Magic Shifts (2015)
Written by: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #8
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 375 (Paperback)
Publisher: Ace
Why I Chose This: My 2019 Resolution Project for Speculative Chic is to read the books in the Kate Daniels series and finish up with a first read of the final book. I first read Magic Shifts in 2016 and reviewed it at my own blog.
The Premise:
After breaking from life with the Pack, mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate — former Beast Lord Curran Lennart — are adjusting to a very different pace. While they’re thrilled to escape all the infighting, Curran misses the constant challenges of leading the shapeshifters.
So when the Pack offers him its stake in the Mercenary Guild, Curran seizes the opportunity — too bad the Guild wants nothing to do with him and Kate. Luckily, as a veteran merc, Kate can take over any of the Guild’s unfinished jobs in order to bring in money and build their reputation. But what Kate and Curran don’t realize is that the odd jobs they’ve been working are all connected.
An ancient enemy has arisen, and Kate and Curran are the only ones who can stop it — before it takes their city apart piece by piece…
No spoilers
Discussion: Earlier this year, if you’ve been following this review series, you might remember me complaining about a certain werelion. How he was the definition of an “alpha-hole,” how he reeked of toxic masculinity, how I didn’t quite understand Kate’s attraction to him.
Talk about a complete one-eighty. Between significant character development and possibly a bit of the authors no longer writing toward a formula, Curran is a changed man. I am one hundred percent behind the Kate and Curran love story now, especially considering all he has sacrificed to be with her. Curran gave up the one thing in his life that gave him power in order to keep the things that have meaning.
Alas, Kate and Curran can give up the Pack, Atlanta’s organization of shapeshifters, but the Pack can’t leave them. This particular bit of politics is how Kate becomes involved in the main plot of this story, which revolved around Persian and Arabian folklore and mythology, with a particular creature that most readers are familiar with. As usual, however, the authors do the amazing research necessary to turn the drama of a simple missing persons case up to 11.
The subplot of this book involves a different sort of politics. With the Pack no longer in his purview, Curran sets his sights on another dysfunctional organization. War is coming to Atlanta sooner rather than later, and he wants the Mercenary Guild on their side.
As for Kate, she’s still reeling from the recent developments of the previous book, but no rest for the noble. Despite the bargain she’s struck, her father is not content to let things rest. Instead, Roland pokes Kate in every way possible, up and including a most ridiculous family dinner.
Oh, and I lied last book. This time Kate comes the closest to death. Ilona Andrews likes to toy with our emotions in all the best ways possible.
In conclusion: There are two books left in this series. Three, if you count the side tale involving a certain bad guy. Have I convinced you to come along for the ride yet?
[…] Closing out the week, J.L. continues her 2019 Resolution Project: to read Ilona Andrews’s Kate Daniels series in its entirety. She’s made it up to volume 8 with Magic Shifts, where series lead Kate and her partner Curran are trying to deal with the pace of life, seemingly unrelated odd jobs for the Mercenary Guild, and battling a newly resurrected ancient evil. Is this long-running series still a fresh read? Some surprises are in store for you in J.L.’s review here! […]