67. Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels #3) by Ilona Andrews

Magic Strikes(The third book in the Kate Daniels series)
(2008)
A novel by
Ilona Andrews

Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that's saying a lot.But when Kate's werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet.
Dead shapeshifters and Derrick trying to steal from Saiman, gets Kate involved in the underground world of underground fighting in the MIdnight Games, where she discovered that the prize was something to be used as part of a bigger conspiracy.

I adored Magic Strikes!! BUT I found out that the next book doesn't come out until June or end of May 2010 nooo!!! I just read the prologue from IA's site (Be warned though that if you haven't read the third book DO NOT READ the prologue because it would be a spoiler) I am so dying to find out what happened ! I love how Andrea and Raphael put more of an appearance in the story. I found out the the anthology Must Love Hellhounds will be the story between them so can't wait for that one. Although we don't get to see much of Derek. His role was pretty big in a way that he was a big catalyst in a lot of the reasons Kate went for it. We also find out a bit about Kate's background and who she is and why she is who she is. I love the confrontation between Jim and Kate! And the scenes between Curran and Kate were so funny!! (the "he's right behind me isn't he" scene and the telephone conversation about Jim)  and hot!!! (most of the scenes theyre together!). And admittedly the ending unleashed the kick-ass romantic in me ;)  hehe The flying castle so reminded me of Laputa!

Rating: A

68. Magic Burns (Kate Daniels #2) by Ilona Andrews

Magic Burns(The second book in the Kate Daniels series)
(2008)
A novel by
Ilona Andrews
As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels knows how 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. 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. 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, the city may not survive.

I bought the first book in the series from Amazon when it first came out and it was a new discovery for me. It was really interesting how how Andrews created a world where magic and technology where at an odds. Since the third one just came out a month ago, I took the time to reread the second one again to refresh myself since I don't really remember what happened. That's the problem with waiting a whole year for a book, you forget the previous one. In the second book, in helping the Pack retrieve the map, Kate comes across evidence of an amateur coven who mistakenly calls upon the wrong God. Protecting one of the children of the coven, and a magic tsunami on it's way, Kate finds out that all things will culminate in the onset of the flare.
I thought the second book is stronger than the first book. Kate kicks ass but her interaction with Julie was handled well in my opinion. We also see a development in the tension between Cullan and Kate, as well as introduction to other very likable characters that fits well into the story.

Rating: B+