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

[Diana Stormblessed]

Timelord Iain wrote: "If you want a more accurate cultural casting, Erra = the actress the plays Avasarala in The Expanse…"

I think she’s too old. She’s in her 70s now isn’t she? I always thought of these immortals as being early 40ish appearance. But yes, she’s Persian so if she were like 30-40 years younger she’d be 🔥 for it.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Yea I know… de-age her

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Or make her the grandma in Mishmar

[Diana Stormblessed]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Or make her the grandma in Mishmar"

Oh that’s a great one!

[Choko]

Just finished Magic Slays#5 ... What I loved about it was ... (view spoiler)[ The introduction to her mother's side of the family! The Russian contingency is no joke! Baba Yaga as a relative, as well as the priests of both Chernobog and Belobog is a lot of chaos to inherit! Love Roman though:)))

Agree with you guys, her finding out her mom had bewitched Voran in order to keep her safe and he was acting against his will, devastating! Her whole personal mythology was destroyed in that moment...

I didn't like Curran's video of him destroying Saiman's cars!!! I hate how everyone stronger feels they can just intimidate my Frost Giant shifter! I know he is selfish and pompous and a pain in the ass, but he is not a threat to anyone in Curran and Kate's lives, so he should stop it!!!

The Lighthouse people - it was like listening to some of today's ultra conservative people! It is a hatred so deeply ingrained, that it is completely reasonable in their heads ... No matter what you say or what actual evidence is presented, their minds will never be changed... So many people dead for no reason at all! It is heartbreaking... I am glad Shane got his own though!!!

Julie, maaaaannmn, that was some horrible stuff... And to think it started so light and fun with the cute 15 year old Sex Fiend Bauda! So glad Kate figured out a way to deal with it and was able to get it done. I do wonder how it will go with Julie in the long run...

Curran is a bit too pushy for my taste still... I hope she trains him to share in the relationship as it progresses... (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "If you want a more accurate cultural casting, Erra = the actress the plays Avasarala in The Expanse…"

Yes! I love her so much, she is a phenomenal actress!

[Charlie]

Marie wrote: "Finished Magic Rises
While the whole thing with Kate ..."

I think that (view spoiler)[ when Mahon went on that speech about how she's not a shapeshifter, she'll never understand them, but she's one of them anyway and he'll always support her... that was perfect and really got me in the feels! (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Charlie wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "If you want a more accurate cultural casting, Erra = the actress the plays Avasarala in The Expanse…"

Yes! I love her so much, she is a phenomenal actress!"

I first saw her as the wife/mother of an accused (maybe actual) terrorist on 24 in the early 2000s... didn't think much of her, but she has a very distinctive voice...

Over the years I've seen her in other things tho, and agree she's phenomenal...

[Charlie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Charlie wrote: "Timelord Iain wrote: "If you want a more accurate cultural casting, Erra = the actress the plays Avasarala in The Expanse…"

Yes! I love her so much, she is a phenomenal actress!"

..."

I first saw her in 24 too! I remember she played Beruit's mum. She was good in that but really phenomenal in the expanse, she's my favourite character in that world.

[Charlie]

Audible UK doesn't have Magic Steals (Dali book 2), is it ebook only?

[Marie]

I think that the only audio version is as part of the anthology Night Shift. I see it available on Libby and Hoopla, but not on Audible.

[Charlie]

As nightmare, my library doesn't use those apps, we use Borrowbox and the audiobook and Ebook selection is super small, small Northern English town library unfortunately. I have the ebook I'll just have to eye read it.

[Nirkatze]

I read #8 Magic Shifts the other day and really enjoyed it. (view spoiler)[I loved seeing our favorite pack members pretty much leave for Curran... and Jim is starting to show some ass-hattery...

I'm glad I read the shorts with the Merc stuff in it... seeing that rise up again--was pretty satisfying seeing them all act stupid and then get comeuppance.

