Andrews, Ilona; Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels #4); "Informal Buddy Read" ; Start Date 9th December 2013

[Diane ~Firefly~]

I've started book 5 if anyone is ready to join me over there.

[Teddie]

I've started Diane - Kate and company have definitely been our springtime companions this year :D

[Steven]

I’ll have to try to pick it up soon! I’m in the middle of three reads right now though ugh

[Teddie]

Steven wrote: "I’ll have to try to pick it up soon! I’m in the middle of three reads right now though ugh"

Ambitious! I can usually only read one and listen to one simultaneously - although I did slip KD#3 into the middle of Behind Her Eyes (which I ended up not really enjoying much.)

[Steven]

Teddie wrote: "Steven wrote: "I’ll have to try to pick it up soon! I’m in the middle of three reads right now though ugh"

Ambitious! I can usually only read one and listen to one simultaneously - although I did ..."

Did you finished Behind Her Eyes? I don't see it on the BOOKS READ thread or the team spreadsheet!

[Teddie]

Steven wrote: "Teddie wrote: "Steven wrote: "I’ll have to try to pick it up soon! I’m in the middle of three reads right now though ugh"

Ambitious! I can usually only read one and listen to one simultaneously - ..."

Lol - I finished this am - posting now!

EDIT: done!

[Karishma]

Steven wrote: "I'm about 17% in. Curran, I don't recall what's going on with you, but watch out for a Kate on the warpath. Syphilis, ew."

Seriously his dissappearing act and then the phone call were so unexpected. Like Wait What?

[Karishma]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "I've started book 5 if anyone is ready to join me over there."

I have just started.

[Natalie]

I'm starting this morning. Team Draco Malfoy.

[Steven]

Karishma wrote: "Steven wrote: "I'm about 17% in. Curran, I don't recall what's going on with you, but watch out for a Kate on the warpath. Syphilis, ew."

Seriously his dissappearing act and then the phone call we..."

Right? I'd have been SO PISSED had someone done that to me. And then over the next few months, not showing up at my door and talking to me in person to figure things out? bah!

[Natalie]

Through chapter 6.

Naked dinner (view spoiler)[ The first time I read this part I was devastated. I had been looking forward to it since finishing book 3 and was so happy to have the book start with it. (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Through chapter 18

Series spoiler (view spoiler)[ I forgot that Kate asked him to give up the title of Beast Lord back in this book. I never thought that he would, but it definitely worked out for them that he did. (hide spoiler)]

[Karishma]

@Natalie same I was looking forward to the dinner too.

[Natalie]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[This is one of my favorite books. It hit every note for things I love in books and where the series needed to go.

The relationship between Curran and Kate has built over the last three books and in this one they finally get together (with some bumps) and solidfy their relationship. I think dragging it out more would have hurt the series.

Erra is my favorite part of the book. I love a female villain, especially a smart female villain. I also love the trope of different types of mages working together so to speak. I also loved learning most of the history of Roland and seeing what Kate will be up against.

I love this series, but this book is my favorite. Well, there is one more. Just a few months left... (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

Teddie wrote: "Having seen Infinity War, Thanos...
[spoilers removed]"

Wow, I had not thought of that comparison, but you are quite right!

[Silje]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 1

[spoilers removed]

ch 2 - 8
."

I really feel for Kate in the beginning. (view spoiler)[I can practically see the hurt in her eyes before she takes her broken heart and uses stubbornness and pride to glue the pieces together. (hide spoiler)]

Andrea is spot on with her theory about Kate and her (view spoiler)[lack of references regarding emotions. I think it is good for Kate to have such a perceptive friend. (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

Steven wrote: "Karishma wrote: "Steven wrote: "I'm about 17% in. Curran, I don't recall what's going on with you, but watch out for a Kate on the warpath. Syphilis, ew."

Seriously his dissappearing act and then ..."

They really lack communication skills in this relationship...:P

[Silje]

Why do you think the historians (view spoiler)[ portrayed Erra as a man rather than a woman, which was the true story? Because they thought it would be embarrassing to admit that a woman was responsible for so much destruction? Or because it would paint a more terrifying picture if it was a man? What do you think? (hide spoiler)]

[Teddie]

Silje wrote: "Why do you think the historians [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[
Oddly enough, my Dad was talking about something similar on Sunday. Many of the original stories and texts had many more women mentioned, who played larger roles in ancient history. When the patriarchal ages set in, historians & priests - those who were writing down their versions of history- changed many of the women in history, to men. The example he cited was of one of Jesus' important apostles, Junia, who was a woman, being greeted by Paul. Later textual editors decided that there couldn't have been any female apostles, and changed her name to Junias and her gender to male. My Dad's a biblical scholar, so he went into much greater detail (of course) - interesting though. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

Teddie wrote: "Silje wrote: "Why do you think the historians [spoilers removed]"
..."

