Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
New York : Ace Books, 2007.
Description
Mercenary Kate Daniels cleans up urban problems of a paranormal kind. But her latest prey, a pack of undead warriors, presents her greatest challenge.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Kilina
This book has a little bit of everything paranormal and magical but the author’s take on this magic ridden future Earth is fascinating. Kate is a mercenary who deals with all sorts of magical creatures and though her job is mentioned we don’t really get to see her at it. The Order of Merciful
The writing drops you right into the story with very little background information. While the tactic makes you really get involved with the story, it is grating to not know about the world you are being dragged into. The plot, while engaging, is choppy at times. The action in the book is really well done and the real strength in the author’s writing. The bad guy I thought as a little too overdone. He’s the worst of the worst and it felt as if he was just so appalling for the shock value. All of the magic that Kate uses is really interesting and I hope focused on more in the future.
The People are introduced, but not much more than that. The man in charge in Atlanta wasn’t scary enough and I thought Ghastek, the necromancer Kate deals with is more fleshed out as a character. The absentee leader of all The People is intriguing but there is nothing more than a mention. The man Kate dates is just thrown in the book and I didn’t care for his character at all. I think that the real strength in characterization is The Pack. The shapeshifters were well drawn out characters. There are clearly many individuals within the many different races and pack dynamics were fascinating to read about. Curran of course was an impressive Beast Lord. He has the power and strength to rule them all and still enough personality to keep the story interesting. He is rightfully terrifying at times and well in control of his people. He has a mysterious past himself that makes you want to read more just to find out about him.
Kate was my real issue with this book, a big issue at that. I felt like this really good book really needed a better protagonist. She is powerful, bad ass and has genuine strength and fighting skills. But overall her personality is grating. The humor was flat and she just kept trying over and over in the book. I won’t say she was a stupid heroine but the real villain is mentioned many times and she has the information she needs all along and never sees it. The real rub with Kate is in her interaction with Curran. I know that their contact with each other is leading up to somewhere romantic but I just don’t see how he could even stand her right now. She has some too-stupid-to-live moments with him. She even has internal dialogue about her having the wrong reactions but she does and says it anyway. Maybe some growing up for Kate and a filter on her mouth will go a long way toward me liking her in other books because she has potential.
I enjoyed the book, the world that was created and I found most of the characters interesting. I’ll be reading the rest of the series to find out if these books can live up to the potential.
Show More
Aid has knights and a lot of power but there isn’t a lot of description about the significance of it all, like what all their titles really stand for. The People are necromancers with a lot of power and money that mind control the undead vampires. I liked that the vampires go against the grain and are terrifying, mindless creatures. There is a lot in the world to explore and the future books in the series leave Kate open to many different adventures. The writing drops you right into the story with very little background information. While the tactic makes you really get involved with the story, it is grating to not know about the world you are being dragged into. The plot, while engaging, is choppy at times. The action in the book is really well done and the real strength in the author’s writing. The bad guy I thought as a little too overdone. He’s the worst of the worst and it felt as if he was just so appalling for the shock value. All of the magic that Kate uses is really interesting and I hope focused on more in the future.
The People are introduced, but not much more than that. The man in charge in Atlanta wasn’t scary enough and I thought Ghastek, the necromancer Kate deals with is more fleshed out as a character. The absentee leader of all The People is intriguing but there is nothing more than a mention. The man Kate dates is just thrown in the book and I didn’t care for his character at all. I think that the real strength in characterization is The Pack. The shapeshifters were well drawn out characters. There are clearly many individuals within the many different races and pack dynamics were fascinating to read about. Curran of course was an impressive Beast Lord. He has the power and strength to rule them all and still enough personality to keep the story interesting. He is rightfully terrifying at times and well in control of his people. He has a mysterious past himself that makes you want to read more just to find out about him.
Kate was my real issue with this book, a big issue at that. I felt like this really good book really needed a better protagonist. She is powerful, bad ass and has genuine strength and fighting skills. But overall her personality is grating. The humor was flat and she just kept trying over and over in the book. I won’t say she was a stupid heroine but the real villain is mentioned many times and she has the information she needs all along and never sees it. The real rub with Kate is in her interaction with Curran. I know that their contact with each other is leading up to somewhere romantic but I just don’t see how he could even stand her right now. She has some too-stupid-to-live moments with him. She even has internal dialogue about her having the wrong reactions but she does and says it anyway. Maybe some growing up for Kate and a filter on her mouth will go a long way toward me liking her in other books because she has potential.
I enjoyed the book, the world that was created and I found most of the characters interesting. I’ll be reading the rest of the series to find out if these books can live up to the potential.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Laila_Blake
It started out a bit too crime, CSI-y for me, without enough human connection to characters - but that got amended during the middle which I really, really liked. Some fun stuff was going on there, I really began to like Kate and even Curran, who despite obvious flaws is an interesting character,
I liked that Kate wasn't perfect, she makes mistakes, not everybody likes her. It must get tiring to be mouthing off as much as she did but 80% of the time it was actually funny. I liked that she gets drunk when she's done with the world and that she has little idea of what she's doing - that she feels drawn to people and is afraid of that, that she's a bad-ass who doesn't care about anything, and really does care.
