Andrews, Ilona; Magic Bites (Kate Daniels #1); "Relaxed Buddy Read" ; Start Date 9 September 2013 **REVISIT** 12 May 2018

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Chapters 1 - 3

My thoughts...

- totally different to what I was expecting! I kind of skim book synopsis' when books are recommended to me and by the time I read the book I have often forgotten what it is meant to be about. So I guess I went into this as another YA magic-type book and didn't realise the world would be post-apocalyptic, or that it would be a "murder mystery" type book. So it was a nice surprise!
- There has been a lot of explainations/descriptions so far, and although it is necessary as clearly it is a complex world the author has created, I'm ready to stop the descriptions and get to the action. Maybe because I have it on audio, but it feels a bit "dragnet" to me!
- Loving the character of Kate and I like the humour thrown into the story too
- Looking forward to the next part of the book!

[Sonia]

Since Kate's world is a bit different and sometimes hard to get into, I thought I made some quick introductions - although Karen already "dived" into the story :o)

Magic vs Tech
In the past there was magic. Dragons, sea serpents, magic users and magic folklore. But then, humanity evolved and discovered tech. As technology advanced, magic got weak, till it faded away. It didn't disappear, it was just dormant, live a powerful volcano.
And, as a volcano, one day it wake up with a bang. Planes fell. Electricity failed. Chaos erupted. And then magic surged through. All around the globe ley lines appeared, buildings started to crumble, people sneezed and things exploded. Some wake up one day and shifted to animals, some discovered they were witches - or something worse - and crawly, bad things appeared on dark alleys.

After all things calmed down, magic didn't return to its previous dormant state. Tech also din't disappear, altogether. So they now cohabit. Magic fluctuates in waves, so people learned how to live with both. Electric alarms when the magic is down, defensive wards when is up. Diesel motors for when is down, enchanted water motors when is up - or horses, those never fail you.

So we have ruined places, with a mix of technology and magic, and some bad neighborhoods, you don't want to enter - not because of drugs, but because of darker darker beings.

[Sonia]

Groups

Shifters
We are used to shifters being the large predators - here we have all kinds, weere-tigers, werewolves, were-rats, were-bears, you name it. The common thing? They all are unstable, hot-tempered and dangerous.

Usually, they are territorial and live in packs or clans of one species all around. In Atlanta? They still have a large territory and live cluster into clans, but are part of a bigger pack, ruled by the strongest of them, The Beast Lord
*swoons a bit while thinking of Curran*

Vampires and Necromancers
Vampires are vicious creatures - they used to be humans once, now they are dead emaciated creatures, dangerous and strong, with huge claws and fangs, and no rational thinking. Just a unstoppable, never ending thirst for human blood.
Since their minds are empty, they can be controlled by the people, a society of necromancers that control and ride the undead.

Mercenary Guild and Order of the Merciful Aid
At a first glance, they look the same with the difference of one being paid and the other not.
Problem is, when you sign a contract with the guild, you get to decide if you want to break it or not. When you go to the order for help, they call all the shots, plus, if they think the problem is harmful for humans, they take care of it, whatever the implications are

[Nicole]

Okay, I'm about halfway through Chapter 2 right now, so I only know what happens up till then.

I'd seen a lot of reviews before this where people felt a bit lost/like they were coming in halfway through a story for this one, so I did my research! With a handy little website linked by LK's review of the book, I managed to glean a bunch of world information that left me in good stead for the beginning of the book.

So for anyone who wants a bit more information in addition to Sonia's wonderfully helpful run through, website is here: http://kate.ilona-andrews.com/

I'm reading Dresden Files at the same time as this novel and, to me, it's really obvious that this is not only written by a woman, but more so by a man. Kate herself feels very masculine to me so far. As she herself notes, she's already given up make up, feminine clothing and pretty underwear in her role as murder-mystery merc.

