Andrews, Ilona; Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels #3); "Informal Buddy Read" ; Start Date 9th November 2013

[Sonia]

Decision made then!
Steven, after Harper you, me and Nicole (and everybody who wants to join) will start the Iron Druid Chronicles.

*giggles*

[Lisa Kay]

Oh, I've only done the first in the Iron Druid Chronicles; I'd be up for a re-read. ♥Oberon♥ and ♥Atticus♥!

[Nicole]

Look at us. We are so helpful!

[Lisa Kay]

LOL! We are!

[Sonia]

Cool. I only read the first one too. Then *someone* tricked me into reading two Dresden books a month. Or more, if we can't resist the urge to continue reading.

[Nicole]

Snigger. I remember the old days when I was ahead of you in that series. That was less than a month ago...

[Sonia]

True, so true.

So...since we took the choice from Steven regarding the new series, I'm thinking in letting him chose the starting day, as long as it is in January - look at me, such a nice and warming and caring mod.

*giggles*

[Lisa Kay]

Nicole wrote: "That was less than a month ago..."

LOL!

[Lisa Kay]

**giggles**

[Nicole]

Hehe, very nice. And here I thought I might get lonely here on GR without the tower team challenge. Silly me. I just need to do more buddy reads!

[Steven]

Yay I am lookin forward to those too!!

[Sonia]

Pick a day then *winks*

[Nicole]

Grins.

[Steven]

I'll pick one when we get closer, see how we are all doing on our other reads. But probably closer to the beginning of the month so maybe we can get to the second one before the end of the month hehe

[Nicole]

And I'll join you both in February for book three of the series. Great!

[Esther]

I would join the Iron Druin. It is in my to read list.

Back on topic, while I am not to keen on arena fighting, I did not bother me to much. The fight scene did not drag in endless blow by blow description.

I like that we know more about Kate's background. I was expecting to have it tibits by tibits. I am sure there are still layers to shed but we now have an idea of what she has buried.

The epilogue was not a surprise but it made me smile anyway

[Steven]

Esther I agree completely! I am not a fan of arena fighting scenarios but this one didn't overplay it too much like they normally tend to do on TV shows or in books.

[Nicole]

I too loved the tidbits we were handed of her history this book. I thought it was timed well.

[Anima]

I would be more than happy to join Iron Druid Chronicles read :), I have the firts book on my tbr list for a while and January seems to be a good month to start a new series LOL

[Logan]

The Iron Druid books are really good on audio. I read the first one, but listened to the next two on audio after hooking my husband on them that way. It helps because every time I look at Celtic/Gaelic words my brain cramps. But I can't ever remember books that well when I listen to them, so I'm definitely up for a re-read with you guys.

45% done on Magic Strikes. That scene where Curran shows up at Kate's house? HAWWWWWT.

[Nicole]

Oh I love that scene Logan! And as I remember it's the perfect break for all the action that was going on at the time too!

[Logan]

So true Nicole! This is by far my favorite one yet. I like that we learn more about Saiman.

[Nicole]

I said the same thing. I'm already seeing if I can reserve the next one from the library.

[Logan]

Finished! Oh mah Gah I loved this so much!! Two words: hot tub.

[Anima]

Logan *grins* and *drools*, I loved that one as well!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Better late than never I am slowly starting this one...

Chapter 4

I almost lost my lunch laughing at the end of this chapter when Curran is behind Kate and picks up the chair to sit next to her. I found that even funnier than the "here kitty kitty" from book 1.
I really am enjoying the book, but I can't read too much at a time at the moment so it may be another week before I finish!

[Nicole]

Oh thank god, for a second I thought I'd missed the start of the next one. ;) Good luck this ones my fav so far.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Chapter 24

Oh I love we are getting some back story for Kate. I'm glad I have finished Harper. This series just has much better pacing, humour and interest for me

[Anima]

I totally agree with your opinion, Karen, for me Kate and her story is somehow more intriguing and I prefer the type of humor and the plot in Kate's series!

[Nicole]

Alrighty, I spent bits of yesterday while at a wedding curled in the corner reading snippets of Curran and Kate's first scene in this book. So that's where I'm up to.

Where's everyone else at?

[Nicole]

Oh oops, this Is the previous book thread. Fail ;)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

lol Nicole

I just finished the end. Oh.my.goodness
I loved this book! Loved the end! I keep giggling just thinking about it

[Sonia]

☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆
                                           REVISIT! REVISIT! REVISIT!
        ☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆

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 ******************

[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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[Michelle's Empty Nest]

I somehow read book 2 then book 1, so I was happy to finally be reading a book with all the prior knowledge I'd have if I had read in order. Hate when I do that. Anyway...


