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

[Saar The Book owl]

Charlie wrote: "Saar The Book owl wrote: "I've finished chapter 5 of the first book:
[spoilers removed]"

I definitely felt that Kate was in wayyyyy over her head with the investigation of Greg's death. Like, the..."

I guess Kate (view spoiler)[want to solve the murder out of loyalty to Greg? But, yeah, she's used to acting alone. Crest is still a mysterie to me. (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

Halfway chapter 7:
(view spoiler)[That Olathe had set a trap, was a bit obvious, but I hadn't expect that she could be killed so easily. It was like she was used as bait.
The Curran - Kate dynamic: she hopes that their paths won't cross again, but that's a bit hard now she earned the loyaltu of the Pack.
Did I missed something on Kate's father previously? It seems that the magic that flows in Kate is really strong, but she's so guarded about it, even Curran can't know about it. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

It’s a secret doled out slowly over the first couple books…

[Saar The Book owl]

Ah, I'm curious! It's quiet at work, so I can make easily progress now.

Halfway chapter 8:
(view spoiler)[I was so curious on how an upiri looked like, that I searched it on the Wiki about Kate Daniels. Didn't found it, but jI got punished for my curiosity: now I know who killed Greg...but nothing more, though. I quikly went to reading again the story again. It seems obvious that Curran and Kate will frequently cross each others paths again after that fight in the old building. They're connected to that. And maybe Crest has 2 sides, but I still don't like him. (hide spoiler)]

[Diana Stormblessed]

Saar The Book owl wrote: "Book 1, Chapter 6:
[spoilers removed]"

I liked that one as well. My kids leave legos everywhere so I relate to the pain 😂

[Charlie]

@Saar Ah no, don't google ANYTHING! Way too many spoilers.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

With urban fantasy, it’s safer to assume the fantasy things are sourced from real mythology and just check the wikipedia result

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upi%C...

[Diana Stormblessed]

Timelord Iain wrote: "With urban fantasy, it’s safer to assume the fantasy things are sourced from real mythology and just check the wikipedia result"

Memory unlocked of my first time reading through and googling what the different mythological creatures looked like.

[Saar The Book owl]

@Diana: me too, haha!
@Charlie: I promise not to do it again, but it's so tempting when you lost track in the story.
@Iain: thanks, haven't thought about Wiki.

[Charlie]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Chapter 25 [spoilers removed]"

OMG I KNOW!!

Book 3 chapter 27 (view spoiler)[ First of all, wtf Derek, you ask for help, you don't go running off! KATE WOULD HAVE HELPED YOU! Idiot boy.

Second, OMG Curran is fighting in the games, these demon creeps have n o chance, he's an absolute machine.

Finally, Dali! She is hilarious and I love her. (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Read Magic Mourns today... thought it was a Julie story, it's an Andrea/Raphael story... definitely breaks the Short Story rule (don't do super relevant stuff)... but I guess it's OK since it's side characters, and it can just be hand-waved as having happened off-page for Kate as well, and Andrew has her own book coming up soon, and needs some setup/etc...

The more significant rule-breaky stuff feels like (view spoiler)[introduction of Teddy-Joe/Thanatos, and Andrea using Kate's favor from Ghastek... I think that is brought up again in the next book or 2, where Kate goes to use favor and Ghastek says it's been used up already... (hide spoiler)]

[Tonari no Emily]

Enjoyed the discussion Magic Strikes brought up with consent! I'm a bit more forgiving with implicit consent in fiction whereas I definitely need explicit consent irl... Kate and Curran are a little tricky because Curran is literally not human and runs on a different set of rules... Kate is saying one thing but her actions imply other things and I do agree (view spoiler)[ that when Kate explicitly said no or when Curran sensed discomfort he backed off. But yeah would love to see Kate put more muscle behind her threats.. (hide spoiler)]
Curran is a great book boyfriend, would have to agree with Diana there :D, but I would not go near him with a ten foot pole if he was a real life dude lol

[Tonari no Emily]

Also read Magic Mourns today (view spoiler)[ and if Andrea hadn't killed her tormenters, I certainly would have done it! That made my blood boil! I hope she doesn't feel bad about that because fuck them!

