Andrews, Ilona; Magic Rises (Kate Daniels #6); "Informal Buddy Read" ; Start Date: March 09, 2014 **REVISIT** TBC June 2018

[Nicole]

Aww, I really liked this one. This was the most recent one I read, I think, so I'll probably chime along here and then continue with you onto the next book in Jan!

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

That would be great, Nicole! I've heard this one is really great, so I'm excited to get started on it.

[Nicole]

It's the best one of all of them, from what I remember. Or maybe it was the one before. It was a 4 or 5 star read for me anyway.

[Katie]

Oh this one is crazy. I can't wait to see what you guys think of it.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Wow! This book didn't just jump into action, it broke the sound barrier! I'm getting a late start, but I'll probably be glued to my Nook the rest of the day!

Chapter 1: (view spoiler)[The scene with the twins was so heart wrenching! I felt awful for Jennifer after she lost Daniel in the last book. I can only imagine how worried she is for her baby. Seeing the twins go loup didn't help matters, but Curran is definitely up to something. I'm curious how he got the panacea. (hide spoiler)]

[Snowtulip]

I plan to start this when I get home later tonight, can't wait...not even really sure why it's taken me so long to read!

[Snowtulip]

I agree (view spoiler)[no easing into the storyline first chapter, I'm hoping Maddie will be ok, because
Julie has been through enough already, don't want her best friend to die! (hide spoiler)]

[Snowtulip]

Ch 3(view spoiler)[never imagined Kate and Curran on the high seas! I've missed Curran, I'm reminded of why he is one of my favorite alpha character! (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

I remember really liking this book because the majority of the book includes both Kate and Curran. There's always interaction, but in some previous books it's a bit sparse.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Ack! I've been distracted most of the day and keep getting pulled away from my Nook! It may be a late night of reading. ; )

Snowtulip: I agree about Julie. She's been through so much and I really like her. I think she keeps Kate from being too reckless as well.

Really enjoying this! Chapter 3: (view spoiler)[I really think Aunt B knows more than what she's saying. Doesn't she always? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4 & 5: (view spoiler)[HA! Samien and Curran on the same ship for two weeks should be...interesting? Loved how Doolittle just invited himself. Looks like the gang's all on board (well most of them anyway. I halfway expect Julie to stowaway on the ship! I think I'm going to like Jim's sister, too! (hide spoiler)]

[Snowtulip]

I agree, Samien and Curran, things will never be dull!

[Katie]

Becky ♡The Bookworm♡ wrote: "Ack! I've been distracted most of the day and keep getting pulled away from my Nook! It may be a late night of reading. ; )

Snowtulip: I agree about Julie. She's been through so much and I re..."

(view spoiler)[It's a good thing, too, isn't it? They always end up needing Doolittle. (hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Love the pace of this book! It's going to be a fav, I can already tell.

Chapter 10: (view spoiler)[Loved the talk between Kate and Hugh. I know he's supposed to be a bad guy, but I really want him to be on Kate's side. She's right for not trusting him though. Err on the caution side I say. Seeing them fight together was awesome! I do miss Saimen, though. I expected more drama between Curran and him on the ship! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11: (view spoiler)[Desandra surprised me in this chapter. I like the "smart" side of her much better. LMBO at the "plums" comment! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13: (view spoiler)[I'm really beginning to wonder about these cat/dragon things and a possible connection to the panacea. That might explain why they attacked Doolittle, too. I could be totally wrong, but it's niggling at my brain. (hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

@Katie. Yep! Totally agree. Ch. 13: (view spoiler)[Doolittle is one of my favorite characters. I'm at the point where Hugh just healed him and I got all teary. I hope he's going to be okay. *sniffles* (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

(view spoiler)[Yes! That's where we've just really met Hugh for real and I remember thinking, is Hugh really such a huge villain or is he redeemable? (hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

@Katie: (view spoiler)[I really, REALLY want him to be redeemable. It would be nice if Kate had just one connection to her past that wasn't a total betrayal. If he was being sincere, it didn't sound like he meant to kill Voron. In fact, if he's to be believed, Voron wanted to die. (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

With regards to Saiman, I believe there's a short story for just him at the end of this book for anyone else who is missing him.

Boy, I'm glad that I have already read this one and can peek at all the spoilers already. You guys have set a mad pace!! You're also reminding me how much I liked Hugh and hope to see him in future books after this taste in this book.

My favourite in this book was also just how much backstory Hugh gave us, I mean, we've kinda taken a lot just on trust up till now.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Nicole - I really liked getting all the details from Hugh, too. (view spoiler)[He really disappointed me in the end though. I sooo wanted Kate to have a connect to her past, but Astamur sounds like a powerful friend. (hide spoiler)]

I'm finished and HOLY CANOLE this was AWESOME!!! I'm surprised I didn't hyperventilate from the excitement! Yes, I know, it's just a book...but...WOW!

(view spoiler)[Christopher being able to make panacea was such a great twist! I would've been so mad if Aunt B. had died for nothing. I'm still a little miffed about it. She wasn't a favorite, but she was an interesting character and so devoted to her family/pack.

