Urban Fantasy Review: Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews

Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels
Publisher: Penguin
Format: ebook
ISBN: 1937007588
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date: July 30th 2013
Number of pages: 355
Source: Bought

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Summary:

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…

Review:

I had ups and downs with this book, but the story was so amazing. I liked the different setting and the boat trip was so special, I had no idea about those different kinds of shifters, but Kate and Curran managed to kill them all.

The gang is all together because Curran was invited to work as a bodyguard, but of course Kate decided to went with him and after that the numbers only growed. Andrea and Raphael managed to get inside the group along with Aunt B. But for me the most different and surprising was the Doc.

I liked the story and of course seeing what Hugh is really after, but the different mythologies and creatures made this book perfect for me.

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Series in Order

#0.5 – Magic Graves
#1 – Magic Bites
#2 – Magic Burns
#3 – Magic Strikes
#3.5 – Magic Mourns
#4 – Magic Bleeds
#4.5 – Magic Dreams
#5 – Magic Slays
#5.3 – An Apple for the Creature
#5.4 – Magic Gifts
#5.5 – Gunmetal Magic
#5.6 – Retribution Clause
#6 – Magic Rises
#7 – Magic Breaks (Expected publication: 2014)

Urban Fantasy Review: Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews

Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels
Publisher: Penguin
Format: ebook
ISBN: 1101585196
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date: July 31st 2012
Number of pages: 326
Source: Bought

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Summary:

Some people have everything figured out—Andrea Nash is not one of those people. After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea’s whole existence is in shambles. All she can do is try to put herself back together, something made easier by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend, Kate Daniels.

When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano—the male alpha of the Clan Bouda, as well as Andrea’s former lover—die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate…and must work with Raphael. As her search for the killer leads her into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta, Andrea knows that dealing with her feelings for Raphael might have to take a back seat to saving the world…

Review:

This was supposed to be a novella, but I discovered that it was a very long one and it helped a lot to fulfill this world, I liked Andrea for her wit and attitude, but Raphael is also a very handsome and nice person, he helped Andrea to understand her other side and after some time they finally managed to discover a nice relationship, but ever since their fall out and Andrea disappearance things are not the same, so it was great for us to have a full book with them.

Andrea has come a full 360 with her attitude towards the boudas and I really liked the way she handled the pack and the other boudas, because she’s beastkin and is not really a part of them, but after some needed break, she decided to claim her inner beast and now the only thing missing is Raphael.

I understand his need to fear, because Andrea was never really sure of their relationship, but now things are different and their life are in danger. It was really nice to see they battle and discover a new life together. They deserved a full novel, because Kate and Curran always put other people on the sideline, but their characters are great and it was an awesome book.

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Series in Order

#0.5 – Magic Graves
#1 – Magic Bites
#2 – Magic Burns
#3 – Magic Strikes
#3.5 – Magic Mourns
#4 – Magic Bleeds
#4.5 – Magic Dreams
#5 – Magic Slays
#5.3 – An Apple for the Creature
#5.4 – Magic Gifts
#5.5 – Gunmetal Magic
#5.6 – Retribution Clause
#6 – Magic Rises
#7 – Magic Breaks (Expected publication: 2014)

Urban Fantasy Review: Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels
Publisher: Penguin
Format: ebook
ISBN: 0441020429
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date: May 31st 2011
Number of pages: 308
Source: Bought

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Summary:

Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job.

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be—now that the Order is disparaging her good name, and many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate.

So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. Turns out this is not an isolated incident, and Kate needs to get to the bottom of it—fast, or the city and everyone dear to her might pay the ultimate price . . .

Review:

So Kate and Curran are finally together as mates and we can clearly see that both are happier about it, but life is not easier for them and now things are not normal. Kate has her own firm, with the help of Curran and the Pack, but she doesn’t have any clients, after her ex-boss Ted decided to bad talk about her.

The Red Guard is back and Kate’s job is to find a kidnapped victim, sounds easy enough, but in reality this involves everything from witches to technology. I liked getting to know more about the witches, because those girls come make some really strong spells, but the best part was the drama.

