Gunmetal Magic

This book was very enjoyable. The book, being mostly about Andrea, filled in a lot of the backstory on her life and really shed light on some of her previous actions. The plot line was fairly fast paced and made sense within the larger world of the Kate Daniels books as well as on it's own. You wouldn't have to listen to any other book to enjoy or understand this one. I liked seeing Kate and Curran through another characters eyes as well as many of the other characters we've only seen through Kate's eyes, though Kate and Curran weren't really a large part of this book. I think I'll probably end up listening to this one again. Renee Raudman did a fine job as narrator and her voice makes me think of the characters of this series.

Where to begin? Okay the humor was great. It's dry and witty. Which I LOVE!

In case you are thinking about buying this book, and haven't read any other books by Ilona Andrews, I would suggest reading all of their 'Kate Daniels " books. It is a great series, and it just keeps getting better.

Yes, I have listen to Renee Raudman perform many, many, times. I must admit that her Kate Daniels performances are my favorite. She is PERFECT.

I was really excited to find that I liked this book as much as The "Kate Daniels " series. I tried to enjoy the others series that Ilona Andrews writes but it just couldn't compare,

This is really a great addition to the Kate Daniels series. In fact, it's a must read if you are reading the series, because it goes on with Andrea's and Raphael's relationship where the last book left off. Kate and Curran also, have a role in this book, which was nice hearing from them. The whole book deals with a specific threat to the shifters, much like the Kate books do, so is basically another Kate book. It explains Andrea's roots, and what makes her tick, which happened to be a very interesting story. The only part that bothered me, was the teenage way she handled her breakup with Raphael. She wants him back, desperately, then when she has the chance, she is mad and can't make up her mind. Hate that in most of these books, how the couples act so childish. Either you love them or you don't. Simple.
All in all it's predictable and enjoyable. The narrator does an excellent job, with all the voices of her characters. Well worth the listening time.

I enjoy urban supernatural fantasy, including the Kate Daniels series. This book immerses you in that world but from the perspective of Kate's friend, Andrea Nash. This book follows the usual formula but does an engaging job of it. It also advances the Andrea Nash character nicely.

The narrator is excellent, as she always is.

This book fleshes out Andrea's backstory as well as giving us a new look on the caracters of Kate Daniel's world. The book is really enjoyable and fast paced enought. I am sure I will have to listen to it again.

(Interesting enough, Andrea's beast form voice sounds like Hera (or is it Era?) from the forth book).

The sad part is the fact that the novella is not included in this version. I hope it will be available somewhere in electronic form.

Loved the story, and was waiting for the Novella about Kate and Curran that's in the book, but it's not there on the audio. It should be, but perhaps they'll release it separately.....heavy sigh.....

I love this writer team. I love the series. They call this book a spin off because it does not feature the main romantic couple from the other books, but for those who have read any of the books after book 1, these are characters who have constantly been there and have independent, unique, and non-flattened personalities. This book is simply another great example of the solid writing style I expect from this author.

As for the reading, I enjoyed the entire performance. I love the consistency of having the same reader throughout the series. There is a wholeness, a consistency, with the performances that makes it easy to want to listen to the whole series everytime I think about listening to one of the books.

Gunmetal Magic is a fun journey. Andrea Nash is hired to investigate some pack deaths. To investigate the murders, Nash must interact with Raphael. Some of the truly great characters in this series such as Barabas, Roman, and Aunt B also return. If you like other books by these writers, you will like this book, but I do not suggest starting the series with this book. You should read the Kate Daniel's series first to get full enjoyment out of this book. Renée Raudman is still great.

First off, I have to get it off my chest, it has to be said that the cover art is moronic...all I can think is if she fires that gun she will be smacked in the face by the recoil, and fails to convey the "hard sharpshooting" mystic that is supposed to be Andrea. But oh well, who cares about that anyways.
The story: The story is a little aggravating, even annoying at times. I think that Ms. Andrews is trying to explore the ramifications of shape shifters who are subject to becoming mated, a condition that is supposedly a great deal more intense than just married and apparently consists of a biological attachment as much as a romantic attachment, and how it affects a person who also possess a human mind that is capable of deciding against the mating. Basically what I am trying to say is that half of this book is about how Andrea and Raphael fight this "mating" and the emotional and intellectual angst this creates in Andrea's mind. Unfortunately is makes Andrea come across a bit like a dimwitted teenage girl. I did not like the whole "irresistibly drawn to him" subplots and "what the hell is wrong with me" angst that permeates much of this novel. But the overall story/plot line was not bad. Andrea investigates a murder, said investigation leads to major bad guy that needs to be defeated. (I don't want to give away any spoilers). When Andrea is not whining about Raphael, she is an interesting character whom I came to root for. It helps that the Narration was quite good. If, like me, you have come to really enjoy the Kate Daniels series, of which this is an offshoot (pun intended), you will probably enjoy the novel. But if this is your first foray into Ilona Andrews novels, I suggest you read the Kate Daniels series first (Magic Bites is book 1).
I found this one a little on the average side, although I did enjoy it for the most part. Of course if you LIKE listening to the whiney ramblings of a teen-age like women pine after an ex-boyfriend whom she "just can't seem to call" to discuss the issue, and then wonders why that is not working. So she spends all her time getting angry and... well, acting like a jilted teenage girl ..then hell… you will probably love this book. I just can't bring myself to believe that rational, real women act like that so I find it annoying.

Funny.Romantic.Gruesome.

A stand alone in a fantastic series..

She is the best! Each voice is perfect in it's characterization and she's consistant all the way through.

Andrea parading around town in her beast form is hilarious.

Why wasn't Magic Gifts inclulded with the audio?