The ending was certainly interesting with Kate ending up with the apples... She's making a pie for Curran?? (hide spoiler)]

[Diana Stormblessed]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "..."

100% agree. IRL he’d probably scare the hell out of me with all his alpha hole red flags. But in a crazy world fantasy series he’s my man 😍

[Diana Stormblessed]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "Also read Magic Mourns today and if Andrea hadn't killed her tormenters, I certainly would have done it! That made my blood boil! I hope she doesn't feel bad about that because fuck them!

The end..."

(view spoiler)[He did request the apple pie for his naked dinner 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Tonari no Emily]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Tonari no Emily wrote: "Also read Magic Mourns today ..."

I may have missed that in #3 lmao (view spoiler)[ that apple pie part, not the serving naked part xD (hide spoiler)]

[Diana Stormblessed]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Tonari no Emily wrote: "Also read Magic Mourns."

Oops. I just realized my earlier response included your spoiler so I edited it out.

(view spoiler)[ At the beginning of the book Kate is looking forward to coming home to finish off her apple pie, only to find the tin empty. She thinks she must have also finished it off the night before but was so tired she forgot. Fast forward to the end when Curran lists what he wants on the menu he mentions for dessert he wants an apple pie like the one she made before. He already admitted to breaking into to her place to check up on her. So basically he’s the one who ate her apple pie. Jerk. 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Tonari no Emily]

@ Diana, Woops, did that as well, thanks for pointing that out!

(view spoiler)[ omg I can't believed I missed that! I remember her thinking she must have eaten it herself, but not him talking about it so I didn't make the connection lol (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "Also read Magic Mourns today..."

I'm pretty sure this is the 2nd time an Ilona Andrews short story contradicts the main novels... (view spoiler)[Questionable Client told the story of Kate bodyguarding Saimon differently...

And I'm pretty sure this one says Andrea dueled her old pack, when the main series says (view spoiler)[she killed most of them with a sniper rifle? (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Tonari no Emily wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Tonari no Emily wrote: "Also read Magic Mourns today ..."

I may have missed that in #3 lmao [spoilers removed]"

He also said (view spoiler)[she could wear underwear, he's not a heathen... (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

Timelord Iain wrote: "

I'm pretty sure this is the 2nd time an Ilona Andrews short story contradicts the main novels... Questionable Client told the story of Kate..."

Yeah I noticed that in A Questionable Client the story was told differently to how Kate portrays it in book 1. I didn't bother me too much because she was just very quickly recounting the event to someone so I just assumed she was hyperbolising.

[Charlie]

6 mins into chapter 29 of book 3 and (view spoiler)[ Kate and Hugh are having a chat! Bloody hell, Kate likes to live dangerously. (hide spoiler)]

[Diana Stormblessed]

Charlie wrote: "6 mins into chapter 29 of book 3 and [spoilers removed]"

The only thing I really hate about the audiobook is how they did his voice. I have to replay it in my head differently every time he speaks.

[Charlie]

Yeah this is my first audio read, I usually do physical with this series. It's not my favourite voice but it's not the worst.

[Diana Stormblessed]

The voice makes me think of a peacock, which isn’t how I picture him in my head lol

[Choko]

Started Magic Strikes #3 Loved the Banshee grandma scene!!!! And everyone is pretending they have no idea she is a Banshee, so they can spare her feelings and sense of modesty! Hahaha!

Up to Ch. 10... My boy, Saimon, is pushing it! And I think his arrogance might get him killed...

Derek, dude, what have you gotten yourself into for a tail?

[Choko]

My two cents on consent in these books... In Curren and Kate's case I feel it doesn't need to be explicit, because they are both very powerful and neither one of them would act if there is no desire on any of the sides involved. She can definitely protect herself and he knows that if he crosses any unwanted lines, there will be no second chances. I even think that her strength is what makes him bolder, because he knows she can take as good as she gives, and he is a strong alpha, who appreciates a good sparring partner.

