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

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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

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RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 20TH
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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
Kate and the former Beast Lord Curran Lennart are finally making their relationship official. But there are some steep obstacles standing in the way of their walk to the altar…

Kate’s father, Roland, has kidnapped the demigod Saiman and is slowly bleeding him dry in his never-ending bid for power. A Witch Oracle has predicted that if Kate marries the man she loves, Atlanta will burn and she will lose him forever. And the only person Kate can ask for help is long dead.

The odds are impossible. The future is grim. But Kate Daniels has never been one to play by the rules…

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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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Are you ready for Magic Binds release? Were you one of the lucky ones to get an ARC? Tell us all 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 ******************

[Audrey Jane]

I'm more than ready! It's almost time, just a few hours sleep and I can finally buy this jewel :-)
Will post my thoughts here. Curious to read others opinions about this series. I hope we get to read more about Derek, Ascanio, Hugh and my personal favourite Desandra. I'm wondering if I'm forgetting someone

[Sonia]

I got till the half mark on the ARC and then had to stop because I was shouting at my tablet, cursing all writers in existence to make me feel that way and crying ugly sobs. Stupid thing is... It was the it may happen factor that put me in that state ...only my brain not the actual writing and happening part...

*rolls eyes*

Anyway... I mentioned to the publisher that I was scared to read the rest when I was setting the event and she told me not to be scared and read it.

Now I just need that RL let me follow her advise.

[Sonia]

According to bookdepository my copy is on its way... for 7 days now... living on the other side of the Atlantic sometimes sucks.

[Shannon]

Sonia wrote: "According to bookdepository my copy is on its way... for 7 days now... living on the other side of the Atlantic sometimes sucks."

I've had mine since release day, but it hasn't fit any of my wobble tasks yet......grrrr....maybe by the time you get your copy...

Fingers crossed. Fingers crossed. Fingers crossed

[Sonia]

It arrived last Friday!! Hence me disappearing... I'm quite pleased with delivering times this time... It usually takes longer

[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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[Kat (wanderfulbooks)]

I don't know but I'm still hoping Roland just don't know how to act normally as a father so he's doing things the way that stays true to his personality. He's like a kid pulling the hair of the girl he likes. I hope he and Kate form a father-daughter relationship. It's going to be hilarious!

[Kat (wanderfulbooks)]

~chapter 6

(view spoiler)[I think more than ever that it's a bad idea for Kate to keep a secret from Curran. He may not like the idea, but when push comes to shove, he can ne counted on. It would be better if they work together. Why is Kate suddenly doing the 'im powerful so let me do my thing' now? (hide spoiler)]

[Kat (wanderfulbooks)]

~chapter 9

Christopher just became my new favorite character! I can't believe the authors brought out this surprise just now! Now I want to see more of Christopher. The thing with these authors is every supporting character they introduce, I want a spin off for them.

[Kat (wanderfulbooks)]

~chapter 10

Can we get awesome (view spoiler)[family girl power now? And then maybe a family showdown where theyre all the good guys fighting some other bad guys? (hide spoiler)]

[Kat (wanderfulbooks)]

~chapter 13

I'm still not letting go of my wish for them to go into battle as a family. And yup, (view spoiler)[Aunt Erra rocks. Why do people forget that Kate is the guardian of the city and powerful enough to beat them all? By all I meant Jim and the Pack of course. (hide spoiler)]

[Linda C]

~Chapter 5
I'm always leery about the visions of the future. The Oracles are all negative. I know Kate will think of something, but I'm always amazed at what she does.

I was a little perturbed that everyone seemed so upset with Kate when she got aggressive with Roland at the beginning. I was all 'yeah' with her reaction.

[Kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Someone's finally here! ;)

I finished already, but waiting for people so we can talk about it.

[Linda C]

~Chapter 8

(view spoiler)[Just found out about Christopher - oh boy! Deimos, a god (hide spoiler)]

[Linda C]

I like that each step of a puzzle leads to another adventure. If you need something, you always have to do someone a favor first or fix something or clear a path; and everything turns into a monster to fight. Great complex storytelling.

[Linda C]

Kathleen wrote: "~chapter 9

Christopher just became my new favorite character! I can't believe the authors brought out this surprise just now! Now I want to see more of Christopher. The thing with these authors is..."

I have been reading every side story along the way. They add so much depth to the series without taking anything away from just reading the main volumes.

[Kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Linda C wrote: "~Chapter 8

[spoilers removed]"

Yassss!! After what he's been through, he needs more action! I mean more fight scenes with him being awesome pleaase.

[Linda C]

Well, I just finished it. Loved the big battle with everyone showing their stuff. Kate got a lot of soul searching moments in the book, figuring out her own moral compass. Plenty of action, character development, and some new characters to develop.
(view spoiler)[loved the twist with the body inscription (hide spoiler)]

[Kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Linda C wrote: "Well, I just finished it. Loved the big battle with everyone showing their stuff. Kate got a lot of soul searching moments in the book, figuring out her own moral compass. Plenty of action, charact..."