I got a bit bored with the dude parade, of course, and the lack of plot-important women - like the amount of times women are secretaries or people who lead her to the important men is pretty staggering. And then the first bad one is a woman, but yeah, so so. She also doesn't actually get to say much or isn't actually fleshed out as a character.
Towards the end, unfortunately, I found all the rape and mutilation of women kind of gratuitously overkill and I couldn't enjoy that. Even the female villian is constantly referred to as someone who had her fertility taken away by some overlord who was sleeping with her -- wow, that's huge and it's kind of treated like a joke.
There also is a difference between realism and just outright inventing a monster who will rape females of all species so that they bear him slave creatures and then die while he enjoys torturing them. Too much for me.
And I read that - you know "if you're not into dark fantasy..." and that always makes it sound like somehow I'm too sensitive when I say it's too much. I read it, I wasn't shocked: I just find it wrong to use that much victimization of women for shock-value.
However, when I get off my soap box and try very hard not to judge cross genre and look at it for what it is, it was really entertaining and I did enjoy reading it.
Show More
and connected with them. I really was hooked. I liked that Kate wasn't perfect, she makes mistakes, not everybody likes her. It must get tiring to be mouthing off as much as she did but 80% of the time it was actually funny. I liked that she gets drunk when she's done with the world and that she has little idea of what she's doing - that she feels drawn to people and is afraid of that, that she's a bad-ass who doesn't care about anything, and really does care.
I got a bit bored with the dude parade, of course, and the lack of plot-important women - like the amount of times women are secretaries or people who lead her to the important men is pretty staggering. And then the first bad one is a woman, but yeah, so so. She also doesn't actually get to say much or isn't actually fleshed out as a character.
Towards the end, unfortunately, I found all the rape and mutilation of women kind of gratuitously overkill and I couldn't enjoy that. Even the female villian is constantly referred to as someone who had her fertility taken away by some overlord who was sleeping with her -- wow, that's huge and it's kind of treated like a joke.
There also is a difference between realism and just outright inventing a monster who will rape females of all species so that they bear him slave creatures and then die while he enjoys torturing them. Too much for me.
And I read that - you know "if you're not into dark fantasy..." and that always makes it sound like somehow I'm too sensitive when I say it's too much. I read it, I wasn't shocked: I just find it wrong to use that much victimization of women for shock-value.
However, when I get off my soap box and try very hard not to judge cross genre and look at it for what it is, it was really entertaining and I did enjoy reading it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Kate Daniels is a investigator trying to live in both the mundane and magical Atlanta. In this world the magic comes on and off like a switch at random intervals and technology may or may not work. This is a world with werewolves and slightly different vampires, vampires are dead that are
There are deaths happening and they're gruesome, the werewolves and vampires are blaming each other. Kate is drawn into it , because her mentor has been one of the victims, and has to try and save herself and others.
There are times when this suffers from a certain amount of drag and shows a certain amount of new authorship.
Show More
controlled by Masters of the Dead.There are deaths happening and they're gruesome, the werewolves and vampires are blaming each other. Kate is drawn into it , because her mentor has been one of the victims, and has to try and save herself and others.
There are times when this suffers from a certain amount of drag and shows a certain amount of new authorship.
Show Less
LibraryThing member shelleyraec
I was not expecting Magic Bites to be so dark - almost teetering from UF on the edge of horror as Kate Daniels battles psychotic creatures who are dismembering, eating and raping at will. Kate is strong and tough but not stupidly so, she isn't try to prove anything - just do her job. Her lack of
Show More
vulnerability probably makes it harder for me to relate to but I certainly admire her character.I am impressed with the world building - waves of magic and tech make for an interesting idea - an almost apocolytical setting reeks of menace.Curran and his Pack are interesting characters, there is just a hint of romantic interest with Curran - be interesting to see where that goes.Looking forward to reading the next one. Show Less
LibraryThing member shadiphoenix
Okay when I added this book, I seemed to be the only one (must have been a glich in the system that day) so I wanted to be able to invite more people to read and add to their libraries if I found it good. And I did. Actually I thought it was great. Yes, some of the themes are similar to other books
Show More
I could name (but won't). But there seems to be a fresh approach to magic juxtaposed with technology that I don't think a lot of people are seeing. Or maybe I just love routing for the new authors. But still I loved reading this book from start to finish and wish my library had the new one right now!! (on a Sunday, no less) So this is where I plug if you like so and so author, read Ilona Andrews. Though actually the most interesting part is that Ilona writes with her husband Gordon (I don't know that he gets much props in the book other than the acknowledgements). And I only know this because the book didn't have an author biography. So I was intriguied; could it be a ghost writer, I mean what books don't have the author biography. And I was all set to learn that Ilona Andrews didn't exist (at least not in cyberspace where it seems to count) and then I get hit with this is a team effort. Very cool and I commend both authors for a job well done. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookwormteri
This book has a lot going for it. Kind of steampunky with the magic and technology interactions, the vampires being under the control of necromancers, and not knowing exactly WHAT the main character IS, all should come together to make a great book...But I am not sure whether it was my frame of
Show More
mind or the way the book was written, but I couldn't remember the characters names half the time...at other times I was confused as to what was going on exactly. There were ALOT of characters introduced for the first book in the series. I am intrigued enough that I am going to try the second one. It has too many unique mythologies to pass over. Show Less
LibraryThing member cmwilson101
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews is a captivating book about Kate Daniels, a mercenary (merc) who helps to clean up messes caused by magic in a post-apocalyptic Atlanta. Kate is tough as nails with a sarcastic streak, but vulnerable as well.
