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Magic Bites Mass Market Paperback – March 27, 2007
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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...
- Print length260 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherAce
- Publication dateMarch 27, 2007
- Dimensions4.19 x 0.74 x 6.81 inches
- ISBN-100441014895
- ISBN-13978-0441014897
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Ilona Andrews's books are guaranteed good reads.”—Patricia Briggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Kate is a great kick-ass heroine.”—Locus
“One of the brightest voices in urban fantasy...Ilona Andrews delivers only the best.”—Jeaniene Frost, New York Times bestselling author
“One of the best urban fantasy series ever written!”—RT Book Reviews
“Andrews's edgy series stands apart.”—Library Journal
“Urban fantasy absolutely does not get much better than this.”—SF Signal
“I can’t think of another series so consistent, so well written, so full of wit and action and drama that always manages to give me exactly what I’m needing.”—Fiction Vixen
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
CHAPTER 1
I SAT AT A TABLE IN MY SHADOWY KITCHEN, STARING down a bottle of Boone’s Farm Hard Lemonade, when a magic fluctuation hit. My wards shivered and died, leaving my home stripped of its defenses. The TV flared into life, unnaturally loud in the empty house.
I raised my eyebrow at the bottle and bet it that another urgent bulletin was on.
The bottle lost.
“Urgent bulletin!” Margaret Chang announced. “The Attorney General advises all citizens that any attempt at summoning or other activities resulting in the appearance of a supernaturally powerful being can be hazardous to yourself and to other citizens.”
“No shit,” I told the bottle.
“Local police have been authorized to subdue any such activities with all due force.”
Margaret droned on, while I bit into my sandwich. Who were they kidding? No police force could hope to squash every summoning. It took a qualified wizard to detect a summoning in progress. It required only a half-literate idiot with a twitch of power and a dim idea of how to use it to attempt one. Before you knew it, a three-headed Slavonic god was wreaking havoc in downtown Atlanta, the skies were raining winged snakes, and SWAT was screaming for more ammo. These were unsafe times. But then in safer times, I’d be a woman without a job. The safe tech-world had little use for a magic-touting mercenary like me.
When people had trouble of a magic kind, the kind that cops couldn’t or wouldn’t handle, they called the Mercenary Guild. If the job happened to fall into my territory, the Guild then called me. I grimaced and rubbed my hip. It still ached after the last job, but the wound had healed better than I expected. That was the first and last time I would agree to go against the Impala Worm without full body armor. The next time they better furnish me with a level four containment suit.
An icy wave of fear and revulsion hit me. My stomach lurched, sending acid to coat the root of my tongue with a bitter aftertaste. Shivers ran along my spine, and the tiny hairs on my neck stood on end.
Something bad was in my house.
I put down my sandwich and hit the mute button on the remote control. On the screen Margaret Chang was joined by a brick-faced man with a high-and-tight haircut and eyes like slate. A cop. Probably Paranormal Activity Division. I put my hand on the dagger that rested on my lap and sat very still.
Listening. Waiting.
No sound troubled the silence. A drop of water formed on the sweaty surface of the Boone’s Farm bottle and slid down its glistening side.
Something large crawled along the hallway ceiling into the kitchen. I pretended not to see it. It stopped to the left of me and slightly behind, so I didn’t have to pretend very hard.
The intruder hesitated, turned, and anchored itself in the corner, where the ceiling met the wall. It sat there, fastened to the paneling by enormous yellow talons, still and silent like a gargoyle in full sunlight. I took a swig from the bottle and set it so I could see the creature’s reflection. Nude and hairless, it didn’t carry a single ounce of fat on its lean frame. Its skin stretched so tight over the hard cords of muscle, it threatened to snap. Like a thin layer of wax melted over an anatomy model.
Your friendly neighborhood Spiderman.
The vampire raised its left hand. The dagger talons sliced the empty air, back and forth, like curved knitting needles. The vamp turned its head doglike and studied me with eyes luminescent with a particular kind of madness, born of bestial blood thirst and free of any thought or restraint.
In a single motion I whipped around and hurled the dagger. The black blade sliced cleanly into the creature’s throat.
The vampire froze. Its yellow claws stopped moving.
Thick, purplish blood swelled around the blade and slowly slid down the naked flesh of the vampire’s neck, staining its chest and dripping on the floor. The vampire’s features twisted, trying to morph into a different face. It opened its maw, displaying twin fangs, curved like miniature ivory sickles.