The curse was really interesting... I was totally eyeballing the neighbors for it too... the djinn/family connection was also interesting... (hide spoiler)]

And now I'm really hoping I didn't mush three books into one there in my memories... they really are all starting to bleed together on me... if I don't comment immediately after reading I have no idea which one I'm really writing about...

Also--I so much love Shoreh Aghdashloo!! She's probably my favorite actress... Her and Michelle Yeoh... talk about kickass older women...

How about Pedro Pascal for Roland? He does great father figures... Not right region ethnically but he can act it.

[Charlie]

Pedro Pascal for Roland - interesting choice! I feel he could do bad guy really well too..

[Diana Stormblessed]

Pedro Pascal for anything so I def don’t hate that casting choice lol

[Charlie]

I can just imagine him calling Kate Blossom :D.

[Nirkatze]

So far in the series it'd be a small role for Pascal though... I'd only want to watch the scenes with him in them. Just cast him as all the guy roles. He can do it.

Who would y'all cast as Curran? Kate?

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I have no idea for other characters... I'm not usually one for fancasting books...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I re-read Iron & Magic over the weekend... #9.5... Hugh's book...

(view spoiler)[Hugh's a character that's easy to hate before going into his book... but I think Ilona Andrews did a good job of making him likeable here, while retaining his character, and not retconning too much... most of the stuff they fiddled with is stuff they were already fiddling with in character conversations in books 8-9...

Also, they really setup Ascanio for these scenes, with his growing maturity in books 7-9, compared to where he started in book 5...

I love the opportunity to explore Landom Nez, and how even Roland doesn't fully understand his blood/magic, after all these millennia... and Elara as a character... glad the authors are finally returning to continue this side trilogy, because there's still so much we don't know about Elara & her people... (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

As expected Magic Breaks is still amazing and might still stay my favorite of the whole series. So much happens there. (view spoiler)[I must confess I have always been partial to hidden power reveals and some of the reactions to Roland being Kate's father were really funny. Landon just needed a minute lol. Then the shaman ninja came out of nowhere.

Also, Beau might not had much page time but he saved the day.

Robert talking about how Kate is not ruthless enough made me think. I don't think Curran is necessarily different when it comes to saving one life over risking many or himself. Jim thought might be the ruthless leader they wanted... (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Beau Clayton could have his own series :D

Jim = be careful what you wish for...

[Diana Stormblessed]

I’m fancasting the guy who plays Hopper on Stranger Things as Beau Clayton.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

David Harbour

[Nirkatze]

Harbour is a great character actor, for sure!

I just finished 8.5? Magic Stars and really enjoyed it. (view spoiler)[I wasn't expecting Derek to be the narrator since it's listed as "Julie's story", so that was a nice surprise! He's my favorite of the shifter guys... the only one who doesn't have a heavy streak of alphahole... and my heart goes out to him, with his belief that everything he reaches for turns to dust... I wouldn't mind seeing him and Julie date, but do agree that 16 is too young for 20... 21-25 would be better...

Interesting that Julie is taking lessons from Roland... he's essentially her grandpa... and I think there was mention in the previous book that they'd been talking? Does this overlap, or between? (hide spoiler)]

On to the next one...

[Charlie]

My memory is a bit hazy so until I catch up i'm not going to open all your spoilers.

Haven't had a chance to eye read Magic Steals yet so jumped straight into the audio of book 7 this morning (Magic Breaks).

About an hour in - (view spoiler)[ There's just something so comforting about this series. Took a break for a week or so and now I've jumped right back in and feel at home.

I loved that little snippet for Barabas’ diary. Poor guy, he’s very long suffering, being Kate’s babysitter must be exhausting. I think he’s one of my favourite characters. A novella from his perspective, trying to clean up Kate’s blunders would be great fun.

So Curran needs to go out into the woods to meet with a family that has been selling silver to Rowland… how about NO! This does not seem safe, like at all.

