In an alternate universe Atlanta, magic and technology
batter the city in competing waves which have demolished the
skyscrapers and allowed nature to creep back into the city's
center. But the magic and tech do not live in balance; a
flare of magic is approaching which will flood the city with
amazing power and open the door to indescribable evil.
In the heart of this world lives Kate Daniels, a mercenary
who works for the Order dealing with magic gone awry. While
investigating a case, Kate discovers a skinny
thirteen-year-old girl named Julie living in an abandoned
hangar. Julie's mother, a member of the Witches of the Crow
coven, has vanished without a trace in an area that appears
to be a link to the Underworld. Kate decides to take Julie
home with her temporarily to keep her safe, but during the
night the two are attacked by three reeves, undead women who
resemble medusa-like banshees, and their leader the
Shepherd, a hideous sea demon who controls the minds of the
undead. Kate manages to kill the reeves and drive the demon
into temporary hiding, but she passes out on the kitchen
floor as the poison from her injuries overwhelms her.
She awakens in the Keep of the Pack, a fortress that serves
as the home base for all shapeshifters, led by their alpha
male, Curran, a werelion shifter who is the one adversary
Kate truly fears. However, Kate and Curran currently share
a common enemy; Bran the bowman, who has stolen a packet of
valuable maps from the Pack and is also the link Kate needs
to solve the mystery surrounding Julie and her mother. But
Kate's search for Bran leads her to a shocking revelation.
The Shepherd has kidnapped Julie from the safety of the
Order's vault and plans to sacrifice her unless Curran and
Kate hand over the cauldron lid, a powerful artifact which
has the ability to give the evil deity Morfran the power to
unleash an army of demons on the city. Kate and Curran are
forced to decide if the life of one orphaned child is worth
risking the lives of every being in the city. As the moment
of confrontation draws near, unlikely allies form to do
battle against the greatest evil the city has ever seen.
Usually, I'm not a big fan of urban fantasy, but MAGIC
BURNS by Ilona Andrews (the pseudonym for a husband and wife
writing team), hooked me completely. With a fascinating,
compelling plot, a witty, intelligent heroine, a demonic
villain, and clever, wry humor throughout, this story has it
all. The detailed descriptions paint a vivid picture without
ever slowing down the action while simultaneously making
Kate Daniels someone you immediately care about and like. As
I was drawn deeper and deeper into the story, I couldn't put
the book down. Whether you're a rabid fan of urban fantasy
or a reluctant outsider, you will enjoy this novel. I highly
recommend MAGIC BURNS, and if you haven't discovered it
already, be sure to pick up a copy of the first book in the
series, MAGIC BITES!
As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate
Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards.
Normally, 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. Now Kate’s going to
have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.
When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the
Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she
quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, gods
and goddesses can manifest – and battle for power. 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…
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