Reviews

We take a break from Kate's adventure and now it's time for her bestie, Andrea Nash to take the spotlight. Her story also told from 1st PoV and while Andrea is ofc kickass and badass like Kate, their voice is different. Gunmetal Magic is pretty much Andrea's full story, about her growth, her acceptance of her beastkin nature and her relationship with her bouda lover, Raphael Medrano. Through Magic Bleeds and Magic Slays, reader get to know about Andrea's fallen from grace, not only she got "retired" (more like expelled) from the Order of the Merciful Aid, Raphael also disappointed because apparently Andrea choose the Order rather than the Pack. Can't blame the man, though. He really fallin in love hard especially shown from the novella Magic Mourns. But, we forget that he also spoiled brat, so what he did to Andrea in the first part of the book is pretty much mean and cruel. But, I'm glad that their falling out get resolved quick and no need to prolong the drama.

In Gunmetal Magic, Andrea finally embrace her beastkin and also relent to Aunt B's request for her to join Clan Bouda. The last part kinda feel a little bit anticlimatic knowing Andrea in the previous books is pretty gung ho to reject the Pack. Or maybe, just maybe by accept her beastkin nature, it's the way of Andrea to tell "Oh, I have enough!!". So, while her joining Clan Bouda seems a little bit of nowhere, I think Andrea also did it because of her relationship with Raphael. Speaking about relationship, I crack up when reading part of Kate tell Andrea that her relationship with Raphael is pretty much like Spanish telenovella. Complete with tortured glances and twin brothers comment, lel. But, yeah, both Andrea and Raphael are dramatic, drama queen is their middle name. Bouda hyenas sure love dramas and make a statement. Although, I like that Raphael is not uber jealous and territorial like Curran. It's shown that he didn't mean when Roman get closed to Andrea, although of course both men still bickering and punching each other. The breaking and entering between Raphael and Andrea is of course hilarious as hell and one of my favorite scene as well.

Speaking about Roman, a REALLY INTERESTING FELLA! Sigh, IA know how to make charming secondary male characters like Roman and Barabas. I cracked up reading Roman's comment "you shall not pass" and Andrea wry remarks about him now being Gandalf. This is why I love reading IA books, so many one punch liners that are witty, sarcastic and full of dry humor. The mystery itself pretty solid and I like the touch of Egypt and Slavic myth. I like IA's take regarding the origin of mythology, legend and god's worship. There are a hint about First, a mix of human and animal that apparently are more special than ordinary human. Erra already said that Curran is a First in Magic Bleed and in this book, the enemy also said that they avoid the Pack because the Pack is lead by Curran, a First. Pretty much intriguing, huh.

Gunmetal Magic also have a bonus novella, Magic Gifts that back to Kate and Curran. The timeline of this novella apparently happen before and within the timeline of Gunmetal Magic and some part of the novella and the novel are intertwined. We get a glimpse into Neo Viking Heritage, a community that have Viking ways not Viking people, so even you are not born in Skandinavia or something as long you willing to embrace your viking way, you will get accepted. The situation about the Mercenary Guild also got solved and show the glimpse that behind all that arrogance and jealousy, Curran is a strategic thinker and really a manipulator to the core. The scene when Kate and Curran have a date is my favorite because it's rare to see them being relaxed and pretty much in love for each other.

A good book in Kate Daniels world that show glimpse into our favorite Bouda beastkin, Andrea Nash and her personal growth!

Content Warnings

austinisweird's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

sophiarose1816's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

As I continue through the Kate Daniels series, I have come to enjoy many of the colorful side characters too. Gunmetal Magic steps aside from Kate as the lead and puts Andrea Nash in the hot seat as a heroine. I enjoyed watching her grow. She was already a scrappy fighter and tough woman because her early years were horrific and she had to fight for everything. However, she had some personal growing to do which involved accepting herself, accepting that others would accept her real self, and trusting others to help. She had to hit rock bottom before this all could take place. So in true fashion, the authors write her an exciting case that coincidentally involves Rafael and manages to segundo in Kate and the rest of the gang as back up.

Andrea is a fun if exasperating heroine that I enjoyed to read along with her as the narrator. She has a stubborn-streak, a flair for drama (what bouda worth their salt doesn't?), and a wicked sense of humor. I was thrilled by the exciting investigation adventures and bit my lip with groans as Rafael pulled a cruel stunt and then it was game on between him and Andrea.

One of the characters, Roman, the dark mage, who appeared earlier in the series was a compelling character and I really hope to encounter more of him as the series progresses.

It was definitely worth the read and fans of Kate Daniels would miss out if they skipped it. Kate and Curran are there so its not exactly a drought of their presence.

Renee Raudman continues as the series narrator and I enjoyed her storytelling and handling of a lot of characters. I was not as keen on the way she had Andrea do that whisper-whine thing when she was stressing. But this was small potatoes.

All together, both stories were fantastic and all round delicious Urban Fantasy that leaves me hungry for more.

orchid_2023's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

blessedwannab's review against another edition

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4.0

Oh MAN, how I missed this series! I can not believe I put off reading this baby for so long! What the heck was I thinking!?

I patted my horse's neck. Her name was Sugar and she had come from the Keep stables. She was a Tennessee Walker, smart and calm, with high endurance. I liked her color too-she was a red roan of such a pale shade, she almost looked pink.
Kate smirked.
"What?"
"Your horse looks pink."
"So?"
"If you paste some stars on her butt, you'll be riding My Little Pony."

The best part of this book; Raphael, scrumdidlyumptious, that's what he is. I've had a thing for Raphael since I first met him oh so long ago, and he did not disappoint at all. I didn't even care that Bouda's become stinking Hyena's, lmao (sorry, my brain connects Hyena's to Lion King and Clan of the Cave Bear). Something about his 'crazy manic cackle' was effing sexy!

Speaking of the crazy manic cackles, can I just break here to say that I absolutely loved how absolutely insane these Bouda's were. Kate and Curran are both so intense and controlled, it was great seeing Andrea and Raphael who just are not. At least Andrea isn't anymore... I also really liked Ascenio. I'm looking forward to seeing where he's going.

Second best part of this book; snippets of Curran and Kate. Man, I love these two. The big fearsome Beast Lord and his smart mouth badass consort, who love to snuggle and cuddle each other. Love them, and I'm so excited to move onto Magic Rises!

I knew what waited behind the door. Raphael and his mother. A few members of Clan Bouda. Kate and Curran. My friends, my alpha, my mate, and the new future. For once, I wouldn't have to hide who I was.
I opened the door.

verydistinctive's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ravenslanding's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Andrea and Raphael 4evah.

I enjoyed this foray into the passionate and melodramatic bouda world, and loved spending time with Andrea and Raphael. I suspect if I didn't have the foundation of the rest of the series I mightve found the dealing with Andrea's backstory too quick, but I think it in clear that Andrea is already healed from her horrific childhood.And being healed doesn't mean there isn't still pain or that it doesn't inform your choices or make decisions more difficult.

I love how for one another they are, even tho they aren't perfect and struggle to jave the hard conversations.

Basically, once again, I loved every minute in the Kate Daniels world with the whole crew.

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