My apologies for not writing a formal review at the time. I LOVED Magic Triumphs and I'm always looking for new adventures in this world.
Hopefully The Iron covenant book #2 will come soon!

Meanwhile, you can read my official review of Ruby Fever here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4946837190

This book concluded the Kate Daniels series in a credible manner. 10 books is a long while to spend with one protagonist, but badass, smart-mouthed Kate has made it a pleasant journey. I appreciated the conclusion of Kate's conflict with Roland and was of course delighted with Kate's HEA. Recommend for all Urban Fantasy lovers.

This is the tenth and final Kate Daniels book and while I am extremely happy that the series is ending at its logical stopping place, I am also going to miss Kate and Curran and the gang so damn much. Though a finale, this book also very much feels like business as usual. Kate has assassins to put down, a mystery to solve, a new foe to vanquish, an old foe to vanquish, and a too-smart-for-his-own-good toddler to wrangle.

It’s been nearly two years since the events of the last book, Magic Binds. The first part of the witch oracle’s prophecy has come to pass and Kate and Curran have welcomed the birth of their son, Conlan. Kate’s conflict with her father has been in a deadlock, but he’s still coming for her child and Kate can’t let that happen. She and her allies have a desperate last-ditch plan ready to be executed, but can they get all of the pieces together in time and how much will they have to sacrifice to win? As if Kate needed more things to worry about, a powerful player is also attacking Atlanta and decimating entire towns in truly gruesome fashion. Fighting a war on multiple fronts is something Kate is used to, but she’s never had to do it with a magical shapeshifter toddler in tow.

I love seeing the gang back together and, in some ways, I love that the more things change the more things stay the same. Kate’s been a parent for a while, but watching her manage a toddler is imminently satisfying. Grandparents who sneak him food he shouldn’t have, obnoxious toys bought by best friends, and wreaking havoc wherever they go, etc. is all super enjoyable to read.

However, I ultimately felt a little let down by this book when all was said and done. The conflict between Kate and her evil nigh-immortal wizard father has been building to a final confrontation for the entire series but it felt sidelined here. It really felt like no new Kate/Roland ground was tread. I liked how everything shook out at the end, but I wasn’t thrilled with how we got there. I’m really hoping that this is just the closing of a chapter and that Andrews will continue to write more books in this world though it looks like that’s very much not a sure thing. Ah well, here’s to Kate Daniels and her engrossing adventure.

Wrapping up a ten book series can’t be easy but Ilona Andrews pulls it off with panache. Kate Daniel’s is an iconic character in one of the best urban fantasy series on the market and her last foray as series’ protagonist is by necessity epic. I found this title particularly apropos because we see the evolution of Kate’s life come to an odd sort of fruition. She began the series as a loner and a mercenary who had eschewed emotional ties and lived an emotionally barren existence. By the beginning of Magic Triumphs, Kate has a family and a close-knit network of friends. I definitely appreciate how this character triumphs over her beginnings and forges a path for herself.

On top of that, Magic Triumphs is the book in which the major battle against Roland is fought. He has been the monster lurking in the shadows for the entire series and the build-up to this book has been huge. Kate and company have a mystery to solve, a monster to face and a world to save. With all of her allies behind her Kate faces her greatest challenge and even that united front doesn’t seem like it will be enough to win the day. Love and self-sacrifice have long been running themes in this series and this book is no different. I can’t recommend this series enough and I am so happy to see a conclusion that ties up loose ends and leaves us hoping for more in this particular universe.

4 Wine Glass #Review of Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews

Kate Lennart (Daniels) and crew are back, for one last epic battle, and the stakes are higher then ever. Will Atlanta make it through, or will Kate's long-time fears of loosing everything that she holds dear finally come to pass?

As many of you know, Magic Triumphs is the bittersweet end to the phenomenal Kate Daniels series. Author duo Ilona Andrews closes the series out with class and their characteristic flair of humor, action, and passion giving fans everything that they could hope for.

The book opens with Kate and Curran's son finally coming into the world with a burst of suspense and magic. Fast-forward a year and little Conlan Lennart is not only the apple of Kate and Curran's eye, but also coveted by those seeking to use his power for their own gain. Just when Kate thinks that the conflict with her father has finally reached a head, and she must make the heavy decision of taking him out for good, along the consequences that may come with it, a new enemy arises from ether. More powerful then anything Kate and the city of Atlanta has faced before, Kate must rally her allies and shore up every bit of magic that she possesses to protect those she loves most. Long time readers of the series will be gratified to see each diverse character from all aspects of the series come together for this last, gripping crusade.

