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Kate Daniels #2
Magic Burns
Down in Atlanta, tempers – and temperatures – are about to flare…
As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.
When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest – and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug-of-war between two gods hoping for rebirth. And if Kate can’t stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive…
As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.
When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest – and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug-of-war between two gods hoping for rebirth. And if Kate can’t stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive…
261 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2008
About the author
Ilona Andrews
143 books31.5k followersIlona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.)
Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Oregon with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge.
Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Oregon with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,531 reviews
November 18, 2021
5/6/18: I hope that when the Andrews write their Julie and Derek spinoff that one of the books takes place during another flare and Red shows up. Then I want for Julie and/or Derek to break several of his bones. Big important ones. Like a femur and his pelvis. Yeah.
4.5 stars
After the trial by fire world-building of MAGIC BITES, any leftover questions are quickly answered in KATE DANIELS #2 by virtue of the shifts from magic to tech and tech to magic occurring with alarming frequency as a result of one of this book's Big Problems, the magical Flare.
SIDENOTE: that's "Flare" as in flare-up, not "flair" as in you need at least 15 pieces on your uniform. FYI.
Right. SO a magic Flare has happened every 7(ish) years since tech fell, and during a Flare, not only are the magic/tech shifts more frequent, but the magic is more POTENT.
More strange things happen, more creatures show up, already existing magical people and creatures have a harder time maintaining control over their magical aspects.<------it's a MESS.
The Casino, the headquarters of The People, shuts down entirely, going into lockdown.
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
MAGIC BURNS begins with Kate getting an early morning wakeup call from Jim, who needs backup on a Mercenary Guild gig. About the time they've got everything wrapped-up, Jim gets a mysterious text, and ditches Kate, b/c "Pack business." Kate is understandably annoyed. She's only one person, and hardly capable of carrying BOTH the dead (shot in the back with an arrow by person(s) unknown) perp and the salamander contained by magical glass, and they only get paid if they have proof they took care of the problem.
So what does Kate do?
She cuts off Perp's head. So pragmatic, our Kate.
After dumping the head and the fire lizard at the Guild, Kate moseys over to the Order, where Derek asks for her help on behalf of the Pack.
A group of surveyors was ambushed, you see, by a man who stole their maps and literally disappeared. This mysterious man left behind several arrows matching the one that killed Perp, so Kate heads back to the parking deck where she cornered Perp that morning, and looks for a clue. (<------I LOVE it when Kate looks for clues.)
What she finds is a creepy magnetized metal yard with Stymphalian birds, what looks like a smashed air hanger with a bottomless pit underneath where a cauldron used to sit, and two street kids.
One of those street kids is Julie (Yay!!). The other street kid is Red (boo hiss).
Also in the weird, smushed air hanger is a bizarre skeleton pinned to some crates by more familiar looking arrows. Kate decides to investigate, removes an arrow or two, and what-do-you-know, the bowman somehow knows and comes to investigate.
The bowman's name is Bran, and Bran is HOT. He's mischievous and has swagger and I LOVE him.
After lots of flirty banter (and maybe a scuffle or two), Bran gives Kate the maps and . . . disappears.
Red is long gone by this point, so Kate takes Julie under her wing, stuff happens, Curran in his Alpha-ness is even more HOT than Bran, Kate is even more KICK-ASS than we previously thought, and this second installment pretty much kills the first one (and the first book was PRE-tty dang good IMO).
This is a series that just keeps getting better, and if you haven't checked it out yet . . . you NEED to check it out. Anyone who loves or is interested in Urban Fantasy should have KATE DANIELS in their library. Come on . . . time to drink the kool-aid. This won't hurt a bit, I promise. *orbit gum smile*
My other reviews for this series:
A Questionable Client (Kate Daniels, #0.5)
Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1)
Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, #3)
Magic Mourns (Kate Daniels, #3.5)
Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, #4)
Magic Dreams (Kate Daniels, #4.5)
Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, #5)
Magic Tests (Kate Daniels, #5.3)
Magic Gifts (Kate Daniels, #5.4)
Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels, #5.5)
Retribution Clause (Kate Daniels, #5.6)
An Ill-Advised Rescue (Kate Daniels, #5.8)
Magic Rises (Kate Daniels, #6)
Magic Steals (Kate Daniels, #6.5)
Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels, #7)
Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels, #8)
Magic Stars (Kate Daniels, #8.5, Grey Wolf, #1)
Magic Binds (Kate Daniels, #9)
Iron and Magic (Kate Daniels, #9.5)
Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels, #10)
Curran POV Collection
4.5 stars
After the trial by fire world-building of MAGIC BITES, any leftover questions are quickly answered in KATE DANIELS #2 by virtue of the shifts from magic to tech and tech to magic occurring with alarming frequency as a result of one of this book's Big Problems, the magical Flare.
SIDENOTE: that's "Flare" as in flare-up, not "flair" as in you need at least 15 pieces on your uniform. FYI.
Right. SO a magic Flare has happened every 7(ish) years since tech fell, and during a Flare, not only are the magic/tech shifts more frequent, but the magic is more POTENT.
More strange things happen, more creatures show up, already existing magical people and creatures have a harder time maintaining control over their magical aspects.<------it's a MESS.
The Casino, the headquarters of The People, shuts down entirely, going into lockdown.
But I'm getting ahead of myself.
MAGIC BURNS begins with Kate getting an early morning wakeup call from Jim, who needs backup on a Mercenary Guild gig. About the time they've got everything wrapped-up, Jim gets a mysterious text, and ditches Kate, b/c "Pack business." Kate is understandably annoyed. She's only one person, and hardly capable of carrying BOTH the dead (shot in the back with an arrow by person(s) unknown) perp and the salamander contained by magical glass, and they only get paid if they have proof they took care of the problem.
So what does Kate do?
She cuts off Perp's head. So pragmatic, our Kate.
After dumping the head and the fire lizard at the Guild, Kate moseys over to the Order, where Derek asks for her help on behalf of the Pack.
A group of surveyors was ambushed, you see, by a man who stole their maps and literally disappeared. This mysterious man left behind several arrows matching the one that killed Perp, so Kate heads back to the parking deck where she cornered Perp that morning, and looks for a clue. (<------I LOVE it when Kate looks for clues.)
What she finds is a creepy magnetized metal yard with Stymphalian birds, what looks like a smashed air hanger with a bottomless pit underneath where a cauldron used to sit, and two street kids.
One of those street kids is Julie (Yay!!). The other street kid is Red (boo hiss).
Also in the weird, smushed air hanger is a bizarre skeleton pinned to some crates by more familiar looking arrows. Kate decides to investigate, removes an arrow or two, and what-do-you-know, the bowman somehow knows and comes to investigate.
The bowman's name is Bran, and Bran is HOT. He's mischievous and has swagger and I LOVE him.
After lots of flirty banter (and maybe a scuffle or two), Bran gives Kate the maps and . . . disappears.
Red is long gone by this point, so Kate takes Julie under her wing, stuff happens, Curran in his Alpha-ness is even more HOT than Bran, Kate is even more KICK-ASS than we previously thought, and this second installment pretty much kills the first one (and the first book was PRE-tty dang good IMO).
This is a series that just keeps getting better, and if you haven't checked it out yet . . . you NEED to check it out. Anyone who loves or is interested in Urban Fantasy should have KATE DANIELS in their library. Come on . . . time to drink the kool-aid. This won't hurt a bit, I promise. *orbit gum smile*
My other reviews for this series:
A Questionable Client (Kate Daniels, #0.5)
Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1)
Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, #3)
Magic Mourns (Kate Daniels, #3.5)
Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, #4)
Magic Dreams (Kate Daniels, #4.5)
Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, #5)
Magic Tests (Kate Daniels, #5.3)
Magic Gifts (Kate Daniels, #5.4)
Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels, #5.5)
Retribution Clause (Kate Daniels, #5.6)
An Ill-Advised Rescue (Kate Daniels, #5.8)
Magic Rises (Kate Daniels, #6)
Magic Steals (Kate Daniels, #6.5)
Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels, #7)
Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels, #8)
Magic Stars (Kate Daniels, #8.5, Grey Wolf, #1)
Magic Binds (Kate Daniels, #9)
Iron and Magic (Kate Daniels, #9.5)
Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels, #10)
Curran POV Collection
February 16, 2023
➽
And the moral of this particular rerererererereread is:
😬
👋 Until next time and stuff.
[May 2019]
🐈 The Adventures Of A Brave Little Kitty Buddy Rerererereread (TAOABLKBR™) with the IA Addicts 🐈
➽ And the moral of this particular rererererereread is: “Welcome home. I’m glad you made it. There is coffee in the kitchen for you.” =
➽ And the other moral of this particular rererererereread is: sniffing people to determine their competence, it’s a Teenage Werewolf Sidekick Thing (TWST™). Ha.
👋 Until next time and stuff.
[November 2017]
⚔ The Grand IAA™ KD Buddy Rerererereread Extravaganza (GIAAKDBRE™), aka theyellow brick road to Magic Triumphs ⚔
Presenting Episode 2, or How Kate Daniels Learned Being a Toy Mouse with Raging Hormones isn't as Easy as Chopping People into Tiny Little Pieces.
» And the moral of this particular rererereread is: Psych.
» And the other moral of this particular rererereread is: someone call Desandra ASAP! Bran wants to show her his pork sword!
» And the other, other moral of this particular rererereread is: ain't nuthin' like the moral compass of a teenage werewolf.
» And the other, other, other moral of this particular rererereread is: evil tentacles + undead mermaids + sea demons with uglyas fish fish eyes = my shrimpy children and my little self feel right at home and stuff. It's positively enchanting.
Now let's get groovin'.
[May 2016]
❣ KD is the Cure to All of Life's Problems Buddy Read (KDitCtAoLPBR™) with my dear wife Ange, and the poor IAA souls who have fallen into our deathly KD Surprise Reread Trap (KSRT™).
