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A review by renpuspita
Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews
adventurous
challenging
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
4.5
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!
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
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content and Medical trauma
Minor: Rape and Death of parent