January '10 BotM: Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

[Kathleen]

Please post comments and discussion here for the January '10 Book of the Month:

Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1) by Ilona Andrews (pseudonym for married couple writing duo Ilona and Andrew Gordon)

[Colleen]

******SPOILERS**********SPOILERS**************SPOILERS

I read this book in May for another group and this is what I put.

I liked the first 50 or so pages, it was when I was half-way through the story that I did not like it any more.

Kate's character was cool, but the fact that she has to keep proving herself was very annoying. It seemed like she was challenged by some stupid male every 3 pages, enough already.

The next fault is that there were too many characters to keep track of. I keep thinking back to "Unbound Pleasure" There are a lot of characters in that story but they seem earier to remember. I had to go back to figure out when she met Bono and his connection to Kate.

The story line itself I liked, what is not to like about solving a double murder. The story also seemed dark and gloomy to me, maybe because it rained here the whole time I was reading, but there was nothing to make me want to visit this side of Atlanta.

As I finished this story I couldn't help but wonder if all people with magic powers who are destined to greatness are orphans. It seems the more magic books I read the more and more I see this problem. Does any one come from a whole family? Just food for thought.

I am only giving this book 2 stars, it makes me feel stupid when I have to go back and look up a character.

[Julia]

I quite enjoyed this book when I read it back in June of last year.
Here's what I wrote about it then:

Kate Daniels is a member of the Mercenary Guild in Atlanta, she has the magical power to be in the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid. But she’s got secrets and issues with authority, so she sits on the sidelines. When her godfather a Knight- Diviner for the OKMA is killed they hire her to find his killer. It turns out several vampires and werecreatures have also been killed. So she cooperates with the Beast Lord Curran, who is the were Alpha, and attempts to work with the vampires. Curran is apparently a recurring character in this three book series (so far.)

[Gina]

I read this book in April '09. Here's what I thought:

I'm not going to give a brief rundown of the story like I usually do; the synopsis is enough.

I read this along with a group of women; it was a group read.

I am a huge fan of anything paranormal, but I had to agree with the other ladies. The first 50 - 75 pages or so are confusing as hell. I've read authors who've inundated their readers with too much info right off the bat. I've read authors who scatter their info as the story progresses. But Ms. Andrews doesn't give nearly enough info for the reader to understand what the hell is going on. The lot of us felt lost at the beginning.

However, if you're planning to read this: stick with it! The rest of the book makes up for the confusing beginning.

Kate is strong, complicated and yet compassionate. What gets annoying is her constant having to prove herself. After a while, some readers might start complaining and yelling enough is enough.

A great mix of characters, it also seems a little like too many characters to keep track of. But the mystery is really good, as is the action, and watching Kate interact with the two top male charactes is a great deal of fun!

3 Stars

I plan on continuing with the series, when I get them.

[SamBFN]

I read this first book back last July . . here was my review. . . I gave it 3 starts by the third book I was up to 5 stars. . . here are my reviews. But I'm thinking of going back and rereading this series. I have On the Edge sitting on my book shelf. . hmmn maybe I'll read that tonight.

MAGIC BITES * * *

This was a hard book to get started and stay with. I kept thinking I must have missed a previous book as I didn’t completely understand the “world” but I trudged along and it did get better. I will continue this series and hope that the next book is easier to get into. I thought Kate Daniels dialogue most of the time was quite humorous and sarcastic just the way I like my paranormal heroines

Here was my review for

MAGIC BURNS * * * *

This book was so much better than the first in this series. Ilona Andrews does a really good job of teasing you, giving you small glimpses of who Kate is but doesn't give you the full details. I like that she's strong, wise cracking but not a "woe is me" type of girl and doesn't grovel in the self pity. She recognizes herself and faults and deals. . . . I like that my urban fanatasy/paranormal heroines. She has some great discussions about why her ex and Curran's ex should get married, and why she is risking so much over a homeless girl. I read both those passages over a few times to get the full impact of them.

I love the relationship building between her and Curran. The last page just kicked ass! It made me giddy and took the book from a 3 1/2 to a full 4 on its own. I'm looking forward to the next one in this series.

MAGIC STRIKES * * * * *

This book rocked!!

This is fast becoming one of my favorite series.

Wow! a witty and indepth review on the last book, but a has to be pretty good for me to go 5 stars.

[Kathleen]

Sam wrote: "I read this first book back last July . . here was my review. . . I gave it 3 starts by the third book I was up to 5 stars..."

Thanks, Sam. I appreciate knowing how the series developed. This book is next on my to be read list.

[Carrie]

This one looks really good. I'm not going to make it before the end of Jan but I'm looking forward to reading it.

[Wendy T]

I've download this book, and need to get to it soon.

[Kathleen]

Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1) was a quick, easy read. I enjoyed the mythos of an America where magic and tech both worked intermittantly. Kate Daniels is a sassy, but likable heroine with a mysterious background. Loved Curran, Lord of the Beasts, as well as Derek, Mahon, and other werebeasts. Loved that the author left much of the mythos to be explained in future books. I definitely want to know more about the Order of Merciful Aid. I plan to continue with this series and am giving this book four stars.

