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

[Choko]

I can see that... I actually felt really bad for Crest in that situation... The dude was trying to be nice...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I feel bad for Crest in book 1... (view spoiler)[I feel less bad for whatever he was thinking in book 2, ending up with the meek shifter that Curran was dating at the restaurant in book 1... and then the shifter tries to get Kate to go and make Curran accept the pairing... (hide spoiler)]

[Diana Stormblessed]

Choko wrote: "Finished Magic Bites #1

So good to be back in this crazy post tech world, and bathe in magic Atlanta...

Saar, definitely a lot in..."

(view spoiler)[The Knight isn’t actually dead though. He’s at the end of the book being alive and well. And shows up in future books. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I think The Andrews kind of put themselves in a corner with the way things went with Crest here... He was actually likable and they did him wrong. I would have rather they never mentioned him again than what they did with his next relationship and the way he comes off in the manner they handled it...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Choko wrote: "Finished Magic Bites #1

So good to be back in this crazy post tech world, and bathe in magic Atlanta...

Saar, definitely a lot in..."

[spoilers removed]"

Thanks... I was like (view spoiler)[isn't the Knight here Nick (view spoiler)[Feldman (hide spoiler)]?... altho that isn't revealed until later books... when he pops back up in books 3 and 7+ (hide spoiler)]

Also, I love the talk about the Knight Leader here... (view spoiler)[since I didn't mention his characterization in my critiques, and how he turns out to be (view spoiler)[quite the Human Supremacist, in later books... and does Nick dirty in book 7... (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Diana Stormblessed]

Choko wrote: "I think The Andrews kind of put themselves in a corner with the way things went with Crest here... He was actually likable and they did him wrong. I would have rather they never mentioned him again..."

They should have just had Kate realize she’s not ready or interested in being with a normal person and not seen him again, which is where it was going before the would accusations.

[Diana Stormblessed]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Choko wrote: "Finished Magic Bites #1

So good to be back in this crazy post tech world, and bathe in magic Atlanta...

Saar, definitely a lot in..."

[spoilers removed]..."

He introduces himself by name to Kate at the end of the book.. And yes that’s him.

Editing comment: it might be someone else who gives her his name actually. Now I don’t remember. But they do name him cuz I do remember that.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I flew through, and clearly wasn't paying the closest attention, since I know the broad strokes like the back of my hand at this point... and then move on to 10 other books...

Another thing... (view spoiler)[Kate is terrible at hiding her magic skills... given what she says to Curran about that blood ward from the Roland's ex fight... and how it works, and why she wasn't hurt and he was, and then when he asks again later and I think she gives a slightly different answer... (hide spoiler)]

[Diana Stormblessed]

Timelord Iain wrote: "I flew through, and clearly wasn't paying the closest attention, since I know the broad strokes like the back of my hand at this point... and then move on to 10 other books...

Another thing... [sp..."

This is my 3rd time reading it apparently. But given how much detail I forgot it was a lot of reading it again like new. Kate made a lot of stupid, irresponsible choices in this book. She’s stayed hidden for decades but you wouldn’t guess it with how casually she throws her power around in this book. The future books she matures so much more.

[Saar The Book owl]

I haven't read the comments yet, but I've finished chapter 2 of Magic Bites:
(view spoiler)[I love Kate! She's funny with an attitude. Does the story plays in the 'normal human world'? There is that part of the People that command vampires, I think? Are those 'normal' people? And the 'loup': these are shapechangers, but with a virus? So, werewolves gone bad? I'm curious on why there was important information left out the file of Greg's death. There were feline hairs on his body. So, maybe he was killed by a cat shapechanger? (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Did my read of #1 Magic Bites and the prequel short story yesterday. I enjoyed it okay--but I kept thinking how I preferred the Innkeeper Chronicles. Kate seems like a stereotypical snarky YA not-quite-as-badass-as-she-projects-so-that-guys-can-occasionally-rescue-her-from-her-stupidity PNR femme lead, and I'm getting a bit tired of those. I actually liked the prequel short better than the #1 book itself--(view spoiler)[getting to meet the doppelganger shifter was amusing, even if he is awfully self-centered.

It's an interesting world though, with all the different magic and shifting types. I don't really have all the characters down yet, but hoping the next books will help smooth that out. Also very curious about Kate's father who keeps getting non-name-dropped. And more curious about the governmental body Kate works for. Reminds me of the Innkeeper council or the folks her brother works for... (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "I haven't read the comments yet, but I've finished chapter 2 of Magic Bites:
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Vampire controllers are relatively normal, I believe... they might recruit people with a knack, but I think it's mental fortitude, more than anything... it's explored more later in the series, but I think they have the potential to feel things while controlling the vampires, so they need to be able to handle that, and not be holding on when a vampire dies...

