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

[Christina]

Natalie wrote: "Christina wrote: "oh I definitely have to read the blog post you linked above! interesting that they had to cut so much from the book. I wish we'd gotten to know Anna better! does she have bigger p..."

to be honest I didn't even remember who Saiman was at first... I'll check out the short story at some point though, thanks for linking it! I saw it's on their website for free :)

[Vicki]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Chapter 2

I love Kate's investigation technique

[spoilers removed]"

I like her technique to and find it is applicable to more than investigations. LOL

[Vicki]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "The whole switching between magic and tech and never knowing how long either would last has to be super annoying."

I had never heard of Kate Daniels until this challenge, so I am totally clueless to anything/everything regarding her character and world. I read an earlier post from a couple years ago where someone explained the switching between magic and tech, which was informative and helpful.

[Vicki]

Chapters 1-2

I began reading this with absolutely no idea what the book was about...none! The first few pages really grabbed my attention, especially when Kate (view spoiler)[had the "little" visitor that crawled onto the ceiling. (hide spoiler)] The description really was well-done and it had me!

Kate (view spoiler)[I felt bad for her that she lost her family and now her guardian. I'm not sure why she had a guardian. I remember reading that he was 39 but not sure if it said how old Kate is. I figure if she's an adult she doesn't need a guardian, but her actions make her sound like she is grown. (hide spoiler)]

I am having a little bit of a difficult time totally getting into Kate's world, probably mainly because I'm not well-read when it comes to vampire books and their world. I did read the Vampire Academy series and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I still don't feel knowledgeable regarding the world of vampires, shapeshifters, etc. That being said, I am enjoying this so far but I feel a little bogged down with detail.

[Deanna]

Vicki wrote: "Chapters 1-2

I began reading this with absolutely no idea what the book was about...none! The first few pages really grabbed my attention, especially when Kate [spoilers removed] The description r..."

The vampires in this world are different from all of the others anyway. Here the vampires are basically mindless tools remotely controlled by navigators. The shapeshifters have to balance their humanity and their animal instincts. If the animal instincts take over completely, they "go loup" or become out of control killers.

After the first few chapters, the amount of detail will start to decrease and the plot will pick up.

[Christina]

Deanna wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Chapters 1-2

I began reading this with absolutely no idea what the book was about...none! The first few pages really grabbed my attention, especially when Kate [spoilers removed] The..."

yeah it was hard for me to take it all in at first. too much information at once. and the vampires here are soo different from how we know them.

[Claire]

Chapter 4

(view spoiler)[When asked wether I prefer vampires or weres/shifters stories my aswer is always were/shifters. There's always something about pack community that fascinated me. I feel like this book is no exception to that. :)
I'm already very interested by Curran. I can't wait to learn more about his background. I feel like there's an interesting story there.

Also, I think it's the first time I see a cat-weres or anything close to it, who are born animal. It's very intreresting. I wonder how far the differences go between werecats and cat-weres. Obviously, I assume cat-weres are more feral, more instictual mayby, than the others. (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Christina wrote: "Deanna wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Chapters 1-2

I began reading this with absolutely no idea what the book was about...none! The first few pages really grabbed my attention, especially when Kate [spoile..."

I find it refreshing to have a different kind of vampire for once.

[Natalie]

Kate is 25 according to this timeline someone figured out:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

There's a note that they made a mistake with Greg's age in the first book and he should be 49 in Magic Bites.

[Christina]

Natalie wrote: "Kate is 25 according to this timeline someone figured out:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

There's a note that they made a mistake with Greg's age in t..."

it was mentioned in the book that she'd be turning 25 soon if I remember correctly ;)

[Vicki]

Deanna wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Chapters 1-2

I began reading this with absolutely no idea what the book was about...none! The first few pages really grabbed my attention, especially when Kate [spoilers removed] The..."

Thank you, Deanna. After reading "the vampires are basically mindless tools remotely controlled by navigators" it really helped me. LOL Like I said, I'm not what I'd call well-read regarding vampires and this one has me a bit confused. Your response was a big help.

[Vicki]

Christina wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Kate is 25 according to this timeline someone figured out:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

There's a note that they made a mistake with..."

That is pretty cool! I was wondering about Greg's age because I remember in Magic Bites it said he is 39. I think, considering that she's an adult, that 49 makes more sense. Thanks for the timeline.

[Vicki]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Chapter three

I find the colour logic behind the mscam very interesting. Each kind of magic has its own colour and two or more kinds of magic mix you obtain mixed colours too. it's very cool :) I ..."

