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

[Sonia]

It is paranormal... but not romance. The main focus of the series is always the action, not the romance... although we have a bit of that too, just a tiny wee.

[Leslie]

Karen wrote: "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)"

My library had it under paranormal romance as well. I thought that was odd after I finished the book and mentioned to my friend. She said that while the first book isn't a romance that the rest of the series could be considered one. She added that it had been years since she picked up these books and she is behind on the series so she could be remembering things incorrectly.

[Sonia]

She is. It has some romance... but the book is straight Urban Fantasy.

There are A LOT of posts with the differences out there but here's the one from wikipedia

(...)The two share 90% of their genre DNA. However, the main differences are this: Urban fantasy focuses on an issue outside of a romantic relationship between two characters. Paranormal romance focuses on a romantic relationship between two characters and how outside forces affect that relationship. The best litmus test to determine if a story is urban fantasy or paranormal romance is to ask the following question: 'If the romance between Character A and Character B were removed, would the plot still stand as a viable storyline?' If the answer is 'yes,' chances are good it's urban fantasy. If the answer is 'no,' it's most likely paranormal romance.


So, Kate Daniels, would we continue to have a book without Kate&Curran, yes, we would. It would be a good book? Maybe. Not as funny though. But that is not the point. :o)

[Lauren]

Sonia wrote: "So, Kate Daniels, would we continue to have a book without Kate&Curran, yes, we would. It would be a good book? Maybe. Not as funny though. But that is not the point. :o) "


I love the story arc and the action in the series but I'm not sure I would love it as much as I do without Kate & Curran.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

That's a good test Sonia. I agree the book can "stand alone" without the sexual tension between Kate and Curran. Sure does make it interesting though!

I got book 2 from the library today, but I'm not sure when I will start it as I'm kinda busy the next few weeks!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Fictious1 - I just went back to the start of the dead tree version, and she meets Bono at the end of chapter 2 if you wanted to re listen to it.

" The last time we met, he gave me a cut-out article to put into my Almanac - somthing about some slavic corpse-eater creature called an upir"

Then almost the first thing he asks her is if she read the article he gave her.
So he is right when he later says, he basically waved the answers in front of her face repeatedly!!

[Sonia]

Karen wrote: "That's a good test Sonia. I agree the book can "stand alone" without the sexual tension between Kate and Curran. Sure does make it interesting though!

I got book 2 from the library today, but I'm ..."

I'll set the thread for the next one for 9th October, if everybody agrees on that one... as an informal buddy read, so we can discuss it anytime :)

[Logan]

I'll chime in to add that I also thought Crest was the upir. Anytime someone comes on that strongly and out of nowhere it raises a huge red flag to me. lol

[Steven]

Yeah, Crest was a great red herring. I actually felt bad for him by the end! :(

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

lol so true Logan. And also at the end of chapter 2 our heads are spinning with all the new terminology so that reference to the Upir just doesn't even register!

Oh I didn't Steven. I figured he was more interested in her as an oddity than a person

[Fictitious1]

Karen wrote: "@Fictious1 - I just went back to the start of the dead tree version, and she meets Bono at the end of chapter 2 if you wanted to re listen to it.

" The last time we met, he gave me a cut-out artic..."

Thanks Karen, will do!

[Danielle Book Boss]

Hey everyone. I've been listening to the book but haven't necessarily been chatting it up like I wanted to. Please excuse if I'm repetitive in my thoughts:

I'm feeling like I need a glossary. And it's funny because I usually ignore glossaries until I don't understand something. But I feel like some kind of set up prior to the story is warranted. Maybe an intro novella.

I'm currently at the part where Kate (view spoiler)[ at the Casino talking to Gastec and Natarajah(sp) (hide spoiler)]. The story so far is okay but I'm not blown away by it.

[Nicole]

Finally finished the book today. Looks like it's a lot later than most, but I was ill half way through and had to take my time :)

I just noticed that apparently we're looking at starting the second book in this series on the 9th? Is there a comment thread up for that one already that I should be on the look out for so I don't miss book 2?

Like Danielle, I wasn't wowed by the first book, but I hear that the later ones get better, so I'd like to while away the time reading it with good friends :)

[Sonia]

Yes, there is a thread, I'm on my nexus, and since I'm a tablet moron, links are something I can't copy and paste.
You can look for the thread on the featured series read - same folder as Dresden, I think.

Yes, the second improves a lot, specially due to less information dump. After their third one, I just couldn't get enough Kate world.

Some people compare this one to Dresden. I agree that is easier to get into Dresden world. But to be fair, he only has to add magic. No new woirlkd. No new politics and society - besides the nevernever - no magic vs tech, although he making computers and elevators break is funny :-)

Dresden is also a darker type of urban fantasy... Not for everyone. I like them both, although I'm partial to Kate, but that may because she hits first and ask questions later - aren't you proud I didn't mention Curran? I am :-)

[Lauren]

Well done, Sonia - you managed to sneak him in there :0)

[Danielle Book Boss]

I finally finished . It really picked up there toward the end. Now I'm really interested in reading the next book. The action is good. It was fun solving the mystery. It was just that info dump for the first 65-70% of the book was rough going in. Sometimes things/characters were referenced and I was like wait, who is that, what is that, etc. Overall though I enjoy the world. I just would have liked to have been eased into it more smoothly.

[Sonia]

Yes, this one has a bit of info dump.

I'm glad you didn't give up and ended up liking it.

