From the Bookshelf of 2-3-4 Challenge…

Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1)

Ilona Andrews

Start date: February 1, 2016

Finish date: February 29, 2016

Discussion: Buddy Reads

Discussion leader: Tracey

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What Members Thought

Sep 15, 2011 Jonetta rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance, audiobook, urban-fantasy

I'd heard so many positives about this series I was worried my expectations were too high and it would be a letdown. By the end of the book, that feeling wasn't anywhere near my emotional state.

Rather than talk about the details of the story, I'm focusing on the essence of it and certain elements that make this a standout book and series start. I'll begin with the series namesake, Kate Daniels. She's formidable as most UF heroines tend to be but in a very practical sense. Kate dresses for the pa I'd heard so many positives about this series I was worried my expectations were too high and it would be a letdown. By the end of the book, that feeling wasn't anywhere near my emotional state.

Rather than talk about the details of the story, I'm focusing on the essence of it and certain elements that make this a standout book and series start. I'll begin with the series namesake, Kate Daniels. She's formidable as most UF heroines tend to be but in a very practical sense. Kate dresses for the part and you won't find her in leathers or stiletto-heeled boots. Everything about her is calculated for success in life-threatening situations. She's vulnerable, a bit cocky but not overly so. And, she's still at a place where there's more for her to learn about her skills. There's mystery about her and we know just enough to want to discover more.

Then there's this fantastic world that Andrews has created. Some of the beings and species introduced here are unique, at least foreign to me. The dystopian environment complicates matters and I'm still waiting to learn how Atlanta (and I assume the rest of the world) came to be this new order where magic and technology have this odd coexistence. I've also had to abandon my romanticism about vampires.

Then there's the infamous Curran, the Beast Lord. You know he's nothing to mess with but we are only treated to glimpses of his awesomeness. The interplay between Kate and Curran is akin to foreplay right now with just the right level of irreverence on both sides. You just know it's going to be really good but we'll have to wait awhile.

The narrator did a fantastic job of telling the story and giving voice to Kate. I'm not too crazy about her interpretation of Curran, though. Makes him sound old.

I'm excited about continuing this series and thrilled that all the hoopla about it wasn't overblown. What held me back from giving it 5 stars is the density of world building that almost, but not quite, overwhelmed me. The action is intense and sometimes brutal, the secondary characters even more intriguing. I'm SO glad I've got this whole series ahead of me in this format as it's going to be a really interesting journey. ...more

24 likes · Like · see review

Dec 24, 2012 Lauren rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kick-ass-heroines, love-hate-relationship, feline-shifters, magic-and-witchcraft, urban-fantasy, audiobooks, serial-killers, post-apocalypse, southern-comfort, snarky-heroine

Magic Bites
4 Stars

Renee Raudman's narration is good - she manages to convey the different voices well although I may have been spoiled by Phil Gigante's Barrons and was expecting something deeper for Curran.

The world of Kate Daniels is a fascinating place with an abundance of magical creatures and concepts that are at times familiar yet unique. The world building takes some getting used to as there are numerous new words and ideas that seem to come out of nowhere with little explanation. However ...more

12 likes · Like · see review

Oct 01, 2012 Liz (Bugetta) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, urban-fantasy, e-book, new-author, shapeshifters

Great start to a new series! I really like Kate and Curran and the world created for this series is so different from anything I've encountered in a UF series before. I can't wait to start the next one! ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Oct 16, 2011 CassieCruel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: vampires-read, magic-read, shifters-read, i-own-new-shelf

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

2 likes · Like · see review

Apr 18, 2012 Angela rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, urban-fantasy

I really enjoyed this book. It has been a while since I have read a fantasy book and Kate immediately had me interested as she is one kick ass chick. I loved the first person point of view and she doesn't put up with crap from anyone. I can already clearly see there is a love interest as well which will not doubt evolve in future books.

I am dying to know what is so special about Kate's blood. I have a suspicion and can't wait to see if I am right.

Loved Ilona's approach on vampires. I haven't rea ...more

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May 09, 2012 Veronica rated it liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy

Kate Daniels is a mercenary for hire in a world where magic and technology compete for supremacy. When her guardian is brutally murdered, Kate vows to track down the killer and her journey will take her into the crossfire between the People (gifted humans who can pilot the dead, i.e. vampires) and the Pack (shapechangers).

I thought this book was just okay. Kate has magic that can overpower pretty much anything and anyone and anything her individual magic can't overcome her magic blade, Slayer, c Kate Daniels is a mercenary for hire in a world where magic and technology compete for supremacy. When her guardian is brutally murdered, Kate vows to track down the killer and her journey will take her into the crossfire between the People (gifted humans who can pilot the dead, i.e. vampires) and the Pack (shapechangers).

I thought this book was just okay. Kate has magic that can overpower pretty much anything and anyone and anything her individual magic can't overcome her magic blade, Slayer, can. That's just bordering on the MarySue superpowers trope a bit too much for my tastes. I also found her bravado overdone to the point that I found her annoying and immature. Then there's Curran, the Beast Lord of Atlanta. He turns into a lion, which is cool, and he leads 300+ shapechangers just in Atlanta alone. And yet he never really intrigued me. Maybe the sweatpants ruined the mystique, who knows? I never felt any chemistry between him and Kate though the author was certainly trying hard. Just a note, but it takes more than writing characters who bitch at each other to create UST.

But whatever, I can still enjoy a book even when I find the intended main pairing lukewarm at best as long as the rest of the plot works. However, for me this book didn't deliver a strong story either. The components were there but even though on paper the crimes sounded horrendous I never felt any true sense of urgency. I may read the second book to see if things improve in terms of stronger character development (being bitchy doesn't necessarily make for a strong character) and better plot development but this first book was just passable IMO.

Reread on 7/26/13: my original rating was 2 stars but I'm upping it to 3 stars because I did enjoy it more the second time around. I still think that Kate shows a bit too much immaturity for being 25 years old - she is, to quote another character "a walking stereotype" - and I think the writing could be firmed up but this IS a first book so I'll grant a little slack. Plus the authors did do something new with vampires so points for that. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 30, 2012 Mariana Bezerra rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2012, uf, read-in-2018, audiobook, libby, read-in-2025, audio-25

Read this review on my blog! --> Book Travels

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 th ...more

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Nov 05, 2011 ✿~Danielle~✿ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, romance, _read2018, mystery, paranormal, _read2012, urban-fantasy, _read2013, reread

KATE DANIELS

Read 15/2/12 | 4 stars
Read 18/7/13
Read 26/3/18

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Book synopsis: Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren’t for magic…

One moment magic dominates, and cars stall and guns fail. The next, technology takes over and the defensive spells no longer protect your house from monsters. Here skyscrapers topple under onslaught of magic; werebears and werehyenas prowl through the ruined streets; and the Masters of the Dead, necromancers driven by their thirst of knowledg ...more

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Jun 18, 2012 Stacey rated it really liked it

This started off fairly slowly, and a tad confusing, but get past the first 100 pages, and it really picks up. By the last third I was already downloading the next book. I like a heroine who can actually kick some ass, without waiting around for a man to rescue her, and that's what you get in this book. ...more

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