Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Unavailable
    Gunmetal Magic: A Novel in the World of Kate Daniels
    Unavailable
    Gunmetal Magic: A Novel in the World of Kate Daniels
    Unavailable
    Gunmetal Magic: A Novel in the World of Kate Daniels
    Ebook581 pages8 hours

    Gunmetal Magic: A Novel in the World of Kate Daniels

    By Ilona Andrews

    4/5

    ()

    Unavailable in your country

    Unavailable in your country

    About this ebook

    ***Includes a free bonus: a Kate Daniels novella, “Magic Gifts”***New York Times bestselling author, Ilona Andrews, invites readers on an action-packed trip into the unexplored corners of Kate Daniels’ “top notch urban fantasy*” World.Out of the frying pan…After being booted from the Knights of Merciful Aid for the ‘sin’ of simply being a shapeshifter, Andrea Nash refuses to sit back and lick her wounds. Everything she’s worked for may have vanished, but if Life hands you lemons, Andrea is ready to make lemon grenades. So, while she pulls herself back from the brink, she’s working for her best friend Kate Daniels’ investigative firm, Cutting Edge.Into the inferno…But when shapeshifters who work for Raphael Medrano, the male Alpha of Clan Bouda – and Andrea’s former lover – are killed unexpectedly, Andrea lands the worst case of her life. To capture the mysteriously powerful killer, Andrea and Raphael must work together—and avoid killing each other before their target does. But what’s a little sacrifice when you’re saving the world?
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherNYLA
    Release dateOct 19, 2012
    ISBN9781617508813
    Unavailable
    Gunmetal Magic: A Novel in the World of Kate Daniels
    Author

    Ilona Andrews

    “Ilona Andrews” is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian, and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.) They have co-authored four New York Times and USA Today bestselling series: the urban fantasy of Kate Daniels, rustic fantasy of the Edge, paranormal romance of Hidden Legacy, and Innkeeper Chronicles. They live in Texas with their two children and many dogs and cats.

    Read more from Ilona Andrews

    Related to Gunmetal Magic

    Related ebooks

    Paranormal Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      100-WORD-STORY COMPETITION Winners

      Aug 16, 2022

      We’ve been delighted by the huge response to our 100-word-story competition. The entries have flooded in thick and fast during the past few months, but while we’ve enjoyed reading every story, only a few can come out on top! You, our readers, voted t

      5 min read

    • Article

      When Life Bites

      Sep 14, 2020

      When Life Bites
      6 min read

    • Article

      The Family Plot

      May 7, 2020

      The Family Plot
      10 min read

    • Article

      GhoST StoRies

      Apr 12, 2021

      GhoST StoRies
      8 min read

    • Article

      Chost Stories

      Apr 12, 2021

      Chost Stories
      8 min read

    • Article

      A WING AND a prayer

      Sep 28, 2021

      A raven saved my life Cate McMurray, 47, from West Midlands I ’d always known I was different. As a small child, I used to see and hear people who weren’t there. One day, I was playing hide ‘n’ seek with my two sisters, and tucked myself away in a cu

      4 min read

    • Article

      Yara And The Witch Queen

      Oct 1, 2019

      I knew the dangers of witchcraft. My parents had told me about the time before I was born, when magic plagued our desert kingdom of Bahati. Untrained witch doctors trying to cure warts ended up paralyzing their patients or turning them into crocodile

      10 min read

    • Article

      Night Terrors

      May 12, 2020

      Night Terrors
      4 min read

    • Article

      Pleasure Palace

      Sep 1, 2022

      Pleasure Palace
      15 min read

    • Article

      Foxes

      Jun 15, 2019

      What’s worth happening happens in deep woods. Or so my daughter tells me. Her plotlines: In the deep woods someone is chasing, someone else is getting hacked. Hatchets are lifted, brought downdowndown. Men stutter blood onto snow. A cast of animals—s

      17 min read

    • Article

      Longer on Moon

      Sep 22, 2022

      Longer on Moon
      19 min read

    • Article

      Estella’s Fate

      May 17, 2023

      Estella’s Fate
      7 min read

    • Article

      Estella’s Fate

      May 17, 2023

      Estella’s Fate
      7 min read

    • Article

      Nothing To Fear

      Jan 26, 2021

      Nothing To Fear
      8 min read

    • Article

      Two Poems by Phillip B. Williams

      Dec 15, 2017

      The masters are yet dead. Wanting to be human,I tried to rewrite The Waste Land. The canon’s reachcasts ruinous light. The masters’ pens breachthis page where, above, my own hand spectates. Babylonrisen, exorcism in reverse, whose nature upended now?

      6 min read

    • Article

      Hey, Necromancer!

      Sep 18, 2018

      Hey, Necromancer!
      8 min read

    • Article

      My Mother’s Stalker

      Jan 16, 2024

      My Mother’s Stalker
      24 min read

    • Article

      Spider Girl

      Feb 1, 2024

      Like part of a web, my identity is tethered to my family, in which I am one of three girls—to this day, our mom still lovingly addresses us in a single unit as “Girls.” The post Spider Girl appeared first on The Millions.

