Book Review: Magic Rises

Magic Rises

By:  Ilona Andrews

Publisher:  Ace

Publish Date:  July 30, 2013

Format:  ebook, 337pgs

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  6th in Kate Daniels Novels; 1st Book ~ Magic Bites, 2nd Book ~ Magic Burns, 3rd Book ~ Magic Strikes, 4th Book ~ Magic Bleeds, 5th Book ~ Magic Slays, Short Stories ~ Curran POV 1 & 2, Curran POV 3 & 4

Recommendation:  OF COURSE!!! Really, Curran, KATE! and over seas. Oh yes, we see Hugh too!  Get moving!!

Synopsis:
Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems.  Kate Daniels will fight to solve them -- no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis.  Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack's shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood.  While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there's little available in Atlanta.

Kate can't bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful.  The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute -- and they'll pay him in medicine.  With the young people's survival and the Pack's future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer -- but they have little doubt that they're heading straight into a trap...

First Sentence:
I spun the spear. "One more argument and I'll ground you."

Purchase At:
Amazon  /  Barnes & Nobles  /  Book Depository

**I read this book for my own enjoyment.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Julie's best friend and her twin sister go loup. Using the last dose of panacea, split between the twins, Curran call all loupism related terminations to stop and sedate them. Curran is up to something because their contact for the paste was found dead with his murderers shipped away before Curran could get to them. Packs in Europe are having troubles with a pregnant shifter - between her father and the two men she's pregnant too. Curran's history with the father has brought him to the forefront and asked with the payment of panacea to be the neutral party to guard and prove witness to the first born child. It stinks of a trap, but they need the medicine and seeing it so close to home, they want it.

To the high seas we go!! With Magic! Pirates, weredolphins, Haha! The weredolphins are dangerous but so cool. And ancient creatures. So great to see these! And I love the myths and mythical creatures built on in this world as they surface. Oh yes, there are always thing surfacing in this magic fluxed world.

No frets! We have our full crew of favorite characters traveling with us. I was worried at first, but how can I be? It's Ilona and Gordon. They wouldn't do that to us and leave out all that we love. Although...there maybe a few who don't make it home...

A whole regime of emotions felt while reading this one. Hope, jealousy, worry, tears for loss, confusion, and stunned for actions of one I never thought to be kind then paranoid wondering what his plan and game really is. Happy for life, yet there's sadness that one will never fit in, always an outsider. My heart drops at the thought that no matter what they'll never part of the pack.

This is one that we see another side of Kate. One that Curran brings out in her. Well...maybe a few sides of Kate. Curran. Such a shocker! Thoughts that ran through my head - Curran better not!! He's got a plan. He HAS TOO. Ooooo, then we have a special treat. I reeeeally liked our surprise guest, or host, we get to see. *giggle* Oh he's well played out here. So much great information about Kate and her history too!

An Ill-Advised Rescue
We get a bonus story in the back!

Saiman is kidnapped. The Guild gets the note. The Guild also gets a nice profit for rescuing kidnapped victims. The Guild calls Kate, now she has ownership over the Guild and being it's Saiman.

I love watching Kate at work. Even when she is amazing at tormenting Saiman too.

Who? What? Where? (123)

Who are you with? Where are you at? What's happening?

Share with us just a little bit of what is happening in the book you are reading, right where you are now.

Just a tiny taste of what's happening, remember try to not give spoilers of the book.

his is a new meme I'm going to try and will tweak as I go. And please don't laugh at my lame attempt at drawing. ;D )


Since my husband had me digging a ditch and building a wall all weekend, I'm still in the same book from last week.

This Week:

I'm with Kate and several shifters, as she lays on the floor of Dr. Doolittle's bedroom in this castle overseas. Once again getting wounds cleaned up. This attack was bigger, and was directed at someone who had information. Then there is one that helped save a life. One very unexpected and never thought he'd save a life of one he did.  What's he up too? Maybe Curran and others will catch the wounded one that escaped.

Magic Rises
By:  Ilona Andrews

Others have shown interest in joining in this post, and linking up.  So I've created a linky for that.
My only requests; copy the picture to use, and link back to My World...in words and pages.
Please visit any joining in.
Thank you!

Teaser Tuesday (172)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

This Week:

Melissa's Read:

The blackberry bushes at the edge of the clearing tore, and the woods spat a beast into the open.  It stood about five feet tall, half-upright like a gorilla or a kangaroo, resting the full weight of its body on two massive hind legs.

