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ransomoney's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
This book from Andrea’s s perspective me think for the first time about the “warrior” form of the shapeshifters. I can’t stop picturing the anamorphs covers now.
Speaking of covers. I love how these covers keep on getting worse and worse. I love it so much because the books are great and the covers are truely terrible. It makes me love it more.
Speaking of covers. I love how these covers keep on getting worse and worse. I love it so much because the books are great and the covers are truely terrible. It makes me love it more.
elbyjosie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
amym84's review against another edition
5.0
I was impressed with this book. I absolutely love the Kate Daniels series and I've loved every book / story that Ilona Andrews has written for the series including the novellas for anthologies which have featured a different POV than Kate. I was a little unsure how I would like a full-length book with Andrea as the narrator. I like her character, but I like how she is through Kate's narration. Plus, not having Kate and Curran in the foreground wasn't something I thought I would like.
Gunmetal Magic starts off after the events in Magic Slays. There's still a lot of things that Andrea has to deal with in regards to the pack and mainly Raphael after she left at the end of Magic Bleeds. She hasn't spoken to Raphael since their fight and she figures things with them are probably off for good, but she still has feelings for him. Both of them are full of pride and feel like the other doesn't understand each other's actions with the Erra situation.
I'm glad to say that Ilona Andrews doesn't skirt around the issue. We all know it's there, and it will get dealt with. I like that it's acknowledged and it's not Andrea and Raphael avoiding each other the whole book but we only get to hear internally what Andrea is feeling. They put all their issues on the table and each of them has to decide if the relationship is worth it. There's a lot of work that has to be done on both sides becuase honestly in my opinion I can see this situation from both points of view and I think they were both equally hurt by the other.
Kate and Curran are still around don't worry. They are off on their own adventure for a little bit (see the extra included short story Magic Gifts at the end) but they eventually join in to help Andrea and crew find out what killed 4 shapshifters on one of Raphaels dig sites. Which leads into an investigation of gods of all sorts.
I'm always impressed with the historical mythology that Ilona Andrews provide. They obviously spend a lot of time with research and it shows. I like that just by reading the books you can tell they really put 110% into it and really it should be that way with every author / story they write.
I think if you happened to pick this book up at random and read it, you wouldn't be lost, but I think it's much more enhanced knowing all the background information and where everyone was coming from beforehand going into the story.
This writing goup just keeps getting better and I can't wait until their next release (regardless of which series because they also have an awesome series "The Edge" with [b:Steel's Edge|12119496|Steel's Edge (The Edge, #4)|Ilona Andrews|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1341723527s/12119496.jpg|17088789] book #4 coming out in November). Until Then!
Gunmetal Magic starts off after the events in Magic Slays. There's still a lot of things that Andrea has to deal with in regards to the pack and mainly Raphael after she left at the end of Magic Bleeds. She hasn't spoken to Raphael since their fight and she figures things with them are probably off for good, but she still has feelings for him. Both of them are full of pride and feel like the other doesn't understand each other's actions with the Erra situation.
I'm glad to say that Ilona Andrews doesn't skirt around the issue. We all know it's there, and it will get dealt with. I like that it's acknowledged and it's not Andrea and Raphael avoiding each other the whole book but we only get to hear internally what Andrea is feeling. They put all their issues on the table and each of them has to decide if the relationship is worth it. There's a lot of work that has to be done on both sides becuase honestly in my opinion I can see this situation from both points of view and I think they were both equally hurt by the other.
Kate and Curran are still around don't worry. They are off on their own adventure for a little bit (see the extra included short story Magic Gifts at the end) but they eventually join in to help Andrea and crew find out what killed 4 shapshifters on one of Raphaels dig sites. Which leads into an investigation of gods of all sorts.
I'm always impressed with the historical mythology that Ilona Andrews provide. They obviously spend a lot of time with research and it shows. I like that just by reading the books you can tell they really put 110% into it and really it should be that way with every author / story they write.