      5 min read

    • Article

      What Alzheimer’s Feels Like from the Inside: An investigative reporter chronicles the progression of his own disease.

      Apr 7, 2016

      I was up again at 4 a.m. the other night, one of five nocturnal ramblings in the early morning, the new me. No sleep. Picking my way in the dark, familiar territory of a home on Cape Cod where I have lived with my family for 34 years. I fumbled into

      3 min read

    • Article

      Draw Me

      Jul 5, 2023

      Draw Me
      2 min read

    • Article

      Discarded Wraith Of Apartheid

      Apr 13, 2024

      It’s been years since I read a book that strained the Likability Principle as viscerally as Karen Jennings’ new book, Crooked Seeds. Her previous novel, An Island, was longlisted for the Booker Prize, but I fear the more I tell you about Crooked Seed

      2 min read

    • Article

      What Alzheimer’s Feels Like from the Inside: An investigative reporter chronicles the progression of his own disease.

      Dec 10, 2015

      I was up again at 4 a.m. the other night, one of five nocturnal ramblings in the early morning, the new me. No sleep. Picking my way in the dark, familiar territory of a home on Cape Cod where I have lived with my family for 34 years. I fumbled into

      3 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Gunmetal Magic

    4/5

    433 ratings45 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 3/5
      Gods aren't what they used to be. This can annoy them and cause inconvenience or worse, to the shapeshifters and magical practitioners. Andrea is having enough difficulties with her relationship or lack of it with Raphael and then things get weirder.
    • 4/5
      The premise: ganked from BN.com: Includes a free bonus: a Kate Daniels novella, "Magic Gifts."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…My Rating: Worth Reading, with ReservationsIt's not much of a reservation, mind you. It's just that Andrea and her relationship with Raphael sometimes rubbed me the wrong way, and I'm still wrapping my head around Andrea and her beastkin attributes. She can be hyper-violent in a way that feels over-the-top, which I know is hysterical when you compare her to Kate Daniels, but still. This book pretty much is everything that some people don't like about urban fantasy, so if you're looking for a refreshing take on the genre, this isn't it. Honestly, unless you're a Kate Daniels fan who's read through Magic Slays, I don't recommend picking this up, because you're going to feel a little lost. Honestly, if you haven't read Magic Gifts, the free novella in the back of this book? You may even want to read it FIRST before reading Gunmetal Magic, because Andrea's story overlaps with Magic Gifts and continues it in ways I wasn't expecting. So there's that.For fans of the series, and fans of the world, it is an enjoyable read. Once I got used to Andrea's voice and her character, I really came to enjoy the read, especially once she started growing a little bit. The ending is a wee bit predictable, but it's still quite satisfying for fans of the series. I'm looking forward to seeing where Andrews takes this character next, be it in another book of her own, or just popping up regularly in the Kate Daniels books. Either way, I'm happy.Random aside: I love the title. It doesn't really relate to the plot of the book itself, so much as it's a cute nod to Andrea's character, but I love the title.Spoilers, yay or nay?: Nay. It's one of those stories where readers familiar with the genre can figure out how it ends, but it's enjoyable learning how that ending happens. The full review can be found at my blog, and I've linked to the review below. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome.REVIEW: Ilona Andrews' GUNMETAL MAGICHappy Reading!
    • 4/5
      Reviewed by: Rabid ReadsI’ve always enjoyed Andrea’s character in the Kate Daniels series but other than her gun fetish she comes across as being a little too tame to be able to be a bona fide Urban Fantasy heroine. In Gunmetal Magic, we see an entirely different side to her because now she’s free from The Order’s rules and trying to embrace her beastkin blood. I loved watching Andrea come to terms with her new life while in the midst of an impossible battle against a God and a hilariously crazy hyena courtship with Raphael. Ilona Andrews’ remarkable storytelling and trademark sense of humour are out in full force which pretty much guarantees that readers are going to enjoy the Kate Daniels World spin-off series just as much, if not more, than the original.Even though I’ve been following Andrea’s story for quite a while now in the Kate Daniels books I still felt like I was meeting her for the very first time. Her new found freedom from The Order definitely agrees with her and the fact that she’s also finally accepting her Bouda half helped too. I loved everything about this new and improved Andrea, from her Texan drawl right down to her f#@k it attitude about sporting fur in public. I was also happy to see that in spite of her willingness to now use her claws in a fight; her weapons of choice were still her guns. Andrea undergoes a remarkable amount of personal growth in this first installment and I enjoyed watching her work through her issues with The Pack, Raphael and her past.I won’t even bother trying to attempt to explain the explosive, action-y side to this novel’s plot line; for those of you who are familiar with Andrews’ writing, you know that us mere mortals can’t possibly do it justice with words. Just know that it was epic. Amidst all of the bloodshed, creative insults and one-liners fly, which makes this book as comical as it is entertaining. I loved Roman, the supposedly evil yet hysterically funny volhv who has a crush on Andrea. Raphael’s mating frenzy definitely doesn’t help matters either but the best by far was the purple shag carpet incident. Payback is a b*tch but payback hyena-style is something else entirely!I’d recommend reading the Kate Daniels books before diving into this one in order to get the full experience but rest assured that once you visit Ilona Andrews’ Atlanta you’ll never want to leave. In Gunmetal Magic Andrea makes her debut as a full blown Urban Fantasy heroine in and it is something truly awesome to behold.
    • 5/5
      This is another powerful entry into Andrews' Kate Daniels' World. Andrea has been a side character for a while. She is Kate's best friend. After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid after being outed as a shapeshifter, Andrea is at loose ends. She isworking with Kate at Cutting Edge and trying to figure out what she wants from life. Andrea was raised in a bouda group - werehyenas - but she is beastkin - her father was a hyena turned human. Beastkin are despised by most shifters who were human first and then animal. Her bouda group systematically abused her and her mother until her mother finally found the courage to run away. Andrea has spent years denying her werehyena side. Now she has to come to terms with it. She is also on the outs with her werehyena boyfriend Raphael who can't understand why Andrea would be reluctant to swear allegiance to his mother and join another bouda pack. He hurts her very badly when he seems to have taken up with a beautiful but brainless human and flaunts her in front of Andrea.Besides this personal turmoil, Andrea has a case to investigate which involves huge venomous snake shifters and ancient Egytian gods. There is a lot of adventure and excitement as she and Raphael need to work together to prevent the world from falling into chaos.Andrea is as strong and as kickass as Kate Daniels. She makes a great lead character. Her bad childhood and determination to make her own decisions and choose her own path make her a character we can really care about. Cameos from favorite characters from the Kate Daniel's series add to the richness of this story. Fans of urban fantasy with really kickass heroines will not want to miss this story.
    • 4/5
      Gunmetal Magic
      4 Stars