✎ Original rating: 5 stars
✎ Rating after xxxxxx rereads: there aren't enough stars in the sky. That's the Combined Magical and Miraculous Ilona Andrews-Kate Daniels Effect (CMaMIAKDE™).
» And the moral of this particular rererereread is: I want soup. Bye now.
[Original review]
☆☆☆ Post-Shift Productions proudly present ☆☆☆
Just Another Day in the Life of Kate Daniels
►2.00 a.m.: enjoying a good night's sleep. Phone rings. Jim here! Rise and shine Kate! Time to go kill things! Here we go again.
► 3.00 a.m.: how to carry a dead, homicidal pyromaniac and a salamander in an enchanted sphere at the same time? Easy. Decapitation will do the trick every time.
► 4.00 a.m.: Spend hours at the Guild filling in paperwork. State the suspect’s intent as perceived by you: intended to burn down the city due to being a complete crackpot. There, that should do it.
► 8.00 a.m.: visit from Curran's significant other. She needs a personal favour. This is going to be one of those days is it?
► 8.30 a.m.: visit from your teenage werewolf sidekick aka Boy Wonder. Get lectured about your would have been boyfriend. Learn about a supernaturally fast sniper who goes poof. The Pack needs your help. His Furry Highness requires your presence. It's definitely one of those days.
► 9.00 a.m.: oh look! A sexy man in a kilt! He teleports! He regenarates! He talks zippers! Your hormones are overloading! You need to get laid.
► 9.30 a.m.: meet Julie. Her mom disappeared. Go look for her. Find an oversized metal hedgehog instead. Oh was that your dog, you scumbag? So sorry about that. Lesson #1: pissing Kate Daniels off may result in permanent damage to your freaky puppy.
► 10.00 a.m.: take Julie home. Oh look, a friendly visitor: female creature, long hair, claws, toxic goo. Choke on your hair, you piece of crap. Oh look, another one! Get out of my house, you crazy bitch. Oh look, these lovely ladies brought a hooded friend along: eyes of a squid, green tentacles, hovers. Cool. Amehe. Obey you sonofabitch. Oops. Blackout time.
► 10.30 a.m.: rescued by His Furriness. Oh, the irony. You’re a fucking mess and you look like shit. Thanks Your Majesty, I try.
► 11.00 a.m.: at the Pack's Southeast office. Trying to recover. The Beast Lord himself pays you a visit. Hands you a bowl of soup. Discusses your underwear choices (no, you do not have barbed wire and a steal chain on your panties). Mayday mayday.
► 11.30 a.m.: feeling much better. Go outside to get some fresh air. Curran flexing. Your hormones overloading. Again. You really need to get laid.
► 12.00 p.m.: hey, Bran The Hero is back! Bust his nose again. Love that bow on your panties dove. Hit him with a chair. Get kissed. The Beast Lord is not pleased.
► 12.30 p.m.: go on a field trip with Boy Wonder and Ghastek The Whole Puncher. End up dancing with a very naked, Roman statue-like Saiman in the snow. Feel something getting hard down there. What did you ever do to anybody?
► 1.00 p.m.: head off to meet the Oracle. Meet a Medusa impersonator. Sigh. Couldn't you run into a colony of fluffy bunnies for a change?
► 1.30 p.m.: enter a living, giant tortoise through its mouth. This is getting too weird, even for you.
► 2.00 p.m.: finally time to sit down and grab a bite to eat. Chicken wings. Mmmm, pure bliss. Wait. What's that? Only a gang of poisonous, maniacal reeves and their freakish shepherd. Oh, good. They brought a friend along, too. Kate, meetBubba Ugad, the Great Crow's Hammer. You're kidding right? Please tell me you're kidding.
► 2.30 p.m.: hey Bubba, nice tattoos you have there! Whoa, word of power alert! Osanda. Kneel. Cut, cut, cut. Slice, slice, slice. Buh bye Bubba.
► 3.00 p.m.: escape the city to pay the hyena pack a visit. Lovely brood of social deviants with a penchant for hysterical laughter and kinky sex. Yay.
► 3.30 p.m.: have an enlightening conversation with Aunt B about big furry cats and soup. You need a drink.
► 4.00 p.m.: head to the Keep. Curran + magic flare = Fabio hair and powder keg with a short fuse. Play cat and mouse. Osanda, your Furry Highness. Not working? Wedding, your Furry Highness. Ha! Got you there!
► 4.30 p.m.: well isn't that Mr Hey Dove again?! Oops, it looks like he just stole the survey maps again. Err, is that thunder you hear? No, just His Furriness roaring.
► 5.00 p.m.: shifters party time. Claws out. Rip some flesh. Kick some ass. Fun times. Meet a new friend: horse skull, double row of oversized teeth, Neanderthall eyebrows, cartilage breaking through skin. Lovely look you have there.
► 5.30 p.m.: His Fussiness plans to hog-tie you, gag you and have 3 shifters sit on you. Kinky.
► 6.00 p.m.: emulate daddy dearest and lead the furry army into battle. No-Code day for the Pack. Yay! Blood and gore await! Kneel, you undead mermaid bitches. Slice, slice, slice. Cut, cut, cut. Kill, kill, kill. Best party ever.
► 6.30 p.m.: Ouch, that really hurt. Die a little. Oh look, a big cat! Gotta get to Julie. Oh Bran.
► 7.00 p.m.: home at last. The door is open. Strange. The light is on. Weird. Smells like coffee. What the hell? Curran. The Princess Bride. As you wish. Psych.
· Book 1: Magic Bites ★★★★★
· Book 3: Magic Strikes ★★★★★
· Book 4: Magic Bleeds ★★★★★
· Book 5: Magic Slays ★★★★★
· Book 6: Magic Rises ★★★★★
· Book 7: Magic Breaks ★★★★★
· Book 8: Magic Shifts ★★★★★
· Book 9: Magic Binds ★★★★★
· Book 10: Magic Triumphs ★★★★
· Book 10.5: Magic Tides ★★★★★
· Book 10.6: Magic Claims · to be published June 2023
😬
👋 Until next time and stuff.
[May 2019]
🐈 The Adventures Of A Brave Little Kitty Buddy Rerererereread (TAOABLKBR™) with the IA Addicts 🐈
➽ And the moral of this particular rererererereread is: “Welcome home. I’m glad you made it. There is coffee in the kitchen for you.” =
➽ And the other moral of this particular rererererereread is: sniffing people to determine their competence, it’s a Teenage Werewolf Sidekick Thing (TWST™). Ha.
👋 Until next time and stuff.
[November 2017]
⚔ The Grand IAA™ KD Buddy Rerererereread Extravaganza (GIAAKDBRE™), aka the
Presenting Episode 2, or How Kate Daniels Learned Being a Toy Mouse with Raging Hormones isn't as Easy as Chopping People into Tiny Little Pieces.
» And the moral of this particular rererereread is: Psych.
» And the other moral of this particular rererereread is: someone call Desandra ASAP! Bran wants to show her his pork sword!
» And the other, other moral of this particular rererereread is: ain't nuthin' like the moral compass of a teenage werewolf.
» And the other, other, other moral of this particular rererereread is: evil tentacles + undead mermaids + sea demons with ugly
Now let's get groovin'.
[May 2016]
❣ KD is the Cure to All of Life's Problems Buddy Read (KDitCtAoLPBR™) with my dear wife Ange, and the poor IAA souls who have fallen into our deathly KD Surprise Reread Trap (KSRT™).
✎ Original rating: 5 stars
✎ Rating after xxxxxx rereads: there aren't enough stars in the sky. That's the Combined Magical and Miraculous Ilona Andrews-Kate Daniels Effect (CMaMIAKDE™).
» And the moral of this particular rererereread is: I want soup. Bye now.
[Original review]
☆☆☆ Post-Shift Productions proudly present ☆☆☆
Just Another Day in the Life of Kate Daniels
►2.00 a.m.: enjoying a good night's sleep. Phone rings. Jim here! Rise and shine Kate! Time to go kill things! Here we go again.
► 3.00 a.m.: how to carry a dead, homicidal pyromaniac and a salamander in an enchanted sphere at the same time? Easy. Decapitation will do the trick every time.
► 4.00 a.m.: Spend hours at the Guild filling in paperwork. State the suspect’s intent as perceived by you: intended to burn down the city due to being a complete crackpot. There, that should do it.
► 8.00 a.m.: visit from Curran's significant other. She needs a personal favour. This is going to be one of those days is it?
► 8.30 a.m.: visit from your teenage werewolf sidekick aka Boy Wonder. Get lectured about your would have been boyfriend. Learn about a supernaturally fast sniper who goes poof. The Pack needs your help. His Furry Highness requires your presence. It's definitely one of those days.
► 9.00 a.m.: oh look! A sexy man in a kilt! He teleports! He regenarates! He talks zippers! Your hormones are overloading! You need to get laid.
► 9.30 a.m.: meet Julie. Her mom disappeared. Go look for her. Find an oversized metal hedgehog instead. Oh was that your dog, you scumbag? So sorry about that. Lesson #1: pissing Kate Daniels off may result in permanent damage to your freaky puppy.
► 10.00 a.m.: take Julie home. Oh look, a friendly visitor: female creature, long hair, claws, toxic goo. Choke on your hair, you piece of crap. Oh look, another one! Get out of my house, you crazy bitch. Oh look, these lovely ladies brought a hooded friend along: eyes of a squid, green tentacles, hovers. Cool. Amehe. Obey you sonofabitch. Oops. Blackout time.
► 10.30 a.m.: rescued by His Furriness. Oh, the irony. You’re a fucking mess and you look like shit. Thanks Your Majesty, I try.
► 11.00 a.m.: at the Pack's Southeast office. Trying to recover. The Beast Lord himself pays you a visit. Hands you a bowl of soup. Discusses your underwear choices (no, you do not have barbed wire and a steal chain on your panties). Mayday mayday.
