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IAAA - Ilona Andrews Addicts Anonymous: Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years & Other spinoffs (December 2024)
I’m half way through. It started slow but I love the character interactions. They’re all so cute and funny and they remind me of me and my family. The sarcasm and snark. All those quizzes about if you could live in any book world which would it be, mine would be this one. I want to be part of The Pack.
There is now new cover on Amazon but somehow it's not a big improvement.Idk, the people are great but the world is bit too crazy. Maybe if I was powerful enough to survive there. But then that's the issue with most fantasy worlds.
The relationships are definitely making this series big time. The sarcasm and snark too.
Mod
The audiobook covers are so inconsistent... all over the place...
The newer Wilmington Years covers feel pretty close to the original 1-4 covers, before I feel like the publishers started meddling... now that Ilona & Andrew have full creative control...
Timelord Iain wrote: "The original covers were truer to the descriptions of Kate as a gritty warrior trained by Voron (with the typical, "I'm not pretty" of UF heroines)... then at some point later in the series they re..."Those are at least normal book covers. Standard for the genre. The audiobook one is not realistic. It’s like a child drew her face. It gives uncanny valley feels.
Yeah the covers are such a mess... I appreciate the more realistic ones even if they are not the best design wise. The younger model ones looks good but it's not it. I do quite like the 8-10. The newest one are probably the closest to how Kate is supposed to look like? Since Ilona did them herself I would guess she found the best matching stock photo.
Uncanny valley is right. That's why I think it's painted over photo rather than painting alone.
Timelord Iain wrote: "The original covers were truer to the descriptions of Kate as a gritty warrior trained by Voron (with the typical, "I'm not pretty" of UF heroines)... then at some point later in the series they re..."So until I saw them all together right now I never made the connection that Curran is on every single cover. Like I knew he was in a lot of them but I didn’t realize it was every one. Awww. I love that ❤️❤️
Diana Stormblessed wrote: "I’m on chapter 18. I forgot that [spoilers removed]"Right, I didn't get to that part but I feel the same. I guess it has something to do with the series seemingly taking longer when you are blasted with information at the beginning. When everything is new to you. It would feel longer in memory. Similar to years in childhood feeling longer because all the new experiences. I was surprised with more events happening earlier than I though. Already in book one. Like the crispy Curran thing.
Right, I would have probably taken a guess it's all of them but I wouldn't know for sure. It's definitely handy to have a shapeshifter MMC. You avoid having a debate with publisher about shirtless guy on cover lol.
I've crossed the 100 pages of the first book. I'm still in chapter 4 and I love it as a first time reader.(view spoiler)
I'll comment on the other posts when I'm further in the book. One question: is it recommended to read the cursive titles mentioned in the second post?
0.5 is optional as it's a prequel but all the others I would read. They are POVs of side characters (with the exception of Magic Gifts) and you will miss out on knowing the characters better and what happened to them. They also include side romance storylines that are obviously a thing later in the series. The main series gives you the basics of what happened I think but they are worth it and part of the story. Kate usually appears in them too or is mentioned.
Mod
I thought it was later, too... but I dunno when... things get BUSY from here on out... book 3 is (view spoiler)... book 4 is (view spoiler)... book 5 (view spoiler)... and then 5.5 is her book... so it kinda had to be now, I guess, in hindsight...
Mod
[spoilers removed]..."
The italics are short stories... they're optional because they can be harder to get, especially in newer series, where they're only available in multi-author anthologies... this series is older now and most/all have been re-released as solo ebooks or new single-author anthology collections, so i think it's a bit easier...
Most of the short stories in this series add a fair bit to the worldbuilding... 1/2 of them are in Small Magics, which came out last year... the rest are Julie/Derek stories (Julie is introduced in book 2, and Derek in book 1) or Dali/Jim stories (Dali is introduced in book 3, and Jim in book 1 already)...
Mod
[spoilers removed]
I'll comment on the other posts when I'm further in the book. One ques..."
kate definitely has room for growth :D
I think Dali's books are especially important to read as she is not put into such an focus in main series compared to the others. Like you cannot easily replace the side story with some short nod to the events in the main series. Since lot of new lore gets introduced too.
Mod
I think the paring of Dali is bit of a spoiler. I remember her in book 3, and some appearances from later but the later books I only re-read once so everything is more vague.
Mod
I remember her in book 3, and some appearances from later but the later books I only re-read once so everything is more vague."
The big thing I remember in book 8, is (view spoiler)
Okay, I'll read them too, then. I would hate on missing out on important things.
It starts being more connected in book 3 but it's still kinda separate. For me the main storyline really starts book 4 or maybe end of book 3 (view spoiler)
I remember enjoying the exchanges between Kate and Bran, although I cannot tell if that still stands because I only got to the first meeting.
Timelord Iain wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "I’m on chapter 18. I forgot that [spoilers removed]"I thought it was later, too... but I dunno when... things get BUSY from here on out... book 3 is [spoilers removed]...."
I do not remember book 3 at all. Now excited to get to it.
Timelord Iain wrote: "Charlie wrote: "Marie wrote: "20% Idk why ..."..."I'm also not a big fan of Re..."
I think he wasn’t treated very fairly in book 1 but I 100% agree that making the girl ask Kate to ask Curran is so immature. It def lowered my option of him.
