Review: Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels #10) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》

stars for Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels book 10) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》. My memory fails me, for real this time. I'm not sure if I should be happy or sad. The fact is, this book reads absolutely new to me. I read it before in the year it was first published but the thing is, I can't recall anything at all, not even a vague impression. No inkling. Nothing. Zilch. The flip side is, reading this book as if a first feels really wonderful. two hundred people gone and their families have no answers a dead neighbour from Cutting Edge office Julie's classmate in a coma ancient creatures popping out of Kate's aunt Erra's nightmares and attacking them Kate's dad mobilising his army a Fae assassin running around in Atlanta city hoping to kill Kate, Curran and their son Conlan and Kate has no answers to any there are troops, mages, witches, the Pack, the Undead, the military, the Druids, the Order, the pagans,

Review: Strange Pictures (Strange #1) by Uketsu

stars for Strange Pictures (Strange book 1) by Uketsu.

Review: Iron and Magic (Kate Daniels #9.5) by Ilona Andrews

Did Not Finish Iron and Magic (Kate Daniels book 9.5) by Ilona Andrews.

Iron and Magic slots right between Magic Binds and Magic Triumphs timeline-wise. It’s short but gives readers that breather with Kate and Curran before the final book throws everything at them.

When I started out on this book, I thought the story would make for a nice palate cleanser before the finale wrecks the reader in me emotionally. My tall paperback of a Magic Triumph - recently purchased via Amazon and received in good order - can wait its turn on the shelf. But in the end, my calculation misfires as I am unable to complete this novel. I struggle to make myself read at least until I reach the halfway mark. It is difficult to enjoy the story because it portrays Huge in a different light from what I perceived and wanted him to be.

Iron and Magic era Hugh is... something else. He’s one of those characters you either love to hate or hate to love. No in-between. What I like about Hugh so much is a mixed bag really. His chaos energy. His loyalty. The way he talks to Curran. The way he is attracted to Kate. Most of all, how he is turned on by Kate in their no-style fighting style. The Hugh in this book is post Roland. He is still powerful in his own way, but very much different from the earlier books. And I didn't exactly like it. But well, at least I make it a point to stop my reading at halfway mark, so if I ever want to continue with this book in future, I know where I left off.

Review: Magic Binds (Kate Daniels #9) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》

5 stars for Magic Binds (Kate Daniels book 9) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》.

Author Ilona Andrews did it again. This book 9 is not just a story with a straightforward, straight-out plot, but one with branches that reach out far and wide to form even more branches - subplots that run alongside the main plot, adding depth, character development and thematic richness to the story. To be able to do this, the authors have to know their magic inside out to be able enchant the branches to inter-relate. And that is an impressive feat. For the reader, it is a much simpler job. I just have to keep reading to piece everything together into a grand picture.

Magic Binds can be summarized simply into two words. "Power corrupts". Because of this, I feel that the book title is aptly chosen. It is also revealed in this book that Kate is well versed in the language of power. These are words spoken and shown in italics. This thing about the language of power.. I list it here in my review post more for my own reference, in case I decide to read this series again in the future.

Finishing Magic Binds means I have just survived the wedding + Roland mess + the whole "Atlanta will burn" prophecy. My heart needs a minute, no scratch that, a break, before Magic Triumphs drops the final boss.

Next up, book 9.5 Iron and Magic.

Review: Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels #8) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》

5 stars for Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels book 8) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》.

Okay.. I have a confession to make. I do not remember this story.. much.

Yes, I read this book before, in the exact same year it was published and made available. And yes, I do have an impression, vague as it is, that Magic Shifts was about a missing Shapeshifter and there was a family dinner of sorts with R. But other than that, zilch. Zero. Nothing.

No, I do not recall the creatures, the fighting, the reanimative metamorphosis, MR for short, the Arabian mythology, the giant incident near the Casino that was in effect an incident with a giant in it, and definitely not the big crisis that Kate undergone. I doubt I even dropped tears when I read about this critical turning point then, but I did this time. It is heart-rending what with Kate's emotionally charged insistence to go home. I cried.

Memories aside, after the large-scope story in book 7 Magic Breaks, I am glad for the change to focus on a small scale story in this book. Here, readers finally get to see Curran with Kate more often. After going through so much together, Kate and Curran deserve to have more screen time side by side. I cannot be more happy that there is finally no deliberate plot to lure the ex Beast Lord away from action for the better part of the story.

In Magic Shifts, Curran is mostly at Kate's side. Where Kate goes, Curran follows. How nice! But the cherry on the sundae is not just the two of them appearing shoulder to shoulder, it is their quick-wit banter and the sharp edge of humor that flutters my heart so.

Next up book nine Magic Binds.

Review: Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels #7) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》

5 stars for Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels book 7) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》.

