Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews

September 3rd, 2015 Kimberly Review 58 Comments

3rd Sep
Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews
Magic Shifts
by Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #8
Narrator: Renée Raudman
Length: 14 hrs and 10 mins
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarOne Star
Heat Level: One FlameOne FlameHalf a Flame
Narration: 5 cups

After breaking from life with the Pack, mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate—former Beast Lord Curran Lennart—are adjusting to a very different pace. While they’re thrilled to escape all the infighting, Curran misses the constant challenges of leading the shapeshifters. So when the Pack offers him its stake in the Mercenary Guild, Curran seizes the opportunity—too bad the Guild wants nothing to do with him and Kate. Luckily, as a veteran merc, Kate can take over any of the Guild’s unfinished jobs in order to bring in money and build their reputation. But what Kate and Curran don’t realize is that the odd jobs they’ve been working are all connected. An ancient enemy has arisen, and Kate and Curran are the only ones who can stop it—before it takes their city apart piece by piece.…

Rocked urban KICKASS ADDICTIVE

Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews is the eighth book in the Kate Daniels series. This is a series where the audio version is my preferred format in part because of Renée Raudman and her stellar performance. Admittedly, I was slightly worried after the events of Magic Breaks, but I should have known the Andrews had a plan. Intense and action-packed Kate and Curran face new challenges and old enemies giving listeners one heck of a ride.

My biggest fear, is that this series will one day end.

I have tried very hard to keep this as spoiler-free as possible for those reading the series as well as for those who are new. Not an easy task, but one I think I accomplished.

“No. Not my circus, not my undead monkeys.”

Once again, I slipped right into the world. I was anxious to see how Kate and Curran were adjusting to their recent changes. You would think that life might be a little quieter. Pfft. Nope. This is Kate and life is never dull. I wondered how Gordon and Ilona were going to keep the same intensity and keep Kate and Curran’s relationship fresh without a bunch of drama like the tiffs we have previously endured. I should not have worried. This writing team is brilliant. All the changes in Magic Shifts were for the good and I am over the moon excited. They breathed new life into this series allowing for endless story scenarios. Oh yes, there are threats and darkness in our future.

“Try to look casual.” I pulled the top book out and put it on the desk.
“Why?”
“Because what I’m doing is illegal without a warrant, and we have about twenty witnesses observing our every move.”
Curran crossed his arms, making his biceps bulge, leaned against the desk, and fixed our audience with his stare. Everyone spontaneously decided to look anywhere else but at us. Right. Casual, my foot.
“See,” he said. “No witnesses.”

As always, there are several different threads to keep us listening and abandoning reality. A case involving a missing person has us battling a new threat. The Andrews tackle Arabian mythology and reanimated metamorphosis. I am talking freaky folks and oh lord they gave me the shivers. The creatures are dark; the battles are gritty and ironically as beautiful as they are dark. No detail is wasted creating a three-D image of the scenes in my mind. Oh and Daddy makes an appearance because Kate’s life is not stressful enough. Poor Kate takes a beating and gets herself into some serious trouble pushing her to accept she cannot always be in the thick of things. I love that she is continually growing and evolving.

“DOES EVERYBODY THINK I am an asshole?” Curran asked. “Only people who know you or have met you.”

Despite the changes, we see many of the characters we have come to love as they step into new roles. While in many ways, Magic Shifts could be viewed as a bridge book it still delivered the quality and richness we have come to expect from this writing duo. Brilliant with humor, character growth, interesting developments and tantalizing teasers of things to come. I was completely mind-blown away. I laughed allowed, screamed and became fully engaged in listening.

“Do we have a flamethrower?” Curran asked.
“No.”
“We should get a flamethrower.”

Magic Shifts was as fresh and exciting as the first book in the Kate Daniels series and I cannot wait to continue listening. Renée Raudman has become synonymous with the name Ilona Andrews and I hope this partnership never ends. She brings the characters to life and makes listening an adventure.

Magic Shifts for the win. Read it, Own it, Love it.