Also, Ascanio, bless him, I love him. I know he’s super annoying and impulsive. That’s why I love him. He is going to prematurely age Kate. Though I think he’s good for her, it helps her practice her patience under stress, helpful when working with shifters! The bunny kitty sounds horrifying and adorable all at once. I agree with Ascanio though, unnatural little beastie. (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "
Magic Breaks - I love binge reading these books cuz I can notice and laugh at small details I would have forgotten had it not been an..."

I love Kate and Desandra too! Desandra's explanation to Kate of her long term plan to get the wolves to beg her to take control of the pack... Absolutely genius and I am so rooting for her. Despite her evil plotting, I really do think she'll be a great leader.

[Narilka]

I started Iron and Magic last night. I can see how awesome this would be as read in the right spot with the full series to really have that impact of (view spoiler)[Hugh being cut off from Roland. I'd forgotten as it's been a couple years since I finished KD.

Seems we have the perfect "enemy to lovers" set up, awkward wedding included lol (hide spoiler)]

Possible spoiler for KD9 above. I'm through Ch 4.

[Nirkatze]

Charlie wrote: "My memory is a bit hazy so until I catch up i'm not going to open all your spoilers.

Haven't had a chance to eye read Magic Steals yet so jumped straight into the audio of book 7 this morning (Mag..."

Ascanio is also a great opportunity for Kate to practice parenting skills... him and Julie both--but in different ways... I'm surprised Kate has any hair left by that point in the series.

[Diana Stormblessed]

I’m still on Magic Shifts cuz I can only get them in eye read format now. Chapter 9 - I always liked Saiman but he’s kind of a dick here.

[Charlie]

Nirkatze wrote: "Ascanio is also a great opportunity for Kate to practice parenting skills... him and Julie both--but in different ways... I'm surprised Kate has any hair left by that point in the series.
.."

Haha I know! Poor Kate. Those kids are her punishment from a past life a I swear.

[Nirkatze]

I just finished #9.5 Iron and Magic yesterday. It was fun, but I think I just need to resign myself to (view spoiler)[putting up with relationships that thrive on antagonism through this series and author... While I enjoyed the banter between Hugh & Elara, I did not enjoy it as a precursor for a relationship... it just made me uncomfortable. Then again, Curran made me really uncomfortable at the beginning... and while I'm still not fully comfortable with him, I do like him better. I think this kind of "romance" just makes me uncomfortable in general.

The setting of a castle and a magic community felt really different from the Kate books... if it weren't for the magic/technology waves and the random connections, it'd feel like a completely different series... Felt almost feudal in its setup.

I liked the conversation about the constrictions of budget v. needs of safety... and that it's not a conversation easily solved. I do wish that they talked more than just insulted though, and actually resolved some of their issues--and there must be ways for the Iron Dogs to help them earn money instead of just drain their resources--having just read Brothers in Arms with a similar cash-flow problem, I kept thinking they just weren't being inventive enough. The story still kept my attention really well though. Something cozy about these books.

I also wish that the varied narrators had consulted each other about pronunciation of names and accents. Having Andrea show up with a vaguely European accent and Acanio pronounced with a hard "c" was weird. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

And I read Magic Binds #9 before reading Iron & Magic, but my comment apparently wasn't finished, and got deleted by my computer deciding to restart without informing me... and I don't remember anything now. Except that it was awesome.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Iron and Magic is #9.5... between 9 & 10... Iron & Magic references Kate's actions with Roland at the baby tower near the start of Magic Binds...

[Nirkatze]

I did put it as 9.5 in my comment. ^^

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I thought you were saying you thought you read it later than you should have

[Nirkatze]

Timelord Iain wrote: "I thought you were saying you thought you read it later than you should have"

Ah, I meant I just had a comment written for #9 and it got deleted... I meant to comment in order, and didn't realize I'd commented for #9.5 first...

[Diana Stormblessed]

I’m behind cuz eye reading takes forever. Finished Magic Shifts. Am in love with this book, mostly for the Kate/Curran relationship.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

My reading mood is all over the place right now, so I've started a bunch of audiobooks of varying sound quality...

