Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Review: Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews

Title: Gunmetal Magic
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Novel Set in the Kate Daniels Series (#5.5)
Published By: Ace (July 31, 2012)
Source: Purchased
Genre: Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!
Book Description:
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…










First off I have to start by saying that this may look like it is a novella set in the world of Kate Daniels, but it isn't. This is a full length kick butt book told all from Andrea's point of view and I wouldn't be doing this book justice if I didn't also add that it was about freaking time Andrea got her own book! Andrea is amazing and she really shines in this book.

I already knew I liked Andrea but I had no idea how badas$ she was until reading this. I truly love her now and admire all that she has been through. We got glimpes of her story and struggles throughout the series but nothing like this.

I have to say, I like being in her head.

She is fierce, loyal, tough, and still has a soft heart. She may not have it all figured out but she is one smart cookie and catches on fast and most importantly, she has some pretty amazing, pretty kick butt friends to help her along the way.

I loved seeing the Pack dynamic through a different angle, through different eyes than what we get to see when Kate narrates. All of the people I already loved, I love more and the new people (I am looking at you Roman and Ascanio)? Well, I love them even more now as well. 

We still get the kick butt nonstop action and laugh out loud funny humor we have come to expect from the Andrews team, but all in a different light and with a slightly different edge.

I freaking loved this book and I am seriously hoping that they do more through Andrea's point of view because I loved every single minute of it. From her interactions with Kate and Curran to the buoda boys (and yes, even buoda women), this was just so much fun and a wonderful addition to the series and a must read for fans of Kate.



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57 comments:

  1. Faye M.January 13, 2015 at 4:35 AM

    ANDREA, YOU SAY?! AND THIS ISN'T JUST A NOVELLA BUT A FULL-LENGTH NOVEL?! I am already sold. I love her in the main books, and yes, it's about time we get to be inside her head and see things from her perspective. Canna wait!

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. KindlemomJanuary 13, 2015 at 9:13 AM

      You are going to love this and yes, a full length novel!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 13, 2015 at 6:29 AM

    I need to meet these characters, Ali! I'm usually not for novellas but I have a feeling I would want to read the ones in this series because these authors are amazing writers!
    Lovely review! :)

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    1. KindlemomJanuary 13, 2015 at 9:13 AM

      They really are and so darn funny! There are serious moments but a lot of funny ones to break them up so it is nice. :)

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  3. Allie @ Little Birdie BooksJanuary 13, 2015 at 6:43 AM

    It's always good when a book can make you laugh out loud; that hardly ever happens to me these days!

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    1. KindlemomJanuary 13, 2015 at 9:14 AM

      I know. I love humor in books, even serious ones. Sometimes it is just needed.

      Delete
  4. JennyJanuary 13, 2015 at 8:01 AM

    MUST read this Ali! I need to get caught up on this series, I'd forgotten about this book entirely. I knew I was missing a couple Kate books, but I can't believe this one slipped my mind! So glad you enjoyed being in Andrea's head. I can't wait:)

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    1. KindlemomJanuary 13, 2015 at 9:14 AM

      Glad I could put it back on your radar then. :)

      Delete
  5. emaginetteJanuary 13, 2015 at 9:00 AM

    Sounds like a rave to me. Thanks for the heads up. :-)

    Here's my link if you'd like to drop by :-)

    Anna from Shout with maginette

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    1. KindlemomJanuary 13, 2015 at 9:14 AM

      It is a fun series, thanks for stopping by Anna!

      Delete
  6. The Reading FrenzyJanuary 13, 2015 at 9:12 AM

    OOh thanks Kindlemom I haven't read this one yet :)

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  7. Molly MortensenJanuary 13, 2015 at 10:20 AM

    I'm glad to see you're reading more of this series since you enjoyed the last one so much. I like it when the 'novella' turns out to be a book and it's great when a minor character gets to be the star for a change. It's good that it is different though. I hate it when all of the characters sound exactly the same.

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    1. KindlemomJanuary 13, 2015 at 11:57 AM

      She definitely has a different voice from the others and I know just what you mean. ;)

      Delete
  8. KindlemomJanuary 13, 2015 at 11:57 AM

    Yay! I am so excited you are going to start it Heidi!

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  9. Shooting Stars MagJanuary 13, 2015 at 1:06 PM

    I don't know this series, but that's great you enjoyed this latest installment. It's fun getting the point of view from other characters.

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    1. KindlemomJanuary 13, 2015 at 3:54 PM

      It really was a nice change of pace for this series. :)

      Delete
  10. Kimberly @ Caffeinated ReviewerJanuary 13, 2015 at 1:12 PM

    Ok Ali..just yesterday I missing Kate and the world she lives in and was tinkering with the idea of picking up the novellas...you my friend have convinced me!

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  11. Kimberly @ Caffeinated ReviewerJanuary 13, 2015 at 1:19 PM

    just snagged it on audio..it is full length..12 glorious hours..woot!

