Magic Breaks is the seventh book in the Kate Daniels series written by Ilona Andrews. It is a urban fantasy novel set in a post-apocalyptic world where magic and technology continuously clash. The book follows the story of Kate Daniels, a strong-willed and fearless mercenary who also happens to be a magical sword wielder. In this installment, Kate finds herself facing her most challenging and dangerous enemy yet – her father, Roland. Roland is an ancient and powerful being who has returned to Atlanta to claim his daughter and conquer the world. As the title suggests, the story revolves around the breaking of magic, which has disastrous consequences for the world.
“Do you know what most people have from their grandmother? A tea set. Or a quilt.” Curran smiled. “If your family had a quilt, it would be made out of chimera skin and stuffed with feathers from dead angels.”
― Ilona Andrews, Magic Breaks
6 This is going to be a big one Over the course of the series, we ve learned about how Kate s childhood was nothing short of a gauntlet in which her guardian deliberately raised and trained her to be a killing machine and to develop emotional ties to no one so she would be prepared to do whatever it took to kill her father. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers.
As the title suggests, the story revolves around the breaking of magic, which has disastrous consequences for the world. With the weakening of the magical barrier known as the Midnight Games, dangerous creatures known as the MOTHER (Masters of the Order of the Ring: Healers) are unleashed, wreaking havoc on the city and its inhabitants. Kate and her friends, including her partner and lover, Curran, the Beast Lord of Atlanta, must find a way to stop Roland and save the city from complete destruction.
Review: Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews
No matter how much the paranormal politics of Atlanta change, one thing always remains the same: if there’s trouble, Kate Daniels will be in the middle of it…
As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers. Since Kate’s connection to Roland has come out into the open, no one is safe—especially those closest to Kate.
As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of the leaders from the various supernatural factions in Atlanta. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered there, apparently at the hands of a shapeshifter, Kate is given only twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war which could destroy everything she holds dear…
In the interest of transparency … I reread this series often ? Ilona Andrews ( a husband-and-wife writing duo ) were also the first (and only!) author I’ve gone to see specifically. I’ve certainly gone to different book conferences and such where many authors are, but I drove to a different state specifically for them in this case! I would show pictures, but that was several years ago and … let’s just say braces were involved.
* As this is the seventh book in the series, I am not going into super deep detail in explaining things. If you feel confused, please navigate to the other reviews at the bottom of this post (they’re listed in order from one to three). Or you can click the links provided here (or at the bottom of this review): Magic Bites (book one), Magic Burns (book two), Magic Strikes (book three), Magic Bleeds (book four), Magic Slays (book five), Magic Rises (book six). See all Kate Daniels reviews here.
Oh my god ?? So much happens in this book!! I was LOL-ing at the authors’ note in the beginning that said “there’s a lot that happens, but it is not the final book of the series,” but damn, it’s a good thing they made that clear ?? I absolutely adore this series, and it’s never been more abundantly clear how far these characters have gone and grown in this series than in this book ✨
She tried to hide in plain sight. She might have succeeded except she ran into the Beast Lord. As I mentioned, he is a scary, bossy bastard. She hates all authority. He said, “Jump.” She said, “Screw you.” Of course, they would fall madly in love after that. And when I say madly, I mean it.
My girl Kate has gone so far ? This book… oh my gosh it just broke my heart. I don’t know what to say!! Well, I’m actually thrilled that this isn’t the last book, but even as far as she’s come, she isn’t ready to face Roland. And yes, we finally meet Roland!! He’s…. cool. I am confused by this ? He’s the baddest of bad guys, but I’m getting such Poseidon (from Percy Jackson) vibes from him? Like he’s just chilling, wanting to be a dad, and test Kate to see how cool she is (even if they’re pretty life-threatening tests). Kate having a meddling/helicopter-ish parent is going to be the funniest shit ever.