Magic Rises
By:  Ilona Andrews
154pg




I'm only around a quarter way in, and it's picked up the heat already! Fighting, and stressful situations. Love the banter!

Looking Forward To.. (125)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down. Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

It's been a while since I've done one of these Friday Looking Forward posts.  And I miss doing them.

Next Book Is...

Magic Rises
Kate Daniels #6

By:  Ilona Andrews

Due Out:  July 30, 2013

So who's not looking forward to this one, right.  Yes, I WANT this world.  So glad I was guilt-ed into reading it. ;)

Goodreads Synopsis:

Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…

Cover Reveal: Magic Rises

So, thanks to many for showing me the error of my ways and introducing me into reading this AMAZING series (yes, I still don't know why it took me so long, but I'm here and LOOOOVING it.)

I'm sure many shared this cover yesterday, as it's outstanding!  But I'm sharing it today, a day late because I got sidetracked with real life yesterday.

Ready?

Here we go...

Magic Rises

By:  Ilona Andrews

Kate Daniels series #6

This cover is mind-blowing to me!  All that fire!  Oh my.  Something is seriously going down...or up in flames?  But dang.  Amazing.  Curran, there in the upper corner, looks peeved to the T.  Spells fight for me.  And Kate.  Oh Kate.  To me this model fits the image for me, I've liked all the models as they have that pull in their eyes that screams Kate.  I just keep thinking of the outfit Saiman sent to Kate for their 'not-a-date' to the Midnight Games.  I seem to have something in mind in way of a description from Saiman.  I don't think he said it, but I just think that outfit fits her wondrously.   I can see that description in this model easily, I think it's in the eyebrows.  And Kate looks ready to cut her way through a lot of mess.

Also... Did you see the new look to Ilona & Gordon's site?  W-O-W.  Really!  Kate looks like one tough chick and she has gone through hell.  Flames, blood, and one ticked off strong Kate.  Damn do I want this book!!


What do you think?  Screams action!  And Fight!!! LOL. (I do loOove a great fight)  Oh, and side note, if you aren't happy, I'm sorry but please don't ruin my wonder and love of this cover.  I'm totally syked about the series as I'm thrilled to have been shown the light.  I'm loving the cover and the new look of the site.  So much to look forward to!

Book Review: Curran POV 1 & 2

 Curran POV Vol 1

By:  Gordon Andrews

Publisher:  Gordon & Ilona Andrews

Publish Date:  October 9, 2010

Format:  eNovella of short collections

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  1st of Curran POV, and Kate Daniels Series: Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes, Magic Bleeds, Magic Slays; Curran POV 3 & 4

Recommendation:  OH GODS YES!!

My Thoughts and Summary:
Oh it's wonderful reading Curran's view.  He's such a perfect match for Kate it's unreal.  I love Curran's banter with Kate.  He has me constant smiling while reading them again, and from Curran's POV, just as brilliant.

This is definitely a collection to read AFTER the books.  It's wonderful to go back and read these and remember.  Actually, it makes me want to go back and re-read the series as I loved it that much.

Each book has a Curran view here:
Magic Bites:
When Curran first meets Kate in Unicorn Lane.  He knew some of Kate from Jim, as Jim works with her and strange as he's a cat and works alone or with a few from Pack.

I still full smile at the "Kitty, kitty, kitty" call from Kate.  And Curran's reaction! LOL!  This is the Beast Lords first impression of Kate.

Magic Burns:
When Curran brought Kate to the South East office to be healed, from slashes on her back and the poison.

Curran seems to realize his feelings and knows Exactly what he was doing with the soup.  These two are a pair!

Magic Strikes:
Curran pieces together why key members of his pack have gone rogue and who's at the lead while in the Loupe cage.

Oh what Curran calls Kate!  LOLOL!  He always has choice words in his mind about his love.  But we get to see Curran's chat with Julie before she lets him out.  Gods that girl is quick, smart and so good.  I do love her.  Curran sees the alpha in Kate and notes it to himself here.

Magic Bleeds:
The meeting of Alphas and The People when Curran sees Kate all dolled up...and with Saiman.

Oh, oh, oh!  I was hoping for this POV from Curran.  That is all I can say.  But this is the thoughts running through his head at that moment, before he gets called back to the meeting.

