Review: Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews

Title: Gunmetal Magic
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels, #5.5
Publisher: Ace
Release Date: July 31, 2012
Pages: 435
Rating:

The New York Times bestselling Kate Daniels novels have been hailed as “top-notch urban fantasy” (Monsters and Critics). Now, Ilona Andrews delves deeper into Kate’s world, and reveals its untold stories…

After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea’s whole existence is in shambles. She tries to put herself back together by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend.

When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano—the male alpha of the Clan Bouda, and Andrea’s former lover—die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate. Now she must work with Raphael as her search for the killer leads into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta. And dealing with her feelings for him might have to take a back seat to saving the world…

I pointed my fork at her. “Are you implying that our relationship is like a Spanish soap opera?” “I’m not implying. I’m saying it.”

I admit I was a little scared because I am a Kate and Curran lunatic! And I need my Kate and Curran fix, so when I heard about Andrea getting a full length book instead of Kate and Curran I had a fit! Surprise! Surprise! I did end up liking GUNMETAL MAGIC more than I thought I would. I"m so sorry I doubted you Ilona Andrews! I bow down before you greatness!

To me being a shapeshifter meant being hurt, degrades, and living in fear. Every bone in my body had been broken by shapeshifter a before I was the years old. I've been stabbed, punched and kicked, whipped, and set on fire. I've watched my mother being beaten to a bloody pulp repeatedly and with vicious glee. I had rejected that life and chose the Order instead. The Knights were my pack and Ted was my alpha.

I had always though of Andrea as a side character and how could I ever enjoy her, but this book really gives some insight to her and I have to admit she is just as tough and bad ass of a character as Kate is! I love how bad ass Andrea is! Andrea has been through a lot of stuff and she is sort of a broken character! I won't say broken, tortured character! And it just pains me to find out everything about her past and why she is so reluctant to join the pack! My heart burns for her! And by the end of the book, even before that, I came to really respect and love her as a character!

“You’re touching me,” I chided him. He caressed my back, sliding his hand down, hitting every sensitive point I hadn’t even known I had. “No, this is touching you. That was just accidental contact.” “Oh? Good to know. If you touch me again and I break your arm off, you can be sure it will be completely accidental.” 

And then we have Rapheal. They had some business to take care of, to really talk about everything! I think a lot of others agree with me, but Rapheal was such an ass in the beginning. I kind of hated him. And then I loved him again! He felt a bit absent in this book though and I guess that I think about it that is much how the Kate Daniels book goes as well, not enough of the Curran. But that is okay. But alas, we have another mating frenzy which was hilarious! I totally love the purple, Andrea!

“Curran and Kate stood by the door. “I can’t believe you decided to come down here and check on me,” she said. “The guy once handed you a fan and told you to fan yourself if the sight of his naked torso was too much.” “That was like a year ago. Will you let it go already?” “No.” Curran grabbed her and pulled her to him, kissing her. “Never.” She kissed him back and smiled. Awww. Kate and the Beast Lord sitting in a tree…” 

We did have some glimpses of Kate and Curran, thank god! Of course, how could I not appreciate it! THANK YOU! And of course some time with the other side characters which I have missed! Can I have some more Ascanio, please? This book was good, I admit, but now I want my Kate and Curran book! I can't be kept away too long or I will go in a mad fit of rage! I look forward to the next Kate and Curran book!