Kate Daniels read-through

[RuinEleint]

Finished Magic Mourns. Lot better than I remembered it to be.

[Diana Stormblessed]

Arkadeb wrote: "Iain wrote: "I finished book 4... doing some side-reads now while I wait for you guys to catch up... this is probably the book I remember most vividly... [spoilers removed]"

Probably my favourite ..."

Mine, too. I love book 4 the most, then I think book 3.

[RuinEleint]

15 chapters into Magic Bleeds

The Kate Curran quarrel is very typical for them (view spoiler)[ They both think they have good reasons to be very angry. Both of them are too proud to actually make a move. Both of them are clearly burning up inside.

I love the battle poodle! (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I'm a fan of supernatural pets, in general... Grendel... the one in Innkeeper Chronicles... Brody Hawaii in Call of Crows... etc...

[Diana Stormblessed]

Iain wrote: "I'm a fan of supernatural pets, in general... Grendel... the one in Innkeeper Chronicles... Brody Hawaii in Call of Crows... etc..."

And Mouse. Let's not forget Mouse. I love a good doggie sidekick :-)

[Diana Stormblessed]

Oh, and Oberon. A pnr series always gets better with a paranormal doggie companion.

[Elinor]

Just finished chapter 2 of Magic bites (better late than never ;p) and I do remember who is the baddy : (view spoiler)[Bono who is actually the upiri he gave the article to Kate about (hide spoiler)]. That villain did make a vivid impression on me when I read this book for the first time so (view spoiler)[I immediatly remember it was him when I saw his name ^^ (hide spoiler)] I don't remember the next ones that much fortunatly.

[Diana Stormblessed]

Elinor wrote: "Just finished chapter 2 of Magic bites (better late than never ;p) and I do remember who is the baddy : [spoilers removed]. That villain did make a vivid impression on me when I read this book for ..."

I read the first one such a long time ago that I didn't even remember who the bad guy was even though it was a reread. :-P

[RuinEleint]

Magic Bleeds

Chapters 16-18: At last! (view spoiler)[ I had been waiting for this moment for so long! Also it really is absolutely perfect that their first night of sex started of with Curran breaking into Kate's flat in lion form and Kate trying to kick his head off. Also I found it very funny the way they sensibly stopped for condoms! (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 22-25 (view spoiler)[ Kate finally has that frank talk with Curran. I generally consider this talk, the last part of this book and the talk in Magic Rises to be the three pivotal points in their relationship.

Also pack politics... enough to drive anybody insane (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Arkadeb wrote: "Magic Bleeds

Chapters 16-18: At last! [spoilers removed]

Chapters 22-25 ..."

These chapters are why I recommended people wait to read the Curran POVs until after book 4-5, since I didn't remember when they happened... (view spoiler)[since we learn that Jim did a bunch of research, based on comments from previous books, and developed a dossier that revealed all this info to Curran during book 3, I think... and that dawning realization was feigned, I guess... (hide spoiler)]

[RuinEleint]

Iain wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Magic Bleeds

Chapters 16-18: At last! [spoilers removed]

Chapters 22-25 ..."

These chapters are why I recommended people wait to read the Curran POVs until after book 4-5, since ..."

Yep. I think he was waiting to see how and when she would come clean to him.

[Diana Stormblessed]

Iain wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Magic Bleeds

Chapters 16-18: At last! [spoilers removed] ..."

(view spoiler)[I liked the condom thing. I liked that she's mentioned it before. Like she's planning for this. She knew it was going to happen. And she doesn't need any more Roland blooded babies in the world. (hide spoiler)]

[RuinEleint]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Iain wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Magic Bleeds

Chapters 16-18: At last! [spoilers removed] ..."

[spoilers removed]"

I think these were leftover from the (view spoiler)[ dinner that never was? Because Kate repeatedly points out how she has not had sex in years, and I think that it was pretty conclusively demonstrated during the Crest episode that she never really made herself available (hide spoiler)]

[Diana Stormblessed]

Arkadeb wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Iain wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Magic Bleeds

Chapters 16-18: At last! [spoilers removed] ..."

[spoilers removed]"

I think these were leftover from the [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[They were. When she was mad at him and bitching him out over the dinner than never was she mentioned that she even bought condoms for that dinner. I don't mean that she knew it was going to happen after a grand ol' chase, just that she knew she was going to eventually sleep with him. She bought those condoms specifically with him in mind. 😍

But also, considering they screwed 7 times in that one night, I'm hoping she bought an extra large box (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Iain wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Magic Bleeds

Chapters 16-18: At last! [spoilers removed] ..."

