Andrews, Ilona; Magic Slays (Kate Daniels #5); "Informal Buddy Read" ; Start Date: January 09, 2014

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This topic will be open for discussion In January, 2014: Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews.

What is a Buddy Read?

This is an "Informal Buddy Read"
An “Informal Buddy Read” doesn’t have a discussion leader and participants are asked to consider some generic questions when making comments about the book. An example is here.

Book Synopsis
Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job.

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be—now that the Order is disparaging her good name, and many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate.

So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. Turns out this is not an isolated incident, and Kate needs to get to the bottom of it—fast, or the city and everyone dear to her might pay the ultimate price . . .
EXPECT SPOILERS!

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Reserved.

[Anima]

I'm in :)

[Esther]

So am I. Can't wait.

[Logan]

Yes! Yes! Yes!

[Danielle Book Boss]

Looking forward to this!

[Nicole]

Grabbed this from the library on Friday. This is the highlight of my months!

[Danielle Book Boss]

Might start early...

[Sonia]

Danielle... does that mean that after so many tries to read Magic Bites, you finally are addicted to Kate?

*tries not to happy dance before time*

[Sonia]

Nicole wrote: "Grabbed this from the library on Friday. This is the highlight of my months!"

LOL

[Danielle Book Boss]

Sonia wrote: "Danielle... does that mean that after so many tries to read Magic Bites, you finally are addicted to Kate?

*tries not to happy dance before time*"

Yes Sonia, that first one was a doozie but sooooo happy I gave it another chance. I think if I go back and listen again, I'd appreciate it a whole lot more!

[Steven]

I stinking loved this book!

I can't say which has been my favorite, as they're all so good, but it was really interesting to see Kate and Curran's interactions as a couple in this one. And to see Kate realize that she's opened her heart to multiple people, that she cares... Curran, Julie, Derek, Andrea... she isn't alone.

I love how these books get bigger and bigger each time. I have a feeling they'll get more and more explosive!

Looking forward to the two shorties (Magic Gifts and Magic Tests) before diving into book 5.5 Gunmetal Magic, the Andrea/Raphael book. :)

[Nicole]

Just starting this one and already finding it hard to put down. It's looking like a Julie centric book!! Good to see how Kate's settling with the new changes to her life too.

[Logan]

I'm about a third of the way through, and loving it. I agree with Steven and Nicole that seeing Kate adapt to her new family is sweet. Once again, a great mystery to hook us right away, and so many fun characters. Why couldn't HBO have adapted this series instead of Sookie? :)

[Steven]

Or IN ADDITION TO Sookie? I still loves me some True Blood! Hehe

[Logan]

Can you believe it's ending?! I will watch it to its weird, campy, shark-jumping end. :P

[Esther]

*looks at date* uh oh... I am still reading Hounded. I will catch up this weekend.

[Steven]

Logan wrote: "Can you believe it's ending?! I will watch it to its weird, campy, shark-jumping end. :P"

It is all of those things. And still lovably entertaining. Cheesy can be fun! Plus, lots of eye candy! :)


Esther, it was a "read at your own pace" anyways. Don't rush... savor! :D

[Logan]

I'm 70% done and this is getting really emotional. I had to choke down some tears on the train this morning! I love the family theme in this one.

[Danielle Book Boss]

Logan wrote: "I'm 70% done and this is getting really emotional. I had to choke down some tears on the train this morning! I love the family theme in this one."

Logan I came on here to say the same exact thing!

I have so many emotions going through me right now! Ahhhhh. It's way too intense.

[Logan]

Did you finish Danielle? I have 30 minutes left according to my Kindle, and I'm thinking I need to stay in my office to finish it before going to the train so I can keep my (hopefully happy) tears to myself. :)

[Danielle Book Boss]

Lol. I have about 2 hours left. I'm trying to savor it as much as I can

[Logan]

I finished last night. What a great read. They set up some interesting stuff moving forward, so I'm anxious to keep reading!

[Danielle Book Boss]

I think I'm at the last battle now. I tried to stay up last night but couldn't do it lol.