Fascinating! I did not know about that example=)

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Very interesting. I figured it would be something like that. Makes you wonder how much of history you can really trust.

[Eunice]

I was really excited for the naked dinner, so I was a bit disappointed it didn't happen. You could tell just how she felt when he didn't show up. And I'm so glad that they made up eventually (and their flirting was funny), but I'm sure this will happen again.

Setting aside the romance, I felt a bit disturbed that Kate and Erra looked almost the same. Woah, Roland's genes sure are strong. It's a good thing he doesn't show his face to many people or else Kate would have been caught ages ago.

[Silje]

Eunice wrote: "I was really excited for the naked dinner, so I was a bit disappointed it didn't happen. You could tell just how she felt when he didn't show up. And I'm so glad that they made up eventually (and t..."

You might want to use a spoiler on some of your text in case someone hasn't read the book before or read that far yet=)

[Silje]

Done!

I am so infuriated with some of the people in the Pack! (view spoiler)[Losing faith in Curran after two days in a coma. He is the strongest leader they've ever had and they don't give him more time than that before thinking he is a lost cause?! And then wanting to kick Kate out, after being oh, so thrilled that Curran finally found a mate, and challenging her day after day. No wonder she usually acts first, questions later. I don't blame Curran at all for feeling betrayed by his own Pack.

It is a scary thought that Voron wanted Kate to become like Erra. If circumstances were different I think she might have been eventually. (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Silje wrote: "Done!

I am so infuriated with some of the people in the Pack!..."

I totally agree with your thoughts on Kate (view spoiler)[possibly becoming like Erra if she had continued to go the solidary existence that Voran preached.

And the pack deserves any bad outcome it gets from the challenging Kate while Curran was recovering. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Team Flitwick here. Just getting started today. My last quidditch book was so bad, I decided to cleanse my brain with 12 chapters to start.

Dinner - (view spoiler)[I agree with some of the posts above. I was really disappointed at the beginning of the book when the dinner between Kate and Curran didn't happen. The whole relationship took a huge step back. VEry frustrating start. (hide spoiler)]

The dog - (view spoiler)[I like that dog. He's definitely good for Kate. (hide spoiler)]

Andrea is an awesome best friend. Exactly what Kate needs.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Deanna wrote: "Team Flitwick here. Just getting started today. My last quidditch book was so bad, I decided to cleanse my brain with 12 chapters to start.

Dinner - [spoilers removed]

The dog - [spoilers removed..."

dog (view spoiler)[I love the dog!!! (hide spoiler)]
Andrea is awesome!

[Deanna]

Silje wrote: "Done!

I am so infuriated with some of the people in the Pack! ..."

I completely agree. (view spoiler)[Curran has every right to feel betrayed. Even if they didn't challenge Kate directly, they stood by and let her be challenged over and over again. The pack leaders responsible need at least a really hard smack over the head (hopefully to literally knock some sense in them). They were allowing their people to challenge Kate; and even after seeing her kill to win over and over, they still allowed more challengers. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Finished!

Erra and Kate - (view spoiler)[I don't actually think Kate could ever have become as crazy as Erra even if Voron had lived and she had kept herself isolated. Voron taught her to use her skills to help others, even if it was inadvertantly by doing those kind of things himself. That desire to protect others puts her at the opposite end of the spectrum from Erra. (hide spoiler)]

Kate and Curran - (view spoiler)[This book is my favorite because they finally admit that they love each other and make an effort to work things out together. (hide spoiler)]

[Melissa]

Started it today! Team Draco Malfoy

[Melissa]

On pg 3 and I'm already asking (view spoiler)[ WTF??? I know a kitty who's in troooooouuubbbbllle! (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Melissa wrote: "On pg 3 and I'm already asking [spoilers removed]"

LOL! So true!

[Victoria]

Started yesterday and already nearly done!

Love this one, and I think Grendel the attack poodle might just be the best part of it. I mean, Kate and Curran are great, but ATTACK POODLE!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Victoria wrote: "Started yesterday and already nearly done!

Love this one, and I think Grendel the attack poodle might just be the best part of it. I mean, Kate and Curran are great, but ATTACK POODLE!"

Let's not forget the eating anything not nailed down and throwing up everywhere...

[Teddie]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "but ATTACK POODLE!"

Let's not forget the eating anything not nailed down and throwing up everywhere... "

Kate picks up the best misfits!

[Tammie]

I just started today and am about 1/3 finished already, I’m doing the audio version..l love listening to Renee Raudman...she sounds like Ellen DeGeneres to me...funny!