The world is described in beautiful detail. It is facinating,
I have only read the first book, but I am already dreading the end of the series.
The world is described in beautiful detail. It is facinating,
Show More
gorgeous, and full of supernatural creatures of all sorts. If you are thinking Twilight, think again -- Ilona Andrew's world is dark and dangerous, her vampires are ugly, vicious half-animals, and the magic is terrible and powerful. I have only read the first book, but I am already dreading the end of the series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member gilroy
I picked this book up on a recommendation. Someone told me if I liked Dresden, I'd like this series. While both series are dark, this one offers less details than Dresden, the humor definitely lacks on many levels, and I just didn't feel as drawn to the world as I do with Dresden. IF I had read
For a first book in a series, its not bad, but the world doesn't get fleshed out very well. Too many of the plot lines contain holes that I could step through, remain unresolved. It leaves a lot to be desired.
As a writer, it offers ideas on how to better engage your reader, as I didn't feel drawn to any of these characters. It also encourages one to make sure that all plot holes remain tied, unless that plot hole remains for the next novel. These holes that this writer left didn't feel like they'd extend past that first book.
I label this as meh.
Show More
this book first, I doubt I'd have continued reading in the urban fantasy genre at all.For a first book in a series, its not bad, but the world doesn't get fleshed out very well. Too many of the plot lines contain holes that I could step through, remain unresolved. It leaves a lot to be desired.
As a writer, it offers ideas on how to better engage your reader, as I didn't feel drawn to any of these characters. It also encourages one to make sure that all plot holes remain tied, unless that plot hole remains for the next novel. These holes that this writer left didn't feel like they'd extend past that first book.
I label this as meh.
Show Less
LibraryThing member HunyBadger
Was wary that the main character might be a copy of ones come before by other authors, but found her refreshing (if confusing). In the end though, I found this book disappointing. By the time I understood "the rules" of the author's world, the final scene was happening. That scene was interesting
Show More
but it took so long to get there that I was bored (and confused) up 'til then. Really wanted to like this book as a whole and didn't. Show Less
LibraryThing member cherrymischievous
This is the first book of the Kate Daniels story which I recently realized that I haven't reviewed yet! So this is a retrospective review hence I've read this book ages ago and it just keeps getting better! Click here is my review of the most recent release of this series, Magic Bleeds. This review
Masterpiece. The story telling quality is very compelling and I would give it a 5 out of 5. The author weaves a magical world of Atlanta and make it seem all too possible. I would give the world building a 5 out of 5. The story leaves you with characters which walks around a readers' head long after you've read the book that you can't wait for the next installment to get published! I would give the character building another 5 out of 5.
Show More
applies to all the books in the series. ;)Masterpiece. The story telling quality is very compelling and I would give it a 5 out of 5. The author weaves a magical world of Atlanta and make it seem all too possible. I would give the world building a 5 out of 5. The story leaves you with characters which walks around a readers' head long after you've read the book that you can't wait for the next installment to get published! I would give the character building another 5 out of 5.
Show Less
LibraryThing member allureofbooks
This is one addicting series. Once I picked this book up, I ended up reading all 4 released books in the series in one weekend! I liked the later books in the series better than this one, but that is probably mainly due to character development.
Kate Daniels is a flippin' awesome heroine. When we
She is on a mission in this book - she has a mystery to solve. It's personal and she isn't letting anything stand in her way. Especially the not fact that she might or might not be a-tad-bit-but-maybe-not-so-much intimidated by the shapeshifter king Curran. It doesn't take them long to butt heads, and it doesn't take long for the reader to see that they're throwing around some major chemistry mojo. (I love Curran by the way, he is a great character!)
So, if you're a fan of urban fantasy series than you'll definitely need to head to the bookstore and pick these up. This is a great start of a fantastic series, and it only gets better from here! I'll definitely be following Kate Daniels' story, however long it lasts!
