Andrews, Ilona; Magic Binds (Kate Daniels #9);“Informal Buddy Read”; September 2016 **REVISIT** June 2018

[Steven]

Seriously, these books are like crack. I'm already at 90%. I've not done anything of value at work today. Just sneak read. LOL

[Shelby]

Lol - Once I finish the book I'm currently on, hopefully today. I'll jump into this one next.

[Shelby]

OK so I just pretty much power read that. Soooooo glad I didn't read it months ago with the next book not coming out till the end of next month. I need that in my hands as soon as possible, so yeah, definitely glad I don't have a long wait in between.

(view spoiler)[So this book has been a long time coming and well clash of the Titans it has started. I really enjoyed the way this book developed, Kate's secrets kept smacking her upside the head and yet Curran is and will always be her rock. Gotta admit I kinda love how she brought her aunt back to be her mentor and how many former "enemies" she's not go on her side. Kate really learned a lot about herself in this book. She's growing and figuring out exactly who she wants to be and it's awesome. I really wanted to shout out at Roland after the end of the battle, "Yeah you better run!"

I love the changes with Christopher and who he's becoming. Clearly some fun things going on there with Barbaras as well. Please tell me there's a book or novella coming out about the two of them. I'd be in heaven.

Julie is awesome and I love her and Derek's relationship. I just read their short/novella before starting this tonight and I can't wait to read more of these two. Especially when Kate's aunt is hinting at all sorts of crazy historical significance in Julie's background.

This is only the opening battle and I can't wait to see what happens next. The gauntlet is thrown and as much as Kate would love to have an easy relationship with her father that's not possible.

Finally I love Roman and his shenanigans with the wedding. He was a fantastic dose of levity and I could just imagine him as a yenta and cackling all the while. He's excitement was infectious at getting to finally be the one ordained to officiate the wedding. Awesome!

Side Note: I really wanted to smack Jim in this book. Love you Dali for making him not be a total idiot. Even though really he's being one. (hide spoiler)]

[Steven]

I want a Barabas novella too! And more Julie! And more Derek! And more Roman!

And I really think Dali could do way better than Jim. *sigh*

[Ora]

I just stated listening to this one.

I love Roman's reaction (view spoiler)[to Kate and Curran asking him to officiate their marriage. (hide spoiler)]

[Ora]

Shelby wrote: "OK so I just pretty much power read that. Soooooo glad I didn't read it months ago with the next book not coming out till the end of next month. I need that in my hands as soon as possible, so yeah..."

I love Roman too! (view spoiler)[Can't blame him for wanting to make this the best wedding ever. (hide spoiler)]

[Ora]

(view spoiler)[Wow, so much stuff I forgot from the first time I read it. I can't blame him for Hugh's punishment now. I think he should have given Hugh some guidelines when he was to bring Kate to him. It makes me wonder how Hugh would have handle things if he would have known his connection would have been severed if he tried to kill her.

I love Christopher. I'm glad he got his memory back and that he is watching over Barabas now. I forgot Christopher's feelings for Barabas. I hope there is more about their relationship growing in the next book, or at least a novella. (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Through chapter 5..."

Yeah, actually a book about Nick would be interesting, although Roman is still my top pick for a book."

I would love a spin-off for Roman!=)

[Silje]

Shelby wrote: "Is anyone still planning on reading this one? Was just going to get around to it. :)"

I started last week, hopefully someone is still around:P

[Silje]

Steven wrote: "chapter 8 [spoilers removed]"

They are really showing us some of the darker creatures in this book!

[Silje]

Ora wrote: "I just started listening to this one.

I love Roman's reaction [spoilers removed]"

He is really great. Such a fun, yet powerful character.

[Ora]

Silje wrote: "Shelby wrote: "Is anyone still planning on reading this one? Was just going to get around to it. :)"

I started last week, hopefully someone is still around:P"

I finished over the weekend. I forgot to come back and post. I will be around to chat with you.

[Cathy M.]

Started today & only got thru Chpt 3 so far -

(view spoiler)[Damn Roman! I take it he doesn't like visitors to his house hahahaha!! And loved his reaction to being asked to officiate their wedding. He's one funny character :)

Ugh Nick. But FINALLY understand why he hates Kate so much. They're like step-siblings! Besides the fact that he hates Roland. But Kate isn't her mother or father, & Greg made his own choice so to take it out on Kate is behind immature.

It's only been 2 years since I read this so am really surprised by how little I remember! Roland taking Saiman hostage really?!?! And the visions from the witches - if she marries Curran, he dies. If she doesn't, Roland kills their son. Horrible either way! (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 1 - 3

I love all the protections Roman has to get to his house and how thrilled he is being asked to marry Kate and Curran as his cousin usually gets the weddings.