Yup, that was funny. I wonder how they're going to play that out too. I can't wait for the last book. I want to meet the son soon! A spin off would be great too.

(view spoiler)[Im nrevous whom the witches choose for Aunt Erra to temporarily use to ‘possess’ though (hide spoiler)]

[Linda C]

Did you see there is going to be a book with Hugh and Adora?

[Kat (wanderfulbooks)]

Hugh? Ugh, I hate him. A spinoff or a novella?

[Linda C]

Looks like it comes out on Kindle only at the end of June and is start of spinoff
see: https://smile.amazon.com/Iron-Magic-C...

[Kat (wanderfulbooks)]

So I guess they're not killing his character in KD #10 nor painting him as the bad guy wholl make a come back amd do bad rhings again. Still, Ilina Andrews so... on to the tbr it goes!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Team Sprout - starting now!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 1 - 3

(view spoiler)[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 himself.

I can't believe Julie is communicating with Roland and wants to become Kate's warlord. You would think seeing all the crucified people would cure her of that.

Gotta love the witches. The future sucks no matter what you do so figure out a way to fix it. That's is, not actual help - just telling Kate to fix it somehow.
(hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 4 -5

(view spoiler)[I don't remember what Kate's plan is, but needing the bones and blood of Erra doesn't make it sound good. Especially since she can't share it with Curran.

The dinner with the Mahon clan was sweet. I'm glad they get some moments of normalcy.
(hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Team Draco Malfoy. Starting today!

[Natalie]

Through chapter 5

(view spoiler)[Poor Roman, never being asked to officiate happy events. I love him then taking Kate to task about who was invited and how much she had planned and he had been telling people about his new role. Also love Envokia defending their decision to the other witches. So proud of her son :)

I know that Hugh is getting his own trilogy now (!) but I do hope they keep writing in this world. My top choices would be something about Nick, as annoying as he is, I'd like to read about him. Then Julie/Derek. Though they all have to survive one more book...

The Erra thing I had actually thought happened, well first in the seventh book, then the eighth. Clearly parts of this series got mixed up in my head. But I think I remember the result.

One thing I like that started in the last book and has continued is Kate FINALLY coming into to her own so to speak. The first few books is her being worried about being found out and hiding her power. Now she's being open about who she is and making jokes about having slaves :) I did enjoy that scene with Jim, though then he went and tried to break up the marriage.

But at least she's having some fun with it :) (hide spoiler)]

book spoiler(view spoiler)[I'm so excited about the upcoming Christian reveal!! (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Natalie wrote: "Through chapter 5..."

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

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 6 - 7

(view spoiler)[I'm glad Kate and Barbados made up and it is sweet he plans to stick around and tell her if she starts going down the wrong path.

Old lady hunting - not sure what she turned into, but since it took Kate, Derek, Ascanio and the deputy to put her down, it was something fierce. Poor Kate, trying to set Adora free and instead gets blamed for enslaving her.

I love that Roman sent a wedding invite to Roland and he is all, why does one have to choose between meat or vegetarian option? Is your intended too poor to put on a proper feast?

(hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 8 -10

(view spoiler)[Christopher can fly! The bargain with Roman's god was interesting. I love how Kate refused the bargain and then made it so the god would ask her for an option she was willing to do.

Poor Kate is getting a work out on her fear of heights this time around. I love Sugar and how cantankerous she is.

Kate's plan is in action. She escape Mishmar with an auntie Erra dagger.

(hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

Through chapter 8

(view spoiler)[
Roman is so much fun to read about in this book, so I agree I would be happy to read about him as well. I'll keep Nick and Julie/Derek as my top choices though. All the books!

I also loved the invitation and Roland taking offense to them not having enough food options. And then the wedding dress people just showing up and insisting on a fitting after Kate has been ducking them and Curran makes himself scarce to avoid her eventual blow up.

I wrote above about being happy of Kate coming into her power, and I do still stand by that, but I also enjoyed her talk with Barabas and concerns about her changing and that they would take her down. This book just gets me more and more excited for Magic Triumphs. (hide spoiler)]

One aspect of the world they mentioned, but I wish explored more is the belief of the people influencing the world around them. They mention it in one of the earlier books (1 or 2) in regards to the pope having mystical powers because people believing in him.
(view spoiler)[This book gives more examples as its how Roland and Erra gained their power and states that Beau could reap similar rewards due to his folk hero status.

Maybe it'll be explored more in some of the future books? (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

ch 11 - 13

(view spoiler)[
Loved the reaction when Erra showed herself. Curran and Derek colliding with each other through her ghostly body.

I can't believe Jezebel got turned by Roland. She sounded like Adora - wanting to die for the blood.

Kate finds out Roland wrote a love poem to her and her mother while she was in the womb, and because of it, he may die if she does and vice versa. That sucks.

