"When magic strikes and Atlanta goes to pieces, it's a job for Kate Daniels."Magic Strikes, by Ilona Andrews, is the third novel in the Kate Daniels series. After Kate, mercenary for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, discovers werewolf Derek nearly dead, she must face her greatest challenge yet, something she hasn't experienced in nearly ten years. Mysterious ancient beings with unknown magical abilities desire to grab their hands on a powerful gem that could destroy the entire Atlanta shape-shifting community.
She also promises Jim, a were-cat and head of security, to not reveal the details of the heinous crime to the Beast Lord. Her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games, an invitation-only preternatural gladiatorial event. The winners proceed to the next round and the losers suffer an early grave. It will be up to Kate and her shape-shifting companions to stop the dark, apocalyptic plot fairly and squarely.
I am officially hooked to this series. I finished this book in three days! I love the main characters in the Kate Daniels universe. The authors also incorporate a mix of Norse, Hindu and Asian mythology to spice up the mystery and action. The Midnight Games eerily resembles the gladiator tournaments in Ancient Rome. I also thought of Kate in the role of Katniss in the The Hunger Games. In a few weeks, I will start on the novella, Magic Mourns, which takes place right after Magic Strikes.
Readers will learn how Curran became the Beast Lord, and how Kate's ancestry gives her special magical abilities. Curran is a menacing heartthrob who is willing to risk his life for Kate. Despite her stubborn demeanor, Kate also fears how a romantic relationship could damage her image professionally (Readers will also discover both are six years apart in age). It's a risk she's not willing to make despite her true feelings. She is also pushed to her limits when one of her friends is brutally tortured beyond recognition. She feels responsible and vows to fight to the brink of death to amend things before more people get hurt. Readers will feel very empathetic to Kate, and learn how she became who she is today. It's another reason why I like her character so much.
Stay tuned for the next novel in the Kate Daniels series, Magic Bleeds.
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