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wealie 's review for:
Gunmetal Magic
by Ilona Andrews
Set in [a:Ilona Andrews|21748|Ilona Andrews|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1219436898p2/21748.jpg]' Kate Daniels universe, this novel focuses on Kate's best friend Andrea Nash and Raphael the Bouda and Clan Alpha of the werehyenas.
Though the book is a standalone story, it does continue on themes and references events from the previous books. You would also miss out on a lot of the world building if you skipped ahead. It's best to read the Kate Daniels Universe Books up to this point first to get the best from the story.
The plot is nicely paced, with great characters, good action and more myth expansion bringing in the ancient Egyptians. There's great interplay between Andrea and Raphael, with the young Bouda Ascanio providing some welcome laughs to the mix and a few scenes with Kate and Curran that are sweet, but don't detract from the main action. All round a strong read and well worth picking up.
A quick synopsis of Andrea and Raphael to date
There's a companion novella included - [b:Magic Gifts|13299211|Magic Gifts (Kate Daniels, #5.4)|Ilona Andrews|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1324799377s/13299211.jpg|18504471]. It begins just prior to the main novel and overlaps its ending with Gunmetal's beginning focusing on Kate and Curran dealing with Viking magic.
Spoiler
A hyena (Bouda) shapeshifter and rare/outlawed Beastkin and forcibly retired Knight of the Order of Merciful Aid as she's been outed as BeastkinThough the book is a standalone story, it does continue on themes and references events from the previous books. You would also miss out on a lot of the world building if you skipped ahead. It's best to read the Kate Daniels Universe Books up to this point first to get the best from the story.
The plot is nicely paced, with great characters, good action and more myth expansion bringing in the ancient Egyptians. There's great interplay between Andrea and Raphael, with the young Bouda Ascanio providing some welcome laughs to the mix and a few scenes with Kate and Curran that are sweet, but don't detract from the main action. All round a strong read and well worth picking up.
A quick synopsis of Andrea and Raphael to date
Spoiler
Raphael fell in love at first sight with Andrea, when Kate brings her to his mother, Bouda clan Alpha - Aunt B (females are the top dogs in the hyena clans) when she gets stuck mid shift. Over the course of the early books Raphael woos her in his Bouda way and they finally become a couple in [b:Magic Mourns|11027748|Magic Mourns (Kate Daniels, #3.5)|Ilona Andrews|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1362957568s/11027748.jpg|16633028]. They have a massive argument near the end of [b:Magic Bleeds|6479550|Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, #4)|Ilona Andrews|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1407110429s/6479550.jpg|6670775] over Andrea seemingly choosing the Order over the Pack and Raphael by association. At the end of Magic Bleeds Andrea disappears and Kaye and Raphael get a short note several days after the end of the action. Andrea reappears, but is avoiding Raphael through [b:Magic Slays|8559047|Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, #5)|Ilona Andrews|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1288727226s/8559047.jpg|13427398]. So, at the beginning of Gunmetal, the lovers are firmly in the 'Ex' zone, but there's still passion and love between them. Unfortunately there's also hurt feelings, battered pride and jealous fury. Throw in an Egyptian Demigod, a serpent as large as a pyramid and venemous snake people and there's lots to deal with.There's a companion novella included - [b:Magic Gifts|13299211|Magic Gifts (Kate Daniels, #5.4)|Ilona Andrews|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1324799377s/13299211.jpg|18504471]. It begins just prior to the main novel and overlaps its ending with Gunmetal's beginning focusing on Kate and Curran dealing with Viking magic.