► 11.30 a.m.: feeling much better. Go outside to get some fresh air. Curran flexing. Your hormones overloading. Again. You really need to get laid.
► 12.00 p.m.: hey, Bran The Hero is back! Bust his nose again. Love that bow on your panties dove. Hit him with a chair. Get kissed. The Beast Lord is not pleased.
► 12.30 p.m.: go on a field trip with Boy Wonder and Ghastek The Whole Puncher. End up dancing with a very naked, Roman statue-like Saiman in the snow. Feel something getting hard down there. What did you ever do to anybody?
► 1.00 p.m.: head off to meet the Oracle. Meet a Medusa impersonator. Sigh. Couldn't you run into a colony of fluffy bunnies for a change?
► 1.30 p.m.: enter a living, giant tortoise through its mouth. This is getting too weird, even for you.
► 2.00 p.m.: finally time to sit down and grab a bite to eat. Chicken wings. Mmmm, pure bliss. Wait. What's that? Only a gang of poisonous, maniacal reeves and their freakish shepherd. Oh, good. They brought a friend along, too. Kate, meet
► 2.30 p.m.: hey Bubba, nice tattoos you have there! Whoa, word of power alert! Osanda. Kneel. Cut, cut, cut. Slice, slice, slice. Buh bye Bubba.
► 3.00 p.m.: escape the city to pay the hyena pack a visit. Lovely brood of social deviants with a penchant for hysterical laughter and kinky sex. Yay.
► 3.30 p.m.: have an enlightening conversation with Aunt B about big furry cats and soup. You need a drink.
► 4.00 p.m.: head to the Keep. Curran + magic flare = Fabio hair and powder keg with a short fuse. Play cat and mouse. Osanda, your Furry Highness. Not working? Wedding, your Furry Highness. Ha! Got you there!
► 4.30 p.m.: well isn't that Mr Hey Dove again?! Oops, it looks like he just stole the survey maps again. Err, is that thunder you hear? No, just His Furriness roaring.
► 5.00 p.m.: shifters party time. Claws out. Rip some flesh. Kick some ass. Fun times. Meet a new friend: horse skull, double row of oversized teeth, Neanderthall eyebrows, cartilage breaking through skin. Lovely look you have there.
► 5.30 p.m.: His Fussiness plans to hog-tie you, gag you and have 3 shifters sit on you. Kinky.
► 6.00 p.m.: emulate daddy dearest and lead the furry army into battle. No-Code day for the Pack. Yay! Blood and gore await! Kneel, you undead mermaid bitches. Slice, slice, slice. Cut, cut, cut. Kill, kill, kill. Best party ever.
► 6.30 p.m.: Ouch, that really hurt. Die a little. Oh look, a big cat! Gotta get to Julie. Oh Bran.
► 7.00 p.m.: home at last. The door is open. Strange. The light is on. Weird. Smells like coffee. What the hell? Curran. The Princess Bride. As you wish. Psych.
· Book 1: Magic Bites ★★★★★
· Book 3: Magic Strikes ★★★★★
· Book 4: Magic Bleeds ★★★★★
· Book 5: Magic Slays ★★★★★
· Book 6: Magic Rises ★★★★★
· Book 7: Magic Breaks ★★★★★
· Book 8: Magic Shifts ★★★★★
· Book 9: Magic Binds ★★★★★
· Book 10: Magic Triumphs ★★★★
· Book 10.5: Magic Tides ★★★★★
· Book 10.6: Magic Claims · to be published June 2023
May 6, 2024
A magic flare is coming and what’s coming with it might just end Atlanta.
This is where it starts to get good. Really good.
I make no secret of the fact that I think the 1st book is lacking when it comes to having that whateveritis that draws you into a series. And Kate Daniels is my favorite urban fantasy ever.
I've never found characters or storytelling that have come close to matching this world.
And this is the book where you start to really see how amazing this series is going to become. The answers to who Kate really is begin to poke between the lines, and you start to realize that you aren’t just dealing with a mouthy merc with a bit of magic and a cool sword. Also, these are the core characters that become Kate’s ride-or-die group of friends…and family.
Anyway. Kate goes looking for maps that have been stolen from the pack, and finds something else entirely - a young girl named Julie whose mother has gone missing.
In order to find out what happened to this amateur witch, Kate is going to have to do a favor for the Oracles, catch a flirtatious mythical warrior, and face down a god or two.
Not to mention she’s somehow been suckered into trying to convince the surly Beast Lord to let his old girlfriend get married to Kate’s ex.
If you are looking for a solid UF series, I honestly cannot push this one into your hands fast enough.
Highly Recommended.
2024
Listening to the audiobook version of this and it’s ok.
Renee Raudman is a decent narrator but Kate seems a tad bit squeakier than she does in my own head.
This is where it starts to get good. Really good.
I make no secret of the fact that I think the 1st book is lacking when it comes to having that whateveritis that draws you into a series. And Kate Daniels is my favorite urban fantasy ever.
I've never found characters or storytelling that have come close to matching this world.
And this is the book where you start to really see how amazing this series is going to become. The answers to who Kate really is begin to poke between the lines, and you start to realize that you aren’t just dealing with a mouthy merc with a bit of magic and a cool sword. Also, these are the core characters that become Kate’s ride-or-die group of friends…and family.
Anyway. Kate goes looking for maps that have been stolen from the pack, and finds something else entirely - a young girl named Julie whose mother has gone missing.
In order to find out what happened to this amateur witch, Kate is going to have to do a favor for the Oracles, catch a flirtatious mythical warrior, and face down a god or two.
Not to mention she’s somehow been suckered into trying to convince the surly Beast Lord to let his old girlfriend get married to Kate’s ex.
If you are looking for a solid UF series, I honestly cannot push this one into your hands fast enough.
Highly Recommended.
2024
Listening to the audiobook version of this and it’s ok.
Renee Raudman is a decent narrator but Kate seems a tad bit squeakier than she does in my own head.
July 7, 2023
Reread 2023: So good!
Some of my favorite early Kate moments and Curran moments are in this book. The chicken soup scene? Incredible. Snow dancing with Saiman? Hilarious. The final battle sequence? Freakin epic.
Also: highly recommend the Graphic Audio version - it even includes a Curran POV version of the chicken soup scene at the end.
----------
Better than the first book! Curran is man-candy supreme.
Some of my favorite early Kate moments and Curran moments are in this book. The chicken soup scene? Incredible. Snow dancing with Saiman? Hilarious. The final battle sequence? Freakin epic.
Also: highly recommend the Graphic Audio version - it even includes a Curran POV version of the chicken soup scene at the end.
----------
Better than the first book! Curran is man-candy supreme.
August 25, 2019
Sexually frustrated Kate Daniels is being pursued by every interesting male creature in this book:
a) Saiman (With a magic store body, a Polymorph i.e. he changes human forms):
“Can you dance? Dance with me Kate!”,
“Stay with me. It will be fun.”
b) Ghastec (One of the People, a Master of the Dead i.e. he creates vampires)
“A pleasure to see you, as always”,
“You are in an excellent physical shape and you are well proportioned.”
c) Bran (A goddess' hound, a scoundrel, a thief, a brigand, a human previously who just wanted to be hero and to be remembered)
“Keep me warm tonight and maybe I’ll feel generous in the morning.”
“Why don’t you sleep with me? Kiss me and I promise I’ll talk.”
d) Raphael (a fun, patient hyena, a male Bouda)
“Two years? That’s entirely too long. If you want, we can take care of that. After two years, it’s pure therapy.”
And undoubtedly the absolute winner
e) Curran (The Furry Highness, the Lord of the Beasts, the Shapeshifters' Pack leader)
“Not only will you sleep with me, but you will say 'please.'
You will say 'please' before and 'thank you' after."
Of course she is not saving herself for marriage.
The reasons are more complicated and involve the exchange of magic and great power.
Oh and there was some fighting all around in the book, but I was not paying attention.
(Okay, I am only joking. The battles were magnificent!)
a) Saiman (With a magic store body, a Polymorph i.e. he changes human forms):
“Can you dance? Dance with me Kate!”,
“Stay with me. It will be fun.”
b) Ghastec (One of the People, a Master of the Dead i.e. he creates vampires)
“A pleasure to see you, as always”,
“You are in an excellent physical shape and you are well proportioned.”
c) Bran (A goddess' hound, a scoundrel, a thief, a brigand, a human previously who just wanted to be hero and to be remembered)
“Keep me warm tonight and maybe I’ll feel generous in the morning.”
“Why don’t you sleep with me? Kiss me and I promise I’ll talk.”
d) Raphael (a fun, patient hyena, a male Bouda)
“Two years? That’s entirely too long. If you want, we can take care of that. After two years, it’s pure therapy.”
And undoubtedly the absolute winner
e) Curran (The Furry Highness, the Lord of the Beasts, the Shapeshifters' Pack leader)
“Not only will you sleep with me, but you will say 'please.'
You will say 'please' before and 'thank you' after."
Of course she is not saving herself for marriage.
The reasons are more complicated and involve the exchange of magic and great power.
Oh and there was some fighting all around in the book, but I was not paying attention.
(Okay, I am only joking. The battles were magnificent!)
May 28, 2021
4.25/5 ⭐
Aaahh yes, that ending had me like:
The action in this second installment of the Kate Daniels series is getting more and more erratic.
There are so many things happening, blow coming after another blow, poor Kate doesn't even have time to take 10 minutes for herself and eat some fried chicken without something coming up.
New characters enter scene in this book, little Julie being the most important one. Disclaimer: she's a sweet little girl ❤
If the first book explored a few beliefs of the Slavic mythology, in this one there are some Celtic stories unravelling, filled with their own fair share of wickedness and mystery.
The most interesting thing to watch out for though is the witty banter and hot encounters of Kate and Curran.
