Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A "realistic" Urban Fantasy Novel.....Hurray!!!, April 16, 2008
Important note: I would not call this a paranormal romance, I would call this a Urban Fantasy book. I have a pet peeve about being mislead and this book fits the former category.
After I finished the first book of this series I was seriously worried that we were headed down the path to another of the too powerful to be believable heroines. The characters were interesting and the author's idea for bringing magic and technology together was good, but I seriously wondered if our Heroine was going to be another Anita Blake who develops new powers every other page.
Book 2. Ilona Andrews gets a big thumb up for letting her heroine get her butt royally kicked several times in the book. She's still a really bratty, smart-mouthed girl who happens to be really, really powerful in magic and other things. Here's the great part. There is a good explanation for a lot of it. She doesn't just magically have powers, she has been to schools and she studies on her own to get better. What? A heroine who works at it?? Thank you, Ms. Andrews, for writing with your brain intact.
The second book starts up pretty much where the first book left off. Kate, our heroine, is still struggling financially, has a hard time keeping a boyfriend and doesn't play nice with others. Her interactions with other paranormal groups continue and she keeps trying to do good while staying as sassy and likable as before.
The storyline follows Kate through the advent of a major surge/spike in magic and the interactions of several different groups who are being affected. The Beastlord who she flirted/fought with during the first book remains a strong supporting character, but Ms. Andrews doesn't just throw them together for the almost mandatory sex that these books too often include without a good reason. Again, nice job Ms. Andrews.
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35 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Three things about Kate Daniels, April 2, 2008
* Weird sh@t is attracted to her
* She doesn't do 'humble'
* She has cute bows on her panties
Intrigued? You should be. If you're a strong fan of kickbutt urban fantasy heroines, you need to meet Kate.
Kate lives in an alternate Atlanta in a world where magic has returned and it comes in waves with technology. Aside from double coping skills, she's got two jobs--one with the Order and One with the Merc Guild. Add to that, two mortgages and enough trouble on her plate that she needs a clone or two to give her a hand.
Someone's stealing valuable maps from the weres and she's got to get them back. A misguided coven makes an alliance with the wrong Celtic God and Kate's stuck with the coven leader's daughter. And the girl comes with all the troubles teenage girls are prone to--and then some. You see, she's a virgin and her boyfriend wants to try and use her for some powerful mojo.
What I'm most impresed with Ilona Andrews' sophomore effort is that she's taken a great start in "Magic Bites" and made it better. Clearly, she's done her mythological research and synthesized it into her manuscript seamlessly. Strong fantasy and titilating romance blend with enough elements of both to keep both camps happy.
"Magic Bites" was an impressive entry into the urban fantasy genre. "Magic Bites" establishes Ilona Andrews as an author who's going to keep honing her craft until she reaches the top of the charts. I wish her every success in that endeavor and I'll be waiting for the next installment.
Magic Bites (Kate Daniels Series, Book 1)
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lions and mermaids and shaman, oh my!, April 1, 2008
Magic Burns is the second book in the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. Kate is a mercenary in magic-torn Atlanta, eliminating the magical anomalies that surface each time a wave of magic hits. In Magic Bites, she investigates the murder of her guardian and ruffles a few important furs and feathers in the process. In Magic Burns, we revisit Kate's uncanny ability to attract danger from all sides as she works to investigate the disappearance of a young girl's mother. She must work cooperatively with The People (vampires) and The Pack (shapeshifters), though this alliance is frequently strained.
Fans of the series should not be disappointed by this new installment. This reads like a separate episode - while it does help to have some prior knowledge of the universe, it may not be required for you to enjoy this second book. The romantic fans will be titillated by Magic Burns as Kate's relationship with Curran really starts getting interesting and a rival enters the battle.
Books like this are typically not my "thing," but I have to give the author credit for a work that I finished at a break-neck pace. Magic Burns is full of action, adventure, mystery, humor, and a touch of romance. The emphasis of Magic Burns is the action - the dark qualities aren't quite as strong as they were in Bites, and the mystery is a little rushed. Humor in a book like this is a delicate balance - alternating between comedy and dark adventure is tricky, especially while keeping up the momentum of the plot. Overdoing the one-liners can turn a book into pure schlock or a belly-laugh. In Magic Burns there are some phrases that are a little overused ("In your dreams!"), some reactions that seem unreasonable or cartoonish. But overall, the funny bits are very well done and elevate the series from interesting to endearing. The snark suits Kate well and creates a thoroughly entertaining read.
All of your favorite characters from Magic Bites make a reappearance in Magic Burns, almost without exception. These characters are typically well integrated into the story, but some of them make cameo appearances that are not really part of the story, and a few of the characters undergo a personality shift between Bites and Burns.
The world is intriguing and well researched, integrating Celtic mythologies and new facts about shapeshifters, vampires, and the urban fantasy landscape. Magic Burns takes place during a magic flare, where the abilities of all magical creatures are enhanced: for better and worse. We also get a short, satisfying, and revealing glimpse into Kate's origins. Now that we have answers, here's hoping that the next book will explore the inevitable confrontations.
Magic Burns is a tease and a page-turner. Peppered with furry, sticky violence and rapier wit, the whirlwind tour of Atlanta is far from over.
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