 

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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

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58 Responses to “Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews”

  3. Cyn

    Yay! Glad to see this is still brilliant! Definitely need to get back into this series soon! I miss Kate and Curran and all the craziness! Awesome review, Kim!

  4. laura thomas

    Don’t you just love it when a book this far into the series is a good as the one from the beginning! I recently had that experience. This series is on my radar and I hope I can start it soon.

  5. Kristin

    I know your love of this series has no bounds and it is completely justified – I, too, am a fan of the power writing duo. But I ask you this: are you planning or have you read the Edge series? I own both (in paperback no less… ugh) and I never knew where to start. I know NOW, but I was curious if the Edge was on your TBR.

    Sorry for the verboseness this a.m. – caffeine makes me invent words, too 🙂

  6. Jeann

    I can’t wait to read the Kate Daniels series! For the characters to still remain fresh and interesting and to hold your attention, it’s definitely clear that you loved this one heaps. Lovely review Kimba!

  7. Jennifer Bielman

    Eeeeee, I am so excited for the all the changes in store for Kate and Curran. Happy to hear it’s working out really well. I am so nervous for when this series ends. It CAN’T!!! I am holding off a bit to buy this one because I love the anticipation to build.

  9. Kathryn

    Every time I see you or someone else review these books I think I must start them. I have the first one on my Kindle ready to begin. I know once I start most likely I will want to move through it obsessively because it sounds like that kind of series. Yeah, always the fear a series might end, but perhaps they might do a J D Robb approach!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Book one was my least favorite, it is a little rough. I read an article where Andrews send skip book one..LOL but book two forward is stellar.

  10. The Bibliophile Babe

    Skipped reading this since I’m only on book 2, but I’m really liking it! Glad I pushed through the first novel and picked up the second. Huge improvement already.

  12. Heidi

    Curran with a flamethrower? Awesome. I thought I would be caught up on this series by the time this released, but I am still on book six. I really need to get listening.

  13. kindlemom1

    I’m so excited that everyone is loving this, not that I had my doubts about the authors’ writing ability but I was a bit nervous for this after all that happened in the last book. Glad to see it is just as fabulous as ever!

  14. ShootingStarsMag

    I’m glad to hear you loved this one so much!! I haven’t read any of these, but it’s nice to see that people still love books in a series when it starts to bypass the usual three or four.

  15. Ramona

    Kate and Curan are becoming the most talked-about fictional couple ever, lol 🙂 This volume sounds like yet another winner. And they keep on coming, aren’t they? Lovely review, Kimba.

  16. Sophia Rose

    I was afraid this one would be tepid after reading the big scenes of the last one. Glad they kept the faith and kept it strong. Fun quotes!

  17. Candace

    I’m glad to hear they are still going strong! I keep meaning to grab them on audio but I got behind on audiobooks this summer. Hopefully now that school is back in I’ll get more time.

  18. Nise'

    I have that same fear: the series ending. Every time a new book comes out it is always a big decision to either listen or read.

  21. Wattle

    The audio preview is great, I’ve not heard of this series before but I’m definitely going to check it out on audible (I have some credits burning a hole in my virtual pocket) 🙂 great review Kim, thank you for sharing 🙂

  22. Jenny

    YAY KIM!!!! I completely agree, I don’t know how Ilona Andrews does it, but this series stays as original as the very first book, only it keeps getting better know that I’m emotionally invested in all the characters. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Kate and Curran next!

  25. Nick

    *sigh*
    I need to get on my butt and just read book 6 and 7 already, Kim! I’m so glad to hear that the series is still going so well. This team really is AMAZING at writing. Now, push me to read the books, Kim!!

  26. Melanie Simmons

    This has got to be the best UF series on the market. I just love it to pieces. You picked some of my favorite quotes from this book. I was really curious as to where they would take this series after the end of the last book, but It was just as fun.

  27. Silvia

    Can you believe I still have to put my hands on this series? Sigh… One day I’m going to read each instalment without taking a break!

  29. Melliane

    Oh yes I really loved this one so I’m glad to see it’s the same for you. It’s always such a pleasure to find Kate again!