage sidekick, an unashamed werehyena lothario. Their visit to the library to search the modern Library of Alexandria project (the preserved snapshots of the internet before the magic destroyed all computer networks) is just one more of the limitless possibilities that make this magic-shifted world never grow old. One of my favorite characters was forward, flirty Roman, a black mage called a volvh who is interested in dating Andrea. He reminded me a bit of Saiman's humor-bringing, relentless pursuit of Kate in the previous books. I wouldn't have minded - brace yourself - a small love triangle. His staff and the Lord of the Rings references are great.

While Gunmetal Magic was engaging for the most part, it didn't hold my attention like some of the previous books, particularly in the last half. I've always admired the way Ilona Andrews introduces major and minor characters distinctly and memorably, but I got bogged down in setting and character description towards the end. Also, the timing of Andrea and Raphael's resolution felt anticlimactic, and without the romantic suspense the action plot ran out of steam for me by the conclusion. Quibbles aside, I enjoyed reading about Andrea, Raphael, and the werehyenas. Seeing Kate and Curran through Andrea's eyes was an enlightening treat, and nothing has changed. I will still be anxiously awaiting whatever Ilona Andrews publishes next.

Gunmetal Magic is part of the Kate Daniels series (#5.5) but focuses on Andrea.

Several shifters working for Raphael, Andrea's ex, are killed at a job site and she is tasked with the investigation by Jim, the pack's security chief. This means she will have to deal with Raphael and that isn't high on her list of priorities.

As with all Ilona Andrews novels, this is well written with strong female characters and a lot of action. You know you are going to get a good story. Plus, I like Andrea and Raphael as a couple and have since day one. This really was a 'can't miss' book for me. And, miss it didn't. 4/5 stars.

You may be asking why it wasn't 5 stars. The truth is that I'd have a hard time answering. After thinking about some of the scenes for several days, I've decided that a few of Andrea and Raphael's actions seemed out of character. I believe it was intentional on IA's part but I was still left feeling a bit unsettled.

Slight spoilers ahead:

At the end of Magic Slays, Andrea and Raphael break up (sort of - it doesn't seem official but as Ross Gellar would say 'We were on a break!') My opinion then was that they were both wrong but that's beside the point. We find in GM that they haven't seen each other in a while. Andrea is coming to terms with all the changes in her personal and professional lives and she does want to make it work with him. But, Raphael is a man scorned. This is the point where the story lost me a for a little while. Raphael comes into Andrea's office with another woman who says that they are dating and about to become engaged. For reals? This from the man who worked his butt off to get on Andrea's radar and under her skin? In a few short weeks he bounces back with someone else? The part of my brain saying that he was doing this to make Andrea jealous was getting very angry. Not cool, Raphael. Not cool.

And then...Andrea. I get it. She's a bit lost right now and unsure where she belongs. But shifting into her beastkin form when Raphael pulls his new girlfriend stunt and then traipsing all over town? All the while knowing that she has now drawn a line in the sand with the pack. Within a few days she will either have to join the pack or get the heck out of dodge. Curran can't and won't put up with it. I don't know guys. I felt like this was so out of character for her that it was a bit jarring. Yes, I did start to understand and accept this new Andrea more as the book progressed but for a while she lost me.

I've already started Magic Rises, the next in the main series and am having some of the same feelings about Curran in that one. Out of character decisions that are making my tummy hurt. Where is Ilona Andrews taking us? Is this a permanent change in the direction of the series? I'm having a tough time coming to terms if it is. This is my favorite UF series and I do not want to give it up. Wish me luck.

Has this ever happened to any of you? Can we commiserate for a while?

In Gunmetal Magic, the reader is taken away from Kate Daniel's point-of-view, and thrust upon Andrea Nash, ex-Knight of the Order and dangerous shapeshifter. We've previously seen Andrea in the other books in this series, as Kate's best friend and now business partner when they start their business "Cutting Edge Investigations". This is the first time we see life from Andrea's view. She got kicked out of the order because she was discovered to be a shapeshifter. Having suffering physical abuse as a child because she was "beastkin" she doesn't want to become part of a pack - even if one has such a attractive bouda called Raphael, who Andrea not only has a history with but she can't resist either. When four of Raphael's employees are killed, Andrea knows she will have to put her reservations aside and help the pack to find a killer.

I don't read a lot of urban fantasy, but I do love Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniels series. I'm heavily addicted to this series and Jim Butcher's Dresden Files books. I'm unfortunately a few books behind on both series, and so I decided to catch up by listening to the audiobook version of Gunmetal Magic.

For those fans of Kate and Curran, don't worry there is also Kate and Curran in Gunmetal Magic. But more importantly there is Andrea and Raphael! While I love Kate and Curran together, I was thrilled to discover more about Andrea and Raphael and hang onto every word to see if they would get together. As part of the courtship of boudas they like to pull pranks on each other, and the pranks were absolutely legendary and well worth a read for that alone!!

There was also a really interesting story involving gods, deities, cults and a whole lot of snakes. I loved riding alongside Andrea as she fought for her life and tried to save the pack from losing anymore people.

I really liked Andrea. She is tough as nails and I liked that she didn't just submit to the pack, because they told her too. She does everything her way in Gunmetal Magic and I have even more respect for Ilona Andrews for writing Andrea like this.

Gunmetal Magic was a fantastic book, and it was my first time listening to Renée Raudman narrate. She has a great voice and carried off the changes between human and shapeshifter warrior form extremely well. I plan to listen to all future Kate Daniels books as audiobooks for both her narration and the top-notch story.

I can't highly recommend this series enough for urban fantasy fans. Start at the beginning and settle in for a highly entertaining fantasy series.

4 STARS!! Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels 5.5) by Ilona Andrews is so much fun! I could tag along with Andrea Nash all day every day. The girl is plain awesome. Andrea has had a crap life, I'm talking shapeshifter crap life. You know shifters never grow up skipping through daisies or humming lullabies while hanging up the laundry. To survive Andrea chose a very human existence, but the humans she gave her blood, sweat, and tears to betrayed her and the animal inside found a foothold both in her psyche and in the real world. She can no longer hide behind her pretty face and mad skills with guns. Then throw in Raphael. Oh my goodness, not only is he amazingly hot and lethal, but Andrea loves him like she's never loved anything or anyone in her entire life. Problem is, she messes up, he messes up, and they're both total jerks about it. They threaten and fight, then they're hot for each other, then the day starts over. Throw in a big world ending type catastrophe that must be stopped and you have Gunmetal Magic. I loved this story, but I had a couple issues. One, it felt like a novella despite being over 300 pages long. Two, the timeline threw me for a loop. There's an actual novella (Magic Gifts) that takes place in the middle of this story. You can't read both at the same time and it is cool getting to see a scene from various angles, but I'm just not a fan of splitting stories this way so that one ends up stealing a little bit of the thunder from the other. I will say that the romance in Gunmetal was spot on for me. There is so much tension between Andrea and Raphael that as a reader you growl along with them. You squeal and sigh. In the end, I was exhausted and saying to myself, "It's all good." Can't go wrong with a read that does that.

If you haven't started this series and you're a fan of fantasy, urban fantasy, kick butt heroines, amazing writing, hot shifter men who need to be brought down a notch, uh, what was I saying? Right, read this series! Start with Magic Bites. Keep going. After book 5, read Gunmetal Magic and the novella Magic Gifts. Move on to book 6 and then wait with the rest of us for the next one.

Life has hit rock bottom for Andrea. After finding out she was a shapeshifter, the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid kicked her out with prejudice, leaving her without the stability of the only real family and loyalty she has ever known. Even worse is the fact that she lost the loyalty of her mate, Raphael when she chose the Order over his Pack. The only thing holding her together is her work with her best friend, Kate in their investigative firm. But when she's assigned to investigate a multiple homicide of shifters employed by Raphael, and forced to work with him, all the fine threads holding her old self together finally snap, leaving a very enraged and unpredictable bouda in their place.

Andrea is such a damaged character, and in Gunmetal Magic we see her almost at her breaking point. Considering what she has endured, and how incredibly strong she is, it really shows just how hard things have become for her to come so close to breaking. To escape her past, she threw her entire loyalty into the Order, never once faltering even when it cost her the love of her life, Raphael. So, when they threw all of it back in her face and rejected her despite her many years of service, messed up can only begin to describe the state she was in. Yet, despite the horribleness of the situation, in all honestly I really think the Order dropping her was the best thing that ever happened to her. It forced her to finally face the other side of her nature. For years she has been living a half life as she suppressed her bouda side, but now that it has been exposed, she can't hide anymore. I only admired her even more as she started to pick up the broken pieces of her life to start the healing and made the hard decision of who she really wants to be.

In the previous books, I had rather mixed feelings about Raphael, at least when it came to him deserving Andrea. He was just painted as such a player as well as a very spoiled man. Andrea deserved much better than that so I was against them together at first. Then when he started to show his true devotion, I slowly melted and accepted Raphael. However, all that acceptance went out the window when he abandoned Andrea for choosing the Order over the Pack. Considering the Order was her "family" at the time, he had no right to behave the way he did. So, considering the fact that I already had a major bone with him, the stunt he pulled with another woman at the beginning of Gunmetal Magic had me seething right along with Andrea. Like her I just wanted to rail at Raphael for the hurt he had caused, and I honestly felt he was irredeemable. However, once I realized that he was hurting every bit as much as she was, I started to slowly open up to him again. I really enjoyed watching the two of them as they battled against each other, especially as it led to many hilarious moments. (Mating shifters are seriously crazy. Enough said.)

I have always loved Andrea's character in the Kate Daniels books, so I was really excited to find out she would be getting her own installment. She just had entirely too much going on for her personal messes to be justly resolved without completely overshadowing whatever crisis Kate was currently in. Even so, there still was a small worry that Andrea's installment wouldn't quite live up to the others. I shouldn't have worried as I absolutely loved it. Every bit as good as its predecessors, Gunmetal Magic adds a new dimension to the already fantastic Kate Daniels world. Once again Ilona and Gordon proved just how fantastic they are as writers, seamlessly blending action, romance, and humor into a story that cannot be put down once it is started. Gunmetal Magic is not to be missed!

My Rating:5 stars: Personal favorite - a must read (A+)

When I found out that Ilona Andrews was going to write a book in her Kate Daniels series from the POV of Kate's best friend, Andrea, I was SOOOOO excited. Andrea and Raphael were my introduction to the Kate Daniels world via the novella, "Magic Mourns" found in the anthology Must Love Hellhounds. I've held a soft spot in my heart for the couple since the start, and boy have they had some tough times lately.

Gunmetal Magic has two primary tales to tell. First (and foremost for me) is the story of Andrea and Raphael. They are in a very low place, and the book chronicles their efforts to work through the pain and find a happy place-whether together or alone. Second, the book outlines a mystery to be solved. Raphael's reclamation company is working a building when four shifters are killed. Pack security hires Andrea to find out what happened. Unfortunately, the murders appear to be related to some deadly supernatural beings no one has seen before - and someone will stop for nothing to possess Andrea.

Once again, I find that the writing team of Ilona Andrews has created a story full of of wit, sarcasm, action, friendship, love, and put it all together with amazing detail and description. Yet the weight of the world-building details never bogs down the plot. The flow of the story is seamless; each scene building upon the last. Their ability to create such a richly detailed world will draw you in and not let go.

At the heart of this book is the story of Andrea and Raphael. Forced to work together after things have fallen apart, their love story is woven into the plot and around the murder mystery perfectly. Andrea is hurting beyond words, and her pain reaches the depths of my soul, causing more than a few tears during the book. She is tough and struggles to find her place in her new, post-Order world. Her fierceness is incredible, and she rivals Kate for the best "kiss-a$$ chick."

For long-time fans of the series, Kate, Curran, Doolittle, Jim, Aunt B and others all play rolls in this book. By far, my favorite side character is Roman, the black volhv (think dark priest with magical abilities.) Roman was first introduced in Magic Slays when the Pack needed to disarm an anti-magic bomb. His humor is the ideal contrast to the severity of the situation. I hope to see more of Roman in upcoming novels.

Gunmetal Magic is an amazing story and wonderful addition to the Kate Daniels series. Andrea and Raphael go through so much and just when you want to scream, kick and cry, the world turns out okay. But the things that happen are not contrived. Every detail, whether painful or joyous, is honest and exciting. The book takes you to highs and lows. It is pretty perfect in that way. The story flowed and action never stopped. It rocked my emotions and warmed my heart.

After years spent putting everything she had into her work at the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea is devastated when she's fired after it's revealed she's a shifter. Trying to get her life back on track, she joins her friend Kate Daniels at her new investigative firm, Cutting Edge. Taking a case that involves the murder of four shifters, Andrea is forced to work alongside the man she walked away from. Raphael doesn't make things easy on Andrea and emotions are brought to a head but past hurt feelings will need to be forgiven if they are to survive the ancient gods and deadly venomous creatures lurking in the shadows of Atlanta.

Andrea has been a solid supporting character throughout the Katie Daniels series. Here, she effortlessly takes the lead and opens herself up in a way she never has before. Andrea shows her vulnerable side as she talks about her childhood among violent and abusive werehyenas and how that affected her adult life. I was a little put off by the way she handled things with Raphael after the loss of her job but I understand now how losing something so important to her tore her up inside. Andrea has a tough outer shell and I like that about her but the emotions she puts out there adds depth to her character that makes her so much more than a woman with killer fighting skills. It was a pleasure to get to see that side of her.

The spoiled, arrogant son of Bouda Clan's alpha, Raphael hasn't changed there but he shows there's more to him in this book. After an encounter involving him and Andrea that was a very poor judgment call on his part, something changes in him and he begins to pursue her like a true alpha. With unshakable determination and an inability to grasp the meaning of the words no and go away. He claims Andrea as his and this is followed by a few funny scenes, a very brief yet steamy encounter and meaningful communication that takes things between them beyond what it's ever been before. It took a little while but Raphael steps up to the plate and the bumpy road he and Andrea traveled down to be together was one of the highlights of this book.

In Gunmetal Magic, four of Raphael's workers are killed when they uncover a vault while on a dig and Andrea is investigating what happened. Her search leads her to dangerous magic, people with snake like features and a god that's better off staying dead. Action and suspense is plentiful and the supporting cast that joins in along the way is the icing on the cake. Kate and Curran make welcomed appearances but my favorite was the volhv Roman. Something like a Russian Druid, Roman worships an evil Slavic god so you think he's someone you want to stay away from. Instead I found him to be charming, in his own way, funny and I loved when he and Raphael butted heads. He's someone I hope to see again in future books.

With a story and romance that's perfectly written and a heroine that gives the series' title character a run for her money, Gunmetal Magic captivated and entertained me from page one If you're an urban fantasy lover, this series is a must read.

This rating is probably unfair. If this weren't a Kate Daniels World novel, I might give it five stars. But since it is, I missed Kate and Curran a lot. It's hard for me to give a book five stars when it felt like something was missing. Kate and Curran made some appearances, once or twice as a couple, and then Kate was involved in an action scene at one point. I wanted more!

