Another wonderful story from Kate Daniels’ world this time featuring Andrea and Raphael. While this may be a novella it’s big on importance in the whole scheme of past and future books. It’s hard for me to find a paranormal series that is as consistently entertaining as this one has been for me. Uniqueness has come to be expected whenever I read one of these stories and I’m never disappointed. Being fascinated by all things Raphael I was thrilled to read a novella devoted to him and Andrea. Andrea is more the focal point of this tale, but there is more than enough Raphael to keep me happy. MAGIC MORNS takes up where MAGIC STRIKES left off in the pursuit of Andrea by Raphael. Kate pops in and out of the tale to aid Andrea and Raphael in their search for the stolen body of one of Raphael’s family. As in all the previous books when magic is in control of the world it’s the gift that just keeps on delivering with new and imaginative villains. We are given insight as to why Andrea’s dedication to serve and protect as a knight of the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid is more than just a job to her. Why she needs to belong so badly to this organization is explained in sorrowful detail. Her unwillingness to become involved with Raphael is based in the same reasons.Have to admit I love a sassy heroine and an arrogant hero. I’m provided both, with plenty of innuendo and snarky remarks to keep me reading with a grin on my face. I can always count on Ilona Andrews to deliver clever dialogue, unique storylines, adventure and danger. HIGHLY RECOMMEND to anyone 18 and older. Magic Mourns by Ilona AndrewsAtlanta chapter of the Order of Knights of Merciful AidKate Daniels – awesome knight, is on the ‘injured’ list.Andrea Nash – Kate’s best friend –she is born half bouda and half reverse shifter (animal who shifts to human) – her pack was cruel, her mother the smallest and abused, and raped by the reverse shifter (who didn’t understand his behavior) until Andrea was born… who then was also abused (every bone in her body broken repeatedly)… finally, when 10, her mother managed to run away with her… taken to Raphael’s aunt, who cared for her. She has learned to bury her shifter self, and is part of the knights (who don’t know she is a shifter - she has hidden it so well) who have an uneasy treaty with the knights. She feels mated to Raphael (especially her hidden animal), but refuses to act on it.Raphael Medrano – a bouda – special shape shifter , “tightly controlled, virile sensuality, heat simmering just beneath the surface of his dusky skin”. Has been courting Andrea for 6 months – although her words say one thing, her eyes say another.Cerberus – Hades’ three headed guard dog, sent to retrieve the soul of Raphael’s stepfather, who was Hades’ priest, died, and body/soul taken as another wants access to Hades’ temple for Artemis’ apple, for eternal life.Andrea (filling in for Kate) gets a report of a dog as big as a house chasing a shifter… and she goes to the rescue, finding Raphael as the shifter that is running… They join forces to free his stepfather’s soul …And along the way, Raphael and Andrea really talk… bouda’s courtship includes practical jokes – and Raphael has broke into her apartment, and left a delicate chandelier of sorts that goes from floor to ceiling, and he hung dozens of thongs on them… when it looked like they were going to die, he asks her if she liked his surprise… and she admits yes… and then when they hiding out in his house, they are cooking together (she can’t let him cook or else bouda tradition sees it as an acceptance of sex), she tells him no… and her past spills out to him, why they can’t be together, why she can’t be with someone who would not be faithful and exclusive, someone who wants sex and not the whole her… he lets her be for a bit, but when she returns, he tells her that he only wants her – all of her – and that he hasn’t been interested in anyone else for 6 months.\They have sex, they make love… and they agree they both come with baggage, but that they are going to try and make it work… and it ends with her letting loose her beast (which Raphael finds beautiful) to quickly rescue his nephew and stop that bad one from eating the apple. ahhhh
What do You think about Magic Mourns (2011)?
Quick read which allows you to see what happens to some of the characters in Daniels world.
—PMorgan
So that's where the apples came from :) interesting POV from Teddy Jo!
—010220000
I really enjoyed this story about Andrea and Raphael.
—Dee