      Series Note: This book cannot be read as a standalone. It is necessary to read the first 5 Kate Daniels books in order to get a feel for the world Andrews has created as well as important background detail on the characters.

      Kate and Curran are a hard act to follow. It is difficult to become as immersed and involved in Andrea and Raphael's relationship following Kate and Curran's romance in the first 5 books.

      Andrea has made some questionable choices in the past and as such, it is difficult to completely take her side in her clash of wills with Raphael. That said, this installment provides some much needed background on her childhood and succeeds in making her decisions more tenable.

      Raphael is no saint and his actions at the beginning of the book made me want to strangle him. Thankfully, he and Andrea come to their senses without too much angst and their make-up scenes are really cute. It also helps that Ilona and Gordon are so skilled in the witty banter and snappy, snarky comebacks department.

      As in the Kate Daniels books, the plot once again centers on a particular mythology and this time it is Egypt's turn. The details are well-researched and the action scenes exciting. However, the storyline is quite convoluted and there are times when it is difficult to determine who the actual villains are and precisely what they want.

      The best aspect of the book is the family dynamic established by the secondary characters. Ascanio, Roman, Aunt B, Doolittle, and of course, Kate and Curran, all come together to bully, pester, tease, encourage and support Andrea thereby making Gunmetal Magic a worthy addition to the series.