As the story unravels, the authors manage to keep the plot fresh and intriguing. Adding depth to the already well-established series arc while holding on to everything we love most about the series already. Kate, former mercenary and loner, is being bombarded on all sides. But she is one tough cookie, and knows how to roll with the punches. One thing that I appreciate about this series, is even though Kate has grown by leaps and bounds within these ten books, she is still the same ole' Kate at her core. Tough-talking, self-sacrificing, get-it-done, bad-ass. Being a wife and mother has only expanded her facets. With these new threats though, she begins to question everything and in a moment of weakness we're taken back to that solitary beginning. While Kate strives for a solution, Curran is off ensuring that he will be strong enough to protect his family, no matter the ramifications. Will they be too much for Kate to handle though? The layers of emotion weaved into the story gripped my heart tight. While there are several threads to the story moving along, every one wove together seamlessly making for a solid cohesive story-line and a fast-paced, enticing plot. As I got closer to the end, I questioned how everything was going to be wrapped up. There has to be a happy ending, right?! My fears were unfounded of course. Ilona Andrews delivered.

As a side note; I have not read Iron and Magic, Hugh's book, and while I think that I may have been better informed with some aspects to the story (namely the battle scenes) if I had, I never felt like I was missing anything from not reading it first. Though I do plan to go back to read that, as well as Magic Stars (Julie & Derek), at a later date.

Without the sometimes grandiosity found in series ends, the send off still feels like the beginning. With magic, action, suspense, sacrifice, love, loss, sorrow, and that essential well-timed comedy, Magic Triumphs was a satisfying end to an unequaled era. I have a feeling though that it will not be the last we see of these characters, just the ending of that chapter.

WARNING! This review contains much rambling from a fan girl who is still reeling from seeing the end of her favourite series. She wants more. She needs more. She found solace in lots of chocolate and buns.

Note: If you haven’t read Iron and Magic yet, then read that before starting this book. It isn’t essential to understanding the plot in Magic Triumphs but, it will certainly give background on some aspects of this book. Plus, it’s Hugh D’Ambray, how can you not want to read more?

I don’t even know where to begin with this review. I normally start with a short blurb about the book I am about to review. However, Magic Triumphs is the final in the series, so if you are coming across this as a brand-new reader than please, don’t read any further. Just go to your library, Amazon or your local book shop and pick up a copy of Magic Bites which is the first in the series and get reading. I promise you won’t regret it. If, like me, you have been following the series, eagerly anticipating each new book that comes out then you’ll know. This is the big finale. Whatever Kate is going to do about Roland, she’s going to be doing it in this book.

It’s been a day or two now since I finished the last ever page in the Kate Daniels series and I still feel a little shell shocked. I can’t believe it’s the end. I have been equally looking forward to it and dreading it. Looking forward to it because I am desperate to see how they handle Roland, they can’t really kill him, but it seems like an impossible job to contain him. The there are all the other smaller, but no less important things I want to read about. Kate and Curran, how are they finding parenthood? Will, the now married, Hugh D’Ambray make an appearance and how will he be received if he does? Jim and Dali, how’s life as the Beast Lord and Lady? Then there’s Erra, Julie, Derek, Andrea, Raphael, Ascanio, Christopher, Barabas, Saiman, Ghastek…and countless other characters. They’ve all made an impact on this series making it the intricate and layered world, that in my opinion, hasn’t been rivalled in any other series I have read.

But, as I said, I’ve been dreading it as well. I don’t want it to end. I want to continue to dip into Kate, Curran and the all the assorted characters lives. They feel like friends at this point; I want to step in, make sure they’re okay, they’re happy, laugh and cry with them and read about all their hijinks. So, as I read the final page, the final word in Magic Triumphs I couldn’t help a small tear escaping. The tear was that strange mix of happy because the book was fantastic and devastation because it was the last one.