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  12. Joy January 13, 2015 at 6:04 PM

    I don't know who Andrea is, but I concur. She needs a book...for all the reasons that you've stated. Lol. :) See how supportive I am of you? <3

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  13. Charnell @ Reviews from a BookwormJanuary 13, 2015 at 6:16 PM

    I'd assumed novella, just because of the .5 so it's good that it isn't. I love when an author finally allows you into the head of a character that you've loved. I wish more authors did that!

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  14. Lorna @Mollykatie112January 13, 2015 at 9:17 PM

    I am one of the very few people that read the first one, and quit the series-I almost hate to admit that. But true story, I am glad you liked it so well though :)

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    1. KindlemomJanuary 14, 2015 at 8:25 AM

      I didn't love the first one at all so I can see that. I did push through to the second and loved it so, you never know. You may like the others too. :)

      Delete
  15. LoveOfBooksJanuary 13, 2015 at 10:02 PM

    I can't wait. I love Andrea and Raphael so much. But damn, that blurb makes me sad. FORMER lover??? NOOOOO.

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  16. Jennifer @ Bad Bird ReadsJanuary 13, 2015 at 11:17 PM

    Yaaaaaay! So happy you love Andrea's story. I will always love Kate and Curran more but Andrea is amazing and funny like Kate. Plus! I needed to know her story and it was so satisfying!

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  17. MellianeJanuary 13, 2015 at 11:19 PM

    Oh yes I loved this one! Andrea was a really interesting character to follow, plus, it was un to have Kate too there. A great one! Glad you enjoyed it!

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  18. Stephanie FarisJanuary 14, 2015 at 8:18 AM

    I love the kick-butt heroines in books today. Women were always spunky and strong in fiction but now they're physically strong!

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  19. Book SwoonJanuary 14, 2015 at 10:26 AM

    I NEED to read Andrea's story - she is such a great sidekick! She deserves her own story - so glad you enjoyed this, Ali : )

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    1. KindlemomJanuary 14, 2015 at 10:31 AM

      If you love her then you definitely need to. It was pretty awesome getting to know her better. I hope you end up loving this as well Kim!

      Delete
  20. alreem @ (AlreemBookChapters)January 14, 2015 at 10:55 AM

    wow sound like a great book, lovely review :)

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  21. CandaceJanuary 14, 2015 at 12:12 PM

    This is the one I read! I really enjoyed it and I realized I really need to read the Kate books!

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    1. KindlemomJanuary 14, 2015 at 1:02 PM

      If you liked this then you will love the rest too Candace!

      Delete
  22. UnknownJanuary 14, 2015 at 3:00 PM

    I'm almost caught up with Elemental Assassin and I promised I will tackle this series once I am.

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    1. KindlemomJanuary 14, 2015 at 3:39 PM

      Woohoo! I am just starting that series and loving it so I know why it is taking up your time but I know you will love this one as well. :)

      Delete
  23. AnonymousJanuary 14, 2015 at 3:24 PM

    I'm ashamed to admit that even though I'm a big fan of this series I somehow ended up skipping this book. I definitely need to remedy that soon. Glad you enjoyed it, great review!

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  24. LolaJanuary 14, 2015 at 3:47 PM

    Kate Daniels <3 Only read book one, but it was really good. ^^ That cover is so kickass!!

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  25. UnknownJanuary 14, 2015 at 4:05 PM

    I haven't heard of this series, but I think I will check it out now :) Thanks for the review.

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  26. KeertanaJanuary 14, 2015 at 7:32 PM

    I'm really hoping they return to Andrea's PoV too! I love her and although she and Kate seem so similar, their minds are quite different which I really enjoyed. Plus, the whole romance angle in this is actually really different from that between Kate and Curran so I love the differences between these books and Kate's books. Fingers crossed that Ilona and Gordon will return to this spin-off series soon!

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  27. AnonymousJanuary 15, 2015 at 12:17 PM

    Ooh I'm glad to hear this isn't a novella but a full length novel! Yay more to look forward to! Still catching up on Kate's books, but I'm looking forward to reading this one, it sounds awesome!

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    1. KindlemomJanuary 15, 2015 at 12:36 PM

      So glad you are reading this series too, it really is wonderful. You will love being inside Andrea's head. :D

      Delete
  28. Anna (herding cats-burning soup)January 15, 2015 at 3:43 PM

    *hangs head* I've not read this one yet but I adore the series! That's always awesome when you just love being in one of the characters heads like that. Makes for such a fun time :D

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  29. Rashika January 15, 2015 at 7:06 PM

    I think I stopped around either book 5 or 6 (cannot quite remember) and while I do plan on picking up the next books in the series, I keep forgetting to since I have so many other books to read! :P

    I do remember that when I found out that this was a full length novel about Andrea, I got REALLY excited. I love Andrea and Raphael! :D I do think that before I dive back in, I am going to start with this book! :D

    I am so glad you loved the book, Ali and you have me all the more excited to dive in! I cannot wait to be in her head! :D

    Fantastic review! :)

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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    1. KindlemomJanuary 16, 2015 at 7:20 AM

      Hopefully you can pick this series back up and add this one to the list. ;)

      Delete
  30. UnknownJanuary 21, 2015 at 5:40 PM

    This one is new to me also, but if you freaking loved it :) I am definitely adding it to my TBR list.

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