Then there is a teaser of the first chapter for Magic Strikes here as well.

##########

Curran POV Vol 2
Fathers and Sons

By:  Gordon Andrews

Publisher:  Gordon & Ilona Andrews

Publish Date:  May 19, 2011

Format:  eNovella

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  2nd in Curran POV, and Kate Daniels Series: Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes, Magic Bleeds, Magic Slays; Curran POV 3 & 4

Recommendation:  OH HELL! Read it.  And learn what happens between Curran and Mohan.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Curran wakes from his two week coma to Kate at his side and to hear another has come to challenge her.  He has other plans and goes to the Alpha Pack Council meeting.  Then Curran tells Mohan, his adoptive father, to stay.  Curran knows this is it, they need to have this out about Kate now.

This is why Curran is THE Beast Lord.  Right up front.  This is not the banter and fun witted man we see with Kate.  This is the Beast Lord taking control of the Pack and the way things will go, his way.

In this one we get more.  We get Curran and Mahon.  I always wondered where he disappeared too after being known he didn't much care for Kate as Curran's mate.  This will settle that.

There is fun, but The Beast Lord makes his presence known, and there is fighting to please all.



You can find both these ebooks for free on Ilona Andrews site.



**I read these for my own enjoyment.

UF Blog Chat (32) Final Stop!

We have come to the end of Gunmetal Magic and finished the novella in the end; Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews.  A novel in Kate's world along with a few days in Kate's crazy life.

I hope those of you who have read this one will join Robyn and I as Robyn hosts the chat this week.

I'm curious as to your thoughts on this book, Andrea, Raphael, and ROMAN!! lol.

So please join us: Final Chat on Gunmetal Magic.

***Warning: There will be SPOILERS at Robyn's blog in the comments, and potentially in the questions.

Who? What? Where? (88)

Who are you with? Where are you at? What's happening?

Share with us just a little bit of what is happening in the book you are reading, right where you are now.

Just a tiny taste of what's happening, remember try to not give spoilers of the book.

(This is a new meme I'm going to try and will tweak as I go. And please don't laugh at my lame attempt at drawing. ;D )

This Week:

I'm standing with Kate by the stone wall of the Keep, watching.  Watching as Curran fights a challenge by a crazy drunk Viking who has a magical specialty of his own.  But Kate needs him for his knowledge too, so he can't hurt him and needs to win.  Listening to Kate, I think she's enjoying this.

Magic Gifts
By:  Ilona Andrews


Others have shown interest in joining in this post, and linking up.  So I've created a linky for that.
My only requests; copy the picture to use, and link back to My World...in words and pages.
Please visit any joining in.
Thank you!

Teaser Tuesday (140)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

This Week:

To the left, Curran thrust his claws through the flesh under his vamp's chin.  The bloody tips of the talons emerged from the back of the bloodsucker's neck.

Magic Gifts
By:  Ilona Andrews

Novella in back of Gunmetal Magic, 340pg

UF Book Chat (32) Schedule

Our next book is part of a series we've already been reading.  It's a spin off, but I'm excited to keep up in this world.  And this character has caught my eye more and more with each book of the originating series.

Who, or what, is it you ask...

Gunmetal Magic
By:  Ilona Andrews
Description:
Includes a free bonus: a Kate Daniels novella, "Magic Gifts" 
The "New York Times "bestselling Kate Daniels novels have been hailed as "top-notch urban fantasy" ("Monsters and Critics"). Now, Ilona Andrews delves deeper into Kate's world, and reveals its untold stories... 

After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea's whole existence is in shambles. She tries to put herself back together by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend. When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano--the male alpha of the Clan Bouda, and Andrea's former lover--die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate. Now she must work with Raphael as her search for the killer leads into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta. And dealing with her feelings for him might have to take a back seat to saving the world... 

Schedule:
October 18, 2013 ~ 169pg ~ End of Chapter 9
October 25, 2013 ~ End of Gunmetal Magic, and including Magic Gifts

Book Review: Magic Slays

Magic Slays

By:  Ilona Andrews

Publisher:  Ace Books

Publish Date:  June 2011

Format:  Paperback 308pgs, pocketbook size

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  5th in Kate Daniels series; 1st Book ~ Magic Bites, 2nd Book ~ Magic Burns, 3rd Book ~ Magic Strikes, 4th Book ~ Magic Bleeds, Short Stories ~ Curran POV 3 & 4

Recommendation:  Oh Yes!  This book has so many balls flying through the air, and more for us to learn about them all.