However, this is supposed to be a book review. Not me indulging in some written therapy. So, lets get to the book. I loved it. This book is set just over 2 years from the events of the Magic Binds and Kate and Curran now have a son. So, we get a glimpse of Kate-and Curran-the-parents. So many things happen in this book, but what I will always remember is how adorable Conlan Lennart is. He’s old enough that his personality is emerging. And that personality is playful and mischievous. Seeing Kate’s protective instincts in overdrive and Curran bursting with pride over his son makes for some scenes that blend heart melting and funny all in one.

Magic Triumphs also offers the usual action packed, but intelligent story line we have all come to expect from Andrews. What was surprising was that it wasn’t entirely focussed on Roland as I expected. However, don’t fear all was resolved by the end of the book. A bigger enemy was in town, which meant that Kate and Curran had to make some unlikely alliances and appearance of a certain, now married, Preceptor and his wife.

For many readers though, including myself, Kate and Curran are one of the big reason that keep you coming back for more. First because you were desperate for them to get together, their chemistry and tension between them was fantastic. Then, once they were together to see if that level of chemistry could be maintained. And with intimacy and time Kate and Curran have just gotten better. They still have that spark, they still drive each other crazy and their devotion to one another has only gotten stronger. This book just demonstrates that further especially with the addition of Conlan to their family.

This was a fantastic ending to this series and I am genuinely sad that I will no longer be getting any more books from Kate’s POV. I loved riding along in her brain. Ilona Andrews has developed an amazing world and cast of characters with the Kate Daniels series and it has made an indelible mark on my reading life. No other UF has ever quite reached it. But I am hoping that although it may be the last of the Kate Daniels series, there is still more to come in this world. There’s so much potential for more, especially with characters like Julie and Derek and then we have the Iron Dogs with Hugh and Elara. I’m keeping all my fingers and toes crossed!

For the entire year leading up to this book's release, I was both ecstatically excited and dreadfully depressed. I began reading Kate Daniels years ago, when the newest book released was <em>Magic Strikes</em>, book 3. I have been in love since page 1.

<em>Magic Triumphs</em> is the final book in this series. Picking up this book reminded me a lot of how I felt when I was standing in line to purchase <em>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows</em>. Desperate and distraught. Perhaps it'll turn out that this isn't the end entirely; there are plenty of possible stories to continue to tell in Atlanta if Ilona and Gordon so decide, but it definitely is the end of <em>this</em> story. I can easily say that it ends just as amazingly as it began, for me.

Kate Daniels is my favorite heroine, and I think she always will be. She's strong, not just emotionally like so many female heroes are in books, but physically and magically she's almost without par. She kicks ass of people and beings that think they're the top of the food-chain. Routinely, Kate throws herself up against the worst that post-shift Atlanta, or elsewhere, has to offer and comes out on top.

<em>Magic Triumphs</em> kept me on the edge of my seat for the entire book. It wasn't just the plot - which was fraught with tension - it was the relationships. I've spent so much time with these characters, and Kate especially, that I'm entirely invested in their lives. I appreciated seeing Kate own her power, and regret the loss of the personal <em>friendships</em> that power sometimes costs.

This overall story has always been about Roland and Kate. That's been the driving factor for Kate's entire life. For several books now I've been wondering how Kate was going to really deal with Roland. He's too powerful, even for Kate and the killers she collects. Having it end with peace would have been out of character for Roland.

I shouldn't have been nervous. Ilona Andrews finished it brilliantly. I couldn't be more satisfied in the resolution.

But now it's over. I can't be sure that there will be more. Though I'll continue to live in hope. Until then, there are always re-reads.

Anyone who knows me or has heard me talk about books knows that I always recommend Ilona Andrews. Loved this book, a masterful wrap up to a series and skillful weaving of future possible stories in this world.

I’m so sad to see the end of the Kate Daniels series. Saying goodbye to these characters is hard! My only consolation is there are still at least 2 more books due in the Iron Covenant series. Speaking of, I really think reading Iron and Magic before reading Magic Triumphs is a good idea. The events of this book start in I&M, plus…other stuff (no spoilers!). Not to mention, Ilona Andrews recommends reading I&M before MT.

Kate has grown and changed a lot of the course of this series. When we first started, she was a killer, alone in the world. Now she’s a wife and mother, and has strong family ties and far-ranging friendships. I’ve loved seeing her grow and change. Some of those changes are for the better, and some for the worse.