Being sexually frustrated around the big bad Lord of the Beasts is something Kate has to deal with throughout the whole book but the way she's handling things is just too good to pass!
And also, that ending right there just made me go immediately after the third book! hehe
(Book-styled)
Aaahh yes, that ending had me like:
The action in this second installment of the Kate Daniels series is getting more and more erratic.
There are so many things happening, blow coming after another blow, poor Kate doesn't even have time to take 10 minutes for herself and eat some fried chicken without something coming up.
New characters enter scene in this book, little Julie being the most important one. Disclaimer: she's a sweet little girl ❤
If the first book explored a few beliefs of the Slavic mythology, in this one there are some Celtic stories unravelling, filled with their own fair share of wickedness and mystery.
The most interesting thing to watch out for though is the witty banter and hot encounters of Kate and Curran.
Being sexually frustrated around the big bad Lord of the Beasts is something Kate has to deal with throughout the whole book but the way she's handling things is just too good to pass!
And also, that ending right there just made me go immediately after the third book! hehe
(Book-styled)
January 13, 2022
Sixth re-read: 13.01.22
Mostly skimmed as I remember it quite well, but I still enjoy the storyline.
Fifth re-read: 16.07.19
I love Curran. The end.
New Rating: 3.5 stars
Fourth re-read: 27.04.17
I really like the slow burn between Kate and Curran, however, damn, I just want to skip all the in between... I really do love Curran.
Third re-read: 16.09.16
I still like it. I don't love it, but it's damn well close. Curran still remains one of my favorite heroes, and Kate, with all her awesomeness, is still one of my favorite heroines.
Second re-read: 06.08.15
Awesome, even still.
Re-read: 28.07.14
Man, I can't get enough of Kate and Curran.
First read review:
This series get better and better :D I love Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews! I seriously can't wait to start reading book #3! My baby, Curran, I love you man! <3 and Kate, she's awesome! :) Perhaps, hopefully, Kate and Curran will get together in the next book... I'm hope for it, actually. I totally ship them! <3 I give the book 4 stars, well deserved!
Mostly skimmed as I remember it quite well, but I still enjoy the storyline.
Fifth re-read: 16.07.19
I love Curran. The end.
New Rating: 3.5 stars
Fourth re-read: 27.04.17
I really like the slow burn between Kate and Curran, however, damn, I just want to skip all the in between... I really do love Curran.
Third re-read: 16.09.16
I still like it. I don't love it, but it's damn well close. Curran still remains one of my favorite heroes, and Kate, with all her awesomeness, is still one of my favorite heroines.
Second re-read: 06.08.15
Awesome, even still.
Re-read: 28.07.14
Man, I can't get enough of Kate and Curran.
First read review:
This series get better and better :D I love Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews! I seriously can't wait to start reading book #3! My baby, Curran, I love you man! <3 and Kate, she's awesome! :) Perhaps, hopefully, Kate and Curran will get together in the next book... I'm hope for it, actually. I totally ship them! <3 I give the book 4 stars, well deserved!
April 9, 2018
April 2018 update: After holding out for two years, I finally renewed my $70 nonresident library card. I was so stoked when I found that the library now has the entire Kate Daniels series! I brought The. Entire. Series. home with me, and I’m starting with this one and working my way through the series, since there are a few I’ve never read. Cheer me on!
This second book in the Kate Daniels series is a clear improvement over the first one, with a tighter and more memorable plot. A (hot, of course) guy with teleporting powers and a mean crossbow has stolen maps from the local werepack, and Curran, the Beast Lord, and his chief of security, Jim, are determined to get them back, partly out of pride for Pack security. This leads to a 13 year old girl, Julie, who has a highly valuable ability to see and sort magic by type and color, and who also has a mad crush on Red, a juvenile delinquent with secret plans of his own.
Kate's investigation leads her and the Pack to a looming battle for power, involving a powerful underworld figure, Morfran, the Irish war goddess Morrigan, and her magical cauldron. Also witches of various sorts and powers, including the Maiden, the Crone and the Mother. The Andrews team does a great job of incorporating obscure mythology from all over the world into their novels.
Kate Daniels is my favorite kick-ass heroine. She's impertinent:
One more thing: In a good way. Excuse me while I go have my guy feed me something . . .
This second book in the Kate Daniels series is a clear improvement over the first one, with a tighter and more memorable plot. A (hot, of course) guy with teleporting powers and a mean crossbow has stolen maps from the local werepack, and Curran, the Beast Lord, and his chief of security, Jim, are determined to get them back, partly out of pride for Pack security. This leads to a 13 year old girl, Julie, who has a highly valuable ability to see and sort magic by type and color, and who also has a mad crush on Red, a juvenile delinquent with secret plans of his own.
Kate's investigation leads her and the Pack to a looming battle for power, involving a powerful underworld figure, Morfran, the Irish war goddess Morrigan, and her magical cauldron. Also witches of various sorts and powers, including the Maiden, the Crone and the Mother. The Andrews team does a great job of incorporating obscure mythology from all over the world into their novels.
Kate Daniels is my favorite kick-ass heroine. She's impertinent:
The vampire stared at me, his mouth slack as Ghastek assessed his options. I took a couple of forms from my desk, put them in the vampire's mouth, and pulled them up by their edges.And she's quick and tough as nails:
"What are you doing?" Ghastek asked.
"My hole puncher broke."
"You have no respect for the undead."
"I tell you what, you put the maps right here on the bed. On the count of three, we each grab them. If you win, I tell you who he is. If I win, I get you. . . On three. One," he said, bending forward like a runner. "Two."The Kate Daniels books aren't terribly deep, but they're definitely a lot of fun, mixed with some sexual tension.
He lunged for the maps. I grabbed the chair and hit him with it. He went down. I hit him again to make sure he stayed that way, stepped over him, and picked up the maps. "I win. Your problem is, you underestimate me because I'm a woman."
One more thing: In a good way. Excuse me while I go have my guy feed me something . . .
May 6, 2017
I've procrastinated forever in writing this review. Magic Burns is one of my frequent re-reads, and I'm not sure I can do it justice.
What keeps drawing me back? An interesting heroine that is confident, skilled in her field, funny, occasionally lonely, caring despite herself and lives according to an ethical code? Action that builds from the somewhat ridiculous (a salamander pyromaniac) to the tragic (spikey dogs) to epic (a battle between shapeshifters and gods)? Relationship building that gives equal importance to girlfriends, adopted family and potential romance? A sophisticated vision of a post-apocalypic Atlanta that shifts from magic to tech? Vampires that are not romantacized and moreover, most empathetically, do not sparkle? Hard to say, but it's a favorite. If they ever release it in hardcover, I'll buy it in a flash, because my paperback is worn out.
Kate is the heroine of the series, and one of my all-time favorite characters.
She's anything but a sweet talking diplomat:
"Negotiate. He [Jim] wanted me to engage a lunatic who had already burned four people into smoking meat. Okay, I could do that.
'Alright, Jeremy,' I yelled into the night. 'Give me the salamander and I won't cut your head off!'"
She's got a gift of understatement:
"His nose no longer looked broken. No blood, either. Wonderful. Not only could he teleport, but he also regenerated while he did it. If he started spitting fire, we'd be all set."
She knows a losing battle when she sees one:
"I looked at his face and saw the decisive thrust of the adolescent jaw. No intelligent life there. I turned to Julie."
She's creative:
"The vampire started at me, his mouth slack as Ghastek assessed his options. I took a couple of forms from my desk, put them in the vamp's mouth, and pulled them up by their edges.
'What are you doing?' Ghastek asked.
'My hole puncher broke.'
'You have no respect for the undead."
And sometimes, very rarely, she has nothing to say:
"She [Julie] shrugged. 'Sex. Red knows a ritual that would give him my powers if I do sex with him.'
I stared at her, speechless. There were so many things wrong with what she said that my brain experienced a momentary shutdown."
But don't be misled, she isn't all sarcasm, and her confrontations with evil aren't marked by trading witticisms. But there's enough humor to ease the way in to the serious stuff.
Five stars, again and again.
Re-read May, 2017, because my cousin was borrowing it. Idk, maybe I needed to make sure it was good or something, before I lent it to her? Or just in case she didn't return it?
Cross posted at http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2013/0...
What keeps drawing me back? An interesting heroine that is confident, skilled in her field, funny, occasionally lonely, caring despite herself and lives according to an ethical code? Action that builds from the somewhat ridiculous (a salamander pyromaniac) to the tragic (spikey dogs) to epic (a battle between shapeshifters and gods)? Relationship building that gives equal importance to girlfriends, adopted family and potential romance? A sophisticated vision of a post-apocalypic Atlanta that shifts from magic to tech? Vampires that are not romantacized and moreover, most empathetically, do not sparkle? Hard to say, but it's a favorite. If they ever release it in hardcover, I'll buy it in a flash, because my paperback is worn out.
Kate is the heroine of the series, and one of my all-time favorite characters.
She's anything but a sweet talking diplomat:
"Negotiate. He [Jim] wanted me to engage a lunatic who had already burned four people into smoking meat. Okay, I could do that.
'Alright, Jeremy,' I yelled into the night. 'Give me the salamander and I won't cut your head off!'"
She's got a gift of understatement:
"His nose no longer looked broken. No blood, either. Wonderful. Not only could he teleport, but he also regenerated while he did it. If he started spitting fire, we'd be all set."
She knows a losing battle when she sees one:
"I looked at his face and saw the decisive thrust of the adolescent jaw. No intelligent life there. I turned to Julie."
She's creative:
"The vampire started at me, his mouth slack as Ghastek assessed his options. I took a couple of forms from my desk, put them in the vamp's mouth, and pulled them up by their edges.
'What are you doing?' Ghastek asked.
'My hole puncher broke.'
'You have no respect for the undead."