Shapeshifting is a virus (Lyc-V, lycanthropy virus)... and there's a mathematical formula to determining the likelihood of surviving the transition, moreso than seen in most UF series... Going Loup is going feral and not controlling the urges (both violent and sexual)...

There's also a whole Warrior Form aspect (half-man, half-animal, combining the best of both worlds for combat) and a concept of Alphas that is explained more later on... (hide spoiler)]

I think that solidifies some things without spoiling too much...

[Nirkatze]

Just went back and read all of y'all's comments on page 2, and really glad I did--it was really helpful for getting names on folks in the sea of new world information dumping! I'm so bad at catching names first time 'round.

Also feeling a lot more reassured about things, having read folks' mentions of Kate's future growth, and mentions of how (view spoiler)[she and the eventual pairing are both AlphaHoles, so they deserve each other. I was hoping the main couple wouldn't be the kitty-boi, but I can get behind that logic.

For some reason they kind of remind me of Eve & Roarke--at least in them both being dominant personalities--but I like E&R better... at least now. I'll give these new folks a chance.

I really liked the werewolf kid she gets stuck with! I just love mentorship storylines, and I'm hoping from y'all's comments that this means he's going to stick around. (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "I haven't read the comments yet, but I've finished chapter 2 of Magic Bites:
[spoilers removed]"

Vampire controllers are relatively normal, I believe... they might recru..."

Thanks, Iain, now I understand it more :)

[Diana Stormblessed]

Nirkatze wrote: "Just went back and read all of y'all's comments on page 2, and really glad I did--it was really helpful for getting names on folks in the sea of new world information dumping! I'm so bad at catchin..."

Kate improves a lot in the next books. She really isn’t this annoying going forward. I like this series better than Innkeeper for the exact reason you mentioned, though reversed. I think Dana is very damsel in distress while I think Kate is very boss and can hold her own.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "Just went back and read all of y'all's comments on page 2, and really glad I did--it was really helpful for getting names on folks in the sea of new world information dumping! I'm ..."

The next book really solidifies Kate for me... and the introduction of Julie...

Dana is Damsel in Distress...except, she pretty much always sucks it up and pulls through, generally doing the impossible (view spoiler)[even in the book with the seed (view spoiler)[where she goes EmoDeath for a few chapters, for plot reasons (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

Unicorn Lane isn't so happy and fuzzy as it's name normally means...

[Diana Stormblessed]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "Just went back and read all of y'all's comments on page 2, and really glad I did--it was really helpful for getting names on folks in the sea of new worl..."

Because I’m currently playing FFVII Remake I’m making the analogy (for anyone who knows the characters) that Dana is like Aerith. Yes she can be helpful in a battle, but she’s not the finisher and not the player I’d immediately need in my party.. Kate is the Cloud in the battle. Vital for a quick win against any force.

[Saar The Book owl]

In Chapter 3:
(view spoiler)[Just read the part where Kate meets Curran and, for a Beast Lord so powerful, he seems honest to me. Concerned also for the murderer who chewed on his pack members. Maybe it's a set up: someone has put hairs on Greg's body to lay the guilt on the Pack? (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

Just started A Questionable Client (view spoiler)[ I'd somehow forgotten that Kate doesn't live in Atlanta and she was only at the Atlanta Guild house for a job.

Also, Saiman, creepy bugger he may be but I kind of love him, he's a great character. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Charlie wrote: "Just started A Questionable Client..."

(view spoiler)[yea... she alternates between her out-of-town house and Greg's house for the first few books... (view spoiler)[then moves into the Keep... then moves into that 500 Acre Wood suburb... then moves to Wilmington... she moves so often, looking back, lol... (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

she does! Girl needs to commit to a place lol

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Charlie wrote: "she does! Girl needs to commit to a place lol"

All that, and I forgot one... (view spoiler)[the Magic Keep she claimed during Magic Claims... gonna be hard to beat/replace this one, tho... (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

oh yeah I love the (view spoiler)[ creepy keep! I'm hoping in the next book, Curran starts a new pack. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I think (view spoiler)[he’s planning to reclaim the original one when it implodes… (hide spoiler)]… but I don’t think that can happen until Aurelia Ryder 2

[Tonari no Emily]

Started Magic Bites... I read this and the second one a few years ago before I was active around here... Since then, most of my reading has been planned so I haven't revisited lol
Glad to see yall think this is the weakest book, because I rated it 3 stars my first go and I'm not seeing anything so far to raise it this go 'round.. 20% in (view spoiler)[ The comments about her specific magic and the importance of hiding it is triggering a vague memory...

