Lizz D. (ladyd2206) -
Helpful Score: 3
This book is another great example why Ilona Andrews is a wonderful author. This is Andrea Nash, beastkin extraordinaire and Kate Daniels' best friend's book.
Andrea is called upon by Jim to help on a case dealing with her ex-boyfriend's business, and in the process, deal with her own demons, as well as the issues with ex. Andrea runs across some interesting snakes, and a Russian volhv that has the hots for her.
Andrea struggles against who she is, and it's really fun watching her discover herself, and realize that she likes her true self. It's also fun to see the romance that is in there, and the sub-romance plot that makes its way into the story.
This book will not leave you disappointed. It takes place in the Kate Daniels world, but it stars Andrea, not Kate. Ilona Andrews once again plays on her readers' emotions, and we are all pulling for Andrea to succeed.
While you don't see a lot of Kate and Curran, they do make the occasional appearance, and this is Andrea's story anyways. This book could've turned out really awful, as some "spin-offs" have a tendency to do, but never fear, Ilona and Gordon once again pulled off a magnificent read. Oh, and when you pick up this book, either on Kindle/Nook, or in paperback, be sure to flip to the back and read Magic Gifts first, as it takes place before Gunmetal Magic.
Andrea is called upon by Jim to help on a case dealing with her ex-boyfriend's business, and in the process, deal with her own demons, as well as the issues with ex. Andrea runs across some interesting snakes, and a Russian volhv that has the hots for her.
Andrea struggles against who she is, and it's really fun watching her discover herself, and realize that she likes her true self. It's also fun to see the romance that is in there, and the sub-romance plot that makes its way into the story.
This book will not leave you disappointed. It takes place in the Kate Daniels world, but it stars Andrea, not Kate. Ilona Andrews once again plays on her readers' emotions, and we are all pulling for Andrea to succeed.
While you don't see a lot of Kate and Curran, they do make the occasional appearance, and this is Andrea's story anyways. This book could've turned out really awful, as some "spin-offs" have a tendency to do, but never fear, Ilona and Gordon once again pulled off a magnificent read. Oh, and when you pick up this book, either on Kindle/Nook, or in paperback, be sure to flip to the back and read Magic Gifts first, as it takes place before Gunmetal Magic.
Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels World, Bk 1) on + 2527 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is the 5.5th book in the Kate Daniels series and the 1st book in the Kate Daniels World series which features side characters from the Kate Daniels series. This book features Andrea Nash. It was a very well done book and it was good to hear Andreas back story and get more insight into her character.
I listened to this on audiobook and it was a very well done audiobook. It is read by the same lady who narrates the Kate Daniels series. She does an excellent job capturing the characters moods and voices.
Andrea is recovering from her expulsion from the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid and working at Cutting Edge (Kates investigative firm). She is hired by the Pack to look into a strange incident that happened at reclamation site of her ex-boyfriend Raphael. Four Bouda clan members were murdered near a vault at the reclamation site and it is up to Andrea to figure out who did it, why, and how. Of course she has to work with Raphael, who she is not on good terms with and has an extremely explosive relationship with.
The book starts a bit slow...first we have to get into Andreas story and then she spends a lot of time whining and avoiding Raphael. In the beginning of the book there are places where I wanted to smack Andrea and tell her to her stuff together. Things really pick up about 25% in though, as Andrea gets deeper into investigating the death of four Boudas.
Andrea is a good character, but she is definitely more of sidekick. Shes just too melodramatic and not witty enough to make her as fun to read about as Kate. Everything is black and white, life or death with her. She does change as the book goes on, but I still rolled my eyes at her drama at points. While this was an interesting book and I am glad it was written, I am also hoping this will be the only book from Andreas POV.
Raphael is kind of jerk for large portions of the book. Him and Andrea have a very on again, off again type of thing going on that was a bit frustrating and annoying to read about. He wasnt my favorite male lead. Him and Andrea definitely have good chemistry though.