And sometimes, very rarely, she has nothing to say:
"She [Julie] shrugged. 'Sex. Red knows a ritual that would give him my powers if I do sex with him.'
I stared at her, speechless. There were so many things wrong with what she said that my brain experienced a momentary shutdown."
But don't be misled, she isn't all sarcasm, and her confrontations with evil aren't marked by trading witticisms. But there's enough humor to ease the way in to the serious stuff.
Five stars, again and again.
Re-read May, 2017, because my cousin was borrowing it. Idk, maybe I needed to make sure it was good or something, before I lent it to her? Or just in case she didn't return it?
Cross posted at http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2013/0...
August 19, 2020
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When I was a teenager, one of my favorite websites in the whole wide world was Quizilla. It was a magical wonderland of user-made quizzes and bad fic, where you could spend the day finding out what anime girl element you were (with ~beautiful pics~) or you could spend the day reading smutty fanfic about Louis and Lestat. Or, if you were so inclined, you could browse original fic submitted by users, often written in the second person, where "you," the heroine, were some kind of hybrid angel-vampire-werewolf-faerie combination and had a veritable reverse-harem of male love interests to chose from, distinguishable only in the colors of their hair and the way they demonstrated their instant love for you.
The Kate Daniels series is leagues above the kind of trash I used to read on Quizilla (which is now sadly defunct), but it taps into that same insatiable craving for fun, addictive stories that balance action and romance. Set in a world where magic is at constant war with tech, Kate Daniels is that hybrid Mary Sue like character from my childhood-- only now she's all grown up and sporting big girl pants and a pretty intimidating sword named Slayer.
In this book, an arson case ends up leading Kate down a rabbit hole of missing witches, undead mermaids, and evil cauldrons. Every time there's a magic flare, something sinister happens, and it's dark and ancient magic. People are playing with deadly gods. Naturally, the Pack ends up being involved, and Kate clashes against the attractive werelion, Curran. But there's other attractive dudes, like the so-bad-he's-good thief, Bran, and Saiman, the seductive shape-changer. Basically every guy Kate meets in this book has some kind of interest in her, which should have been annoying-- but the way she's written, you can kind of understand why she's so magnetic. I found her compelling.
As always, the book is a little slow to start, but as soon as the action picks up, I'm questioning any doubts I ever had about this wife-and-husband writing duo. They've yet to truly disappoint me with any of their books and MAGIC BURNS was no exception. Luckily I also own books three and four, and I just checked out book five in ebook from the library, so I'm all set to binge read this series!
4 to 4.5 stars
June 30, 2018
Reread 6/2018
4.5 "I'm really starting to love this series" stars
“You don't cause problems. You cause catastrophes.”
While investigating a mysterious bowman who killed her mark, mercenary Kate Daniels finds herself in the custody of a pre-teen girl. Turns out the young street girl has some magical powers, the kind of powers that 1 in 10,000 people get and there are creatures coming after her. Kate must go to the last person she wants help from, Curran, and together they fight to help the girl.
Another great installment in this series. The plot thickens with this book but we still have some questions left unanswered. Such as:
-What exactly is Kate?
-Who is Roland?
-What interest does Curran have in Kate?
My favorite part of this book was the interactions between Kate and Curran. Their banter is so much fun to read and I am dying for the two of them to admit they have the hots for each other.
“Not only will you sleep with me, but you will say 'please.'"
I stared at him, shocked.
The smile widened. "You will say 'please' before and 'thank you' after."
Nervous laughter bubbled up. "You've gone insane. All that peroxide in your hair finally did your brain in, Goldilocks.”
Ilona Andrews writing duo has done it again and marked a winner in my book. The world building and character development are awesome, and that's all I ask for in urban fantasy. Well, those two things and the hopes of romance.
Short review from me, because I'm dying to get to the third book. I keep hearing rumors about a hot tub scene ;-)
4.5 "I'm really starting to love this series" stars
“You don't cause problems. You cause catastrophes.”
While investigating a mysterious bowman who killed her mark, mercenary Kate Daniels finds herself in the custody of a pre-teen girl. Turns out the young street girl has some magical powers, the kind of powers that 1 in 10,000 people get and there are creatures coming after her. Kate must go to the last person she wants help from, Curran, and together they fight to help the girl.
Another great installment in this series. The plot thickens with this book but we still have some questions left unanswered. Such as:
-What exactly is Kate?
-Who is Roland?
-What interest does Curran have in Kate?
My favorite part of this book was the interactions between Kate and Curran. Their banter is so much fun to read and I am dying for the two of them to admit they have the hots for each other.
“Not only will you sleep with me, but you will say 'please.'"
I stared at him, shocked.
The smile widened. "You will say 'please' before and 'thank you' after."
Nervous laughter bubbled up. "You've gone insane. All that peroxide in your hair finally did your brain in, Goldilocks.”
Ilona Andrews writing duo has done it again and marked a winner in my book. The world building and character development are awesome, and that's all I ask for in urban fantasy. Well, those two things and the hopes of romance.
Short review from me, because I'm dying to get to the third book. I keep hearing rumors about a hot tub scene ;-)
January 14, 2021
Reread on Audiobook in July 2020
It was fun reread this book. It had been so long, that I forgot major chunks of the story, so it was as exciting as the first time. Also, listening to the audiobook is a huge part of the fun. The narrator, Renee Raudman is excellent at embodying the characters. She conveys Kate's personality, from her no-nonsense toughness, to her sarcasm and the fact that she goes toe to toe with adversaries and even though Curran is very formidable (and attractive), she doesn't allow him to push her around.
The story is fairly complicated. That much I remembered. It takes a while for all the pieces to come together, and underneath is fascinating exploration of Celtic mythology. I'm so glad that I've been able to get back into this fantastic series from the beginning.
*****************************************************
Kate Daniels, could you be more awesome? Nope. This book rocked my world! I loved the first book, but I loved this one even more. Kate Daniels is such a cool heroine. She's not only kickbutt, independent, and snarky, but she's utterly likeable. She's down to earth, and one of those heroines I think a guy or a girl could get along with equally well. I like her quick thinking and her ability to get out of some pretty nasty spots. And her willingness to do the right thing, even at personal cost to herself. And she's so funny! I think her one liners are hilarious, and her internal dialogue really puts me in the action and gives me an identification factor.
The action in this book was fantastic. A little bit gory and gruesome, but the fast pace allows you to tolerate that aspect fairly well. It's like watching a really good movie. The climax was one heck of a battle. I can't say I've read many other urban fantasy books where the conclusion had me so riveted. Ilona Andrews really knows how to write action, and that's coming from a very picky reader when it comes to action scenes.
The use of magic and the ugly and beneficial aspects fit very well with this particular story. The descriptions of the freaky version of a modern day Atlanta that has been morphed by magic into a sort of dystopian future setting, rife with deadly and mystical creatures were very vivid and iconic. I think this is such a great idea for an urban fantasy series.
I thought the Celtic mythology elements were very well done. The whole use of Morrigan and the Formorians. It tied in so smoothly with the overall plot. There wasn't boring periods where info dump slowed down the story. There was a huge element of risk here where you really worried if everything was going to be resolved well.
To be honest, I didn't really think of Curran as much of a love interest in the first book. There was a bit of potential, and he had me intrigued, although I wasn't sold. But, I could really see the attraction between Kate and Curran, and I was digging Curran pretty hard. He's...well, he's the Beast Lord, with all that applies. I like the back and forth between Kate and Curran. How she's attracted and kind of scared of him (because he's pretty scary, let's face it), but she won't allow herself not to stand up to him. It's pretty clear that Curran has it bad for Kate. I loved his courtship ritual that she didn't pick up on (it had to be explained by a few members of the Pack). I love the slow build of their relationship, with all the nice 'flirting moments'. I can't way to see things progress with this couple.
Kate's sidekicks were cool. Derek is adorable but a tough fighter. I loved Julie. I hope to see more of her. All the contacts and the acquaintances that Kate has stand out in my mind, each adding to the story in crucial ways. And then there was Bran. A very interesting character with a complex relationship with Kate.
Man, oh, man. I had no idea how much I would come to love this series. It just keeps getting better and better. I was so pumped after reading this book, it took me a whole hour to calm down. Magic Burns is highly recommended to the discerning urban fantasy reader who likes a great heroine, kickbutt action, wonderful world-building, and intriguing secondary characters. I'm going to try to keep myself from devouring this series back to back. I need to have a guaranteed read in my pile for that 'rainy day', and the Kate Daniels series is definitely that!
It was fun reread this book. It had been so long, that I forgot major chunks of the story, so it was as exciting as the first time. Also, listening to the audiobook is a huge part of the fun. The narrator, Renee Raudman is excellent at embodying the characters. She conveys Kate's personality, from her no-nonsense toughness, to her sarcasm and the fact that she goes toe to toe with adversaries and even though Curran is very formidable (and attractive), she doesn't allow him to push her around.
The story is fairly complicated. That much I remembered. It takes a while for all the pieces to come together, and underneath is fascinating exploration of Celtic mythology. I'm so glad that I've been able to get back into this fantastic series from the beginning.
*****************************************************
Kate Daniels, could you be more awesome? Nope. This book rocked my world! I loved the first book, but I loved this one even more. Kate Daniels is such a cool heroine. She's not only kickbutt, independent, and snarky, but she's utterly likeable. She's down to earth, and one of those heroines I think a guy or a girl could get along with equally well. I like her quick thinking and her ability to get out of some pretty nasty spots. And her willingness to do the right thing, even at personal cost to herself. And she's so funny! I think her one liners are hilarious, and her internal dialogue really puts me in the action and gives me an identification factor.
The action in this book was fantastic. A little bit gory and gruesome, but the fast pace allows you to tolerate that aspect fairly well. It's like watching a really good movie. The climax was one heck of a battle. I can't say I've read many other urban fantasy books where the conclusion had me so riveted. Ilona Andrews really knows how to write action, and that's coming from a very picky reader when it comes to action scenes.