Nick needs to get over himse..."

(view spoiler)[Yea I totally don't get that about Julie. She's heard the stories about Roland, has even been to dinner with him, so what does she think she's doing?!?!?! I thought by this book Julie knew about what Kate had done to save her & that if Kate gave her a command, she had to obey. Wonder if that comes out eventually... (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Silje wrote: "Shelby wrote: "Is anyone still planning on reading this one? Was just going to get around to it. :)"

I started last week, hopefully someone is still around:P"

I just started too so I'll be here!

[Silje]

Cathy M. wrote: "Started today & only got thru Chpt 3 so far -

Damn Roman! I take it he doesn't like visitors to his house hahahaha!! And loved his reaction to being asked to officiate their wedding. He's one fun..."

How is it the saying goes? Stuck between a rock and a hard place? I think that is a good description of Kate's situation concerning what the witches said.

[Ora]

Cathy M. wrote: "Started today & only got thru Chpt 3 so far -

Damn Roman! I take it he doesn't like visitors to his house hahahaha!! And loved his reaction to being asked to officiate their wedding. He's one fun..."

(view spoiler)[With as powerful as Saimon is, I get that Roland wouls wnat him.
I LOVE Roman!!! I would love to have a scene where he is able to brag to his cousin about it. (hide spoiler)]

[Silje]

Did anyone see this twist coming? The little surprise where Kate (view spoiler)[ resurrects the ghost of her aunt in order to ask for her help. Did anyone guess this was what she had in mind? I think it was a genius move by the author! I keep laughing out loud everytime her ghost pops up and scares the living s**t out of people=P (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Ora wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Started today & only got thru Chpt 3 so far -

Damn Roman! I take it he doesn't like visitors to his house hahahaha!! And loved his reaction to being asked to officiate their wedd..."

(view spoiler)[That would be funny to read! Especially with the characters from his family :P (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Thru Chpt 7 -

(view spoiler)[Andrea is so funny - she snuck out of the Keep & then went into labor. How sweet was it that they named her Beatrice Kate :)

Who is Teddy Jo? I can't remember him/her...

Now I get why Ora said that Roland was behind the Black Sea trip - he contacted Julie at that time & pretty much started training her. Julie has power words & can do incantations now!!! But she's playing a dangerous game & she may think she can handle it but I don't think she will be able to.

And wow, Kate! Holy crap, Kate's getting a little scary! That spat with Curran?!?!?! She may have been playing around but dang! She's really starting to come into her own now but she's going to need everything she can get to go up against Roland. Just have to keep faith that the people around her will be able to keep her in check.

Lastly, am reminded once again how unlikable Jim is. (hide spoiler)]

[Ora]

Cathy M. wrote: "Thru Chpt 7 -

Andrea is so funny - she snuck out of the Keep & then went into labor. How sweet was it that they named her Beatrice Kate :)

Who is Teddy Jo? I can't remember him/her...

Now I get..."

(view spoiler)[Teddy Jo is Thanatos, the angel of death in Greek mythology. He's in Magic Mourns and explains who he is. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Ora wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Thru Chpt 7 -

Andrea is so funny - she snuck out of the Keep & then went into labor. How sweet was it that they named her Beatrice Kate :)

Who is Teddy Jo? I can't remember him/..."

(view spoiler)[Oh, no wonder! I have not read that one. Need to go back when I have more time to read all the between books! (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Thru Chpt 10 -

(view spoiler)[Wow these last few chapters have been crazy! Action-packed, so much to do, so much to learn, bargains made. The slavic gods. Adora. Mishmar. It's almost non-stop!

Wow Christopher!!!! They lost me a little talking about the specifics of his transformation but he can fly! & he's pretty close to being a god (well, has a god inside of him)! Him remembering his past will hopefully help Kate later to defeat Roland.

Totally forgot that Erra is "back". & surprisingly likable. Probably because she's Team Kate this time around :) So Kate will finally get the help she needs, though she's been doing pretty good figuring things out these last couple books. But I'm so happy she'll get even more help from Erra (as it should've been!). It's going to be a fun conversation for Kate to explain Erra to everyone! (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Cathy M. wrote: "Thru Chpt 10 - ..."

(view spoiler)[Yeah, Erra is pretty cool this time around. She helps Kate, but is still a pain in her a$$ (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Thru Chpt 10 - ..."

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Maybe that's karma (Kate's been a pain to other people for years so...) :) Erra being a pain to Kate is hilarious! (hide spoiler)]

[Teddie]

Steven wrote: "Seriously, these books are like crack. I'm already at 90%. I've not done anything of value at work today. Just sneak read. LOL"

That is exactly how I read them - they are just sooo good!