Zoomed through Magic Triumphs last night and at work this morning... was better than I've been hyping it down as since praising 3/6/9 so much... honestly, I love 90-95% of this book and it's a solid finale with a backdoor to future stories that's slowly becoming realized recently...

The biggest gripe I had the first time around, and I'm sure you guys will, too, given some comments in books 4-6, is (view spoiler)[Saiman's treatment in the story and death... I felt like this was unnecessary, and just the authors getting rid of a character they'd run out of ideas for, who was too easily a Solution Button to any problem... (hide spoiler)]

I also always forget that (view spoiler)[the dragon boss here is the same baddie from Iron & Magic... (hide spoiler)]

[Diana Stormblessed]

Finished Magic Stars. Love it. Derek has always been one of my favorites.

[Marie]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Finished Magic Stars. Love it. Derek has always been one of my favorites."

Just finished yesterday, too. Makes me exited for the full Julie novel. Haven't read that one, yet. I even re-read the whole series before to get to it and then for some reason I never started it...

[Diana Stormblessed]

Marie wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Finished Magic Stars. Love it. Derek has always been one of my favorites."

Just finished yesterday, too. Makes me exited for the full Julie novel. Haven't read that one,..."

Same. I know I read this one before but I don’t think I read the full one.

[Charlie]

about 80% through book 7 I reckon (view spoiler)[ Kate walking right into Roland's den and taking her people back was AMAZING! I'm so glad she killed Hibla, very satisfying.

The pack are pissing me off. Time and time again Kate fights for them. Time and time again they're so eager to throw her away. They are awful and Curran needs to cull a few members to get them in line :D. (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Nirkatze wrote: "I just finished #9.5 Iron and Magic yesterday. It was fun..."

I finished this too and I agree. (view spoiler)[I did not enjoy Hugh and Elara's relationship that much. I don't enjoy that style of romance either.

You make a great point at how this feels a lot more feudal. I was jarred out of the story a couple times when tech hit having forgotten that they do indeed have modern conveniences at times lol The story has a very different feel than KD.

I did enjoy it enough that I want to find out what the heck myth Elara is based on. I'm thinking a cosmic horror but not Cthulu. I'll have to internet search at some point. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I think I liked it more on my first read... I just like new IA content of any kind... on re-read it's alright... but in alot of ways, (view spoiler)[they just KD'd him a bit, giving him a pupil (the kid with no off switch that was gonna hang the horse thieves as a message), and a funny mount (unicorn vs donkey and Kate's first mount that Erra killed)... (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

@Narilka--if you do that research on Elara, I'd be very curious to see what you find out!

[Marie]

Nirkatze wrote: "@Narilka--if you do that research on Elara, I'd be very curious to see what you find out!"

According to IA mod with insider knowledge what she is has been (view spoiler)[mentioned in book 9 by Teddy Jo when they talk about Christopher. But only in general. So people figured it was this part:

Teddy Jo shook his head. “It’s not apotheosis. Apotheosis implies reaching the state of rapture and divinity through faith. It’s not an appearance avatar.”

“No,” I said. “That would imply the deliberate voluntary descent of a deity to be reborn in a human body, and from what I understand there was nothing voluntary about the process. Deimos wasn’t reincarnated.” (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

You talking about Mod R?

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Marie wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "@Narilka--if you do that research on Elara, I'd be very curious to see what you find out!..."

Also, on topic, (view spoiler)[

Makes me wonder if the White Witch won't turn out to be from the Abrahamic religions... cause biblically accurate depictions of angels, from the book of Ezekiel, for example, would be pretty close to an Eldritch Horror, to the unsuspecting:

(hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "You talking about Mod R?"

That's the one. Was just searching and found some questions answered post.

Interesting thought with the religion. I didn't yet re-read the book so I cannot really speculate on any hints.

[Nirkatze]

re: Elara--Oh, that would be hilarious--(view spoiler)[If Elara is a Abrahamic Angel... and all those bigoted people saying she's spawn of Satan and hiding their children... (hide spoiler)]