The use of magic and the ugly and beneficial aspects fit very well with this particular story. The descriptions of the freaky version of a modern day Atlanta that has been morphed by magic into a sort of dystopian future setting, rife with deadly and mystical creatures were very vivid and iconic. I think this is such a great idea for an urban fantasy series.
I thought the Celtic mythology elements were very well done. The whole use of Morrigan and the Formorians. It tied in so smoothly with the overall plot. There wasn't boring periods where info dump slowed down the story. There was a huge element of risk here where you really worried if everything was going to be resolved well.
To be honest, I didn't really think of Curran as much of a love interest in the first book. There was a bit of potential, and he had me intrigued, although I wasn't sold. But, I could really see the attraction between Kate and Curran, and I was digging Curran pretty hard. He's...well, he's the Beast Lord, with all that applies. I like the back and forth between Kate and Curran. How she's attracted and kind of scared of him (because he's pretty scary, let's face it), but she won't allow herself not to stand up to him. It's pretty clear that Curran has it bad for Kate. I loved his courtship ritual that she didn't pick up on (it had to be explained by a few members of the Pack). I love the slow build of their relationship, with all the nice 'flirting moments'. I can't way to see things progress with this couple.
Kate's sidekicks were cool. Derek is adorable but a tough fighter. I loved Julie. I hope to see more of her. All the contacts and the acquaintances that Kate has stand out in my mind, each adding to the story in crucial ways. And then there was Bran. A very interesting character with a complex relationship with Kate.
Man, oh, man. I had no idea how much I would come to love this series. It just keeps getting better and better. I was so pumped after reading this book, it took me a whole hour to calm down. Magic Burns is highly recommended to the discerning urban fantasy reader who likes a great heroine, kickbutt action, wonderful world-building, and intriguing secondary characters. I'm going to try to keep myself from devouring this series back to back. I need to have a guaranteed read in my pile for that 'rainy day', and the Kate Daniels series is definitely that!
May 24, 2016
Rereading this with the lovelies at the Ilona Andrews Addicts group.
Here's my original review from a year ago:
***********
"Rambo called, he wants his bandana back."
"This Rambo, he a friend of yours?"
"Who's Rambo?" Julie asked.
If a cultural reference flies over a man's head, does it make a sound if nobody else gets it?
(This is Rambo, for all of you youngsters)
I'm still loving Kate. As a matter of fact, I like her better in this book than the first one. She is more human, but still hilarious and kickass at the same time.
In this book, we get all of these strange creatures from Celtic mythology that I have never heard of before, and that was refreshing. The monsters were strange and scary, and I liked the introduction of Julie and how she affected Kate. I love the "crazy aunt" reference to Kate's relationship to her. Derek is also becoming a great teenage werewolf side-kick.
Of course, the relationship between Kate and Curran is really fun. I especially like reading all of the reviews here and seeing all of the Chris Hemsworth gifs. Not hard on the eyes at all... Keep them coming, girls!
Since Curran's hair was longer in this book:
Here's my original review from a year ago:
***********
"Rambo called, he wants his bandana back."
"This Rambo, he a friend of yours?"
"Who's Rambo?" Julie asked.
If a cultural reference flies over a man's head, does it make a sound if nobody else gets it?
(This is Rambo, for all of you youngsters)
I'm still loving Kate. As a matter of fact, I like her better in this book than the first one. She is more human, but still hilarious and kickass at the same time.
In this book, we get all of these strange creatures from Celtic mythology that I have never heard of before, and that was refreshing. The monsters were strange and scary, and I liked the introduction of Julie and how she affected Kate. I love the "crazy aunt" reference to Kate's relationship to her. Derek is also becoming a great teenage werewolf side-kick.
Of course, the relationship between Kate and Curran is really fun. I especially like reading all of the reviews here and seeing all of the Chris Hemsworth gifs. Not hard on the eyes at all... Keep them coming, girls!
Since Curran's hair was longer in this book:
August 7, 2021
3.5 stars ← See that .5 stars? It means that I liked Magic Burns more that Magic Bites. WOOT!
RATING CLARIFICATIONS
✘ It does not mean that I wouldn't volunteer as tribute for slapping Curran in his face. I would, because alpha-males have just that little *something* that makes me want to snarl (even if, to be fair, he's not the worst but far from it). To each their owns, okay? Even Barrons never won me. That asshole (I know, I know, *GASP* *But BARRONS!* /SNARL/). Kate's pretty amazing, though. I ship her.
✘ It does not mean that I'm against a sexual development between them, but he'll better crawl. Somehow I have doubts about his ability to do just that, but oh well. As long as they remain equals, I'll ship them.
✘ It does not mean that I didn't throw SOS stares at my Kindle each time I realized that I had read 3 pages without remembering anything of them again.
✔ It means that I'm still waiting for these books to become compelling for me.
✔ It means that I'm starting Magic Strikes right now, quietly expecting it to blow me away. I AM SERIOUS. BLOW ME AWAY, BOOK.
OR ELSE.
MY REVIEWS FOR THIS SERIES
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For more of my reviews, please visit:
April 10, 2023
A new mission in Kate's life and a young girl's life is on stake, of course Kate did every thing to save her.
Though I never warmed up to Julie, but I have learned to live with her. And Kate got to know the significance of food in shapeshifters. The difference between Kate and Aunt B's reaction to it always cracks me up.
Another chapter in Kate's story is done and now we're moving to the good stuff.
Though I never warmed up to Julie, but I have learned to live with her. And Kate got to know the significance of food in shapeshifters. The difference between Kate and Aunt B's reaction to it always cracks me up.
Another chapter in Kate's story is done and now we're moving to the good stuff.
May 30, 2022
Its as good as the first one. The only problem I have with this book is that the first 50 pages or so was so damn slow, I had to force myself through it. After that the rest was a piece of cake.
World building✅
Plot✅
Writing ✅
Characters✅
Magic system ✅
This book has it all.
If you don't know before, know now, am a sucker for good magic system and characters.
We have some new characters in these but my favourites are Julie, Raphael and Bran.
Julie is a 13 year old homeless girl with a rare magic, her mom is missing and Kate came across the girl when she was working on the case.
Raphael is a bouda, a werehyena, he is not much different from the animal hyena, he is reckless and crazy, but according to Kate and the female boudas he is beautiful, which is a dangerous combination given the fact that he is a great fighter.
Bran is some kind of immortal, human with long life, he works for a goddess. He is hot as hell with cool powers like teleportation and regeneration. His moral compass needs major work.
We have the regulars, Kate, Curran, Derek, Andrea and Jim.
“You don’t cause problems. An unpiloted vampire causes problems. You cause catastrophes.”
Kate is as badass as ever, what she did for Julie here blew my mind. I love that even though she is a working target, she still cares about others.
Derek my teenage werewolf is still as cool as ever, he was barely in this, I hope that changes in the next book.
Curran also was barely in this, he was in this for like 50% only, so not cool Ilona Andrews. The few part that we saw him he is still the same. And he is finally warming up to Kate.
World building✅
Plot✅
Writing ✅
Characters✅
Magic system ✅
This book has it all.
If you don't know before, know now, am a sucker for good magic system and characters.
We have some new characters in these but my favourites are Julie, Raphael and Bran.
Julie is a 13 year old homeless girl with a rare magic, her mom is missing and Kate came across the girl when she was working on the case.
Raphael is a bouda, a werehyena, he is not much different from the animal hyena, he is reckless and crazy, but according to Kate and the female boudas he is beautiful, which is a dangerous combination given the fact that he is a great fighter.
Bran is some kind of immortal, human with long life, he works for a goddess. He is hot as hell with cool powers like teleportation and regeneration. His moral compass needs major work.
We have the regulars, Kate, Curran, Derek, Andrea and Jim.
“You don’t cause problems. An unpiloted vampire causes problems. You cause catastrophes.”
Kate is as badass as ever, what she did for Julie here blew my mind. I love that even though she is a working target, she still cares about others.
Derek my teenage werewolf is still as cool as ever, he was barely in this, I hope that changes in the next book.
Curran also was barely in this, he was in this for like 50% only, so not cool Ilona Andrews. The few part that we saw him he is still the same. And he is finally warming up to Kate.
March 26, 2014
wheeee!
no poets, these two—sometimes the prose reminded me of chunk from the goonies inquiring about the possibility of some rocky road—but fuck my life can they write a Finerr Batturr or what, amirite?
ladies? can I get an amen?
*icy, shunning silence*
no? too busy drooling over curran?
s'okay.
*gaze darkens lustily*
...me too.
no poets, these two—sometimes the prose reminded me of chunk from the goonies inquiring about the possibility of some rocky road—but fuck my life can they write a Finerr Batturr or what, amirite?
ladies? can I get an amen?
*icy, shunning silence*
no? too busy drooling over curran?
s'okay.
*gaze darkens lustily*
...me too.
April 13, 2016
“This was hell and I was its fury.”
Celtic mythology,witch covens,lots of ass kicking and HOT shapeshifters?
Kate Daniels is worried.A powerful wave of magic known as the flare is going to strike Atlanta and make possible for malevolent deities to walk among the humans,spreading chaos and death,and somehow in the center of the crisis is the street urchin Kate's looking after.And the world's gone mad.
“I needed to find Julie,find her mom,convince a sociopath to donate some blood for the good of mankind,and deal with a tentacled atrocity swaddled in cloth and his rabid mermaids.I needed coffee.”
Magic Burns was so.bloody.entertaining!!I love Kate's narration,she's oozing sarcasm and her retorts are always hilarious!It's a book that keeps you glued to the story from the start,there's no retrieve from action and suspense!The world-building was solid,most of my questions were answered and I have to say,it's freaking genious!I mean of course I'd prefer to step into a giant turtle's throat than to live in magic stricken Atlanta,but I bow to Ilona Andrews's creativity and storytelling!Blood and gore and awesome battles,a parade of cool characters (I hate to admit it but I enjoy Ghastek so much),mythical creatures (finally an author that got right Greek mythology) and a huge dose of badassery and that's it,you get obsessed!And there's also Curran.