      While all threads are neatly tied up by the end, some unanswered questions remain Is the Witch Oracle's prophecy related to the events in this book or not? What exactly is a First and how did Curran become one? and I can't wait for Magic Rises to come out.
    • 5/5
      Oh my goodness. I thought that in no way could I like Andrea and Raphael's story as much as I do Kate and Curran's, but the Ilona Andrews husband-and-wife writing duo have this uncanny--seriously, uncanny--way of taking all of your negativity and doubts and cynical comments ("there is no way a Kate-world spin-off can be anywhere as good or swoony) and sweeping it all aside, seemingly effortlessly.
    • 5/5
      Listened for Fun (Audible)Overall Rating: 4.75Story Rating: 4.75Character Rating: 4.75Audio Rating: 5.00First Thought when Finished: I absolutely freaking loved Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews.Quick Thoughts:Andrea was freaking kick-ass, resolved some of her issues, and basically owned everyone. I like her more than Kate. Raphael is still growing on me though. I still think he is an ass but he is an ass Andrea loves so I will root for them! This made me laugh, cheer, and fist pump a couple of times.Audio Thoughts: Narrated By Renée Raudman / Length: 12 hrs and 43 mins Renee did a fantastic job doing the whole book as Andrea! So, as if, I needed another reason to just say listen to these already, here it is. She can pull off a lot of different voices beautifully!Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, DONE! Reviews
    • 4/5
      Very enjoyable Andrea Nash story in the Kate Daniels world. I very much like the way Ilona Andrews writes strong women. They very strong but they are layered and their weaknesses and backstory. In this one, Andrea and Raphael get back togethher and it makes senses. But there is a lot action and suspense, this is more than a romance.
    • 4/5
      This is the 5.5th book in the Kate Daniels series and the 1st book in the Kate Daniels World series which features side characters from the Kate Daniels series. This book features Andrea Nash. It was a very well done book and it was good to hear Andrea’s back story and get more insight into her character.I listened to this on audiobook and it was a very well done audiobook. It is read by the same lady who narrates the Kate Daniels series. She does an excellent job capturing the characters’ moods and voices.Andrea is recovering from her expulsion from the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid and working at Cutting Edge (Kate’s investigative firm). She is hired by the Pack to look into a strange incident that happened at reclamation site of her ex-boyfriend Raphael. Four Bouda clan members were murdered near a vault at the reclamation site and it is up to Andrea to figure out who did it, why, and how. Of course she has to work with Raphael, who she is not on good terms with and has an extremely explosive relationship with.The book starts a bit slow...first we have to get into Andrea’s story and then she spends a lot of time whining and avoiding Raphael. In the beginning of the book there are places where I wanted to smack Andrea and tell her to her stuff together. Things really pick up about 25% in though, as Andrea gets deeper into investigating the death of four Boudas.Andrea is a good character, but she is definitely more of sidekick. She’s just too melodramatic and not witty enough to make her as fun to read about as Kate. Everything is black and white, life or death with her. She does change as the book goes on, but I still rolled my eyes at her drama at points. While this was an interesting book and I am glad it was written, I am also hoping this will be the only book from Andrea’s POV.Raphael is kind of jerk for large portions of the book. Him and Andrea have a very on again, off again type of thing going on that was a bit frustrating and annoying to read about. He wasn’t my favorite male lead. Him and Andrea definitely have good chemistry though. I loved the addition of Rowan (the black mage) to the story. He is quirky and funny and has some awesome powers. I really hope we see more of him in future books. He is what really made this book a fun and interesting read for me. We also meet some excellent new magical baddies in this book as well...love the crazy snake people!The book is full of some absolutely wonderful action scenes. There is also the whole mating tradition going on between Andrea and Raphael where they see who can play the biggest practical joke on the other. Some of these scenes were hilarious and all I have to say is...purple shag carpet...enough said.The story ties up nicely and the book is well written. Overall this is a good addition to the Kate Daniels world. It was nice to hear Andrea’s full background and watch her transition from a Knight of Mericful Aid, to something not quite as law-abiding and a lot more dangerous. Andrea doesn’t have the humor and wit Kate has and she is a bit too melodramatic for my liking; so I didn’t like her as much as Kate in the role of heroine. Andrea and Raphael have great chemistry but their on again off again relationship bugged me a bit. There are some very funny scenes in here, we get to spend more time with Rowan, and we meet some wonderful new magical baddies. Definitely not my favorite book in this series, but it’s still a good urban fantasy read. I definitely recommend this book if you love urban fantasy or if you are a fan of the Kate Daniels series in general. I would recommend the Kate Daniels books over this one though if you are a first time reader of the Andrews.
    • 5/5
      The Andrews never fail to write a great story and this is no exception. I've always liked Andrea and it was great to see things from her point of view. I felt really bad for her with her history (which we learn a lot about in this book) and everything going on between her a Raphael. We get to see several of our old favorite characters, Beast Lord and Kate (nice to see them from a different perspective), Jim, Derek, Doolittle. We also get to see some minor characters take on a larger roll with Asciano and Roman. I really loved both of these two and hope to continue to see them in the Kate Daniels books.
    • 4/5
      Four stars only because Ilona Andrews remains on auto-buy; if I read this book in isolation it might have been a three. On the other hand, part of what bothered me about GUNMETAL MAGIC is that I could see the patented Ilona Andrews formula at work - huge monsters that regularly pop out of the woodwork to keep the pace high; a villain who has the exact same sense of humor as Andrea and Kate - and wasn't as charmed as I usually am.

      For me the real problem was Andrea and Raphael. The novel takes place in the wake of a bitter break-up. Both Raphael and Andrea want to get back together. But, after a brief bout of maturity right at the beginning of the book, both Andrea and Raphael spend most of the novel teasing one another spitefully and hurting one another. It's totally in character for both of them, and realizing this made me like Andrea less. She'd always seemed so strong and capable to me but her POV was brittle, high strung, and a little insecure.

      Raphael on the other hand...I don't remember him that well from the Kate Daniels books, but he was a spoiled playboy right? Crazy and charming but unreliable? Because in GUNMETAL MAGIC he's transformed into this hardworking CEO who owns his own company and makes a lot of money, works long hours and never shows up to a meeting late. And I never felt like I understood him because on the one hand, he's apparently an upstanding, responsible businessman, but on the other hand, he mostly pulls spoiled playboy stunts like introducing Andrea to his airhead fiancée or scratching the word "MINE" into her furniture.

      But really, this is one of those "not for me" things. I'm just not a fan of people who break up and get back together dramatically. It's one of my least favorite things to witness in life, so not surprisingly, I don't enjoy the trope in fiction, either.

      As one last quibble...I think I'd hoped for something a little more different. I expect Kate Daniels books to feature villains culled from mythology, because that's Kate's battle. That's her world and her stand. I thought Andrea might face a different type of challenge, something more suited to her. And I thought that some of the subplots - the early, investigation-centric parts of the novel and her stress about joining the bouda pack - really fit the bill; I felt like I was seeing this world I'd come to know in a new light, from a new perspective.

