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A review by kinx128
Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews
5.0
Gunmetal Magic is an amazing tale of urban fantasy. This is by far the best book written by the husband and wife team, Ilona Andrews. Kate Daniels is one of my favorite urban fantasy series and Gunmetal Magic is the first spin-off from this series. Ilona and Gordon have created an incredible world of magic, mystery and suspense with Andrea Nash at its center.
Andrea Nash is a flawed and broken woman. This is her story of self-discovery and acceptance. She was severely brutalized as a child while living in a Bouda clan in Texas. Ever since, she has fought against being a hyena shapeshifter. Her world consisted of being a Knight and enforcing law and order. In the beginning of Gunmetal Magic, she is truly lost. No longer a Knight, she finds herself waking up night after night in her closet, holding a knife and protecting herself from ghosts. Ilona and Gordon described her pain and agony with such depth that I could really feel her pain. Watching her struggle and emerge into her true self, was amazing to behold.
Besides having to deal with her abusive ghosts, Andrea had to deal with her former lover, Raphael. He is the male alpha of the Bouda Clan where his mother, Aunt B, is the true Alpha. Raphael has been spoiled his entire life. He has been coddled and has never been denied anything. When Andrea lost her Knighthood, she retreated into her own world to heal. Raphael interpreted that as a total rejection of him and his clan. Andrea can’t forgive him for not being patient and rejecting her. Will love be enough and salvage their relationship? In most of the Kate Daniels series, the romance aspect is not a big part of the overall plot. However, in Gunmetal Magic, Andrea and Raphael’s relationship play a significant role throughout the book. Ilona and Gordon don’t portray their relationship as all moonlight and roses. It’s rough and unpredictable (watch out for purple carpet!), very fitting for an urban fantasy novel.
I think my favorite character is Ascanio, the 15 year-old male Bouda that works as an intern at Cutting Edge. He provides a bit of welcomed comic relief. He is full of spit and vinegar and wants to prove himself. In the beginning, Ascanio is a sarcastic young kid. By the end, he is taking orders and proving that he can be trusted. He respects Andrea and wants to help her but at the same time; he doesn’t want to upset the Bouda Clan. He is able to find a solution that helps Andrea come to terms with the clan. Overall, he is really a great character and I hope he gets more time in the upcoming books.
Another amazing character is the city of Atlanta. Of all the Kate Daniels books, Gunmetal Magic has the best descriptions of the Post-Shift, apocalyptic Atlanta. The images are so rich you feel can magic dripping off the trees. Ilona and Gordon’s Post-Shift is so unique. When the magic hits and the technology goes down, everything changes. It’s a magical world where people ride horses, mules and camels and skyscrapers come crumbling down. It’s dark but vivid. The magic has texture that you can feel throughout the book.
Gunmetal Magic is an incredible read. Once you enter the Kate Daniel World, you won’t want to come out.
Andrea Nash is a flawed and broken woman. This is her story of self-discovery and acceptance. She was severely brutalized as a child while living in a Bouda clan in Texas. Ever since, she has fought against being a hyena shapeshifter. Her world consisted of being a Knight and enforcing law and order. In the beginning of Gunmetal Magic, she is truly lost. No longer a Knight, she finds herself waking up night after night in her closet, holding a knife and protecting herself from ghosts. Ilona and Gordon described her pain and agony with such depth that I could really feel her pain. Watching her struggle and emerge into her true self, was amazing to behold.
Besides having to deal with her abusive ghosts, Andrea had to deal with her former lover, Raphael. He is the male alpha of the Bouda Clan where his mother, Aunt B, is the true Alpha. Raphael has been spoiled his entire life. He has been coddled and has never been denied anything. When Andrea lost her Knighthood, she retreated into her own world to heal. Raphael interpreted that as a total rejection of him and his clan. Andrea can’t forgive him for not being patient and rejecting her. Will love be enough and salvage their relationship? In most of the Kate Daniels series, the romance aspect is not a big part of the overall plot. However, in Gunmetal Magic, Andrea and Raphael’s relationship play a significant role throughout the book. Ilona and Gordon don’t portray their relationship as all moonlight and roses. It’s rough and unpredictable (watch out for purple carpet!), very fitting for an urban fantasy novel.
I think my favorite character is Ascanio, the 15 year-old male Bouda that works as an intern at Cutting Edge. He provides a bit of welcomed comic relief. He is full of spit and vinegar and wants to prove himself. In the beginning, Ascanio is a sarcastic young kid. By the end, he is taking orders and proving that he can be trusted. He respects Andrea and wants to help her but at the same time; he doesn’t want to upset the Bouda Clan. He is able to find a solution that helps Andrea come to terms with the clan. Overall, he is really a great character and I hope he gets more time in the upcoming books.
Another amazing character is the city of Atlanta. Of all the Kate Daniels books, Gunmetal Magic has the best descriptions of the Post-Shift, apocalyptic Atlanta. The images are so rich you feel can magic dripping off the trees. Ilona and Gordon’s Post-Shift is so unique. When the magic hits and the technology goes down, everything changes. It’s a magical world where people ride horses, mules and camels and skyscrapers come crumbling down. It’s dark but vivid. The magic has texture that you can feel throughout the book.
Gunmetal Magic is an incredible read. Once you enter the Kate Daniel World, you won’t want to come out.