by Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #5.5
Narrator: Renée Raudman
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups
After eviction from the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea is a wreck. She starts work for best pal PI Kate Daniels. Shapeshifters under Raphael Medrano — Clan Bouda male alpha, Andrea’s ex-lover — die suddenly at a dig site. With Raphael, she seeks killer in deep dark Atlanta. Her feelings for him may take a back seat to saving the world…Bonus: Kate Daniels novella "Magic Gifts"
I will be the first one to tell you that I generally skip novellas in a series but when Ali @ My Guilty Obsession shared her thoughts on Gunmetal Magic and made me aware that it was a full-length novel, I could not get my hands on the audio fast enough. I am pretty sure it was loaded on my phone before my comment even posted.
Gunmetal Magic shares what happens to Andrea after she was evicted from the Knights of Merciful Aid. It also shares her romance with Raphael Medrano, the Clan Bouda male alpha and I had such a blast listening to their story.
“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.”
Andrea Nash is kick-ass, snarky and downright hilarious. I should have known, after all she is Kate’s best friend. She is plagued with nightmares from her past but outwardly she personifies this cool, take no prisoners, confident, “I am woman, hear me roar” heroine. Her back history is brutal and socially she is a bit of an outcast even among shifters since she is a beastkin. Wanting to impress Jim, she takes her first PI case and it causes her to interact with her ex-lover Raphael. Shapeshifters in his crew die at a dig site and things look suspicious. Raphael makes some huge mistakes in the beginning and I wanted to slap him in the back of the head. Watching these two one up each other was hilarious. The pranks were the best, prepare to gigglesnort. We get some heat, but it is very fade to black with some tender moments.
“You’re touching me,” I chided him.
He caressed my back; sliding his hand down, hitting every sensitive point, I hadn’t even known I had. “No, this is touching you. That was just accidental contact.”
“Oh? Good to know. If you touch me again and I break your arm off, you can be sure it will be completely accidental.”
Ascanio, Roman, Aunt B, Doolittle and of course Kate and Curran all make appearance. I laughed and even shed a tear for Andrea as we see her overcome some of her fears. Roman is such an interesting character and I loved scenes with him. I just picture him as a younger Ozzie Osborn. We learn more about Ascanio, he is a lunk-head but the kid grows on you. As for Aunt B and her pack, I loved seeing Andrea interact with them and getting the full story…it was absolutely perfect.
“You will not pass!” Roman thundered.
Great. Now he had decided he was Gandalf.”
Andrews’ use of mythology is twisted and brilliant. This time they weave in Egyptian mythology and I found myself completely caught up in this thread. The battles were gloriously brutal and as always I found myself in awe of the creatures, weapons, and near death experiences.
“It’s never a good thing when the black volhv says “Uh-oh” and then runs for his life.”
Fans of Kate Daniels will thoroughly enjoy Gunmetal Magic and Andrea’s story. Now as for the rest of the novellas in the series would someone tell Ilona Andrews we need them compiled into one audio collection read my Renee’ 🙂
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Mary
I love this series. I love this spin-off. Andrea’s a fabulous character and I really liked seeing the world through her eyes.
Sharon - Obsession with Books
I didn’t know Andrea had her own novella & even better that it is full length! I am a big fan of this series so I’m going to have to grab a copy of this.
A great review Kimba!
Bookworm Brandee
Gah! I haven’t gotten to this one yet! I do agree that Andrea is kickass…I love her! But then, I love this series. Must get caught up!! I’m thrilled you loved this, Kim!
Christy
No way in hell could I skip any of the novellas in this series. Especially and of Andreas. I loved this a lot. Muy. Haha and yeah, Roman has been a fun addition.
Mariana
I just love this series. I think the spin-off is even better, because we get to see those other super fun caracthers that in the original series would only get one phrase. Great review!
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, this is pretty much a spin-off series of Kate Daniels so no fear of novella crap. 🙂 So happy you loved it. I love Andrea. So much like Kate but still unique.
Faye
I love Andrew in the original series, and I’m sure I will love her in this one, too. Seriously, she is already oozing with sex appeal and kikckassery! I haven’t read book 7 yet, but I will soon, and I can’t wait to read that in order to read this one (I’m kinda anal on reading the main books first haha).
Benish K
I rarely read novellas as well, but this sounds intriguing – great review!
lupdilup
I love this one too! I didn’t even know this was a novella…LOL I just by the audios..LOL I just thought this was the next in the series, just 5.5..LOL
Great review Kimba 🙂
Anya
I’m right there with you! I don’t like novellas much but as soon as the spin-off story is a novel, I’m there immediately, haha. It’s funny how much difference a few hundred pages make ;-). I loved the narration for Gunmetal Magic since I don’t think I would have done Andrea’s accent justice in my brain!
Michelle
That’s pretty awesome that it’s a full length side story! It’s so rare that something like that happens in a series!
A.P.Bullard
I’m not a fan of the cover, but this review makes the book sound exciting!
http://www.triskelereviews.com/
kindlemom1
I am so glad you read this, Andrea is just kick butt to the extreme! I loved her so much more after reading this book. Yay!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Tanya
This series is next on my list. Only one more book in the series I’m reading, then I’m on this!
aurian
I loved this book as well, but I really prefer the book cover over this one. And can I say: carpet!
ShootingStarsMag
I haven’t read any of these, but that’s awesome you gave this one a chance. Your review just made me think about how awesome it is to have other bloggers sharing thoughts about books before we read them.
Katherine
Once again Andrews is calling my name. This sounds good and I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the audio version. I don’t mind novellas if they’re part of a series because it generally feels like a lot of the backstory gets told in the full length books of the series but a novella is definitely a bad place to start a series! Glad this was full length and worked out for you!
Braine Talk Supe
Finally caught up with Elemental Assassin! Yass! This one’s next!
Ramona
Wow, this sounds really good! I love a I’m-a-woman-hear-me-roar heroine… Definitely reading this soon! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Jonetta (Ejaygirl)
Loved this book, too, and SO agree with your recommendation for an audio compilation of all those other novellas!! Let’s start a petition…I’ll sign it:)
Ro
This book sounds fun and readable based on your review. This looks a good example of not judging a book by its cover. (lol) Hugs…
Sarah
I’m like you, I rarely read the novellas, but I might need to check this out, because it sounds good!
Red Iza
A threesome in heaven, lol ! If everything goes according to my master, evil plan, I should read this series this year 🙂 Great review !
Melliane
Oh yes I really liked this one, it was fun to follow Andrea instead, she is a wonderful main character, right? I wonder if we’ll have another one like that one day.
Jessica
Yeah, I love Andrea too. I really appreciated not only getting more insight into her early life (which we already knew was bad, but MAN), but seeing how awesome she turned out despite that awfulness, and ALSO how she got hers in the end. Love, love, love it 😉 Great review!
Melanie Simmons
I loved Andrea’s story. I like her just as much as Kate.
blodeuedd
I guess I just do not like audio covers
nejoud
the book look really funny ! but its a series so I might not read it 🙁
Melissa Robles
Never heard about these books before but this one sounds great! Each quote you shared had me smiling, I love witty banter between characters. Will have to read it one day soon. 🙂
Cyn
Yay! Pleased to see that you loved this! I can’t wait for Andrea’s full length story! I adore Andrea and Raphael, can’t want for the shenanigans! And bonus points for the Gandalf reference! Thanks for the review!