IAAA - Ilona Andrews Addicts Anonymous: Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years & Other spinoffs (December 2024)

[Diana Stormblessed]

Marie wrote: "I found Magic Gifts has dramatized audio on Hoopla so I went for it. Don't really like dramatized audio as it can easily miss the tone mark but this one is pretty enjoyable. There is actually quite..."

I agree. I don’t like graphic audio usually but it was the only way I found this one in audiobook form and it wasn’t bad.

[Charlie]

Marie wrote: "I am almost done re-reading Gunmetal Magic and remembered that Magic Gifts comes first and it made me somewhat uncomfortable to read out of order lol. Like why is the novella included at the end of..."

I read Gunmetal then gifts and my brain freaked out when I realised it was out of order. Things HAVE to be in order for me.

[Charlie]

Marie wrote: "Also forgot to leave my comments on Gunmetal.

..."

Ascanio and Roman were (view spoiler)[ perfect! They really shone in this I think in a way I hadn't considered them before. They definitely made an impression. Ascanio really is sweet, I like his mom a lot. (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

Marie wrote: "I found Magic Gifts has dramatized audio on Hoopla so I went for it. Don't really like dramatized audio as it can easily miss the tone mark but this one is pretty enjoyable. There is actually quite..."

I really liked this because it was very 'episode of the week' in feeling and I enjoy that. Kate and Curran just milling about the keep, doing their business, fixing people's petty issues. I'd read a whole book of that. Which is basically Innkeeper Chronicles, Dina runs the Inn and keeps the guests happy, it's a format that really works for me.

[Charlie]

Nirkatze wrote: "Magic Tests #5.6 Nice getting some Julie POV [spoilers removed]

..."

Enjoyed Magic Tests, (view spoiler)[ wasn't too deep, I always like Julie. I'm glad she has friends now though! (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

Sorry for the comment dump, I haven't had a chance to go online in a few days and my brain keeps skipping about with thoughts.

Reading Retribution Clause now and I'm not into it. Don't know why but I keep doing that thing where my brain is just skipping over the audio and I have no idea what's happening so I have to go back.

Also, speaking of reading things in order, I think after this I'll read An Ill-Advised Rescue before book 6, because chronologically it goes first (apparently??), and I just don' think I can do out of order.

[Nirkatze]

Nothing wrong with a good comment dump, @Charlie!

I just had a similar issue with reading order.. I thought I was doing so well and now I find I missed a few shorts... >.<

Tracked down #6.5 Magic Steals today. Had to laugh at this quote:

Big Alpha Man does not stay in car. Big Alpha Man has big hairy chest! Or something like that.

I like Dali (view spoiler)[but I want to either shake her or give her a big hug and tell her that she is valuable and worthwhile!! I'm glad that Jim tells her so--and redirected her obsessions to focus on her assets rather than demerits. I also like the conversation her mom had about beauty. The people around her are doing the right thing... just hopeful that eventually Dali will be able to smother that little voice in her head. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I just assumed you were skipping the short stories for some reason...

[Nirkatze]

Got the Graphic Audio of Magic Gifts from Hoopla. Agree with what y'all're saying, the radio drama-style adaptation was decent. (view spoiler)[My favorite part of the plot was the aspect with the little kid--though they had to jump a lot of hoops, like a scavenger hunt almost, to find a way to save him... Ghastek telling Kate how she knows nothing of undead was funny. Since I'm reading these out of order (grrr!) I already had some satisfaction from that.

I see a little of the assholery y'all've mentioned about Jim here... though that scene where he and Curran essentially forced Kate to take on the Guild problems made me rather mad at both of them. And it was hard to tell who was talking. I feel like I don't have a great sense of the Guild--did Kate work as freelance mercenary under their auspices with Jim before she worked for the Order? Kinda wish we had some backstories from that time.

The ending was great justice--the woman getting a ring that aged her up right proper. And the boy getting to live with his grandparents is sweet. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Jim & Kate were with The Guild for a long time... Kate became a Guild Liaison to The Order in book 1, as an excuse for the Order to kinda employ her... as a result, The Guild doesn't feature much in the series, except to show her making some quick money in the early chapters of books 1-4... by book 5, she has her own Agency, and has learned that The Pack is a SIlent Partner of The Guild, because (view spoiler)[Solomon Red was secretly a shifter (hide spoiler)]

Not much else happens with The Guild except what happens here in 5.4/5.6, until book 8...

[Nirkatze]

Was Solomon Red (view spoiler)[one of the people who died during the plague? I kind of remember that... (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Nirkatze wrote: "Was Solomon Red [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Erra entered the guild, grabbed Solomon Red, jumped down to the ground floor, I think, and speared him to the wall when he declined... he ran The Guild, and was secretly illiterate... (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Okay, I do remember that--same book, different circumstances... I think? They're all starting to blend together...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Symptom of reading so fast, I guess... we're almost done with the main KD series now... home stretch... then we move to The Edge, their first PNR series and a bit different... then to other UF/PNR hybrid series that can kinda feel similar to KD but full of great characters/moments...

