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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Buddy Reads

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What Members Thought

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

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

Shelves: paranormal, _read2012, urban-fantasy, kindle, _read2013, mystery, romance, _read2018, 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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Oct 13, 2015 Tracey rated it really liked it

Shelves: physical-shelf-2, 1st-in-the-series

I really enjoyed this first book in the Kate Daniels series, world building and all. I love Kate's personality especially her humour. Looking forward to continuing the series. ...more

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