[Kathleen]

Enjoyed reading more about Kate Daniels and an America where magic works intermittantly with technology, although magic dominated in Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, Book 2). Loved the return of Curran, Lord of the Beasts, and Kate's side kick, the young werewolf, Derek. Enjoying meeting 13-year old Julie and hope we see more of her in future books. Like the character of Andrea, a knight of the Order of Merciful Aid, and a beastkin. A bit confusing in parts, but overall an original, imaginative story. I am giving the second book in this series four stars.

[SamBFN]

I just finished On the Edgewhich is the first book of Ilona Andrews new series. It was excellent. A different universe that the the Magic books but just as interesting and multifacet. If you like this series you should like the Edge series also.

[Kathleen]

Thanks for the recommendation, Sam.

[Kathleen]

Wow!! Agree with everyone above who wrote to stick with this series. Andrews has a five star winner with Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, Book 3). I inhaled this book in under two days. Lots of action, suspense, mysteries, great characterization, superb plot. Andrews delivered on the promise shown in the first two books.

Derek is captured and tortured at the hands of a group that participates in the Midnight Games, a sort of supernatural ultimate fighting club. It turns out that his capture is the first volley in a declaration of war against the Atlanta shapeshifters. No spoilers, but this story will keep you on the edge of your seat. Curran, Jim, Andrea, and Julie, as well as a few new characters, are in this book. After Book 3 I can't wait for the May 2010 release of Magic Bleeds (Book 4).

[Gina]

Okay, now I really have to get the rest of this series!!!

[Kathleen]

Must Love Hellhounds, an anthology in trade paperback by Charlaine Harris, Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, and Meljean Brook, contains Andrews novella Magic Mourns (Kate Daniels, (#3.5). Magic Mourns continues the story of Andrea Nash, beastkin, knight, and firearms expert, and Raphael, werehyena, that was left unresolved at the end of Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, Book 3). Definitely a must read.

[Julia]

I liked "Magic Mourns" a lot, but didn't care for anything else in the book! Was I the only one who thought that?
I read Charlaine Harris, but the main characters in that story are so minor that I had to be reminded by other fans where they were from...
The other two writers I don't read at this time.

[Kathleen]

I enjoyed two of the stories in Must Love Hellhounds. I loved Angels' Judgment (Guild Hunter, #.5) by Nalini Singh more than Angels' Blood (Guild Hunter, Book 1 and one of our August 2009 Botms). I think I preferred the novella because I liked Sara more than the character Elena, the heroine in Angels' Blood.

I also enjoyed Magic Mourns (which was my favorite story in the anthology). Magic Mourns was as solidly written and as well done as the later books in the Kate Daniels series.

I found the Meljean Brook story Blind Spot confusing and I didn't find her characters very likeable. I have never been a big Charlaine Harris fan. I found her story the weakest in the anthology.

[SamBFN]

Magic Bleeds came out last month. And it was a great addition to this series. All the old characters are back and facing a new foe who's part of Kate's family.

There's love scenes in this one too! :-) And a good ending that sets up future books. . . YEAH!

[Kathleen]

I have just started I Shot You Babe (Bombay Assassins, Book 4) by Leslie Langtry. Next up after that is Magic Bleeds. I am very excited, especially to meet Kate's biological father.

[Gina]

Sam, I've read the first two and I love them! I can't wait to get my hands on the next two!

[Kathleen]

Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, Book 4) is the best Kate Daniels book thus far!! Love the direction Curran's and Kate's relationship has taken. Fascinating look at Kate's family. Great resolution to Kate's association with the Order -- curious about any future interactions she has with Ted. Can't wait to see more of Naeemah. Andrea and the Order, Andrea and the Pack, Andrea and Raphael -- oh, my! No spoilers -- this series is a must read for lovers of urban fantasy!!!

[Gina]

I ordered Magic Strikes on Friday. I can't wait to get my hands on it! THen I'm ordering Magic Bleeds (why-oh-why can't my local Coles have these in stock, dang-it!?) I really like Ilona and Gordon's writing style, I adore Kate. Her humor makes me think of my own!

[SamBFN]

Illona Andrew's has a blog. Read these from Magic Slays. Someone had posted them on another group I'm on.

I can't wait. . . .


http://www.ilona-andrews.com/2010/09/...

and then read this one. Laughed my ass off on this one. I love Curran.

http://www.ilona-andrews.com/2010/10/...

[Gina]

I get her blog daily in my Hotmail inbox, Sam. I absolutely love every she writes, whether it has to do with her books, her characters, or rambling in general. She wrote one about how her dog at the salmon off the counter, something none of her dogs have done before, and laughed my ass of at her post. Each and ever snippet she's posted always have me either LMAO or snickering, and then I'll remember it througout the day and snicker some more.

[Gina]

Sam, here's the latest snippet of Magic Slays:

http://www.ilona-andrews.com/2010/10/...

[SamBFN]

I will have to get added to it. I FINALLY gotBayou Moon earlier this week after numerious attempts to have it mailled to me.

[Gina]

Got my copy the week before last. Want to buddy read it? I can start it early next week.

[SamBFN]

Sure, let me know when you can start.

[Gina]

Hey Sam! As you no doubt already know, life has thrown a curve ball, and I haven't had a chance to read Bayou Moon yet. Would mid-December be too late to start? I mean, if you wanted to get to it earlier?

[SamBFN]

Gina! You're killing me. :-)

Actually I just got some other books in that can keep me busy for a week. Bayou Moon will just have to sit there and TEASE ME . . . it better be good! LOL.