Magic Rises

2.5 starsOkay, before everyone freaks out, let me explain something here. My modus operandi for reading books I’m really looking forward to is to go into them blind. I don’t read reviews, I ignore status updates from friends, and sometimes, I don’t even read the book blurb. So that’s what I did going into this. I ignored everyone and everything. Don’t do that. You need to prepare yourself. There’s a lot of fucking drama in this book. For me, too much drama. I spent over two hundred p [...]

August 2016 re-read: God, I love this book. The tension in it is delicious - even excepting the thing that I hate. Because there are plenty of things that I love. And Kate is amazing, as always.October 2015 re-read: I loved this book just as much as the first time I read it. And though I said, in my original review, to read it without any spoilers, I would amend that now. Just this one: Curran is an ass. And the emotional turmoil that Kate gets put through in this book is devastating. She's kick [...]

2.5 stars - SpoilersNot impressed. I've never given an Ilona Andrews book less than 3 stars before but there was just too much WTFery in Magic Rises to rate it any higher. I loved all the earlier Kate Daniels books, they had the right balance of plot, action, romance and humour. Sadly, Magic Rises was a complete mess.Random thoughts:-What's what: Pack kids go loup, need medicine, loads of melodrama, Kate/Curran offered medicine and in exchange must protect pregnant shifter (Desendra), Kate and g [...]

❣ KD is the Cure to All of Life's Problems Buddy Read (KDitCtAoLPBR™) with my dear wife Ange, and the poor IAA souls who have fallen into our deathly KD Surprise Reread Trap (KSRT™).➽ Last rererereread: July 2016.✎ Previous rating: 12 stars✎ New rating: no longer counting. It's useless.» And the moral of this particular rererereread is: damn. I ♥♥LOVE♥♥ this book. I actually think I ♥♥LOVE♥♥ it more than I do Magic Strikes. That's right. I love this more than I do th [...]

3.5 starsFirst of all, it's still amazing to me how the Andrews can reduce you to tears over peripheral characters with just a few sentences.One minute you're fine, then the next you're, "Well, that sucks," and then your face gets warm, your eyes get hot, and before you even know what's happened, you're blubberingS. Blubbering.Why are you blubbering?B/c a mother gets down on the floor to sing her child, who will more-than-likely have to be killed b/c she's gone rabid, a lullaby, barely able to c [...]

3.5*Kate Daniels was exactly what I needed to get through my reading slump. It helped me 1 year ago when I binged read the first 5 volumes in the series and I have the feeling it helped now as well. I needed fast paced, engaging adventure to absorb me completely and compel me to open the kindle whenever I got the chance. Kate is my favorite UF heroine, smart, witty, kick ass and funny. I enjoyed that the setting in this volume shifts to Europe, more exactly to Georgia, a country I do not know to [...]

Is it too early to post this? Probably. But it was so damn good. Here is the review:Ilona Andrews is the gold standard for urban fantasy. This book made me laugh and it made me ache. It kept me glued to the page. And after six installments, Kate Daniels is every bit as engaging as ever maybe even more so.You get to a point in almost every series where the gang takes a road trip --and this is that book. All of the core characters are there: Kate, Curran, Derek Andrea, Rafael, and even Saiman. So [...]

This is an extra story from “Magic Rises”, which did not exactly fit to the action of the novel. Thus, it was added to the end of it. Saiman gets kidnapped, so Kate and Derek run to his rescue. As a result, Saiman will own a favor to the pack.It really does not add much to the series, but it is definitely great to see Kate in action. And to listen to her smart mouth driving people crazy.Merged review:Far far away, somewhere in Europe, two of the biggest European Packs are in turmoil. A wolf [...]

the ending of this book in one gif:but maybe my perception is colored by the COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY DEATH OF MY FAVORITE CHARACTER.*rude gesture*

3rd read.I never get enough.Kate Daniels Buddy Read/Reread with the gang at Ilona Andrews Addicts (IAA) before the release of Magic ShiftsI loved this all over again. The emotional development of Kate/Currans relationship, Saiman as an ally, Hugh as an Enemy and all the side character that are so rich with their own personalities that always shine through. I eat it all up and want more. This is one of my favorite series of all time and that stays true even on the 3rd read through. 2nd read:Re-re [...]