For months, Kate and her father have had an uneasy truce. He pokes at her and she pokes back, but nothing major has come between them. They both know the fight is coming, and both are gearing up for it, but for now things are cautiously quiet. She still has to deal with Pack politics – even though she and Curran are no longer part of the Pack – and dealing with being a mother to a shapeshifter the likes of which the world has never seen. Curran is changing in strange ways and things with her adopted daughter, Julie, are strained. When a powerful, ancient enemy returns, Kate realizes she’s in over her head. She may have to form alliances in unexpected places if she’s going to come out of this alive.

I loved the scenes with Conlan. He was adorable. There were quite a few times I laughed out loud while reading. I really like Erra. I hope we see more of her and Julie. I struggled with the way Kate and Curran deal with each other at times. Why they can’t communicate like adults is beyond me. They’ve been together long enough to know how the other is, so why not just be honest? I wasn’t quite satisfied with the ending. It felt rushed and too easy. I kept expecting more…something. More action, more angst..just more. I hope we’ll see a spin-off in the very near future.

Despite my issues, Kate and her merry band of deadly killers has lived up to my expectations for all these years. This book is just as fresh as book one. I love the world and each and every characters. I’m sad to say goodbye to Kate and Curran, but very much look forward to seeing more from this world in the future.

4 out of 5

This book was so amazing. The perfect conclusion to the series. I have waited years to find out what happens. I couldn’t be happier about the ending. While I am sad to see the series end, I hope there are spin off series.

Ahhhh … it’s the end of Kate Daniels. Or is it? Okay, yes, Magic Triumphs is the series finale and I’m very sad it’s over, but at least it isn’t the end of this world. It’s definitely bittersweet, but damn, was it good!

Kate’s life has certainly gone through some major changes since we first met in Magic Bites, and now she has a lot more to lose. We knew everything would have to come to a head regarding Roland, but I was nervous! I like how it all went down, though!

This series has some of my favorite characters, not just individually, but I love them as a group and how they’re always there for each other. I was so happy to see everyone made an appearance, and I love how everyone had a part to play in what transpired. And of course, Kate remains one of my top favorite heroines – deadly, witty, loyal, intelligent … what’s not to love?

It wrapped up really well, but there’s still a few threads left open that have me excited for what comes next with certain characters.

Sigh. While I am sad to see that this series come to an end, I thought this end was awesome. Still had a mystery, but it was wonderful to see Kate find happiness with her family. Wonderfully written as always, with great fight scenes.. I am very glad we will have more books in this universe, so it is good-bye for now.

Let me just start by admitting how devastated I am that this is the last Kate and Curran book! Considering how much I love this series and these characters, MAGIC TRIUMPHS had mighty big shoes to fill in order to meet my expectations for a proper send off. After finishing, I realized I shouldn't have worried nor doubted this amazingly fantastic author duo. MAGIC TRIUMPHS was everything I could have hoped for and more to end their series. Everything and I do mean everything comes to a head in this book, including events from Hugh's book. The proverbial bleep hits the fan... And then splatters. It's just that intense and I truly loved every minute of it.

Kate and Curran are fantastic, as is the entire rest of the character cast. But honestly it's the newest edition that completely and utterly stole the show for me. Conlan has one heck of a personality packed into his little but mighty body. He'll be a force to be reckoned with that sure loves to give his mother a run for her money. I also really enjoyed the changes he brought in Kate as a mother where she's so loving but utterly and completely neurotic. And seeing her struggle and eventually come to terms with her beserker level protection when the little man is threatened rang a chord in this mamma's heart as well. Motherhood, no matter unconventional her circumstances are, suits her.

While I'm so sad to be saying goodbye to one of my all time favorite couples, I can't really complain in the end after being given this gift of a great read. MAGIC TRIUMPHS is utter magic from start to finish and fans of the series should run not walk to their nearest bookstore and snatch this one up immediately. Bravo!

“I hold gods prisoner, tormenting them for my pleasure. I bring war and terror. I am Neig, the Undying. I am legend. All who know me bow to me.”

Friends, I promise you, no one wanted to love this book more than me. I have been reading this series for what feels like close to a decade. And this will always be a series that I will cherish and keep close to my heart forever. But sadly, this final book just fell a little flat for me.

