cover image Magic Breaks

Magic Breaks

Ilona Andrews. Penguin, $25.95 (400p) ISBN 978-0-425-25622-0

Picking up some time after the events of Magic Rises, the 11th outing (and first hardcover) for mercenary Kate Daniels has her fighting to prevent her home territory of Atlanta from becoming a supernatural war zone. Kate’s father, the immortal warlord Roland, continues his quest for dominance over the city by sending her old enemy Hugh d’Ambray to stir things up. When one of the vampire-controlling Masters of the Dead is killed by a shape-shifter, it brings the two factions to the brink of war. Kate must hold the Pack together while her mate is out of town, find the killer, and survive feral monsters and political intrigue. Magical mayhem ensues and Kate fights for her life against overwhelming odds, leading to a newfound alliances with her foes. Character profiles, an overview of the story to date, and an additional short story ensure that existing fans will be entertained, while new readers won’t be entirely lost. Agent: Nancy Yost, Nancy Yost Literary Agency. (Aug.)