Gunmetal Magic

By: Ilona Andrews

Narrated by: Renée Raudman

Length: 12 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

Audie Award Nominee, Paranormal, 2013

After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea's whole existence is in shambles. She tries to put herself back together by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend. When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano-the male alpha of the Clan Bouda, and Andrea's former lover-die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate. Now she must work with Raphael as her search for the killer leads into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta. And dealing with her feelings for him might have to take a back seat to saving the world.

©2012 Andrew Gordon and Ilona Gordon (P)2012 Tantor

They're BACK! Loved It!!

What did you love best about Gunmetal Magic?

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

What other book might you compare Gunmetal Magic to and why?

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.

Have you listened to any of Renée Raudman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

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.

Any additional comments?

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,

Really a great addition to the Kate series

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.

Enjoyable

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.

Andrea Shows Her Stuff!

I absolutely loved this story featuring Andrea Nash. Her background as well as her growth from the earlier Kate Daniels Magic books was fascinating, with a bonus that it was fun to see Kate, Curran, and the rest of the gang from Andrea's perspective.

There is something special about the writing of Ilona Andrews -- it may well be the perfect blend of male and female perspectives coupled with the humorous approach to the magical worlds they describe. This was an action-filled story with just the right touch of romantic conflict to add a bit of stress and humor.

This story did not disappoint, and the narration by Renée Raudman was spot-on as usual. She truly does justice to the human and beast voices of both genders. Very entertaining and highly recommended!

Where is the Novella????

Any additional comments?

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.....

If you like the Kate Daniels series, you will like

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.

wonderfull new addition in Kate's world

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.

Good side story set the Kate Daniels world

This is the 5.5th book in the Kate Daniels series and the 1st book in the Kate Daniels World series which features side characters from the Kate Daniels series. This book features Andrea Nash. It was a very well done book and it was good to hear Andrea’s back story and get more insight into her character.

I listened to this on audiobook and it was a very well done audiobook. It is read by the same lady who narrates the Kate Daniels series. She does an excellent job capturing the characters’ moods and voices.

Andrea is recovering from her expulsion from the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid and working at Cutting Edge (Kate’s investigative firm). She is hired by the Pack to look into a strange incident that happened at reclamation site of her ex-boyfriend Raphael. Four Bouda clan members were murdered near a vault at the reclamation site and it is up to Andrea to figure out who did it, why, and how. Of course she has to work with Raphael, who she is not on good terms with and has an extremely explosive relationship with.

The book starts a bit slow...first we have to get into Andrea’s story and then she spends a lot of time whining and avoiding Raphael. In the beginning of the book there are places where I wanted to smack Andrea and tell her to her stuff together. Things really pick up about 25% in though, as Andrea gets deeper into investigating the death of four Boudas.

Andrea is a good character, but she is definitely more of sidekick. She’s just too melodramatic and not witty enough to make her as fun to read about as Kate. Everything is black and white, life or death with her. She does change as the book goes on, but I still rolled my eyes at her drama at points. While this was an interesting book and I am glad it was written, I am also hoping this will be the only book from Andrea’s POV.

Raphael is kind of jerk for large portions of the book. Him and Andrea have a very on again, off again type of thing going on that was a bit frustrating and annoying to read about. He wasn’t my favorite male lead. Him and Andrea definitely have good chemistry though.

I loved the addition of Rowan (the black mage) to the story. He is quirky and funny and has some awesome powers. I really hope we see more of him in future books. He is what really made this book a fun and interesting read for me. We also meet some excellent new magical baddies in this book as well...love the crazy snake people!

The book is full of some absolutely wonderful action scenes. There is also the whole mating tradition going on between Andrea and Raphael where they see who can play the biggest practical joke on the other. Some of these scenes were hilarious and all I have to say is...purple shag carpet...enough said.

The story ties up nicely and the book is well written.

Overall this is a good addition to the Kate Daniels world. It was nice to hear Andrea’s full background and watch her transition from a Knight of Mericful Aid, to something not quite as law-abiding and a lot more dangerous. Andrea doesn’t have the humor and wit Kate has and she is a bit too melodramatic for my liking; so I didn’t like her as much as Kate in the role of heroine. Andrea and Raphael have great chemistry but their on again off again relationship bugged me a bit. There are some very funny scenes in here, we get to spend more time with Rowan, and we meet some wonderful new magical baddies. Definitely not my favorite book in this series, but it’s still a good urban fantasy read. I definitely recommend this book if you love urban fantasy or if you are a fan of the Kate Daniels series in general. I would recommend the Kate Daniels books over this one though if you are a first time reader of the Andrews.

Loved this book

Ilona Andrews is one of my favourite authors - I love the characters (flaws and all), and the story is fast paced and interesting. Few authors do world building as thoroughly or with as much depth as Illona Andrew.
Renee Raudman is amazingly talented.

Great Read!

If you could sum up Gunmetal Magic in three words, what would they be?

Kick a...! The book is gritty, raw, but heartwarming. A tough a....love story and I loved it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Gunmetal Magic?

I don't know. I loved the entire book. Full of sarcasm and I mean I live for that sooo...

What does Renée Raudman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is awesome! This is the first book I've heard her narrate but I would not hesitate to read her again. I don't know where people are getting bad info on her talents. She was great...and trust because I am super picky. I will totally discard a book for bad narrating so I mean...Renee is great. Yeah don't let those reviews deter you.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Ok so at first I was a little weirded out because it started real hard core. I had not been used to the whole tough as nails stories but boy am I glad that I was acquainted with it. I got the book on a sale and so glad I did. I actually began listening to this book, got weirded out by it after like 3 minutes. Then came back to it about a week later. Just imagine if I had missed out because I was uber critical in the beginning. However, after that, I tried to listen to it in one sitting but geesh my husband and kids just refuse to allow me to enjoy myself!!!

Any additional comments?

Its worth every penny or credit. Get it!