Can't wait to reach the ninja ferrets (not gonna tell you what book that is :D )

[Marie]

As much as I love KD, I can't wait to finally read the other series for the first time. And the new KD stuff I haven't read yet ofc.

[Charlie]

Nirkatze wrote: "Nothing wrong with a good comment dump, @Charlie!

I just had a similar issue with reading order.. I thought I was doing so well and now I find I missed a few shorts... >.<

Tracked down #6.5 Magic..."

Exactly, poor Dali, She needs to give her head a wobble!

[Charlie]

@Iain, Marie and NIrkatze, it's all starting to blur together a bit for me too at this point but I am thoroughly enjoying it. All hail Kate, queen of chaos :D.

Can't wait for the ninja ferrets!

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Yea... IA /Ilona Andrews are great at piecing together myriad mythologies, creating enjoyable characters, and demon pets :D

Reading #8 Magic Shifts last night and today... still not my favorite entry in the series, but has some good worldbuilding and developments...

[Diana Stormblessed]

Nirkatze wrote: "Nothing wrong with a good comment dump, @Charlie!

I just had a similar issue with reading order.. I thought I was doing so well and now I find I missed a few shorts... >.<

Tracked down #6.5 Magic..."

So last night I was reading another series and it made me think of Dali. I can't remember the line but the MMC was looking at the FMC and thinking that she wasn't beautiful. And he wanted so very much anyway. And I was thinking that's what the Dali books need. If she's not knock down gorgeous Jim shouldn't have to tell her she is. She should be able to be lovable without being beautiful. I think it's a better message than to have Jim have to constantly feed her insecurities. Not everyone is going to be a supermodel. Books, especially the ones focused on romance, need to do a better job of making that ok.

[Nirkatze]

There was a conversation in #6.5 where the mom talks to Dali about how beauty is a symptom of love, not the cause--that by the time her father died, he was bald and pot-bellied and was the most beautiful man she had ever seen, and her heart filled with love every time she looked at him. @Diana--would that fit what you're looking for? That's the conversation I appreciated...

Also really looking forward to ninja ferrets. Though that's making me think of the furry fox merchants in the Innkeeper series.

[Diana Stormblessed]

Nirkatze wrote: "There was a conversation in #6.5 where the mom talks to Dali about how beauty is a symptom of love, not the cause--that by the time her father died, he was bald and pot-bellied and was the most bea..."

Yes I remember that. That I love. I just wish Dali wasn’t so beauty obsessed. I understand it. It just doesn’t mark a strong character for me.

[Diana Stormblessed]

Also, I read all of the On the Edge books and do not remember ninja ferrets. But it’s been like 10+ years lol. Looking forward to the reread.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Also, I read all of the On the Edge books and do not remember ninja ferrets. But it’s been like 10+ years lol. Looking forward to the reread."

(view spoiler)[Ninja ferrets is Hidden Legacy #2, White Hot (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "There was a conversation in #6.5 where the mom talks to Dali about how beauty is a symptom of love, not the cause--that by the time her father died, he was bald and pot-bellied and..."

Dali's most badass moment for me is in book 8, when Kate explains the concept of "or else blank"... and Dali just says (view spoiler)[there's no or else, do what you're told... (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Yes I remember that. That I love. I just wish Dali wasn’t so beauty obsessed. I understand it. It just doesn’t mark a strong character for me."

Very much agree...

Timelord Iain wrote: "Dali's most badass moment for me is in book 8,..."

LOL why does that sound to me more like something her mother would say?

[Charlie]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "So last night I was reading another series.. >.<

..."

I absolutely agree with this. It's okay if you're not stunning, Kate isn't, her face isn't why Curran wanted her and it's not why he loves her now. More of this message is absolutely needed!

[Charlie]

Reading book 6 Magic Rises now. Up to chapter 12 (view spoiler)[

We've just met Christopher and oh bless his heart! I just want to rescue him and make him okay. Hugh is such an ass. Great set up here because I end up loving Hugh in his book so to make me thoroughly hate him then turn it around is super skilful.

Curran as just started playing his games with the blonde and urgh I'm so mad at him. He's not communicating wit Kate it's not fair, she has earned his trust. He needs scissors in his moment.

I actually really feel for Desandra. It doesn't matter that she's not likable, no-one is on her side. Except now she has Kate. She is growing 2 people, she's scared and alone it really sucks. Her dad can go die in a fire. I can't remember what happens to him but I hope Curran kills him before they leave. Or even better, I hope Desandra does it!