First Read: October 2014 - Five StarsSecond Read: July 2015 - Five StarsI'm keeping my original rating and still think this is my favorite after the third book. Hugh steals the show in this one and is such an awesome and sexy villain. The angst with Curran and Kate seemed unnecessary, but it didn't overpower the story. Thankfully, there was plenty going on and that wasn't focused on too much. This one really has a lot of fantastic scenes and dialogue. I just love it!!!Re-read with Ilona Andrews [...]

First read July 2014, rating 4 starsSecond read May 2016, rating 3 starsI'm having such a hard time reviewing this book. Maybe the hardest.I'm so sorry I have to lower my rating, but this book didn't make me feel good at all. This reread made me dislike Curran more than I already did. Some things are just unacceptable. Review contains spoilers and it is not recommended to Curran's fans. If you think he's the ultimate Alpha male and perfect for Kate, please do not proceed reading this. Since this [...]

Ah, this one got me in the gut. Not short of misunderstandings between lovers, the gang goes to the old world and rubs elbows with a really old clan and can I really, in my heart, decide who's more to blame with the fallout between Curran and Kate? At least we know those two love each other, even if the pressure's on for greater alliances, Panacea shipments, love rivalries, get in the way.And then there's the totally gratifying reveals about Kate's past. Yummy.And I know it's kinda a cheat to ke [...]

Good heavens, most of the reviews GR shows on the first page are so full of fangirl squeeing that I can't read for the gifs and shouting fonts. It makes me want to hate the book out of naturally iconoclastic tendencies. However, as the Andrews continue to write a first rate urban fantasy series, I am unable to indulge--although I confess I did not reach squee-worthy heights.The briefest of synopsis: Curran and Consort are invited to Europe to protect a pregnant were involved in a major dispute b [...]

Disclaimer: I received this book as an eARC from the author.Holy shit. That's my reaction to this book--in a good way! This entire book is full of spoilers, which makes reviewing it a little difficult. Kate is very Kate. Curran is very Curran. At some points I was hoping Kate would punch Curran straight in the face. Sadly, that never happened. It was really interesting to see a large chunk of the group in a new setting. It was enough people that sometimes I had to think about who was who, but ov [...]

5-IwanttomakeoutwithKate-starsGunmetal Magic made me a little bit afraid to continue reading this series - I liked Andrea as Kate's sidekick and I was looking forward to reading her story, but unfortunately, it ended up as weakest book so far. Magic Rises started slow and I needed some time to get into the story, but it was worth it. Sixth book redeemed Gunmetal Magic - plot development, characters, world building - absolutely flawless. Yes, I was so mad at Curran, I wanted to smack his smug lio [...]

I was reading a few older Ilona Andrews blog posts tonight (yes, that's my idea of a good time on a Wendnesday night) and I came across one where they were talking about how a fan almost fainted when she saw them and how it wasn't a big deal. At first, I snickered to myselfbut then I thought, what would I do if I saw IA? I WOULD TOTALLY FUCKING FAINT. And then, while I was lying all broken and pathetic on the floor, they would crouch down to see if I was okay. And THEN I would rear up like fucki [...]

After no less than 26 agonizing months, Magic Rises, the long-awaited sixth installment in the Kate Daniels series is finally here. Breaths are being held, bets are being placed, hearts are beating faster all over the world. Fans of the series are both numerous and ridiculously loyal, but will they be disappointed, whether they voice it or not? Honestly, I’d have to judge that on a case-by-case basis. Early reactions have been very enthusiastic. Most reviewers have nothing but high praise to s [...]

Re read at Ilona Andrews AddictsI had one huge issue with this book. Kate and Curran continued to refuse behaving like grown-ups and just talk to each other about things.They both had major trust issues with each other (she didn't trust him enough not to instantly replace her with the next best conniving idiot who throws herself at him (yes, yes, I know there was more to Lorelei than this, but still), and he didn't trust her enough to tell her the truth about (view spoiler)[something her life de [...]