Kate Daniels is a flippin' awesome heroine. When we
Show More
first meet her, she is chilling in her kitchen slurping down some Boone's Farm. That is my kinda gal. There is a lot of mystery surrounding her in this book - as immersed in the supernatural world as she is, we don't yet have a grasp on exactly what type of supe she is. We get hints here and there that it is something big and bad, but you have to read further on in the series before she spills the beans and spells it out.She is on a mission in this book - she has a mystery to solve. It's personal and she isn't letting anything stand in her way. Especially the not fact that she might or might not be a-tad-bit-but-maybe-not-so-much intimidated by the shapeshifter king Curran. It doesn't take them long to butt heads, and it doesn't take long for the reader to see that they're throwing around some major chemistry mojo. (I love Curran by the way, he is a great character!)
So, if you're a fan of urban fantasy series than you'll definitely need to head to the bookstore and pick these up. This is a great start of a fantastic series, and it only gets better from here! I'll definitely be following Kate Daniels' story, however long it lasts!
Show Less
LibraryThing member stephxsu
25-year-old Kate Daniels works the occasonal odd job as a mercenary, tracking down magical creatures gone awry near Atlanta, Georgia, which is constantly switching between magic and tech states. When her powerful mentor turns up dead, Kate gets into a case that has her fraternizing with the two
Review
I think if I could only read one urban fantasy series for the rest of my life, it would be this one. And that's probably not even a legitimate claim I should make, since my experience with UF has been limited so far (changing this summer though). But Magic Bites is smooth, witty, and even--dare I say it?--sweet at appropriate moments. It is truly a respectable accomplishment in UF.
Kate's world is an easy one to get lost in. Ilona Andrews does a fantastic job of world-building so that you never doubt even for a second that this could exist. Kate herself is an excellent protagonist, with just the right touch of strength, snark, sexy kick-butt abilities, and vulnerability. Indeed, both the world-building and the characterization in this book are so good that it's hard to decide which one is better, which one made this book for me. Supporting characters are highly memorable, branding themselves in my mind even a week after I finished the book. I can't wait to delve into the future books in the series and catch up with them all again, as I'm sure they'll give me no end to the entertainment, suspense, and envy that [[Ilona Andrews]] can write so well.
Aside from occasionally over-written passages (lush descriptions and UF don't mix too well) and a plot that sometimes meandered (though I could barely detect, what with the terrific narration going on), I can't really think of anything else wrong with this novel. When I reluctantly finished this book, I immediately began to look about acquiring the other books in the series. I have no doubt that I will finish this series by the end of summer, and then I'll join the legion of fans breathlessly waiting for the next book in the series.
Show More
powerful magic "clans" that rule the city: the People, necromancers with the ability to control vampires and zombies, and the Pack, enormous and powerful shapeshifters. Just who--or what--is taking vampires and shapeshifters from both sides, and can Kate track down the killer before an all-out war erupts and tears Atlanta apart?Review
I think if I could only read one urban fantasy series for the rest of my life, it would be this one. And that's probably not even a legitimate claim I should make, since my experience with UF has been limited so far (changing this summer though). But Magic Bites is smooth, witty, and even--dare I say it?--sweet at appropriate moments. It is truly a respectable accomplishment in UF.
Kate's world is an easy one to get lost in. Ilona Andrews does a fantastic job of world-building so that you never doubt even for a second that this could exist. Kate herself is an excellent protagonist, with just the right touch of strength, snark, sexy kick-butt abilities, and vulnerability. Indeed, both the world-building and the characterization in this book are so good that it's hard to decide which one is better, which one made this book for me. Supporting characters are highly memorable, branding themselves in my mind even a week after I finished the book. I can't wait to delve into the future books in the series and catch up with them all again, as I'm sure they'll give me no end to the entertainment, suspense, and envy that [[Ilona Andrews]] can write so well.
Aside from occasionally over-written passages (lush descriptions and UF don't mix too well) and a plot that sometimes meandered (though I could barely detect, what with the terrific narration going on), I can't really think of anything else wrong with this novel. When I reluctantly finished this book, I immediately began to look about acquiring the other books in the series. I have no doubt that I will finish this series by the end of summer, and then I'll join the legion of fans breathlessly waiting for the next book in the series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member mscott1
As Kate Daniels, magical mercenary, attempts to find who murdered her father's best friend, she discovers that the world of magic is far more evil than even she had suspected.
I'll say it straight up: I did not care for this book. Primarily because I hated the heroine, but also because the
In order for me to enjoy a book, especially a book as dark as this one, I need to bond with the central character, and this didn't happen. A character with attitude who refuses to play by the rules *can* be endearing if she has qualities that compensate for her bitchiness, but nothing about Kate was likeable or admirable. She was one of those annoying, misanthropic characters who confuses self-loathing with humility. It puzzled me why any other character in the book thought she was worth befriending much less dating.
Having said that, there were a few things that I really liked. One was the setting. Although I was oftentimes confused by the details of this world, I liked the uniqueness of it. I also liked the savage edge of the magic in the book. Both the vamps and the weres were dangerous, unpredictable creatures, and the world itself seemed unsafe, something I found compelling and interesting.
I also liked Curran, the head of the were-beasts. To me, he was a terrific blend of savage animal and human. I would have liked to read more about this character. I also liked the hint of mystery surrounding him and would like to know why he is considered a half breed.