I'm really enjoying his book so far, lots to think about and lots of feelings. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Charlie wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "So last night I was reading another series.. >.<

..."

I absolutely agree with this. It's okay if you're not stunning, Kate isn't, her face isn't why Curran wanted her a..."

It doesn't help that book covers trend to prettier and prettier / more and more symmetrical women / more and more photoshopped women... I think the original KD covers were more in-line with the in-book descriptions than the newer covers...

[Charlie]

I noticed that too. Though in general, UF covers are awful and I never thought the Kates ones really worked for the series. I much prefer the Innkeeper Chronicles covers, they're beautiful.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

The Innkeeper covers definitely benefit from alot of input from the authors, since it's a self-pubbed thing, and the art was commissioned for the website before the story was traditionally published...

[Charlie]

Middle of chapter 14 of Magic Rises and wow, what an ass Curran is and what a huge ass these shifters are. Yes, Kate is human, she still deserves some respect! (view spoiler)[

Lorelai needs the scissors.

I'm also glad Desandra showed Kate how clever she truly is, mad respect for her.

Also, the mystery monsters are really cool, if horrifying. I can't remember which pack is to blame for them but excited to find out.

I don't understand why either pack would attack Desandra though, she carries their children! (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "The Innkeeper covers definitely benefit from alot of input from the authors, since it's a self-pubbed thing, and the art was commissioned for the website before the story was traditionally publishe..."


I think authors should have a ton more creative control of covers than they do. It seems like unless you're a flagship author like Sanderson, you don't get to make the decisions. Which sucks.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Charlie wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "The Innkeeper covers definitely benefit from alot of input from the authors, since it's a self-pubbed thing, and the art was commissioned for the website before the story was ..."

Sanderson has control because he's practically self-published these days... he still does some stuff through Tor, I think, but he has in-house artists/etc with Dragonsteel Entertainment... and does alot of stuff in-house like the leatherbound editions that others do through Subterranean Press...

[Diana Stormblessed]

Honestly I ignore the covers. They never look like described.

[Charlie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Sanderson has control because he's practically..."

True, like when he wrote the secret projects sold millions of copies all on his own then sold them to his publisher. I guess when you're that successful you can set your own terms.

[Charlie]

Finished Magic Rises! (view spoiler)[ Aunt B!!! I remembered she died but not how horrific it was. She never had a chance. She sacrificed herself for the pack, but mostly for her unborn grandbabies. I'll never forget it. All hail aunt B, I think she was my absolute favourite character out of all of IA's characters honestly. I think we should petition for a Aunt B spin off, get some novellas of her life leading the boudas.

Oh and Christopher! Bless his soul, He's such a sweetheart. No wonder Hugh was pissed to lose him, if he can make panacea. (hide spoiler)]

[Tonari no Emily]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Also, I read all of the On the Edge books and do not remember ninja ferrets. But it’s been like 10+ years lol. Looking forward to the reread."

[spoilers removed]"

Oh man, I completely forgot about those till your reminder... And those are pretty recent reads for me.. Guess I'm gonna reread them anyway xD

[Diana Stormblessed]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Also, I read all of the On the Edge books and do not remember ninja ferrets. But it’s been like 10+ years lol. Looking forward to the reread."

[spoilers removed]"

Missed your response. I read that book as well and still don’t remember the ninja ferrets 😂 I’m obviously due for this reread.

[Marie]

Finished Magic Rises
(view spoiler)[While the whole thing with Kate being kept out of the loop was annoying, I think there was a purpose to the madness. I think it really raises questions about Kate and her status in the pack as a non-shapeshifter. Things that had to be addressed. The insecurities that she had to face. It really solidifies her belonging to the core group. It could have probably been done in a less annoying way, though.
But the way it's resolved was satisfactory I suppose. Like acknowledging that they would both do things that are not ok for the sake of protecting the other. Even if it meant the other would walk away after that.

The moment Mahon supports her is so good.

Midway through the book, I noticed that Lorelei has a similar voice/accent to Samantha from DCC and I could not un-hear it anymore 🤣

Funny the moment Curran gives her the ring box and she doesn't trust it lol. (hide spoiler)]

Magic Tests
Always nice to have more expansion to the world and POVs. Idk why Brook talks like she has full nose all time time, though. Was hard to understand. (view spoiler)[I loved that Yu Fong made a reappearance. (hide spoiler)]

Retribution Clause
Another cool expansion. Made me think that a story from the time of the the first magic wave happening would be cool if probably very dark. Like following someone that found out they have magic powers and how people were dealing with the changes.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Smidge early, but I've started Magic Binds, #9... on reflection, this is the best book in the series, in my opinion... it's just jam-packed with amazing moments from beginning to end... if I didn't know better, I'd think the series was designed to make this book awesome, but it really wasn't... I know the series was originally only sketched out as 7 books... and so many decisions were made early in the series that allowed things to play out the way they do in this book...