Book Synopsis:
Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly.  Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job.

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, but she's still knee-deep in paranormal problems.  Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her.  Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be - now that the Order is disparaging her good name.  Plus, many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate's mate.

So when Atlanta's premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work.  But it turns out that this is not an isolated incident.  Kate needs to get to the bottom of it - and fast, or the city and everyone dear to her may pay the ultimate price...

First Sentence:
The ringing of the phone jerked me from my sleep.

My Thoughts and Summary:
It's been two months since Kate's Aunt attack on the city.  Before the crack of dawn Kate receives a phone call from Julie's school.  She's run away, again, and now they agree since she doesn't want to be there they won't take her back, for her own safety.  Curran believes Julie will be safe staying with them and with three hundred shafters ready to protect her, Kate has agreed but teaches Julie a little lesson in the way she comes home.  Kate has opened Cutting Edge Investigations, only a month ago and no ones called to hire her thanks to The Order has been bad mouthed her name, just bills piling up.  Even through the Pack is paying the bills, for a short time, she wants to stand on her own two feet.  Her first call, Ghastek with a lose vampire heading her direction, the journeyman had fainted while navigating.  Finally when the vampire is under control and Ghastek shows, he passes out himself, of all people to lose control.  Something is up.  Kate's second call, is Rene from the Red Guard, she was the woman at the guard of Midnight Games, wants to hire her to find her charge and his magical device that was taken from her protection.  Even though no useful information is available to find this man, the twenty grand and an endorsement for Cutting Edge Investigation from the Red Guard convinces Kate to take the job.  This man and his device could end up being very dangerous to Kate, all her friends and family, and even the whole magical city.

Even though this is two months later, I feel as we are right where we left off from Magic Bleeds.  This book makes me smile on the first page, and so happy to see the fun jabs between Curran and Kate are not lost with the love they share.

Kate's family heritage is growing.  She learns more of her mother through others here.  I found it interesting what Kate learns from the witches.

Andrea is ever present in this book as well, and with her own personal issues.  Andrea had left with Grendel, Kate's attack poodle which was in Andrea's care, after the fight with Kate's Aunt.  But she's back, and been through a mess with The Order.  Saiman is present for a scene as well.  We get to see him in his true form, again, and learn of what Curran inflicted upon him after what happened in Magic Bleeds.  Oh I am really enjoying Saiman, and his true form.   Oh Julie...I love this girl.  Kate is raising her to be one strong woman, and had taught her to fight.  We get to see Julie and enjoy her humor for a few before we worry greatly for her.

This book didn't hit me as hard as Magic Bleeds.  Magic Bleeds was one that hit me all at once with a high point that ran full throttle to the end, and I couldn't stop.  Magic Slays was one that kept going.  There was so many great scenes and so many different people being affected.  Each scene was non-stop.  This book was the high hit all the way through.  No low.  I eat up the action, the happenings, and worries like crazy.  All from Andrea to Julie to Kate and Curran, the magic, death, the pack, family, and so many more!

This book has so many balls flying through the air and none are falling flat.  One amazing read from the start to the finish.


I read this book for my own enjoyment.
Please remember this review is of my personal thoughts and opinions.

Looking Forward Too...(100)

There are so many amazing books already on the shelves and new ones coming out.

For a list of books yet to be released I'm looking to get, you can also look on my right Sidebar at the ever growing list titled Desired Reads - just scroll down. Of course there are tones of other new books to come out that are amazing as well, but these ones are part of series I have already started or for one reason or another caught my eye (and haven't seen much on other blogs yet). But I will highlight one here each week.

(mentioned in order of Release Date then Alphabetical if there are more than one book coming out on the same date.)

Next Book Is...

Gunmetal Magic

#5.5 Kate Daniels world, Andrea's book

By:  Ilona Andrews

Due Out:  July 31, 2012

So I'm a late bloomer to this series, I just recently finished Magic Slays and right there with you all waiting for the next moments of books, stories, and anthologies.  I've become a book stoker of this series, author, you name it.  And I hold my head high, proud of it.  LOL!

This book is a story through Andrea.  I will say she has been a growing character to me and after Magic Slays, she sooooo deserves her own story!