Among all the Kate Daniels books to date, this book 7 is second to book 4 Magic Bleeds in terms of thickness. And it is second to Magic Strikes in terms of my preference where book cover is concerned. The models on both covers do great justice to portray Kate. But if I really have to choose one, I'll go for the cover in Strikes because that one came first. And first impression makes the deepest lasting imprint.

This book 7 is basically a story that bangs on a race against time. The person who imposes this timeframe is none other than Roland's Warlord, Huge d'Ambray, the preceptor of the Order of the Iron Dogs. Since book 6 Magic Rises, I actually quite like d'Ambray even though he is one of the so-called bad guys.

Hugh + Kate banter is elite chaos energy. When they actually get to go toe-toe, it’s chef’s kiss. Magic Breaks gives us glimpses but not the full showdown we want. Autho Ilona Andrews knows exactly how to tease us with them though. The tension between those two is unreal even when they’re not fighting.

The way I see it, there is much potential to be had with this character. His medmage capabilities is astounding and he is relentless in his pursuit of Kate. He could have been a major challenge to the Beast Lord where matters of the heart involving Kate is concerned. There could have been more scenes for adrenaline heart-stopping moments where Huge and Kate face off, especially just the two of them alone, but no - and sadly no - the authors obviously have other plans for Huge. Towards the end of the book, I kind of feel sorry for d'Ambray because I just have the feeling that he will no longer be a major presence in the subsequent instalments. And I like him so.

As with the earlier books, there is much plotting, fighting and bloodshed in this book; the chief difference in Magic Breaks is that all these here culminates in a big showdown. It is impressive how the authors have everything in control. Well played indeed!

I think I may have mentioned this previously but I want to say it again. Everything makes so much sense now what with the back-to-back reading. I did not realise how big a difference each gap year makes until now. Reading the books in succession makes for a smooth glide from scene to scene and book to book, and gives so much more clarity, depth and insight to the entire Kate Daniels series.

Next up book eight Magic Shifts.

Review: Magic Rises (Kate Daniels #6) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》

5 stars for Magic Rises (Kate Daniels book 6) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》.

Magic Rises is another of my favorites. It rank right up there after book 3 Magic Strikes.

This book small on the outside but big on the inside, is a book worth all my time to read and reread. This novel certainly packs a lot of punch. The key word here is panacea. I would say, this book gives a good, well-deserved break to all the rest of happenings in Atlanta. It is a refreshing and welcoming change from the usual. In fact, this book is so well crafted that the story can be read as a standalone. But of couse, I will still recommend starting the series from book 1.

There are so many things to like in this book, the good and even the bad - the doubts that slowly surface and rear its ugly head, and the anger that gradually simmer before boiling over - are all part and parcel of the grand scheme of things. I will say, even the badass Hugh d’Ambray comes across as a highly attractive bloke.

Hugh + Kate banter is elite chaos energy. When they actually get to go toe-toe, it’s chef’s kiss. Author Ilona Andrews knows exactly how to tease us readers with them. The tension between Hugh and Kate is unreal even when they are not fighting. Their back-and-forth is just perfect - the timing, the insults, the barely-contained murder vibes... they are delicious.

My favorite moment in this book is the "Uncle" scene. That “Uncle” moment is EXACTLY chef’s kiss. The way Kate pushes him to it, the way Hugh hates every second of saying it, and the reader in me can feel Curran grinning in the background even though he is not there. Pure perfection. That’s peak Hugh + Kate energy right there. Him being forced to submit, her enjoying it way too much. Authors Ilona Andrews certainly know what they are doing.

For an Urban Fantasy novel, Magic Rises sure checked all the right boxes and then some.

Action checked.
Magic checked.
Horror checked.
Mystery checked.
Suspense checked.
Paranormal checked.
Fantasy checked.
Humour checked.
Desire checked.
Romance checked.
Revelation checked.

Next up book seven Magic Rises.

Review: Magic Slays (Kate Daniels #5) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》

5 stars for Magic Slays (Kate Daniels book 5) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》.

It has been a long time; I need to get this off my mind. Of all the book covers since the series started, this one portrays Kate in the most unflattering, undignified manner. I always wonder why this picture was chosen to grace the book cover of Magic Slays. Perhaps this is the best among the rest, but even so, I feel that Kate deserves something better. The title is sleek and well chosen yet the cover is anything but. The good thing is, other than this minor slip-up of the outside, the inside is all well and good.

Once again, the authors deliver an amazing story. I thought the last book 4 was spectacular, yet the authors manage to outdo themselves again. In this book, the magic elite of Atlanta put aside old rivalries to form a common alliance. Mages, witches, druids, volhvs, shamans, the People, the Pack, and the mercenary Guild, all come together to fight a cause worthy of fighting.

As usual, when it comes to Kate and the beast lord, there are always those bear-your-heart-out scenes that makes me so emotional that tears roll down my cheeks as I read. And mind you, those are not fanciful conversations, just simple, practical, heart-to-heart talking, yet they make the world go round in Kate's world.

Next up book six Magic Rises. Another of my favourites.