I think if you happened to pick this book up at random and read it, you wouldn't be lost, but I think it's much more enhanced knowing all the background information and where everyone was coming from beforehand going into the story.
This writing goup just keeps getting better and I can't wait until their next release (regardless of which series because they also have an awesome series "The Edge" with [b:Steel's Edge|12119496|Steel's Edge (The Edge, #4)|Ilona Andrews|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1341723527s/12119496.jpg|17088789] book #4 coming out in November). Until Then!
pixip's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely love the character of Andrea and am so glad she got her own stand alone book. She didn't disappoint at all the story was fantastic and fast paced and left me unable to put it down. It was great to see her bond with Asciano more and even better to find out more about her past. My only slight niggle with the book was the confrontation with her final tormentor from her youth it felt a little rushed like it was squeezed into the book.
Otherwise loved it and also really loved Roman he was a surprising addition to this book.
Otherwise loved it and also really loved Roman he was a surprising addition to this book.
divapitbull's review against another edition
4.0
GM takes place in the Kate Daniel's world with the same cast of characters. The timeline of the story overlaps the events in the Magic Gifts novella which is included. GM is told from the POV of Andrea Nash, Kate's BFF. Andrea is back from her self imposed, "I gotta find myself" exile and coming to terms with her Beastkin nature. Jim, the Alpha of Clan Cat and Curran's head of security pulls Andrea into a murder investigation since Kate and Curren are occupied with the events happening in Magic Gifts. Andrea's investigation into the murders brings her back into contact with her ex. beau Raphael; who she hasn't seen since their big argument and Andrea hieing off into parts unknown after the battle with Kate's aunt.
I like Andrea. Overall I think she's a pretty tough cookie and a decent female lead; but I wasn't on her side with the whole "relationship conflict fiasco". When you add up all the events from the beginning - I kinda side with Raphael and I felt he was the injured party. Still I liked their bantering and I enjoy the humor the authors inject into the story. I liked Andrea's comaraderie with Ascanio. I really like Roman and hope he continues to make an appearance in future installments.
Magic Gifts is a short story that seems to set the stage for Magic Rises with regard to Kate's re-involvement in the Mercenary Guild. There are some fun moments between Kate and Ghastek - everyone's favorite Master of the Dead.
I like Andrea. Overall I think she's a pretty tough cookie and a decent female lead; but I wasn't on her side with the whole "relationship conflict fiasco". When you add up all the events from the beginning - I kinda side with Raphael and I felt he was the injured party. Still I liked their bantering and I enjoy the humor the authors inject into the story. I liked Andrea's comaraderie with Ascanio. I really like Roman and hope he continues to make an appearance in future installments.
Magic Gifts is a short story that seems to set the stage for Magic Rises with regard to Kate's re-involvement in the Mercenary Guild. There are some fun moments between Kate and Ghastek - everyone's favorite Master of the Dead.
indecisivesailorscout's review against another edition
5.0
*2nd read*
I actually felt like it dragged a bit this time, and while I loved everything up until Raphael and Andrea got back together, everything after that point was kind of meh. It's still a great addition to the series and explains what happened to Raphael in book 5 (and why things were totally fine between Andi & Raphael from book 6 onwards) ((also, the fact that everyone calls her Andi. Melt my heart, why don't you.))
4.5 stars - I liked this a lot more than I thought I would, and really enjoyed this point of view in the story. There are a couple things I didn't like, but they were few and far between. Keep it up, Ilona :)
I actually felt like it dragged a bit this time, and while I loved everything up until Raphael and Andrea got back together, everything after that point was kind of meh. It's still a great addition to the series and explains what happened to Raphael in book 5 (and why things were totally fine between Andi & Raphael from book 6 onwards) ((also, the fact that everyone calls her Andi. Melt my heart, why don't you.))
