Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1) in SOS: Serious Overload of Series

Aug 03, 2010 Chelsea rated it liked it

Shelves: vampires, uf-pnr, weres, magic

This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.

In Magic Bites‘ Atlanta magic is everywhere. And so are the shifters and the vampires. The Order keeps the peace on the magic end, but Kate Daniels would rather not deal with them. Despite her formidable magic abilities, Kate works as a mercenary instead. Doing jobs for money instead of being a part of the all-or-nothing Order. But when her mentor and key member of the Order is murdered, she finds herself investigating his death on their beh This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.

In Magic Bites‘ Atlanta magic is everywhere. And so are the shifters and the vampires. The Order keeps the peace on the magic end, but Kate Daniels would rather not deal with them. Despite her formidable magic abilities, Kate works as a mercenary instead. Doing jobs for money instead of being a part of the all-or-nothing Order. But when her mentor and key member of the Order is murdered, she finds herself investigating his death on their behalf.

He was found slain alongside a vampire, but both showed signs pointing to just about everyone. The shifters and the vampires now want in on the investigation because they’re sure the other is out to frame them. And the killer now has sights on Kate. She’ll be forced to pick sides, work with the powerful Lord of the shifters Curran, fight bloody battles and consider just who is she really.

Curran reminds me of Barrons from Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series. Not in actual behavior, but in that he’s one of those heroes you’ll see readers swooning over. Magic Bites doesn’t have a romance angle. (Though, it lays groundwork.) Yet, there is this undeniable magnetism that cloaks Curran through the novel. He’s powerful, loyal and a fierce warrior.

And Kate can stand up to him. The girl walks in to meet the Beast Lord of the city — the shifter so strong no one can beat him — and calls out “here kitty, kitty.” Inside she’s scared, but Kate knows how to put on a show of strength and always backs it up. She’s the kind of woman you’re proud to know, even when you’re shaking your head at her occasional misstep.

Magic Bites is a great start to a new series. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it sets the stage for something great by setting up this world that could run parallel to our own and by allowing us time to get to know a full cast of characters. By the end of the novel all I could think about was the way Kate and Curran play off one another. I want to see that progress (and we all know it does). Kate will be formidable, and Ilona Andrews put us in place to see the beginning of the fireworks.

Sexual content: n/a ...more

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Mar 23, 2011 Chelsea rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, vampires, uf-pnr, weres, magic

This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.

Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars

In Magic Bites‘ Atlanta magic is everywhere. And so are the shifters and the vampires. The Order keeps the peace on the magic end, but Kate Daniels would rather not deal with them. Despite her formidable magic abilities, Kate works as a mercenary instead. Doing jobs for money instead of being a part of the all-or-nothing Order. But when her mentor and key member of the Order is murdered, she finds herself investig This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.

Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars

In Magic Bites‘ Atlanta magic is everywhere. And so are the shifters and the vampires. The Order keeps the peace on the magic end, but Kate Daniels would rather not deal with them. Despite her formidable magic abilities, Kate works as a mercenary instead. Doing jobs for money instead of being a part of the all-or-nothing Order. But when her mentor and key member of the Order is murdered, she finds herself investigating his death on their behalf.

He was found slain alongside a vampire, but both showed signs pointing to just about everyone. The shifters and the vampires now want in on the investigation because they’re sure the other is out to frame them. And the killer now has sights on Kate. She’ll be forced to pick sides, work with the powerful Lord of the shifters Curran, fight bloody battles and consider just who is she really.

Curran reminds me of Barrons from Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series. Not in actual behavior, but in that he’s one of those heroes you’ll see readers swooning over. Magic Bites doesn’t have a romance angle. (Though, it lays groundwork.) Yet, there is this undeniable magnetism that cloaks Curran through the novel. He’s powerful, loyal and a fierce warrior.

And Kate can stand up to him. The girl walks in to meet the Beast Lord of the city — the shifter so strong no one can beat him — and calls out “here kitty, kitty.” Inside she’s scared, but Kate knows how to put on a show of strength and always backs it up. She’s the kind of woman you’re proud to know, even when you’re shaking your head at her occasional misstep.

Magic Bites is a great start to a new series. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it sets the stage for something great by setting up this world that could run parallel to our own and by allowing us time to get to know a full cast of characters. By the end of the novel all I could think about was the way Kate and Curran play off one another. I want to see that progress (and we all know it does). Kate will be formidable, and Ilona Andrews put us in place to see the beginning of the fireworks. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review