Some comments about Julie (view spoiler)[ I'm really routing for her and it would be kind of cool if she was able to shift without worrying about becoming a loup. And poor Escanio. It will be cool to read more about both of their growth. (hide spoiler)]

Curran (view spoiler)[ He makes me love him more and more. He accepts Kate and all her dysfunction. It's sad that the man she though loved her (Voraun) didn't really. That would be devastating to find out. I'm happy that Curran is pushing up against all that crazy ideology that he drilled into her. (hide spoiler)]

Plot (view spoiler)[ I really like this idea of a sleeper cell and magical terrorism and the fact that you can's trust anyone from the Guild to the mercs, to The People to some members of the Pack. It makes for pretty intense, unexpected action. (hide spoiler)]

[Esther]

I am done. I already knew that i was a book of changes because the way the last one ended. But the number of time i say "WHAT!!!" While reading it are way up there.

I like that Kate finally accepts (is resigned may be a better word) to have people in her life.

Can you say dysfunctional family ?

Now (view spoiler)[ Books after books, you know that the meeting with her father will come, but after this one I have a feeling that it will be sooner than later (hide spoiler)]

One month till the next one.

[Danielle Book Boss]

Esther wrote: "I am done. I already knew that i was a book of changes because the way the last one ended. But the number of time i say "WHAT!!!" While reading it are way up there.

I like that Kate finally accept..."

(view spoiler)[This showdown with her father will be epic, it has to be. Especially after Hugh left that note for her! (hide spoiler)]

[Fictitious1]

It has been hard to find a few spare reading minutes this week so I'm only up to chapter 10. I'm eager to find out more about Kate's mother.
This book seems to have a different pace to the earlier books. I like it. There seems to be a greater focus on relationships than on the mystery.
Though I am starting to wonder when Julie is going to finally show up.

[Esther]

Danielle Cause I'm the Book Boss wrote: "Esther wrote: "I am done. I already knew that i was a book of changes because the..."

Indeed it will, but sooner than i expected i think.

[Fictitious1]

Arrrg! I'm finally finished and I'm not sure how I feel about this one.

Julie (view spoiler)[ I was reading in the waiting room at the hospital while my husband was having some tests done. I had to try so hard not to cry when Julie was attacked. I'm not a crier - this was a new sensation for me. I was a bit relieved when she was bitten. I thought that finally she would have the Pack - somewhere to belong. I was imagining her at school with Maddie and training with Derek.
I didn't like what Kate was planning to do and I was disappointed that she succeeded. Being under Kate's control is going to be devastating for Julie. (hide spoiler)]
Curran just keeps growing in me. He is a bit overly jealous but he is so good for Kate. I liked that His Furriness grew into His Fluffiness - cute!
Going forward - I'm hoping to find out more about the other groups. The world created by Ilona Andrews is so vivid and varied.
I'm interested to see what happens with Andrea. I haven't read companion featuring her yet.
I'm eager for the next one. I'd better order it now!

[Danielle Book Boss]

I meant to ask this before (view spoiler)[ what's up with that line where Kate was like I can eat apples of immortality when she was talking to Curran and they were doing that back and forth about who was worse after the scene at the temple (hide spoiler)] What's that all about? I wonder if it's significant or am I just hanging on to something inconsequential?

[Steven]

Danielle, that's from the short story Magic Mourns :)

[Steven]

(Oh, Magic Mourns stars Andrea and Raphael, just like Gunmetal Magic)

[Danielle Book Boss]

Would someone mind explaining them to me in spoiler tags? I don't read novellas (unless they are free haha).

[Steven]

(view spoiler)[Well, they're not really explained all THAT much in the novella. Just that they are apples that provide immortality and are protected by that guy Teddy Jo (Thanatos, angel of death, is his real name)... and that not just anyone can eat them without consequences or whatnot. (hide spoiler)]

I really think she just put the reference in there as a bonus to those readers who read Mourns, or to get more people to read it.

You really should read it. It was a great novella, and really provided a deeper understanding of Andrea. :D

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I'm slowly catching up

what an interesting addition to the series! I like the extra character development.
One of my favourite parts of this book was the relationship development with Doolittle. Particularly at about 86% when he talks about how people will always find something to fear and then the humour with Kate "As long as you don't open your mouth you will appear as a perfect example of a healthy adult female...."

I agree Logan, this would make a great TV series. I keep picturing it in my mind. Although I'm not sure who Curran could be played by....