I adored the mating game between Andrea and Raphael. Back in the earlier books, when Curran was courting Kate, we got to see how shapeshifters handle dating--basically, pranks and invasion of personal space mean "I love you." Now, with Andrea and Raphael, I got to see more of that. These were hilarious and fun moments.

The plot was excellent and well-executed, as I've come to expect of a Kate Daniels World novel. To avoid spoilers, I won't go into that. But I'll say only that I had no complaints about plot.

Outside of not seeing Kate and Curran as much as I'd like, my only other complaint came up toward the beginning of the book. In the first two action scenes, Andrea fought some kind of giant insects and then a giant blue beast. If you read the prior Andrea-Raphael novel, you'll recall that Andrea fought a giant dog in that one. So toward the beginning of this book, I was thinking: Is Andrea only going to fight giant creatures? I mean, the occasional giant creature is exciting. But after three (including the novella), it begins to look like a series of video game bosses. There are merits in fights between beings of similar size; for instance, the technique can be more refined. However, after the first third of the novel, the bad guys were more normal-sized (and hard-core in their own ways). So my concerns went away.

***Gunmetal Magic: 4.5 stars.

Not quite a 5 star read but it was still fantastic.

Andrea is a character that I liked since we were introduced to her. There are some times when finding out more about a characters background can ruin them, however that is not the case here. After learning more about Andrea, not just her traumatic past but those times she's on her own dealing with the things that are thrown at her, just made me love her character all the more.

My heart hurt when Raphael brought in Rebecca and Rebecca said she was his fiancee, I just wanted to give Andrea a hug and slap Raphael across the back of the head. But thankfully I didn't believe for a second that Raphael was engaged that fast. Also because Rebecca was the first to mention it and Raphael didn't confirm it at all, he just looked uncomfortable.

The conversations between Martina and Andrea; then Aunt B, the two bouda's that gave Andrea a hard time near the beginning of the book, and Martina; and finally Aunt B, Andrea, and Lika were wonderful.

I also loved the 'shocker moment' that came about 50 pages or so from the end, when Michelle, a bouda from Andrea's old clan that was a part of the torture of her, showed up again. I loved it when Raphael talked her down and helped her not kill Michelle in front of her children.

Overall a very good book, one I will reread sometime in the future.

***Magic Gifts (just copy/pasted my previous review): 5 stars.

Even with a short story Ilona Andrews can take me on a wonderful journey.

As always Kate and Curran are favorite characters. Along with Andrea and Jim.

I wanted to slap the mother of the boy, a lot. I loved how the boy wasn't sent back to his jerk of a mom. Although if the grandfather hadn't taken him I could see Kate taking him in and adding him to her growing family.

The little bit of information we get on Andrea and Raphael breaks my heart and cannot wait to see how it all unfolds in Andrea's book.

Wonderful short story and it only makes me that much more anxious for Andrea's novel.

With a different character as the protagonist, the Kate Daniels series gets a fresh feel. Fans of this series are in for a treat with Gunmetal Magic, I enjoyed viewing the world from a new perspective and getting to know secondary characters better.

Andrea Nash, Kate's friend, gun-slinging sidekick, and beast-kin bouda shape-shifter, is the protagonist and heroine of this story. Andrea is finally having to come to terms with her shape-shifter nature. She is no longer a Knight of the Order, and she is separated from her mate. In order to move forward with her life, she has to overcome her past. The Pack asks Andrea for help finding the murderer of members of the bouda pack, which means that she will have to work with her ex, Raphael. Tensions run high between the two, and of course, the murder is complex, dangerous, and involves more magic and mythology than expected. Mythological beings are making danger, and Andrea is determined to stop it.

I loved this book because there is so much to the plot. There is never a dull moment, there are twists, turns, action-packed highs, and emotions of every kind running through the entire book. Andrea's history is revealed, making the reasons behind her actions in previous books more understandable. Andrea is tough for a reason and had to learn to be independent. Now that she has friends and a pack that wants her, Andrea has to learn new habits and open up to the pack. Her relationship with Raphael is a wild ride, both of them make mistakes and carry their hurts. In the end, they both become more understanding and tolerant and I am very happy with their relationship.

I feel like giving Andrea her own book was a fantastic decision. This was not some short story to fill in gaps or give a secondary character a nod. Gunmetal Magic really gets into who Andrea is and the way she thinks. This is a full, very well-developed and well-written story that superseded my expectations. The mythology and paranormal world in the Kate Daniels series is always intriguing, but it was great to view this world from a different perspective.

With creative new mythology and magic and a fresh perspective on the world, Gunmetal Magic is one of my favorite books in the Kate Daniels series. I rate this one 5 stars and recommend the Kate Daniels series to fans of urban fantasy and paranormal books. I do recommend reading the books in order though.

*I received this book for review*

Andrea's harsh past is resurfacing in her sleep, dreams or nightmares. Andrea's neighbor knocks early asking her help as Darin was missing from taking their dog out and Andrea notices the white residue on the walls. Andrea's day starts with magical creatures creating havoc at home and on the streets. Jim calls Andrea at the office of Cutting Edge Investigations, with troubles at one of the Pack's businesses being hit during the night and four pack members are dead. However, the business is run by Andrea's ex-mate, Raphael Medrano - Medrano Reclamation. The relationship seems to have ended on a sour note, and Andrea tries to figure out who she is in relation to her shifter side and human side. Andrea will be strong, as she always is, and carry through with the case for the Pack. She will solve this case on her own, and with a few friends along, even if it kills her in the end.

Gods, snakes, and all sorts of magical creatures are present in this twisting tale while Andrea learns who she is and what position in the world she wants.

Wow! We learn of the harsh past Andrea lived through and when she grew up how she cured those troubles, or most of them, with a gun. We all know by this point, Andrea is the guns specialist, and amazing at what she does whether with knowledge or aiming. This past is haunting Andrea, always has but recently getting worse.

You could read this one without reading the others in Kate Daniels series. There is mention of Kate and whats happening but not enough to spoil Kate's story. Maybe even make you curious more than anything of her happenings. We see why Andrea doesn't trust shifters. We also see she loves Raphael deeply and misses him, but that fight they had about not leaving the Order to help Pack was ugly for them. And what he does to torment her is cruel, leaving a rift in Andrea's heart. Andrea's world is the one and only place that Kate also resides in, but we see her neighbors and familiar parts and new parts of the city, and Andrea's ways of dealing with things. A shifters way, and a shifter with a gun.

Everyone we've meet with Kate is here. Ascanio, the teen bouda working for Kate at Cutting Edge as an intern, is present for much of the first half of the book. He kind of becomes an assistant to Andrea for a short time. Jim, Curran's head of security, makes an appearance as well. Andrea also has Aunt B hassling her to join clan Bouda, sending people her way while trying to get through a strainous and dangerous investigation along with Aunt B's son driving Andrea insane. Andrea goes Beast!! Yes, the one thing you don't expect her to do, she does early on.

My only little complaint about the book, I felt in the first half of the book Andrea and the characters around her were another version of Kate and her top secondary characters. Almost a Kate equation here. But in the second half of the book Andrea became her own person, and took on her own personality 100%.

Kate does make an appearance, along with Curran, that is brief. We get to see her through Andrea's eyes and it's interesting to hear her first thoughts on Kate.