Mod
People must get tired of me raving about book 3s in series, after awhile... there's only so many times you can tell people to stick around till book 3... book 1-2 is a big commitment for people that don't read as much as we do, just to get to the good stuff :D
Not that KD 1-2 are terrible... I just say it with so many series... Dresden Files, October Daye, etc etc etc...
Marie wrote: "I remember enjoying the exchanges between Kate and Bran, although I cannot tell if that still stands because I only got to the first meeting."I love Bran. I did the first time I read it and I still do now. (view spoiler)But I really hate the narrator’s voice for him. I redo it in my head the way I want it to sound every time he talks. Her accent and inflections for him are just way off.
Dw I also get like that with some series. Like read at least book two and if by book three you are still not convinced read book 4 because that's when the series takes off. I know some series start weak, that's why I usually give them chance at least listening before I gave up on them.
Timelord Iain wrote: "Book 3 is awesome...People must get tired of me raving about book 3s in series, after awhile... there's only so many times you can tell people to stick around till book 3... book 1-2 is a big com..."
Marie wrote: "Dw I also get like that with some series. Like read at least book two and if by book three you are still not convinced read book 4 because that's when the series takes off.
I know some series sta..."
I have no doubt. This is one of my absolute favorite series and every book is 🔥 but I cannot for the life of me remember the plot to book 3. The others I remember, just not this one. I’m sure it’ll trigger my memory as soon as I start it.
Finished. Man I love these books so much. I also went back to chapter 5 of the last book to find Red. Totally missed him in there. I have another book or two I need to read but I will probably start book 3 early cuz I just can’t wait.
As much as the main story is great, I wouldn't mind if they weren't connected at all, I'd happily have a spinoff series, slice of life style, Kate's days as a Merc before the events of Magic Bites. I love the early seasons so Supernatural, monster of the week is a great format.
That could be interesting but I would probably like to see teenage Kate at the Academy.
@Diana that's how I feel! I'm wayyyyyyy behind on a ton of BRs but I just wanna read Kate Daniels and nothing else.
Charlie wrote: "book 2 chapter 22 [spoilers removed]"I want to stab him repeatedly 😤🤬🤬
The authors put up a quiz on their blog: Favorite IA Supporting Character Quiz!https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/favori...
I got... Your favorite is Dr Luther Dillon from the Kate Daniels series. He is the Wizard with the Blizzard, Dr Loose Cannon, always reliable, always wise, always ready with a snark.
lol! Absolutely not what I expected :)
Narilka wrote: "The authors put up a quiz on their blog: Favorite IA Supporting Character Quiz!https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/favori...
I got... Your favorite is Dr Luther Dillon from ..."
“ You love Orro from the Innkeeper Chronicles series. Some might choose to call him a hysterical hedgehog with a martyr complex, but you would gladly cross Orro's Dramatical Woods for a taste of his mango cupcakes.”
I don’t hate it lol
Orro is my favorite!!!! Magic Burns #2 ... Up to Ch. 10... July is described as such a pathetic, spindly, skinny little girl with matchstick arms, but full of thorns! I absolutely love her from the start! Red is shifty as hell... The scene where Curran feeds her soup is a great milestone in the development of their relationship...
I am enjoying this re-read a lot! I hope this time around I actually get to read all the books:)))
I listened to #2 Magic Bites ugh... sometime this week... I have the flu and everything is mushing together... anyway, I liked it a lot more than the first one--though all the men make my blood boil, and not in a good way. Seriously. I want to jump into the book with a pair of sharp scissors and just start snipping. (view spoiler)
Mod
Magic Burns #2 ... Up to Ch. 10... July is described as such a pathetic, spindly, skinny little girl with matchstick arms, but full of thorns! I absolutely love her from t..."
It's a great series... and so much happens, right out the gate... Aunt B establishing herself, right from the get-go too, later on in the book...
Mod
People must get tired of me raving about book 3s in series, after awhile... there's only so many times you can tell people to stick around till book 3......"
books 3/6/9 are my favorites in the series... all have really strong climaxes... and are great all the way through...
Mod
what is it with teachers and scissors? ;)
also blaming you being around students for the flu... not been your year...
I think his name is Bran, not Brand...
(view spoiler)
Choko wrote: "Orro is my favorite!!!! Magic Burns #2 ... Up to Ch. 10... July is described as such a pathetic, spindly, skinny little girl with matchstick arms, but full of thorns! I absolutely love her from t..."
I loved the scene where he fed her soup. He was so deliberate about it and she was so suspicious yet clueless 😍😂
Timelord Iain wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "I listened to #2 Magic Bites ugh... sometime this week... I have the flu and everything is mushing together... anyway, I liked it a lot more than the first one--though all the men ..."I never thought of it but you’re right in the whole adding more female characters to course correct. It def shifts the tone of the books as well. In book 1 everyone is an alpha hole, but as the series continues they all kind of soften around the edges, while still being bad ass.
Nirkatze wrote: "I listened to #2 Magic Bites ugh... sometime this week... I have the flu and everything is mushing together... anyway, I liked it a lot more than the first one--though all the men make my blood boi..."(view spoiler)
Fantasy Buddy Reads
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It looks very badly drawn 😂