Did Not Finish Iron and Magic (Kate Daniels book 9.5) by Ilona Andrews.
Iron and Magic slots right between Magic Binds and Magic Triumphs timeline-wise. It’s short but gives readers that breather with Kate and Curran before the final book throws everything at them.
When I started out on this book, I thought the story would make for a nice palate cleanser before the finale wrecks the reader in me emotionally. My tall paperback of a Magic Triumph - recently purchased via Amazon and received in good order - can wait its turn on the shelf. But in the end, my calculation misfires as I am unable to complete this novel. I struggle to make myself read at least until I reach the halfway mark. It is difficult to enjoy the story because it portrays Huge in a different light from what I perceived and wanted him to be.
Iron and Magic era Hugh is... something else. He’s one of those characters you either love to hate or hate to love. No in-between. What I like about Hugh so much is a mixed bag really. His chaos energy. His loyalty. The way he talks to Curran. The way he is attracted to Kate. Most of all, how he is turned on by Kate in their no-style fighting style. The Hugh in this book is post Roland. He is still powerful in his own way, but very much different from the earlier books. And I didn't exactly like it. But well, at least I make it a point to stop my reading at halfway mark, so if I ever want to continue with this book in future, I know where I left off.