Buddy read with Armina, Eilonwy, Asya, and Monty Cupcake.Curran is made an offer he cannot refuse. To do so would be to give up his title of Beast Lord of Atlanta shapeshifters. It is obvious from the very beginning the offer is a trap, but the only option for him is to walk straight into it. And so the company of Atlanta shapeshifter heavyweights and Kate head to a Caucasian village for a glorified bodyguard job. Their main goal is to survive. I really like this book. It firmly belongs to the c [...]

WARNING! This review contains a large dose of fan girl squealing a little bit of gushing ( not in that way you perv!) and is weighed down completely by boulders of crazy fan bias. Enjoy. Magic Rises brings us to the sixth book in the Kate Daniels series and the gang have decided to take a little road trip to Europe. Okay, so decided isn't precisely the right word to use "forced" would be a more accurate description. The European packs have something that Kate and Curran desperately need, a medic [...]

*3.5 stars*Another good installment in the Kate Daniels series, and a nice visit back to see some characters that I've missed. A little too much drama between Kate and Curran for my liking, but a strong story. Moving on to the next

This was one of those books that pisses you off so badly, but the writing and the story, the continual world building and characterization, the developing personalities of everyone involved simply can't be ignored. Even though I was floored at a certain someone (Ahem, Curran!), I can't help but be amazed. This is a world I love to live in, and that's what Ilona Andrews doesey make you LIVE this book. Fantastic writing, simply fantastic.In this installment, Kate and Curran are prompted to go to E [...]

4.5 ★'s Kate and Curran are offered a deal to arbitrate a dispute between some European shifters in exchange for panacea. They know they are walking into a trap but they really have no choice. The medicine helps shifter children from going loup. What started out as your usual Kate kicks @ss and takes no prisoners soon evolved into an emotional slugfest. I wasn't sure that my heart could take it! And this is where I had to knock off a half star. It just didn't ring true to me. I understand how [...]

Reviewed for Fresh FictionIlona Andrews has penned the best book in the Kate Daniels series to date with MAGIC RISES. Mercenary, Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran aka the Beast Lord are faced with a crisis that is taking the lives of the Pack's beloved shapeshifting children. Their small bodies are unable to control their beast sides, resulting in tragic deaths. They learn that there is a medicine that can help them. However, it lies heavily guarded in the European packs far away from their home [...]

Mild spoilers, which are conveniently hidden in spoiler tags, ahead. This was a bumpy ride. A ridiculously fun yet painful ride. Let me start by saying that I’m pretty much crazy about Ilona Andrews’ books. Kate Daniels is between my most favorite series ever. I’m not exaggerating, it really is. I’ve been waiting for this book, like all of you guys, I’m sure, for about a year. Some of my friends got the ARC a month before the release. I hated them. Still kind of do. I’ve been avoidi [...]

First Re-read. 7/20/14My original review below was written in the wee hours of the morning, immediately after a marathon session of reading this book as soon as it had landed on my kindle. I was in a sleep deprived and -- I can admit it -- in a somewhat emotionally unstable state of mind. (Haha, and as proof of how sleep deprived I was when I wrote it, I see that instead of “panacea,” I had called it pancetta. Lol, I’m not gonna edit my review to correct that, cuz it totally just made me l [...]

Color me surprised. This book went up to the first place along with Magic Strikes. They are by far my favorite in the series. (Okay, not all that far since I love them all.)Major Spoilers, Proceed With Care.What an emotional and action packed ride this book proved to be. I'd read a few reviews that talked about all the relationship drama between Kate and Curran and that made me reluctant to read it. I was afraid that I would hate it and then I'll feel sorry that one more favorite series went dow [...]

I will not read the next Kate Daniels book description nor will I read any reviews. Those completely ruined this book for me. These are just some of my thoughts about the book. I don't plan to write a review. The following are not exactly spoilers since I am not writing about the actual events, but still be warned. Since I sometimes rate the books I've read by how they made me feel, this would be less than one star. The characters, the world and the story deserve the highest rating, although it [...]

I won't do spoilers! I'll just be so annoyingly vague to the point you (who haven't read the book) will feel stupid (which you should for not reading the book. . .Alicia W Brewster!)!Before I get into my FANGIRL FRENZY. Let's do a moment of silence for someone dear to my heart who passed away in this book!The person who passed away brought such great entertainment to the stories, and was one of the most unique characters in the urban fantasy genre.                       You will be [...]