“That was extremely inconsiderate, Kate,” Ghastek’s voice said from the vampire’s throat. “Now I have to feed him.”
“It’s a reflex. Hear a bell, get food. See an undead, throw a knife. Same thing, really.”
The vampire’s face jerked as if the Master of the Dead controlling it tried to squint.
“What are you drinking?” Ghastek asked.
“Boone’s Farm.”
“You can afford better.”
“I don’t want better. I like Boone’s Farm. And I prefer to do business by phone, and with you, not at all.”
“I don’t wish to hire you, Kate. This is merely a social call.”
I stared at the vampire, wishing I could put my knife into Ghastek’s throat. It would feel very good cutting into his flesh. Unfortunately he sat in an armored room many miles away.
“You enjoy screwing with me, don’t you, Ghastek?”
“Immensely.”
The million-dollar question was why. “What is it you want? Make it quick, my Boone’s Farm’s getting warm.”
“I was just wondering,” Ghastek said with dry neutrality particular only to him, “when was the last time you saw your guardian?”
The nonchalance in his voice sent tiny shivers down my spine. “Why?”
“No reason. As always, a pleasure.”
In a single powerful leap the vampire detached itself from the wall and flew through the open window, taking my knife with it.
I reached for the phone, swearing under my breath, and dialed the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid. No vampire could breach my wards when the magic was in full swing. Ghastek had no way of knowing when the magic would ebb, so he must have been watching my house for some time, waiting for my defensive spells to fail. I took a swig from the bottle. That meant a vamp had been hiding someplace close when I came home last night, and I didn’t see or feel it. How reassuring. Might just as well write “Alert R Us” on my merc ID.
One ring. Two. Three. Why would he ask me about Greg?
The phone clicked and a stern female voice delivered a practiced blurb, “Atlanta Chapter of the Order, how may I help you?”
“I would like to speak to Greg Feldman.”
“Your name?”
A faint note of anxiety pulsed through her voice.
“I don’t have to give you my name,” I said into the receiver. “I wish to speak to the knight-diviner.”
A pause issued and a male voice said, “Please, identify yourself.”
They were stalling, probably trying to trace the call. What the hell was going on?
“No,” I said firmly. “Page seven of your Charter, third paragraph down: ‘Any citizen has a right to seek counsel of a knight-diviner without fear of retribution or need for identification.’ As a citizen, I insist that you put me in contact with the knight-diviner now or specify the time he can be reached.”
“The knight-diviner is dead,” the voice said.
The world halted. I skidded through its stillness, frightened and off balance. My throat ached. I heard my heart beating in my chest.
“How?” My voice was calm.
“He was killed in the line of duty.”
“Who did it?”
“The matter is still under investigation. Look, if I could just get your name . . .”
I pushed the disconnect button and lowered the receiver in its place. I looked at the empty chair across from me. Two weeks ago Greg had sat in this chair, stirring his coffee. His spoon had made small precise circles, never touching the sides of the mug. For a moment I could actually see him right there, while the memory played in my mind.
Greg was looking at me with dark brown eyes, mournful, like the eyes of an icon. “Please, Kate. Suspend your dislike of me for a few moments and listen to what I have to say. It makes sense.”
“I don’t dislike you. It’s an oversimplification.”
He nodded, wearing that very patient expression that drove women mad. “Of course. I didn’t intend to slight or simplify your feelings. I merely wish us to concentrate on the substance of what I have to say. Could you please listen?”
I leaned back and crossed my arms. “I’m listening.”
He reached inside his leather jacket and produced a rolled-up scroll. He placed the scroll on the table and unrolled it slowly, holding it taut with the tips of his fingers.
“This is the invitation from the Order.”
I threw my hands in the air. “That’s it, I’m done.”
“Allow me to finish,” he said. He didn’t look angry. He didn’t tell me that I was acting like a child, although I knew that I was. It made me madder.
“Very well,” I said.
“In a few weeks you’ll turn twenty-five. While in itself that means very little, in terms of readmission into the Order it carries a certain weight. It’s much harder to gain entrance once you turn twenty-five. Not impossible. Just harder.”
“I know,” I said. “They’ve sent me brochures.”
He let go of the scroll and leaned back, lacing his long fingers. The scroll remained open even though every law of physics dictated that it should snap back into a roll. Greg forgot about physics sometimes.
“In that case, you’re aware of the age penalties.”
It wasn’t a question, but I answered it anyway. “Yes.”
