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Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels #8)
Ilona Andrews
Published: Aug. 4, 2015 (Ace)
Purchase: Book Depository or Amazon
Review source: copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review
Reviewed by: Krista
Rating (out of 5): 4.5 stars
Note: While this review will be spoiler free, it will make reference to previous books in the series. If you haven’t started yet, check out VBC’s review of book 1, Magic Bites.
Magic Shifts is the follow up to Magic Breaks, the seventh novel in the Kate Daniels series and the original intended series conclusion book. As a fan I was ecstatic to find out that the series was being extended and as a reader I was relieved because I felt trying to wrap up the overarching storyline in the seventh book wouldn’t do justice to the world Andrews has created. So Magic Shifts is the first step in extending the series beyond the original storyline and the question is whether Andrews was successful. In my somewhat bias opinion (llona Andrews is one of my favorite authors), yeah they are.
At the beginning of Magic Shifts, Kate and Curran have stepped down as Beast Lord and Consort and separated from the pack. Cutting Edge is starting to take off and they are settling into their lives as a suburban husband and wife, kind of. It’s as if Kate doesn’t trust it; doesn’t trust that this will be enough for Curran and that someone won’t come take it away from her. She pretty much is just waiting for the other shoe to drop (pardon the cliché). Surprisingly though when trouble does come it’s not directed at them, at least not at first. Kate and Curran come home to find George on their doorstep looking for their help finding her fiancé Eduardo.
One of the things I appreciate about Andrew’s writing is that there are consequences. The hero isn’t always going to come out unscathed. There can or will be a price to pay. You can argue saying that Kate and Curran do get their happy ending but really look back at what they have also lost. Kate and Curran both have to learn what claiming Atlanta and walking away from the Pack will cost them. For the reader this is a much different story than we have become familiar with. I also adore that Kate isn’t some Mary Sue character who always does the right thing, has the right answer or the right power to win the day. Kate’s mistakes and limitations just make her that more interesting.
As much as I enjoyed this latest outing I was almost constantly wondering where they were going. Yes, I loved how much they flushed out post-shift Atlanta, the action scenes were spot on and the dynamic between Kate and Curran is as enthralling as ever. These books are never read slowly, more like inhaled as quickly as I can read them. They move fast with little to no down time. But it wasn’t until the very last sentence that I had my WTF moment and was able to see everything clearly. Well played, Andrews. Well played.
Magic Shifts could be considered a book between books, but it is a book between books done right. It laid the foundation for upcoming books without detracting from its own plot and story. I feel as if there is now an endgame insight. I am completely on board with the shift the series has taken and I am eager to see how everything plays out.
Sexual content: sex
Magic Breaks was my fave so far. We finally got to meet Roland.
Yes. I agree.
Love this series, looking forward to seeing how kate copes with having Curran around full time!
I can’t wait to get my hands on this book or listen to Renee on audio. I LOVE Kate Daniels!!!!
Pick a favorite Ilona Andrews book??? That’s like asking a parent to pick a favorite child! My answer is…whichever one I am reading.
Can’t wait! 😀
Love this series and I don’t think I could pick one favorite.
My favourite book is always the last one! But I do have a serious love of Dali and Andrea – anything featuring either of them I love. TBH anything featuring Kate or Curran rocks too. I also like The Fringe series and Burn for Me. Ok, I practically said I like all their books didn’t I?
Omg I love Andrews’ books! Can’t wait to read it
Love this series. I think the first book is my favorite because everyone is introduced.
I would have to say Magic Slays. The Midnight Games, the hot tub. It was terrific.
Thanks!
Magic Strikes was one of my favorites. I also loved Burn for Me in the new series!
I love everything they write!
So friggin excited about this one I can even tell you. 🙂
I think Magic Strikes or Magic Rises is my favorite. And possible Magic Breaks. Don’t make me choose!
I love their work and I can’t choose one book!!
Great Review! I loved this one, but like you mention, I may be a little biased because Ilona Andrews is one of my faves. But they’re my faves for a reason. They keep putting out great stories with great characters.
I love Ilona Andrews – they are a great team and I love all of their work!!
Can’t honestly pick a favorite, I’ve loved everything they’ve put out and it’s sad to think that Kate and Curran are starting to come to an end.
I don’t think I could pick any one favorite. The whole series has been great!
I cannot wait but must wait to read this. Vacation and 6 hour plane ride happens two days after it will be downloaded to the kindle, must wait for plane ride to read…must wait…must…wait…
I absolutely love this series, it’s my favorite in the UF genre. I can’t wait to read this last installement. Even if I’ve loved all the books, I think I have a weakness for Magic Strikes and Magic Bleeds.
Magic Bites because “Here kitty” Kills me every time.
Currently in love with the first of the Edge books, but I expect Magic Shifts to be top of the list as of August 4th…
I love all of Ilona Andrews’s books! My favorite Kate Daniels book has to be Magic Slays!
I know its bad but ive never read any of them 🙁 …. i have sooo many in my tbr list!
I think my favorite Kate Daniels stories have actually been some of the short stories I’ve come across in various collections. Somehow they seem to “stick” in my memory better, although I’ll admit that every time I read one of the novels I end up wondering why I don’t read them more often because they are such a fun romp!
Sounds wonderful!
Love this books!! Hope I win
Magic Bleeds is my favorite! Love them all though! Such a great series.
So excited to get this book into my hot little hands. I adore the Andrew’s writing. They do such a great job!
Gives me now! I totally inhaled the last book in one 6 hour sitting. Im am so excited for this!
I haven’t read her yet but I think I’ll like her.
I’ve read a few of the books from this series. I especially like the hyenas. I liked the books, but they are farther down in my TBR pile than Jane Yellowrock or Mercy Thompson.
Never read get books, but a genre I like!
Can’t pick a fave, other than this is my favorite series. Love them.
I equally love Magic Strikes and Magic Bleeds! I can’t wait to read the new one!
Can not wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so amped for this book!
Of course I’m a fan! Love them! My favorite would have to be a three way tie between Magic Slays, Magic Bleeds and Magic Breaks.
Ahhh I can’t wait for this book!
Nice, thanks for giveaway
I can’t choose a favorite they’re all amazing
This is one of my favorite series and I am so desperate for this next book. It is hard to pick a favorite, since I have loved every book but I did really enjoy Magic Breaks and meeting Roland.
My favorite Ilona Andrews book is “Burned”!
Gah! Can’t pick a favorite! <3 them all!!!
I love all their books. Just reread the whole Kate Daniels series to get ready for Magic Shifts. Each book keeps getting better!
I’m gonna have to go with either Magic Breaks or Magic Rises. I love how much more confident Kate and Curran are as a couple and discovering Kate’s power. While I tend to reread the entire series several times a year, I tend to go to those 2 books more often 🙂 I’m dyyyyyying for this newest book! 5 more days to go!!!!!
I am a huge fan. I think my favorite book is always and forever… the newest one out. 😀
Pick just one favourite?! I love them all! My most fave right now would be Magic Breaks because we’re finally introduced to Roland. The dynamics between the characters is great. I also liked learning more about Ghastek.
I love the entire series- my favorite would have to be Magic Bleeds though 🙂