Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
(Kate Daniels, #1)
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: ebook
Read: 3/6/2012 — 3/7/2012
In Six Words: Must have more of this series!
Links
Ilona Andrews — Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
Amazon — Paperback | Kindle
Add it to Goodreads
Book Order
1. Magic Bites
2. Magic Burns
3. Magic Strikes
4. Magic Bleeds
5. Magic Slays
6. Untitled (Feb. 2013)
7. Untitled (2013)
Synopsis
When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake.
Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate’s guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta’s magic circles.
The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizarre killings– and the death of Kate’s guardian may be part of the same mystery. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she’s way out of her league- but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
-from Goodreads
Why I Started Reading This Book and Final Verdict
The Kate Daniels series is one of those series that is pretty prevalent around the blogosphere. I don’t even really remember where I first saw it. I just saw it a lot. So when I found out that Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal hadn’t read Magic Bites either, we decided to read it together and jointly review it. Not only did I have fun with Kelly and the review, Magic Bites was an amazing start to the Kate Daniels series. It wasn’t perfect and I had my issues, but I am seriously looking forward to future books. I think there may even be more joint reviews with Kelly for this series.
Our Thoughts
Kelly: This is a series that had been on my radar for a while.
Amanda: Mine, too! Though I can’t exactly remember why it’s been on my radar. Just one of those series that everyone loves and I should read, too.
Kelly: I kept hearing about Curran’s awesomeness and it was recommended by several people whose opinions I trust. So, I went into this book with some fairly high expectations.
Amanda: I really had no expectations. I didn’t even read the synopsis before diving in. I like to do this with heavily recommended books in case it doesn’t live up to the hype.
Kelly: I’m glad to say that I wasn’t disappointed. Kate’s world is dark and gritty and when things start happening they START HAPPENING. I really, really liked the idea behind the magical and technological blackouts. At this point I don’t know why these blackouts happen but the picture I have of two opposing forces pushing against one another gives me the shivers. Honestly, there’s so much room for wacky shenanigans that I’m itching to get my hands on the next few books.
Amanda: I think I’ve pretty much established that I’m an information whore, so while I agree that I liked the idea of magical and tech blackouts, I wanted to know why they happen. It was a source of frustration for me, and one of the reasons I didn’t rate the book higher. I wasn’t quite able to situate myself into the world and I dislike that. But I liked what I read, so I assume that each book will get better.
Kelly: One of the biggest things I’m curious about is Kate and her magical mystery past. Why is her blood so powerful? Who is her father? She has all these secrets and I want some answers.
Amanda: I think I know who her father is. Unless the answer is too easy. But her blood is so powerful because of who her father is no matter who he is. But yes! I want to know more about Kate’s past. She’s very interesting, and we really only get a hint of who she is in t his book.
Kelly: And then there’s Curran.
Amanda: Rawr.
Kelly: The Beast Lord (Not to be confused with the Lion King- which I kept calling him in my head). I know he plays a big part in later books (or at least a part. I’m really just assuming it’s big. Oh, *snicker*, I made a size joke.) and I want to see how Kate integrates herself into his world.
Amanda: Or, how Curran integrates himself into Kate’s world.
Kelly: Plenty of fun (and sexy) characters, creepy bad guys who are uber-creepy, and a world with oodles of potential. Yep, this book pushed all my buttons. In a good way.
Amanda: Yes! I think this is another winner series. I instantly wanted to pick up the next book in the series. Everything I read leads me to believe that the series will continue to get better.
Other Reviews
Parajunkee
Sarah (Saz101)
Rummanah April 9, 2012 at 9:45 am
Yeah, I do remember getting thrown in to Kate’s world and not really knowing what was up or down but I enjoyed it. I loved the characters and the humor. Each book gets better and you understand the world much better. I can’t wait until the latest book comes out in August!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender April 9, 2012 at 10:39 am
Kelly and I just finished book three this weekend, and loved it! The books have definitely been getting better.
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal April 9, 2012 at 5:23 pm
Having read through book 3 now, I absolutely agree that the series gets better the farther you go into it. LOVE IT!
Jenny April 9, 2012 at 10:20 am
YAY!!! So glad you guys enjoyed this one, I love this series. I think the first one is the weakest (even though I still really liked it), and that each of the books gets better as the series grows. This could also be because Curran is more and more prominent in each book and their banter never fails to entertain:) Awesome joint review ladies!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender April 9, 2012 at 10:40 am
I definitely agree that this book was probably the weakest. But I’ve loved each book more than the last. :)
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal April 9, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Curran is delicious. I also love the banter! Geez! Those two need to get sweaty already!
Rain Maiden Jen April 9, 2012 at 10:41 am
Yea book three is my favorite of the bunch. I also love their Edge books too.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender April 9, 2012 at 10:43 am
Book three! That one was AWESOME! I swooned.
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal April 9, 2012 at 5:27 pm
I was looking at the Edge books the other day. I shall have to look again.
Felicia April 9, 2012 at 11:50 am
This is one that is on my radar too! I think I have it on audio and kindle LOL Probably in paper too if I am being honest…that happens when a book has been out for awhile and it looks interesting :)
Great joint review ladies!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender April 9, 2012 at 4:41 pm
You should read it! Or, you know, listen to it.