He sighed. It was a small movement, only noticeable to those who knew him well. I could tell by the way he sat, very still, craning his neck slightly, that he had guessed at my decision.
“I wish you would reconsider,” he said.
“I don’t think so.” For a moment I could see the frustration in his eyes. We both knew what was left unsaid: the Order promised protection, and protection to someone of my lineage was paramount.
“Can I ask why?” he said.
“It’s not for me, Greg. I can’t deal with hierarchy.”
For him the Order was a place of refuge and security, a place of power. Its members committed themselves to the values of the Order completely, serving with such dedication that the organization itself no longer seemed a gathering of individuals, but an entity in itself, thinking, rationalizing, and incredibly powerful. Greg embraced it and it nurtured him. I fought it and almost lost.
“Every moment I spent there, I felt as if there was less of me,” I said. “As if I was shrinking. Dwindling away. I had to get out and I won’t go back.”
Greg looked at me, his dark eyes terribly sad. In this dim light, in my small kitchen, his beauty was startling. In some perverse way I was happy that my stubbornness forced him to visit and now he sat in a chair less than a foot away, like an ageless elven prince, elegant and sorrowful. God, how much I hated myself for this little girl fantasy.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I said.
He blinked, startled by my formality and then rose smoothly. “Of course. Thank you for the coffee.”
I saw him to the door. The outside had turned dark, and the bright light of the moon enameled the grass on my lawn with silver. By the porch, white Rose of Sharon flowers glowed against the shrubs like a scattering of stars.
I watched Greg descend down the three concrete steps into the yard.
“Greg?”
“Yes?” He turned. His magic flared about him like a mantle.
“Nothing.” I closed the door.
My last memory of him, poised against the moonlight-drenched lawn and clothed in his magic.
Oh, God.
I cradled myself with my arms, wanting to cry. The tears would not come. My mouth had gone dry. My last link to my family severed. Nobody was left. I had no mother, no father, and now no Greg. I clenched my teeth and went to pack.
Product details
- Publisher : Ace (March 27, 2007)
- Language : English
- Mass Market Paperback : 260 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0441014895
- ISBN-13 : 978-0441014897
- Item Weight : 4.8 ounces
- Dimensions : 4.19 x 0.74 x 6.81 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #117,775 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,160 in Contemporary Literature & Fiction
- #4,295 in Romantic Fantasy (Books)
- #7,486 in Paranormal & Urban Fantasy (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

“Ilona Andrews” is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.)
Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Texas with their two children and many dogs and cats.
They have co-authored four NYT and USAT bestselling series, the urban fantasy of Kate Daniels, rustic fantasy of the Edge, paranormal romance of Hidden Legacy, and Innkeeper Chronicles, which they post as a free weekly serial. For complete list of their books, fun extras, and Innkeeper installments, please visit their website at Ilona-andrews.com.
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First of all – I don’t do book reports. Other reviewers and the synopsis do a wonderful job of that - all I do is tell the reasons why or why I really like or dislike a book so that others potential readers can figure out whether this is a series that they might enjoy.
In the 1st novel, I found myself lost at times and confused because of the totally different world this novel takes place in with the various factions and rules. I then became so engrossed that I couldn’t put it down despite at times feeling lost when I did not understand all the rules and characters. After reading the supplement at the end with in-depth information about the world of Kate Daniels – everything made sense. I understand now why the authors went back and included this in the 1st book of the series. The book really needed it because of the world created within and its complexity and rules. If you do decide, (after reading my reasons why I really like this series), to give this series a chance – read the supplement at the end first!
Yes, this is a series that contain a love story within(not a romance as usually portrayed); but, the love is a very slow developing love that takes place over time, trials, mistrust, misunderstandings between species/cultures and fights. This is one thing I really enjoy about this series. While I enjoy an occasional “fluff” novel with the “see mate, take mate and HEA” by the end of the book, I really relish a novel where the couples’ love and commitment is more realistic in that it takes time, development, compromises and work to keep it that way. This series is not really a HEA but more of a HRN (Happy Right Now) because we destroyed the evil monsters for right now, didn’t walk away for good because of a misunderstanding and both ready to fight even friends/associates/allies to stay together – so we can be Happy Right Now without worrying about what tomorrow will bring - type of saga. And, the commitment to each other grows stronger over time.