The action was great and I liked getting to know more about the Pack day-to-day drama, and it was nice seeing Kate settling more in her new life. But I love the side characters. Derek is awesome and I liked Ascanio too. Curran is always trying to save someone and this time it was so nice to see Kate falling to his rules.

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Series in Order

#0.5 – Magic Graves
#1 – Magic Bites
#2 – Magic Burns
#3 – Magic Strikes
#3.5 – Magic Mourns
#4 – Magic Bleeds
#4.5 – Magic Dreams
#5 – Magic Slays
#5.3 – An Apple for the Creature
#5.4 – Magic Gifts
#5.5 – Gunmetal Magic
#5.6 – Retribution Clause
#6 – Magic Rises
#7 – Magic Breaks (Expected publication: 2014)

Urban Fantasy Review: Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels
Publisher: Penguin
Format: ebook
ISBN: 044101852
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date: May 25th 2010
Number of pages: 349
Source: Bought

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Summary:

Kate Daniels keeps the peace in Atlanta for the Order, humans caught between the vampire controlling People led by her biological father and best kept secret, Roland, and the shape-shifter Pack, led by her mate-to-be Curran, the Lord of the Beasts. But her look-alike aunt Erra, Babylon’s god of chaos and terror, has come to town controlling seven naked warriors: Deluge (flood water), Tremor (earth quake), Gale (hurricane wind), Torch (fire inferno), Venom (disease poison), Beast (animal monster), and Darkness (overpowering dread).

Review:

This cover is a little better but it’s still strange for me. Curran made me so mad in the beginning of this book, after all the work and the drama I really thought Kate would have a normal date night, but His Furiness stood her up and never even explained why. Then all hell broke loose with plagues and family appearing from thin air. Kate’s past is back to haunt her and it was really difficult for her to protect the people she cares about.

I liked the story and it was nice to finally see someone from Kate’s family. It’s always spoken about their great power, but this was actually the first time to see someone with that amount of power. Kate suffered a lot to understand the chaos and control the situation. It’s was dangerous from page one and I really liked this book.

Curran came around and we finally have some happy time. It was perfect seeing these two together, because Curran was strong and very powerful. It was really great to watch these two manage the everyday life as a couple because neither is the type to let go. This was a great book, but Curran attitude made me so mad at first.

Series in Order

#0.5 – Magic Graves
#1 – Magic Bites
#2 – Magic Burns
#3 – Magic Strikes
#3.5 – Magic Mourns
#4 – Magic Bleeds
#4.5 – Magic Dreams
#5 – Magic Slays
#5.3 – An Apple for the Creature
#5.4 – Magic Gifts
#5.5 – Gunmetal Magic
#5.6 – Retribution Clause
#6 – Magic Rises
#7 – Magic Breaks (Expected publication: 2014)

Urban Fantasy Review: Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews

Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels
Publisher: Penguin
Format: ebook
ISBN: 0441017029
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date: March 31st 2009
Number of pages: 310
Source: Bought

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Summary:

When magic strikes and Atlanta goes to pieces, it’s a job for Kate Daniels…

Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with these days. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that’s saying a lot.

But when Kate’s werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games—an invitation only, no holds barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament—she and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta’s shapeshifting community…

 

Review:

The first thing that crossed my mind after reading this summary was not Derek. He’s the boy wonder and Kate got really attached to him during the first two books, but the worst part wasn’t this. After starting this book I realized that Jim was not that smart and during all this he was lying to Curran.

So Kate had to save the day and the boy wonder, but the Curran barely appeared during the first half in this book and I was really hoping for the development in their relationship. So after all the danger and the running Curran finally appeared and things really heated on the hot tube.

I liked the investigation in this book because it was a different kind of mythology and Kate managed to impress everyone with her powers. He secret is pretty much out and now she’s afraid of dear father.

I liked this book, but didn’t like some of His Furriness attitude, it was a nice story and I got some confused during the explanation, but Kate saved the night and Curran saved Kate later, so win-win.