This is my 3rd/4th/5th read of this book, and I still love everything about it, basically from the opening scenes, when they (view spoiler)[go to Roman and make his the officiant in their wedding (hide spoiler)] and it only gets better from there, as they (view spoiler)[deal with the monthly Pack/People meetings, Roland, Roman decides he needs to be their wedding planner, the Witch Oracles get involved, and the race to save the wedding/world escalates... (hide spoiler)] and it's only gonna get better through the middle, as decisions are made and revelations are revealed...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

70%: And now I can talk about most of the stuff I've been keeping secret since books 1-4... namely (view spoiler)[that Erra returns as a mentor to Kate (and Julie), Christopher is an Avatar for Deimos, the Greek God of Terror (and just now fully actualized, in response to fearing that Thanatos was coming to Reap Kate)... (hide spoiler)]

Another few percent, and I can talk about the rest of the lingering mysteries / secrets: (view spoiler)[the spy in The Keep (view spoiler)[Jezebel... a real blind spot in the investigation... they focused on the spy knowing Pack Council stuff, and forgot that Jezebel & Barnabas follow Kate everywhere and know tons of pack secrets (hide spoiler)] and the Words of Power inscribed on Kate's baby body (view spoiler)[preventing Roland from easily killing her, and explaining that he was secretly stuck in a weakened state in book 7 when she was starving in Mishmar, and the real reason Roland got angry enough at Hugh to exile him... speaking of Hugh being exiled, this is the impetus point for Hugh's trilogy of books starting with Iron & Magic, that we're reading next... Iron & Magic 2-3 haven't been written yet, but #2 is supposed to be starting soon) (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Finished Magic Steals
This one has quite a good mystery story and some good humour.(view spoiler)[The curse feeding off very different fears was a really cool idea. Especially the car coming to life. (hide spoiler)]

As previously discussed the mother talking about what beauty really is was a good touch and I think that's what Jim means when he calls her beautiful. You can be aware that your partner is not someone considered beautiful by others, but they can still be beautiful to you.

[Tonari no Emily]

Read Magic Breaks a few days ago. Definitely the best one yet for me! Couldn't put it down. (view spoiler)[ I really liked the evolution of her relationship with her adopted father played out... Slowly realizing he had his own motives to train her to try to kill Roland.. Mostly for revenge on her mother... And she decided to make a logical decision instead of something that was literally trained into her since birth...

Ghastec and his background was very interesting too. I liked there little bonding moment being imprisoned in that water..

Also I'm getting really excited we actually get to see Roland now who was only a monster in the dark before this! (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "..."

Roland: (view spoiler)[I think Tom Cruise would make a good Roland... he has that strong charismatic nature, but some hidden manicness like the old couch jumping clip, and some Scientology clips of zealotry, and he can lash out in anger... there was a video during covid where he just went off on some film crew for screwing up covid precautions and risking having the production shutdown...

I'm sure there are other people who could do it, too, that's just who came to mind...

For actual book stuff, Roland will definitely play a bigger role going forward and it's super enlightening... (hide spoiler)]

[Tonari no Emily]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Tonari no Emily wrote: "..."

Roland: ."

Ooh that's (view spoiler)[ a good cast! Especially since Hollywood does magic to make him appear taller lol (hide spoiler)]

[Diana Stormblessed]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Tonari no Emily wrote: "..."

Roland: I think Tom Cruise would make a good Roland... he has that strong charismatic nature, but some hidden manicness like the old couch jumping clip, and some Scien..."

Roland is described as Arabic features and a very father figure look. Like you can look at him and you immediately feel like you want him to be your dad. That is NOT how I’d describe Tom Cruise 😂

[Tonari no Emily]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Tonari no Emily wrote: "..."

Roland: I think Tom Cruise would make a good Roland... he has that strong charismatic nature, but some hidden manicness like the old couch jumpin..."

Ahh also a good point xD

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Tonari no Emily wrote: "..."

Roland: I think Tom Cruise would make a good Roland... he has that strong charismatic nature, but some hidden manicness like the old couch jumpin..."

According to Hollywood, Emma Stone is Asian... and Tom Cruise is 6ft 6 inches... descriptions don't matter :D

[Diana Stormblessed]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "Tonari no Emily wrote: "..."

Roland: I think Tom Cruise would make a good Roland... he has that strong charismatic nature, but some hidden manicnes..."

One of the worst things about Hollywood book adaptations lol

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

If you want a more accurate cultural casting, Erra = the actress the plays Avasarala in The Expanse…