I like the worlds Andrews creates though... The mix of magic and scifi they seem to like throwing together. The forensic sciencey- M scan is very fun to me (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Yeah, there is actually quite a bit of "magical technology". Not just new stuff made to deal with magic but also the magical equivalents to things that won't work on magic wave. Love the exploration on how people would adapt to this kind of crazy environment. The world building in this series is just top notch. Full of new ideas.

[Charlie]

Yeah the world building really is fantastic in this series. The mythology, from a ton of different cultures, the sci-fi - fantasy mix, it's all peppered through really organically.

I'm 5 chapters in and (view spoiler)[ I liked the interaction with both the Pack and the People, iy shows that Kate really knows what she's doing, she competent in this crazy world and that's comforting.

I actually can't remember who the big bad is in this one and what's actually been happening to the missing people, so I'm enjoying the mystery. (hide spoiler)]

[Diana Stormblessed]

Charlie wrote: "Yeah the world building really is fantastic in this series. The mythology, from a ton of different cultures, the sci-fi - fantasy mix, it's all peppered through really organically.

I'm 5 chapters..."

This was my third time reading and I also couldn’t remember who the big bad was or how this one ended. It’s fun to reread but like it’s the first time lol.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I've read enough times to know the baddie at this point, but didn't want to spoil it... (view spoiler)[I just mentioned Bono as notable in my comments... I always forget about the sad underling(s), tho... (hide spoiler)]

[Tonari no Emily]

Finished! I actually did like this a tiny bit more on the reread... Enjoying the worldbuilding a lot here!

Also read A Questionable Client.. Have to agree with those that said though Saimon is horrible, I love him LOL

[Charlie]

Saimon really is an idiot, but I love him anyway :D

[Charlie]

Nearly finished (view spoiler)[ I forgot they introduced Nick in this one!

Curran is super scary and I'm so here for it, he and Kate make a great team.

All the little mentions of Rowland get me excited, great setup for what is to come. (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

finished! (view spoiler)[ Nick gave Kate some great advice here. He tells her to get some friends and she really gets working on that from here on out. So excited to see it all come together. (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Looks like the authors posted the last installment of Roman's story this past Friday and we have to wait for the book release for the epilogue. Soo... any chance can we add this in to the rotation in July? :) Or should it get its own thread?

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Narilka wrote: "Looks like the authors posted the last installment of Roman's story this past Friday and we have to wait for the book release for the epilogue. Soo... any chance can we add this in to the rotation ..."

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Narilka]

Ahh. I was looking for it in the first post. Not sure I'll wait for December lol

[Charlie]

haha I'm excited to read it so much, I love Roman!

[Marie]

I checked out after finishing the original series so I didn't even know about Roman's story happening. Def looking forward to getting to it.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Narilka wrote: "Ahh. I was looking for it in the first post. Not sure I'll wait for December lol"

I need to update the first post... it's understandable if people that have read everything want to read early... I read most on the website... for the first timer schedule it made most sense to add to December, especially since there's not much to indicate where it fits chronologically, so I just assumed it's later on at the end of the timeline...

[Marie]

Going to start book 2 today. I am honestly blanking on what is it about. I would remember if I read the synopsis but I will go in blind and let's see how fast will it click.

[Marie]

4% Well, I remember now. That was fast. (view spoiler)[Just needed a mention of magic waves coming more often. (hide spoiler)]

[Diana Stormblessed]

I accidentally started book 2 early so I set it aside and am going to go back to it today. But there’s no short story in front of it right? Who’s Red? I feel like I missed something. Just checking that that meeting was off page.

[Marie]

It happened in book one. He helped Kate with Derek when he was unconscious and she couldn't lift him on horse alone. Basically what gets explained in book 2. There wasn't more to it.

[Marie]

He is very forgettable in book one so it's easy to miss. I might have only remembered because someone mentioned here the appearance.

[Marie]

20% (view spoiler)[Idk why Crest is brought up in such a shady light this book. It's like he counts on Kate's guilt. Don't remember if there is more to it later.

I right away remembered Bran once I remembered what the book was about but I kinda forgot Julie's appearance. I just had Red and witches in my mind. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I managed to wait until today to start… i mentioned Red in my character breakdowns of book 1…

[Diana Stormblessed]

Marie wrote: "It happened in book one. He helped Kate with Derek when he was unconscious and she couldn't lift him on horse alone. Basically what gets explained in book 2. There wasn't more to it."

Ohhhhh. I missed the name lol. Thank you!

[Diana Stormblessed]

Having nothing to do with the book itself, but can we all agree that Kate's face on the audiobook cover art is the most skewed, ugly thing? It's the most poorly drawn woman's face I've ever seen on a book cover. Not the actual book version, just the audiobook version.

[Marie]

Exactly my thoughts. It's so bad like who approved it lol. It looks like those attempts at art repair by amateurs. Can't tell if it's painted or just really over-polished photo.