For those of you who do not know what this series is about, this is a ten book urban and paranormal romance series about a mercenary named Kate Daniels who will do anything to keep Atlanta safe. This Atlanta feels very much post-apocalyptic, and magic waves come and go along with paranormal creatures that sometimes choose to do bad things. Kate is human, but she has teamed up with the animal shifters, the vampires, the witches, and more to help defend Atlanta from everything that is seeking to destroy it.

And in Magic Triumphs something that is much bigger, and much worse, than anything Kate and her friends have ever encountered before, is trying to take over not only Atlanta, but the entire world.

“For the first time in my life I wished magic had never come.”

This review will not have spoilers for Magic Triumphs but it will briefly talk about things that have happened throughout the other nine novels leading up to this final conclusion. So, please use caution while reading this review if you are not caught up with Magic Binds!

I will also give a caveat and say that I did not read Iron and Magic this June, upon release. I just couldn’t fit it in my TBR, because this summer has been so busy for me with work. But I have always loved Hugh d’Ambray, and plan to pick it up one day. I will tell people that you should for sure read Iron and Magic first, because I was spoiled to something rather large at the end of this book, but it didn’t make it so I couldn’t understand or appreciate what was going on.

Though sadly, I feel like nothing really happened in Magic Triumphs until Hugh showed up at the ~70% mark. The previous ~200 pages? It honestly felt like a constant pattern of someone threatening Kate’s child, Kate getting upset, Kate killing whatever the threat is. Rinse and repeat for infinity, apparently. The “real action” literally was just jam packed quickly into the end, and even though I enjoyed it, I just wanted so much more at that point. And not in the good way of wanting so much more.

And yes, one of my favorite parts of this book was finally seeing Kate and Curran start to build their well-deserved happily ever after. And seeing Kate fully step into the role of motherhood, even though she has done a wonderful job transitioning thanks to Julie. Conlan is the cutest baby to ever be written in literature, and I was always giggling way too hard at the things he did or feeling completely and utterly heart warmed at the things he did.

“Conlan Dilmun Lennart squirmed on my chest and cried. There was no better sound in the world.”

I will say that I loved the epilogue. I think it is easily the strongest point of this book, ironically enough, and I feel like Ilona Andrews is really setting up for something that is going to be really amazing. Oh, and I truly believe that Roland is one of the best villains of all-time, too! He is the most morally grey character I believe in all of literature.

And I will always say that this series was probably the first love letter to found families that I’ve ever read. I truly believe that Kate’s found family and her realizing that she is deserving and worthy of unconditional love will always be the forefront of this story for me. And I feel like Magic Triumphs really showcases that beautifully.

Overall, I’m sad to see this come to and end. But maybe it is for the best, considering I didn’t feel the same magic that I felt earlier in this series. I will also say that I completely recommend any and everything that Ilona Andrews has created. I have loved this series, the Edge Series, and the Innkeeper Chronicles more than I have words for. This wife and husband writing duo really are the queen and king and PNR, and I can’t wait to see what they will have me fall in love with next!

Short Summary: In the final installment of the husband and wife co-authored Kate Daniels series, Kate is battling an ancient enemy that almost succeeded in destroying her family once before and this time seeks to raze Atlanta and everyone in it.

Thoughts: This series began back in 2007 and while I was late to the party (finally started in 2011), Kate Daniels will always be one of the integral series that turned me into such a diehard Urban Fantasy fan. As a final installment, Magic Triumphs still manages to throw in some unexpected surprises, new monsters, and an open enough ending to pave way for future stories (or spinoffs more likely).

Verdict: While the story started off with the standard formula with Kate researching a crime, it was far from what I was expecting from a final installment (I assumed it would be full of verbal sparring between her and Roland — I would have been a-okay with that). The first 2/3 felt like the story was dragging its feet (yet still managed to read very clipped and rushed somehow?), the final 1/3 was full of the action I would have appreciated reading about for the entire book, yet the end was ultimately satisfying and fans of the series will no doubt be pleased with the ending the duo writers bestowed upon her.