      Ugh. This has turned into one of those reviews where I complain a lot even though I really did like the book. And I did, but in a comfort-read way rather than an edge-of-my-seat, blown-away way. I really loved seeing Kate and Curran through Andrea's eyes; I loved getting a full, vivid description of what Kate looks like, I loved seeing Julie from Andrea's point of view, and Ascanio. Having read MAGIC GIFTS before starting GUNMETAL MAGIC, I loved they way they intersected. That was very fun. I loved the humor and the one-liners.

      Certainly I recommend this to fans of the Kate series. There's no Kate novel this year, so we need our fix.
    • 5/5
      Gunmetal Magic is a spin off from Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels series featuring Andrea Nash. It begins a few weeks after Andrea was summarily dismissed from the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, her shape shifter status having been revealed in Magic Slays. Having spent some time metaphorically licking her wounds, mourning not only the loss of her career but also the messy demise of her relationship with Raphael, she is working for Kate at Cutting Edge when she is assigned to investigate the deaths of four Pack members. The murders uncover the theft of a priceless artifact that leads Andrea to an Egyptian God determined to rise again, and suddenly Andrea is fighting for her life and the lives of those she loves.The world building is phenomenal as always, of course I am familiar with most of it having read the Kate Daniels series but Andrea’s character offers a slightly different perspective. The action is frantic, and often violent given the nature of the were’s. Andrea is kick ass and doesn’t shy away from any physical confrontation.Much of the character angle of the novel involves Andrea coming to terms with her werehyena (bouda) nature. As a beastkin she endured a horrific childhood and has avoided the Pack as much as possible, but now she is outed she has to find a way to make peace with who she is and the Clan that claims rights to her.There is romance too of course with Andrea and Raphael’s relationship in a mess to begin with. It takes some sorting for these two stubborn characters to work out their differences, providing both some hilarious and achingly tender moments.Many of the Kate Daniels series characters make appearances including Kate, Curran and Ghastek. Though Gunmetal Magic is technically the start of a new series, familiarity with the Kate Daniels series would definitely enhance the reading experience of this debut.I loved Gunmetal Magic and I am impressed that Andrews has been able to continue the momentum of her well established world into Gunmetal Magic. I can’t wait for the next installment.
    • 3/5
      Not as well layered as the main books in the series, but still and enjoyable read. I do have to ask though, what was with all of the owl similes? In both the main story and the novella, everything was like an owl. I'm not alone in noticing that, am I?
    • 5/5
      Another really great one, this one first person POV Andrea Nash. Great story, great characters, humor, love, drama, fights. At the end there was a short story with Kate & Curran, which I also enjoyed very much.
      The only bad thing: Now it will be hard to wait for the next one...
    • 4/5
      Its not a secret that I adore Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniels novels. Her best friend Andrea Nash hasn't really been a very important character to me. I was happy enough to read ANY other Ilona Andrews book but I wasn't expecting to enjoy the story as much as I did. Andi made a very strong heroine and I enjoyed her story a great deal. She and Kate's stories both had some similarities of course. Their world is the same, post-turn Atlanta. They are co-owners of the same business. Their supporting casts are made of the same characters. I will admit that occasionally the narrator blurred in my mind a little...she could have been Kate or Andrea. Except Andrea is a shapeshifter and she can heal extremely quickly. She is also fighting against joining the local bouda pack ran by Aunt B. Andrea's relationship with Raphael was also similar to Kate and Curran's but in a pretty great way. The tension and sarcastic interplay between both couples makes for a great reading experience. It also allows the reader to really feel like they know these characters. I have to say that I wasn't the biggest fan of the actual shapeshifter murder storyline here. It just wasn't as interesting as most of Andrew's other books. I actually couldn't wait for non-action scenes because I liked them more than the action ones which is very unusual for me. I did end the book with a big old smile on my face and I would definitely be excited for more books about Andrea and Raphael."Gunmetal Magic" came with a hundred page novella "Magic Gifts" told from Kate's perspective. Now this story was an absolutely five star treat. The plotline is more intriguing in this short that I thought the plotline was in "Gunmetal Magic". Here a young boy gets bound by a magic necklace that is slowly choking the life from him. Add in some side drama involving the Order and we have a very exciting novella to finish out this offering from Ilona Andrews. Andrea is fine, but Kate just sparks. Kate remains one of the strongest, most entertaining heroines in urban fantasy today.
    • 5/5
      Set in the dystopian future of Atlanta, where magic comes and goes with tech taking over during down times. This is the story of Kate Daniels' best friend Andrea, told in her point of view. She is no longer connected to the order and is working as a P.I. for Kate and the pack. She is hired to investigate a break in and the deaths of shape shifter guards working for her ex-boyfriend. It leads to the big bad trying to get power and Andrea and her group of friends working to thwart this from happening. Very Kate Daniel like.

      Still the background story of her trying to come to terms with who she is and where she fits in, gives this a special flair. It is not just her ex-boyfriend, Rafael and her figuring out where they stand, but her figuring out where she stands with the pack. And now the she is not defined by the Order, how she can define herself.

