Andrews, Ilona; Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels #8);“Informal Buddy Read”; September 2016 **REVISIT** June 2018

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This topic is open for discussion of Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews.




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 synposis
After breaking from life with the Pack, mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate—former Beast Lord Curran Lennart—are adjusting to a very different pace. While they’re thrilled to escape all the infighting, Curran misses the constant challenges of leading the shapeshifters.

So when the Pack offers him its stake in the Mercenary Guild, Curran seizes the opportunity—too bad the Guild wants nothing to do with him and Kate. Luckily, as a veteran merc, Kate can take over any of the Guild’s unfinished jobs in order to bring in money and build their reputation. But what Kate and Curran don’t realize is that the odd jobs they’ve been working are all connected.

An ancient enemy has arisen, and Kate and Curran are the only ones who can stop it—before it takes their city apart piece by piece…

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EXPECT SPOILERS!
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[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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It's Kate Daniels month so we're revisiting old (and new) buddy reads.
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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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[Linda C]

I just finished this on 5/25

I was a little worried at the end of the previous volume about the new direction, but I shouldn't have been. Andrews has used the split with the Pack to focus each character with its essential qualities. Jim, Dali, Andrea, Raphael all have to step up to their new roles. Derek, George, Eduardo, Barabas, and Christopher all must find their true loyalties. Kate and Curran have to adjust to their new positions. Julie continues to grow. This was a book of realigning.

[Linda C]

The Guild and the Order have to discover their faults and their essence. Curran's taking over the Guild is perfect. Between the Guild and Cutting Edge there is lots of room for action outside of the tension with Roland. Leaves lots of room for future stories.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Team Sprout - ready to start whenever others are ready as well.

[Teddie]

I’m reading it now :)

Love how Curran says he’s fine with not leading the shifters, and likes just going out, killing a few baddies, and coming home. Kinda like if Elon Musk said he likes fixing a few cars here and there for people and that keeps him satisfied. Maybe for a few weeks, but you know the “simple life” isn’t going to last - Curran’s got ideas and won’t be able to help himself.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Teddie wrote: "I’m reading it now :)

Love how Curran says he’s fine with not leading the shifters, and likes just going out, killing a few baddies, and coming home. Kinda like if Elon Musk said he likes fixing a..."

so true

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 1 - 6

(view spoiler)[I love how everyone is still coming to Curran with their problems.

I think Curran is going to have fun with the Mercenary Guild. He definitely have plenty to "fix".

Holy Cow! What was that creature? The wolf-griffin was scary enough, but the insect creature it became almost killed them both. And why would it hate cats?

(hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 7 - 9

(view spoiler)[Ghouls kidnapping Eduardo is an interesting development. But I absolutely loved Kate chasing after Christopher (thinking he was walking back to The Keep at night) and learning Barbados and Derek have moved into the houses next door. And speaking of the neighborhood, the interaction with Heather (especially Kate's thoughts) was great. (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

Teddie wrote: "I’m reading it now :)

Love how Curran says he’s fine with not leading the shifters, and likes just going out, killing a few baddies, and coming home. Kinda like if Elon Musk said he likes fixing a..."

Haha, good point! Some people just can't help themselves:P

[Silje]

I planned on starting this yesterday but will have to admit defeat and start tomorrow. It is simply too much going on in RL right now, I haven't been able to keep up with my reading schedule at all:P

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 10 - 15

(view spoiler)[That giant fight was intense and Lago is a complete idiot for keeping the gold earring.

Oh wow! Mini strokes. Poor Kate. It is cool that the city (and all its people) helped keep Kate alive and start the healing process. And Kate pretending to forget Ascanio was hilarious.

Kate, Curran and Barbados taking over The Guild was a fun scene. But then Kate goes off with just Julie and ends up running into Lago who has the djinn and ends up kidnapping Rowena with Kate and vampires in pursuit.
(hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 16 - 19

(view spoiler)[I thought it was funny when Ghastek wouldn't let Kate fight the giant, so he left her and Julie with a vampire guard and of course Kate ends up killing the giant - and then they give her a bill for the cost of the vampire she used.

I can't imagine growing up with Mahon as a father. He is so old fashioned and doesn't seem to listen to anyone.

Dinner at Applebee's was AWESOME! First Julie emotionally blackmails Kate into letting her go and then Roland being all fatherly. Poor Kate.

(hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Silje wrote: "I planned on starting this yesterday but will have to admit defeat and start tomorrow. It is simply too much going on in RL right now, I haven't been able to keep up with my reading schedule at all:P"

It is so unfair when RL interferes with our reading plans...

[Silje]

A 100 pages in:

Haha I can't believe Curran (view spoiler)[ decided to agree to Jim's stupid suggestion about them taking over the mercenary guild just because Bob got big-mouthed. I suppose he is now doing it just out of spite and to put them in their place:P I don't think he can help himself! (hide spoiler)]

When I read this book the first time I had no clue that (view spoiler)[George and Eduardo had become a couple, I hadn't picked up on any hints in previous books (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Silje wrote: "A 100 pages in:

Haha I can't believe Curran [spoilers removed]

When I read this book the first time I had no clue that [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I think he saw a challenge (which is what he needed) and knew it was something he could improve (and wants improved for the eventual fight with Roland).

I still didn't pick up any hints about George and Eduardo on this re-read.

(hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 20 - end

(view spoiler)[What a surprise, a Knight of the Order succumbed and took the earring (just as Kate warned against) and now they need to save the world again. Luckily Mahon has come to his senses and Clan Heavy is in for the fight as well some Knights. Martha was amazing – I loved her running over the unicorns. Do NOT mess with that woman’s family.

We met Eduardo's real father and just in time as he had the means to contain the djinn. I hope he and Eduardo are able to have some sort of relationship. And interesting how it has given Kate an idea regarding Roland...

If Kate ever dies, she need a tombstone like Buffy's "She saved the world. A lot"
(hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Starting today. Team Draco Malfoy

[Natalie]

…So I started last night. And then kept going. And finished.

(view spoiler)[This is one that I remembered some of the plot points, but they filled in as I went.

I did enjoy the plot about Curran taking over the guild and peeping to whip it into shape. And to start earning him money which they kinda need right now with Curran’s 500 hundred acre woods :)

Also love Raphael planning to buy the remaining houses for shifters who want to live near the former Beast Lord. I feel it would be a double edged sword. On one hand, he, Kate, and the others are great fighters. But they also attract a lot of attention. I think I’d live elsewhere.

Also loved everyone talking about Curran not realizing he was right in front of them. Definitely brought back memories of the first book where he’s unknown to Kate and she can only speculate on what he’s like.

I hate the wolf griffin to scorpion spider thing. I had blocked that out and now it’s back. Hands down freakiest thing in their books.

And I do partially love that this all started because of a disgruntled neighbor. Kinda a parallel to Kate and Curran’s new life.

And we get some more Roland. Not a lot, but enough. I love the dinner at Applebee’s and that poor waiter. Hopefully they got a good tip.

I don’t remember any earlier developments of Eduardo and George in the other book, but they were never main characters. They’re allowed to have a life we don’t see. And I did enjoy them in this book. Especially all Eduardo’s work to make a life for them outside of the pack.

Oh, and my favorite. When Christian walk into Kate’s house and we find out their group has been moving into their neighborhood! I loved that! (hide spoiler)]

Plan to start Magic Binds tomorrow.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Great, I will join you in the Magic Binds re-read.

[Teddie]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 20 - end

(view spoiler)[Martha was amazing – I loved her running over the unicorns. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[Martha was great - loved Kate's comment about her being the Terminator - lol. I have to admit, it always throws me a bit when the author's use creatures I associate with positive traits as enemies - I was really put off by the weredolphins in the earlier book. I mean, couldn't they have used weresharks? :) (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Teddie wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 20 - end

[spoilers removed]

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[But weredolphins is just weirder than weresharks… (hide spoiler)]

[Teddie]

Kate battling...
(view spoiler)[ the giant almost killed her, even more than usual. When she told Curran she just wanted to go home to die, he was shocked. With every book, Kate is more badass, and seemingly invincible - I thought it was great that everyone was reminded that, though she is special, she is still mortal. And I loved that what saved her is the magic in the land she claimed, the land she is defending. (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 20 - end

What a surprise, a ..."

I find Nick to be an infuriating character. (view spoiler)[He stoically ignores any advice/comments if he doesn't find them useful and has, for reasons yet to be revealed, a grudge against Kate. It is obvious that part of it has something to do with Greg, but I hope we get to know exactly what is bothering him. He is also a typical badass; never apologizes when he has made a huge mistake! (hide spoiler)]

Since we never got to know Eduardo that well in previous books I feel that almost everything we get to know about him is a surprise. (view spoiler)[ For instance, we did not know that he had an Arabic father or that his known father had actually adopted him. (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

Natalie wrote: "…So I started last night. And then kept going. And finished.