To be honest I'm not sure how I feel about Julie. In some ways I think it would've been better to let her go rather than be an unknowing slave. It will be interesting how this pans out. Clearly she will be very useful now she has kate's "powers" and I'm sure at some point will find out the truth and there will be a huge rift between them

Danielle - I couldn't agree more about Curran. I get annoyed at times with his possessiveness, but I have come to terms with it because he is a cat after all

Esther - I imagine the meeting with Hugh will be in the next one and Roland won't be far after that. Scary.

Ficticious1 - I'd like to know more about Kate's mother too. I hope the next book gives us more interaction with the witches. Kate will need their help to learn about her "power" if she has any hope of defeating Roland

Thanks Steven for the apple explanation I wondered about that too

[Logan]

I completely agree about Julie, Karen. It feels like such an obvious set up for later on and I don't like where it's headed. : /

[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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[Diane ~Firefly~]

Team Sprout. Anyone ready to start book 5?

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 1-5

(view spoiler)[What could be making the vampire controllers faint and lose control? That firefight was a bit scary. And now we have a missing scientist and experiment that is scaring The Red Guard. (hide spoiler)]

Julie(view spoiler)[
I love that Curran has totally, informally adopted Julie and together they decide her punishment is to walk the whole way home (but of course they send some shapeshifters to make sure she is safe. (hide spoiler)]


Andrea (view spoiler)[Her story was heartbreaking that the stupid Order just won't accept those that are different even if it would be in their best interest.

I still say she could have written more than leaving for a while and I have your dog - maybe mentioned she was going to bring a case to The Order

Her response to Kate's job offer was so emotional. And I love that as soon as she stopped crying, she had to check on the guns (hide spoiler)]

[Karishma]

Team Tonks.

I have just started with this one!

[Karishma]

Chapter 1-5
(view spoiler)[ Ghastek losing control of a vampire sounds like a serious situation...
And I feel so bad for Andrea after dedicating her life to the Order and them literally retiring her.

Plus what the hell with Ted going that Kate was the reason that things went south!

I can't wait to read more about Julie!

(hide spoiler)]

[Teddie]

@Diane

Re: Andrea and the Order
(view spoiler)[I couldn't help thinking about how this applies today, with discrimination against women, LGBTQ, POC etc. This treatment is so obviously wrong - Andrea is the epitome of a Knight of the Order. They are made less without her. (hide spoiler)]

Kate and Curran start dealing with the challenges of being in a relationship...
(view spoiler)[
reminds me of something I saw on my feed today:
(hide spoiler)]

[Karishma]

Chapter 17

(view spoiler)[ Julie turning into a shape shifter, god I'm paying she doesn't turn to a loup.

And Andrea bitch slapping Aunty B
I can't imagine where they are going to go with that (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Teddie wrote: "@Diane

Re: Andrea and the Order
[spoilers removed]

Kate and Curran start dealing with the challenges of being in a relationship...

reminds me of something I saw on my feed today:
"

Ok, that relationship spoiler was spot on and awesome!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 6 - 10

(view spoiler)[I love Kate and Curran together, they are adorable. And then Curran makes sure he isn't physically around when he maneuvers her into taking Ascanio (and Derek) as helpers, but really bodyguards.

Then poor Kate finds out her mother wasn't so saintly and Voron wasn't what she thought either.

(hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 11 - 17

(view spoiler)[visits to Saiman are always interesting, but this is the first time its ended with dead bodies.

Poor Julie and Ascanio. I'm glad he came through and protected her, but now she might go loup. That would kill Kate.

The whole Lighthouse group is super scary.
(hide spoiler)]

[Karishma]

Finished.

I'm very excited to read the next book and know what happens to Julie, who was the voice in Kate's head and what happens now with Hugh.

When are we starting the next one?

[Karishma]

@Teddie like @diane said that relationship spoiler was spot on.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Finished. Wow that was a nail biter.

(view spoiler)[I forgot how scary zealots are. Their willingness to kill anyone with magic thinking it would make their life better is beyond frightening.

It was nice to see all the major "magical" groups in Atlanta come together to fight the common enemy. I think they showed The Lighthouse to take them very seriously.

I'm so glad Julie was cured but having to obey Kate isn't a good thing.

So who is talking to Kate in her head...

I feel for Jennifer, first losing her sister and now her mate, but unfortunately she allows the losses to turn her into a major bitch in later books.
(hide spoiler)]