I keep hearing the Frank Sinatra song "My Way" as I type up this review of Magic Triumphs, the last of the Kate Daniels series; but luckily not the last of the world that was built by magic. The Andrews certainingly did it their way. They built a world where magic slammed into the modern one and took no prisoners. Where vampires were raving killing machines, who never sparkled. And the beasts of the world not only had bite they had true power. Then there was Kate, daughter of a megalomaniac god, just trying to survive. The problem with all this is now we are at an end, and like all great book so and authors the Andrews, built I world inhabited by characters I will always consider friends. The love story between Curran and Kate ranks as one of the best written in any book no matter the genre. They are on par with J.D. Robb's Eve and Roarke. In fact the emotional commitments amongst the characters the Andrews' have written ranks up with Rowlings and the Harry Potter series. As always the Andrews' have written a good urban fantasy adventure, that left me satisfied if not at times torn, as some key players are missing in action. The omission of these key players, at times left me scratching my head. Is this my favorite Kate Daniels book, no, but it was a good wrap up to the series. Plus the epilogue left the door open for lots more of this world. Hopefully not a time jump.

Goodbye my literary friends, until I meet we again in the pages of your books.

I don't know how to talk about this book. It was amazing. It was awesome. It was all I ever wanted and I still want more. I could write this whole review in all caps and it won't be enough. I cleared a whole day just for this book. I have to admit that I had the arc for two months and couldn't read it because then it would be over. But what an ending.

It has been almost two years since Magic Bind. Kate and Curran have Conlan, who is a rambunctious 13 months. But Kate knows that her father is going to attack and she must defend her city, her friends and her family. But there is something else out there and it is kidnapping whole communities and eating them. And its something even Roland might take a step a back from.

This book in nonstop. It starts off running and does not stop. Kate is kickass and Curran reaches new levels of control freak. Conlan steals the show and even the rat alpha wants one. I adore Erra. (Seriously I want to know how long they planned on bringing her back because I loved her in Magic Binds and still adore her now.) I will openly admit that I am a Julie fan now. Grown-up Julie is cool and I imagine that she will continue to grow in badassness.

I feel like I feel the difference in Kate, now that she has spawn. She has been a journey of responsibility from book one and it comes to a head here. I do love that she accepts that they are a family of monsters and Conlan should be okay with that.

So I think that writing this book was hard. There are a lot of characters in the Kate verse and trying to get them all having screen time, to wrap up and say bye is hard. Mostly this is a farewell to Kate and Curran. And that is exactly what happened.

I stumbled onto this series in 2008 and fell in love. It was been a decade of complete wonderment and I am sad to see it end. (Kinda, I know that there will be more. There are two more Hugh books in the works for sure.) But mostly it made me happy, so thank you magnificent authorlords. It's been an awesome ride.

I thought I was prepared for the end of the Kate Daniels series. I knew it was coming for such a long time, yet as I was reading the final book, all I wanted to do was savor each and every page as to make it last just a little bit longer. Magic Triumphs is filled with everything fans of this series have come to expect and love. We have much action, humor, and love in this story, which wrapped up the series perfectly.

I loved every single moment of Magic Triumphs. I honestly found myself laughing way more as I read this book than I ever expected to with it being the final book in the series. Yes there has always been humor in the books in this series, but I think I was so prepared for the battle at the end, I didn't think about everything Kate, Curran and crew would have to go through to get to that point of the story. I adored Kate and Curran's son Conlan so much. OMG he was about the cutest toddler ever to hit the pages of a book. I loved the dynamic the addition of Conlan added to this family.

I loved we got to see so many friend and even a few enemies along the way. Hugh and Elara showing up didn't really surprise me too much, but how they arrived totally and completely threw me for a loop for some reason. I was glad to see Hugh and Elara again following Iron & Magic, and while you don't have to read it before reading Magic Triumphs, there are some events that directly impact some of the actions in Magic Triumphs.

The entire series has been leading up to an epic battle between Kate and her father Roland. I have to say it was everything I was expecting and more. I have to say I loved while we had been building up for the battle over the entire course of the series, it really only was a small portion of this final book. The relationships between all the characters were at the front and center of the story and it just gave me all the feels to spend time with so many favorite characters along the way. I gave me the chance to also see the growth of all the characters over the course of the series.

I feel like Ilona Andrews gave the readers the best possible ending to the Kate Daniels series of books. While in my heart of hearts I'm hoping for many spin-off series beyond the Iron Covenant series, I was completely satisfied with the ending of Magic Triumphs. The Kate Daniels series of books will be one I will continue to read and listen to over and over again. I highly recommend this series of books to anyone who loves books in the Urban Fantasy genre.

