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!