Kate Daniels' life has changed a lot in the last year -- she's now living at the shapeshifters' keep, and is the Consort of the Beast Lord. But the really dangerous stuff is still the same. "Magic Slays" is a brilliant fifth chapter in Kate's story, revealing a new and potent threat against EVERYONE in Atlanta, as well as blood, sorrow, ancient Russian magic, and knitting vampires. 
 After months of inactivity, Kate's little agency is suddenly beset with problems -- navigators are losing control of their vampires, wards are being eaten, and a heavily-guarded inventor (and his mysterious invention) have gone missing. Kate isn't sure what is going on with the first two incidents, and she suspects evil Russian magic for the third. 
 But the truth is actually a lot more complicated -- especially when Kate discovers the true purpose of the device, and how it can kill the majority of Atlanta's population. And now it's in the hands of a fanatical cabal devoted to wiping out magic. To save all their lives, the different supernatural factions must put aside their differences and work together... 
 "Magic Slays" is the sort of book that Ilona Andrews seems to write almost effortlessly -- a rich, earthy plot full of magic, blood, fur and animalistic power. This particular one also has Andrews using Russian folklore for her story, by introducing some dangerous Russian witches (including a very familiar one) and the volvhs (both dark and light). 
 In fact, the only real flaw in the book is the depiction of the witches and volvhs -- they start off sinister, powerful and eerie, and then we get a goofy family feud ("We're lucky the magic isn't up. At the last New Year's they set the house on fire. There was alcohol involved"). 
 But the rest of the time, Andrews spins up an elaborate, well-written tale full of dark, grimy atmosphere and rip-and-tear action, as well as a tart sense of humor ("I'm investigating people who sacrifice trained killers to dark gods." "Perfect. It will keep him occupied"). She also juggles important plot threads from previous books, ranging from Andrea's career to the looming threat of Roland. 
 Kate is usually being fed through the physical wringer, but the torture she endures in "Magic Slays" is more emotional -- she discovers the cruel lies of her childhood, doubts Curran's love for her, and is faced with (possibly) having to kill someone she loves. She's stripped off some of her emotional armor and allowed others into her heart, and so these events are all the more painful for her to deal with. 
 "Magic Slays" is a rollercoaster ride of magic, action and the occasional shaved poodle. It stirs the blood and leaves you craving more.