Magic Burns - by Ilona Andrews
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Book two in the Kate Daniels series
Publication Date: April 1, 2008
ISBN: 0441015832
Page Count: 272
My Rating: ★★★★★

Summary: As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels knows how waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta's paramilitary clan of shape shifters, she quickly realizes much more is at stake. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug of war between two gods hoping for rebirth, and if Kate can't stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive.

REVIEW

This second instalment was even better than the first (and I frickin' loved the first!). Often, the first in a series has that "setting up" feel to it, some worse than others. Magic Bites wasn't actually too bad, but even so, it's nice to get to book two and move past it. Now, we know who the characters are, we know exactly who we want Kate to get together with (Hello, Curran), even if she doesn't yet know it herself, and so we wait patiently for the penny to drop.

There is some definite progress made in that area in this book. Maybe not huge amounts, but the anticipation in the meantime is delicious! At the very least they have stopped trying to kill each other (mostly) and even managed to have one whole civil conversation. He also handed her food, which as a lion shifter, means more than you might think;)

Aside from Kate and Curran yumminess, there is a lot going on plot-wise here. There's a magical flare brewing, so we meet some interesting creatures and characters that only make an appearance during such times, including a crossbow-wielding guy called Bran, who also seems to have a distinct interest in our dear Kate. She also picks up a new sidekick in the form of a street kid named Julie. I've come to the conclusion that Kate, no matter how tough and mouthy she can seem sometimes, really can't say no to someone asking for help. It's just not possible for her to walk away from someone who needs her, which is a really endearing quality to have.

I am inhaling these books at breakneck speed and I am already concerned about the withdrawal symptoms I will face when I run out.

5 stars! ★★★★★