Yes, this series contains very graphic depictions of violence. I also enjoy Larissa Ione's Demonica Series so the graphic violence does not deter me from enjoying this series. In fact, the violence is a needed part of both series as they both take place in a very unfriendly, fight-for-your-life, vicious world setting where monsters do exist and they will come for you. All the main characters are fighters – fighting for survival, fighting for those that can’t, and fighting for what is right. The actions scenes are therefore graphic in their portrayal of what has to take place in making this world safe for another day – making the fight scenes come alive in blood, gore and guts.
Yes, Kate Daniels is “snarky”, sarcastic and exhibits a type of “dark” humor, which I really appreciate. I’m not into “slap-stick” or juvenile humor. Kate is also a strong female heroine that has no need for a strong, big, male to save her. Not that she’s too stupid to turn down any help that comes along but that she has been trained to rely on herself alone. The development of learning that she can rely on others is a long, frightening and rocky path for her. All the main female characters are strong women in strength and spirit but are not so perfect that it makes you want to gag. They get injured. They get hurt feeling, feelings of loneliness and despair. They are never “door mats.” And, most importantly – there are no TSTL moments. (That kills a book for me!)
All of the male protagonists are Alpha males with different abilities, different personalities, different viewpoints. Curran is the ultimate Alpha with such a developed personality and ability that I would read this series just to keep up with his trials and tribulations. His and Kate’s actions and interactions are enough to keep me coming back for more. Curran if far from perfect – he’s arrogant, demanding, and is capable of being a “pain-in-the-behind” type of male. He’s also loyal, extremely protective of others, and the ultimate predator.
Yes, there are unanswered questions at the end of the first novel. This series is more of a mystery at times that continues on to the next in the series. Each novel reveals a little bit more about Kate – her pass and her possible future. It’s more of an evolution of her and the people and world around her. While some of the novels deal with other main characters – they still need to be read in order to understand the dynamics of the relationships and the past events that has led the characters to their current place. Warning – this series can become extremely addicting.
The icing on the cake is that the authors were able to successfully take our known world – give it a twist and create an alternate world that is so developed - making it so believable that I could easily picture the characters, the actions and world that it happens in. This is no formulaic writing. The twist did not end with just the world building but in the type of characters inhabiting that new world. Just one example is with the vampires not being portrayed as handsome creatures operating under their own steam but as ugly tools operating under the guidance of others. This series is no doubt one of the most creative, imaginative and engrossing series that I have gotten into. There are no plot holes. No misspellings. All of the characters, actions and places are well developed. Another important fact – is that I have not been disappointed in any of the novels in this series so far (up to the 8th in the series now). While I have liked some novels better than others in the same series – when compared to other authors’ novels – this still beats them. (Except for Nalini Singh, Shelly Laurenston, Thea Harrison and a very few others – I have a very short pre-buy list of authors I trust to put out exceptional work.)
Kate is a mercenary, with powerful magic she needs to keep hidden. When her mentor dies, she seeks the answers as to who and why.
The road is a tough one to travel, leading her to the People (necromancer who control vampires) and the shifters (humans who change into animals), and a whole host of problems!
This particular edition also contained a few extras: a short prequel story, some scenes from the Beast Lord’s perspective, and an overview of the denizens of this world!
It’s a magical start for a thoroughly enjoyable series, that any urban fantasy fan will enjoy.
Kate Daniels series is where magic comes and goes in waves and results in things that go bump in the night.