As a whole, in this genre, since it is fiction, I tend to assume consent, unless specifically indicated differently. In real life, I agree with Nirkadze, it needs to be upfront, but in fiction it really would break the "being swept in the passion/romance" feeling...

[Choko]

Saar, the Legos episode was hilarious!!! The best way to take down an alpha shifter:)))

[Choko]

Magic Strikes #3 Ch. 13... (view spoiler)[ Mother f@#kers!!! I can't believe how horribly they hurt our teenage werewolf Derek!!! And Jim panicked and took it out on Kate! WTF?! (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Finished Magic Strikes #3 ... I enjoyed it, but I am with Nirkadze - I preferred book 2. Apparently I was in a different mood when I first read them, because I rated this one higher then... Either way, I am enjoying them as much as I expected. Love the different mythologies interwoven into the stories. Dolly was adorable! Her shifting scene was my favorite of the whole book!

[Nirkatze]

Oh, yikes, sorry about the Drew confusion, I'll get it right in the next book. I'm so horrid with names in audio. I should've looked up a list.

Keeping on with the consent conversation--on the kiss in #3 (view spoiler)[I think one of the reason these kinds of alpha + she protests but she really means yes romances just don't work for me is because I have zero ability to read physical or social cues myself, so I personally feel most comfortable with absolutely explicit consent. And for a first kiss especially--if one person is physically constrained, and has been verbally saying "not in your wildest dreams"--it doesn't matter the pheromones or the body language--she's trapped, she can't back away... there's a difference between being able to stop something happening and being able to meet someone halfway of your own volition. I can be physically attracted to someone and maybe want them to kiss me abstractly--but that doesn't mean I would be okay with them doing it right then, and definitely not if it means taking away my scissors agency and my choice in the matter.

I get what folks are saying about how one person's swoon is another's ick too. This is definitely my ick... and no matter how I look at it I am not okay with it. If he'd released her before kissing her, so that she could move away if she wanted, maybe. But he held her down, immobile. Maybe if he'd held a pace away and let her come to him with a kiss. But he kissed her while she couldn't move. Maybe if she had said she was open to dating him or they had had a date or two. But she'd consistently told him she wasn't interested in being his girl-toy.

What movie was it where someone was getting first kiss advice, and they were told to move in and stop? Let her meet you half-way? (hide spoiler)]

Sorry for the rant! It's such a small thing, but it makes a big difference to me, and this conversation has really helped me flesh out why this scene bothered me so much. Really appreciating seeing everyone's views on the matter... was not expecting it to blow up this big.

Maybe that will change with a reread, after I see where their relationship goes... but right now... it's still a big stumbling block for me.

[Diana Stormblessed]

Nirkatze wrote: "Oh, yikes, sorry about the Drew confusion, I'll get it right in the next book. I'm so horrid with names in audio. I should've looked up a list.

Keeping on with the consent conversation--on the kis..."

I think the movie you’re referencing is Hitch? With Will Smith and Kevin James. Blast from the past.

[Charlie]

Choko wrote: "Finished Magic Strikes #3 ... I ..."

Finished! (view spoiler)[ I loved it so much, definitely my fave of the 3 so far.

Jim was absolutely an ass for attacking Kate but I'm glad they've made up.

The Rakshaka's are sick sons of bitches, I'm so glad they're all dead.

Dali is amazing, a vegetarian were tiger that is legally blind and freaks out at the sight of blood. Also curses on the side. Bloody marvellous!

The chemistry between Kate and Curran in this one was off the charts, I am so rooting for them! (hide spoiler)]

[Diana Stormblessed]

Charlie wrote: "Choko wrote: "Finished Magic Strikes #3 ... I ..."

Finished!
..."

I absolutely hated Jim in this book. I had higher hopes for him but he never really redeemed himself to me.

[Choko]

Just finished Magic Mourns #3.5 ... Andrea and her bo, Raphael, are on their own while Kate is taking some time off... We get to see Andrea's story and a different side of aunt Bea... I really enjoyed it!

