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

[Teddie]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 26

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

I feel like this was the book where the characters, and their humor, really started to coalesce.
(view spoiler)[
When Curran shows up at the arena, and you are so right - that first fight where Kate's like, I didn't even use a sword but smacked him with my face - just made me laugh.

When she calls Curran from the diner to tell him she's going into hiding with Jim, and Glenda hands her the $10 back after the call - rereading the convo but imagining just hearing Kate's end of it, makes me giggle.

Raphael and his wooing - there is just so much to enjoy in this entry! (hide spoiler)]

[Michelle's Empty Nest]

Teddie wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 26

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

I feel like this was the book where the characters, and their humor, really started to c..."

I laughed at the (view spoiler)[telephone call part as well! (hide spoiler)]

[Teddie]

I also love Kate's relationship with Julie
(view spoiler)[ Kate may be the crazy Aunt vs maternal Mom, but when she shows up with Raphael, all decked out as bad-asses - you see her problem solving skills on display. Kate starts to let herself care about people, which is terrifying for her and goes against everything she was ever taught. I love when she calls Julie "my kid." (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Team Draco Malfoy. I should be starting this in the next day or two. Are people still reading?

[Teddie]

I’m done but still checking in for conversation :)

[Michelle's Empty Nest]

I've already finished reading this one, but I'm still ready to discuss.

[Silje]

I will start this book today=)

[Natalie]

I’m starting today. Team Draco Malfoy

[Natalie]

So I was on a flight and got a lot lot of reading done. Through chapter 25.

Pie (view spoiler)[ Curran are the pie from her fridge right? Also who leaves an empty container in the fridge? (hide spoiler)]

Kate Past (view spoiler)[ If you’re a new reader to the series, did you guess who she is. There are a lot of clues in the first two books. I think in the first book Bono mentions at the end about her true father and that was one thing that got me thinking until it was revealed. (hide spoiler)]

Dali(view spoiler)[ I love Dali. The blindish girl who loves driving and shifts into a vegetarian white tiger. Such a great visual. (hide spoiler)]

Julie(view spoiler)[ I love the plan and scene to pick up Julie. So funny and I love Kate with a useless gun and Raphael with his sword with runes that do nothing. (hide spoiler)]

Midnight Games(view spoiler)[ I do love the plot in this one with the fights that requires a set group of fighters. Also them debating a team name. Andrea getting upset about the term sling was also funny. As well as Curran’s sudden arrival and chewing out of the shifters (hide spoiler)]

Hugh - series (view spoiler)[ One of my favorite characters makes his debut! I’m so excited for his book next month. (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Natalie wrote: "So I was on a flight and got a lot lot of reading done. Through chapter 25.

Pie [spoilers removed]

Kate Past [spoilers removed]

Dali[spoilers removed]

Julie[spoilers removed]

Midnight Games[s..."

pie (view spoiler)[jerky, stubborn lion's who are in a mating war, that's who (hide spoiler)]

Dali is awesome!

[Natalie]

Finished!

Pie(view spoiler)[ But why leave the container??? (hide spoiler)]

I think I mentioned this in the thread for book 2, but this was the book that hooked me. I liked the first book, and was recommended to continue. I really liked the second book and was more into the series. I loved this book. This is where everything clicked and when I think the authors hit their stride in writing and bringing the story together.

Also, it's the one where they shifted to writing a more ongoing storyline, especially (view spoiler)[the confirmation of who Kate is and the introduction of Hugh. At this point I didn't know what he was going to do, but I will say he's one of my favorites to watch. He doesn't have a big role here. Although I wonder what would have happened if he had captured her at the end instead of Curran? (hide spoiler)]

One thought I had while reading was if this was a better starting point for the series for newbies. While they mention events of the prior two books, there's not much detail that that I feel you get would get a good feel for what's happened and what's going on. And the book I felt had a solid introduction to the world building and how the magic and technology shifts work.