I'll admit, this book hasn't grabbed me so far, but it's early days yet. And, with ya'll beside me, I'm sure I'm going to be right into it real soon.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Thanks Sonia :)
I also peeked at LK's review which was helpful too
although I started early I will get behind before too long unless I find reasons to do things that enable me to listen to the audiobook! Lol
We are having unseasonably warm weather so I'm off to the beach tomorrow which means 1.5 hours of listening to this audio... ;)

[Steven]

I'm finished with two of the three chapters to "start discussing tomorrow" and so far, my only gripe is that the chapters need to be split up into smaller bits! I don't feel like I'm making progress when the chapters are SO LONG!

I am digging the world that Andrews created for this series, and I'm interested in seeing the MAGIC in action, especially the POWER WORDS.

Didn't expect it to be a MYSTERY going in, with paranormal/urban fantasy mixed in. So I'm excited to read more. :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Yes I agree Steven, the chapters are *very* long. I keep thinking I've missed it on the audio and then 40 minutes later they say the next chapter number lol

[Leslie]

I'm still working on the chapters. They are pretty long and I had a lot going on this weekend so I didnt start reading until today.

[Lisa Kay]

Glad my review helped!

[Nicole]

Definitely did, LK! I definitely understand how you felt like you were walking into the middle of a story.

I have finished the first three chapters and am just about to start the fourth. In my head, I keep judging 'finishing' a section by the page breaks instead of the chapters. Maybe that will help everyone else who is having troubles in dealing with these loooong chapters! ;)

[Lisa Kay]

That's a great idea, Nichole.

[Fictitious1]

Sonia wrote: "Since Kate's world is a bit different and sometimes hard to get into, I thought I made some quick introductions - although Karen already "dived" into the story :o)..."

Thank you do much Sonia! I was starting to get a bit lost so this has really helped.

[Fictitious1]

I'm also 'reading' the audiobook so I started early to try keep up. Only problem was I was so hooked I've listened ahead a bit.

When I started, I was in the same boat as Steven and Karen - I wasn't expecting a mystery. I loved that it was.

So far, Magic Bites reminds me of the early Anita Blake books before they went really off-track and forgot about the whole mystery aspect.

Kate is just my type of protagonist. I have an idea that her smart mouth and rebellious attitude are going to end up getting her into trouble.

This may just become my new favourite series!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I really like her too Fictitious1. I am now in part 7 of the audio (no idea what chapter!) and it is getting very interesting. Love the humour too :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

While doing some web surfing I discovered Ilona Andrews is actually a husband and wife writing team. How behind the times am I?! I had no idea but I guess it explains why I find the writing doesn't always "flow" and why the books in the series apparently get better as you go - maybe it took them a while to get their mojo going

[Sonia]

They also have shorties with Curran's POV that are great - those are written only by Gordon since they wanted it to be 100% male.

I don't recommend looking at them yet, since the only one for this book is the meeting between Kate and Curran, read by his perspective - I have a serious giggle attack every time I try to imagine his face :o)

[Nicole]

Curran is *amazingly* characterised. He's so vivid, isn't he?

For the people who haven't yet gotten up to meeting Curran, I would love to hear about peoples' first impressions when they get to him! I felt like I could imagine him so clearly. Some very good descriptions there.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Nifty - thanks Sonia :)

He is such an interesting character Nicole - I agree. I'm actually going to get the dead tree version of the book do I can re-read her first meeting with him! :D

[Leslie]

I'm really liking it so far. I do love the Curran character. The world is also very interesting. Very unique. I don't have too much to say yet though. I read a bit ahead and don't want to spoil anything.

[Logan]

Even though I read this just a few months back, it's very easy to settle back in with Kate. Like Fictitious and Karen mentioned, she's a great protagonist for those of us that like the rough and tumble types! I also get a Mercy Thompson vibe from her, though I think even Mercy is a bit more feminine. lol

I also had not expected this to be a mystery. All I cared about when I picked it up was that it involved a shifter that was not just a boring werewolf, and it had a lion on the cover. Seriously, if you put a lion on the cover of your book, I'll read it. I'm looking at you, .
(Although it's still sitting in my Kindle unread. Shhh.)