      Different than Kate yet many of the same elements. This definitely was a romance whereas I don't consider Kate Daniels a romance though a romance happens in one of her books. Still the story holds the major part of the story at least 1/2 of the time. The romance part was a bit silly but also a bit fun. Her figuring out where she belongs, very good story there. And the story of the Big bad trying to get power, as always, exciting, engaging, and well told.

      Great read. Don't know if I like it better than a Kate story or not, excellent. I really liked Roman and want more of him, perhaps and novella or book?
    • 5/5
      Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: Andrea Nash solves some murders and embraces her inner bouda. Opening Sentence: Thud! The Review: Long-time fans have been waiting for this day for two years: What happened to Andrea Nash after the Erra incident in Magic Bleeds? Have no fear, dear reader, all of your questions and concerns surrounding our favorite former Knight shall be answered. Andrea’s past, present, and future are revealed in Gunmetal Magic, the new novel from the Kate Daniels World. Andrea Nash is having an identity crisis. Growing up in an abusive clan, Andrea has issues concerning other boudas. She is beastkin, the daughter of a bouda and a hyena-were. In a normal pack, she would be instantly killed. So instead of taking the chance for other shapeshifters finding out her secret, she denied her animal side and chose to become a Knight of Merciful Aid. Unfortunately, her secret came to light and she was forcibly “retired” from duty. What do you do when everything you ever worked for and believed in is gone? Why you go and work with your best friend, who could care less what you are. While Kate is off doing “Pack” business, Andrea is asked to look into the deaths of four shapeshifters. She is a good investigator and a damn good shot with a gun, surely she can handle anything that may come up. Right? But to be honest, Kate is usually the one to get on a deity’s bad side and not Andrea. Besides, what kind of Kate Daniels World book would it be without someone running into stuff found only in mythology? Andrea has decided to quit denying her animal side and fully embraces it. She feels that there is nothing left for her since leaving the Order. Andrea is a soldier and does best under structure and a clear chain of command. If it wasn’t for her Aunt B and Raphael issues, I think that she would have no problem joining the Pack. I will say that one of the best qualities of Andrea is that when she commits to something, she does it with her whole being. Should she choose to join, her level of discipline and work integrity will definitely stand out among the other boudas in the Pack. Though they truly do love each other, Raphael and Andrea still have some things to work on. In the short story “Magic Mourns”, Raphael defines the parameters of their relationship: “I trust you to lead most of the time…with the understanding that when I really insist, you will listen.” So when Andrea chooses not to help out some Pack members in need and leaves after the big Erra fight without telling anyone where she went, Raphael feels abandoned. Even though the Order is no longer an obstacle, their past issues still need to be addressed. Can Raphael get over his hurt feelings and accept her apology like a man? Can Andrea get over Raphael’s petty antics and realize that no one can love her more than him? I love these two as a couple because they complement each other so well. Andrea brings more discipline and Raphael brings more fun to everything they do. When they do fight together, they are a force to be reckoned with. As much as I mourned the wait for the new Kate Daniels book, I must say that I love this novel. It is true that their story had to be told before we are all able to move forward with the series as a whole. And let’s face it, you still get Kate-ness toward the end of the book and a Kate short story, “Magic Gifts”, as a special bonus. “Magic Gifts” by Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels series #5.4) This short story tells Kate’s side during the events at the beginning of Gunmetal Magic. During a rare date, Kate and Curran witness the untimely death of one of the People’s navigators. The necklace that killed her found its way around the neck of a small boy; and it is slowly killing him as well. Kate and Curran do everything in their power to find a way to get the necklace off before the little boy dies, including visiting the Neo-Vikings and their most feared secret. During this time, we also get to learn what’s to become of the Mercenary Guild after the demise of its leader, Solomon Red. It’s been six months and the members are locked in a stalemate. Kate is being pressured from all fronts to endorse someone to take over, and she doesn’t want to get involved. Kate knows deep down that she is going to have to be involved with running the Guild, even though she thinks she has enough on her plate already. I really like seeing this new Kate; full of authority and confidence. It is quite the change from the Kate we met in Book 1. I like it even more because she rallies against it. If she was excited or ambitious, it would no longer be the Kate we know and love. Maybe Curran has influenced her more than I originally thought. This is a fabulous story that I’m glad to have read. Initially, it was released as a freebie for a limited time on Andrews’ website. Now everyone can enjoy the antics and humor that make Kate Daniels so very popular. Notable Scene: We took a right at the fork, heading farther north. The charred houses continued. To the right, a large sign nailed to an old telephone post shouted DANGER in huge red letters. Underneath in crisp black letters was written: IM-1: Infectious Magic Area Do Not Enter Authorized Personnel Only A second smaller sign under the first one, written on a piece of plastic with permanent marker, read: Keep out, stupid. “We aren’t going to keep out, are we?” Ascanio asked. “No.” “Awesome.”FTC Advisory: Penguin/Ace graciously provided me with a copy of Gunmetal Magic. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. The only payments I receive are hugs and kisses from my little boys.
    • 5/5
      Gunmetal magic was a book that I wanted to read only because I loved the Kate Daniels books so much. But now that I've read it, I'm sad there's not another Andrea book to read.