I would have to agree. I think the (view spoiler)["color logic" could actually work in their world. I've heard of people who see colors when they hear music and can see colors and know the songs. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Chapters 3-4

Kate (view spoiler)[I love her bad-ass-attitude! I like that she's cocky and funnier than heck, so she's the type of heroine I like. (hide spoiler)]

The descriptions of Corwin cracked me up! At first I was thinking how scary he sounded, until Kate chimed in with one of my favorite lines after his (view spoiler)[claws were described and said, "How do you fluff your pillows at night?" Okay, that took me away from the scare factor and made me think of him more in a humorous way. (hide spoiler)]

I found it funny too and cheering on Katy with "you go girl!" when Curran asked her if she (view spoiler)[knew the code and she told him exactly what it was as though she knew it like the back of her hand. He seemed a wee bit surprised and I loved it. (hide spoiler)]

Loup? Can anyone tell me what a loup is? When I look it up doesn't help me. Are they werewolves?

[Claire]

Vicki wrote: "Chapters 3-4

Kate [spoilers removed]

The descriptions of Corwin cracked me up! At first I was thinking how scary he sounded, until Kate chimed in with one of my favorite lines after his [spoilers..."

They say in chapter 2 that loups are "deranged shapeshifters" here is the explanation they give us : (view spoiler)[ The bodies of those afflicted with Lycos Virus, or Lyc-V for short, yearned to slaughter without discrimination while their minds sought to restrain the bloodlust. If the mind won over the body, a shapechanger became a Free Man of the Code, existing within a well-structured and highly disciplined Pack. If the body conquered the mind, a shapechanger became a loup, a cannibalistic murderer driven mad by hormones, hunting everything and hunted by everyone. (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Chapter 5

I gave up on the audiobook. It wasn't doing it for me. I'm reading it on my tablet now.

(view spoiler)[I love the second theory as to why phones work during magic. Basically people believe so much that there phone will still work that magic does the trick and makes it work. What I like about this theory is that it implies that anyone is capable of magic, even though unconsciously, as long as he truly believes something will work.

I like that Kate lacks a filter, haha. She's very witty. Maybe its a trope in UF, but when its done well it's really enjoyable and adds some comic relief to the book.
Here's an example that cracked me up:
Nataraja's voice came like a whisper of scales on rough stone. "Kate."
"Nate."
He grimaced. "I'm not in the mood to be disrespected."
"No wonder. It's quite late for a man of your age."
and then Dereck adds "Aren't mood swings a sign of early senility?"
I couldn't hold my laughter anymore! (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Vicki wrote: "Chapters 3-4

Kate [spoilers removed]

The descriptions of Corwin cracked me up! At first I was thinking how scary he sounded, until Kate chimed in with one of my favorite lines after..."

Thank you, Claire, I guess I had forgotten it was explained already...so much to take in in those first few chapters. I appreciate it. :)

[Vicki]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Chapter 5

I gave up on the audiobook. It wasn't doing it for me. I'm reading it on my tablet now.

I love the second theory as to why phones work during magic. Basically people believe so much tha..."

Yes! I think one reason I can handle this book (view spoiler)[with all its violence is the comic relief. Like when Corwin's claws were being described and how he was scratching at the table, and then she blurted out with asking him how he fluffs his pillows. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Chapters 5-7

Oh my gosh, there is so much (view spoiler)[fighting and blood, and rotting heads (ewww, gross!), and that one scene when Olathe was in Kate's apartment and the fight they had. Kate manages to get through that only to see tons of vampires on the ceiling. I'm sorry, but she is just one badass! I'd have hightailed it out of there! LOL (hide spoiler)]

When Curran and Kate are bantering back and forth and she is in (view spoiler)[so much pain, I loved it when he asked her if it hurt and she said, "No, I like sitting on filthy steps in an expensive evening dress. I love her sarcasm and she's so quick witted. Like Judge Judy. LOL (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Natalie wrote: "Finished!

I definitely enjoyed reading this again and I can only say, it gets better from here. I do think this is a good introduction to Ilona Andrews and this series in particular. Also I am dyi..."