This is one that I remembered some of the plot points, but they filled in as I went.

I did enjoy the plot about Curran taking over t..."

Haha, yes, the scene were Kate discovers that (view spoiler)[the "gang" has moved into all the houses around them is quite funny. I think that is one of the few times she is close to speechless (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

Teddie wrote: "Kate battling...
[spoilers removed]"

The scene where (view spoiler)[ Curran finally breaks and thinks that she might actually die and leave him is heart breaking! And Julie is so scared to be alone again...there is almost a whole chapter where I have tears in my eyes while reading. (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Silje wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 20 - end

What a surprise, a ..."

I find Nick to be an infuriating character. [spoilers removed]

Since we never got to know Eduardo that well in previous books I feel t..."

I’m also annoyed by Nick, but I also want to know more about him. I’d love a Nick book somewhere down the line.

[Steven]

Started recently. Will try to make notes on what to talk about. Hopefully some of you are still around :)

[Steven]

I'm up to about 30%

(view spoiler)[ I hope Eduardo is okay! I really can't remember these in detail. Glad I'm rereading before the final book.

I think I remember what is causing the weird copper/beautiful magic that Julie is picking up on. I think. Maybe. (hide spoiler)]

[Steven]

Also, ghouls are disturbing anyways, but even more so in this book where they are sentient too. Yikes!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Steven wrote: "Also, ghouls are disturbing anyways, but even more so in this book where they are sentient too. Yikes!"

True

[Steven]

Chapter 8 (view spoiler)[ Seeing George so upset is heartbreaking! They need to find Eduardo!

Also, did I mention that I love that people split off from the pack with them and are living in their neighborhood? I wish I had a whole street and forest with my friends all living together right there. *sighs* (hide spoiler)]

[Teddie]

I loved this aspect also. They are all a pack, even if they aren't all The Pack :)

[Steven]

Never been a huge fan of Jim but what he did in Chapter 11 really makes me happy.

[Cathy M.]

Thru Chpt 8 -

(view spoiler)[Dali doesn't get a lot of airtime but I so love her. How could you not love a half-blind vegetarian were-tiger! "Consort, you honor us." "Fuck you. Fuck your shit. I quit." :D

Hilarious how Kate found out Barabas, Christopher & Derek were her neighbors. I thought Derek had not left the pack with them, but glad that wasn't the case. And how sad was it when Barabas said that when Christopher found out he and Kate had left the pack, that Christopher wandered the halls crying. It's funny because when I read the scenes with Christopher, I picture him as a teenager though I know that's not the case.

I REALLY hope they find Eduardo & he's still alive! Thought he would've ended up with Keira after that trip, but then again, they haven't been main, or even prominent secondary characters so could not have guessed. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 1 - 6..."

(view spoiler)[I totally forgot that he takes over the Guild. But how will that work with Cutting Edge? They'll be competitors! Think Curran is perfect for the job though - just think what he did for the shifters. He knows how to lead, he knows how to manage, he knows how to get things done. He's perfect for the job. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Steven wrote: "Never been a huge fan of Jim but what he did in Chapter 11 really makes me happy."

I've never been a fan of Jim so I can't wait to get there!

[Steven]

Almost there! :)

[Cathy M.]

Steven wrote: "Almost there! :)"

(view spoiler)[It was very cool of him putting it through like that, especially on the sly without the other Council members being aware. But how cruel would it to have been to turn them away when Kate was dying, regardless of policy! (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Thru Chpt 13 -

(view spoiler)[Wow, talk about emotional!! Kate wanting to go home to die, how it was affecting Curran (pain/fear/grief while trying to keep it all in). Even though you know the outcome is going to be good, it still hurt & my eyes did tear up. I think it was also a turning point for Kate though. She learned that she could take magic from her city, which will help her in the future.

Loved how she played it with Ascanio - it was so funny! And Dali - damn, girl's learning to assert her dominance. Loved it! :D (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[Nick UGH. Thought I liked him when I started my re-read but he is so dumb! Kate warned him a knight would be too tempted by the earring but did he listen?! And what's with the arrogance & disdain for Kate? What is his deal? Was he related to Greg?

