This review was first posted on http://www.rubysreads.com. 
 I absolutely adore Kate Daniels. Who could dislike anyone so fiercely loyal, snarky and kick-ass? On the other hand, it's an established facet of Kate's character that she isn't exactly easy to like. She puts all the letters in difficult, and creates extras so you can still spell stubborn. Still, there are few heroines out there with as much strength of character, depth of feeling and complexity. I like to think this is, in part, due to the fact that Kate's story is told by a husband and wife team. It also makes for some awesome relationship building between Kate and Curran. 
 Magic Slays is a game-changer on so many levels. It's chock full of new developments for characters as well as storylines. We even get introduced to a new face or two. Now that Kate and Curran are officially mated, Kate has set up shop on her own. She's separated from the Order, but unavoidably affiliated with the pack. Being Curran's mate has brought her as much bureaucratic hassle as it has pleasure and reward. There's the name-calling (Consort, Beast Lady), being present at arbitration, defeating any and all challengers, and needing escorts to avoid suggestions of impropriety. You name it, Kate's got to deal with it. Then she gets her first client. 
 Kate's latest case proves to be as messy and convoluted as everything else she gets involved in. It's the kind of mystery that will force warring factions and personal enemies to fight side by side. It will also put the innocent at risk. How's that for melodrama? Not enough? Good, 'cuz there's more. Kate's case not only reveals some new, devastating information about her already complex family history, but it also points out that being mated doesn't equal an automatic happily ever after for them. Kate's used to standing on her own, being on her own, being responsible for her own...are you getting the point? Kate's virulent independence is a problem when her mate is the Beast Lord and he's basically used to manipulating people and giving orders. The best part is, though, Kate and Curran are working on it. They talk--a small miracle in itself--and they truly, deeply love each other. More, they understand that for their relationship to work, they have to compromise (and change--gasp!) where they can, and figure out a way to deal when they can't. 
 Each volume of Kate's story brings us closer to the ultimate conclusion. At some point, Kate will have a bloody, vicious battle with her own father, and only one of them will survive. Kate's entire life has been about preparing for that moment, and it's made for a lonely, hard, violent life. The fact that she's now mated to Curran is huge. I honestly didn't think we'd see their relationship so well-established only five books into the series. I also wasn't certain that it could hold my interest if it were. Magic Slays proved me incredibly wrong, and I'm ever so glad it did. In addition to Kate and Curran's relationship, I love seeing more of Julie and Derek, whom I am not-so-secretly hoping have a future together. I keep forgetting that Derek is only nineteen, which makes him five years older than Julie. This is an age difference that can't work for the next, say, ten years, but is workable in the future. I hope. It's also clear that we haven't seen the last of the newest addition to the bouda clan, maybe even in relationship to Julie as well. I'm content to wait, though. I certainly haven't had my fill of Kate. Not yet.