Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews

I am SO sorry.

I have neglected you.

First, I missed a post last week.  (So, yes, I'll post a second one today. I owe you.)  Alas, that's the least of my transgressions.

I could have SWORN I reviewed a Kate Daniels book.  Really, I was sure of it.  I was so sure of it that  I went into the archives to search for the review so I could link to it in this one.

AND . . .

I came up empty-handed.

Yes, there's this review of a novella in an anthology.  That is wildly insufficient.  The Kate Daniels books are some of my favorite on the planet right now.  I KNOW I've recommended the series to some of my urban fantasy reading pals.  (Hi, Patricia!)  I was feeling a bit guilty about reviewing a book related to a series I had already fawned over.  

ONLY, I haven't.

And, technically, this review still doesn't get it done.

A good book,
even when Andrea has a day
to rival Alexander's
bad day of all days.

See, today's review is about Gunmetal Magic, a book set in the world on Kate Daniels, by Ilona Andrews, but not actually about Kate.

Seriously, I've failed you again.

Luckily, I'm bringing you a REALLY good book, so hopefully you'll love me anyway.

Gunmetal Magic is Andrea's story. She is Kate's best friend and business partner.  While Kate is busy saving the life of an innocent child, Andrea has her hands busy figuring out who (or what) killed four members of the Atlanta Pack.  This world of Kate's (and, therefore, Andrea's) is full of magic that takes down technology in waves and leaves the world without.  There are vampires, and shifters, witches, and plain ol' humans all trying to live through the waves.  It's a bit of a struggle on a day-to-day basis because the magic will topple buildings and kill a car.  Really nice cars in Kate's world have both combustion engines that run on gasoline (technology) and enchanted engines that run on water (magic).  Andrea is faced with something beyond that day-to-day struggle because a couple of Egyptian gods are rearing their animalistic (snake and jackal) heads.  To add insult to injury, Andrea must face up to her ex, Rafael, and make a decision about joining the Atlanta pack.  That's quite more than just an honest day's work.

Gunmetal Magic, like all the Kate Daniel's books, is full of action, tight storytelling, and compelling wonder.  The friendship between Andrea and Kate is a strong, just like the women involved.  There are dashes of humor and smoldering moments.  It's a really great urban fantasy.  I've read all Kate Daniels' stories, so I know exactly why Rafe is Andrea's ex, but I believe the back story is well enough explained that if you wanted to jump into the series here, you could.

And the coolest thing? There is a Kate Daniels' novella, Magic Gifts, in Gunmetal Magic.

So, please, forgive me for my transgressions, because I bring you (almost) two GREAT books in one.