Imagine that when there is a blackout, when no electricity is working, it’s caused by a rise in magic. That’s the world Kate Daniels lives in, a mercenary who cleans up the problems magic leaves behind when it recedes and technology returns. When her guardian is murdered, she is determined to get justice for his death, and finds herself caught in the middle between the Pack, the shapeshifters, and The Masters of the Dead, those who control the vampires. Both factions blame the other for a series of mysterious deaths that have happened on both sides, and Kate’s guardian’s death is somehow involved. Both want the killer found, and want Kate to do the finding.

This was a really good book! I loved the mythology for the vampires and the weres; so different to anything else I’ve read, and very original! And I loved the story! It’s very much a fantasy mystery, and you’re kept guessing all the way through. I have to admit, I normally pride myself in working out what’s going to happen in a book – not that the books are predictable, it’s just something I’m normally able to do – but even I got it wrong with this book! So totally surprised, but it does make sense at the end.

I loved the characters, especially Curran, Beast King of the Pack. He was just so cool, and not as nearly as annoying as Kate makes him out to be, in my opinion. Actually, most of the awesome characters were pack members; Mahon, DooLittle and Derek. Kate was cool, though a little too quick to dislike everyone. And Saiman! Oh, I love him! I’m not exactly sure what he is, but he can change what he looks like completely, but he is cool as a person too.

The story is resolved by the end of the book, but there are other questions that aren’t answered that will flow easily into the next book, with the set up of the next storyline. Over all, this book is pretty awesome, and I can’t wait for the next one. A definite must read for fantasy fans! ( )

Kate Daniels is a powerful magic-user in a world where magic has returned, intermittently. Sometimes the tech rises, so internal combusion and electricity etc. works, and sometimes waves of magic hit, so it’s magelights and enchanted water engines. Magical creatures exist all the time, but are stronger during magic waves. Kate has only ever seen airplanes in pictures; I loved the detail that cellphones sometimes work during magic because, since most people don’t understand how they work anyway, they’re fueled by belief rather than tech. Kate has a deadly secret—the source of the power in her blood—and a freelance job solving magical problems for people. In the first book, she investigates the murder of her mentor, and ends up caught between the People (necromancers) and the shapeshifters, who are the major competing power blocs in her area of what used to be the US. In subsequent books, her troubles continue.

Basically, if you liked Guilty Pleasures--even if the thought of Anita now makes you want to hurl—I recommend these books. Kickass heroine with difficult superpowers, matched with plausibly hard-to-beat foes; palace intrigue; frustrating and hot guys. So you get stuff like this: “To get clear of two hundred enraged shapechangers I’d need a case of grenades and air support. There was no reason to weigh myself down with extra weapons. Then again, maybe I should take a knife. One knife, as a backup. Okay, two.” Andrews occasionally trips a warning alarm on my gender politics sensors in terms of overbearing guys who think that’s what sexy is, but it’s been okay so far. As she’s set it up, rogue shapeshifters—loups—are really into rape with their cannibalism, so sexual violence comes up regularly, though without explicit depiction. ( )

I loved the story - great characters - Kate is the perfect heroine. Her attitude makes the story. I wish I knew what happens with Crest... ( )

This is the best urban fantasy since Patricia Briggs. Seriously.

Great world building, a tough yet likable protagonist with an as yet
not fully understood magical heritage, and the potential for an equally
strong romantic counterpart in the Beast Lord.

All of those elements are presented in a tightly written narrative with
smart dialogue; I couldn't ask for more.

Sexual Content:
Some romantic tension, but no sex. Some non descriptive references
regarding the villain's behavior. ( )

Lots to like about this, but I’m not blown away. Reminds me a lot of Devon Monk, but with a bit of Wen Spencer thrown in. Hopefully, as I get to know Kate better in the next book, my connection with the series will be deeper. ( )