Kate Daniels read-through

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I've read about a half dozen Baba Yaga stories in UF/PNR, I think... that's kinda what I like about kitchen sink UF series... you can draw on knowledge from other series to a certain extent...

[Choko]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "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..."

I did too, growing up! I used to love being terrified by them:)

[RuinEleint]

I apparently had not read the short story Magic Tests before. Thats 5.3. Also read another short story Magic Gifts, which was pretty great.

Now I am reading 5.5 Gunmetal Magic - the Andrea and Raphael novel and I have a problem (view spoiler)[ So I just finished Chapter 12, where Anubis blackmailed them into going after Epap. But I have a problem with this - given how protective Curran is of the Pack and how hostile Kate is to any forms of coercion, if Andrea got word to them would they not simply kill both Anubis and Epap? Because they could. Kate's magic is powerful enough and combined with Curran she is unstoppable. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Arkadeb wrote: "I apparently had not read the short story Magic Tests before. Thats 5.3. Also read another short story Magic Gifts, which was pretty great.

Now I am reading 5.5 Gunmetal Magic - the Andrea and Ra..."

Isn't the general premise of Gunmetal Magic that (view spoiler)[Curran & Kate are busy with the vikings and the unkillable giant? (hide spoiler)]

It's been awhile, but I assume that is used to sweep any inconsistencies under the rug...

[Elinor]

#2 chapter 10 : (view spoiler)[I love Bran. I didn't remember him, but I do love him. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

5.5 Arkadeb, Iain is right... Also, (view spoiler)[ Andrea is not a member of the Pack yet. That is the big point of contention.. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

2, Bran is awesome! 😀

[Miche]

Choko wrote: "2, Bran is awesome! 😀"

I love Bran.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

There is only one Bran... and that's Bran Cornick

[Diana Stormblessed]

Iain wrote: "There is only one Bran... and that's Bran Cornick"

I like Kate Daniels' Bran better actually.... I have some serious issues with Bran Cornick.

[RuinEleint]

Finished 5.5 Gunmetal Magic

Both Iain and Choko were partially right

(view spoiler)[ Kate and Curran are busy with the Draugr, but they do get involved later, in fact so does the Draugr.

But, I was also correct in my general assessment of Pack policy towards Anepa - they did kill him.

Overall, I liked Gunmetal Magic more for Andrea getting her head straight and finding her place in the Pack than the conflict. I always find the final battle to be a bit messy. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I was kinda joking... I didn't really care about either enough to have too much of a preference before... but the stuff in the newest Alpha & Omega book about Bran/Mercy was kinda weird... so maybe I agree now...

[Elinor]

I do prefer Kate Daniels' Bran as well ^^ not so much of a fan of Mercy's (but of course when I saw his name was Bran I was like "hum this name does ring a bell" ^^

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I like Mercy well enough... I like Anna more...

[Elinor]

I think I prefer Mercy over Anna but that's because I've read more books with her and I'm really attached to her. But I really love Anna too, I feel really close to her.

[Virginie]

You guys are talking about Mercy Thomson and Alpha & Omega, right? I need to read those series eventually...

[Diana Stormblessed]

I read the first Anna book. I hated it. Couldn't continue.

[Diana Stormblessed]

Virginie wrote: "You guys are talking about Mercy Thomson and Alpha & Omega, right? I need to read those series eventually..."

Yup.

[Diana Stormblessed]

25% into Magic Slays. Think I was supposed to read Magic Gifts before this one. Oops. It'll be next. Anyway, not a real spoiler but (view spoiler)[ "Young, dumb, and full of cum" is going to be my new go to description for teenage boys. (hide spoiler)]

[Miche]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "25% into Magic Slays. Think I was supposed to read Magic Gifts before this one. Oops. It'll be next. Anyway, not a real spoiler but [spoilers removed]"

😂😂😂😂😂

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "25% into Magic Slays. Think I was supposed to read Magic Gifts before this one. Oops. It'll be next. Anyway, not a real spoiler but [spoilers removed]"

I'm over halfway through Gunmetal Magic (#5.5), and the scene where drunk Ascanio... (view spoiler)[ is in the police station?... "and then I said fuck you in a polite voice." (hide spoiler)]

lol

[Diana Stormblessed]

Book 5: Not a spoiler but I just want to say that there is no version or borsht that has mushrooms in it. Ever. No. Just no. Ilona, I'm disappointed in your attempts at Russian food.

[Diana Stormblessed]

I find it really cute that there's at least one or two Princess Bride references in every single book.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Clearly I need to read it... altho I think I know what you're talking about, for the most part... didn't Roman make a reference in Gunmetal Magic?

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I finished Gunmetal Magic... didn't like this one as much, this time... moved right on to Magic Rises...

I WILL go back and read all the short stories... I just have to do it on my Kindle, so it's slow going compared to audio time...

I think I missed the scene where (view spoiler)[Kate and the Pack go down to the Mercenary Guild and show dominance... (hide spoiler)] or is that still to come in book 7? It might be in the short story connected to Gunmetal Magic... that wasn't included in the audio...

[Diana Stormblessed]

Iain wrote: "Clearly I need to read it... altho I think I know what you're talking about, for the most part... didn't Roman make a reference in Gunmetal Magic?"

Haven't gotten to Gunmetal Magic yet. Will start it tomorrow. Need a day break between books I think. I'll let you know when I get to it. So far there's been at least one or two in each book though ;-)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Iain wrote: "Clearly I need to read it... altho I think I know what you're talking about, for the most part... didn't Roman make a reference in Gunmetal Magic?"

Haven't gotten to Gunmetal Magic ye..."

(view spoiler)[Hugh (hide spoiler)] makes one in #6, I think... drives Kate crazy...