This book did bring one secondary character into a brighter light for me. I do believe I love Roman! The volko. Even though he's of the dark and death, he's opposite in personality. The volko is a job to him, but he's full of life and fun. He has a soft spot I really enjoy and a sense of humor. He's a good man with a crappy job and full of powerful magic.
~~~~~~~
Magic Gifts:
Curran takes Kate out to eat after her long day chasing a large jellyfish. When they get to the restaurant Curran has in mind, there are two vampires chained outside, their owners inside eating. While on their date the male necromancer gives the female jewelry, a gold necklace...that kills her, unleashing her vampire and her date going into shock looses control of his. When all is calmed and the dead girls mother arrives, she removes the necklace from her daughter and places it on her son more curiosity stirs. Curran and Kate take the now necklaced boy to the Keep curious how to get it safely removed. The mom lets the boy go, and Gahsket want's the necklace because it killed his journey-woman.

This short story has so much happening! Not only is the story about the necklace now slowly strangling the boy, but we have the Guild still divided into two groups trying to decide which should rule. This is still happening from the fall from an earlier book. Jim wants Kate to vote, the Guild wants Kate to make the deciding vote, but Kate doesn't want involved. Eventually, she'll have to being in the position she's in how with the Pack.

We see Kate and Curran as a couple working together. I know, hard to believe. They have their disagreements or different views still and the fun banter, now all is flirty too. But when they start their fun comments as a TEAM on others, oh do watch out!

This story does coincide with Andrea's story in time. It explains a few things as to where Kate's been and why there, which is briefly mention in Andrea's book. And the connection from Andrea's book like wise relates here. Will it spoil to read this first? No way. This is it's own story with Kate and Curran. And do love seeing so much Curran!

Reviewed at Another Look Book Reviews

First off, that is a rocking cover! I totally pictured Andrea just as the model appears. I soooo love when the cover models matches my imagination.

I finished the Kate Daniels' books from her original series, paused for a day and then craved more so I went back to see what else I could get from Ilona Andrews. This the store search is when I saw Gunmetal Magic and decided to immediately "click to buy". Well it was a no brainer really. I must quickly add, if you have not read the Kate Daniels' books first, I really think you will be lost here.

I liked Andrea enough in the Kate Daniels' books so I wasn't hesitant at all to read a full length story. I have to say though, I think I liked her more in the Kate Daniels' books than in her own story. I found that there were so many times that she annoyed the absolute hell out of me. One good thing though, reading Andrea in Gunmetal Magic is not like reading a cloned Kate. For that I was really happy. I adore Kate far too much to have Andrea be just like her. Speaking of Kate, she and Curran are in Gunmetal Magic but only for a few short scenes. Make no mistake, Gunmetal Magic is all about Andrea.

There are times where Andrea was just too (looking for the right word here)...tough?? But not naturally tough. It seemed forced or like she was constantly trying to prove herself as a bad ass. "Watch me boys while I show you how to properly intimate a human." That was a total impression I got. I did roll my eyes a few times as well.

Raphael, thankfully is back! He is still a spoiled man and he still comes across as feeling entitled but not in a way that drives me crazy. It's just who he is. He doesn't frustrate me at all and he helped deliver lots of smiles for me. I was very appreciative of those smiles because Gunmental Magic didn't have too many of the funny quips that Kate's books deliver. In fact, I didn't even tag, highlight or save any quotes or bookmarks. Not to say there weren't a few *cough* purple carpet *cough* memorable scenes but I would have loved more.

The secondary characters in Gunmetal Magic are as usual absolutely fabulous. I am really digging the young were-hyena, Asciano. I love that Ilona Andrews has a great mix of ages and ethnicity in her stories. I enjoy them all.

I was really surprised that Roman came back in this story. Now him, I adored. He is supposed to be a badass in a robe with all his dark and evil magic but I can't help but love his personality and jokes. His comebacks are awesome and he just fits so well in this world. I would love to see him get his own book some day. I think the Roman scenes were my favourite in the entire book.

So despite that Andrea didn't rock my world I did love the story, the snake investigation, the bits that we were teased with Kate & Curran, all the secondary characters were awesome and the ending was climatic and fabulous.

Teasers: story of Gods, snakes, mythical creatures, battle a giant

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Associate Reviewer - Mich M:

When we first met Andrea in the Kate Daniels books I found it really hard to form an opinion of her, I liked her to an extent but I wasn't really attached to her, now after getting to know her better and spending time with her as the main focus I really like her!

I feel like Andrea grew up a little through this journey and it was something she had to do if she wanted a life with Raphael. Which brings me to Raphael... Where oh where do you start with him? He has p*ssed me off through the series and that continued into the beginning of this book, especially their first meeting. If ever I wanted to slap someone silly, that would do it!

The little teasers with Kate & Curran made me hungry for their next book. I love Curran, he dominates the page whenever he is around even just for a sentence or two. I miss him.

I loved the interactions with Kate & Andrea and I liked Aunt B in this one.

LITERAL ADDICTION's Associate Reviewer gives Gunmetal Magic 4 Skulls.

I like that this is a full-length novel about Kate Daniels' best friend and not just a novella. It fills in overlaps events that occur while the main character is dealing with and recovering from Book 5 in the series. It has the same signature blend of mystery, humor, drama, suspense, and whirlwind romance for which Ilona Andrews is well-known. It is on-par with the the quality of other books in the series and is definitely worth reading.

Sixth in the Kate Daniels urban fantasy series based in Atlanta, Georgia. While Kate and Curran make an appearance, the primary focus is on Andrea Nash and Raphael.

Be sure to read Magic Gifts (a novella at the back of Gunmetal Magic, (Kate Daniels, #6)) before you read this one! It's about Kate and Curran and explains what they're up to that Kate can't help Andrea during this story.

My Take
We do learn a great deal more about Andrea's childhood. And the effect it has on her still, sending her scrambling in her nightmares to a closet, clutching a knife for protection.

After Raphael's nasty actions and comments in Andrea's office, I loved reading as she got back at him. Time after time. It sure doesn't seem to take long before all kinds of action starts up. Raphael. Anapa.

Snicker, I do love that Clan Bouda likes to play pranks and Raphael gets Andrea good. She turns it around and gets him even better. The description of the toilet paper roll cracked me up!

The Pack is amazing. They step up for anyone they consider a friend and what they do for Andrea...well, it's enough to make her think hard.
Interesting idea for how the first shapeshifters came about. As well as how gods came to be. I do love that ambush!

The Story
Four shifters have been murdered and a robbery committed. Kate is caught up in something with Curran and unable to assist (see Magic Gifts (a novella)), so it's Andrea who must talk to Raphael. It's his people who have died and he wants vengeance.

Andrea is hoping to finally meet and talk about what happened after Kate's Aunt Erra rampaged through Atlanta in Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, #4), but Raphael seems to prefer a different kind of throwdown. More vicious.

It's nasty enough that good Andrea is gone forever. She figures she has nothing to lose and she just doesn't care anymore. Only...it throws down a different challenge that I don't think Andrea expected. It was one thing to hide and politely avoid the truth of Andrea's shifting ability. But if she is going to flaunt it, Curran can't ignore it any longer. Nor can Aunt B.

The investigation gets more interesting when one of the possible suspects refuses to see her and it just raises the hairs on the back of Andrea's neck. There's more than one way to get info and it seems that Raphael will just have to help Andrea out. If he wants answers...

The crowning touch is the extortive efforts of an Egyptian god who can't resist playing with lives.

The Characters
Andrea Nash is Beastkin. The bouda clan her mother escaped to was ruled by a vicious, sadistic bitch who encouraged the rest into her own ways. Abused horribly, Andrea's life is what resulted from that clan. She is currently employed by Cutting Edge, Kate's detective agency, after the Order kicked her out.

Kate, a.k.a., the Consort, is mated to Curran Lennart, the Beast Lord. They're preoccupied by events in Magic Gifts (a novella). Julie is her adopted fourteen-year-old daughter. Grendel is her giganto poodle. Ascanio Ferara is a fifteen-year-old intern at Cutting Edge; Aunt B asked Kate to take him on so she doesn't kill him.

Jim Black (his real name is James Damael Shrapshire) is a werejaguar and the Pack's security chief. Doolittle, a were-honeybadger, is the Pack doctor and he's spent more time patching Kate up. Martina is Ascanio's mother and so very grateful to have found him at last. She's also a licensed therapist with a very useful little recording for Andrea. Sandra and Lucrezia are Clan Bouda and both are combat operatives; Russell and Amanda are from Clan Wolf; and, Derek is also an employee at Cutting Edge.

Raphael Medrano owns Medrano Reclamations and he's coming up in the world, metaphorically. He's also the male alpha to his mother's, Aunt B`s alpha for Clan Bouda. Lika is her beta. After events in Magic Bleeds, Andrea and Raphael had a difference of opinion which he refused to understand. They're no longer together. Rebecca is Raphael's dim-witted bimbo fiancée. Carrie and Deb are both boudas Aunt B uses for light enforcement jobs. They screw up big time. Stefan works for Raphael and Raphael heads up a reclamation company whose employees are the ones who were murdered. Nick Moreau and his baby Rory are devastated by his wife's death.

Kyle Bell of Bell Recovery, Jack Anapa of Input Enterprises, and Garcia Construction were the rival bidders for the building that Raphael's company won.

Roman is a volhv, a kind of Russian druid, who worships Chernobog, the god of "Everything Bad and Evil". He takes an interest in Andrea's case although whether it's the case or Andrea... Anyway, he's at the library where Andrea is hoping for access to the Library of Alexandria.
This world's answer to the Internet. Coming across him is awfully convenient when his abilities come in so handy as he saves Andrea time and again.

Mrs. Haffey and her husband Darin are very grateful for Andrea's existence. Chief is their bulldog who understands gratitude.
Detectives Collins and Tsoi try just about everything and anything to get Andrea to say the wrong thing so they can arrest her. Barabas Gilliam is a Pack lawyer and a weremongoose who claims to have been hired by Andrea. He's good. Sheriff Beau Clayton from Must Love Hellhounds: "Magic Mourns" (Kate Daniels, #3.5) has arrested Ascanio, Kamal, and Ian.

Jamar Groves was a real estate developer who collected art. Gloria is a follower of Apep and she's a snake shifter. Anubis is the god of the dead and knowledge with Ammit as a companion. He makes a very bad move. Håkon has become a draugr.

Michelle Carver is the only one still alive from that clan of torturers. She's gonna get it good.

The Atlanta Shapeshifter Pack is the strongest in the nation and Curran is its leader. The Pack is similar to a Native American tribe in that it is self-governing and -policing. Their headquarters is the Keep just outside of Atlanta.

Vampires are mindless, ravening beasts controlled by navigators, a.k.a., Masters of the Dead, necromancers. Their headquarters is the Casino in downtown Atlanta. They and the Pack have a very careful truce.

The Cover
The background is oranges and browns with the street and low buildings at the base in browns as the lower rooflines narrow in to create a sense of depth. Above, the range of oranges present a golden city of ruined skyscrapers, smoke billowing from their tops.
Andrea is determined, facing us with a gun drawn from the thigh holster clinging to her jean-clad leg. a tight-fitting burgundy top barely visible under the black flak vest.

I haven't a clue as to what inspired the title.

I have a separate review of Magic Gifts on my blog at [...].

I really enjoyed this book, mainly because of the amazing characters within, especially the main character Andrea. From what I understand, this is essentially the fifth book in this world, but unlike the first four there is a different main character. This was my first introduction to the Kate Daniels world, and Ilona Andrews in general. There were definitely a few moments where I knew I was missing out on some background info, but in general I didn't mind at all, and it was a fine place to start out, though I wish I could read a sequel. The world here is relatively unique, it's essentially an Urban Fantasy, but basically an semi-apocalyptic event occurred where devastating magic was brought into the world and currently comes in and out of the world like the tide. The combination of current technology and magic is really cool in the book, and relatively believable. The story is essentially a mystery, with Andrea investigating the murder of four shapeshifters and the theft of an artifact, but over time things get crazier and crazier, from shapshifters on giant draugr to reincarnated god on god action. Still, the best part of this book is the first person viewpoint of the main character Andrea, a bouda/hyena shapeshifter ex-knight current mercenary/private-eye. She is an incredibly strong woman, with a unique and endearing voice in the book.

Overall, I just really loved this book, and I already picked up the first book of the Kate Daniels series. I don't know if I'll like her character as much, but if the writing in this book is any indication, I think that I'll really like it, and I would definitely recommend this book and the series.

OK, I have to tell you - I am addicted to Kate Daniels and her whole world. This take-off, with andrea as the main character, is just another example of how well written the series is, and how much you come to care for all the characters in the books.

Kate and Curran are definately in the book, but not to any grand extent. This is definately Andrea's story. And an excellent story at that. For all of you that haven't read the series and are thinking about it, do. Start at the first book, Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1), then work your way through. You won't regret it if you like strong characters, especially strong female characters, a strong tight story line, great world-building, and an overall smashing series. The book bridges between book 4, Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, Book 4) and book 5, Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, Book 5) and tells what is happening in with Andrea while Kate is knee deep in troubles of her own. It fills out for you why Andrea isn't in the book all that much in 5, and gives you more input into what really makes Andrea tick, why, and what happens with her story as it pertains to her mate.

What really impresses me about the Andrews team is their ability to plan through the series. I don't know if this book was planned within the storyline of the original books, but it fits seamlessly into the whole. You learn more about Andrea and why she is the way she is, why her ex is the way he is, and both grow quite a bit during the book. Kate and Curran fit in exactly the way they should, and, reading the book in between 4 and 5, (yes, I have to go back and reread from the first every time a new one comes out, so sue me) the story ran smoothly. Andrea grows and matures, and becomes an even stronger character than she was before. I always liked her (I've always wanted to be the kick-ass woman with the guns and the attitude!) but this book made me like her a lot more.

I wonder how this will all fit into book 6 (that I am waiting for with extreme excitement ....)? The only bad this is that, when that one comes out, I am afraid there won't be any more, and I LOVE Kate's Atlanta!

In case you weren't able to tell from the title of my review, I thought this book was awesome! Only Ilona Andrews can make me start the book wanting Andrea and Raphael to get back together, then end up hating Raphael and hoping he gets slaughtered so that Roman can then have Andrea, to loving Raphael and making me laugh at his antics. The mating ritual in this book was hilarious. Purple, shaggy carpet. Need I say more?

This book goes further into Andrea's history and how she became the person she is. I think the readers can appreciate the hard choices she had to make and root for her every step of the way. Her life experiences make her the perfect best friend for Kate - while Kate is an extraordinary swordsman and magic user, Andrea's specialty lies in guns, crossbows and excellent control of her shifter shape. Who else would be able to stand up to Kate and Aunt B?

I also loved the glimpses of Kate and Curran's relationship. I LOVED the fact that Curran was still jealous and possessive of Kate and made no bones about it. Can't wait for the next Kate Daniels book!!

I had this book the day it came out. But it took me almost a month to want to crack it open. i was curiously reluctant to read it even though I love this author and I love this world. maybe because it wasn't featuring Kate front and center?

At any rate, I needn't have waffled. It was immediately awesome. I like the deep background we get on Andrea and the closer look at some of her issues. Even though in the previous books her allegiance to the Order makes sense, it was nice to get the to the reasons behind her decisions.

I thought Raphael was a bit of a wanker in this one, but I am glad their wrangling didn't drown the whole book. They make up in what I felt was a reasonable amount of time in a reasonable manner. Also, it was clear they were both still very much not over each other. It was right there on surface, so even further happier that things didn't drag out.

This plot of the story mainly plays out like a police procedural/mystery with Andrea tracking down the identity of a person(s) who killed shifter members of Raphael's crew.

The big bad in this one is charming, funny, a lot scary and a lot crazy.

I always forget what a deft hand Andrews has with humor. I found myself laughing out loud at quite a few parts.

Great installment to the Kate Daniels world.

I, personally, didn't care much for this book. That doesn't mean I think it's bad but it just was not to my taste. I've been reading SFF for over 30 years and on the positive side it's good to see a book from the other gender's perspective. Usually, you have a male main character so the romantic interest is from his perspective. Here it's reversed. Unfortunatelly, for me, there was too much of it. I've also said this in reviews of other books with a male main character so it's not because of the perspective (overly much).
It wasn't the romantic/sexual interplay but the more mundane stuff that threw ME off. I just couldn't get around the descriptions of choosing clothes, makeup, hair etc. I admit i did skip ahead after the first 30-40 minutes hoping to get more into the story. Didn't work.
Remember, this is MY personal opinion of how this book didn't work for me. It was well written, inventive and I might have enjoyed it more in printed format than audio. It's much harder to skip over sentences or paragraphs in the audio version. Much easier to do so in written format.

As previously stated, this is an awesome book but, it is NOT in the POV of Kate Daniels. It is Andrea Nash's story. You know, the lady that is amazingly awesome with guns and projectiles?? Yep!

I admit, when I first bought the book I was a little disappointed to find out it was not the next Kate book but I quickly got over it and found this to be one of the better books I have read in a while! Ilona Andrews (the name for the husband/wife writing team, we will just refer to them as a single entity for the purpose of this review) have done a smashing job with their world building, characters, and story line. Although, me being an unusually memory-deficient college grad, I had a hard time remembering what had happened in previous books. Totally my own fault though, it is not the author's problem if I can't remember the stories...

Overall, I think it is very well written (of course with a few exceptions). I loved how the author describes Kate from an outside POV. I also love how they made us feel - a lot of emotion, especially on Andrea's behalf. I literally wanted to punch Raphael after one such scene near the beginning of the book. In fact, I was very AGAINST Raphael (and still kinda am actually). He is just a turd-muffin IMO :) But, he was described well in past books so I don't feel too bad about the outcome. Don't look at the screen like that, you know what happens in books like these! Happy endings!!

