Review - Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

Series: Kate Daniels #2 
Genre: Urban Fantasy 
Age Group: Adults
Source: Purchased
Published - April 2008
Mass Market Paperback - 260pgs
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Rating: 4/5

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 shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more 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, the city may not survive…

After book one I was ready to burn down cities to get my hands on this second book. I was deeply invested in the characters and wanted to know what Kate could get up to next. I can't imagine waiting for the publishing industry to churn out book two. Waiting a week for it to ship to my house was enough torture. 

In book two our knowledge of magic and its history grows and Andrews lays more ground work for Kate's larger journey in this series. I love the additional characters we met and how the characters from book one grew and changed. Kate has to play politics as well as battle magic in this series and, while her strong point really is in a fight, I love getting a taste of the political dance between battles. 

Book one showed what a tough character Kate is both in her physical prowess and her magical ability. However, the authors did such a good job closing her off from everyone they even closed her off to the audience. In book two the shell cracks open and we get to see more of Kate's personality outside of the tough mercenary.

Andrews also seemed to learn a lot from the first book and the writing and pacing really improved. Still waiting for this ship to really take shape and sail, but I know it is going to happen. I'll just wait and hope these two stubborn people figure it out ASAP.

My Review of Magic Bites