Kate Daniels is the protagonist of the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. She is a mercenary living in a post-Shift Atlanta, where waves of magic periodically sweep across the world, causing technology to fail and awakening creatures from myth.
When the series begins, Kate works for the Mercenary Guild, taking dangerous jobs that involve the supernatural. She carries a sword, lives alone, and keeps everyone at arm’s length. She has good reason to hide: her father is Roland, an ancient being of immense magical power who has lived for millennia and would kill her if he knew she existed.
Background
Kate was raised by her guardian Voron, a former warlord who served Roland. Voron trained her to fight from childhood, preparing her to either serve Roland or destroy him. After Voron’s death, Kate went into hiding, suppressing her power and avoiding anything that might draw her father’s attention.
Powers and Abilities
Kate’s primary magical ability is the power word. She can speak words of power that compel magical obedience, a talent inherited from her father’s bloodline. Her sword, Slayer, is enchanted to cut through magic. As the series progresses, Kate’s abilities grow substantially, and she learns to command magic in ways few others can match.
Beyond magic, Kate is an exceptional fighter. Years of training made her deadly with a blade, and she can hold her own against shapeshifters and other supernatural creatures in physical combat.
Relationships
Kate’s most significant relationship is with Curran Lennart, the Beast Lord who leads Atlanta’s Pack of shapeshifters. Their relationship begins antagonistically but develops into a slow-burn romance across the series. Kate also forms close bonds with members of the Pack and eventually builds a found family.
Reading Order
See the complete Kate Daniels reading order for all books in the series.