Anyway, I rated this 5 stars. It is a great addition to the already great urban fantasy series. Highly recommended :)

The Kate Daniels series sat on my TBR list for a long time and friends kept urging me to read it, which I finally did a couple of months ago. Let me tell you, once I read that first book, Magic Bites, I went right out and bought the entire series and sat down and read them one right after the other (that included all the novellas and the extra Curran POV's from the Ilona Andrews website).

With Gunmetal Magic you get a great story set in the Kate Daniels World...PLUS...there's a bonus! At the end is Magic Gifts, a Kate and Curran novella that was previously put on the website. Now I'm not one that will usually encourage you to skip to the back of book, but in this case, you really should. Magic Gifts should be read BEFORE you read Gunmetal magic. They both take place during the same timeframe, but some events will make more sense in Gunmetal Magic if you read it second.

Gunmetal Magic features Kate's best friend, Andrea Nash, whose life as a secret shapeshifter has been turned completely inside out and she has a lot of issues to figure out in a few short days: Will she going to be able to imbrace her inner bouda (heyena) and join the Pack? Will she be able to repair her relationship with Rapheal, the bouda alpha male? Will she solve the murder of four pack members and bring justice for their families?

I adore this series/world! There's fast paced action, badass heroine's, sexy alpha shifters, and tons of humor:

"Roman dismounted next to us, his staff in his hand. He wore a tank top and black pajama pants with an Eeyore pattern."

How could you not be enjoy a book that has a black volhv (dark priest/wizard) that shows up to a confrontation in Eeyore pajamas?

If you're like me and this series has been sitting on your TBR pile, then move it to the top! It's a must read!

If you are hedging on buying this book- stop, buy it now, and read it in one sitting. If you are an addicted fan of Ilona Andrews, this is just the wonderful fix you've been looking for. If you have never read Ilona Andrews, this actually isn't a terrible place to start. The book is a solid stand-alone story with a lot of trademark IA fabulousness- action, mythology, monsters, and bad-ass fighting women. You may be happier starting with Kate Daniels' books (it is her world and we all just want to live in it, after all.)

Okay, my opening review paragraph is out of the way, so I'll go a little off-topic. I was TERRIFIED of this book. My must-read authors have been dropping like flies. There is a national epidemic of literary phoning it in (I blame this "publish 4 books a year" nonsense.) Some of my favorite authors have been taking the story that made them great and are spinning it off- concentrating on expanding the story by doing spin-offs with secondary characters within the beloved universe but which are not part of the overall story arc. And most of the time, they totally jump the shark. The series suffers for the decision. I don't have a huge critique as to why I find this to be so, however, I think the lack of the well-considered story arc and the novel, thoughtful building of a world just make these books less than their brothers and sisters. These books are usually stand-alones that are shoved in a dark corner of the overall story-line so they will not impact the original series. Okay, rant ended.

Ilona Andrews, on the other hand, actually made the stand-alone spin-off work. It wasn't perfect- but then my idea of perfect probably involves Kathy Bates hobbling the Andrews writing team and forcing them to finish the series NOW! So, take my less than perfect rating with the proverbial grain of salt. In fact, my less than perfect is probably a matter of personal preference.

The Perfect parts: I love Andrea. She only improved upon closer inspection. She is a perfect fit for Kate. I love that they complement each other so well and it makes her inclusion into Kate Daniels' world sensible as well as justifying her own book. Her bad-assedness never felt false. So many authors will tell you about a character but they do not have the actual chops to write a character that acts and talks and interacts in a way that actually illustrates the character trait and, then, effectively integrate that trait into the story-line in a meaningful and effective manner. IA has the chops. They are so good. Further, her emotional damage felt true, as well. Another IA talent- they have a way with the emotionally damaged character that is not angsty or resorts to psycho-babble. They are masters of under-statement yet they never lose the emotional resonation.

The story was a solid Kate Daniels story: a lot of action, some of our favorite secondary characters made appearances, and a solid use of arcane mythology to create the bad guy. The story rolled right on without lagging. The pacing was tight and well-thought. Aside from the action storyline, there were two particular sub-plots that were handled nicely and provided the necessary break from the monster-killing. One, Andrea and Raphael had to navigate their relationship. Next, Andrea had to navigate her relationship with Aunt B and the Pack. Both were pretty well-done.

A warning here- like a Kate Daniels book, the romance is a definite sub-plot. How many books did it take before Kate and Curran got together in any meaningful way? So, the book is pretty much all in Andrea's head and Raphael isn't as big a character as Andrea. This is her book. And the romance is just in particular scenes.

As for my less than perfect personal preference, I'm not sure I like the extended-view of Raphael. Sorry, but he was spoiled and callous and cruel. He seemed to expect Andrea to magically get over her grudge simply because he finally got over his- after, of course, stomping on Andrea made him feel a bit better. We got all of Andrea's side of the story of their relationship breakdown- Team Andrea! She was in the hospital for 3 days- then they took her- and TRIED her- and took away her career and identity! Who would not be on her side? She wins! Raphael's side just looks like he is whiny and refuses to compromise an inch on his untested principles and his standing in her life. In the Kate Daniels world, if Curran can let Kate out the door with a sword, then Raphael should be capable of recognizing the value and worth of Andrea's career and identity. So, there is the unequal dynamic of a bad-ass woman who is appreciating her own worth who is committing to a guy who hasn't demonstrated he has a solid grasp of her worth.

One more small critique, where does this fit into the timeline? Yes, it is post-Erra. But, then, we have a Jim appearance and comments about his single state? So, where does the Jim/Dali short story fit? See, I'm a fan but not rabid enough to spend too much time on their web-site. So, the answer to this may be out there but I feel it should have been in the book.

Finally, and again, not the most important point but I loved, loved, loved the American cover art. It was exceedingly well-done.

I would have given this 3 stars, but according to the the store rating system 4 stars means I liked it and 3 is ok and in the end, I liked it. It's just a bit of a disappointment because the chemistry between the characters was just lacking something.

I liked the glass city and how all the secondary characters got a brief shout out.

Regarding some of the negative comments about editing, such as Andrea showing up at 11 for a 10 o'clock appt. with Aunt B. SHE WAS LATE TO MAKE A POINT. It wasn't an editing issue. Really, in Atlanta in a dystopian future do you honestly think grammar is a priority?!? Some of you are just looking for things to pick at. As someone who works in a major university where the average staff member has at least a master's degree, I can say for certain being "educated" does not make you an expert in grammar.

I really enjoyed this book, mainly because of the amazing characters within, especially the main character Andrea. From what I understand, this is essentially the fifth book in this world, but unlike the first four there is a different main character. This was my first introduction to the Kate Daniels world, and Ilona Andrews in general. There were definitely a few moments where I knew I was missing out on some background info, but in general I didn't mind at all, and it was a fine place to start out, though I wish I could read a sequel. The world here is relatively unique, it's essentially an Urban Fantasy, but basically an semi-apocalyptic event occurred where devastating magic was brought into the world and currently comes in and out of the world like the tide. The combination of current technology and magic is really cool in the book, and relatively believable. The story is essentially a mystery, with Andrea investigating the murder of four shapeshifters and the theft of an artifact, but over time things get crazier and crazier, from shapshifters on giant draugr to reincarnated god on god action. Still, the best part of this book is the first person viewpoint of the main character Andrea, a bouda/hyena shapeshifter ex-knight current mercenary/private-eye. She is an incredibly strong woman, with a unique and endearing voice in the book.

Overall, I just really loved this book, and I already picked up the first book of the Kate Daniels series. I don't know if I'll like her character as much, but if the writing in this book is any indication, I think that I'll really like it, and I would definitely recommend this book and the series.

OK, I have to tell you - I am addicted to Kate Daniels and her whole world. This take-off, with andrea as the main character, is just another example of how well written the series is, and how much you come to care for all the characters in the books.

Kate and Curran are definately in the book, but not to any grand extent. This is definately Andrea's story. And an excellent story at that. For all of you that haven't read the series and are thinking about it, do. Start at the first book, Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1), then work your way through. You won't regret it if you like strong characters, especially strong female characters, a strong tight story line, great world-building, and an overall smashing series. The book bridges between book 4, Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, Book 4) and book 5, Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, Book 5) and tells what is happening in with Andrea while Kate is knee deep in troubles of her own. It fills out for you why Andrea isn't in the book all that much in 5, and gives you more input into what really makes Andrea tick, why, and what happens with her story as it pertains to her mate.

What really impresses me about the Andrews team is their ability to plan through the series. I don't know if this book was planned within the storyline of the original books, but it fits seamlessly into the whole. You learn more about Andrea and why she is the way she is, why her ex is the way he is, and both grow quite a bit during the book. Kate and Curran fit in exactly the way they should, and, reading the book in between 4 and 5, (yes, I have to go back and reread from the first every time a new one comes out, so sue me) the story ran smoothly. Andrea grows and matures, and becomes an even stronger character than she was before. I always liked her (I've always wanted to be the kick-ass woman with the guns and the attitude!) but this book made me like her a lot more.

I wonder how this will all fit into book 6 (that I am waiting for with extreme excitement ....)? The only bad this is that, when that one comes out, I am afraid there won't be any more, and I LOVE Kate's Atlanta!

In case you weren't able to tell from the title of my review, I thought this book was awesome! Only Ilona Andrews can make me start the book wanting Andrea and Raphael to get back together, then end up hating Raphael and hoping he gets slaughtered so that Roman can then have Andrea, to loving Raphael and making me laugh at his antics. The mating ritual in this book was hilarious. Purple, shaggy carpet. Need I say more?

This book goes further into Andrea's history and how she became the person she is. I think the readers can appreciate the hard choices she had to make and root for her every step of the way. Her life experiences make her the perfect best friend for Kate - while Kate is an extraordinary swordsman and magic user, Andrea's specialty lies in guns, crossbows and excellent control of her shifter shape. Who else would be able to stand up to Kate and Aunt B?

I also loved the glimpses of Kate and Curran's relationship. I LOVED the fact that Curran was still jealous and possessive of Kate and made no bones about it. Can't wait for the next Kate Daniels book!!

I had this book the day it came out. But it took me almost a month to want to crack it open. i was curiously reluctant to read it even though I love this author and I love this world. maybe because it wasn't featuring Kate front and center?

At any rate, I needn't have waffled. It was immediately awesome. I like the deep background we get on Andrea and the closer look at some of her issues. Even though in the previous books her allegiance to the Order makes sense, it was nice to get the to the reasons behind her decisions.

I thought Raphael was a bit of a wanker in this one, but I am glad their wrangling didn't drown the whole book. They make up in what I felt was a reasonable amount of time in a reasonable manner. Also, it was clear they were both still very much not over each other. It was right there on surface, so even further happier that things didn't drag out.

This plot of the story mainly plays out like a police procedural/mystery with Andrea tracking down the identity of a person(s) who killed shifter members of Raphael's crew.

The big bad in this one is charming, funny, a lot scary and a lot crazy.

I always forget what a deft hand Andrews has with humor. I found myself laughing out loud at quite a few parts.

Great installment to the Kate Daniels world.

I, personally, didn't care much for this book. That doesn't mean I think it's bad but it just was not to my taste. I've been reading SFF for over 30 years and on the positive side it's good to see a book from the other gender's perspective. Usually, you have a male main character so the romantic interest is from his perspective. Here it's reversed. Unfortunatelly, for me, there was too much of it. I've also said this in reviews of other books with a male main character so it's not because of the perspective (overly much).
It wasn't the romantic/sexual interplay but the more mundane stuff that threw ME off. I just couldn't get around the descriptions of choosing clothes, makeup, hair etc. I admit i did skip ahead after the first 30-40 minutes hoping to get more into the story. Didn't work.
Remember, this is MY personal opinion of how this book didn't work for me. It was well written, inventive and I might have enjoyed it more in printed format than audio. It's much harder to skip over sentences or paragraphs in the audio version. Much easier to do so in written format.

As previously stated, this is an awesome book but, it is NOT in the POV of Kate Daniels. It is Andrea Nash's story. You know, the lady that is amazingly awesome with guns and projectiles?? Yep!

I admit, when I first bought the book I was a little disappointed to find out it was not the next Kate book but I quickly got over it and found this to be one of the better books I have read in a while! Ilona Andrews (the name for the husband/wife writing team, we will just refer to them as a single entity for the purpose of this review) have done a smashing job with their world building, characters, and story line. Although, me being an unusually memory-deficient college grad, I had a hard time remembering what had happened in previous books. Totally my own fault though, it is not the author's problem if I can't remember the stories...

Overall, I think it is very well written (of course with a few exceptions). I loved how the author describes Kate from an outside POV. I also love how they made us feel - a lot of emotion, especially on Andrea's behalf. I literally wanted to punch Raphael after one such scene near the beginning of the book. In fact, I was very AGAINST Raphael (and still kinda am actually). He is just a turd-muffin IMO :) But, he was described well in past books so I don't feel too bad about the outcome. Don't look at the screen like that, you know what happens in books like these! Happy endings!!

Anyway, I rated this 5 stars. It is a great addition to the already great urban fantasy series. Highly recommended :)

The Kate Daniels series sat on my TBR list for a long time and friends kept urging me to read it, which I finally did a couple of months ago. Let me tell you, once I read that first book, Magic Bites, I went right out and bought the entire series and sat down and read them one right after the other (that included all the novellas and the extra Curran POV's from the Ilona Andrews website).

With Gunmetal Magic you get a great story set in the Kate Daniels World...PLUS...there's a bonus! At the end is Magic Gifts, a Kate and Curran novella that was previously put on the website. Now I'm not one that will usually encourage you to skip to the back of book, but in this case, you really should. Magic Gifts should be read BEFORE you read Gunmetal magic. They both take place during the same timeframe, but some events will make more sense in Gunmetal Magic if you read it second.

Gunmetal Magic features Kate's best friend, Andrea Nash, whose life as a secret shapeshifter has been turned completely inside out and she has a lot of issues to figure out in a few short days: Will she going to be able to imbrace her inner bouda (heyena) and join the Pack? Will she be able to repair her relationship with Rapheal, the bouda alpha male? Will she solve the murder of four pack members and bring justice for their families?

I adore this series/world! There's fast paced action, badass heroine's, sexy alpha shifters, and tons of humor:

"Roman dismounted next to us, his staff in his hand. He wore a tank top and black pajama pants with an Eeyore pattern."

How could you not be enjoy a book that has a black volhv (dark priest/wizard) that shows up to a confrontation in Eeyore pajamas?

If you're like me and this series has been sitting on your TBR pile, then move it to the top! It's a must read!

If you are hedging on buying this book- stop, buy it now, and read it in one sitting. If you are an addicted fan of Ilona Andrews, this is just the wonderful fix you've been looking for. If you have never read Ilona Andrews, this actually isn't a terrible place to start. The book is a solid stand-alone story with a lot of trademark IA fabulousness- action, mythology, monsters, and bad-ass fighting women. You may be happier starting with Kate Daniels' books (it is her world and we all just want to live in it, after all.)

Okay, my opening review paragraph is out of the way, so I'll go a little off-topic. I was TERRIFIED of this book. My must-read authors have been dropping like flies. There is a national epidemic of literary phoning it in (I blame this "publish 4 books a year" nonsense.) Some of my favorite authors have been taking the story that made them great and are spinning it off- concentrating on expanding the story by doing spin-offs with secondary characters within the beloved universe but which are not part of the overall story arc. And most of the time, they totally jump the shark. The series suffers for the decision. I don't have a huge critique as to why I find this to be so, however, I think the lack of the well-considered story arc and the novel, thoughtful building of a world just make these books less than their brothers and sisters. These books are usually stand-alones that are shoved in a dark corner of the overall story-line so they will not impact the original series. Okay, rant ended.

Ilona Andrews, on the other hand, actually made the stand-alone spin-off work. It wasn't perfect- but then my idea of perfect probably involves Kathy Bates hobbling the Andrews writing team and forcing them to finish the series NOW! So, take my less than perfect rating with the proverbial grain of salt. In fact, my less than perfect is probably a matter of personal preference.

The Perfect parts: I love Andrea. She only improved upon closer inspection. She is a perfect fit for Kate. I love that they complement each other so well and it makes her inclusion into Kate Daniels' world sensible as well as justifying her own book. Her bad-assedness never felt false. So many authors will tell you about a character but they do not have the actual chops to write a character that acts and talks and interacts in a way that actually illustrates the character trait and, then, effectively integrate that trait into the story-line in a meaningful and effective manner. IA has the chops. They are so good. Further, her emotional damage felt true, as well. Another IA talent- they have a way with the emotionally damaged character that is not angsty or resorts to psycho-babble. They are masters of under-statement yet they never lose the emotional resonation.

The story was a solid Kate Daniels story: a lot of action, some of our favorite secondary characters made appearances, and a solid use of arcane mythology to create the bad guy. The story rolled right on without lagging. The pacing was tight and well-thought. Aside from the action storyline, there were two particular sub-plots that were handled nicely and provided the necessary break from the monster-killing. One, Andrea and Raphael had to navigate their relationship. Next, Andrea had to navigate her relationship with Aunt B and the Pack. Both were pretty well-done.