I was thinking about Dresden Files, which I've started, but honestly haven't been able to get into. I had heard that the series starts slow, but the third book was designed as a soft reboot and new entry for the series. I personally didn't like it. There was a year gap between book 2 and 3, where apparently a lot happened, especially events that influenced what happened in book 3. Instead we got a ton of recap of what the events were, which I found frustrating.

[Michelle's Empty Nest]

Natalie wrote: "Finished!

Pie[spoilers removed]

I think I mentioned this in the thread for book 2, but this was the book that hooked me. I liked the first book, and was recommended to continue. I really liked th..."

I definitely liked this one better than the first 2 as well!

[Karishma]

Teddie wrote: "I also love Kate's relationship with Julie
[spoilers removed]"

That was a killer scene!

[Karishma]

I really like this one but for me it was the 4th book which is the best till now.

[Karishma]

Finished

(view spoiler)[ I believe now she is going to start being hunted by her fathers minions. The sword shattering must have shown Hugh that she is connected by blood to Roland (hide spoiler)]

[Stacey]

I was going to start this in a week or so. Anyone still going to be reading this?

[Silje]

I'm starting tomorrow, had to delay a bit=)

[Silje]

Natalie wrote: "So I was on a flight and got a lot lot of reading done. Through chapter 25.

Pie [spoilers removed]

Kate Past [spoilers removed]

Dali[spoilers removed]

Julie[spoilers removed]

Midnight Games[s..."

I haven't started re-reading yet, but I remember the pie, I had so much fun reading that part the last time!
Also, Dali is adorable=) I didn't get to read her spin-off last time, but I might do so this time around.
I remember this book as being the moment where we really start to focus on Kate's past and what/who she is.

[Eunice]

The series is starting to focus on to Kate and her past now.

(view spoiler)[I wonder what will happen to Kate now after that sword-breaking stunt she pulled. It's probably too soon to have Roland start chasing after her. And at this point, Hugh couldn't be too sure yet. She's probably going to accumulate more power and power words in the next few books. (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

I think this is one of my favorite books in the series.

I think I could throttle Jim. (view spoiler)[He risks so many lives, just because he has to prove that he won't fail one more time, even though other times weren't really his fault in the first place! The way he just brushes off Kate after his people attacked her...man, I think I would have arrested them all just out of spite, no matter that he apologized eventually (hide spoiler)]

It is also fun that Norse mythology is dragged in to the story. Being from a Scandinavian country, it is always great to see parts of our culture (old and new) being mentioned.

Curran is just...(view spoiler)[*sigh*. I completely understand that Kate has trouble keeping her resolve on not getting involved, when Curran turns on the charm. And speaking of mates, Raphael's story about his parents' courtship was hilarious! (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Just getting started today. I finally managed to make myself stop after chapter 12.

The banshee - (view spoiler)[Kate may claim she is better with swords than with words, but she was still smart enough to ask the woman's friends what might convince her to come down. I'd say her negotiation skills are much better than she believes. (hide spoiler)]

Derek - (view spoiler)[Derek should have listened to Kate and let her help him instead of asking her to pass a note and trying to handle it himself. (hide spoiler)]

Saiman - (view spoiler)[I didn't think much of Saiman coming into this book (although I don't think his actions during the flare were entirely his fault.). Kate's assessment of Saiman's similarities to a Greek god was spot on. (hide spoiler)]

Jim - (view spoiler)[I am furious at Jim. Kate should have at least punched him for his behavior. Allowing his crew to attack Kate was completely inexcusable. (hide spoiler)]

Kate - (view spoiler)[I love seeing how well Kate has settled into her job at the order (even if she is a bit overworked and exhausted). She is certainly a better friend to Derek and Jim than either have been in return. Honestly, after everything their continued prejudice is aggravating. (hide spoiler)]

Curran - (view spoiler)["He's standing right behind me, isn't he?". That restaurant scene cracks me up. Still he should quit swiping her pie. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Silje wrote: "I think this is one of my favorite books in the series.