Series in Order

#0.5 – Magic Graves
#1 – Magic Bites
#2 – Magic Burns
#3 – Magic Strikes
#3.5 – Magic Mourns
#4 – Magic Bleeds
#4.5 – Magic Dreams
#5 – Magic Slays
#5.3 – An Apple for the Creature
#5.4 – Magic Gifts
#5.5 – Gunmetal Magic
#5.6 – Retribution Clause
#6 – Magic Rises
#7 – Magic Breaks (Expected publication: 2014)

Urban Fantasy Review: Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels
Publisher: Penguin
Format: ebook
ISBN: 0441015832
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date: April 2008
Number of pages: 260
Source: Bought

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Summary:

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…

Review:

I have a serious problem with this cover, but other than that the story was perfect. I started reading this book last year right after I finished the first one, but wasn’t really into the story and decided to stop and give it another try later. This time was the perfect moment because Kate made me rush to finish this book and pick the next one.

Can’t wait for the moment she actually starts a romantic relationship with Curran because he’s a perfect bastard for her and let’s face it, she needs someone in her side and he’s definitely very strong.

In this book she is once again working along with the Pack, because after the big finale in the previous book, Kate got the Friend of the Pack status and she can help them. Now she’s working with the Order, but she’s not part of it, like a hired help and the Pack only trust her.

I liked this book because we got the felling Kate is more human now. Kate got more friends now and also a kid. Strange right, but she is always protecting the weak and defenseless. Now she’s like a cool aunt.

I’m not talking a lot about the investigation, but for only one thing. I really liked Bran and he made Kate think more about time and her life.

Series in Order

#0.5 – Magic Graves
#1 – Magic Bites
#2 – Magic Burns
#3 – Magic Strikes
#3.5 – Magic Mourns
#4 – Magic Bleeds
#4.5 – Magic Dreams
#5 – Magic Slays
#5.3 – An Apple for the Creature
#5.4 – Magic Gifts
#5.5 – Gunmetal Magic
#5.6 – Retribution Clause
#6 – Magic Rises
#7 – Magic Breaks (Expected publication: 2014)

 

Review: Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Bites

Author:  Ilona Andrews

Series: Kate Daniels

Publisher:  Gollanz

Format: ebook

ISBN: 0575093935

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date: September 9th 2010

Number of pages: 260

 

Summary

When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake.

Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate’s guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta’s magic circles.

The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizarre killings—and the death of Kate’s guardian may be part of the same mystery. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she’s way out of her league—but she wouldn’t have it any other way…

My Thoughts

 

Is interesting but this was the first urban fantasy book that I’ve read this year and I have to say that I missed some of the crazy world and the action packed story. Last year I read the Chicagoland vampires and fell in love with the strong and capable woman in charge.

 

This book made me remember how much I love a strong women leading the fight, they are always more perceptive and everyone think less of them and of course is always a surprise when they start fighting back.

 

And one thing that Kate is good at is fighting. The book is all about Kate investigating her “uncle” murderer and she has to face some very dark and powerful beings making fighting the very last thing that saves her life over and over. She has  some strange powers that were not fully explained in this book but I have faith in this series after this first book and expect some explanations about her past and her secrets.

 

She hides and only accept jobs as a mercenaries, but she’s very good with magic too and could by part of the Order, her only problem is following rules and working in a group, but I think she managed just fine with the Pack and of course Curran.

 

Curran is the Pack leader and alpha in charge, but there seams to be something different in him, just like Kate, hiding something too. There’s also some sexual attraction between these two.

 

The world was very strange and destroyed, not like things we know now, and that part made me a little confuse at first, but in the end we understood better the magic and how things could change so fast.

 

I liked the investigation and how Kate tried and didn’t succeeded to work solo. She has to accept that sometimes friends can come to your rescue and that’s not a bad thing. I really liked the book.

Books in this Series

#0.5 – Magic Graves

#1 – Magic Bites

#2 – Magic Burns

#3 – Magic Strikes

#3.5 – Magic Mourns

#4 – Magic Bleeds

#4.5 – Hexed

#5 – Magic Slays

#5.4 – Magic Gifts

#5.5 – Gunmetal Magic

#6 – Untitled (Expected publication: February 2013)

#7 – Untitled (Expected publication: 2013)

Trailer

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“Here, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty…”

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