I am referring to the Kate Daniels Series as Epic (((urban))) Fantasy from now on!

Sharing another one of my reviews from Pure Textuality. I love Ilona Andrews. I just discovered this fantastic writing duo LAST YEAR thanks to the insistence of Ginny and Dolly (from PT) and it has become one of my favorites. This review is of the most recent release in the series (released July 30th). – Jena

Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…

Ilona! Gordon! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING TO ME?!?!?!?!?!?

I say that in a good way….

I am a little late getting this one up on the site. With the publishing of my own book on the same day as Magic Rises, things were a touch busy. Well, a few days ago, I went out and snatched up the audio book for Magic Rises (thanks to the fine folks at Audible!).

And I just finished about 3 minutes ago.

Let me tell you how I kicked this book off: TEARS

From the very beginning of the book, I was in tears and it lasted (off and on) all the way through the book.

Out of the entire Kate Daniels series, I think Magic Rises was by far the most emotionally charged of all the stories. We are now six (and a half) books into the series and it is safe to say that as readers, we are all now invested in the characters—their relationships, their well-being, etc. When something happens, good or bad, we are at a point now where the readers experience the full impact of those moments right along with the cast of the story.

OR I have lost my mind and have resorted to crying over every single little thing in life but I don’t think that’s the case.

The story for Magic Rises delivers as only a little ditty penned by Ilona Andrews can. The thing I LOVE about this series is these two fabulous authors have taken a genre (urban fantasy) which is usually known for shorter, less complex story lines and they’ve made it EPIC. Everything about the Kate Daniels world is so massive and intricate. There is so much detail to follow and they never once miss a beat.

As always, I was dying to know what was going to happen between Kate and Curran.

*****PREVIOUS BOOK SPOILER ALERT*****

Now that they are together, I am sure there is a bit of worry that the tension and fire will be drained from these two characters. I am here to tell you, FRET NOT! These two are hotter than ever. Their relationship is complicated and far from perfect but I love them together. I just want to meet Curran. Once. And touch him. … …. ….. O.O … …. …..

Sorry, got distracted.

My ONLY complaint about Magic Rises was this: Out of every book in the Kate Daniels series, I have never once been able to guess any plot points. With Magic Rises, I knew how this book was going to end from not so very far into it. Of course, I didn’t know all the details but one of the major plot points was super-duper obvious from right out of the gate. Did being able to guess the ending ruin the book??? ABOLSUTELY NOT. There are so many more twists and turns and outcomes that you will not at all be able to see coming that the one plot point will not ruin anything for you.

Overall, I am giving Magic Rises 4.5 stars! This was another great addition to a truly great series. As an urban fantasy writer myself, I can only hope to one day be able to create a world as MASSIVE as Ilona Andrews has molded. I am in awe.

(The link to purchase Magic Rises is down below!)