[Teddie]

I would love a book/series on Roman. I love that he is high priest to a dark God, yet has a great sense of humor and lightness about him - and is a talented wedding planner to boot! Love that he (view spoiler)[ releases a murder of crows at the wedding, instead of doves. lol (hide spoiler)]

[Teddie]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote about Erra"

(view spoiler)[Erra reminds me, in this book, of an Eastern European babka, just in the way she's always slapping the back of Kate's head (in her ghostly way) when she says something Erra feels needs correcting. Erra is like a more concentrated Kate, not just in looks and ability, but also in her impatience for fools. (hide spoiler)]

[Teddie]

One of my favorite conversations in the book is between Kate and Roman, when they are sitting on her attic balcony.

(view spoiler)[Part of what makes Roman so interesting as an antagonist, is that he's hard to hate outright. Kate's points about the need for humans to be free to innovate and yes, to fail, are what keep humanity balanced and growing - these points are what keeps Kate Kate, despite all her power and heritage. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Teddie wrote: "One of my favorite conversations in the book is between Kate and Roman, when they are sitting on her attic balcony.

[spoilers removed]"

I loved that scene with Roland! The calm before the storm...

[Cathy M.]

Finished a couple days ago but haven't had a chance to comment.

(view spoiler)[Love how Kate has learned to harness her power! Earlier in the series I was a little frustrated that she was learning things so slowly. But she didn't have anyone to guide or teach her so it was understandable. Now with the addition of Erra (I freakin LOVE her!), she's developing so much more.

That last battle was craziness! Loved that she got the Order, Ghastek & the other navigators to join her & the shapeshifters for the battle. & Roland fled!!!!

What I don't get is it seems like Roland wants to live, wants to rule, so if the writing on her skin is true, then why would he even want to go to war with her? He knows the price.

I asked this before but not 100% on it. When Kate went to the Casino to ask the navigators to join her, Ghastek says to her that she knows his price. Kate thinks "The irony was that he already had what he was asking for." He's asking for immortality right? And does this mean she already gave it to him? She thought something similar after they escaped Mishmar but I wasn't sure because it was never plainly stated.

Lastly, the wedding was so sweet *sniff* Roman was an outstanding wedding planner. Who would've thought that?!

Wonder how the pregnancy with affect things with Roland. Wonder how she's going to handle being pregnant with what she does! Only 1 more month to go!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Silje wrote: "Did anyone see this twist coming? The little surprise where Kate [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Not at all! I actually forgot that happened so it was a pleasant surprise. She is everything I hoped for when she was 1st introduced in the series (& hoped that she would be to Kate what she is now). (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Cathy M. wrote: "Finished a couple days ago but haven't had a chance to comment...."

(view spoiler)[I though Ghastek's price was being first in command of the vampires, it has a special title, starting with a L (what Landon Nez is)?

I LOVE Roman! He totally needs his own book as he is a great character, plus he has all that crazy family backstory.

(hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Finished a couple days ago but haven't had a chance to comment...."
..."

(view spoiler)[You mean the Legatus of the Legion. He does want power but back in Book 7 when Ghastek & Kate were in the well, he said that he could be in the top ten of the Golden Legion but he chose not to go any higher on the chain. And then this scene:

"I just wanted life," he whispers. "I watched my mother die. She suffered. She suffered so much. I can't do that. I can't. I'm too afraid. I did all this because I wanted the Builder's gift. I wanted him to make me immortal."
He stares at me with deranged eyes. He doesn't really see me.
"Ghastek?"
"My name is Matthew." His voice is a feverish whisper. "If the Builder cares about you, if he needs you, he'll let you live forever. He won't let you die."
"I care about you, Matthew. Hold my hand. I won't let you die."

Then at the end at Kate's old apartment:
"Do you have it?"
"Have what?" Curran said.
He was asking if I had the Gift. The promise of immortality that kept people like him anchored to my father. I looked at the vampire. "You're alive, are you not?"

That made me think in that well, Kate did something to keep Ghastek alive, maybe even giving him immortality.

Then in this book:
"You know my price," Ghastek whispered.
"I know." The irony was that he already had what he was asking for. He was my friend. I already cared about him. I would already do whatever I could to keep him breathing.

That's why I asked the question, to make sure I read or interpreted that right. But reading them back to back, I do believe she did.

ROMAN! Before the re-read, all I remembered about him was his fight with Kate in the forest (their 1st scene together). I forgot how funny & lovable he is! I would totally be down with a spin-off of him (better than Hugh) :D (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Cathy M. wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Finished a couple days ago but haven't had a chance to comment...."
..."..."