I think I could throttle Jim. [spoilers removed]

It is also fun that Norse mythology is dragged in to the story. Being from a Scandinavian ..."

The Raphael story is absolutely hilarious. (view spoiler)[It would have been an excellent if everything had gone according to plan. Having the plan go sideways because of one cat just makes it so much better. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Chapters 13 - 21

Kate - (view spoiler)[I love getting a chance to reread Kate's back story. It's hilarious to watch her with Curran. She is completely out of her element with him. (hide spoiler)]

Saiman - (view spoiler)[How could I have forgotten the Norse mythology part of his heritage? (hide spoiler)]

The Reapers - (view spoiler)[Now we have Hindu mythology. This is one of my favorite parts of the series. Watching them pull out all of the different mythologies and weave them into the stories. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Finished!

Fantastic ending! 5 stars.

[Teddie]

Silje wrote: "I think this is one of my favorite books in the series.
..."

This one is still my favorite too!

[Melissa]

Checking in for Team Draco Malfoy!

[Stacey]

I started this one on audible 3 days ago -- and I love the reader, highly recommend if you have a chance.

This is the book that made me LOVE this series. I'm enjoying it the second time around as well.

Andrea -- "TWTIHFB" (view spoiler)[ I love revisiting the start of Rapahel and Andrea -- its almost as much fun as Kate and Curran. (hide spoiler)]

Kate -- "He's right behind me, isn't he?" So classic Kate early in the series.

(view spoiler)[ I hate what happens to Derek in this book -- as we are supposed to. But it's the first indication that the author's aren't afraid to be brutal with their MCs if it will make a good story. (hide spoiler)]

[Victoria]

starting my reread!

[Cathy M.]

Have a couple I need to get to first but will be starting this in the next couple days!

[Victoria]

I also have books I really need to finish and was going to take a short break from this series to do so, but that clearly didn’t happen =)

[Diane ~Firefly~]

It is such a great series that it is hard to stop once you start. Sort of liking eating just one potato chip.

[Melissa]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "It is such a great series that it is hard to stop once you start. Sort of liking eating just one potato chip."

No kidding! I didn't think I would have time to read at all this weekend. We have two new babies in the family and my dad was visiting from out of town but somehow I managed to finish the whole book in two sittings! Soooo good!

[Stacey]

Teddie wrote: "I also love Kate's relationship with Julie
[spoilers removed]"

This is one of the scenes I remembered distinctly throughout the rest of the books. Loved that she was willing to go to that extent to help Julie out was great.

I just got past the introduction of Dali. She is such a great character as well. (view spoiler)[ Love that there is a vegetarian tiger afraid of blood involved in the keep and that she's so goofy (hide spoiler)]

[Melissa]

Finished!

While I did enjoy books one & two, book three blew them both out of the water. By book three, the world building and Kate's personal relationships are established making way for a really great story.

So many things: (view spoiler)[

* WTH, Jim??? Let's just have Kate remind you why you don't mess with her.

* Darn, Derek! Why didn't you just ask for help? Kate woulda been there for you.

* Raphael/Andrea - TWT-IHFB made me snort water out of my nose - gross but hilarious.

* Julie - How cool was the Kate/Raphael scene at Julie's school!?!? Kate really is the best. Also, Raphael in head to toe leather ... holy moly!

* Midnight Games - like Fight Club on steroids! Who knew I would love Gladiator style arena fighting??

* Saiman - Just gonna put this right here:

“Do you prefer the Aesir?” The word hit me like a bolt of lightning. Pieces fell into place in my head: Saiman, golden and high on magic, dancing on the roof and celebrating “the time of the gods,” his fluid changes of shape, his self-interest, his ego, and him now, an enormous monster, a giant of a man. I gaped at him. He wasn’t supposed to exist." ... “He said he is a quarter Aesir, which probably means his grandmother was a Viking god. But there is only one Norse deity who can change shape the way he does and he wasn’t Aesir. He was Loki, the trickster, a giant who became a god. Saiman is the grandson of two Norse deities, Jim.”

