Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, #2)

by Ilona Andrews

Mercenary Kate Daniels tries to save her city from divine intervention in this novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling urban fantasy series.

As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.

When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack—Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shape shifters—she quickly realizes much more is at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug of war between two gods hoping for rebirth, and if Kate can’t stop the cataclysmic showdown, Atlanta may not survive...

Reviewed by Berls on

4 of 5 stars

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This review appeared first at Fantasy is More Fun.

4.5 stars

Wow. If you're like me and put off starting this series for some dumb reason, Magic Burns will let you know just how bad an idea that was. Although I enjoyed Magic Bites, Magic Burns was much better.

For one, they explained the world so much more thoroughly. Magic Burns really made the pendulum shift between Tech and Magic so much clearer - and raised the stakes. I had a feeling that this factor was more important than just not being able to use guns or wards failing - and Magic Burns showed me just how important it was. In Magic Burns a flare is approaching - a period where magic is really intense I guess - and its hugely impacting EVERYTHING. I just love when world building pays off and makes such a tangible difference to the story!

And then there's Kate - who I already loved. She's even more lovable in Magic Burns. First off, prepared to be WOWed by her kick ass abilities. She kinda blew my mind at a couple points. And then her snark! I just love it and I love - as Jesica @ Rabid Reads has pointed out - the way she tells you she's scared shitless, and that's why she's running her mouth. Its a defense mechanism and it makes her so real. On top of all that, she's showing her softer side again. I love that Kate has a vulnerability because of how much she cares. It makes her oh so loveable.

The story and mystery was fantastic in Magic Burns as well. Ilona Andrews has clearly done their research - the layers of different mythologies weaved into Magic Burns was incredible and done so well - I did occasionally get confused and there were times I wished the mystery were more solvable, but these were exceptions.

Finally, I can't imagine not listening to this series. Renée Raudman IS Kate. She brings her personality to life so perfectly. And that's besides the other characters I haven't taken the time to gush about but loved and loved the way Renee brought them to life.

Seriously, Magic Burns is so great: the characters so real, the story so intense and the FEELS so shocking! If you haven't read it yet, do so ASAP.

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  • Started reading
  • 8 December, 2014: Finished reading
  • 8 December, 2014: Reviewed