** spoiler alert ** Magic Slays is book that Ilona Andrews’ fans will eat up. There’s a great deal of action, awesome Kate snarky insight and nice sexy time with her and Curran. I feel Ilona is tying up loose ends that will lead to the ultimate battle between Kate and her father. Also, as much as Curran and Kate really work well together, I feel because they’re now a unit and pretty much dedicated to one another as a mated couple, having this series go on indefinitely is something I can’t see. Kate and Curran remind me so much of Eve and Roarke from JD Robb’s In Death series. These two are so settled and cozy with one another. Curran looks out for Kate far too often and is almost smothering in his protection toward her, which she can’t stand. But we all know they won’t get fed up with one another and their HEA is pretty much set in stone. Kate and Curran relationship can be compared to the 1980’s TV show Moonlighting and the Maddie and David character story arc (when Maddie and David finally were in a romantic relationship together after years of not acting on their attraction, the show lost viewers and was soon canceled). I believe the same fate lies here with the Kate Daniel series.

I really do love Ilona’s world building and the cast of characters she has created. Magic Slays has a great deal of heavy moments, but also some light ones, mainly due to the way Kate reacts to situations. Kate’s entire focus has changed. She used to work for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, but after being fired she now has opened her own business calls Cutting Edge Investigations. Business is very slow on her end, mainly because of her reputation and being the female alpha alongside Curran, the Beast Lord. Kate also has an adopted daughter Julie, who causes more problems than Kate can deal with.
Plus, she has to put up with dangerous mindless vampires popping up at any moment when their masters can’t control them. It’s never a dull moment for Kate.

Trouble seems to follow Kate wherever she goes. She takes on a dangerous job of finding a top secret item that was stolen. This stolen item isn’t something simple as locating a piece of priceless jewelry or a painting. A device has been created to bring forth destruction to Atlanta. Think of this as magical atomic bomb that in the wrong hands will bring forth a post-apocalypse, and destroy not only humans, but every supernatural creature that comes in contact with. The inventor of this machine is also missing and the only one with the knowledge to destroy the doomsday device. Kate, along with Curran and his pack must stop Armageddon before it’s too late.

Magic Slays is a wild ride. Poor Kate gets beaten within an inch of her life. I can’t understand how she’s still standing and goes back for more. The last 30 pages are intense, where you’ll practically be on your feet cheering. And even though there are bleak times ahead for Kate, she is mentally strong. She now has a “family” of her own who would die for her. She is no longer alone and trying to survive day to day. Curran won’t let her close herself off, and I’m not just talking about the way they share their bodies with one another. Their tug-o-war is over and they have created a bond that won’t be broken. These two are perfect for one another, although again, this outcome between Kate and Curran has come to an end. There’s not much more Ilona can do with these two in terms of excitement. Perhaps some readers will find Kate and Curran’s relationship like a pair of comfy slippers they can slip their feet into. It’s nice to see Kate have some happiness in her life, but when this romantic part of the series has been tied up, what more can happen with them?

Magic Slays is easy reading where you’ll gasp in outrage, as well as laugh and sigh (sigh as Kate and Curran share a bath together. Le rowl). I really have enjoyed Kate’s take control of the situation attitude, wit and how she keeps getting back up to take down the bad guys whose purpose is to make people suffer. Ilona Andrews fans will not want to miss this one.