A warning here- like a Kate Daniels book, the romance is a definite sub-plot. How many books did it take before Kate and Curran got together in any meaningful way? So, the book is pretty much all in Andrea's head and Raphael isn't as big a character as Andrea. This is her book. And the romance is just in particular scenes.

As for my less than perfect personal preference, I'm not sure I like the extended-view of Raphael. Sorry, but he was spoiled and callous and cruel. He seemed to expect Andrea to magically get over her grudge simply because he finally got over his- after, of course, stomping on Andrea made him feel a bit better. We got all of Andrea's side of the story of their relationship breakdown- Team Andrea! She was in the hospital for 3 days- then they took her- and TRIED her- and took away her career and identity! Who would not be on her side? She wins! Raphael's side just looks like he is whiny and refuses to compromise an inch on his untested principles and his standing in her life. In the Kate Daniels world, if Curran can let Kate out the door with a sword, then Raphael should be capable of recognizing the value and worth of Andrea's career and identity. So, there is the unequal dynamic of a bad-ass woman who is appreciating her own worth who is committing to a guy who hasn't demonstrated he has a solid grasp of her worth.

One more small critique, where does this fit into the timeline? Yes, it is post-Erra. But, then, we have a Jim appearance and comments about his single state? So, where does the Jim/Dali short story fit? See, I'm a fan but not rabid enough to spend too much time on their web-site. So, the answer to this may be out there but I feel it should have been in the book.

Finally, and again, not the most important point but I loved, loved, loved the American cover art. It was exceedingly well-done.

I would have given this 3 stars, but according to the the store rating system 4 stars means I liked it and 3 is ok and in the end, I liked it. It's just a bit of a disappointment because the chemistry between the characters was just lacking something.

I liked the glass city and how all the secondary characters got a brief shout out.

Regarding some of the negative comments about editing, such as Andrea showing up at 11 for a 10 o'clock appt. with Aunt B. SHE WAS LATE TO MAKE A POINT. It wasn't an editing issue. Really, in Atlanta in a dystopian future do you honestly think grammar is a priority?!? Some of you are just looking for things to pick at. As someone who works in a major university where the average staff member has at least a master's degree, I can say for certain being "educated" does not make you an expert in grammar.

I thought Gunmetal Magic was wonderful. I am totally in love with the world of Kate Daniels and the writing team of Ilona Andrews. Mainly because I love the strong female characters and narratives that these writers weave. You believe in these ladies, all of them come from not perfect beginnings but struggle to redefine themselves in their own terms. I love that. Also it's never easy for them, they really have to work at everything. Couple that with the humor, the romance, the sexual tension. Fantastic! Oh, did I forget to mention a great story. Awesome. Andrea's story was great. My only criticism and I say this very loosely, is that Andrea's voice is a little similar to Kate's but hell ... their best friends and like minds attract, right? So it didn't bother me much.

This takes place in the world of Kate & Curran and they make several appearances but it is basically Andrea's book. We find out what she was doing when she disappeared after being outed as a shifter to the Order. Andrea is back and working for Kate at Cutting Edge when a call from Jim sends her on a case. Four shifters have been killed while working on a reclamation site owned by none other than Raphael. She is going to have to face him and the heartbreak she has dealt with since their blow up in Magic Slays. This book has the hyper bouncing feel to it that is totally bouda. We see Andrea come into her own and may I say it is about freekin time. This book refers to some events that happened in the past and the authors have included the novella Magic Gifts that contains the earlier story.

Another Rockin' Read from team Ilona Andrews

I have purchased all of this author's books. Some more than once; as paperbacks and then for my Kindle. And rated them all 5*. I was excited to get another book in the series. Unfortunately, this is my least favorite of all the books written by this author. Mythology has taken over this book. The best part of the book was the first chapter. The rest is 90% mythology. So tedious! If I wanted
this much mythology, I would go back to college and take more Latin. It seems that this series is more and more mythology; and much less of their PI business and the characters' relationships. So disappointed.

On another note, the editing is so much better in this book than it has ever been before. However, there are still big gaffs that are being missed. For example: Andrea is supposed to meet Aunt B at 10:00. Two pages later: "Andrea walked in exactly at
11:00". Huh?
And this one: we are told this character is 41 and having a birthday party. Two pages later this same character is described as
being in his late 30's.

After Andrea Nash was kicked out from the Order and breaking up with her boyfriend, she's trying to find new direction in her life. Then several shapeshifters die and it's her job to find who is responsible. To make matters more difficult she must work with her former lover whose workmen were killed.

I've liked Andrea before so I was happy that she got her own book. I like her relationship with Raphael and we get to know Raphael bit more in this book. It was nice to see there's more to him than being Aunt B's pretty boy whom women drools after. And we learn more about Andrea's past and we get to see someone from her past. And I'm starting to think Ascanio is adorable. Too many hot men here...

The book was action-packed as all Andrews' s books are but not as action-packed as Kate books. At least it felt to me like that. Can't wait for her next book.

As I preorder all things Ilona Andrews, I forgot momentarily this was Andrea's book. My heart stuttered slightly but I was simply thrilled to have any book with 'Magic' in the title so I read on. If I had any hesitation for Andrea's book at first, that quickly dissipated within the first few pages. I was quickly bombarded with the same sharp wit, charismatic characters and mythological folklore that I love from the Kate Daniels series, just in a different, twisted way. I was shaken and stirred and in 24 hours I found myself clutching the book as a revered treasure afterwards. As there are so many characters I want more of, it's safe to say for this reader any more books 'in the World of Kate Daniels' will be just as anticipated. Bravo Ilona Andrews for yet another intelligent and gripping urban fantasy!

I love the Kate Daniels series and have never been disappointed with any of the books. This book was hard to put down, in most cases. The only issue I had with was the bad guy. Instead of a nasty mage or loup shifter, insert a god who wants his godhood back and bring on mythology. I believe that magic and myth go hand in hand, but this was abrupt and threw me on how it was introduced. One minute Andrea was trying to interview a potential suspect, next surprise he is a god, who really wasn't quite a god...yet??? Overall though this was a great read and it is sad to say that I have not have had one of those in a while.

On another note, I loved the Kate and Curran novella at the end. The events run parallel with Andrea and Rapheal's story and packs quite a punch for being a short story. Another great story!!

Excellent addition to the Kate Daniels series. What a brilliant idea for Ilona Andrews to give us a new perspective and unique voice in our beloved world. Andrea and Raphael are familiar and favorite characters of mine and their story is such a joy to read. Ilona does profound love like no one else. There is no desperate, needy 'omg, you're the only one in a thousand years for me, I'm orgasming thirty times, please one more". She perfected it with Kate and Curran and again with Andrea and Raphael. I love this story and the gift novella is awesome (Hey baby [wink]). The ties to Gunmetal Magic elevates the value of the novella.
I love having Kate described to us through Andrea's eyes, too. So many subtle references and threads tied up, what a pleasure this book is!

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: Andrea Nash solves some murders and embraces her inner bouda.

Opening Sentence: Thud!

The Review:

Long-time fans have been waiting for this day for two years: What happened to Andrea Nash after the Erra incident in Magic Bleeds? Have no fear, dear reader, all of your questions and concerns surrounding our favorite former Knight shall be answered. Andrea's past, present, and future are revealed in Gunmetal Magic, the new novel from the Kate Daniels World.

Andrea Nash is having an identity crisis. Growing up in an abusive clan, Andrea has issues concerning other boudas. She is beastkin, the daughter of a bouda and a hyena-were. In a normal pack, she would be instantly killed. So instead of taking the chance for other shapeshifters finding out her secret, she denied her animal side and chose to become a Knight of Merciful Aid. Unfortunately, her secret came to light and she was forcibly "retired" from duty. What do you do when everything you ever worked for and believed in is gone? Why you go and work with your best friend, who could care less what you are.

While Kate is off doing "Pack" business, Andrea is asked to look into the deaths of four shapeshifters. She is a good investigator and a damn good shot with a gun, surely she can handle anything that may come up. Right? But to be honest, Kate is usually the one to get on a deity's bad side and not Andrea. Besides, what kind of Kate Daniels World book would it be without someone running into stuff found only in mythology?

Andrea has decided to quit denying her animal side and fully embraces it. She feels that there is nothing left for her since leaving the Order. Andrea is a soldier and does best under structure and a clear chain of command. If it wasn't for her Aunt B and Raphael issues, I think that she would have no problem joining the Pack. I will say that one of the best qualities of Andrea is that when she commits to something, she does it with her whole being. Should she choose to join, her level of discipline and work integrity will definitely stand out among the other boudas in the Pack.

Though they truly do love each other, Raphael and Andrea still have some things to work on. In the short story "Magic Mourns", Raphael defines the parameters of their relationship: "I trust you to lead most of the time...with the understanding that when I really insist, you will listen." So when Andrea chooses not to help out some Pack members in need and leaves after the big Erra fight without telling anyone where she went, Raphael feels abandoned. Even though the Order is no longer an obstacle, their past issues still need to be addressed. Can Raphael get over his hurt feelings and accept her apology like a man? Can Andrea get over Raphael's petty antics and realize that no one can love her more than him? I love these two as a couple because they complement each other so well. Andrea brings more discipline and Raphael brings more fun to everything they do. When they do fight together, they are a force to be reckoned with.

As much as I mourned the wait for the new Kate Daniels book, I must say that I love this novel. It is true that their story had to be told before we are all able to move forward with the series as a whole. And let's face it, you still get Kate-ness toward the end of the book and a Kate short story, "Magic Gifts", as a special bonus.

"Magic Gifts" by Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels series #5.4)

This short story tells Kate's side during the events at the beginning of Gunmetal Magic. During a rare date, Kate and Curran witness the untimely death of one of the People's navigators. The necklace that killed her found its way around the neck of a small boy; and it is slowly killing him as well. Kate and Curran do everything in their power to find a way to get the necklace off before the little boy dies, including visiting the Neo-Vikings and their most feared secret.

During this time, we also get to learn what's to become of the Mercenary Guild after the demise of its leader, Solomon Red. It's been six months and the members are locked in a stalemate. Kate is being pressured from all fronts to endorse someone to take over, and she doesn't want to get involved. Kate knows deep down that she is going to have to be involved with running the Guild, even though she thinks she has enough on her plate already.

I really like seeing this new Kate; full of authority and confidence. It is quite the change from the Kate we met in Book 1. I like it even more because she rallies against it. If she was excited or ambitious, it would no longer be the Kate we know and love. Maybe Curran has influenced her more than I originally thought.

This is a fabulous story that I'm glad to have read. Initially, it was released as a freebie for a limited time on Andrews' website. Now everyone can enjoy the antics and humor that make Kate Daniels so very popular.

FTC Advisory: Penguin/Ace graciously provided me with a copy of Gunmetal Magic. No goody bags, sponsorships, "material connections," or bribes were exchanged for my review. The only payments I receive are hugs and kisses from my little boys.

I have been a huge fan of the Kate Daniels series since book one and devour them as soon as they come out and this was no exception. When I heard it was about Andrea though I admit I was kinda skeptical, no skeptical isn't right I wanted my Kate fix, not that I mind Andrea but I always thought of her as kind of a minor character, if anything a full length novel from Curran's pov would have been sweeeeeeet. Yes I know there are a couple of shorts on the Ilona Andrews website but it's not the same. Gunmetal Magic was set in the Kate Daniels world but not part of the series, I don't know if this was a stand alone or if it will spin off into it's own series, similar to what Jeaniene Frost did with her Night Huntress Series. That would be kinda cool actually.

While Kate and Curran are a really tough act to follow, Andrea and Raphael can hold their own. There is the usual level of snark and witty banter you are used to reading in the Kate Daniels series and I gotta say it takes some kind of creative genius to think up the mating rituals of the shifters in these books. I won't give away any spoilers but it was every bit as good as Kate showing her interest in Curran and it was hilarious.

This book is really about Andrea getting her shit together and figuring out what she wants from life after being booted out of the Order. She goes to work with Kate at her investigative firm Cutting Edge and tries to come to terms with her past and figuring out what she wants from the future. She has been separated from Raphael for awhile after her dismissal from the order and both are extremely pissed at each other. The pack calls the firm in to investigate 4 murders and this puts her back in touch with Raphael. They must figure out where this relationship is going to go and of course here comes new guy with the hots for Andrea.

There was as much action in this novel as there are in any of the other novels in the series and Kate and Curran do make cameos along with Aunt B and some of the other regulars. I read this in a single sitting, but I read all of Ilona Andrews' novels in one shot so that really was no surprise. There is a really cool bonus at the end you get the novella Magic Gifts, which is a Kate and Curran story so i did get my fix. While I didn't love it as much as the regular series it was still excellent and do recommend it to any of the Ilona Andrews fans.

5/5

"Gunmetal Magic". Her BFF Kate Daniels lost an apartment when her Aunt Erra devastated Atlanta; however shapeshifting Andrea Nash lost a lifestyle. Though she pretended to be a purebred human, Andrea lost her position (and her reason for being) at the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid; and her lover Bouda clan alpha Raphael Medrano ended their relationship. Despondent and feeling unanchored; Andrea knows she can count on Kate being there for her. Kate asks Andrea to join Cutting Edge Investigations. Andrea first investigation involves the suspicious deaths of Bouda shapeshifters at a dig owned by Raphael. She and her ex accompanied by his fiancée Rebecca work the case that leads to a secret Atlanta underground.

"Magic Gifts". In Atlanta Curran the Beast King and his "consort" Kate Daniels go out to eat when a People vampire navigator dies strangled by a gold necklace while a mother places her child in a perilous situation. The dinner date ruined Curran and Kate team up with Ghastek trying to recue the boy before the gold necklace kills the child.

The "Magic Gifts" entry is a bonus novella that is fun to read as the appetizer is vampires, shapeshifters, and Vikings, oh my! The prime novel Gunmetal Magic focuses on the relationship between Andrea and Raphael as they dysfunctionally work together on a shapeshifter serial killer case. This provides a different perspective on the Atlanta paranormal community than the Kate Daniels' urban fantasies as noted by the placement of Magic in the title. Fans will appreciate this sidebar tale and hope for more just like this one.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Suzanne & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

So...we have to go a year without a Kate Daniel's book. I admit, I cried, I fell to my knees and howled to the moon "whhhhhhhhhhhhhhhyyyyy" in most most despairing tone...but once they let me out the padded room (major over reaction by the way, just because you howl at the moon, it DOES NOT make you crazy!) and ate some chocolate my rational brain smoothered my crazy brain and I started to think. I like Andrea, she is a kick arse female, I wanted to know what would happen with her and Rapheal and Kate and Curran would surely peek in at some point; all is not lost. So I pulled on my big girl panties, went back to work and put the pint of emergency Ben & Jerrys ice cream back in the freezer for another day. And now after reading Gunmetal Magic I am currently eating my celebration tub of Ben & Jerry's (yes, I have a pint for all occassions) quite simply...it kicked "goods" bottom and immediatly upgraded to awesome. As if Andrea would have it any other way.

In all honesty this wasn't actually that much different from a Kate Daniel's book, it had the action packed plot full of freaky imaginative creatures and self obsessed demi-gods set in the backdrop of a wild Atlanta where quite literally anything can happen. It also had that dash of romance as we get to see Andrea and Rapheal play out the mating dance...again only bigger and better this time. This quote really caught my eye and explains thier relationship perfectly:

"If you put up with me, I will put up with whatever you can throw my way," he said. "Bad days, good days, 'I'll cut you if you look at me the wrong way' days. I'll take them all."

But most importantly it had a great female lead character. Andrea. She might not quite have Kate's great mix insanity and sarcasm but Andrea as her own kind of crazy which was just as enthralling to read as she begins to accept parts of herself that she has been trying all her life to ignore. These parts of her though have breasts, furry breasts that the men in this book couldn't seemed to ignore, best recurring joke ever! And Gunmetal Magic does funny really well, although some serious things are happening and Andrea is an intense person. I love that humour is still included, especially when it is between two of my favourite gals:

"If you paste some stars on her butt, you'll be riding My Little Pony." [Kate]
"Bugger off." I patted the mare's neck. "Don't listen to her, Sugar. You are the cutest horsey ever. The correct name for her color is strawberry roan, by the way."
"Strawberry shortcake, more like it. Does Strawberry Shortcake know you stole her horse? She will be berry, berry angry with you."

I must also mention Ascanio, our teeange delinquent Bouda...if I were 10 years younger there would be posters of him all over my wall...okay I have a slight crush on him, it feels wrong, but I can't help it. I can't wait to have a book about him *hint hint* He is charming, lethal, gorgrous, funny and very very wicked:

"Did those nice church ladies come by again?"
He nodded. "I asked them if a man died and then the woman remarried, and the three of them met in heaven, would it be a sin for them to have a threesome, since they were all married in God's eyes. And then they decided they were late to be somewhere else."

This was the right blend of action, humour and romance that has created a fantastic read that I all but devoured and reminded me (not that I would ever forget) why Ilona and Gordon Andrews are my favourite authors. I promise I will never doubt you again!

*opens up a second pint of Celebration Ben & Jerry's* '

*ARC provided by publisher