Plus, the next ones are easier to read - and the story improves A LOT!!!!

See you next month for !!!

[Anima]

I'm a little bit late to this read, nevertheless, I've decided to pop some of my observations. I'm in 10% and agree that Kate is very masculine both with her looks and attitude, but most probably it is the 'job' requirements more than her true nature (she didn't cut her hair LOL). The story seems interested so far, but indeed with a lot of descriptions from the very beginning. I'm very grateful to Sonia and others for thee background info on this world, I'm less confused thanks to that.

I will try to put some more of my thoughts as I progress with reading.

[Lauren]

Hope you enjoy the book, Anima!

[Anima]

I'm in 25% and it is definitely my cup of tea :)

[Sonia]

YAY!!!

*happy dances*

Another Kate fan in the making. *whispers to Anima* it gets better. Way better.

[Nicole]

Oh, have we already started this read? I thought it was later.

[Becca]

I finished and I agree it got a lot better in the last 25% or so. I prob will join in for the next one. Hope I don't miss it, I feel like I haven't seen a lot of these buddy reads pop up lately for me. Gotta be more observant I guess

[Anima]

I'm in 92% with huge book hangover today, but glad to read that much. The story has gripped me and indeed, with every page it was getting better :)

I was so totally surprised by the twist with the main villain, that I almost fell off my bed while reading. Now I heading to finish it - the final encounter with the upir to come.

I will definitely read the next part in October with the group, I liked the story and Kate, and I'm keen on finding more about her past, the world full of waves of magic and tech and next adventures.

[Nicole]

Oh whoops, my bad, I thought this was the thread for the second book. >.> *embarrassed*

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

lol Nicole!

And I'm glad you enjoyed it Anima :)

[Sonia]

Nicole wrote: "Oh whoops, my bad, I thought this was the thread for the second book. >.> *embarrassed*"

That is because you are anxious to read the next one! Totally understandable! :)

[Anima]

I finished and wow, that book was awesome, brutal, at the and even bloody, but still I love Kate for her stamina, sense of humour and mystery she is carrying with her. I'm devouted fan from now on :)

[Nicole]

I'm having trouble finding the thread for the third book in this series buddy read. It could also be cause I'm searching on my iPad.

Is there one active yet? Help?

[Lisa Kay]

Here it is, Nicole.

[Nicole]

Thank you so much, Lisa Kay!

[Sonia]

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                                           REVISIT! REVISIT! REVISIT!
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It's Kate Daniels month so we're revisiting old (and new) buddy reads.

It you are re-reading the series in preparation for Magic Binds. Or just because of the Kate Daniels challenge (TBA) or reading it for the first time, just pop in and tell us what you think, we would love to hear about it.


Note: This thread expects spoilers, just tell us what chapter you are at so we can skip the comment or read at our own risk.
No need fancy stuff... just mark the comment at the beginning, for example like this:

*************************** Chapter 3 ******************

[Kay Kay]

I just got this out of the library and have never read any of her books. I'm curious and excited.

[Sonia]

Karrie wrote: "I just got this out of the library and have never read any of her books. I'm curious and excited."

Ooooohhhh nice... and perfect for the Kate Daniels challenge I'm compiling

*whispers* It will be out today, I promise :)

[Kay Kay]

Chapter 2 is finished

I just finished chapter two and I am enjoying it so far. I really like the attitude of her main character. I also like that she gives enough description about the world now without bogging us down in details. I feel like it will be fleshed out even more as the story goes on.

I enjoyed the Knight-Protector character. It is funny to think of a big cowboy in charge of the Order! And the Duncan Doughnuts cracked me up! I don't think I could have resisted. I wonder if they are magical!

[Kay Kay]

I was reading through some old comments, and someone mentioned the Dresden Files, and that is the series that popped into my head as I begin reading this one (although I have only read the first one of those.)

[Kay Kay]

Sonia wrote: "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 unstabl..."

Very nice descriptions with no spoilers! Loved it.

[Shannon]

I just reread this the other week, so if you need someone to do some discussing with.... ;)

I'm a huge Kate Daniels fan. I think the books just get better and better as they progress.

[Kay Kay]

Shannon wrote: "I just reread this the other week, so if you need someone to do some discussing with.... ;)

I'm a huge Kate Daniels fan. I think the books just get better and better as they progress."

Thanks! I just finished it tonight! I'm looking forward to the second one.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

We're revisiting this buddy read for Tower Teams VI.
Join us anytime from May 12th to July 31st.
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Participating in a buddy read with a member from a different team, or with a member of NBRC who isn't on a Tower Team = 30 points
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[Courtney the Great]

Yay, a chance to finally justify buying a copy all those many months ago!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Woo Hoo! I was just thinking I need to re-read this series!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Maybe I'll try re-reading again too. I'm up to book 8, but it has been ages since I read book 7 and the refresh wouldn't hurt

[Victoria]

Damn it, my copies of this series and HP are both buried in a storage unit in another country! I guess it's the library for me.

[Deanna]

I'm in for this one!

[Vicki]

I've never heard of this series until members on Team Hermione Granger were talking about it.

I'm in!

[Elen]

I'm in, Team Hermione Granger.

But I will start a little bit later than 12th May

[Teddie]

I love having an excuse to reread these :)

edit: Team Hermione Granger

[Rosina]

Another series to cross off my TBR

Team Gilderoy Lockhart

[Silje]

Yay, an excuse to re-read the series!!=D I'm in for team Remus Lupin.