“Not only will you sleep with me, but you will say 'please.'”
The gray-eyed homicidal SEXY maniac makes me swoon.The sexual tension between Kate and Curran is killing me,their will-or-won't-they status is a slow death.They fight and insult and infuriate and drive each other crazy but at the same time there are sparks and butterflies!And I scream at them for not seeing the obvious and I'm like
“I turned around and looked at the scenery.Having a streak of drool hang from my mouth would seriously cramp my style.Besides,if he full-out flexed,I would probably faint.Or jump of the building.”
Fine,fine I'll stop gushing about Curran.But I'm telling you guys,the second book was better than the first and I can't wait to read the third!It seems that magic burns and I'm totally fried.
![Profile Image for Anna [Bran. San. Stan].](https://cdn.statically.io/img/i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1593184464i/98245866._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
June 17, 2023
2023: Re-read via GraphicAudio! I need more Curran/Kate interactions! Love listening to those two voices.
2022: Banter, action, bad-ass heroine. Yes to all of those. And to Curran. All the yesses for him.
Also: Kate - Curran - Julie - Bran =
Mac - Barron - Danni - V‘lane. Kind of?
2022: Banter, action, bad-ass heroine. Yes to all of those. And to Curran. All the yesses for him.
Also: Kate - Curran - Julie - Bran =
Mac - Barron - Danni - V‘lane. Kind of?
“Apologize and I’ll let it go.“
I kept my hand firmly on the iron rail before me. Grabbing the weight bar and walloping the Beast Lord upside the head wouldn’t be the best diplomatic move.
“I‘m sorry, Your Majesty.“ There. I was civil. It almost killed me.
December 18, 2019
I knew by page 2 that I would love this book. Here's why:
"Alright Jeremy. Give me the salamander and I won't cut your head off."
When I first started this series I was definitely holding myself back a little from letting myself love it. First of all I'd been traumatized by a past relationship with a series (Anita! Why!?). Secondly this series reminded me of the one that broke my heart. But not anymore!
I was so entertained while reading this book that my earlier annoyance at the whole magic vs tech weirdness evaporated. Kate's ass kickery was epic and if you don't know what she is by the end of this book then you missed something. I'm not gonna lie, I saw it coming but secretly I was really hoping that she'd turn out to be an elf or a dragon in human form.
Come on, you know this would be awesome
So I'm going to keep reading the series and hopefully I continue to love it. (Please God, don't let her vagina turn into a preternatural black hole)
"Alright Jeremy. Give me the salamander and I won't cut your head off."
When I first started this series I was definitely holding myself back a little from letting myself love it. First of all I'd been traumatized by a past relationship with a series (Anita! Why!?). Secondly this series reminded me of the one that broke my heart. But not anymore!
I was so entertained while reading this book that my earlier annoyance at the whole magic vs tech weirdness evaporated. Kate's ass kickery was epic and if you don't know what she is by the end of this book then you missed something. I'm not gonna lie, I saw it coming but secretly I was really hoping that she'd turn out to be an elf or a dragon in human form.
Come on, you know this would be awesome
So I'm going to keep reading the series and hopefully I continue to love it. (Please God, don't let her vagina turn into a preternatural black hole)
February 19, 2016
3.5
"Welcome home. I'm glad you made it. There is coffee in the kitchen for you."
I think that a fair number of my neurons just melted.
No time for the review, must jump on book three. And at any rate, what I have to say is exactly what I said in my review of Magic Bites, less the 'introductory book' issue (though the world-building can still get better, in my opinion), plus the 'So Curran will get hotter from book to book, uh? Because my system can sustain just as much oestrogen release' issue. Also, I want more character development. The story still feels too -only, at times- centred on what happens instead of who makes it happen, which doesn't exactly suit me, considering also that the plot is not by any means exceptional.
And that's how my brief raving comment became a brief messy review.
"You don't cause problems. An unpiloted vampire causes problems. You cause catastrophes."
Hasta la vista. This time for real.
"Welcome home. I'm glad you made it. There is coffee in the kitchen for you."
I think that a fair number of my neurons just melted.
No time for the review, must jump on book three. And at any rate, what I have to say is exactly what I said in my review of Magic Bites, less the 'introductory book' issue (though the world-building can still get better, in my opinion), plus the 'So Curran will get hotter from book to book, uh? Because my system can sustain just as much oestrogen release' issue. Also, I want more character development. The story still feels too -only, at times- centred on what happens instead of who makes it happen, which doesn't exactly suit me, considering also that the plot is not by any means exceptional.
And that's how my brief raving comment became a brief messy review.
"You don't cause problems. An unpiloted vampire causes problems. You cause catastrophes."
Hasta la vista. This time for real.
February 21, 2023
[December 28, 2018] I couldn't sleep and read it in one night. These are so darn readable. I think that since the first book did a lot of the set-up, it allows this one to feel stronger and more fluid. I love Kate so much and we get such a good sense of the kind of hero she is in this book. I love that she's strong, but has her limits. I love that she's sassy and that her big mouth is always what gets her into trouble. I love that she has her strong moral code. That scene with her running into battle, two swords flying? So good.
I'm not usually a big hate-each-other-but-flirt supporter, but I... don't mind Curran. And I think that Andrews is bringing this along so slowly that it's allowing me time to adjust, rather than having it thrown in my face.
I love the world and the supporting characters, and loved meeting Andrea and Julie.
[October 21, 2019] Marking for reread.
[Sometime during Pandemic Summer 2020] Marking for reread.
[January 2022] Marking for reread. I am going to finish this series this year... lol. Maybe.
[February 2023] Marking for reread. I did finish this series in 2022, and now... I'm rereading it.
I'm not usually a big hate-each-other-but-flirt supporter, but I... don't mind Curran. And I think that Andrews is bringing this along so slowly that it's allowing me time to adjust, rather than having it thrown in my face.
I love the world and the supporting characters, and loved meeting Andrea and Julie.
[October 21, 2019] Marking for reread.
[Sometime during Pandemic Summer 2020] Marking for reread.
[January 2022] Marking for reread. I am going to finish this series this year... lol. Maybe.
[February 2023] Marking for reread. I did finish this series in 2022, and now... I'm rereading it.
July 8, 2023
Rereading, or re-listening as this time around I had the graphic audiobook version in my ear.
I had forgotten how much better the second book is compared to the first. The characters are more fleshed out, the plot line is clear, and the additional characters add weight to the story.
I love that chicken soup scene between Kate and Curran, especially when we learn exactly what that moment means for the two of them.
The banter between these two is perfect.
That last battle scene was epic to listen to!! The yelling, swords clashing, all of the shapeshifters growling and snarling.
Bran was such a hero.
“Your ability to remain alive never ceases to amaze me.”
I had forgotten how much better the second book is compared to the first. The characters are more fleshed out, the plot line is clear, and the additional characters add weight to the story.
I love that chicken soup scene between Kate and Curran, especially when we learn exactly what that moment means for the two of them.
The banter between these two is perfect.
“Wanna spot me?"
"No thanks. How about I just scream verbal encouragements at you?”
That last battle scene was epic to listen to!! The yelling, swords clashing, all of the shapeshifters growling and snarling.
Bran was such a hero.
July 17, 2018
I just realized the last 40% always saves these books for me.
I had the same problem with this one as I did with the previous Kate Daniels.
▶ It's slow ◀
And sadly, sometimes glacially slow, more towards the beginning with a crescendo in the middle. But thank the heavens this ending rocked millions over the last one.
I do have to say that if they had explained the world in the last book like they did here, I would've rated it a lot higher.
Kate, at least for me, just got better by the second. She's still kick ass-I would say even more so- and actually had me laughing out loud at her constant quips. Curran, I got to say, is starting to rub me the right way and so are all the other shapeshifters.
As for the villains, bravo. These authors actually brought to the story ones that aren't seen too often and just for that had me a instant fan.
I have to say this surpassed the first book in everything and by the looks of things, it's bound to get better.
So will I be reading the next installment?
PS: I did figure out who Kate is though. The authors aren't blatantly obvious, I would say, but had a way of leaving hints and clues all around tying everything together if you had the urge to really see. I did suspect it from the last book but now I'm pretty sure. Excited to see shit go down now ^_^
I had the same problem with this one as I did with the previous Kate Daniels.
▶ It's slow ◀
And sadly, sometimes glacially slow, more towards the beginning with a crescendo in the middle. But thank the heavens this ending rocked millions over the last one.
I do have to say that if they had explained the world in the last book like they did here, I would've rated it a lot higher.
Kate, at least for me, just got better by the second. She's still kick ass-I would say even more so- and actually had me laughing out loud at her constant quips. Curran, I got to say, is starting to rub me the right way and so are all the other shapeshifters.
As for the villains, bravo. These authors actually brought to the story ones that aren't seen too often and just for that had me a instant fan.
I have to say this surpassed the first book in everything and by the looks of things, it's bound to get better.
So will I be reading the next installment?
PS: I did figure out who Kate is though. The authors aren't blatantly obvious, I would say, but had a way of leaving hints and clues all around tying everything together if you had the urge to really see. I did suspect it from the last book but now I'm pretty sure. Excited to see shit go down now ^_^
September 16, 2023
The world-building is just fabulous. Ilona Andrews is an amazing writing team. Such vivid descriptions and such a creative world. I love the addition of Julie, and I especially enjoyed the furthering of the sparks between Kate and Curran. I was hoping he was the one she might be linked with.