Like Karen, I got bogged down in the beginning with all of the description. I found it helpful and interesting, but it took me longer to read the first 20 pages than is typical. It was a lot of info to process. If only I'd had Sonia's helpful posts then!

[Lauren]

Kate and Curran's first meeting is one of the funniest moments I've ever read - (view spoiler)[Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty (hide spoiler)] and reading the scene from Curran's POV was simply icing on the cake.

[Fictitious1]

I just downloaded Curran's perspective from Smashwords. You have to read Kate and Curran's first meeting from his perspective. (view spoiler)[ How could anyone call Kate a mouse! (hide spoiler)].

[Nicole]

Logan wrote: "Even though I read this just a few months back, it's very easy to settle back in with Kate. Like Fictitious and Karen mentioned, she's a great protagonist for those of us that like the rough and tu..."

I agree with even Mercy being more feminine! :D

Are we at day 2 of this now? Able to discuss chapters 4-6?

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Go for it Nicole :)

[Nicole]

Right! So, I've finished chapters 4 and 5 anyway. I remember I said early on that I wasn't so enamoured with this book so far. I think I am at this point.

What are peoples' thoughts on Derek? I'm quite a fan!

I'm still having a big of cognitive dissonance whenever I see anything to do with the vampires / Masters of the Dead, just cause they in particular are so different to vampires in any other mythology. Not bad though.

I think it's the fact that the mystery is picking up that I'm liking, and there are no obvious continuity errors. I feel safe in the world these guys have created, and content to just read along for the ride.

[Fictitious1]

I really like the way you explain it Nicole - "I feel safe in the world these guys have created, and content to just read along for the ride" - I am totally at that point.

I'm interested to see what happens with Derek. I think I could end up really liking him - I'm just scared that he might get bumped off.

Curran on the other hand I think I could fall for. :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

So I got a bit bored at this point of the story. I understand it is a complex world, but the continuing descriptions were getting in the way a bit for me. I wasn't disliking the book, just not that into it (it has since picked up again and I'm engaged once more!) I think also the way she has to tell you at every moment what she does which I find a bit grating after a while. I guess that is just the "dragnet" type style
I think Derek is great! And Curran is too. I'm looking forward to picking up the dead tree version so I can read some sections again

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Oh and I understand what you mean about the vampires. I love that about this book though. Too often they have become these gorgeous "rock star" types. I love how "dead" they really are in this book!! ;)

[Leslie]

Karen wrote: "Oh and I understand what you mean about the vampires. I love that about this book though. Too often they have become these gorgeous "rock star" types. I love how "dead" they really are in this book..."

I really like that too.

[Sonia]

So I only picked the book yesterday... and thought I'm just going to read chapter one to be able to discuss first section since, you know, this is MY SERIES... aha, right, I ended up in the middle of chapter 3, only stopped because I was starting to sleep/drool on my nexus - not a smart move.

Anyway, I'll be having a boring learning session "introducing to the company's universe" - I kid you not, is the class name *sigh* certification quality you really demand things like this - and I'm totally going to take my tablet with me. Between catching some z's and risking snoring or try to read some Kate goodness, I chose the later.

[Sonia]

About Derek - he's great. A true wonder boy. After Curran, he's my favorite male in the series... his relationship with Kate is really cute.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

lol Sonia!
I am just finishing the last of the book now. It got very exciting and I can't stop listening to it :)

[Sonia]

So, a book a month sounds good to everybody *grins*
The series gets better :-)

[Michael]

you guys are alwyz online yoh

[Sonia]

5 mods, 4 time zones, one of us is always here

[Becca]

I just stumbled upon this. I'm reading this for another group later this month. Darn that I missed it!

