Reread Decemeber 12, 2014: ZOMG! This book is SO good! I love it! Kate and Curran are such badasses in the tournament. Sigh. I love this series so much.Originally Read July 4, 2013: Guys, this book is urban fantasy meets gladiator and... It. Is. Awesome.I can't even put into words how wonderful this book was and how much I loved it. This series is now one of my favorites. Such a diverse world with diverse mythologies and creatures. SO. GOOD! Kate swore she would stay away from Curran, but just like winter, it seems the guy always comes around, there's no avoiding it. This time, Kate is recruited to investigate shifters murders and it will get very personal when her young friend Derek is a target. Kate will put everything on the line to find and punish the murderer, and it might be her biggest challenge yet.The Ilona Andrews duo blessed us with yet another thrilling book! Before I get down to business... Gladiator fights!! Yes, yes, also synonymous to awesomeness. If you put aside the whole Kate-Curran romance (and I will get back to that later), the arena fighting was my favorite aspect of this book. Maybe I am a closet gruesome-blood-shedding-action fan, but I can't help it, I always love those kind of fights. So imagine my happiness when I realized we would get a whole tournament! *squeee* Curran. He is sooo made of awesome. I love him since book one, but I love him more and more with each book. I just love how he intentionally makes Kate squirm under his scrutiny, how he teases her all the time. The way he subtly pursue her, with little attentions here and there also makes me swoon. And did I mention his sense of duty and unique sense of humor? I mean who wouldn't fall for such a great guy, wrapped in such a sexy package?Kate isn't left in the dust either. She is smart, though, and fights teeth and nails out when someone she cares for is in danger. She is loyal to the end and just about the best friend you could have, because she will never let you down if she can help it. I also really like her dry sense of humor and even though I understand why she doesn't want to get involved with Curran, I have this strong urge to knock some sense into her!The action was fine, the mystery was great and the new enemy was hate-able (yes yes this is a word...) just the way I like it. I just kept turning page after page, excited the whole way through, and wondering how the whole thing would end. And the answer is?? WITH A BANG! It was simply crazy and I can't wait to see how it will affect the next book.The Kate Daniels series is awesome, and I can't believe it took me this long to discover it. The good side? I don't have to die in anticipation between each book, at least for a couple more books :) If you haven't started this series yet, I urge you to do so!
What do You think about Duell Der Schatten (2010)?
It's getting more and more fun to read them. I really enjoy how the characters evolve :D
—cathy
Excellent installment - better, than the first two books!
—Susan