I clearly had forgotten 90% of this book in the time since I last read it, which made for a great reread! Or maybe this series is just so wonderfully detailed it’s impossible to get everything on the first go-round. I loved the salamander of doom in the opening scene. SO FUNNY. Jim ditching Kate for Pack business. Suave Derek. And Andrea!! She’s so one of my favorites. I had forgotten how she was first introduced, and this was just terrific.
But my favorite part of this was getting to reread how Kate and Julie first became a mother/daughter team. Kate of course is terrific, and Julie is also a favorite character. Of course, I can say that about nearly every character in this series. I loved getting back to her origin story and since it had been a bit since I read this, I got more out of the details on the second time around. Also, every time Curran, Derek or any of the pack come on the scene, those parts are just great. It’s hard not to just fangirl over everything IA writes, but they’re frankly just amazing and I could read their books again and again and always find something new to enjoy.
I clearly had forgotten 90% of this book in the time since I last read it, which made for a great reread! Or maybe this series is just so wonderfully detailed it’s impossible to get everything on the first go-round. I loved the salamander of doom in the opening scene. SO FUNNY. Jim ditching Kate for Pack business. Suave Derek. And Andrea!! She’s so one of my favorites. I had forgotten how she was first introduced, and this was just terrific.
But my favorite part of this was getting to reread how Kate and Julie first became a mother/daughter team. Kate of course is terrific, and Julie is also a favorite character. Of course, I can say that about nearly every character in this series. I loved getting back to her origin story and since it had been a bit since I read this, I got more out of the details on the second time around. Also, every time Curran, Derek or any of the pack come on the scene, those parts are just great. It’s hard not to just fangirl over everything IA writes, but they’re frankly just amazing and I could read their books again and again and always find something new to enjoy.
August 4, 2016
Buddy-read with the amazetastic Casey to commence July 20th..... because I can't seem to read anything I am supposed to right now!
Review, such as it were....
A Kraft Dinner review of a Kate Daniels novel.
3.5 Stars
I liked Magic Burns a little bit better than the first one in the series. Honestly, I don’t know that it will ever match the mania I felt picking up the Fever series last year but I’m totally okay with that. This series is fun. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, the way the books are paced and written kind of reminds me of the TV series “Charmed”. There is a mystery in the foreground that our heroine, Kate, finds herself wrapped up in and as the story unfolds towards the end of the novel we learn a little more about her and the other characters. It’s a method I find myself enjoying quite a bit, at the moment. It’s not rewriting the wheel or anything but it is definitely fun!
“You know what I like about you? You have no sense. You sit here in my house, you can barely hold a spoon, and you're telling me 'no'. You'd pull on Death's whiskers if you could reach them.”
The mystery of Kate’s past becomes a little bit more clear in this novel. We also get to watch her develop some interesting friendships and battle her feelings about Curran. Her snarky attitude is back, in a major way and I found myself laughing out loud at many of her exchanges with Curran and the others.
This time she is at the centre of a mystery involving a missing coven, a hole in the earth, gigantic metal birds and a mysterious stranger with a bow. I am definitely enjoying this series so far!
Review, such as it were....
A Kraft Dinner review of a Kate Daniels novel.
3.5 Stars
I liked Magic Burns a little bit better than the first one in the series. Honestly, I don’t know that it will ever match the mania I felt picking up the Fever series last year but I’m totally okay with that. This series is fun. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, the way the books are paced and written kind of reminds me of the TV series “Charmed”. There is a mystery in the foreground that our heroine, Kate, finds herself wrapped up in and as the story unfolds towards the end of the novel we learn a little more about her and the other characters. It’s a method I find myself enjoying quite a bit, at the moment. It’s not rewriting the wheel or anything but it is definitely fun!
“You know what I like about you? You have no sense. You sit here in my house, you can barely hold a spoon, and you're telling me 'no'. You'd pull on Death's whiskers if you could reach them.”
The mystery of Kate’s past becomes a little bit more clear in this novel. We also get to watch her develop some interesting friendships and battle her feelings about Curran. Her snarky attitude is back, in a major way and I found myself laughing out loud at many of her exchanges with Curran and the others.
This time she is at the centre of a mystery involving a missing coven, a hole in the earth, gigantic metal birds and a mysterious stranger with a bow. I am definitely enjoying this series so far!
July 19, 2015
Yes - I'm hooked on the Kate Daniels series. For now. Don't know how many books I'll read before I lose interest if I even do. I stuck with Ilona Andrews Edge series to the end (need more!) and enjoyed the spin-off novel of Gunmetal Magic with Kate's best friend so I'm thinking I'm in for the long haul. Good thing I have six novels left to read :).
February 16, 2022
Another fun BR with the always wonderful @Kim, thanks heaps for putting up with me once more babes 🤗
Irish/Celtic mythology was good craic...hadn't thought much about that gang since my childhood, makes me want to brush off the ould memories and revisit more of those stories 😈
The writing is still a little disjointed and clunky in places - better than book1 & while I enjoy the character interactions, especially Kate's snark. I struggle to see how/why she connects to others so quickly and readily shares info/intel with them...probs speaks more to my cynicism/commitment issues tho lolz. Very much enjoyed the new & old characters; hounds, wolves, lions, hyenas, jaguars and baby goats () plus some dancing in the snow for good measure.
The epilogue ending is a tasty tease & deffo pulls me in for book3 - cannot wait to see that dynamic play out more + potential hinted at other romance. Derek is my book MVP, his scenes are such fun and I hope we see much more of Andrea 🙃
3.25* this series continues to build in an enticing way. I really enjoy the super imaginative world where magic is building and raging war on technology - so dang intriguing 😎
**edited** to add link to Curran PoV collection whose availabilty was kindly brought to my attention by Di in her awesome review which you should 100% check out as way better synopsis than my waffle above. Dying to see if the Boudas are right about that SOUP scene 😆
Irish/Celtic mythology was good craic...hadn't thought much about that gang since my childhood, makes me want to brush off the ould memories and revisit more of those stories 😈
The writing is still a little disjointed and clunky in places - better than book1 & while I enjoy the character interactions, especially Kate's snark. I struggle to see how/why she connects to others so quickly and readily shares info/intel with them...probs speaks more to my cynicism/commitment issues tho lolz. Very much enjoyed the new & old characters; hounds, wolves, lions, hyenas, jaguars and baby goats () plus some dancing in the snow for good measure.
The epilogue ending is a tasty tease & deffo pulls me in for book3 - cannot wait to see that dynamic play out more + potential hinted at other romance. Derek is my book MVP, his scenes are such fun and I hope we see much more of Andrea 🙃
3.25* this series continues to build in an enticing way. I really enjoy the super imaginative world where magic is building and raging war on technology - so dang intriguing 😎
**edited** to add link to Curran PoV collection whose availabilty was kindly brought to my attention by Di in her awesome review which you should 100% check out as way better synopsis than my waffle above. Dying to see if the Boudas are right about that SOUP scene 😆
February 19, 2019
In this second book of the series, Kate is still tough, brave, unpretentious, sassy, humane and loyal. Can you tell that she is my current favourite paranormal heroine? :-)
I loved the world building in the first book, where we got introduced to this strange reality where technology and magic alternate. Here we see that magic is gaining ground and sooner or later all vestiges of our world ( e.g. cars) will disappear. Magic flows and pulsates through the book and all the supernatural creatures( shape shifters, vampire masters, witches) have to find their own ways to control themselves.
Magic flare is also a special time when gods and goddesses can come to life and manifest themselves on earth. The plot focuses on Celtic mythology and there are new monsters to fight- reeves.
Kate makes new friends and saves a teenage girl Julie who becomes a sort of a charge for her. We also get more hints about Kate's powers and her origin.
I'm not a big fan of insta love, so I am happy with the slow development of Kate and Curran's relationship. They are still two of a kind:-)
Now I am ready for book 3.
I loved the world building in the first book, where we got introduced to this strange reality where technology and magic alternate. Here we see that magic is gaining ground and sooner or later all vestiges of our world ( e.g. cars) will disappear. Magic flows and pulsates through the book and all the supernatural creatures( shape shifters, vampire masters, witches) have to find their own ways to control themselves.
Magic flare is also a special time when gods and goddesses can come to life and manifest themselves on earth. The plot focuses on Celtic mythology and there are new monsters to fight- reeves.
Kate makes new friends and saves a teenage girl Julie who becomes a sort of a charge for her. We also get more hints about Kate's powers and her origin.
I'm not a big fan of insta love, so I am happy with the slow development of Kate and Curran's relationship. They are still two of a kind:-)
Now I am ready for book 3.
September 19, 2017
I finished this last night just before sleeping, so of course Kate followed me into my dreams.
The last battle was so visual and I kept seeing her running in with both swords flying. I mean, that was awesome!
She is an excellent character! Although she's powerful and brave she is also lonely and frightened. In this book she goes from one problem to the next like a fairy tale. Almost every person she encounters wants her to complete a task before they will help her. All the while she has this hunky shapeshifter circling around her. (Who, BTW, did not show up in my dream. Damnit!)
Probably one of my favorite things about Kate is a trait we both share. I call it 'opening my mouth just long enough to change feet.' She is often saying, "I wish I hadn't said that." I can relate, Sweetie. 😊
Excellent book! Excellent story and world building! Amazing characters! On to the next book. 😊💕📚
The last battle was so visual and I kept seeing her running in with both swords flying. I mean, that was awesome!
She is an excellent character! Although she's powerful and brave she is also lonely and frightened. In this book she goes from one problem to the next like a fairy tale. Almost every person she encounters wants her to complete a task before they will help her. All the while she has this hunky shapeshifter circling around her. (Who, BTW, did not show up in my dream. Damnit!)
Probably one of my favorite things about Kate is a trait we both share. I call it 'opening my mouth just long enough to change feet.' She is often saying, "I wish I hadn't said that." I can relate, Sweetie. 😊
Excellent book! Excellent story and world building! Amazing characters! On to the next book. 😊💕📚
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