........ Mind blown.

* Dali - might just be my new favorite side character ♥♥♥

*Voron/Hugh: sooooo ... does this make Hugh Kate's adopted brother??? (Don't answer that if it's a spoiler!)

* Hot Tub ... holy moly ... I think I need that fan! Jeez!

* Doolittle is a Honey Badger??? What?!?!?

* Andrea putting stuff together b/c of the totally BA thing with the Scarlet Star and being the best friend ever for keeping that secret.

* Also, this quote:

"Aaahh. Home. My place, my smells, my familiar rug under my feet, my kitchen, my Curran in the kitchen chair . . . Wait a damn minute."

Yaaaaaaasssssss. (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Melissa wrote: "Finished!

While I did enjoy books one & two, book three blew them both out of the water. By book three, the world building and Kate's personal relationships are established making way for a really..."

Would you believe they keep getting better than this?

[Melissa]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Would you believe they keep getting better than this? "

How exciting!

[Melissa]

sooo ... i read the short story between book 3 & 4: Magic Mourns and totally loved it. (view spoiler)[ priest of hades!?! (hide spoiler)] mythology is my jam! that's reason enough to love this series!

[Cathy M.]

Started today!

Thru Chpt 5 -

(view spoiler)[Derek, Derek, Derek *sigh* Trouble from the start... How could he think he could get away with breaking into Saiman's place?! And over a girl? Wonder if it's a love interest or there's something else going on (thinking it's the latter). Can't wait to get to the games!

Love the early scenes of Raphael & Andrea! Him trying to find a way to get in with Andrea is adorable. Though stalking probably isn't the best way.

The restaurant scene with Curran was classic. But the funniest part to me was when he was offering her the peach. She caught on to that game haha! They are in that playful sexual tension phase which is so much fun to read :)

I can't believe how much of these stories I don't remember! I do remember the basics but all these details are not as clear. I'm glad I'm able to re-read these closer together this time around. (hide spoiler)]

[Victoria]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "It is such a great series that it is hard to stop once you start. Sort of liking eating just one potato chip."

I'm beginning to think it's an addiction. Let's see if I can at least keep away from re-reading the novellas.

I finished yesterday and loved it once more for the third time!

(view spoiler)[ Derek kills me in this one :( I love him and hate want happened to him :( Especially since it was his fault for being a stupid teenage boy!

LOVED the scene with Jim after Kate, Curran, and Dali's fight:

"Jim waited for us at the Gold Gate. His teeth were bared. "What happened to barely winning?"

"You said sloppy! Look, I didn't even use my sword; I hit him with my head, like a moron."

"A man with a sword attacked you and you disarmed him and knocked him out cold in under two seconds." He turned to Curran.

The Beast Lord shrugged. "It's not my fault that he didn't know how to fall."

Jim's gaze slid from Curran to Dali. "What the hell was that?"

"Crimson Jaws of Death."

"And were you planning on letting me know that you can turn people's elbows backward?"

"I told you I did curses."

"You said they don't work!"

"I said they don't always work. This one worked apparently." Dali wrinkled her forehead.

"It's not like I ever get to use them against live opponents anyway. It was an accident."

Jim looked at us. The clipboard snapped in his hands. He turned around and very deliberately walked away.

"I think we hurt his feelings." Dali looked at his retreating back, sighed, and went after him.

Curran looked at me. "What the hell was I supposed to do, catch the werebison as he was falling?"

And then the hot tub scene! squee!!

Also, love Raphael and Andrea as much as Curran and Kate! (hide spoiler)]

[Victoria]

Cathy M. wrote: "Started today!

Thru Chpt 5 -

..."