Then there’s Hugh d’Ambray (which is not a spoiler, because we all knew the bastard would survive). It’s an interesting feeling rereading these books after reading Hugh’s book, Iron and Magic, I have to say ?? I definitely can’t hate him anymore, but LORD it’s hard. Also, yes you do have to read Kate’s series before Hugh’s. He really stoops to new levels with Kate in this one. But I can’t help but love him ?? What an interesting and flawed character ? (even though he’s actually horrible LOL)
I love the expansion of the “inner Pack circle” in this one, too. We know and love Barabas, Andrea, Raphael, Derek (?), Jim, and Doolittle, but now we get to love on and Robert and Thomas Lonesco! I can’t help but adore them, even though they’re Rat shifters (ew, icky), and we also get a lot of Desandra in this one!! I adore her so much, and I’m so glad her role didn’t end in Magic Rises. Ghastek, too, gets a brighter spotlight in this one!! Poor guy had no idea who Kate was still, but awee I can’t help but be fond towards him anyway.
“You could’ve been a hired killer or someone’s private weapon. Instead, you chose to protect everyone around you. It’s as natural to you as breathing and I selfishly count myself to be very lucky to benefit from that, even if that urge sometimes takes you too far.”
It’s important to remember that Kate is one of the good guys because she chooses to be, because she can’t help but fight for the underdog. But she was raised and trained to be a sociopathic killer and survivalist, ready and willing to do whatever it takes to knock Roland off his throne. It’s only because she finally claimed her life as hers to live and her future as hers to dictate that she tightened up her morals and became the Kate we’re getting to know (and she’s learning right along with us). Hugh is a great parallel and reminder of what she could have been.
Okay, so the characters just kicked butt in this book – literally and figuratively. This book was an adrenaline rush and never stopped from the word “Go!” The Andrews’ always keep me on my toes, never sure what’s happening next. It was so suspenseful and really showed how much stronger the books are getting as the series progresses. That said… that thing that happened at the end. Not sure how I feel about that ? (Spoiler alert: It worked out!)
This book is the one I always leave off at in my past reads and rereads, so I actually have not read the final four books of the series! I finally purchased them this summer, determined to make it happen ✨
Along the way, they face numerous challenges, betrayal, and sacrifice, testing the limits of their abilities and their loyalty to each other. Magic Breaks is a thrilling and action-packed novel that takes readers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and keeps them on the edge of their seats. Ilona Andrews' writing style is fast-paced and engaging, with vivid descriptions and well-developed characters that come to life on the page. One of the strengths of this book, and the series as a whole, is the complex and multilayered world-building. The authors have created a rich and dynamic setting where magic and technology coexist in a delicate balance. The intricate mythology and history woven throughout the narrative add depth and intrigue to the story, immersing readers in a captivating and immersive reading experience. Another standout aspect of this installment is the character development. Kate, in particular, undergoes significant growth and transformation as she confronts her past and faces her fears. Her relationships with the other characters evolve and deepen, adding depth and emotional resonance to the story. Overall, Magic Breaks is a captivating and enthralling addition to the Kate Daniels series. It delivers on its promise of high-stakes action, intense emotional drama, and a riveting storyline that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment. Ilona Andrews' masterful storytelling and imaginative world-building make this book a must-read for fans of urban fantasy and supernatural fiction..
Reviews for "The Repercussions of Magic in 'Magic Breaks' by Ilona Andrews"
1. Emma - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic Breaks" by Ilona Andrews. The storyline felt predictable and cliché, and I found it difficult to connect with the characters. The world-building, which is usually a strong point in this series, felt lacking and underdeveloped in this installment. Overall, I felt like the book lacked originality and failed to live up to the high expectations set by previous books in the series.
2. John - 2 stars - "Magic Breaks" was a major letdown for me. The plot progression was slow and dragged on for far too long, making the story feel unnecessarily bloated. I also found the dialogue to be weak and lacking depth, failing to engage me as a reader. Moreover, I couldn't connect with the protagonist, and her decisions often felt forced and implausible. Overall, this installment of the series fell short and failed to captivate me like the previous books did.
3. Sarah - 3 stars - While "Magic Breaks" had some redeeming qualities, it ultimately fell flat for me. The pacing was uneven, with some parts dragging while others felt rushed. I also found the writing style to be inconsistent, which made it difficult to get fully immersed in the story. Additionally, I felt that some plot points were resolved too conveniently, undermining the tension and suspense built up throughout the book. While it wasn't a terrible read, it left much to be desired in terms of execution and overall impact.