Kate is... well, we don't know exactly what she is... although I have my suspicions :) she's a sort of mercenary for hire, but the situation changes a bit when her guardian is murdered... when she takes over the investigation into his death, she falls head first into a much more complicated situation she originally anticipated... this whole series is centered around her, with book #10 (the last one I think) coming out very soon... :) it's a paranormal / urban fantasy setting, which means we have an alternate version of our world, with magic and different creatures and people are actually aware of it all... there are necromancers, vampires and shifters... here they are called shapechangers and they are my favourite group to read about :) let me tell you... if I knew before how much of them there will be in this book I would have picked it up much sooner :) I don't really wanna say anything else about the plot, because it certainly took quite a few surprising turns I did not see coming, but rest assured that Kate solves the murder of her guardian in this one :) there's also a sort of open ending, leaving space for many potential stories :) ok, now that we have these basic informations out of the way, let me jump into all my thoughts and feelings about this one :)
I honestly have to say that I'm surprised by how much I actually loved this book :) it was... well, not slow at first, but defintiely details and world building heavy... it's expected in the first book of a series, especially if said series will evolve around one central character and is set in one world... but the amount of informations we get within those few first chapters... I had some troubles keeping everything straight... but around 30-35% it got easier :) I'm not sure if it was because I was a bit more familiar with everything... or because I got to know the characters and the rules... or maybe it was the moment when I just decided to go with the flow and not stress out if I don't remember everything :) but one afternoon I sat down to read a chapter or two and could not put the book down until I finished it :) yeah... so thank you very much K for recommending me a series with multiple books and spin off series... instead of crossing off one book from my #BookMountainRange... because I am way pass #BookMountain territory ;) I can add a dozen plus more ;) I gave this book 4,5 stars... after the beginning took me a while to get into, the rest of the ebook went by in a blur :) I loved the writing style, even though it was a bit more dark and creepy than I expected... Kate is a kick-ass heroine and I can't wait to get to know her more :) not to mention the shapechangers... *sighs happily* :) and K tells me that the first book is the worst... that they only keep getting better and better... so if I already really liked this one, how much more my love can grow? expect to observe my growing obsession as I make progress throughout this series... I'm so curious to see what's gonna happen in the next installment that I will probably pick it up in the upcoming weeks :) if you had your doubts about this series, I highly recommend it to you guys :) it was fast paced, packed with action and surprises... set in a very interesting world filled with complex characters... after reading the first book, I'm totally hooked :)
Top reviews from other countries

The heroine Kate Daniels is a tough girl with killer instincts, she is hiding from a powerful enemy but finds its time to stand up for something when her guardian is murdered in a messy fashion.
The characters are well written, there is quite a bit of humour in the story and there is also a lot of fight scenes. The series explores a lot of the myths in history and I have to admire the amount of research undertaken by the authors.
This book will appeal to anyone that likes urban fantasy with wry humour thrown in. I mainly recommend it as the start point to the rest of the series.

If you haven’t read this series before, why?!? It’s literally the best:well written, characters are amazing, never gets monotonous.
It’s Kate Daniels story but we meet so many varied and interesting people along the way and most stay throughout the whole series.
I’ve just re read the whole series again and I’m not lying when I say it must be around the 20th time or more, over the years I’ve re read it every 3 months or so.
Please give it a try, it won’t disappoint you.
If you happen to read this Ilona Davies? Can we have: maybe Roland’s story? Maybe after the ending of book 10 Magic Triumphs, also Conlan as an adult? There are so many book series you can make out of the characters.
Reading Julie’s atm and looking forward to book 2

I love this authors more recent series hidden legacy so I started this book with high hopes.
I have three main problems with it:
1) the world building is inferior. We’re frequently given words and terms that make no sense and expected to follow. I’m all for a bit of intrigue but it made me switch off as I couldn’t really care what all the different aspects meant.
2) the book revels in gore. Several scenes sexualise death and corpses for no apparent reason. Again, I can’t understand why other people enjoyed this?
3) fundamentally, the main character is very unlikable. I almost exclusively read fantasy so I’m used to off beat / tough girl main leads but she has no redeeming qualities other than her care for Greg and she seems far too immature for the age of her character.

Here skyscrapers topple under the onslaught of magic; the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, prowl through the ruined streets; and the Masters of the Dead, necromancers driven by their thirst for knowledge and wealth, pilot blood-crazed vampires with their minds.
Kate Daniels likes her sword a little too much, and she has a hard time controlling her mouth. The magic in her blood makes her a target, and she's spent most of her life hiding in plain sight. But when Kate's guardian is murdered, she must choose to do nothing, and remain safe, or to risk her life by pursuing his preternatural killer. Hiding is easy, but the right choice is rarely easy.
The book is written in 1st person with Kate as our narrator. It's written in a easy manner and I found it very easy to get on with. There is a lot of violence in this book, also a lot of body parts and dead bodies. However, I don't think the author indulges in it. The descriptions are simple, such as "there was blood on the floor," or "his intestines weren't in his body." So, its not overly descriptive. There are also mentions.of sexual violence, one of the characters talks about its several times. The book is split into 10 chapters and an epilogue, so the chapters themselves are long - most range from 20-50 pages long.
I really liked this book, I think the world building was great. Just the right amount, without info dumping a load of information at random puts. I liked the characters, I felt as though they all had depth, without being overly tragic as often happens in these type of books. The plot was great, I really enjoyed the twist and turns it took and I understood exactly what was happening. I also, didn't see the ending coming, which was a nice surprise.
There wasn't anything I disliked about the book. I'll definitely read the next one.