Unfortunately, other than these two things, I really didn't care for the book, and I doubt I'll continue reading the rest of the series.
I'll say it straight up: I did not care for this book. Primarily because I hated the heroine, but also because the
Show More
description was more graphic than it needed to be, and the plot seemed misogynistic.In order for me to enjoy a book, especially a book as dark as this one, I need to bond with the central character, and this didn't happen. A character with attitude who refuses to play by the rules *can* be endearing if she has qualities that compensate for her bitchiness, but nothing about Kate was likeable or admirable. She was one of those annoying, misanthropic characters who confuses self-loathing with humility. It puzzled me why any other character in the book thought she was worth befriending much less dating.
Having said that, there were a few things that I really liked. One was the setting. Although I was oftentimes confused by the details of this world, I liked the uniqueness of it. I also liked the savage edge of the magic in the book. Both the vamps and the weres were dangerous, unpredictable creatures, and the world itself seemed unsafe, something I found compelling and interesting.
I also liked Curran, the head of the were-beasts. To me, he was a terrific blend of savage animal and human. I would have liked to read more about this character. I also liked the hint of mystery surrounding him and would like to know why he is considered a half breed.
Unfortunately, other than these two things, I really didn't care for the book, and I doubt I'll continue reading the rest of the series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
Interesting. I wonder if this was their first novel? There seem to be some infelicities of style and language - it's just a little stiff. I didn't notice them in the later books (well, stories) I've read. I'd read the first chapter or two at least twice before, and never got hooked - I'm not sure I
Show More
would have been after the whole book, if I hadn't just read other things by Ilona Andrews. As it is, I'm certainly willing to read another book or two in the series. I presume that somewhere between this and Magic Gifts, Kate's ancestry is cleared up - she spends a lot of time obsessing about it here, and it wasn't a thing in Magic Gifts. I don't remember the emphasis on blood magic there, either. Well. It's an interesting world - reminds me slightly of Wen Spencer's Tinker, though from a completely different angle. Very gory and worse, described in careful detail; a lot of gratuitous foul language; and an obsession (or two, or three) with sex. I thought it was Crest too - he's weird some way, I'm sure. Glad I read it, I will keep reading, but I'm not sure I'm as hooked on this series as I thought I was. Or maybe it will improve tremendously over the stretch between here and Magic Gifts. We'll see. Show Less
LibraryThing member NeitherNora
I tried, but it just couldn't hold my interest. Plot's not picking up yet, and I'm not invested enough in the character or world to stick it through. It may get better later in the book, but this first section was too dull, and ultimately that's what books get judged by. Oh well! One star.
LibraryThing member CreativeJunkie
I was disappointed with this first book, not gonna lie. The writing style just didn't grab me. They are very detailed books in that you have to pay attention to *everything* to not feel lost. I mean, since when does a book take me longer than a quiet, 8 hour car ride to read?!?
The author's style is
Last negative, I promise. To me, it was like the author wasn't writing everything we needed to know. There were several times when what she'd written originally didn't mesh with consequences/conversations/inner dialogue later. At one point, I actually went back and reread and entire section because I thought I'd gone batshit crazy. So, the inconsistencies really bothered me (and they're still going on in book 2).
Now for what I liked about the book. The storyline is unique and interesting. Lots of questions that keeps you guessing, without being annoying.
There's humor here, and lots of it. I really love Kate's character (even more so in book 2). She's a total badass, no BS, Buffy-meets-Faith-meets-Charmed sisters-meets some really badass chick from a movie I can't think of.
and then Curran. Holy mother of all that is good and hot. I need him in her pants immediately.
I'm still trucking on the rest of the series. I was told they got better as they went, so I'm hoping for some 4 and possibly 5 starers. :)
The author's style is
Show More
also very choppy (The lion roared. I jumped. It was loud.), whereas I tend to prefer more complex sentences, so I did find myself bored quite a bit. Last negative, I promise. To me, it was like the author wasn't writing everything we needed to know. There were several times when what she'd written originally didn't mesh with consequences/conversations/inner dialogue later. At one point, I actually went back and reread and entire section because I thought I'd gone batshit crazy. So, the inconsistencies really bothered me (and they're still going on in book 2).
Now for what I liked about the book. The storyline is unique and interesting. Lots of questions that keeps you guessing, without being annoying.
There's humor here, and lots of it. I really love Kate's character (even more so in book 2). She's a total badass, no BS, Buffy-meets-Faith-meets-Charmed sisters-meets some really badass chick from a movie I can't think of.
and then Curran. Holy mother of all that is good and hot. I need him in her pants immediately.
I'm still trucking on the rest of the series. I was told they got better as they went, so I'm hoping for some 4 and possibly 5 starers. :)
Show Less
LibraryThing member Elorenalory
Did I mention that I love the “alsobought” section on the Amazon site? I discovered a lot of books I fell absolutely in love with through that. Magic Bites was one of them. I had just posted a review on one of October Daye’s books by Seanan McGuire, and I was browsing through that section for
Well, I can say that I’m glad I bought it because I loved this book. It has several of the components that I look for in a paranormal romance series, and all of them are done just right. So you can say that Magic Bites was a feast for sore eyes.