I am a new reader and you ask who "we" think (view spoiler)[Kate is? I guess I thought I knew but you're giving me a hint that she is more than I thought. LOL I have NO idea! I thought she was a badass woman who isn't afraid of anyone or anything? Is she related to someone we would never have guessed or something? (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Chapters 8-the End

Jeez, chapter 8 opens with (view spoiler)[a human head on a stick and green flies? WTH? LOL That reminded of me of Lord of the Flies. Maybe not a true allusion, but that's what came into my mind. But I felt bad when she said it was likely Jennifer Ying. (hide spoiler)]

Jim (view spoiler)[cracked me up when he was too "chicken" to help Kate sort all those bones. LOL All the humor throughout is holding my interest almost more than the intense scenes and fights. Well, at least I love it. (hide spoiler)]

Doolittle (view spoiler)[ Of all names in a book of this type/genre, I was not expecting one of the characters to be DOOLITTLE. lol (hide spoiler)]

Bono (view spoiler)[ I wasn't expecting him to have been the one to kill Greg. Nor did I suspect he was the upir. That was quite a surprise. (hide spoiler)]

I did like the ending and how (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

@Vicki

(view spoiler)[On my first read I felt there was something to her. I don't want to mention why I thought that to avoid spoiling new readers.

And yes, I love that there's a doctor doolittle. I forget if it mentions what type of shifter he is, but it's one of my favorites :) (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

Vicki wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Finished!

I definitely enjoyed reading this again and I can only say, it gets better from here. I do think this is a good introduction to Ilona Andrews and this series in particula..."

If you noticed (view spoiler)[how careful she was with never leaving her blood anywhere, that might be a clue. There is also the power words, words that not any normal magic person can handle, and the fact that she has 6 from the start is saying something (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

Chapter 1-4

Kate is really one sassy person, I am amazed at how she always has a line ready. Though I think she sometimes talks before she speaks...=P

I get the vibe that there is a lot left unsaid about (view spoiler)[ what made Kate and Greg distant. I' guessing this is something that will be revealed later on. But he is clearly still important enough to her that she is willing to find the person who did it and kill him (hide spoiler)]

Is it just me or (view spoiler)[ did anyone else feel that the tension between Kate and Curran wasn't just a power competition thing, but that there was some possible chemistry lying underneath? And that he is not used to being verbally challenged?=P (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle]

Vicki wrote: "Chapters 1-2

I began reading this with absolutely no idea what the book was about...none! The first few pages really grabbed my attention, especially when Kate [spoilers removed] The description r..."

Vicki, I am going in completely blind, too. Everyone raves about this series so I am interested to see how it grips me.

[Karishma]

I will be starting on the 22nd! Team Tonks.

[Silje]

Finished this book today. There were so many things I had completely forgotten!

I remembered (view spoiler)[the Mistress of the dead and how Kate had to fight her using her own blood, while trying to not let on that she used her blood. I always had the feeling that it was too easy (if killing hundreds of vampires and nearly die in the process can be called easy..) But I couldn't for the life of me remember who the other bad guy was (hide spoiler)]

I just have to smile at how Kate and Curran are circling each other! (view spoiler)[ Their fight after Kate let the Crusader go was a entertaining, especially since "daddy" Mahon had to break them apart=P They are always trying to goad the other, finding out what makes them react and just how much power they are hiding (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Chapters 7-8

(view spoiler)[ I shared the same suspicions as Kate bout Crest. From the start I thought there was something fishy about him. He came onto her a bit too strong in my opinion. very suspicious indeed.

Also, Kate ordering a soucer of milk for Vurran is hilarious. I'm liking their banter very much !

Finding a head in your yard, on the other hand, as well as learning about that upir pervert monster isn't as funny... yuck ! I wondered if it was Crest (and I thought it before Curran! I swear ! He was the one to steal my idea ! lol). Maybe I'm dumb but the test they made didn't convince me he's not the upir, or at the very least working for it. (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

beginning Chapter 9

(view spoiler)[ So I'm dumb... lol! Maybe it would have been too obvious, I guess...
So... Bono... I didn't expect that. and his... son? Arag... with a baboon?! Eeeeeew !!!!



