Series: Kate Daniels Book 3
Author(s:): Ilona Andrews
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal
Publisher/Year: Ace/2009
-Webpage: Ilona Andrews
-Blog: One Crazy Dame
Synopsis: Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with these days. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that's saying a lot.
But when Kate's werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games - an invitation only, no holds barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament - she and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta's shapeshifting community...
Review: Kate gets into another mess, not so long after the last mess (Magic Burns) and this time the stakes might mean a one way ticket to a hellish death. A lot is uncovered in this third installment of the urban fantasy series--not just in the course of the brutal investigation Kate practically jumps into, but also towards the overall secret of Kate herself. Namely who she is, how she came to be and what exactly is she training for.
I guessed in the second book what her secret was, but it was nice to have this confirmed and perhaps someone should have passed on the Evil Overlord List to Roland so these things wouldn't have happened. I found Kate's past to be fascinating and was relieved to see she didn't angst on it. She didn't have a safe, happy childhood in the 'burbs, it was intense, risky and bordering on child endangerment in some cases, but she took those lessons and learned.
More then her father wanted apparently.
I found interesting also just how adaptable she has to be in order to remain sane. Not just what happened in her past, but also her present isn't a peachy show either. Stress with Jim erupts, her need to protect those she loves is tested and she was unwanted emotion's pincushion for much of the book. Curran, of course, continues to 'court' her (were-lion style), which irritates her more often then anything else. She should however be grateful that its Curran and not Raphael (a bouda) courting her since a bouda's courting ritual involves a practical joke to be played upon the intented. A 'this can't be topped by another male' practical joke to prove his worth to the female no less.
I did become exasperated with her in regards to her feelings over Curran. I understand them, they are perfectly reasonable from her standpoint and Curran's history, but I found them exasperating none the less. Practically the entire Pack is telling her, subtly and not-so-subtly, that his intentions are VERY CLEAR, but she insists that they are misreading things. If I was Curran I'd take her over my knee and smack her behind until she gave in (who knows she might even like that).
Oh! And lest we forget Saiman...who we last saw dancing naked in the snow. We learn lots about him. Sure he still manages to scream Pervert just by saying 'Hi!', but at least he comes by it naturally.
All in all I am mighty happy with this third installment and if the snippets on Ilona Andrews blog is any indication Book 4 promises to be just as much fun.