I typically read all the worst reviews for a book. Honestly, this tells me more about expectations than all the great reviews. I was quite disappointed when I read the negative reviews for this book, because I feel like the reviewers were indicating that the author(s) had given up on good writing. This often happens after book 4 or 5 in a series. Then, I was on the road, ready to get on an airplane and needed something to read. So, I bought it. I have to tell you, that I was pleasantly surprised that it seems to meet the standards of the books that went before. I do think Andrea stands on her own, and her relationship with Rafael doesn't mirror the Kate/Curran relationship. It was also nice to read a series book about tangential characters, but still get a bit of the main characters (not just a passing in the hall thing, either). I disagree with the low marks for this book. If you like the Kate/Curran books, and you are interested in Andrea/Rafael, I recommend the purchase. (PS - it is actually a relief when reading that Andrea can't just do some magic to get out of a jam!)

I adore TEAM Ilona Andrews, but if it weren't for the novella I'd have rated this a star lower.

*Warning* Mild (but not really surprising) Spoilers.

Andrea is an awesome character and I was pleased to see her get her own novel, but the execution of it was not up to their usual excellence, even when compared to some of their shorter side works. Some character and plot development felt rushed, too "convenient" and lazy, as did the story, which was not as tight or well-scripted as a Kate book. This book, given the pedigree and talents of the authors, should have been better than it was. The novella shows that time and care was taken to plot & write it, but the main story does not. Andrea's story feels rushed, a bit muddled and slapdash by comparison (even when compared to other, shorter novellas and side stories in the same universe).

Andrea's main love interest from previous books, Raphael, has been majorly retconned from a lazy lothario to a successful, punctual and serious businessman (who is still a major player/lothario/scumbag/narcissist)--in essence they've made him into pure romance novel bait "for the ladies." What's more, Andrea's "true love" acts selfishly, deplorably and unforgivably, viciously kicking Andrea while she's down... But, spoiler, you know how this trope will end if you've ever read a dime-store romance novel. A side character, Roman, is better fleshed out, more likable/funny/human and has better chemistry when interacting with Andrea, but his presence -I assume was to set up some love triangle, but doesn't- makes no sense, beyond highlighting how truly BAD Raphael is as a human being and love interest, but also to move the plot/story along.

The Andrea/Raphael stuff is just cheap and easy drama, in my opinion. It feels like our author's tried to (and did) ape the relationship (and characters) between Kate and Curran. But like all copies, Andrea and Raphael are NO Kate and Curran, and it shows. As a character Andrea is fabulous, which makes it a shame that our authors didn't give her her due by EXPLORING ANDREA'S STORY and character instead of aping the Kate/Curran formula and characters.

What's more telling is I think the author's knew Gunmetal Magic wasn't good enough to stand on its own merits, hence the novella, or that during planning for this book the decision was made to include the novella to help shore up a weak main story. Again, this is a shame as Andrea, given the same care and attention as Kate, could carry a series of books all on her own. Her character is, has the potential to be, that good/interesting.

In all, you can't go wrong reading it, and you'll certainly adore the novella if you're a Kate fan (I think the book is worth it just for that alone), but Gunmetal Magic just doesn't have the tight execution and brilliance of a Kate Daniels title, which is sad as I felt Andrea Nash was worthy of a much better one-off story (and love interest).

I really enjoyed this look into Andrea's head. As a long time Ilona Andrews fan, I loved the chance to see the world from another character's perspective. The writing and pacing is smart and witty, just like all the Kate Daniels novels. It's a nice change of pace for an author to keep up their standards and not let quality slip, like so many have in the past few years. I know I can count on great plotting, dialogue and action whenever I pick up a Ilona Andrews novel. Way to go!!

I feared that this would be a disappointment as books about side characters so often are. Instead this is a wonderful story that adds so much depth to an already interesting character and expands on the world of the shapeshifters. The short novella at the end meshed beautifully with the timeline of the book. These authors are so skilled at creating interesting, in-depth characters coupled with great stories. I can't wait for more of Kate's story, but this book was truly outstanding!

This volume includes the novella Magic Gifts -- previously seen as a free download at Ilona Andrews's website this past Christmas season -- and the full-length novel Gunmetal Magic, a spinoff of the Kate Daniels series starring Kate's best friend Andrea Nash. Magic Gifts is placed at the end of the book but should actually be read first, and there is chronological overlap between the two.

Magic Gifts is sort of a "monster of the week" episode, in which Kate and Curran try to have a romantic date but end up trying to solve a mysterious death and stop a cursed necklace before it can kill again. Meanwhile, there's a power struggle in the Mercenary Guild that also needs Kate's attention. It's filled with action and funny bickering, and is a short read that's a lot of fun if you're a Kate fan.

Gunmetal Magic is, as mentioned above, a full-length novel, coming in at around 300 pages. Unfortunately, it feels kind of like it should have been a novella too, in terms of how much "meat" is in the story, which I'll explain shortly.

We pick up Andrea as she's reeling from her breakup with werehyena Raphael and realizing that she will soon be required to join the Pack. She's forced to work with Raphael when several shapeshifters are murdered -- by freakishly large snakes -- at a reclamation site Raphael is overseeing. Now the two must figure out who orchestrated the attack, what they were after and, as is standard for a Kate Daniels book, how it all ties into world mythology. Along the way they also have to contend with their continuing feelings for one another.

What hampered my experience of Gunmetal Magic is that much of it seems to be either (a) not actually part of the novel's central plot or (b) rehashed from previous Kate Daniels installments. There's a big monster battle early in the book that -- while well-written, set in an interesting part of post-Shift Atlanta, and carrying a valuable moral -- doesn't actually have much to do with the rest of the story. There's another monster that pops up again after having just appeared in Magic Gifts. There are conversations that are carried over from Magic Gifts, just seen from the other side. And the courtship between Andrea and Raphael feels a lot like the one between Kate and Curran, complete with a huge misunderstanding and a whole lot of tampering with each other's homes. (In fairness, breaking and entering was always part of the Andrea/Raphael relationship, but it's so much more in the forefront here that it sticks out.)

I also must confess that I like Kate's voice better than Andrea's. Andrea reads as more bitter, more abrasive; while her traumatic past certainly justifies her outlook on life, the simple truth is that Kate is funnier and her humor is part of what I love about her. On the other hand, the authors are to be commended for making the two characters distinct in their voices.

All of this aside, Gunmetal Magic is worth reading for anyone who follows the series. The authors fill in Andrea's past and move her character forward in several ways. Not only is her on-again-off-again relationship with Raphael resolved, she must also come to terms with her identity as a shapeshifter and find a way to join the Pack on her own terms. (The scene between her, Aunt B, and Aunt B's beta in the restaurant is particularly awesome -- and as a bonus, it's funny.) Her journey to self-acceptance has been a rocky one, and its development here is rewarding.

While Gunmetal Magic doesn't quite measure up to the best of the Kate books, and could probably have been shorter without sacrificing anything essential, it's well-written and series fans should read it in order to gain more insight into this complex, sympathetic character.

I REALLY enjoyed this Andrea Nash book and am afraid I will prefer her character to Kate Daniels when I read that series - we shall see. Am now just starting the novella included in this book and have read one other Ilona Andrews book - one of The Edge series which I also loved. The Ilona Andrews writing team does some nice work and I applaud them. THANK YOU......

I was admittedly disappointed when I realized this installment was not going to focus on Kate Daniels and Curran but boy was I WRONG. Andrea has become an entity unto herself. She is smart, sassy and so strong that I love her completely. We that visit the Universe that is Kate Daniels know Andrea to a point but in Gunmetal Magic we really get to know this were-hyena's complex back story (and it is an intense and read). I strongly recommend this to anyone that is not sure and hope anyone who takes my advise loves it as much as I did.

Since 2008, in the Kate Daniels series, besides Kate, my favorite heroine had always been Andrea. This is her story, this is her life and it is one hell of a ride.

Andrea Nash is what the shapeshifters call beastkin. Beastkin have the inability to shape shift into their animal form completely. They either stay fully human...or they are a mixture of both human and animal, not one or the other but both. Andrea was born this way, part human and part bouda: werehyena. Her first eleven years of life she was tortured by her so called family, her clan. When her mother realized that Andrea would never have a real life in that clan, she took her daughter away.

From the torture, Andrea never wanted to accept the shifter part of her. Being a shifter meant being in a clan and being in a clan meant torture. So she turned her back on her shifter side and joined an all human force called the The Order of Knights of Merciful Aid. However, after eight years of service, the Knights learned of her "deception" to mankind. They found out she was bouda and cast her aside.

Andrea was devastated but pulled herself together enough to help Kate start her own business. This is where Andrea's story begins and from here on, this book is just plain epic.

I never thought I would like a character as much as I liked Kate but Andrea is up there. She has some flaws, such as her inability to concede defeat and accept what she has lost. Even that is mentioned in the book, "I didn't know if that part of me was my hyena side or just that uncompromising fifteen-year-old girl that lives inside every woman, but now wasn't the time to let her out."

This novel is a fantastic blend of urban fantasy, romance, comedy and that little bit of blood and gore that everyone loves. Andrea and Kate make the book. Though Kate appears only every once in a while during the first half of the book, her every appearance made me laugh.

Kate leaned back against her chair.

"Where is the bane of my existence?"

"In the shower, freshening up."

"Oh God, who did Ascanio screw now?"

"No, no, he's covered in blood."

"Oh good." She sighed and stopped. "The kid is covered in blood and we're relieved. There is something wrong with us."

"Tell me about it."

Though I love Andrea, I came to love almost every character in this book as well. The one male character who I loved the most was Ascanio. He is another Bouda. Andrea describes him as a fifteen year old going on to thirty. He is also described as one of the prettiest teenagers that Andrea has seen in a long time. However, that isn't what makes me love Ascanio. No, it is sarcastic wit that made me love him.

"Did those nice church ladies come by again?"

He nodded. "I asked them if a man died and then the woman remarried, and the three of them met in heaven, would it be a sin for them to have a threesome, since they were all married in God's eyes. And then they decided they were late to be somewhere else."

Although, I was supposed to come to like Raphael, I didn't. I don't know what it was about him, maybe its because he is as confusing as real men in life (don't get me started on this topic), he seemed too overbearing and I couldn't understand why Andrea loves him. Maybe it's the Bouda/shapeshifter thing.
Another guy that I liked in this book was Roman, the mage. Everyone is afraid of him and what his magic can do. He is one of the most powerful death priests in the series. However, because of all the death he sees he tries to see the humor in everything in life. He tries to see the good in everything. And just as he says to Andrea:"Cheer up, deadly girl. Things have a way of working themselves out." I just have to remember that. Look at me, taking advice from a book....where is my life heading...?

To finish off this review, I have got to say, I cannot wait for another one of this series to come out. These books always make my day and make me realize, hey, no matter where I am right now, my life wont be the same in a few years.

Kate smirked. "What?"

"Your horse looks pink."

"So?"

"If you paste some stars on her butt, you'll be riding My Little Pony."

"Bugger off." I patted the mare's neck.

"Don't listen to her, Sugar. You are the cutest horsey ever. The correct name for her color is strawberry roan, by the way."

"Strawberry shortcake, more like it. Does Strawberry Shortcake know you stole her horse? She will be berry, berry angry with you."

Gunmetal Magic (Ilona Andrews)

Despite being apart from the main Kate Daniels series, I adored this book. I really like both Raphael and Andrea so it was seriously awesome to see their issues resolved! It was also nice to see Raphael go so crazy!

Was waiting for this book to come out forever. Was so not Kate's book but was right up there. Made me want to read the whole series again from the start. Andrea is funny and a little conflicted but by the end she comes into her own. You get a glimpse into Roman and that there is more to him then just being dark. Hope to see more books by Ilona Andrews staring other characters from the World of Kate Daniels.

This is a great one-off of Andrea's story to keep those of us who are crazy about Kate and impatiently waiting for the next in the Magic series. I love how Ilona Andrews writes, straightforward and strong, and she's built a world that I enjoy returning to again and again. All of my Kate Daniels paperbacks are warped and dog-eared from many, many re-reads, and I'm sure Gunmetal Magic will soon be in just as bad condition!

I feel like such a traitor. I didn't love this book. I have loved every single thing Ilona Andrews has written. I am one of the fans that loved the first book in the Kate Daniels series. I loved that the focus of Kate Daniels is not on the resolution of a romance, but on the struggle and adventure in the story. Romance is just sort of the icing on top and maybe some delicious filling in the middle. Gunmetal Magic read to me like it was entirely about Raphael and Andrea. And that is not a bad thing, but it is not what I have come to expect from the Kate Daniels series. I tend to steer away from UF where the entire focus is the resolution of the romance (for example, Angels' Blood). So I admit, I may not be going in with the same focus as all readers. The funny thing is, is that despite me not enjoying UF with a heavy romance focus, the best parts of this book involved Andrea and Rapheal scenes, a close 2nd and 3rd for me would be the Kate and Andrea scenes and the Andrea and Aunt B scenes. The dialogue was good, the humor was funny. But the mystery bored me completely. Am I going to read the next Kate Daniels book? Definitely. I will still buy it on the first day it is released. This is just a little bump in the road for me and I am happy to know that most fans loved it. Just call me the odd ball.

Loving the Kate series, I bought this book as I wanted to know more about Andrea. This story didn't disappoint. With the gorgeous Rapheal appearing in a tantalizing manner to Andrea and the threat they must vanquish, this is a thrilling adventure.

It is so nice to see side characters developed into the same standing as the main characters. It makes the series so much stronger.

From Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance

At a Glance
Squeeeeee! So. Freaking. Excited. Many of you know I am obsessed with all things Kate Daniels. So to have more of her world through the eyes of Andrea was awesomesauce. Really, Ilona Andrews can do no wrong in my eyes when it comes to her books (Well, mostly).

The Good
Here's The Story...
Andrea has just come back into town after a messy firing from the Order of the Knights because of her shapeshifter status and a maybe-maybe not breakup with the only man she has ever loved. Left with no other choice, Andrea begins working for her best friend as a private investigator. But before she can move on with her life, the Pack asks her to investigate murders of some of their own. And since these dead shapeshifters happen to have died on a job run by Raphael, Andrea's ex, she is forced to work close with him to uncover the murderer. But this is not a simple case by any means because the killer has a few tricks up their sleeves.

Andrea...
Our poor, poor Andrea. Her life really does suck right now. She was fired from her job for being a shapeshifter and she comes back to town to find out her boyfriend has moved on with another woman. It really doesn't get worse than that. My stomach was in pain as I read the hit after hit Andrea took. I girl can only take so much. I didn't really blame her when she snapped and...well, I wont give that away. You will have to read the book to find out. Overall, Andrea handled herself the best she could. She is still our strong, independent woman we have come to love. She knows she has made some mistakes, some bad decisions. She is even willing to own up to them, but she will not put up with Raphael's crap. She is a fighter like Kate, and she definitely shows her teeth and unsheathes her claws in Gunmetal Magic.

Now it All Makes Sense...
I think Andrews did a great job on explaining the reasoning behind Andrea's bad decisions from the Kate Daniels series. Truthfully, I didn't like her for a little while. I just couldn't believe what she did, picking the Order over the Pack. But after Andrews had Andrea explain her side of it all, it totally made sense. Andrea has risen up from some pretty bitter and dark ashes, she has the right to do what's best for her. Oh, and before I forget, Andrea handled Aunt B PERFECTLY. I finally feel settled when it comes to Andrea's position in the Pack.

Damn That Handsome Devil...
But Raphael. Grrrr. I wanted to kick him in his twig and berries many a time during this book. He was insufferable. He hurt Andrea more than I thought he was capable of. I get it, I do, but I just wish he could have taken the high road instead of the asshat road. But, then again, it made for great entertainment. I was glued to the pages every time Andrea and Raphael were put together. And, once again, Raphael ended up capturing my heart. Damn him! That irresistible bastard can freakin' do no wrong because he always finds a way for us to forgive him and love him once more.

Andrews Strikes Again...
Okay, now on to the story. Again, Andrews spins a tale of complexity and mystery beyond comparison. The lore and mythology were fascinating. I love how Andrews never does simple, she interweaves storylines that make you actively think and analyze along with the characters. I am always blown away by how far Andrews goes and who the culprit turns out to be. The action was off the charts, the blood and gore were terrific, and the suspense was spin-tingling. The humor was, once again, above and beyond hilarity, and the romance was sizzling.

Ilona Andrews Rocks My Socks Off...
To just crawl around Andrew's brain for one day is my life's dream. No one can compare to her writing style and expertise in entertainment. She knows what her fans want and she gives us everything plus more. Without her, I don't know if I would have the same passion for books as I do. (Side note: Yes, I am aware Ilona Andrews is a husband and wife writing team but it's just easier to refer to them as one person.)

The Bad
Though Andrews often has lengthy descriptions of Atlanta in her books, this was the first time I found it irritating. I just wanted to get back to the story, not spend 3 pages on how a building looks and its extensive history.

The Snuggly
We get some hot scenes with Andrea and Raphael but nothing overdone. Andrews doesn't ever focus on the sex, but when she spends those few pages on some snuggly, she freakin' scorches the words off the page in a surprising minimal way.

Overall
I pretty much loved every minute of reading Gunmetal Magic. Andrews knows what she's doing. She writes characters we care about and stories that keep us reading. If you haven't read at least one book from Ilona Andrews, then you have never really read a book. Please read this book, like now!! Highly Recommended.

Quotes
Kate smirked
"What?"
"Your horse is pink."
"So?"
"If you paste some stars on her butt you'll be riding My Little Pony."
"Bugger off." I patted the mare's neck. "Don't listen to her, Sugar. You are the cutest horsey ever. The correct name for her color is strawberry roan, by the way."
"Strawberry Shortcake, more like it. Does Strawberry Shortcake know you stole her horse? She will be berry, berry angry with you."
"I can shoot you right here, on this road, and nobody will ever find your body."
~~~~~~~~~