[Sonia]

No problem Rebecca, you can always add your two cents later :-)

[Fictitious1]

I couldn't help myself. I finished Magic Bites and immediately downloaded the next two from the library! There are much smaller chapters in the second book. How many are there in the series?

Thank you so much for putting me onto this series, it is exactly what I need to read at the moment.

** falls asleep to dream of Curran ** ;-)

[Sonia]

They are 6 in the series, 7 if we count Gunmetal Magic. I was planning on reading one a month, but will open the second thread soon, as informal buddy read so everybody that reads ahead can discuss it. Give me a few hours and I'll take care of that

[Leslie]

I just finished the book. I loved it. Can't wait to read the next one.

[Steven]

I'll definitely be reading the next one too, Leslie. :)

[Logan]

I love, love, love this world. The idea of the competing magic/tech power sources is so interesting to me. I think they did a great job putting some fresh life into the standard paranormal creatures too. When I finished, I wasn't chomping at the bit to get started on the next ones, but your enthusiasm is rubbing off on me now. :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Chapters 7 - end

- Love the name Dr Doolittle! haha
- Crest is a bit of a boring guy. What do you think of him? Even his name (toothpaste!) makes him bland. I must admit I also suspected him for a while of being the upir
- Did you suspect Bono? I was surprised
- I liked the epilogue. It was cute. Kind of like an odd family has formed
- I almost feel like I need to read the book again. Althogh maybe just reading the next one will help to put pieces together

[Fictitious1]

The final scenes (view spoiler)[ with Curran and Derek on the roof (hide spoiler)] were my favourite. I think it just really brought together what I liked in Kate's world and the story (view spoiler)[ that subtle sense of humour of the Beast Lord hammering on Kate's roof while she is on the phone supposedly having a serious conversation about career options (hide spoiler)].

I'm really enjoying the second book. There is a slight rehashing/explanation of some aspects but overall there is a lot less description of the world and the backstory so I'm really getting into it.

[Fictitious1]

Karen wrote: "Chapters 7 - end

- Love the name Dr Doolittle! haha
- Crest is a bit of a boring guy. What do you think of him? Even his name (toothpaste!) makes him bland. I must admit I also suspected him for a..."

I was really pleased that Crest wasn't the upir. I suspected him but was so glad that he was just a red herring. Bono was a complete surprise. It took me a while to remember who he was (I wished I'd had a ebook rather than the audio so I could have searched for him and reread the scenes looking for clues).

The only thing I didn't like was the whole Kate had no money - look in the blue envelope - money problem solved part. I thought it was a bit sloppy when the rest of the novel had avoided convenient plot twists.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Yeah I'm in the same boat. I remember when he was first introduced (how could you not with a name like Bono?!), but I didn't remember much about him.
The money thing was pretty convenient. But then she did deserve something :)

[Lauren]

Karen wrote: "Chapters 7 - end
- Crest is a bit of a boring guy. What do you think of him? Even his name (toothpaste!) makes him bland. I must admit I also suspected him for a..."



I was also certain it was Crest but realized it probably wasn't him when they decided to confront him en mass.

Never thought of Bono - he did not seem like any sort of serious threat when we first encounter him at the club - but then I suppose that is the point, we weren't supposed to guess that he was a closet megalomaniac.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

True Lauren - he kept getting away with it because he was not on Kate's "radar" and as we see things from her point of view, he wasn't on ours either!
It's funny, although the book started as a murder mysetery, that kind of takes a side step to the character development (and romance development) so I didn't find myself even trying to work out who the Upir was.
And interestingly, my library has these books categorised as Paranormal Romance!

[Sonia]

Clearly your library needs to learn the distinction between urban fantasy and paranormal romance!

Sorry, I used to mix those two too, but since learning the difference it turned a pet peeve of mine :-(

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Well I found it strange actually because I would never have considered this a romance book. If they had it in straight out paranormal I would be more forgiving (there is no urban fantasy category)