Finally! Curran proposes to Kate! Lorelei was horrid, but it brought them closer together! (hide spoiler)]

I think I'm going to just sit here and snuggle my Nook with a goofy smile on my face for a minute. : )

[Snowtulip]

Aagh, I'm so far behind, just finished chapter 9...so close to looking at some of your spoilers :D

But so far, I'm a very happy girl!

[Katie]

Becky ♡The Bookworm♡ wrote: "Nicole - I really liked getting all the details from Hugh, too. [spoilers removed]

I'm finished and HOLY CANOLE this was AWESOME!!! I'm surprised I didn't hyperventilate from the excitement! Yes..."

I know. As soon as I finished this one I just went ahead and read the rest of the series including all the shorts that are available. Now it's done and I have to wait until the next book comes out. :(

[Snowtulip]

Ch. 10(view spoiler)[agree, seeing Kate and Hugh fighting together and then him acknowledging her for taking best kill! They both lost the person that taught them, so I guess I want them to have some brother/sister bonding. (hide spoiler)]

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Snowtulip...re your Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[I thought their fight was awesome! She's usually fighting against her father's minions and knowing how powerful Hugh is? Loved it! (hide spoiler)]

I'm eager to see what you think of the rest of the book. It really flies to the end. If you're interested in reading the next one for a BR, just give me a shout. No rush...I'll be sating myself with Jim and Dali's story and have a 600 page BR tomorrow. : )

[Nicole]

I AM INTERESTED IN READING THE NEXT ONE FOR A BR!!!

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

YAY! I have several BR's coming up, but I could do it next week starting Dec. 18th. Will that work for everybody?

[Snowtulip]

DONE!!

(view spoiler)[so I completely called the Hugh thing wrong, I really wanted that relationship...is wrong to think he might still be redeemable in the future or false hope?

I was pissed at Curran, he knows how hard it is for Kate to trust, so I was upset with him for a few chapters...but I can never be upset with him for too long ;)

I'm really curious about Christopher now, it would seem that Hugh wouldn't give him up so easy with what we know now. (hide spoiler)]

I love this series, I'm completely up for reading the next book on the 18th :D

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Totally on the same page with Hugh....and Curran, too. (view spoiler)[I was ready to smack Lorelei AND Curran! He should've told Kate up front, but maybe the naughty little lion was subconsciously retaliating for her rescuing Saimen without his knowledge? Hmmm...

Christopher is a real mystery! I wonder what else he knows and where he came from? (hide spoiler)]

I believe they have a Magic Breaks thread set up already. There was activity on it just this past week, but I'll let the mods know we are going to start again on the 18th. Looking forward to it!

[Nicole]

Oh whoa, the 18th huh? Ill be reading slowly cause, like Becky, I have to read the Son of Shadows starting today/tomorrow, and I'm already in the middle of another buddy read! :D

Could someone paste the link in this thread?

[Sonia]

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

Let me know if you are ready to start

[Karishma]

Team Tonks. Will be ready in around 12-15 hours.

Very excited!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 1

(view spoiler)[This chapter is heartbreaking. Meredith singing to her daughters as they are going loup (hide spoiler)]

[LaurLa]

Team Severus Snape - I should be getting to this one in June. Hopefully sooner than later!!!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 2-15

Lorelei (view spoiler)[oh how I hate her, even though she is really just a spoiled little brat who is used to having things handed to her. (hide spoiler)]

Desandra (view spoiler)[She is a smart one who played dumb and crazy to survive. But is stuck in a bad place with both her ex's being jerks and about to give birth anytime. And don't get me started on her bastard of a father. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[It is convenient that Kate rescued Saiman and he owed her a favor just when they needed a ship. And then Weredolphins - who knew?

It is a horrible bodyguard job. Far away from home, surrounded by 3 clans that want to kill them and then even worse, it turns out Hugh is the master of the castle.

I loved the scene with Mahon telling Kate she is pack.

And the fight between Kate and Hugh was great, especially when she tricked him into giving her Christopher as the prize.

(hide spoiler)]

[Eunice]

Finished the book.

Why do I feel like everybody's out for the pack? There's always something against them.

Lorelei (view spoiler)[I knew from the start that Lorelei was fishy and up to something, but I totally didn't expect that she struck a deal with Jarek. She's so obsessed with Curran, it's ridiculous. (hide spoiler)]

Hugh (view spoiler)[ What a crazy manipulative bastard. Arranging the negotiations in his castle just to lure in Kate. Where on earth did he get this idea anyway? I was a bit disturbed at the fight though. Ugh. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[The Kate-Mahon moment was sweet, and I love it. I didn't expect it from him of all people, but that's what gave the scene more impact.

And Aunt B was just awesome in this book. I started liking her much more and then they do this to her. It's frustrating.

