Caden O'Brien's Website

The books I like best tend to be darker, more violent, less hooked on the happily-ever-after formula, and big on world-building. In other words, more of an urban fantasy tilt. After all, the whole point of the supernatural world is that its different. So I like to see those differences in the worlds the characters inhabit.

I like books that give me a different feeling.  That tingle the hairs on the back of my neck, and give me a feeling that I’ve just stepped into something strange and memorable. Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series fits the bill nicely.

The setting is a alternate Atlanta, a bit into the future. For the last 30 years, the balance between magic and technology has become unstable, and the world is lashed with “magic storms” that tear down buildings and destroy technology. Tech surfaces like the sun in between thunderstorms, letting the phones and lights work again, only to be battered again when the magic rises. People get around on horses, mules, camels – whatever non-tech means they can find, because cars often don’t work.

In this realm, supernatural creatures like werewolves, witches, shamans, vampires and more abound, and evil magic threatens everywhere. Magical mercenary Kate Daniels, who’s hiding a secret of her own, battles evil magic first as a solo act, then as part of the Order of magical knights who try to keep a lid on things.

There are 4 books and one novella in the series thus far, with one book out next year: Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes, Magic Mourns (novella in Must Love Hellhounds Anthology), and Magic Bleeds (coming in May 2010).  Author Ilona Andrews and her husband Gordon are contracted for 7 Kate Daniels books, so we’ve got more Kate on the way.

Andrews’ world-building and character development are outstanding. She powerfully conveys a feeling of “otherness” to her world, without going over the top with fantastic characters and improbable plot twists. Kate Daniels is a bit of a mystery. Her mother was killed by evil beings while fleeing with Kate’s father. Kate was an infant at the time, so we don’t know who they were running from, or why they were threatened. She was raised by her father and grows into a smart, strong, and magically powerful person who royally kicks butt. She also gets injured too, so her powers are not infinite.

The series opens with the hard-drinking Kate, a magical mercenary, finding out that her guardian has been murdered.  In trying to find his killer, she encounters the two main supernatural forces in her world:  the group of paramilitary shapeshifters known as The Pack, and the group of  powerful necromancers who control the undead vampires. The latter group is known as The People. In this world, vampires are not sexy. They are animated corpses, meat puppets, controlled by the necromancers in their pursuit of wealth and power. The creator of The People is the mysterious Roland, who’s story is hinted at and who is clearly a key figure in the Kate saga.  Kate hates The People.  Magic and mayhem ensues as Kate tries to get to the bottom of the murder.

Another requirement for a book to be a favorite is that the characters are smart and witty, and have great dialog. Kate Daniels fits the bill. Her head-talk and dialog with others is hilarious, since she’s a cynical smart-ass.

Since I don’t care much for books that have NO relationship development, pure sci fi or urban fantasy tends to not appeal to me much. I have no problem with adventuresome sex, and lots of it, if it furthers the story. That’s why I’m not a fan of the more romance-influenced books, where the hero and heroine are banging away by page 3, and rarely come up for air.  Kate is a normal young woman with normal appetites, and the heroes here tend to be sexy (if not classically handsome), so she indulges. And it’s hot! But it fits in with the plot and isn’t gratuitous.

I know some readers are appalled by the increasing use of same-sex erotic scenes, menages, or detailed descriptions of bondage or anal sex in today’s romance genres. Haven’t seen that yet in this series, but I think the Andrews’ would write it well if there were.

If you like series books with strong, funny, believable heroines and sexy guys, AND a well-written plot, you’ll like the Kate Daniels books.