[Diana Stormblessed]

Iain wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Iain wrote: "Clearly I need to read it... altho I think I know what you're talking about, for the most part... didn't Roman make a reference in Gunmetal Magic?"

Haven't ..."

Probably cuz that's her thing with Curran.

[Miche]

I am reading Gunmetal now. It lacks the charisma from the main series.

[Diana Stormblessed]

Miche wrote: "I am reading Gunmetal now. It lacks the charisma ftom the main series."

I'm not as interested in the non-Kate Daniels POV side stories. They're def missing something.

[Miche]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Miche wrote: "I am reading Gunmetal now. It lacks the charisma ftom the main series."

I'm not as interested in the non-Kate Daniels POV side stories. They're def missing something."

They are.

[RuinEleint]

I read Magic Rises - Book 6. Forgot to post about it

So, this book is regarded as somewhat controversial, and with good reason (view spoiler)[ Doesn't matter how many times I read it, Curran's decision to not tell Kate always comes off as wrong. It smells of that manipulative attitude he had in Book 5. Frankly, he should have told Kate, they should have gone on the attack from the beginning. A bit of antagonizing of Lorelei would have lured her into a challenge, Kate would have killed her, they could have concentrated on the principal issue. Also trying to shelter Kate from death threats makes no sense using Curran's method. He was barely with her during the book - if somebody had wanted to kill her he would not have been able to stop them. (hide spoiler)]

[alicat ♡➹♡]

Jumping in here for one last re-read before #10 comes out... this is one of my favorite series. I can't believe it is ending!!

[Diana Stormblessed]

Arkadeb wrote: "I read Magic Rises - Book 6. Forgot to post about it

So, this book is regarded as somewhat controversial, and with good reason [spoilers removed]"

I agree. I really didn't like this book as a lot of it's plot came from (view spoiler)[ the cliched failure to communicate trope. It's one of my pet peeves in a book. And a reason why I didn't love Wheel of Time. (hide spoiler)]

[RuinEleint]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "I read Magic Rises - Book 6. Forgot to post about it

So, this book is regarded as somewhat controversial, and with good reason [spoilers removed]"

I agree. I really didn't like th..."

On the other hand the (view spoiler)[ Kate vs Hugh sword duel was one for the ages. (hide spoiler)]

[Elinor]

Welcome to the re-read alicat ! Now I won't be the last one (or at least I won't be for a few days because you might still very well get ahead of me ;p)

[Diana Stormblessed]

Arkadeb wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "I read Magic Rises - Book 6. Forgot to post about it

So, this book is regarded as somewhat controversial, and with good reason [spoilers removed]"

I agr..."

Also agree. :-) (view spoiler)[ I seriously love Hugh and all of his scenes. I can't wait to read his spin off book. He's what made book 6 bearable. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I will start book 6 tomorrow - it will be my first time and I am so excited!!!

[alicat ♡➹♡]

#6 was so much better for me the second time. (view spoiler)[I still want to slap Curran upside the head for making assumptions about Kate's ability to handle all the information (hide spoiler)]

[alicat ♡➹♡]

Choko wrote: "I will start book 6 tomorrow - it will be my first time and I am so excited!!!"

/wave Choko!!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Yea... agreed about book 6 on re-reads... I LOVE the end sequence in #6... so badass...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "I read Magic Rises - Book 6. Forgot to post about it

So, this book is regarded as somewhat controversial, and with good reason [spoilers ..."

Hugh/Elara are great... so you should love it if Hugh was your shining beacon... I've seen a lot of people kinda angry with how much they loved Iron & Magic, since they went in thinking there was no way to stop hating Hugh for his actions to Kate throughout the KD series... I think Niki said it was the best Ilona Andrews book she's ever read...

[Diana Stormblessed]

Iain wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "I read Magic Rises - Book 6. Forgot to post about it

So, this book is regarded as somewhat controversial, and ..."

I love him because of how evil he is. I'm anxious to get through Gunmetal Magic so I can start on book 6. Keep chugging along. Trying to read other books between these though to try to keep up with my regularly scheduled buddy reads.

[Miche]

I just finished Gunmetal Magic. It was ok. Too much Andra and Raphael, lol. I loved the scenes with Roman and the ones with Kate.

Even if I found it just ok, I am glad I read it, because it explained a lot of what being a First means.

[RuinEleint]

Iain wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Arkadeb wrote: "I read Magic Rises - Book 6. Forgot to post about it

So, this book is regarded as somewhat controversial, and ..."

I think Iron Magic was pretty good, especially Elara but IRON MAGIC SPOILER (view spoiler)[ I think they seriously watered down Hugh to change him from a protagonist into an antagonist. I think the Hugh of books 6 and 7 is sadistic. That aspect of his character really did not come through. Violent, arrogant, screwed up, yes. But not the darker aspects. (hide spoiler)]

[Em Lost In Books]

I have always liked Hugh even if he's the bad guy here. I so wanted his book and the author duo wrote it and somehow managed to outdo ( Iron&Magic spoiler) (view spoiler)[Roland in magic department. It was a huge shock to me, Roland scared and he just disappeared! (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Elara has a real (view spoiler)[Eldritch Horror / Cthulhu (hide spoiler)] vibe...

And I kinda agree with the comments about Hugh, doing this reread and refreshing my memory... I think we're supposed to write it off to his (view spoiler)[Roland-starved bender (hide spoiler)]

[Elinor]

Finished #2 Magic burns and it was awe-some ! this epic end-battle... then this cute end of the epilogue... On to #3 !

[Diana Stormblessed]

My reread of this series has stalled. Need to catch up with my other buddy reads. Next up for me is Gunmetal Magic. Hoping to get to it by the end of the week.

[Em Lost In Books]

Is it too late to join this BR?