First of all, the worldbuilding. I loved this world where magic and technology come in alternating waves. I also like that the author set her story a long time after those waves first started happening, so it’s not a post-apocalyptic story at all. Society has adapted to the new world and takes the changes in stride: they have both electricity and magic lights which switch on automatically depending on the wave; every garage or stable in Atlanta has both cars and horses.
The different magical beings and factions are also well-integrated into the society. I mean, when a magical wave can strike at any time and last for days, nobody would be very surprised to see witches, necromancers or shifters in the streets anymore.
So even in the first book of a series, we are introduced into a complex world with several different layers, a past and even a distinctive mythology. And the introduction is done progressively, without the dreaded infodumps that usually make me skip ahead or just close the book and never pick it up again.
So just for that, I would have already been happy with Magic Bites. But the good surprises didn’t end there. Kate Daniels is a strong female protagonist how they all should be – strong, smart, not afraid to make tough decisions and used to relying only on herself. Yes, she can come across and stand-offish and over-confident sometimes, but I think it has more to do with her upbringing and backstory, which is hinted upon, but not entirely explained. Which is also good, because it makes me want to pick up the next book in the series to learn a bit more about her.
Kate is a loner. She had been brought up to think that she cannot trust anyone but herself and that getting attached to other people is a weakness. So she tries to act accordingly. But she was also brought up with an inane sense of justice, so she can’t help but intervene when she sees something as being wrong. Which has a tendency to land her in a world of trouble.
Since it’s a paranormal romance, I can’t write a review without mentioning the romantic interest as well. Those of you who had been following my blog for some time know that the romance has to be very well written and feel “natural” for me to like the book. So that’s another point in this book’s favor – the romantic component is there, there are hints, but I have a feeling that it will develop gradually through the course of several books.
I also liked the fact that the romance does not take the driver sit in the story. Both Kate and Curran feel attracted to each other, yes, but that attraction is in the background. I have read way too many novels where the romantic interest seems to exist only when the protagonist is around and has no life / goals / desires outside of that. I’m glad that Curran isn’t like that. You can feel that he has his own life, his responsibilities and passions that have nothing to do with Kate or the case they end up investigating together. In other words, he is a well-rounded character on his own.
So yes, I loved this book and I love this series. And I will strongly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an engaging story, wonderfully fleshed-out world and complex characters.
P.S. And I think that Kate’s first encounter with Curran is hilarious. I mean, “Here, kitty, kitty?”
Show More
something similar to read when I saw Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews.Well, I can say that I’m glad I bought it because I loved this book. It has several of the components that I look for in a paranormal romance series, and all of them are done just right. So you can say that Magic Bites was a feast for sore eyes.
First of all, the worldbuilding. I loved this world where magic and technology come in alternating waves. I also like that the author set her story a long time after those waves first started happening, so it’s not a post-apocalyptic story at all. Society has adapted to the new world and takes the changes in stride: they have both electricity and magic lights which switch on automatically depending on the wave; every garage or stable in Atlanta has both cars and horses.
The different magical beings and factions are also well-integrated into the society. I mean, when a magical wave can strike at any time and last for days, nobody would be very surprised to see witches, necromancers or shifters in the streets anymore.
So even in the first book of a series, we are introduced into a complex world with several different layers, a past and even a distinctive mythology. And the introduction is done progressively, without the dreaded infodumps that usually make me skip ahead or just close the book and never pick it up again.
So just for that, I would have already been happy with Magic Bites. But the good surprises didn’t end there. Kate Daniels is a strong female protagonist how they all should be – strong, smart, not afraid to make tough decisions and used to relying only on herself. Yes, she can come across and stand-offish and over-confident sometimes, but I think it has more to do with her upbringing and backstory, which is hinted upon, but not entirely explained. Which is also good, because it makes me want to pick up the next book in the series to learn a bit more about her.
Kate is a loner. She had been brought up to think that she cannot trust anyone but herself and that getting attached to other people is a weakness. So she tries to act accordingly. But she was also brought up with an inane sense of justice, so she can’t help but intervene when she sees something as being wrong. Which has a tendency to land her in a world of trouble.
Since it’s a paranormal romance, I can’t write a review without mentioning the romantic interest as well. Those of you who had been following my blog for some time know that the romance has to be very well written and feel “natural” for me to like the book. So that’s another point in this book’s favor – the romantic component is there, there are hints, but I have a feeling that it will develop gradually through the course of several books.
I also liked the fact that the romance does not take the driver sit in the story. Both Kate and Curran feel attracted to each other, yes, but that attraction is in the background. I have read way too many novels where the romantic interest seems to exist only when the protagonist is around and has no life / goals / desires outside of that. I’m glad that Curran isn’t like that. You can feel that he has his own life, his responsibilities and passions that have nothing to do with Kate or the case they end up investigating together. In other words, he is a well-rounded character on his own.