Goodreads Synopsis:

Some people have everything figured out — Andrea Nash is not one of those people. After being kicked out of the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea's whole existence is in shambles. All she can do is try to put herself back together, something made easier by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend, Kate Daniels.

When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano — the male alpha of Clan Bouda and Andrea's former lover — die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate ... and must work with Raphael. As her search for the killer leads her into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta, Andrea knows that dealing with her feelings for Raphael might have to take a backseat to saving the world ...

Book Review: Magic Bleeds

Magic Bleeds

By:  Ilona Andrews

Publisher:  Ace Fantasy

Publish Date:  June 2010

Format:  Paperback 349pgs, pocketbook size

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  4th book in Kate Daniels series; 1st Book ~ Magic Bites, 2nd Book ~ Magic Burns, 3rd book~ Magic Strikes, Short Stories ~ Curran POV 3 & 4

Recommendation:  Oh HELL YES! This is full of action!  Kate is non-stop at trying to kick butt, and die. And the secondary characters we love are here.

Book Synopsis:
Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren't for the magic.  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.

Kate Daniels works for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, officially, as a liaison with the mercenary guild.  Unofficially, she cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to handle - especially if they involve Atlanta's shapeshifting community.

When she's called in to investigate a fight at the Steel Horse, a bar on the border between the territories of the shapeshifters and the necromancers, Kate quickly discovers there's a new player in town.  One who's been around for thousands of years - and rode to war at the side of Kate's father.

This foe may be too much even for Kate and Curran, the Beast Lord, to handle.  Because this time Kate will be taking on family...

First Sentence:
No matter how carefully I patted the chopped apples into place, the top crust of my apple pie always looked like I'd tried to bury a dismembered body under it.

My Thoughts and Summary:
We start with a prologue; our dinner of Kate serving Curran.  However, Kate remembers a life long lesson taught to her.  The first chapter is three weeks after the said dinner.  Kate is still heartbroken.  Someone starts a fight at a border bar in neutral territory of Shapeshifters and The People, Steel Horse.  Both groups Kate is currently trying to avoid ~ lead by Curran and Roland.  At the Steel Horse, there is a dead body; infected and growing, spreading, and highly contagious.  Locked in the cellar, a dangerous creature...a dog, that seems harmless and likes Kate.  More attacks happen, The People ask for the Orders help (shocking!) then another attack including a shifters death and the Pack offers their assistance.  Just what Kate needs when her own family is after her.

Kate's personal life is a struggle for her; what she should do and what her heart says it wants, collide.  This is an internal struggle for Kate, and with this we learn more of her past and raising with her day.  Ilona and Gordon are wonderful at creating so many things through the action and happenings; a whole history, character development, and beliefs of a group or two.

I love the suspense used with the arrival of Curran in the books.  It makes me want him around more, and to love him and Kate when they are together.  We might be a little mad at Curran in this one.  But who can really stay mad at Curran?

When a book grabs me like this one did, I ask why.  Why was I so drawn in?  There are so many reasons.  I'm invested in the series and know the characters being the fourth book.  But I love all the book offers; action, fight, humor, love, and a kick butt storyline that keeps me wondering and wanting to find out.  And gives me clues along the way.  I just keep flipping pages!  This was the ABSOLUTE HARDEST book, I've ever read, I really could not put it down.

Coming into this book I wanted more about Roland and Roland in relation to Kate.  I needed that this time.  And I got some of what I wanted.  We didn't get Roland, himself, but we did get closer and learned more in that arena.  That appeased me greatly, and I look forward to getting closer to Roland as the books go.  I want to know more on Roland with Kate and I thought this could get interesting with this area of the story.  It is getting interesting, the connection made to Kate, and more that can come.  I NEED to see what happens with Kate, and with Kate and Curran.

Oh goodness! Just go read the book already!!!


**I read this book for my own enjoyment.
***This review is of my personal opinions.

Blog Book Chat (27) Schedule

The next book is picked and scheduled for us.  Neither of us could wait much longer to read this one, and I HAVE to read it in one section. lol.  Did you guess it?

Yep!

Magic Slays
By:  Ilona Andrews
Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job.

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be—now that the Order is disparaging her good name, and many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate.

So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. Turns out this is not an isolated incident, and Kate needs to get to the bottom of it—fast, or the city and everyone dear to her might pay the ultimate price . . .