(view spoiler)[Wow, every time I've read it, I assumed he wanted to be Legatus. But you show a lot of evidence that I was wrong. Very interesting as I can't imagine Kate giving him immortality, unless it was the only way to keep him alive in the pit. (hide spoiler)]

[Jane]

Ora wrote: "I just stated listening to this one.

I love Roman's reaction [spoilers removed]"

Yes, that's brilliant. (view spoiler)[It's clear nobody ever wanted the dark priest for a wedding before, but I think it's great Kate & Curran want it. I guess it's because they like Roman and think of him as a friend. (hide spoiler)]

[Jane]

Chapter 1-4

Roland: (view spoiler)[I didn't realise he had any contact with Julie at all, I can see why that's scary for Kate.

I'm not far enough yet to know why he has kidnapped Saiman but I understand Kate's reaction to his actions. It's a scary amount of power he lets loose when they argue. (hide spoiler)]

Andrea: I love this woman. (view spoiler)[Sneaking out of the keep
and then needing to get back because the birth suddenly starts. Hillarious. (hide spoiler)]

[Ora]

Jane wrote: "Ora wrote: "I just stated listening to this one.

I love Roman's reaction [spoilers removed]"

Yes, that's brilliant. [spoilers removed]"

Definitely. That is one of the things I love about Kate and Curran. Friends are so important to them.

[Jane]

Finished the book. Should have gone to bed ages ago but kept reading.

Dali: (view spoiler)[This was a re-read but I didn’t remember Dali being nearly killed. There was a while there I was really scared she was going to end up dead. (hide spoiler)]

[Jane]

There are several surprising things in this book

Christopher (view spoiler)[The God of Terror, oh dear and now the roles between Barabas and him has completely turned. So him saying he had forgotten how to fly was correct, lol (hide spoiler)]

She is back (view spoiler)[Erra is as bitchy as before but now she is teaching Kate like we wanted her to in the earlier book before Kate killed her. She is quite strong for a ghost so I hope she'll help Kate a lot. And she is pissed off at Roland because he is breaking so many of the ancient rules that he is not supposed to break. (hide spoiler)]

Kate and Roland: (view spoiler)[A bit of a Harry Potter reference here maybe? Kate can't kill her father without killing herself! But that's okay, they've used a Tolkien reference as well (hide spoiler)]

I'm really looking forward to the last book in the series next month, it is just sad it is the last one. Also hoping to read Hugh's book before then.

[Deanna]

Chapters 1 - 8 (I meant to comment earlier but the story sucked me in.

Kate - (view spoiler)[She is struggling on so many fronts. Having to deal with her father and not be able to help Julie is enough to make anyone cranky. Having to constantly be criticized by everyone over everything she does is too much. I think Jim deserved exactly what he got, but the argument with Curran after went a bit too far. (hide spoiler)]

Roland - (view spoiler)[Every new chapter brings a new horror: kidnapping, crucifixion, ... I wonder what he is trying to summon. My guess is the sacrifice of Curran or the baby does something to give Roland a better connection or control over the land. (hide spoiler)]

Roman - (view spoiler)[I love Roman, especially the "I'm just beloved by evil things" comment after the weird dragon kiss. I'm also really glad they picked him to officiate the wedding. He deserves to do something nice for a change. (hide spoiler)]

[Kat (wanderfulbooks)]

I loved Aunt Erra. Never thought I would ever think so but I really hope we get to see her more in the last book.

[Deanna]

Finished!

Erra - (view spoiler)[I never thought I would like Erra, but for all her faults she is an excellent teacher and strategist. I'm glad too that Erra was able to show her where her family came from. (hide spoiler)]

Curran - (view spoiler)[I thought he took Erra's return pretty well. I'm curious about eating the divine tiger and what that will end up doing in the next book. I love that he snuck her away from the wedding celebration. (hide spoiler)]

Roland - (view spoiler)[He's so good at manipulating that it never occurred to me he would be so horrible at strategy. What he did to the sarahus was horrible. I hope there aren't any more like him. (hide spoiler)]

Sugar - (view spoiler)[Sugar the pegasus was awesome. Kate always finds such interesting companions. I loved the way the pegasus was messing with her. (hide spoiler)]

I'm excited to see what happens in the final book!

[Deanna]

Kathleen wrote: "I loved Aunt Erra. Never thought I would ever think so but I really hope we get to see her more in the last book."

I agree. I enjoyed getting to know another side of her character.

[Deanna]

Jane wrote: "There are several surprising things in this book

Christopher [spoilers removed]

She is back [spoilers removed]

Kate and Roland: [spoilers removed]

I'm really looking forward to the last book in..."

Christopher - (view spoiler)[The god of terror part caught me completely off guard as well. I'm so glad he has his memory back and can actually fly. (hide spoiler)]