      It has all the same shapeshifters and vampires and crazy magic stuff as Kate Daniels, but not the frantic epic scale of having to kill your dad at the end. It feels more real. And Andrea is pretty much just as cool as Kate. She's a retired Knight. She can turn into a hyenawere, she is the best at distance weapons.

      The world of Kate Daniels has so much in it. It's sad that in the Kate books we are too concerned with the endgame to really explore. And that's what this book does. It let's us explore the parts of the world the Kate just cuts through. It fleshed out the "background characters" who are sometimes more interesting than Kate and Curran because they are not quite so noble.

      I hope Ilona Andrews gets around to writing another Andrea book someday! I really enjoyed it.
    • 4/5
      I adore this series/world. I love Andrea. Tough and independent. Raphael hurts her and there is angst. Kind of my favorite stuff when it comes to romance. But a solid Urban Fantasy book.
    • 3/5
      This is set in an established universe but with a new main viewpoint character. Kate is still in the story but is not not in the spotlight much. What I found interesting there is a novella after the story that features what Kate is doing before the main story starts and ends when you first see Kate in the main story. Andrea is trying to get over being dumped by the Order of Knights and then because she retreated into herself she alienated her boyfriend so of course the story has a b plot of dealing with that while she is trying to solve a murder at her ex boyfriends work site. Of course everything works out in the end and the mystery gets solved as well. I'm just glad the romance is fixed by the end of the book and not dragged out over several books.
    • 4/5
      No clue what this title means, but: Andrea Nash, Kate Daniels’ friend and business partner, has been kicked out of the Order and has broken up with her boyfriend Raphael over her commitment to the Order, so that kind of sucks. And the shapeshifters want her to join the Pack or leave town. Then someone murders four of Raphael’s crew, and the resulting investigation forces her to confront her feelings about joining the pack (since the shapeshifters she grew up with abused her terribly) as well as her romance with Raphael. Oh, and the prospect of death by god. I like Kate a little better—or maybe I just want more about what’s up with Kate’s family—and I could have used about three fewer reminders that Andrea is blonde (does anyone really think “my blonde hair was looking good” or the like?)—but overall it was a solid entry in this series.
    • 4/5
      I enjoyed this book. This was a re-read for me and I had a lot of fun re-visiting this book since I know what will happen to these wonderful characters as the series moves forward. I do remember being slightly disappointed when this book was first published simply because I wanted another book featuring Kate and Curran and I got Andrea instead. I ended up loving the book though. Andrea and Kate are best friends so their lives overlap in a lot of areas but Andrea does have her own story to tell and I am glad that Ilona Andrews made the decision to let her do just that in this book. Andrea is not in a great place as this book opens. Her relationship with Raphael is over and she has lost her job with the Order. Both of these things meant the world to her and helped shaped her identity. Andrea is working with Kate at their new agency, Cutting Edge, when she gets a call about a new case. This new case just happens to be tied to Raphael which only proves to make things more interesting. Throw in some strange snake people and a complex mystery and you have plenty of excitement. All the action is nicely balanced with a bit of humor and romance.I really enjoyed seeing Kate, Curran, and all of the other characters from a different perspective. I think that Andrea is in a unique position to give that perspective because she is close to a lot of the key characters but she still feels and acts like an outsider. Andrea grows a lot as a character over the course of this book and the insight into her background really helps with understanding some of the ways that she looks at the world.Renee Raudman does a fabulous job with this series. It is funny that I didn't really care for her narration for the first couple of books in the series but now I couldn't imagine anyone else. She really is able to perform a wide range of characters very well and with a lot of emotion. She has a very pleasant voice that is easy to listen to for hours at a time.I highly recommend this series to others. This is a series that you do need to read in order since each book builds on the last. This is a very important book in the overall story arc and should not be missed. I can't wait to continue with my re-read of this wonderful series.
    • 5/5
      Super, as usual! This world is always addictive, and the characters never disappoint. Andrea has different problems and perspective than Kate, but she's entertaining and loveable. Former minor characters like Ascanio and Roman jumped off the page, and Raphael was charming as usual. Loved it.
    • 5/5
      Review courtesy of All Things Urban FantasyWhat’s better than a new Kate Daniels book? How about two! That’s what we get in GUNMETAL MAGIC. Not only does Andrea get her first–of hopefully many more to come–full length novel, but Kate and Curran take the lead in a bonus novella, MAGIC GIFTS, that is included with the book. It’s a total win win since both stories are excellent additions to one of the best urban fantasy series ever!Andrea is pretty much the only character who can stand next to Kate Daniels and not get overshadowed. Her personality is just as strong, just and intriguing, but she’s not a Kate in training. She’s a little more reserved, a lot less hot-headed, but when pushed too far, a lot more volatile. It was great to see how she survived in the magic/tech torn Atlanta. She’s a weapons expert, but unlike Kate, she doesn’t possess an encyclopedic knowledge of world mythologies. She has to seek out experts like the hilarious flirt Roman–is he truly an evil mage or is it an act?–and of course, her on again/off again love Raphael. These two make Kate and Curran’s bumpy relationship look a piece of cake. Dealing with two shapeshifters, the crazy fun mating etiquette rules were at an all new high for the series, and I enjoyed every bit of it.Some of the trademarks of this series are in fine form in GUNMETAL MAGIC, including new and fascinating mythologies and creatures. We get just enough detail to make the plot work without ever feeling like we’re reading a history book. The humor is also razor sharp and sly. I especially enjoyed reading the one scene that overlapped in both stories. Kate and Andrea have such different ways of seeing the situation–in this case Raphael’s latest insult–that it really provided a richer understanding of their characters.Bottom line, the Kate Daniels world with it’s waves of magic, it’s various factions of vampires, shifters, Knights and more, it’s richly developed characters, and fresh take on ancient mythologies is one I hope never runs out of stories. I can’t wait to read the next Kate, or Andrea, or maybe even a YA take from Julie down the road. GUNMETAL MAGIC proves that in the hands of Ilona Andrews, they’d all be amazing. Modern urban fantasy can be described in two words: Kate Daniels. It really doesn’t get any better.Sexual Content:Scenes of sensuality. References to sex
    • 5/5
      Gunmetal Magic is the first full length novel in the Kate Daniels world to focus mainly on a character other than Kate – in this case her best friend Andrea. Andrea has been kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, and has broken up with her boyfriend Raphael. She goes to work for Kate’s investigative firm and is none too happy to find out her first case is to solve several murders that happened at a dig site being run by Raphael’s company. Working with Raphael again is bad enough, but when he shows up at her office with his “fiancé” it throws Andrea over the edge. As expected in any Kate Daniels novel, the action is intense and the interpersonal relationships even more so. I especially love the mating games played between shapeshifters. This is a great addition to the Kate Daniels collection
    • 2/5
      You know what? I get why I was supposed to like this book. The heroine is smart and occasionally funny. It's urban fantasy. The romance isn't overdone--although I'm getting super tired of the ultra-alpha protective jealous tall dark type. I really love Kelley Armstrong. But I struggled to like this book even as a guilty pleasure. It was okay, I guess
    • 4/5
      Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Associate Reviewer - Mich M:When we first met Andrea in the Kate Daniels books I found it really hard to form an opinion of her, I liked her to an extent but I wasn't really attached to her, now after getting to know her better and spending time with her as the main focus I really like her! I feel like Andrea grew up a little through this journey and it was something she had to do if she wanted a life with Raphael. Which brings me to Raphael... Where oh where do you start with him? He has p*ssed me off through the series and that continued into the beginning of this book, especially their first meeting. If ever I wanted to slap someone silly, that would do it! The little teasers with Kate & Curran made me hungry for their next book. I love Curran, he dominates the page whenever he is around even just for a sentence or two. I miss him. I loved the interactions with Kate & Andrea and I liked Aunt B in this one. LITERAL ADDICTION's Associate Reviewer gives Gunmetal Magic 4 Skulls.
    • 4/5