Oh my god, Applebees! But 1st the scene at Ghastek's with Kate threatening Roland, and then the picture Ghastek drew (butt with a bee, and then adding the leaf) had me laughing so hard :D Applebees is so ordinary you wouldn't expect Roland to pick something like that, but he is such a complex character, I don't really know what to make of him!

The battle with the djinn at the end was epic as always. Wonder if the box is what Kate will use to trap Roland in the end. Don't think she'll be able to kill him, though that could change depending on his actions in the next 2 books) so trapping him might be better. But he always seems to be a couple steps ahead so don't know how that would be possible. (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Cathy M. wrote: "Finished! ..."

(view spoiler)[Yeah, I want to like Nick, but he makes it so difficult. The Applebee's scene is pure gold! Here's hoping Kate can make a box to hold Roland. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Finished! ..."

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I don't see Nick changing any though, which is sad because they both dislike Roland & could be great allies! (hide spoiler)]

[Jane]

Silje wrote: "Haha, yes, the scene were Kate discovers that."

Yes, that is brilliant. (view spoiler)[She's so worried when Christopher turns up and when she follows him in bare feet when he says he is walking home again. I can just imagine the look on her face when she got across the road. (hide spoiler)]

[Jane]

Silje wrote: "A 100 pages in:

Haha I can't believe Curran [spoilers removed]

When I read this book the first time I had no clue that [spoilers removed]"

Just before he actually agrees (view spoiler)[to take over the mercenary guild he has just said he didn't miss being the Beast Lord but he did miss organising everything and keeping it running and it seems that he realised it would be quite the challenge and he needs that. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Chapters 1 - 12

Curran - (view spoiler)[Curran is having a lot of fun now that he's free of the pack. I imagine he is much happier being able to actually work with Kate and keep an eye on her. I loved his version of the meeting with the mailman even if it shows how much he has to learn about humans. I definitely think he is the best replacement for Solomon at the Guild and will probably do an even better job of managing it. (hide spoiler)]

Julie - (view spoiler)[I loved the scene where she asked for a new horse and the way Curran had her explain her reasons to form a solid argument. I'm intrigued by the copper color magic she keeps seeing, but I don't remember what it means. (hide spoiler)]

Kate - (view spoiler)[Kate needs to work out an agreement with the pack that allows her to continue to see Dr. Doolittle for healing. The ability to pull as much magic as she wishes from her territory even during Tech time is seriously frightening. I loved the commentary from one of the mercs about her horse being a huge donkey, her poodle changing into a massive wolf, and her boyfriend becoming whatever. She does do a fantastic job of collecting interesting misfits. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Cathy M. wrote: "Thru Chpt 13 - ..."

I agree (view spoiler)[the scene where she asks to go home and Curran's pain are heart breaking even knowing she can't possibly die because there is still half a book to go. As much trouble as Ascanio has caused her, he totally deserved the feigned amnesia response. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Cathy M. wrote: "Finished ..."

Nick - (view spoiler)[I thought maybe Nick was taking his anger for Ted blowing his cover out on her. She is also the daughter of the Order's number one enemy, so that puts her solidly in the not a human camp. At any rate the Order's well known arrogance is still alive and well. I remember the question of relationship with Greg was raised, but I don't remember it being answered. (hide spoiler)]

Ghastek - (view spoiler)[Poor Ghastek! The drawing had me cracking up laughing. I think he did an excellent job of redeeming himself in the giant battle even if Kate had to finish it off. (hide spoiler)]

Box - (view spoiler)[I'm having a hard time imagining the box would work for Roland. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanna]

Finished!

The Guild - (view spoiler)[That meeting was hilarious. Of course Curran was behind everything, but he managed to make it look like it was Kate's idea, and he was just one of the guys who wanted to see everybody succeed. (hide spoiler)]

The second giant- (view spoiler)[I thought Kate deserved credit for not truly taking on the second giant. She chased and through the killing blow, but still the rest was just advice. Julie drove the car, and Ghastek's vampires did all of the physical work. Nick was arrogant and idiotic. (hide spoiler)]

Djinn - (view spoiler)[I loved the whole ghoul/djinn magical theory. It seemed like the evil djinn was really powerful and well known. I wondered if Roland knew him or stories about him that he didn't share. (hide spoiler)]

Kate and Curran - (view spoiler)[I loved how they were working together for the whole story. They make a great team. It's makes this my favorite story in the series. (hide spoiler)]