Really that upire creepy pervert monster Bono disgusts me. The way he treats his experiment children, if I can call them that, and how he wants to just... with Kate. Yuck! Eeew !!! (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

Chapter 9 - end

So I finished it :) My general opinion on this book is that (view spoiler)[ It was quite difficult for me at first to get into the story. I was constantly on information overload, which is weird because I'm fairly used to UF. It took me maybe until more or less 60% of the book to really get into what was happening, unfortunately. What really saved it at that point was Kate's witty comebacks and her banter with Curran. I really, really liked that part.
Once I was able to immerse myself into the book, I really enjoyed it. I think I will continue on in the series. I can't wait to see Kate and Curran's relationship evolve. (hide spoiler)]

[Karishma]

Have you started Michelle?
I just finished the prequel.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I'm starting the re-read if anyone is still around to discuss :)

[Elen]

I was thinking to start this book too (First-time reader), but here was so quiet that I was putting it down until someone comes around :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Elen wrote: "I was thinking to start this book too (First-time reader), but here was so quiet that I was putting it down until someone comes around :)"

:)
well I'm only just into chapter 2 and I have it on audio this time which will take a bit longer

[Karishma]

I have just finished reading would love to discuss Karen Nd Elen.

[Karishma]

Even i was waiting for someone to come around here and then i was in the train and started.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Great! Will listen to some more tonight and come back to leave thoughts tomorrow 😉

[Karishma]

Ok great looking forward to it!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Chapters 1-4

It's always fun to go back and re-read the first book in a series. It made me realise how much has changed and how many things I had forgotten regarding the development of characters.

This re-read is much easier because I know the world now, whereas I remember that first time it was so confusing with the talk of the magic "being up" etc.

I loved the introduction to the Pack ; and of course ; one of the best meetings in Urban Fantasy ever is between Kate and Curran
(view spoiler)[
here.... kitty kitty....


yikes!
(hide spoiler)]

Loving going back and I honestly can't even remember the solution to the mystery so I'll just have to keep reading
xD

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Chapter 2

I love Kate's investigation technique

[spoilers removed]"

bahahaha
great line

[Teddie]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Chapters 1-4

It's always fun to go back and re-read the first book in a series. It made me realise how much has changed and how many things I had forgotten regarding the development of characters...."

I think that is why I keep going back to this series every couple years - it is so much fun to read! Once you have the feel for how the world operates, the characters really stay in the forefront, and the rest is just background. (Much like the zombies in The Walking Dead.)

[Elen]

Chapter 1-2

The start was really slow and in some parts little bit confusing, but now I understand the world more and can keep track of everything that is going on.
Chapters are longer than average book have, so it will take some time to read it. Writing is complex but interesting. I am liking it so far.

Also, Kate is a badass character and I really like how she deals with things.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Chapter 5

I gave up on the audiobook. It wasn't doing it for me. I'm reading it on my tablet now.

I love the second theory as to why phones work during magic. Basically people believe so much tha..."


I don't really like the audiobook narrator for this one either. She doesn't sound like Kate to me. I don't know why that is!

I agree about the theory with the phones sometimes working during magic. Very cool

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Vicki wrote: "Chapters 5-7

...Like Judge Judy. LOL "

haha!
I would never have compared her to Judge Judy ;)

[Karishma]

Karen ⊰✿ wrote: "Chapters 1-4

It's always fun to go back and re-read the first book in a series. It made me realise how much has changed and how many things I had forgotten regarding the development of characters...."

Completely agree with your spoiler and I had no idea that the Beast Lord would be Curran.

[Karishma]

And I'm loving this series so much that I have practically put everything else on hold and only reading this.

[Karishma]

Elen wrote: "Chapter 1-2

The start was really slow and in some parts little bit confusing, but now I understand the world more and can keep track of everything that is going on.
Chapters are longer than avera..."

That sword she has is amazing! And she is truly a badass.

The description of vampires here is so different from the general ones.

[Karishma]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Chapter 4

When asked wether I prefer vampires or weres/shifters stories my aswer is always were/shifters. There's always something about pack community that fascinated me. I feel like this book is..."

I don't read books with shifters normally but this was highly recommended and I'm glad I did the whole world building is pretty good (view spoiler)[ I think the whole cat weres thing instead of only werecats is not very common right? (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Karishma wrote: "I don't read books with shifters normally but this was highly recommended and I'm glad I did the whole world building is pretty good..."

The world building is good, but I do think it is better on the re-read when you have that prior knowledge.

I agree with your spoiler - not that common

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

✿ Claire ✿ ~ The Clever Berry wrote: "Chapter 9 - end

So I finished it :) My general opinion on this book is that It was quite difficult for me at first to get into the story. I was constantly on information overload, which is weird ..."

I absolutely loved this re-read, but I remember feeling the same as you the first time around. I even got a bit bored in the middle! This time I didn't feel that way at all.
I was trying to think why I continued the series, and it was definitely the humour, and Kate's character that really appealed to me