      "It says here Jamar bought a toilet seat for fifty thousand dollars," Ascanio said.
      I looked at the screen. "It says it's from Amarna, from the eighteenth dynasty of ancient Egypt."
      "It's a toilet seat," Ascanio said.
      "It's four thousand years old."
      He looked at me incredulous. "Some ancient Egyptians sat on it and took a dump."
      "I assume so."
      "He paid fifty thousand dollars for a used toilet seat."
      [...]
      "You could buy a car for fifty thousand dollars. A really nice car." Ascanio's eyes lit up. "A Hummer. You could buy a converted Hummer."
      "You don't need a Hummer," I said.
      "Chicks dig the Hummer."
      "You don't need any chicks either."
      "He gave me an injured look. "I have needs."
    • 5/5
      "A Novel in the World of Kate Daniels" is a bit misleading. And I'd have rather read these in reverse order, but what you're actually getting is a recounting of the events of the same pair of days in the life of the Cutting Edge agency. In Gunmetal Magic Andrea Nash has issues. Not the least of which is being asked to investigate the mysterious deaths of four employees at her ex's reclamation company. Then there's getting in touch with her furry side, facing down the embodiment of an Egyptian death god, and of course, Aunt B. Good thing Andrea knows how to accessorize.In Magic Gifts, date night at a Korean barbecue takes a wrong turn when two vamps go on a killing spree. In the bloody aftermath, Kate Daniels and Curran track down the origins of a mysterious necklace. My recommendation? Read Magic Gifts first and the timeline will make a lot more sense.
    • 4/5
      After Andrea Nash was kicked out from the Order and breaking up with her boyfriend, she’s trying to find new direction in her life. Then several shapeshifters die and it’s her job to find who is responsible. To make matters more difficult she must work with her former lover whose workmen were killed.

      I’ve liked Andrea before so I was happy that she got her own book. I like her relationship with Raphael and we get to know Raphael bit more in this book. It was nice to see there’s more to him than being Aunt B’s pretty boy whom women drools after. And we learn more about Andrea’s past and we get to see someone from her past. And I’m starting to think Ascanio is adorable. Too many hot men here…

      The book was action-packed as all Andrews’ s books are but not as action-packed as Kate books. At least it felt to me like that. Can’t wait for her next book.