4.5 stars - I liked this a lot more than I thought I would, and really enjoyed this point of view in the story. There are a couple things I didn't like, but they were few and far between. Keep it up, Ilona :)
papidoc's review against another edition
3.0
Andrea comes to terms with her "beastkin" nature, reunites with Raphael, and conquers an Egyptian god.
lectorliber04's review against another edition
5.0
Ilona Andrews can do no wrong, in fact they get better and better. Their heroines are utterly amazing. Andrea Nash deserved another story and her happily ever after which of course had to be won with sweat, blood -lots of blood- and love. Raphael got under my skin for a bit, however, little by little he earned my respect. This is a story about Andrea coming to terms with her painful and horrible past as well as her acceptance that it is okay to belong and lean on friends. I liked Andrea from the beginning of the series. Like Kate she has a past which hunts her to this day and because of that past her walls are that much taller. She is strong and although damaged Andrea hasn't lost her humanity, on the contrary, she cares a lot about justice.
While investigating a multiple murder she has no choice but to interact with Raphael, her ex-lover.
Raphael and Andrea had broken up in a previous book and how they finally mended their relationship was a thing of beauty and this is why I love Ilona's take on relationships. Their attraction was real, didn't feel manufactured. I found myself yelling at both of them at times. Pride and stubbornness don't mix well and these two had them in spades. Andrea and Raphael had to first, rant and vent for a time, hurt each other a bit more, then play and flirt and lastly they had to talk about how they hurt each other, why they both reacted the way they did. So not only did they had to kill a god but they had to fix themselves. Fix not to be perfect but to accept their mistakes and rely more on the love for each other than cling to their pride.
One scene I'll never forget. One of Andrea's abusers, Michelle comes to the Keep to ask to be a member of the pack. Andrea recognises her and her rage and thirst for revenge overcame her. The way Raphael handled it was tender, understanding and filled with love. He paid no mind to Michelle but to Andrea, never dismissing her right to feel angry or hurt, talking her out of killing Michelle in front of her children. Thanks to Raphael, Andrea could finally close the most painful chapter of her life and look forward to a future with Raphael and her Pack. So much love and understanding from a man I never liked before. Raphael won me over. He earned Andrea's love and respect. Oh, and Kate and Curran graced us with their presence and that was awesome.
Ms Raudman is one of my favourite narrators. She has different voices for all characters and does it superbly. She is now part of the Kate Daniels universe and hope it never changes because I can't imagine listening to Kate, Curran, Andrea, Raphael and the others with somebody else's voice but Renée Raudman.
While investigating a multiple murder she has no choice but to interact with Raphael, her ex-lover.
Raphael and Andrea had broken up in a previous book and how they finally mended their relationship was a thing of beauty and this is why I love Ilona's take on relationships. Their attraction was real, didn't feel manufactured. I found myself yelling at both of them at times. Pride and stubbornness don't mix well and these two had them in spades. Andrea and Raphael had to first, rant and vent for a time, hurt each other a bit more, then play and flirt and lastly they had to talk about how they hurt each other, why they both reacted the way they did. So not only did they had to kill a god but they had to fix themselves. Fix not to be perfect but to accept their mistakes and rely more on the love for each other than cling to their pride.
One scene I'll never forget. One of Andrea's abusers, Michelle comes to the Keep to ask to be a member of the pack. Andrea recognises her and her rage and thirst for revenge overcame her. The way Raphael handled it was tender, understanding and filled with love. He paid no mind to Michelle but to Andrea, never dismissing her right to feel angry or hurt, talking her out of killing Michelle in front of her children. Thanks to Raphael, Andrea could finally close the most painful chapter of her life and look forward to a future with Raphael and her Pack. So much love and understanding from a man I never liked before. Raphael won me over. He earned Andrea's love and respect. Oh, and Kate and Curran graced us with their presence and that was awesome.
Ms Raudman is one of my favourite narrators. She has different voices for all characters and does it superbly. She is now part of the Kate Daniels universe and hope it never changes because I can't imagine listening to Kate, Curran, Andrea, Raphael and the others with somebody else's voice but Renée Raudman.