In the third installment of the Kate Daniels series Kate’s back and busier than ever. Not only is it the usual – in this case getting elderly “in the closet” banshees off telephone poles – but the Pack and resident magic expert and master shapeshifter Saiman all requiring her services in the same night. In the midst of unexplained shapeshifter murders, Kate’s old merc partner Jim, who also happens to be head of Pack security, has gone rogue. On top of that her werewolf friend Derek is being tight-lipped but desperate about needing her help, which requires Kate attending the illegal, gladiatorial-style Midnight Games fighting tournament as Saiman’s date. When Derek however is found beaten to a pulp and left for dead, Kate realizes that everything she’s tangled up in is somehow related, and she won’t stand it any longer. Teaming up with Curran, Jim, Saiman and her favorite shapeshifters, she’ll take on anyone in the Midnight Games arena, only to find the dark plot hits closer to home than she thought and Curran’s more in love with her than ever.

I’d heard this was the clincher book but was still surprised at how much it totally knocked my socks off. Putting it plainly, I loved it! It’s now my one and only (ever) favorite urban fantasy book. Don’t get me wrong; I enjoyed reading Magic Bites and Magic Burns, but admittedly couldn’t shake the thought at the back of my mind that maybe UF wasn’t my thing. I can’t believe that I ever thought that! The plotting and pacing in this book was so spot-on I was captivated from the first page and except for the few pages describing the jungle and rakshava mythology I couldn’t put it down. Better yet the fighting was freaking awesome, the romance heats up in the best way (hot tubs and dinner) and Kate finally divulges the pieces to her all important heritage and magic-laced blood. Best of all I was grinning and laughing at all the impeccably-written dry humor and serious attitude Kate gives all her enemies as well as her friends. Kate rules! I love her and my new Curran/Kate fangirl status. Basically if you like or think you may like urban fantasy PLEASE try out this series, I couldn’t recommend it more.