Team Minerva

[Tammie]

Chapter 17

(view spoiler)[Finally!...enough said! (hide spoiler)]

[Tammie]

I’ve just finished...this is the best so far...this genre is fast becoming one of my favorites. (view spoiler)[Curren is a bit sappy at the end, but I’m feeling confident that Kate will stay true to herself moving forward. I wondered if Curren would have given up on the pack given the loyalty issues...we’ll have to see how that evolves in next book. (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Tammie wrote: "I’ve just finished...this is the best so far...this genre is fast becoming one of my favorites. [spoilers removed]"

Yeah this is a great series and the books keep getting better. It is nice to see the relationships change and grow throughout.

[Victoria]

I finished the other day and I think I sped through it so fast I didn't realize I'd finished till I was halfway through the 5th!

I think this book really moves the series forward for a lot of reasons (view spoiler)[ For one, Curran and Kate finally get together <3
I also loved Erra as the villain, especially because we get to learn more about Roland and the history of Kate's legacy. Erra also brings to the table to the power of blood armor and I'm always excited to see Kate learn and use cool magic.

One things I wanted more of from this book and which I cannot remember if it gets resolved later on in the series, is Ted Moynohan getting whats coming to him. I HATE HIM! I really hope someone, Kate and/or Andrea, brutally kills him later on (okay, maybe I'm being a bit extreme...). I wish I could remember what his situation is later in the series, but I guess forgetting things makes the rereads more fun :) (hide spoiler)]

[Victoria]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Tammie wrote: "I’ve just finished...this is the best so far...this genre is fast becoming one of my favorites. [spoilers removed]"

Yeah this is a great series and the books keep getting better. It..."

Agreed! I love the progress of Curran and Kate's relationship, especially since it's a bit of a slow burn. Although, not too slow, thank god :D

[Tammie]

Victoria wrote: "I finished the other day and I think I sped through it so fast I didn't realize I'd finished till I was halfway through the 5th!

I think this book really moves the series forward for a lot of rea..."

yeah, Ted is (view spoiler)[evil...hitler-like. I wondered anyone in charge over him in the order? I guess that’s something to look forward to in the next book. I wonder what Kate will call her new business? Don’t tell me! (hide spoiler)]

If you haven’t read via audio, I strongly recommend...the narrator is fabulous!

[Victoria]

I've listened to Ilona Andrews' The Edge series, which has the same narrator, who is great! I'm listening to 5th Kate book right now since my eye's bothering me. And while I love the narrator, my mind keeps thinking I'm listening the The Edge instead of Kate because she uses similar voices and I listened to that series first!

[Melissa]

Just finished! Jeez! So much to process ... going to need a minute ... but I do want to say that I loved it - definitely 5+stars!

[Cathy M.]

Just started this morning & that Prologue!!!! (view spoiler)[Totally forgot that he stood her up. After anticipating what was going to happen :/ Curran better have a good reason for this! (hide spoiler)]

[Tammie]

Cathy M. wrote: "Just started this morning & that Prologue!!!! [spoilers removed]"

I know right!?

This is the first I rate 5 stars...it's really good. Look forward to chatting more about it!

[Cathy M.]

Tammie wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Just started this morning & that Prologue!!!! [spoilers removed]"

I know right!?

This is the first I rate 5 stars...it's really good. Look forward to chatting more about it!"

It was originally the 1st one I rated 5 stars too. But re-reading this series (& already having a love for the characters) has made me up the last 2 to 5 stars too :)

[Cathy M.]

Thru Chpt 10 -

(view spoiler)[Curran, Curran, Curran. Not showing up to dinner really messed Kate up. Whoever answered the call and said that to Kate is in a world of trouble! I mean, even in the last book, Curran had already claimed Kate as his mate! It IS a little annoying that she won't listen to him (or answer his calls), and she's acting a little immature but at the same time I understand that's who she is. Always thinking she couldn't have anyone close to her because of what will eventually come. Hopefully they resolve this sooner than later!

The phantom poodle - I would love for him to stick around :)

Ted - holy crap I want to kill this guy. Really?!?!?! His prejudice doesn't belong in a place like the Order! (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Thru Chpt 15 -

(view spoiler)[Oh my god, some of things these characters do! Andrea & Raphael being released from jail for their "mishap" at the hotel was so funny! Andrea's claws came out! Mating frenzy sounds like something that should take place AWAY from others :P

The whole cat-and-mouse game that Kate & Curran are now playing is so entertaining - Kate now staking her claim by welding his "bimbo" room shut & pouring catnip over his bed, Curran placing the glue on her seat at the Order. It's a matter of time!

Saiman knows now that Kate can use power words... what exactly did he see on her (he mentioned that she had hundreds of words written on her skin)? Wonder what the ramifications of that will be... (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Cathy M. wrote: "Thru Chpt 15 - ..."

Yeah, mating leads to some humorous situations, no matter who it is...