Rating: 5 Stars (A)

It feels like the final Kate Daniels book has been a long time coming, but at the same time, I can’t believe it’s already here, and that Kate and Curran’s adventures are actually over. This series is without doubt my all-time favorite urban fantasy series ever, so it’s hard say goodbye to characters that have been in my life for over half a decade. I’ll try to keep the spoilers for the rest of the series to a minimum (though the blurb does give you a good enough hint of what’s to come), but just know that this epic finale was everything I ever wanted in the last Kate Daniels book!

The series and all of Kate’s battles, both internal and external, have all led to this final round with her father Roland. With the help of her husband, the former Beast Lord, her friends, the Pack’s shifters, and the People’s vampires, Kate must protect Atlanta and her son from Roland and a mysterious, ancient foe who is hell-bent on ruling the world.

I loved Magic Triumphs. It is jam-packed with action and humor, everything I love in a KD book. There’s no better series that can combine witty banter and epic fight scenes as well as this series. Kate is a hilarious heroine, sarcastic and self-deprecating. She’s also epic and badass, willing to give her all to protect her family. I loved seeing her and Curran in a new perspective as parents with baby Conlan. As much as I hate to say goodbye to Kate and Curran, they have been through hell and back, and this conclusion is a very well-deserved ending for them.

Every book in this series has blown my mind, and I’m just amazed at how everything comes together in this finale. Ilona Andrews has written one of the most incredible urban fantasy worlds with the KD series, and I can only hope that there are more stories to tell. For now, I’m happy that they did justice with Kate and Curran, who will forever be two of my favorite characters in the book world!

Ilona Andrews probably could have written Kate Daniels books for another 10 years and made a fortune. They are wildly successful and even after 10 books, fans love them every bit as much as they did years ago… if not more. I know I do. But that makes it all the more impressive that they decided to end this series on top. They finished Kate’s story and they did it in spectacular fashion, giving me everything I wanted and needed from an epic conclusion. I can’t imagine the kind of pressure they were under to satisfy their readers with Kate’s swan song, but somehow, they pulled it off with their trademark blend of humor, action, and heart.

There are so many things that make this book awesome, but the clearest front-runner is an adorable, fascinating, and powerful one year-old named Conlan Lennart. That’s right, Kate and Curran’s baby is born in the prologue and we scoot ahead in time a bit for the bulk of this book. It was a brilliant move, because Conlan has grown enough to feel like a real character here. He is clearly smart and extremely gifted with magic, but at the end of the day he is also a toddler that loves his mommy and daddy. And man, do they love him too.

You think love for her husband and her friends motivated Kate? Just watch out for this mama bear protecting her cub.

I really thought this book was going to be all about Kate’s big face off with her father. And that is part of the story, but far from the only conflict. I’ll stop here and say if you have not read Iron and Magic, Hugh’s book, go back and read it now before you jump in here. The events of that story are vitally important to this one. Because those bad guys? They’re going to look awfully familiar. Only here, we are finally understanding their origins and their goals. It is the biggest and baddest force that Kate has ever had to fight. And she knows that she still must deal with her dad and his eminent attack on her and her son. So much is happening.

And that means calling in all of the big players. From the family of her heart like Julie and Derek… to the ties of her blood, like Erra and Rowena… to her allies: the Pack, the People, even Atlanta herself. And then there are the men who were basically like estranged brothers, Nick and Hugh. They know better than anyone what kind of foe Roland is. Saiman, Roman, Christopher, Teddy Jo. The list just goes on and on. And they all matter to the story. They all have a part to play, and for long-time readers of this series, it is so gratifying to see all of these pieces come together in this amazing tapestry.

I laughed out loud. I cheered out loud too. But even as I approached the last two chapters, I kept wondering how the authors were going to manage to make everything work out in the end. And I don’t know why I even questioned it, because they have never let me down and they certainly did not start here.

I couldn’t be happier with Kate’s HEA. And I love that they have dangling threads which will allow them to return to this world in the future with stories centered on other characters. I definitely will continue with Hugh’s books and I feel total confidence in a future series for Julie. All the dominoes are set up just right.

I will miss this series terribly, but I am so grateful that I got to see it go out with the kind of quality story it deserved. Thank you, Ilona Andrews for bringing this world to life… and for letting me love Kate Daniels.

Rating: A