Schedule:
1 Stop ~ May 17, 2012 ~ Whole book!

Book Review: Curran POV 3 & 4

Curran #3 (POV #3)

By:  Gordon Andrews

Publisher:  Ilona Andrews on blog

Publish Date:  November 27, 2011

Format:  Blog, I printed

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  3rd  Curran POV, and Kate Daniels series; Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes

Recommendation:  OH Yes!  You get to see what Curran learns of Kate, and what Jim knows too!

My Thoughts and Summary:
Jim goes to Curran with information he has collected since the fight at the arena.  Jim feels Curran should know more about Kate, her past, and her father, before he makes his choice on picking her as a mate.

First, this short read falls in line AFTER Magic Strikes.

Oh, this was a lovely quick read!  I love getting Curran's POV with finding out about Kates biological father and the man that she calls dad.  I liked getting the unbiased information from Jim, which he is very good at finding.  It was neat to see the pictures of the life Kate hinted at in Magic Strikes.

There is a strong hint to who Jim might have a "crush" on and the diversion Jim uses is humor that makes me chuckle.  But the hint of Jim's attracted affections I think, I think, is grown in the anthology of Hexed.  So, nice tie in here!

I like Curran and Jim putting the facts about Kate together, but I still want Kate to tell Curran.  That would be the ultimate trust for her.  And I'm now more ready to dive into Magic Bleeds.

This is a free read on Ilona Andrews' blog, if you would like to read it as well...

##########

Curran POV #4
Magic Strikes Hot Tub POV

By:  Gordon Andrews

Publisher:  Ilona Andrews on blog

Publish Date:  March 7, 2012

Format:  Blog, I printed

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  4th Curran POV, and Kate Daniels Series; Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes

Recommendation:  Um, YES!! You get to see through Curran's eyes.

My Thoughts and Summary:
First, this POV happens IN Magic Strikes, in the second half of book.  So read it AFTER Magic Strikes.

We see Curran's thoughts on Kate, and that she could be of Alpha material as well, how she took charge of his best people and they followed her against his law.  But then he also thinks of what a complete and utter mess Kate had made of things as well.

Curran, as the protective man he is, tells why he grabbed that silver golem.  Curran tracks Kate, to the hot tub.  We then pick up with the conversation of Kate and Curran in the hot tub, through Curran's eyes.

He is blunt and gruff in his thinking, but it fits him so well.  Curran even reflects on Bran and Kate liking him. In the end Curran makes up his mind of Kate and him.  (If you've read Magic Strikes, you know what it is.)

This is a free short read on Ilona Andrews blog, so if you would like to read it...please do!


I read these short POVs for my own enjoyment.
This review is of my personal thoughts.

Blog Book Chat (25) Finished!!

Oh my goodness!  This was on tough book to stop at the break, and I flew through to finish Magic Bleeds!  I don't know if I can wait a month and half to get to Magic Slays.  I'm going to have to read an anthology and Curran POVs to get me through until we chat about the next book.

So, we have come to the conclusion of this amazing book.  All in this book is fair game to talk about, and speculate on.  So lets get to business!

****WARNING:  There will be SPOILERS in the comments, and potentially in the questions too.

To get us started...

Robyn's Questions:
1.)  What do you think of Hugh putting a bodyguard on Kate?
2.)  How will Kate handle being an Alpha?
3.)  Will Andrea stay with the Order?  Maybe she could work for Kate.
4.)  In the next book, will Hugh be the next villain or worse, Roland?  I feel like we won't have a showdown with Roland until the very end.

Melissa's Questions:
1.)  We have learned more about Curran in this book.  Could there be something special about Curran's family?  It seems the long-lived Kate family knows about him.
2.)  What do you think of Kate's new "friends," the boudas?
3.)  Do you think we'll see Naeemah, the crocodile shifter again?  Will she help Kate against Hugh and her dad?
4.)  Where did Grendel go?  What do you think of the Black Dog story with him?

Anything else you would like to touch on, just mention in the comments.  We'll talk about anything in the book.

Teaser Tuesday (113)

Teaser Tuesday

is a weekly event

Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading

Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)

Open the book to any random page.

Share 2 teaser sentences from anywhere on the page

Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!

(Don't Give Too Much Away)

Just enough to pique our interests

This Week:

I nicked my thumb with the point of a throwing knife and let a drop of my blood fall onto the herbs.  Magic surged through the dried grasses, like fire along a detonation cord, and exploded into the head.