"Did those nice church ladies come by again?"
He nodded. "I asked them if a man died and then the woman remarried, and then the three of them met in heaven, would it be a sin for them to have a threesome, since they were all married in God's eye. And they decided they were late to be somewhere else."

My favorite couple in the Kate Daniels series will always be Kate and Curran, but Andrea and Raphael are very close seconds.

I loved Gunmetal Magic!
Like all the rest of the Kate Daniels series it was a fantastic story with a great mix of humor, romance, aventure, suspence.

The writing couple Ilona Andrews definitely made it to my favorites with this fabulous series.

I am a huge fan of the Kate Daniels books. With that said, I did not fall utterly in love with the Edge series, which is Ilona Andrews' other series. Coming in to this book I was a bit uncertain how I would feel. I'm happy to say my expectations were hugely exceeded.

Andrea has never been that fascinating a character to me. This book totally changes that. It's great to see how similar she is to Kate but also how different. I also loved the fact that we got to see bits of Kate in the book as well, and to see a new view of her.

I love this book and would love to see another one with Andrea as the protagonist. Ilona Andrews can keep to the same world but write from a different character's viewpoint very skillfully.

Hard to put it down, more fascinating things kept happening. Andrea and Raphael's story was a winner both emotionally and action-wise. And it's always fun to read about the minor characters in a series and get their point of view on things and still see the main characters appear in cameos. The bonus story was good on its own, but especially how it interplayed with the main novel.

What a fantastic book, when I started reading it I truly felt like my heart was breaking, but once again the team ( Ilona Andrews) have created an amazing strong female character who kicks a@@ and takes no prisoners.I love the Kate Daniels series and the characters in this story are also in Kate`s world. Ilona Andrews is the absolute best author in the paranormal genre bar none.
I strongly recommend that you read the entire Kate Daniel`s series before you read this one. Please dont deprive yourself of the opportunity to see the character development and the story unfold. The cover is exellent, and this book includes an additional novella.
Truly do yourself a very big favour and start on this journey . Best author ever :)
And I wont give away the ending but it made me feel very contentGunmetal Magic: A Novel in the World of Kate Daniels

The Kate Daniels series is one of my all time favorite series that I have ever read. I have read these books cover to cover more times than is probably proper. I laugh, I cry, I smile, I swoon. It's a roller coaster that I never want to end. This book was no different. I am totally and completely in love with everything from this world. It was so awesome to delve more into Andrea and Raphael's world. I don't know how many times I laughed out loud from the incredible wit and sarcasm the characters portray. I just adore Ilona Andrews as an author, (they) are genius. I highly recommend this to fantasy/romance/action lovers like me. There is something for everyone in this book.

I loved both this book and the free novella that is supposed to come with it, but was very disappointed not to get the novella, Magic Gifts, with this from Audible. It came with my Nook book purchase.

A fantastic addition to the Kate Daniels universe. I loved reading more about Andrea. A paranormal mystery set in a near-future Atlanta in which magic holds sway. Andrea Nash, former Knight of the Order of Merciful Aid, now works for Cutting Edge solving magical problems. When four member of the Atlanta shapeshifter pack are killed, she must seek out their murderer. Along the way she encounters gods and beasts, must resolve her relationship with a former flame, and must save the world from the coming of chaos. An excellent read.

I simply love this series. Ilona Andrews is second only to Jim Butcher...but she's closing in fast!

A book with Andrea Nash as the main character is amazing, and the plot twists and turns like a deadly viper.

I do suggest you read the novel at the end of the book first. Magic Dreams. It's not neccessary, but it would've made the novel even more fun.

What can I say? I read it in one day, and I hated for it to end. Even the misunderstanding between Raphael and Andrea did not drag out too long.

If I had to change one little thing, it is that I would like to see hear more from Derek. He was present in this book, but never had an active voice.

OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: Gunmetal Magic is an odd book of sorts; its set in the Kate Daniels universe however is not entirely part of the main Kate Daniels books. It is in line with the series continuity but features Andrea Nash as the main narrator. This change in scheduling was mentioned by the authors on their blog, and also the authors announced a novella that was to run concurrently with the events of this book. Thus the book and novella were to come out together with its release so as to give the readers a stronger, action packed story and with Kate as a narrator though in the smaller format.

Let's begin with Gunmetal Magic, it's an Andrea Nash novel and Andrea has been an important character in Kate's journey so far. She began as a minor character whose role was exponentially increased; she was also the first side character to get a short story of her own (Magic Mourns) which coincidentally was also the first short story written by Ilona Andrews for this series. In book 4 (Magic Bleeds) though a crucial event occurred that changed Andrea's dynamics and also lead to a partial absence in book 5 (Magic Slays). These events were very well explained in book 5 (Magic Slays) but in this book we get to see exactly why and what spurred Andrea on to do things the way she did. The book begins with Andrea reliving a particular nightmare and it reveals things about her past that readers have not been privy to so far. Soon however she gets hired to undertake an investigation for a private company that makes it doubly difficult for her as it involves Raphael her ex-boyfriend.

Forced to be professional and sensible at the same time, things she has been separately but never together, leads Andrea to a new phase wherein she has to be both and to add to her troubles, take Ascanio under her wing as well. A herculean task if there was one, and to top it all Raphael still hasn't forgiven or forgotten their past. Things soon go southward as they often do and Andrea will have to solve this case on her own as Kate & Curran seem to be embroiled in a mire that is equally troubling.

This one-off book is a very curious thing, very few writers write with a complete and thorough series plan in mind and often successful writers are pushed by their publishers to write sequel/prequel/sidequel series featuring other characters. I don't think such is the case with Gunmetal Magic, having a crucial character facing down certain things in her past to make a future book plot work, makes sense and is the explanation offered by the authors. The other thing is the change of voice, namely Andrea as the narrator, is a bit similar to Kate to offer succor to the returning readers however has some uniqueness of her own, thereby not to be confused as a complete Kate clone. The authors must have been very concerned about this as they make every effort to keep Andrea's voice and identity distinct from Kate, even though she's probably as accomplished a warrior as Kate is, and similarly headstrong though not to the same degree.

The story plot is similar to the first magic book with a strong mystery at its heart but since the previous years the authors have polished their craft and streamlined the story to run parallel to the events of the Kate & Curran novella and thereby keeping the reader on their toes. The author also utilize a new mythology as well as a new villain in their myriad world and for this I have to applaud them thoroughly, their world is now very similar to ours with the all the mythologies and history running parallel to each other. Readers will get to see newer sights in Atlanta and so the authors further expand their worldbuilding repertoire. The readers will surely appreciate this new turn of events and keener minds will of course be trying to discern what this specific tale will mean for the overall saga and for the forthcoming fight between daughter and father.

With series books, it can be either hit or miss with the expectation factor and it's to the credit of the brains behind this enterprise that they strive to include new twists and stories to keep the readers engaged. Readers familiar with the short story "Magic Mourns" will be glad to know that there's a complete plot and thematic resolution at the end of this book. Andrea's transformation as a character was a treat to read and will be worth watching how it comes into play in the future books. This was a huge plus point for me in terms of the book as this means when Kate 6 comes out, we'll be seeing the real issues come forward and perhaps it will be the penultimate book to usher in the end fight that we(all fans) have been clamoring to read about.

CONCLUSION: Ilona Andrews have heard these words thousands of times before from many thousands of reader, fans & critics alike, but I have to reiterate "they are terrific storytellers". They imbue the story with interesting characters, striking dialogue and above all amazing action sequences. This troika of plot features along with the author traits never fails to amaze me and keep me entertained through out. Gunmetal Magic is both a successful one-off and great continuation in the Kate Daniels series. I heartily recommend jumping on this book for all veteran and newbie readers as it gives a terrific look into the narrative style of the authors as well as provide thorough entertainment, now that's something you can't say for every book.

MAGIC GIFTS OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: Magic Gifts is the Kate and Curran novella that runs in tandem with the events of Gunmetal Magic. It can be read either as a companion story as well as a solo one, the choice is upon the reader. The novella was distributed free by the authors and is now combined in the paperback version of Gunmetal Magic . The novella is about 110-odd pages and features Kate as its sole narrator.

The story opens with Kate and Curran arriving in the Cutting Edge office wherein Curran decides to take her out on a date. The restaurant they go to is a classy one and as they are enjoying their food. A neighboring table of two navigators has a fatal accident wherein vampires get involved. Things soon bloody and leave a boy with a very curious but fatal problem hanging around his neck. Kate and Curran being the people that they are intervene and then are involved into a situation of a different sort.

The novella is an excellent addition to this book, namely that returning readers get to see Kate do what she does best but this time Curran gets an increased role and more page time. This story while having its share of action has a more mysterious feel attached to it. The main duo has to deal with events but they are hampered by a clock of sorts and this just raises the stakes in this novella. There are some introspective elements to this story namely the fact that Kate's body has been suffering damage all this while and now some of the after-effects have started showing. This underlines a crucial mortality to the superwoman that is Kate and while Curran does have his moments he also gets to show a more sensible side to him as well.

In this small novella the authors's ingenious use of mythology as well their interpretation of Vikings, will have readers a bit bemused as well chuckling from time to time whenever the Vikings come on the fore of the story. Short and action packed, this novella is a microcosm of the normal Kate Daniels novels and a great continuation of the overall plot-line so far. Very much recommended for regular readers, however for new readers this might not be a good place to start the story as there are background effects that affect the twists of the plot. Best to start with Magic Bites and discover Kate Daniels as the authors intended.

While there are very few characters from Kate's world that I wouldn't want to see star in their own book, Andrea has a special place in my heart. She is so broken, yet she tries so hard. It's good to see her finally come into her own in this book.

I have to admit, early in the book I was firmly on team Anyone-but-Raphael. He's an ass in the beginning of the book, perhaps with good reason, perhaps not. Both he and Andrea have a lot of issues to work through, and seeing that play out was one of the high points of the book.

It was nice to see Andrea begin the healing process. She struggles and fights, and finally figures out who she wants to be and what she wants to do with her life.

Also, Roman: OMG, one of my favorite side characters ever. I hope we see more of him in the future.

Finally, as usual with Ilona and Gordon's books, I got to the end both satisfied at a story well told, and wishing there was more so I could keep reading indefinitely.

I liked getting more of Raphael and Andrea's story. Again there is lots of action, humor and a satisfying resolution to their relationship. As I have written before, these books are well written and I can't wait for the next one.

Andrea is one of my favorite characters in this series. This book has some very funny scenes between her and Raphael. I wish there were more romance/sex scenes, especially at the end of the book. The romance was only lukewarm. Also thoroughly enjoyed Ascanio.

I approach Ilona Andrews books slightly warily as I felt the first Kate Daniels was weak, however, Ilona Andrews has/have really got into their stride with this series and this is a fully formed fun, balanced novel. Andrea is a strong heroine and her relationship with Raphael is well paced (more UF than PNR), as is the greater involvement in the bouda world. I really liked Roland (probably my favourite character) and the secondary characters from KD were great, especially Doolittle. Both Andrea and Kate are kick-ass heroines but there is a fair bit of humour in the novels, and I liked the dour way that Curran is portrayed through Andrea's eyes. The 'tech/magic world' backdrop is more embedded and Andrews integrates references more smoothly. If you've abandoned Anita Blake to her sexual fantasies then try Andrea and Kate Daniels. (Read them in the right order & be patient-it takes a couple of novels for the writing to settle. KD3 onwards are great.)

The Kate Daniels short at the end of the book is consistent and I quite liked the overlap of the two stories.

My only complaint? Please could someone sack the cover illustrator for the series. The covers are all hideous.

Great addition to the series. Andrea is a gritty but loveable character and she shines in this book. Its wonderful seeing her grow into accepting herself. The mating and decorating rituals are fun too. Looking forward to acquiring the ebook for re-reading.

Well, really, the Andrea-Raphael story is novel length and the Kate-Curran story is much shorter. The former was fantastic. Full of angsty romance and gore and plenty of hilarious quips. Man, the men in this series really know how to pull stunts that really screw things up with their women. But it makes for good drama and entertaining revenge scenes.

I liked this book,the main character is tough and likeable. But as with Andrews Edge books, they are not as good as kate's series. I know, I know. This story is set up in Kate's world, but still not kate

I was a bit worried about the change to Andrea as narrator since I've loved Kate's point of view from the start, but I ended up really loving this book. It was fast paced and fun, and the love story between Andrea and Raphael was worth reading. It was nice to have it take center stage, instead of just being a side note. The Ilona Andrews team mixes romance and gritty action like no one else. I highly recommend this book!

Ilona Andrews' writing is phenomenal. I loved this book. Andrea and Raphael's relationship is complicated; there's love, hate, jealously, passion, betrayal, anger, and drama. Andrea is possibly one of the best developed, most realistic characters I have ever encountered. She was physically abused as a child and is hardened by her life. She is not perfect. Raphael is not perfect.

Raphael has felt abandoned by his mate for a choice he cannot understand. He makes mistakes in trying to repair that relationship. Both grow over the course of the book.

The characters feel human. They remind me of people that I actually know. It is so rare in paranormal romance to have such fleshed out main characters. I would highly recommend reading this book. It is one of the best this year!

Andrea is one of my favorite characters in this series. This book has some very funny scenes between her and Raphael. I wish there were more romance/sex scenes, especially at the end of the book. The romance was only lukewarm. Also thoroughly enjoyed Ascanio.

