Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews:

Kate Daniels introduced me to House Andrews, and I’ve never looked back. I didn’t even know I was craving a return to Atlanta with Julie until I read the first snippet on House Andrews’ blog. Most kids go off to college and party — Julie goes off to Cali with her semi-psychotic “grandmother” and renews an ancient kingdom. No big deal. Now, a frightening new power has emerged, threatening the world order in a very personal way.

Groan…it’s so good. The world was rich to begin with, and we’re re-immersed immediately. The pacing is delicious — feeding us morsels of familiarity then swinging to terrifying action, perfectly balancing very human moments with humor and tension. Both the dialogue and the magic system serve to ground the action. It’s funny; it’s inventive; it’s like we never left. I love it. I love seeing what my favorites are doing — Desandra, I’m looking at you — and getting an epic urban adventure thrown into the mix.

If you like a well-researched world, strong and intelligent women, strange and scary baddies, and a teasingly slow burn, I highly recommend Blood Heir.

Five stars, all day long.