[spoilers removed]"

I think these were leftover from the [sp..."

That line about how (view spoiler)[lions can have sex 200x per day was hilarious... and Curran's response... (hide spoiler)]

[RuinEleint]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Iain wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Magic Bleeds

Chapters 16-18: At last! [spoilers removed] ..."

[spoilers removed]"

I think these were leftover from the [sp..."

Oh yes! (view spoiler)[ She practically screamed at him that she had bought condoms. And later she said that it was good thing they had an entire box. Otherwise the Beast Lord would have been out at 2 AM shopping for condoms (hide spoiler)]

One thing the Curran PoVs helped me to understand was (view spoiler)[ the actual nature of the distraction that kept Curran away. On my first series read I thought that given Mahon's opposition to Kate, he had sent bears to challenge Curran. But actually it was a very serious incident. Mahon did however deflect Kate and not pass on the message (hide spoiler)]

[RuinEleint]

Iain wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Iain wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Magic Bleeds

Chapters 16-18: At last! [spoilers removed] ..."

[spoilers removed]"

I think these..."

And that little factoid was probably taken from the book Kate was reading at the end of Magic Mourns

[Diana Stormblessed]

Arkadeb wrote: "Iain wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Iain wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Magic Bleeds

Chapters 16-18: At last! [spoilers removed] ..."

[spoilers removed]"

..."

Well, she did say she needed it for research 😂

[Miche]

I just finished book 9 (Magic Binds) and it was AWESOME!

I am so looking forward to Magic Triumphs!

[Diana Stormblessed]

Miche wrote: "I just finished book 9 (Magic Binds) and it was AWESOME!

I am so looking forward to Magic Triumphs!"

Fastest binge read ever! Go Miche!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

The ends of 3/6/9 are my favorite battle sequences...

[RuinEleint]

Finished Book 4 Magic Bleeds and the Curran PoV collection.

Those last chapters... (view spoiler)[ That battle is always awesome to read - I think this battle is the most strenuous one that Kate has to face till Book 8.

But its what happens after - firstly I think the only reason Kate did not die was because her aunt bled on her and she absorbed some magic. She was bleeding out from a hole in her side for 3 hours.

Secondly, the entire sequence of her watching over Curran and holding off the Council - her dramatic entry into the chamber - it never fails to give me chills. The Council always makes me so angry - I really had expected more of Jim, after what Kate did in the arena in the last book and the Curran waking up is such sweet sweet payback. But this sequence is seriously incomplete without the Curran PoV story as well. Frankly I think he went too easy on them.

Also I think this is the point when SPOILER WARNING FOR LATER SERIES EVENTS(view spoiler)[Curran's trust in the pack is broken and I think it is at this point that he begins planning an exit from the pack. He is an all or nothing kind of guy and their proof of shallow loyalty was enough to seriously anger him. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Also finished Magic Dreams. I always forget about this one.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I agree, it definitely plays into the change of heart in book 7-8, considering the opinions in book 3-4 on the topic... but you might hide that in another layer of spoiler tags for the first timers...

[RuinEleint]

Iain wrote: "I agree, it definitely plays into the change of heart in book 7-8, considering the opinions in book 3-4 on the topic... but you might hide that in another layer of spoiler tags for the first timers..."

Done.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I read Questionable Client yesterday, and it left me with some questions about the volkhvi... they'll be more coherent after I read book 5, I think...

[Elinor]

Finished Magic bites (view spoiler)[Well I had quite good memories about the porch scene with Bono and all but I didn't remember it not being the final battle, didn't remember the crusader was in this volume. (hide spoiler)]
Except for small "oh but I know who is the baddy there is no fun" around page 50 or so, I really really enjoyed this book once more.
Now on to Questionable Client !

[Elinor]

Done with A Questionable Client, it was really cool ! I loved Kate in this one. I hadn't read this one before and I really enjoyed it.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I've decided... this isn't a Buddy Read... it's a Buddy Binge :D

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Elinor wrote: "Done with A Questionable Client, it was really cool ! I loved Kate in this one. I hadn't read this one before and I really enjoyed it."

I agree... cuts out most of the backstory involved in a book and just shows cool monsters and Kate dealing with them...

[Virginie]

Iain wrote: "I've decided... this isn't a Buddy Read... it's a Buddy Binge :D"

Definitely. I usually comment after a few chapters. Here, we comment after a few books xD

[RuinEleint]

Finished Magic Slays

Phew!

