Scarred, solitary Derek Gaunt has separated from his Pack, and is truly a lone wolf. With no family he answers to no one; but is fiercely loyal to a chosen few. So, when several of those close to him are murdered, he’ll stop at nothing to hunt their killer through the magic-drenched streets of Atlanta.

Never one to be left on the sidelines, equally determined—some might say stubborn—Julie Lennart-Olsen soon joins in his pursuit; and what began as revenge turns into a race to save the city. Their search pits them against powers they never imagined and magic so old, it predates history. It may cost Derek his life, but there are things for which even he would risk everything.

Pros – More Julie and Derek is never a bad thing, tantalizing hints about future plot points, Julie kicks ass

Cons – …really the only con is that this is the first time we’ve been in Derek’s head and I would like more of it

As a warning, this is set after book 8 (Magic Shifts) the most recent Kate Daniels book. So as such there’s some spoilers for some rather large events of the recent books. You’ve been warned.

Review – Oh Julie.  Oh Derek.  Oh Julie and Derek.  I admit original cocky pretty Derek was annoying. He still totally deserves that beat down Kate gave him. First appearance Julie, well she was pretty cool for a street kid and Andrews never treated her like the “cute mascot sidekick” or plot device loved in distress like kids seem to get regulated to in series. The evolution of both characters has made them well worth reading whether as part of the main series or in the various novellas the two crop up in.

I won’t lie I’d totally read a series JUST about these two (solo or kicking ass together).

After the events of MAGIC SHIFTS (that is, the showdown with Roland and consequences of Curran giving up his Beast Lord status to Jim–though as this story proves while Jim may be Beast Lord, Curran is still considered a Beast Lord to be feared plus taking over the Mercenary Guild, and Kate becoming Guardian to Atlanta) things have sort of settled into a rhythm. Derek, who broke with the Pack when Curran did, is doing covert jobs helping to protect those important to Curran or Kate and mete out justice to those who deserve it.

And Julie has stylized herself Kate’s Herald, which I’m sure Kate is thrilled about.

Their paths cross when Derek looks into the murder of a family of blacksmiths and Julie answers what should have been a routine call about a missing magic rock.

Want to Know More?

Published by: Ilona Andrews (self-pub)
Release: December 8, 2015
Series: Gray Wolf #1, Kate Daniels #8.5
Add it to Goodreads

Connect with Ilona Andrews: Twitter | Goodreads | Website