Admittedly, I only started this series because I needed some Is for challenges. I know, I know...wrong thing to say, right? But I just didn't think I would be into this type of book as I never really have in the past. However, I found out that I really am liking this series. The first two were just that - likes. But Magic Strikes is moving into the love category. I will definitely continue on with the series and not just because I need some Is. LOL!

My thoughts on this book:
(view spoiler)[Like some said in previous posts, arena fighting isn't really my thing, but it worked in the story and it was well done. Not not much, but just enough to get the point across.

I LOVE the relationship that is building between Kate and Curran! I want them to end up together!! So I'm hoping this happens in future books.

I felt so bad for Derek! I still feel bad for him and the way he was left disfigured. He's a very likable guy to me. I thought it was sweet that Kate's daughter develops a crush on him!

I was satisfied with Kate's history with Roland and how it played out. I found myself wanting to know a little more about the 'stand-in dad', though. {I've sadly forgotten his name and since I read the audio I can't go back and look it up. Ugh!}

If I hadn't known that more books were already published, I would have been a little more worried about Kate's fate at the end of the book. Wow! She took a beating!!

I giggled at the epilogue and thought it was the perfect ending to the heaviness at the last chapters.

Overall, I really, really enjoyed Magic Strikes and will give it 4*! I hope some other people jump in here with me as I would love to discuss the book even more. (hide spoiler)]

[Steven]

Michelle, if you end up liking the series, there are a ton of other Urban Fantasy series that are awesome!
Incryptid by Seanan McGuire
October Daye by Seanan McGuire
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher
Jane Yellowrock by Faith Hunter and its spinoff Soulwood
Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs and its spinoff Alpha & Omega
The Others by Anne Bishop

to name a few! :)

Hope you continue to love Kate... they only get better as you go along!!!

[Michelle's Empty Nest]

Thanks, Steven!! I've seen so many people talk about The Dresden Files that it is already on my TBR. I'm going to check out the others that you've listed. It's great to hear that this series just keeps getting better!! :-D

[Steven]

~Michelle~ wrote: "Thanks, Steven!! I've seen so many people talk about The Dresden Files that it is already on my TBR. I'm going to check out the others that you've listed. It's great to hear that this series just k..."

Just be sure to give Dresden Files a few books before you write it off if you don't like the beginning. The first few are, in my opinion, still good, but most people agree that book four takes the series to a whole new level and make it awesome. :)

[Diane ~Firefly~]

I found I had the same issues with Dresden Files and Kate Daniels. When they were loners, the books were just ok. But once you understand the world and they have some friends they get amazing!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Team Sprout - I will probably start my re-read of this book tomorrow as I just finished book 2.

[Michelle's Empty Nest]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Team Sprout - I will probably start my re-read of this book tomorrow as I just finished book 2."

Yay! And I'm from Team Tom Riddle.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

I didn't get much reading time in, so only finished the first chapter. I like the small victories like that (view spoiler)[Getting the old woman down and sparing her dignity as much as possible (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle's Empty Nest]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "I didn't get much reading time in, so only finished the first chapter. I like the small victories like that [spoilers removed]"

I thought that was quite funny!!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 2-5

(view spoiler)[Derek is in puppy love and it gets him into trouble and Kate has to agree to go to the Midnight Games with Saiman to get him out.

I love the lunch with Andrea, Kate and Raphael. Raphael desperately asking Kate for advice and Andrea helping Kate get more information. Plus you get the bonus of Curran appearing at the worst possible time for Kate.

(hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 6 -12

(view spoiler)[The Midnight Games are extreme as was the attack on Kate and Saiman outside them. Then we learn what happened to Derek :(

Those Reapers have a lot to pay for.
(hide spoiler)]

[Teddie]

“You want me to slap some man into him?”
I love Kate :)

It is with this book that I really start loving this series.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Teddie wrote: "“You want me to slap some man into him?”
I love Kate :)

It is with this book that I really start loving this series."

Absolutely. I think once Kate let herself have friends, she became more interesting. Plus you start learning a lot more about her past.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 13- 23

(view spoiler)[We get Saiman in his true form and his first battle - what a mess. Then Kate and Jim follow the body and defeat more of the enemy.

They call in an expert - Dani!!! She explains about the Rakshasas, which is pretty interesting as you don't tend to get as much Indian mythology in UF.

And we get Julie as well as they need her magic to save Derek.

(hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 26

"What the hell was I supposed to do, catch the werebison as he was falling?"

(view spoiler)[They just finished the first fight and Jim is all mad that they didn't barely win. I love Kate, Curran and Dani's reactions, like we barely touched them... (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Finished the book. It is a great one. And I love the note at the end.

(view spoiler)[Well Kate has finally done it, revealed herself as Roland's daughter to save them all from an unstoppable sword. Andrea now knows the truth and Hugh likely does as well. But they all survived to fight another day. (hide spoiler)]