I approach Ilona Andrews books slightly warily as I felt the first Kate Daniels was weak, however, Ilona Andrews has/have really got into their stride with this series and this is a fully formed fun, balanced novel. Andrea is a strong heroine and her relationship with Raphael is well paced (more UF than PNR), as is the greater involvement in the bouda world. I really liked Roland (probably my favourite character) and the secondary characters from KD were great, especially Doolittle. Both Andrea and Kate are kick-ass heroines but there is a fair bit of humour in the novels, and I liked the dour way that Curran is portrayed through Andrea's eyes. The 'tech/magic world' backdrop is more embedded and Andrews integrates references more smoothly. If you've abandoned Anita Blake to her sexual fantasies then try Andrea and Kate Daniels. (Read them in the right order & be patient-it takes a couple of novels for the writing to settle. KD3 onwards are great.)

The Kate Daniels short at the end of the book is consistent and I quite liked the overlap of the two stories.

My only complaint? Please could someone sack the cover illustrator for the series. The covers are all hideous.

Great addition to the series. Andrea is a gritty but loveable character and she shines in this book. Its wonderful seeing her grow into accepting herself. The mating and decorating rituals are fun too. Looking forward to acquiring the ebook for re-reading.

Well, really, the Andrea-Raphael story is novel length and the Kate-Curran story is much shorter. The former was fantastic. Full of angsty romance and gore and plenty of hilarious quips. Man, the men in this series really know how to pull stunts that really screw things up with their women. But it makes for good drama and entertaining revenge scenes.

I liked this book,the main character is tough and likeable. But as with Andrews Edge books, they are not as good as kate's series. I know, I know. This story is set up in Kate's world, but still not kate

I was a bit worried about the change to Andrea as narrator since I've loved Kate's point of view from the start, but I ended up really loving this book. It was fast paced and fun, and the love story between Andrea and Raphael was worth reading. It was nice to have it take center stage, instead of just being a side note. The Ilona Andrews team mixes romance and gritty action like no one else. I highly recommend this book!

Ilona Andrews' writing is phenomenal. I loved this book. Andrea and Raphael's relationship is complicated; there's love, hate, jealously, passion, betrayal, anger, and drama. Andrea is possibly one of the best developed, most realistic characters I have ever encountered. She was physically abused as a child and is hardened by her life. She is not perfect. Raphael is not perfect.

Raphael has felt abandoned by his mate for a choice he cannot understand. He makes mistakes in trying to repair that relationship. Both grow over the course of the book.

The characters feel human. They remind me of people that I actually know. It is so rare in paranormal romance to have such fleshed out main characters. I would highly recommend reading this book. It is one of the best this year!

I am going to be ranting a bit here 'cause Andrea was getting on my nerves, she got better by the end but yeah. Her damn stubbornness and her silly problems with Raphael in the first half were getting on my nerves. Actually all my problems were with the first half, because at least she does finally stop whining and actually manned up and joined the Pack, and did what had to be done. She was hiding and in denial for the whole first half, that's probably why she would end up in the closet. Raphael is to blame as well, he really shouldn't have brought that bimbo, and acted more like an adult, it's not like they hadn't had some time to cool off, they could have screamed, yelled, raged, fought, but no, they started being petty towards each other. Excuse for their behavior? Being bouda, that just doesn't cut it for me.

Asides from all that silliness, I did end up enjoying the book. Loved Ascanio, Roman, and the brief moments with Kate, Julie and Curran of course. I am not sure if I would pick up another that was in Andrea's POV, I might give it another chance.

Gunmetal Magic was a 3.5 star read for me. I enjoyed getting more in depth information on Andrea and Raphael but I just didn't get into the story as much as I do with Kate and Curran. I listed to the audio book version of this book.

If you have the slightest doubt like I did about a book on Andrea, don't hesitate, RUN to your nearest store and buy this book!
or download it! :) some great reviews here already so I'm just making my shout out as a fan of kate daniel's series that this book exceeded my expectation! LOVE it!

Sorry but I will use all kinds of cliché' to describe this book. Can't put down (I read it in one night), laugh out loud (numerous times from Andrea and Raphael's banters and the situations they find themselves), and a must read. Whether you are a Kate Daniel fan or not this book will hook you and entice you into reading the entire (Kate Daniel) series; it did me.

For urban fantasty fans, this like Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden, is an absolute must. My most favorite books are character driven, and Gunmetal has that is spades. That is pretty much all I can say without being redundant. Wow, just plain ol' WOW.

It's not that Kate isn't in the book, it is just that you hardly see her. It is a great exspansion on other people in the book, but like I said I miss Kate and her troubles. Please be quick about the next Kate Daniels book, not just one in her world.

I know I'll probably be swimming against the tide on this, but I'm still going to say that this book was a very big disappointment for me. It's all the same! Substitute Andrea for Kate (a pale comparison). Substitute Raphael for Curran (we're getting paler still). Place the story in the exact same city, having the exact same hazards, using the exact same plot with the smallest of tweaking and there you have it. This felt chopped up to me, one episode followed another but they didn't feel as if they were all completely essential to the overall plot. I thought the really innovative portion was the section of Atlanta called The Glass Menagerie and that part was dropped like a hot potato as soon as the crisis was under control. What else might have gone on in that site? What else might have been down there? Was there ever any discussion with Curran about what was encountered?

I have a great admiration for the writing team of Ilona Andrews, but it's time to stir that pot up some. Travel to another city, another region of the country, just by going a little bit north and east they could come upon fabulous potential with Native American tribes and all their religious beliefs and ceremonies. Scenarios like that would seem more realistic and believable and enhance the chances of survival for the characters. It would also add in new characters which would not replace those already familiar but expand the base from which to draw stories. Or how about being asked to go to help avert a crisis in Louisiana or the swamps of Florida? Just make it move and grow. Don't allow the series to stagnate like this.

I never imagined that I would actually be bored and frustrated with an overall concept by these writers, but I am. I will definitely wait to make a purchasing decision on the next novel based on the synopsis I find in reviews. No more pre-order for me.

"I had conspired to break the law with my ex-boyfriend, who I professed to hate, broken said law, destroyed the victim's attack dog/magic creature in a fit of murderous frenzy, and then ran away across the city, wandered around some woods, and fell asleep in a tree in my beastkin shape. When I went off the rails, I didn't do it halfway. No, I flipped a few times, caught a lot of air, and then exploded in a fiery crash."

I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to review this book early and let me tell you that Gunmetal Magic by far exceeded my expectations prior to reading.

"The one where you go f*-k yourselves." A snarl crept into my voice. "You come here to my territory and you think you can push me around? Well, come on. Push. See what it will get you."

When I first heard that Andrea was getting her own book, I'll admit that I was super excited...that is, until I realized that her book was going to put a new Kate and Curran installment on the back burner for another year. *insert sad face* However much to my excitement SHOUTY capitals within the first chapter I was like "Kate and Curran who?" LOL, okay that's not exactly true but Andrea and Raphael were such an exciting, funny and tumultuous couple that I was immersed in Gunmetal Magic immediately and let me just say that their book wasn't lacking in any category including humor, lust, love, fighting, flirting, blood, and gore. I was always a fan of Andrea but now after reading her story it's obvious why she and Kate are such close friends and her daredevil ways rival Kate's while Raphael's alpha-Licious persona mirrors Curran's as well, though in their own completely different ways.

"A dark figure stepped into the office...... Six foot three, lean, wearing a black leather jacket and faded jeans....He stepped into the light. Dark blue eyes looked at me and the world fell apart around us. His face, framed by soft black hair, wasn't perfect in the way Ascanio's was, but it was a masculine and handsome, and his eyes communicated a kind of sexual intensity, a promise and a challenge, that made women lose all of their self-respect and try to proposition him I plain view of their dates. The familiar scent washed over me like a pain-filled perfume.

Raphael"

The first scene with Raphael broke my heart. *insert heavy lump in my throat here* The best thing about reading and ARC is you get the opportunity to review it first and the worst thing is that while my chest felt heavy and my heart was dying inside I had no one to discuss it with. One thing I find so admirable in a strong female role is that, if my heart was breaking then Andrea's must be shattering and instead of crying and throwing a fit, she held her own, (while I was seething) and didn't back down when things were not going in her favor because shes a strong willed woman. She knows that life must go on. She doesn't curl into a bawl and sob which would have been acceptable, no she plans a way to face the facts laid out before her and how to go about her life without her job and sense of duty suffering! She is such a courageous and fascinating addition to the Kate Daniels series that wouldn't be the same without her in it.

"You mean you showed her your guns and she didn't faint?" Ha-ha-ha. "No, honey, you're the only one who does that." As I recall, it was usually the other way around." I've seen plenty of guns. You have a nice one, but it didn't Make me faint." "That's what you say now.""Raphael, I don't own this phone. Don't make me break it, because I just gave up my last ten bucks to use it."

When she is hired by Jim to investigate a murder scene and discover who has sent venomous snakes to kill employees of Raphael and that hits close to him since Andrea is familiar with these workers and she believes in justice being served. True to her protective and badass nature she won't let anything or anyone get in the way of her investigation despite her uneasy personal life.

"Maybe you needed backup to help you with Roman," I told him. "I don't need backup. I can take him with one hand tied behind my back." "He had one hand tied behind your back." "Maybe it looked that way from where you were sitting......"

Raphael has always been described as a gorgeous, spoiled, player relentlessly sought after by women based on his looks alone and so I never took him as having much depth to his character except that he's a pretty boy to look at. Well we finally get to see the incredibly wonderful side of Raphael that left me not only crushing on his good looks but his mind as well. He's a powerful protector and he knows no lengths when it comes to getting the attention of the one he loves. It's apparent in this book that he would walk through fire if it meant protecting Andrea and making her his. I just love these Boudas when they get all growly and possessive when claiming "mine". RAWR. Some of my most memorable scenes in this book involved the verbal sparring between Andrea and Raphael, and it felt like I was a voyeur into a couples foreplay. It was sexy, hot and irresistible to watch.

His voice was sweet as honey. "Darling, do you need me to loan you some money?" "Ive never in my life needed you to loan me money. If I were dead, and the ferryman needed a coin to take me across the river to the afterlife, and you had the only quarter in existence, I'd tell you to stick it up your a$$."

Asciano is such a cool character, we don't really get to know much of him in the past but luckily we truly get to know more of him. He a teen bouda that rivals Raphael's man charm and charisma. He's funny, fearless and can hold his own in a fight, all the while working as intern at The Cutting Edge with Kate and Andrea. He has grown so much in character since we first met him and he's growing into a young man that is going to be a powerful man. I loved Asciano.

"A loud hyena cackle rang through the clearing. I turned. He stood on top of the beast. Blood drenched his fur. His monstermouth split in a happy, psychotic grin."

So I've visited Graceland a few times since I have a momma that is obsessed with Elvis Pressley and something I was fascinated with was that in his home he has shag carpet not only on the floor but in the walls as well. All I can say is that, there's some purple carpet that had me rolling over with laughter and all I could think of was Graceland! LOL. Mating rituals, need I say more?

"I asked you a question," Raphael said, his voice saturated with menace. Roman's voice turned icy. "And I told you to f*-k yourself. Which part wasn't clear?"

Roman the volhv, has turned into a character that I'm anticipating hearing more from. He's so funny and his sparring matches with Raphael are unforgettable and I just love reading about two men measuring their "sticks" in female attention rivalry. He's gorgeous and powerful and I'm dying to see him paired up with an equally witty character myself. Between he and Asciano, these two can steal a scene from anyone they're so charismatic.

"To me being a shapeshifter meant being hurt, degrades, and living in fear. Every bone in my body had been broken by shapeshifter a before I was the years old. I've been stabbed, punched and kicked, whipped, and set on fire. I've watched my mother being beaten to a bloody pulp repeatedly and with vicious glee. I had rejected that life and chose the Order instead. The Knights were my pack and Ted was my alpha."

Andrea has a tortured past that we finally discover in Gunmetal Magic and my heart broke for her. Until reading this installment, Ilona Andrews has brilliantly kept us in the dark about her dreary and tragic childhood that left her vulnerable and robbed her of a happy life as an adolescent. With this torture we will now understand the true reasoning behind why she feels more comfortable hiding her shifter side and remaining in favor of only exposing her human side. When the Order released her from their service upon discovering her secret, that's when we truly got a glimpse of Andrea's shame that surrounds her shifter side, her fear of her Beastkin becoming public knowledge and her stubbornness to let down her guard. I'll admit I was puzzled in the past as to why Andrea would lack the pride in her shifter self that all the other shifters possess and I might have briefly blamed her for hurting Raphael and not throwing away her pride and meeting him halfway, but I was completely wrong. Andrea needs to deal with her painful past her own way and her journey begins in Gunmetal Magic and I'm so elated to see the powerful and positive change in Andrea towards herself, her shifter abilities as well as her strength to let the past go, forgive, yet to never forget her torture and the strength to know that she can assist other shifters and make sure they never endure the pain she once endured. For that I felt this book was truly outstanding!!!! Its obvious as to why Andrea is such a strong and admirable character because she has an ugly past that has shaped and molded her into the awesome character she is today!

The three shapeshifters stared at me, open-mouthed. "That's how you intimidate people. No witnesses and not a mark on him. Get your a-$es to the car."

If you're going in reading this book hoping for cameos with Kate and Curan you will get your cameos, however I didn't miss Kate and Curran when they were not around because Ilona Andrews proves once against how amazing this lovely pair know how to write amazing love stories, intertwined with a dark and scary plot that managed to keep me laughing and cheering the entire book. I was glued until the very end, and upon completing it, I wanted more. These exceptional authors know how to flirt with danger, tug at my heart strings and leave me yearning for more. Gunmetal Magic is a MUST read. It was incredible, and Andrea's charm was stunning.

"Bad days, good days, `Ill cut you if you look at me the wrong ways' days. I'll take them all."

ARC provided for review by ACE Fantasy

The story finished at 75% on my Kindle gauge. ???? There was then another very short novella about Kate and Curran which should have been read BEFORE Gunmetal magic...because it dealt with the first encounter with the undead Draugr, which was a written about in Gunmetal as part of solution towards a conflict resolution of the entire plot...sounds confusing?? Imagine two stories with two lead couples, the second being Kate and Curran who give more info about a particular aspect of the first novella, but you read it AFTER the first.

So there's a lot of repetition.......
Look, I did enjoy the main story ... it reminded me very much like reading about Kate and Curran at the beginning of the series, which I loved.

Quite frankly the second novella was written in a flat recount style, which I did not like.

I've edited this review once it was pointed out to me, and I checked, that Gunmetal Magic IS indeed over 326 pages.

I'm three chapters into the book and I'm done. I can't read anymore. The foundation of the character is interesting. The idea of the world in which they exist seems intriguing.

The reason that I'm done is calling a gun magazine a "clip". Every time I hear that its like nails on a chalk board. Clips are used in older weapons and used to load magazines. Magazines are affixed to the firearm and feed the ammunition. If the verbiage for one of the characters preferred tools for performing her job isn't correct then I can't take that character seriously.

Book. Done.

Sadly, I mistakenly thought this was a sci-fi/fantasy novel. Unfortunately, it is a more accurately described as a Harlequin novel in a sci-fi setting. For some unknown reason this author seems to think that the reader is more interested in following a dysfunctional sexual relationship than an interesting genre plot. I used the word "sadly" in my description because the underlying plot, when the author isn't pandering to horny teenage girls, is intriguing. I would label this yet another book with promise, ruined because the author's primary concern is marketability rather than good literature.