I loved the addition of Rowan (the black mage) to the story. He is quirky and funny and has some awesome powers. I really hope we see more of him in future books. He is what really made this book a fun and interesting read for me. We also meet some excellent new magical baddies in this book as well...love the crazy snake people!
The book is full of some absolutely wonderful action scenes. There is also the whole mating tradition going on between Andrea and Raphael where they see who can play the biggest practical joke on the other. Some of these scenes were hilarious and all I have to say is...purple shag carpet...enough said.
The story ties up nicely and the book is well written.
Overall this is a good addition to the Kate Daniels world. It was nice to hear Andreas full background and watch her transition from a Knight of Mericful Aid, to something not quite as law-abiding and a lot more dangerous. Andrea doesnt have the humor and wit Kate has and she is a bit too melodramatic for my liking; so I didnt like her as much as Kate in the role of heroine. Andrea and Raphael have great chemistry but their on again off again relationship bugged me a bit. There are some very funny scenes in here, we get to spend more time with Rowan, and we meet some wonderful new magical baddies. Definitely not my favorite book in this series, but its still a good urban fantasy read. I definitely recommend this book if you love urban fantasy or if you are a fan of the Kate Daniels series in general. I would recommend the Kate Daniels books over this one though if you are a first time reader of the Andrews.
I listened to this on audiobook and it was a very well done audiobook. It is read by the same lady who narrates the Kate Daniels series. She does an excellent job capturing the characters moods and voices.
Andrea is recovering from her expulsion from the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid and working at Cutting Edge (Kates investigative firm). She is hired by the Pack to look into a strange incident that happened at reclamation site of her ex-boyfriend Raphael. Four Bouda clan members were murdered near a vault at the reclamation site and it is up to Andrea to figure out who did it, why, and how. Of course she has to work with Raphael, who she is not on good terms with and has an extremely explosive relationship with.
The book starts a bit slow...first we have to get into Andreas story and then she spends a lot of time whining and avoiding Raphael. In the beginning of the book there are places where I wanted to smack Andrea and tell her to her stuff together. Things really pick up about 25% in though, as Andrea gets deeper into investigating the death of four Boudas.
Andrea is a good character, but she is definitely more of sidekick. Shes just too melodramatic and not witty enough to make her as fun to read about as Kate. Everything is black and white, life or death with her. She does change as the book goes on, but I still rolled my eyes at her drama at points. While this was an interesting book and I am glad it was written, I am also hoping this will be the only book from Andreas POV.
Raphael is kind of jerk for large portions of the book. Him and Andrea have a very on again, off again type of thing going on that was a bit frustrating and annoying to read about. He wasnt my favorite male lead. Him and Andrea definitely have good chemistry though.
I loved the addition of Rowan (the black mage) to the story. He is quirky and funny and has some awesome powers. I really hope we see more of him in future books. He is what really made this book a fun and interesting read for me. We also meet some excellent new magical baddies in this book as well...love the crazy snake people!
The book is full of some absolutely wonderful action scenes. There is also the whole mating tradition going on between Andrea and Raphael where they see who can play the biggest practical joke on the other. Some of these scenes were hilarious and all I have to say is...purple shag carpet...enough said.
The story ties up nicely and the book is well written.
Overall this is a good addition to the Kate Daniels world. It was nice to hear Andreas full background and watch her transition from a Knight of Mericful Aid, to something not quite as law-abiding and a lot more dangerous. Andrea doesnt have the humor and wit Kate has and she is a bit too melodramatic for my liking; so I didnt like her as much as Kate in the role of heroine. Andrea and Raphael have great chemistry but their on again off again relationship bugged me a bit. There are some very funny scenes in here, we get to spend more time with Rowan, and we meet some wonderful new magical baddies. Definitely not my favorite book in this series, but its still a good urban fantasy read. I definitely recommend this book if you love urban fantasy or if you are a fan of the Kate Daniels series in general. I would recommend the Kate Daniels books over this one though if you are a first time reader of the Andrews.