Roman is determined this wedding is going to happen and he will officiate. He makes sure Kate makes decisions on cake and flowers. It is kind of funny, him being a wedding planner.

Kate's talk with her father was kind of heartbreaking. She is willing to forgive him everything if he will give up on ruling, but he can't.
(hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Natalie wrote: "Through chapter 8..."

Yeah, the belief thing is pretty interesting. I read a book about Greek gods in the modern time that was kind of based on that - Gods Behaving Badly that was pretty interesting.

[Natalie]

Something keeps going weird with my post from my phone. Maybe this one will work. The book above sounds interesting. I plan to finish today.

[Natalie]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[ I cannot wait for the last book. I’m still insanely excited for Hugh’s (tomorrow!!) but this as well.

We finally learn exactly who Christopher is and how he ended up in the cage. I was shocked the first time I read this. I enjoyed his character, but thought the panacea was the great part about Kate gaining him. One of my first thoughts on this reveal was that Hugh really fucked up. He messes up in other ways, but losing Christian to Kate is in my opinion, his biggest mistake.

I can see people wanting a Christian/Barabas book, but personally I enjoy seeing the little bits of their relationship through others eyes. I’ll still read if anything is written for them though. I’ll read anything by Ilona Andrews at this point.

There are a lot of great parts in this book and I’m having trouble picking out what to discuss. I’ll go with the battle and Kate fucking riding a fully shifted Curran wearing blood armor, prepared to kill her father and he runs.

Also Roman has a lot of great parts in this book, but I love his two final roles, being a badass battlefield vovhl and riding a dragon to officiating a long awaited wedding and doing a damn good job at both.

Oh, I almost forgot Erra. She was one of my many favorite parts of Magic Bleeds and I love having her back. I also love her view on what Roland (who she always calls Im) has done and why he needs to be stopped.

Forgot Jezebel. Actually I forgot she was the mole most of the reread. For some reason, it doesn’t stick. It was a shock the first time I read it, but I remembered before the scene this time.

Actual last thing. What is Kate planning with the witches…

Only a couple of months till we find out!
(hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Natalie wrote: "Finished!..."

(view spoiler)[Yeah, I really like Erra this time around. It is great for Kate to have a mentor. And Erra is so snooty and expecting people to treat Kate like royalty and is constantly disappointed.

I totally forgot about Jezebel as well, although I did wonder if she was similar to Adora after she died.

I love Dali but don't understand Jim. He was a jerk to Kate many times and she always forgave him, but he can't forgive anyone? If it wasn't the fact there really isn't anyone else to become Alpha, I would be fine with him dying in the next book - he's a jerk.

The final battle was amazing. Especially the scene with Kate riding Curran to kill her father. On the plus side, this bodes well for the next book.

Roman is the best and needs his own book!
(hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Thanks for reading and discussing with me Natalie!

[Natalie]

Nice reading with you as well.

(view spoiler)[
I forgot to mention Curran eating the cat god thing. Really wonder what's up with that and hope it gets addressed. (hide spoiler)]

[Shelby]

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

[Steven]

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

I just started, Shelby! :)

[Steven]

through chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ Love how Kate stands up to her dad to do the right thing, and she doesn't cater to his ego like everyone else. Love how she will go save Saiman even though in the last book, he didn't help her when she needed it desperately. Love how much Curran and Kate love each other. Love Roman and his defended house lol.

Curran or the baby dying in the visions is heartbreaking. It makes me dread the last book so much.

Roland is such a prick. Getting rid of Hugh better come back and bite him in the ass, hard!!! Hopefully this means Iron and Magic and its two sequels are a Hugh redemption arc. :) (hide spoiler)]

[Steven]

chapter 6 (view spoiler)[ damn the little old lady eating tiny animals and sucking their bones clean... that's creepy as all get out. (hide spoiler)]

[Steven]

chapter 8 (view spoiler)[ damn those Slavic gods are scary. And so is Christopher's Deimos form! Yikes!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Steven]

chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ Roland is going to rue the day he pissed off all the women in his family. They are going to KICK HIS ASS. Erra is badass. Ama is badass. Kate is badass. And they're motivated. Watch out Roland. :P (hide spoiler)]

[Steven]

chapter 11 (view spoiler)[ Oh man, I forgot about Jezebel and that she was probably one of the children raised to fight Erra and betrayed the pack the way she did at her end. So sad. I hate that. Roland has pissed off yet another woman in his family - Julie this time. Andrea isn't pleased either, obviously.

He's cocky to think that all these people who hate him can't come together and win. Pride comes before a fall. (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Steven wrote: "chapter 6 [spoilers removed]"

Super creepy!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Steven wrote: "chapter 11 ..."

(view spoiler)[I hadn't realized that he really only had female relatives around. I figure he probably pissed off his male relatives as well, but they aren't here to join up and fight. But yes, he is going to regret it, hopefully in the next book. (hide spoiler)]