Is this the first time we meet Teddy -Joe? And we did get a very educational scene with Ghastek and the People's teaching methods...

[Marie]

I have read Questionable Client today and I must say it's actually a pretty good introduction to Kate's abilities and knowledge. She is a more proper Kate here than book one Kate. Her attitude is on point too. Saimon is pretty good character but mostly because of his interactions with Kate. They really play of each other well. Good sneak peak of the kind of magic and creatures one might have to deal with in her world.

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Charlie wrote: "Choko wrote: "Finished Magic Strikes #3 ... I ..."

Finished!
..."

I absolutely hated Jim in this book. I had higher hopes for him but he never really redeemed himself to me."

I dunno why I have rose-tinted goggles for Jim, on re-reads (thinking I used to like him better), because in general he's always been an ass...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "The voice makes me think of a peacock, which isn’t how I picture him in my head lol"

I'm just used to Renee Raudman, at this point... I wish Ilona Andrews had diversified narrators sooner, because she's their only narrator for many of the books until they started going more indie and picking their own... but doing that lost multi-book consistency...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I think Kate explains alot of this to Raphael, in regards to Andrea and her pirate books... people accept more in fantasy vs reality... but maybe a bit of cosplay is OK ;)

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Choko wrote: "Just finished Magic Mourns #3.5 ... Andrea and her bo, Raphael, are on their own while Kate is taking some time off... We get to see Andrea's story and a different side of aunt Bea... I really enj..."

I never remember that Aunt B had a partner, since in the main series she's pretty much always a solo act...

[Diana Stormblessed]

Timelord Iain wrote: "Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Charlie wrote: "Choko wrote: "Finished Magic Strikes #3 ... I ..."

Finished!
..."

I absolutely hated Jim in this book. I had higher hopes for him but he never really r..."

I think I have the same. I think I’m disliking him this time around more than previous reads.

[Charlie]

@Diana He really was a huge jerk. He deserves scissors.

@Choko i'm excited for Magic Mourns, I don't remember it at all but I LOVE the boudas.

@Marie I think you're right, A Questionable Client has fantastic world building and really showcases Kate at her best. Love the snark with Saiman too.

[Tonari no Emily]

Diana Stormblessed wrote: "Nirkatze wrote: "Oh, yikes, sorry about the Drew confusion, I'll get it right in the next book. I'm so horrid with names in audio. I should've looked up a list.

Keeping on with the consent convers..."

Yeah I was thinking of Hitch too!

[Tonari no Emily]

Nirkatze wrote: "Oh, yikes, sorry about the Drew confusion, I'll get it right in the next book. I'm so horrid with names in audio. I should've looked up a list.

Keeping on with the consent conversation--on the kis..."

Nirkatze, completely understand your view point!

[Tonari no Emily]

Started #4 Magic Bleeds Through Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ I actually don't remember why I started this spoiler, but I know I had something to say so I'm hoping I remember by the time I finish this sentence. Oh! Yeah I'm guessing Curran standing up Kate is somehow trying to protect her because that seems like a very alpha ahole thing to do LOL
Interested to find out why...

Also magic diseases are a fun plot point.. Reminds me of the virus/ brain altering computer thing that made people crazy in one of the In Death books (hide spoiler)]

[Tonari no Emily]

#4 Mid Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[ Gods-damnit... a misunderstanding. How very tropey xD lol
EDIT: or wait, someone is keeping them apart... hmmm (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Ah Hitch! That's what I was thinking of, thanks!

Read #3.5 Magic Mourns--and rather enjoyed it--nice to see Andrea! (view spoiler)[Also, the conversation Andrea & Raphael (that's his name right?) have about whether she's interested or not--giving her a chance to explain herself and make a decision--that's the kind of conversation I'd've liked to have seen in the previous one. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Started #4 Magic Bleeds I can't believe this starts with the bet from the last line of the previous book...

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

Curran POV explains some of what’s going on here… also clashes a bit I think… doesnt quite match up in my head