So yes, I loved this book and I love this series. And I will strongly recommend it to anyone who is looking for an engaging story, wonderfully fleshed-out world and complex characters.
P.S. And I think that Kate’s first encounter with Curran is hilarious. I mean, “Here, kitty, kitty?”
Show Less
LibraryThing member Cats57
Review Magic Bites - by Ilona Andrews
While this book did have some continuity problems, it was not anything I really can't handle. I loved this introduction to this series. The witty *rolls eyes* banter between the protagonists is a hoot. And it is especially wonderful if you read the companion
I have read the entire series and short stories, etc and I can tell you that the writing team that prints under the name of Ilona Andrews is by far one of the best out there.
They took what is now an overly-saturated genre and brought it back to life - each book holds more kick-butt action than anything else. There is romance but at this point in the series, it is merely hinted at and will build gradually like a real relationship. There is mystery with each book, flawed but wonderful characters. These are characters that you might want to have as real life friends. *sigh* If only I really could have them as pal.
This is an Urban Fantasy...NOT a romance, so please expect a LOT of action, a LOT of fighting and a LOT of bodily fluids. When this team writes a `bad guy' character, they really do an excellent job of it. The character becomes one you love to hate and hope that they get everything that is coming to them!
I don't think that you will regret starting this series, especially now with the 6th full book about Kate Daniels coming out on the 30th! There is still just enough time (maybe) to read all the preceding books!
Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1)
Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, Book 2)
Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, Book 3)
Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, Book 4)
Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, Book 5)
Magic Rises (Kate Daniels Book 6)
Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels, #7)
Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels, #8)
Magic Binds (Kate Daniels, #9)
Untitled (Kate Daniels, #10) May 2018
While this book did have some continuity problems, it was not anything I really can't handle. I loved this introduction to this series. The witty *rolls eyes* banter between the protagonists is a hoot. And it is especially wonderful if you read the companion
Show More
piece, which will give you the point of view of some of the story from Curran.Curran: Volume I (Curran POV) It will also help with some of the other books also. It makes it easier to see how the series is going to move.I have read the entire series and short stories, etc and I can tell you that the writing team that prints under the name of Ilona Andrews is by far one of the best out there.
They took what is now an overly-saturated genre and brought it back to life - each book holds more kick-butt action than anything else. There is romance but at this point in the series, it is merely hinted at and will build gradually like a real relationship. There is mystery with each book, flawed but wonderful characters. These are characters that you might want to have as real life friends. *sigh* If only I really could have them as pal.
This is an Urban Fantasy...NOT a romance, so please expect a LOT of action, a LOT of fighting and a LOT of bodily fluids. When this team writes a `bad guy' character, they really do an excellent job of it. The character becomes one you love to hate and hope that they get everything that is coming to them!
I don't think that you will regret starting this series, especially now with the 6th full book about Kate Daniels coming out on the 30th! There is still just enough time (maybe) to read all the preceding books!
Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1)
Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, Book 2)
Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, Book 3)
Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, Book 4)
Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, Book 5)
Magic Rises (Kate Daniels Book 6)
Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels, #7)
Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels, #8)
Magic Binds (Kate Daniels, #9)
Untitled (Kate Daniels, #10) May 2018
Show Less
LibraryThing member terriko
This novel was recommended under the heading "stories with strong female characters" and it most definitely did not disappoint. Kate is quick with a one-liner, but has the strength to hold her own if her mouth gets her in trouble. She's strong, smart, and strangely resistant to the inexplicable
Very compelling, although I admit some of the more gruesome descriptions pushed my tolerances. I look forwards to reading more of this series.
And as a side note: with Twilight-mania happening, I admit I took a distinct pleasure in this world where the vampires, rather than being romantic figures, are mindless, creepy undead.
Show More
swooning that seems to come along in novels involving vampires. As she unravels the mystery of the story, we meet quite an array of interesting folk and view her surreal world: a destroyed version of Atlanta where sometimes technology is stronger, sometimes magic is stronger, and the inhabitants have learnt to adapt to both.Very compelling, although I admit some of the more gruesome descriptions pushed my tolerances. I look forwards to reading more of this series.
And as a side note: with Twilight-mania happening, I admit I took a distinct pleasure in this world where the vampires, rather than being romantic figures, are mindless, creepy undead.
Show Less
LibraryThing member samantha.1020
In the city of Atlanta, magic comes in waves and it is Kate's job to clean up after it. Kate is a mercenary who is caught up in the middle of a mysterious killing that could start a war between the people (vampires) and the shapeshifters. And it all somehow ties into the killing of Kate's guardian.