(view spoiler)[I'm so in love with Andrea and Raphael! If you haven't read Gunmetal Magic you need to! (don't think this is an actual spoiler, but whatever ) (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Victoria wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Started today!

Thru Chpt 5 -

..."

[spoilers removed]"

They are a great couple! I did read that one but it's been so long I don't remember it! I don't think I've read a lot of the in-between ones so I'm going to have to check more of them out.

[Cathy M.]

Thru Chpt 14 -

(view spoiler)[Oh my poor sweet Derek!!! I hated that he was so broken that he was in the coma. Can't see how he would come out of it because his body was completed shattered, not even taking into account the silver. *cries*

Jim's whole attitude towards Kate is really pissing me off. I thought he was a friend! Same with Saiman, thought him and Kate were friends but I obviously didn't remember that right. It's actually sort of sad because I thought I liked Saiman (?!).

Oh boy, going to fight in the games. This will be interesting! (hide spoiler)]

[Stacey]

Victoria wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "It is such a great series that it is hard to stop once you start. Sort of liking eating just one potato chip."

I'm beginning to think it's an addiction. Let's see if I can ..."

That scene after the first fight cracks me up every time. I re-listened to it a couple of times this go around and laughed every time.

[Teddie]

Stacey wrote: "Victoria wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "It is such a great series that it is hard to stop once you start. Sort of liking eating just one potato chip."

I'm beginning to think it's an addiction. Le..."

I laugh out loud in this series so often - one of the main reasons I keep re-reading it :)

[Stacey]

Finished! Now I have to decide whether to move on to book 4 or switch gears to Iron and Magic that came out this week....

Spoiler for book 4 (view spoiler)[ I was so excited to see what happened at the dinner in 2 months -- only to be horribly disappointed at the start of book 4. It was a sad start to the book. :( (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Finished last night -

(view spoiler)[
There were so many funny lines in this, I don't remember laughing this much before!

Wow so Saiman is a descent of 2 Norse gods O.O Well then...

Derek, oh my poor boy. Knew he would come out of it but reading it was still heart-breaking. Julie to the rescue! And can I just say how much I loved that scene where Kate goes to Julie's school and shows off for Julie's benefit? How awesome was that?!

Dali - In human form a legally blind tiny Asian chick but as an animal, a majestic white tiger. And to top it off, blood and meat make her squeamish and she's a vegetarian. Oh my god I was dying at that part! And then when she first shifted and was so disoriented she didn't even recognize her own paw and was stumbling all over. How cute is she?!?!

Kate & Curran - the tension escalates :D Love that last scene where he gives her the menu of what he wants her to cook him. So looking forward to that scene!!!!

Hugh. Good intro to him but I thought I hated him so don't know yet how to feel about his upcoming book... But I'll have to wait until I get thru the rest of the series because then I'll know for sure whether I love him or hate him. (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Cathy M. wrote: "Finished last night - .."

I know. This is the book were for me, the series went from good to great!

[Cathy M.]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Finished last night - .."

I know. This is the book were for me, the series went from good to great!"

Originally Book 4 is where my love for this series turned more obsessive :) But I loved this one even more this time around so upped my rating to 5 stars!

[Victoria]

Stacey wrote: "Finished! Now I have to decide whether to move on to book 4 or switch gears to Iron and Magic that came out this week....

Spoiler for book 4 [spoilers removed]"

I completely forgot about Iron and Magic coming out! Although for me it's saying a 26 June release... But that's okay, it gives me time to catch up on other books first

[Ora]

I'm re-reading the entire series. Well, this time listening to it. I am enjoying the the narrator most of the time. I really do not care for the voice that she does for Hugh.

(view spoiler)[It broke my heart when Derek got injured.

I loved how everyone kicked butt in the Midnight Games. I really thought that Curran and Kate got together. I guess I remember the hot tub scene differently than it played out...maybe just wanted it to end differently.

I love the note Curran left Kate. (hide spoiler)]