Magic Bleeds
By:  Ilona andrews
81pg

Book Blog Chat (25) Stop 1!

Wow! This was a tough stop.  But we are at the half way point, and the chat is ready to go.

Come join us in the chat! :D

The chat is hosted by Robyn at The Bookoholic Zone.  Hope you join us! :D

Then we will be on to the last half of the book!  Hope you join us.

Book Blog Chat (25) Schedule

Well, Robyn and I are addicted.  You all were right.  I don't, and talking to Robyn she doesn't, want to stop reading these books.

So our next book pick to chat is:

Magic Bleeds
By:  Ilona Andrews
Synopsis:
Kate Daniels cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to deal with-especially if they involve Atlanta's shapeshifting community. 

And now there's a new player in town-a foe that may be too much for even Kate and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, to handle. Because this time, Kate will be taking on family.

Schedule
Stop 1 ~ April 5, 2012 ~ End of Chapter 17, 178pg
Stop 2 ~ April 12, 2012 ~ End of book.

Do you think you'll join us?  I know there are many of you who have already read the book, but you could join us for the concluding chat of the book.

Book Review: Magic Strikes

Magic Strikes

By:  Ilona Andrews

Publisher:  Ace Fantasy

Publish Date:  April 2009

Format:  Paperback, 310pgs; pocketbook size

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Series:  3rd novel in Kate Daniels series; Book 1 ~ Magic Bites, Book 2 ~ Magic Burns

Recommendation:  If you are reading this series and enjoying it, then you NEED to keep going!  Keeps getting better and better!

Book Synopsis:
When magic strikes and Atlanta goes to pieces, it's a job for Kate Daniels...

Drafted to work for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems these days than she knows what to do with.  And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that's saying a lot.

But when Kate's werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet.  As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games - an invitation-only, no-holds-barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament - she and Curran, the Beast Lord, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta's shapeshifting community...

First Sentence:
Some days my job was harder than others.

My Thoughts and Summary:
Two months after the flair and big battle with a god, magic is starting to flicker back to normal and people are flooding the Order with calls of help, Kate's days are full of several awful things now.  Kate has not stopped but for a few short hours of sleep.  After midnight on her way home, Kate gets a call from her telepathic secretary... a dead Shapeshifter, and being Kate's area of expertise she is off to investigate.  Jim is there handling the situation and sends her home declining the Orders help.  Kate gets a call from Saiman, he has Derek in his apartment and caged.  Kate bargains for her close friends release without mention, by agreeing to go to the highly illegal midnight games (the tickets Derek was after) with Saiman.  Kate finds herself getting involved with attacks, that seem to be associated with the forbidden game participants.

This one carries through with Curran and Kate's banter.  I love when Kate gets caught mocking him. LOL!  I had to laugh.  It's a classic scenario, but I just love it with these two.  And we start to see moments where they can talk, like normal people, even work together!  It's shocking, but wonderful to see these two come around to each other.  Oh, and so much more. lol.  Kate knows she wants Curran, but refuses to give in to a man who likes a challenge and a game... or so Kate thinks.

Oh Derek!! He is my favorite, sorry I know Curran should be but well... I was so sad for him here!  The poor kid!  But, I still love him, no matter what. ;)  My heart broke for Kate with only a few people she considers friends and Derek being top of the list.  She would kill for him.  I have to say Saiman caught my eye here too! I was curious about him before, well we get to see his true birth form and I want to see more of Saiman!

I love how we stumble through with Kate, learning the Shapeshifter ways.  In this book we learn of courting of the were-people, with a few different species.  It's always neat to see this world more and more each book.  We then learn tidbits of Kate's past as well (thanks be!) we get to learn a little about Roland.  In the end we get a look into that world.  I've been waiting for this, and so glad to see it coming to the surface, even just a tad.  I think this will surface more in the next few books.

We have a fight arena here in this book, part of the dark side.  This throws a neat twist into what we learn, and how we learn it.

It seems each book gets better and better as you get to know the characters and world.  I'm so happy that some of the Roland hints have been touched on here.  I have been waiting for that story to pick up, and now I'm excited to get to the next book in hopes of more.  I'm on to the next book, next month.  Can't wait!


I read this book for my own enjoyment.