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal April 9, 2012 at 5:30 pm
*blink blink* You might be worse than me! Lol! If you have it in that many formats I almost think you’re *required* to read it now! Go. GO!
Ruby April 9, 2012 at 11:55 am
I agree with Kelly. It took me a couple of false starts before I was sucked into Magic Bites, but once things got started, I read full tilt, and ran out to get current with the rest of the series. Kate and Curran’s dynamic is one of my favorites. They’re both intensely strong personalities, but they make it work. My theory is that the fact that it’s a husband-and-wife writing team that makes this possible.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender April 9, 2012 at 4:47 pm
I got sucked in, too, I just wanted to know more. These books have a way of making me speed through them to get the answers (or scenes) that I want.
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal April 9, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Ha! You both said “sucking”.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender April 9, 2012 at 5:35 pm
Put a dick in it, Kelly.
=O
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal April 9, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Naughty, Amanda! You kiss your boyfriend with that mouth?
Amanda @ On a Book Bender April 9, 2012 at 5:38 pm
And that’s the way he likes it, uh-huh uh-huh.
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal April 9, 2012 at 5:39 pm
I think you win this round! But I shall return and in greater numbers than before.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender April 9, 2012 at 5:40 pm
Bring your #GutterPass and some #NakedWerewolves.
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal April 9, 2012 at 5:42 pm
No worries. My #GutterPass is always on me. My #NakedWerewolves are always draped around me. Like a fur stole.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender April 9, 2012 at 5:44 pm
That was kind of a stupid comment on my part. Of course you have those things.
Amy @ bookgoonie April 9, 2012 at 12:03 pm
*pouts* such fun reading with someone. Sounds like you’ve found another winner series. *raises fist* Blasted adult paranormal series, how I can never taste them all or get caught up!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender April 9, 2012 at 4:42 pm
I know, they kind of produce like bunnies, don’t they? This is a definite win, though!
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal April 9, 2012 at 5:34 pm
Reading with Amanda is SO fun. She makes me laugh. And then I make her laugh. And then we go back to reading. I can’t wait to finish out the series with her!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender April 9, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Finishing is definitely going to happen one of these days. Definitely.
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal April 9, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Excellent. I look forward to our literary time together. Our time to be literary? Our fun, fun reading time! With magical lion babies!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender April 9, 2012 at 5:39 pm
Our fucking fun reading time! Which leads to magical lion babies.
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal April 9, 2012 at 5:41 pm
Hahahaha! YES! THIS! MORE!
Amanda @ On a Book Bender April 9, 2012 at 5:43 pm
OMG! That will be my next #insixwords:
“This leads to magical lion babies.”
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal April 9, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Or: “Bring your #GutterPass and your #NakedShifters.” Lololol!
Missie, The Unread Reader April 9, 2012 at 2:16 pm
I like it when my buttons get pushed in all the right ways! And I’ll definitely need proof of this biggness you mentioned! ;)
Amanda @ On a Book Bender April 9, 2012 at 4:47 pm
Rawr. We like big things.
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal April 9, 2012 at 5:35 pm
Oh, Missie! You fit right in with us, don’t you! We made a size joke in our book 3 review, too. It was giggle-worthy!
Alexa April 9, 2012 at 6:15 pm
Yay I’m so happy to hear this is a good start to what could be an Epic series. I have heard many things about the books and can’t wait to dive right in.
Thanks for the great joint review. I hope you both enjoy the rest of the series.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender April 9, 2012 at 6:20 pm
We have so far! And more joint reviews are in the works!
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal April 9, 2012 at 7:23 pm
It was a very fun start to the series! I’m super excited to read more!
Mary @ Book Swarm April 9, 2012 at 6:34 pm
Have I read this series? The plot and cover seem really familiar so I think I might have started it but not continued on with it. But after your cute joint review (rawr!), I think I’ll have to pick it back up. And I’m with Amanda–I like to know why something (like the blackouts) is happening.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender April 9, 2012 at 6:47 pm
You must continue with it! We have another review of book 2 on Wednesday. That should convince you!
Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal April 9, 2012 at 7:25 pm
I’m with Amanda, give it another try and think about us while you’re reading it! <3
Natalie @ Mindful Musings April 10, 2012 at 11:06 pm
Another winner series? Sign me up! Lol. Actually, I know I have a copy of at least this book (if not more of the series) on my shelf somewhere because, like you guys, I’ve heard a lot about it. I’ll get around to reading it…eventually.
Amanda @ On a Book Bender April 10, 2012 at 11:20 pm
Whenever you do get around to it, I hope you enjoy! :)
CreativeDeeds May 9, 2012 at 1:00 pm
Hmmm…. I picked this up without even reading this stellar review. It might be another good addition to my Bout-of-Books list. What’s one more book on my TBR pile, right?
Amanda @ On a Book Bender May 9, 2012 at 4:08 pm
Read it, Shirley. READ IT NOW!
CreativeDeeds May 9, 2012 at 4:15 pm
It’s on my shelf… I suppose I could add it to my Bout-of-Books list…
Think anyone would notice? LOL!
BTW – the email notification is adorable ;)