4.5 stars.

The Wilmington Years series should really be titled "Kate And Curran Fail At Retirement." Wow. I'm screaming. I need to reread both Tides/Claims in audio to fully process what just happened. I know that Triumphs felt like an ending to Kate's arc, but there's honestly enough storyline for another five books. There are some Blood Heir questions answered in this short novel, but mostly there's a lot of setup necessary for a showdown in the distant future. Who knows when that showdown will be published, but I will patiently wait.

I am not really sure who this review is for, because new-to-KD readers shouldn't start here (do not pass go, do not collect $200, go directly to Magic Burns). But fans don't need my praise to preorder, either. Honestly, Magic Claims is best experienced without knowing anything beyond the blurb. I feel like I can't discuss the identity of the villains because their magic is so... epic. When I first realized what Kate was facing, I had to push my tablet aside and take a lap around the kitchen table to calm myself down. A lot of weird fuckery happens in Kate's Atlanta, but this truly takes the cake. I now understand why IA asked for a paleontologist expert on their blog, lol. And the epilogue. THE EPILOGUE. I am still in shock.

And Conlan — my sweet, precious boy who is smarter than all the adults in the room. As you can see, I have a normal level of adoration for this eight-year-old werelion. Please, I will take all the short stories about Conlan and the [spoiler place at the epilogue]. I have a desperate need.

A tangent: I burst out laughing at the sly reference to clams in the end. Magic Clams, indeed.