They scored gold with Christopher though. Even though he's a bit wrong in the head now after months of imprisonment, he's got a fountain of knowledge in that head which could be useful in the future. (hide spoiler)]

[Teddie]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 1"

(view spoiler)[ I had tears here too - every time. (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Finished

(view spoiler)[Hugh is an a$$. Such a jerk for contaminating the pancea. Thank goodness Christopher knows how to make it. Now The Pack can't ever be threatened or bribed because of it again.

Poor Aunt B. They didn't even grant her a fighter's death. I really hope Kate find Hilbla in another book and gets her revenge.

Desandra is going to make life interesting in the pack. Not only with the babies, but anyone who took out their father like that is alpha - watch out Jennifer.
(hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Eunice wrote: "Finished the book.

Why do I feel like everybody's out for the pack? There's always something against them.

Lorelei [spoilers removed]

Hugh [spoilers removed]The Kate-Mahon moment was sweet, and ..."

Lorelei
(view spoiler)[Yeah, I had forgotten she had the deal with Jarek to kill Kate and take her place. I loved the scene where she challenged Kate and pretty much everyone patted her on the head and told her to sit down like a good little girl. (hide spoiler)]

[Teddie]

Through Chapter 15

I like at this book gets the crew out of Atlanta, and off to the Caucasus wilderness.

(view spoiler)[I really liked the sparring scene between Kate and Hugh, for a few reasons. They are very alike, in many ways, having been raised by the same man. Hugh is what Kate could have been, had she not held onto her internal honor, and sense of right. Earlier, they fought united against a common foe, but now, you could tell Hugh loved fighting against someone who's style so matched his own. It echoes Curran and Kate sparring earlier on the boat, and Saiman’s whole “For you two, violence is foreplay” comment.

I also love how all the other packs’ disdainful shapeshifters, who had been tossing insults Kate’s way, were shocked as they watched a warrior at the top of her game, show could kick their ass if she decided to.
(hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Teddie wrote: "Through Chapter 15

I like at this book gets the crew out of Atlanta, and off to the Caucasus wilderness...."

Yeah (view spoiler)[I think Hugh is a bit loco, but that makes sense being raised the way he was and working for Roland. (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Team Draco Malfoy, starting now.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

anyone ready to join me in starting book 7?

[Silje]

Team Lupin, starting tomorrow=)

[Diane ~Firefly~]

great, I'll start then as well.

[Teddie]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "great, I'll start then as well."

I will too I think. I’ve had to read a few not so great books as a beater, so it will be good to ge back to something fun :)

[Natalie]

I keep trying to update between quidditch and life. I started Saturday and only got about half a chapter in. Through chapter 4 now.

Also, I think I'll find it difficult to discuss this book without talking about the whole book, so spoilers possible for the whole book.

(view spoiler)[This starts off quick with the drama of Julie's friend going loup, Curran running in with cure that they split, and the plans to go to Europe. I am excited we get to see Europe changed by the shift. And I'm on pins and needles with excitement of all the drama of this book. (hide spoiler)]

Book 7 spoiler (view spoiler)[One thing I paid attention to on this reread so far is the role of the rats as I remember them being upset in the next book about their reduced role. They are used and the alphas are named multiple times, but they don't have a large role. Clan Nimble likely has the smallest role outside of the first two books, but based on what I understand of the clan dynamics, that's not unusual.

When I first read this book, I glossed over Curran cutting the rat representative at the last minute, but this time I was watching for it! (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Did anyone start book 7? I've been talking to myself on the thread over there...

[Silje]

Natalie wrote: "I keep trying to update between quidditch and life. I started Saturday and only got about half a chapter in. Through chapter 4 now.

Also, I think I'll find it difficult to discuss this book witho..."

This book is a definite favorite in the series.
(view spoiler)[Usually there is a murder to be solved or something attacking the city, but this time it is about their present and future kids. It hits closer to home, the need to protect the young ones.

You gotta give it to Hugh, he is a genius when it comes to planning and strategics. All that just in order to get a better look at Kate in order to evaluate her and test her.

I also appreciated that we left Atlanta for a change. Having a new scenery and shifters playing by different rules was bound to make things exciting (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Did anyone start book 7? I've been talking to myself on the thread over there..."

I just finished this one yesterday, might start 7 tomorrow or day after.

[Natalie]

I should start seven soonish. But likely not for a few days. I’m just getting back to this after quidditch.

Through chapter 11, but book spoilers as I can’t just talk about this book.

Lorelei (view spoiler)[ugh. This whole plot line. I forget, did Curran find out about her in that secret meeting on the ship, and decide then to play along? I had forgotten what he learned there. I did read this book assuming that Kate and Curran would stay together and he did have a plan, but this was super frustrating to read. (hide spoiler)]

Desandra (view spoiler)[love her. Mainly because of later actions, but I do love her. (hide spoiler)]

Christian (view spoiler)[ I want to talk so much about him, but it all needs to wait for a later book!! (hide spoiler)]

Hugh (view spoiler)[ so glad to have him back, but I’ll wait until I finish this to dive into my thoughts. (hide spoiler)]