Show More
She is on a search to find out who the killer is along with keeping herself safe. This book is the begininning of this series and was an okay read for me. But that sounds like I didn't like it....I did like it. I just thought that it could have been better if it had been fleshed out a bit more. The author did an awesome job of a creating a new and detailed world that I enjoyed spending time. The characters fell a bit flat for me and I wished that she would have gone into more detail in other areas so that we could have gotten to know the main character a little bit better. It was interesting and kept my attention which means I have found another series to keep reading. I'm just hoping that in further books we get to know Kate and her world a bit more. I really liked Curran, the leader of the shapeshifters, so I hope that we get to see him again. Good book overall! Show Less
LibraryThing member rocalisa
Magic Bites - Ilona Andrews
Kate Daniels, Book 1; Urban Fantasy; DNF
I'd heard good things about this book, and better ones about its sequel, but I'm one of those people who has to read a series in order, so I started with this one. I got about a third of the way through and admitted to myself that I
Kate Daniels, Book 1; Urban Fantasy; DNF
I'd heard good things about this book, and better ones about its sequel, but I'm one of those people who has to read a series in order, so I started with this one. I got about a third of the way through and admitted to myself that I
Show More
simply didn't care about the world or the characters so I might as well stop wasting my time. A disappointment as it sounded like it had a lot of good ideas and I would have liked to like it. Show Less
LibraryThing member lvuong
Okay, when I first got this book, I was like, why is it so thin!? But then, the font is actually on the smaller side so it's not really a rip off. I really really liked this one and am surprised that it didn't get a higher average rating. The heroine is mouthy and tough. The action is good. The
On a side note, Andrews posts short stories and excerpts of her writing on her website. The swine and roses story was well written, but read like a short story writing class piece . . . targeted towards teenaged girls. After reading the short, I'm a little worried about where this series will/can go . . . although I already have Book 2 of this series in my grubby hands.
Show More
setting is extremely clever (would be interesting if something like that really came to pass one day). Plus, I totally want to see if anything develops between her and Curran . . . :D Focus is not on romance or a perfect hero or heroine though. People get hurt and do die in this book. On a side note, Andrews posts short stories and excerpts of her writing on her website. The swine and roses story was well written, but read like a short story writing class piece . . . targeted towards teenaged girls. After reading the short, I'm a little worried about where this series will/can go . . . although I already have Book 2 of this series in my grubby hands.
Show Less
LibraryThing member SunnySD
Excellent debut! Kate Daniels is a tough, sarcastic, heroine reminiscent of the early Anita Blake in Laurell K. Hamilton's Vampire Hunter books. Kate's a Guild mercenary, whose usual business is taking care of magical problems for the highest bidder. When a close family friend is murdered, Kate
If you like your paranormal romances with the emphasis placed on the romance and lots of hearts and flowers, this may not be a book for you. Kate doesn't even get close to a "happily every after" and the blood-letting/body count score is pretty high. If you like strong heroines, action, magic, adventure, and snappy comebacks, this series promises to deliver. I'll definitely be waiting for the sequel.
Show More
signs on as a free-lance investigator for the Order in an effort to locate his killer. She gets more than she bargained for however, finding herself caught in the longtime rivalry between the People (vampires) and the local Pack (lycanthropes). Either one of the groups could be sheltering the killer, and both are equally likely to kill her just for asking the wrong questions. But as her investigation progresses, Kate begins to sense something more sinister at work.... The question is, will she survive finding out what?If you like your paranormal romances with the emphasis placed on the romance and lots of hearts and flowers, this may not be a book for you. Kate doesn't even get close to a "happily every after" and the blood-letting/body count score is pretty high. If you like strong heroines, action, magic, adventure, and snappy comebacks, this series promises to deliver. I'll definitely be waiting for the sequel.
Show Less
LibraryThing member lewispike
This is a light, fast and entertaining read. In common with quite a few authors, the premise is more or less that magic has returned to the world, but unlike many of them, in Ms. Andrews world the adjustments are far from peaceful - there are waves of magic and technology time that cross each
This story is about about an ages-old evil that is trying to start a war between "The Pack" and "The People" who are respectively a conglomeration of shapeshifters (the ones in control) and necromancer/magicians respectively.
There are odd things... vampires are senseless, but "ridden" by necromancers for control for example, all of which work very nicely and give this a good distinctive voice. Looking forward to the next installment.
Show More
other. Some of the "tech" buildings just give up the ghost and fall into dust.This story is about about an ages-old evil that is trying to start a war between "The Pack" and "The People" who are respectively a conglomeration of shapeshifters (the ones in control) and necromancer/magicians respectively.
There are odd things... vampires are senseless, but "ridden" by necromancers for control for example, all of which work very nicely and give this a good distinctive voice. Looking forward to the next installment.
Show Less
LibraryThing member TadAD
Similar in vein to Kim Harrison or (early) Laurel Hamilton, it's a bit lighter in weight and length. It's also a bit coy with the reader about the main character's past with a lot of "I'm going to allude to it, but not explain", something I find a bit annoying.
Language
Original publication date
2007-03-27
Physical description
260 p.; 18 cm
ISBN
9780441014897
Local notes
Kate Daniels, 1
DDC/MDS
| Fic SF Andrews |