I primarily regard this book as important because (view spoiler)[ I think Kate worked out one very important relationship issue - her power and its effect on Curran. In this book Curran saw that Kate's power was not just limited to cool combat applications, but it could also have much more sinister overtones. That he saw it and did not run away was a pretty big milestone.

Secondly, the whole issue of whether Curran was using Kate strategically was finally cleared up - I think that part when Curran talked about safehouses and leaving the Pack was the single strangest moments of Kate's life because it was the first time since her mother died that anyone was prepared to sacrifice everything for her.

(hide spoiler)]

[Miche]

Iain wrote: "I've decided... this isn't a Buddy Read... it's a Buddy Binge :D"

Ops. I might have started that. lol

😂😂😂😂

[Elinor]

I started Magic Burns and I think I kind of remember a few things... but I'm not fishing for them because I just want to enjoooyyy the fun adventure :)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Arkadeb wrote: "Finished Magic Slays

Phew!

I primarily regard this book as important because..."

I agree... this book has more implications later on (view spoiler)[when you learn all the things that have been going on behind the scenes since then, in books 8/8.5/9 (view spoiler)[ in regards to Roland/Julie/Jezebel (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Diana Stormblessed]

Iain wrote: "I've decided... this isn't a Buddy Read... it's a Buddy Binge :D"

Basically :-)

[Diana Stormblessed]

Can I make a request, all of the books have such similar names that I keep getting them confused. If you're going to post about a specific book, can you also include it's # in the series?

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Can I make a request, all of the books have such similar names that I keep getting them confused. If you're going to post about a specific book, can you also include it's # in the series?"

I'm constantly running book searches, because I think we're talking about book 4, but it's book 3 or 5 instead...

[Diana Stormblessed]

Iain wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Can I make a request, all of the books have such similar names that I keep getting them confused. If you're going to post about a specific book, can you also include it's..."

Ditto. I never know if it's safe to click on a spoiler cuz I don't remember if I read that one yet :-/

[RuinEleint]

Iain wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Finished Magic Slays

Phew!

I primarily regard this book as important because..."

I agree... this book has more implications later on [spoilers removed]"

Oh yes, so many implications Spoiler for book 8 and 9 (view spoiler)[ I can barely look at Jezebel without thinking of that event (hide spoiler)]

[RuinEleint]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Iain wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Can I make a request, all of the books have such similar names that I keep getting them confused. If you're going to post about a specific book, can you also..."

Noted. Will include Book number from now on. Currently finished Book 5

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I'll be doing book 5 soon... finishing up Steel's Edge atm...

[Elinor]

#2, chapter 9 : (view spoiler)["You won't get my kid, you hear me ?" (hide spoiler)] <3 <3 <3

[Choko]

I love her protectiveness toward Julie, but also for all those she considers friends!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Reading book 5 now, reached the mediation thing, where Alphas solve conflicts: (view spoiler)[I'm glad the Jennifer thing resolves itself eventually... it's a tiresome plotline on re-reads, even as I KNOW the rationale... Jennifer is hurt by things Kate largely had no alternatives about doing... (view spoiler)[and it's only going to get worse, until Desandra shows up... (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Gregori: (view spoiler)[this is what confused me about Questionable Client... how many Gregori volvs are there in Atlanta?... cause I thought the one in the novella died... (hide spoiler)]

[RuinEleint]

Iain wrote: "Reading book 5 now, reached the mediation thing, where Alphas solve conflicts: [spoilers removed]

Gregori: [spoilers removed]"

Maybe its a very common name? Like John?

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I'm sure it is, actually... it's just that authors usually try to avoid possible confusion like that... I think Ilona is of Russian descent...

[Choko]

Yeah, she is Russian. I love that she geys so much of the Slavic Fairy tales lore in her books. And yes, this is probably top 3 names in all Slavic countries...

[Choko]

Iain, I think the one that died in the first novel was totally different dude...

[Diana Stormblessed]

Arkadeb wrote: "Iain wrote: "Reading book 5 now, reached the mediation thing, where Alphas solve conflicts: [spoilers removed]

Gregori: [spoilers removed]"

Maybe its a very common name? Like John?"

It is. It's just russian Greg. It's not that uncommon and there can be a few.

[Diana Stormblessed]

Choko wrote: "Yeah, she is Russian. I love that she geys so much of the Slavic Fairy tales lore in her books. And yes, this is probably top 3 names in all Slavic countries..."

I like being able to point to her stories and thinking, I remember those from when I was a kid! Like Baba Yaga. I think I have a whole book of Baba Yaga stories in my parents basement lol