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. 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.

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.

Review: Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels #4) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》

5 stars for Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels book 4) by Ilona Andrews |《Reread》.

Reading book 4 Magic Bleeds again feels like revisiting a dear old friend. I say it again. This series just keeps getting better with each new book. In this new instalment, shapeshifters who never fall sick (due to the Lyc-V virus) caught deadly plagues, the People (the Masters of the Dead who navigate the vampires) unexpectedly asked the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid for assistance, and undead creatures make an appearance and used elemental magic.

It feels great to be reading a completed series. No waiting. No longing. No hangover. Having to wait like one year for the next book to be written and published is such a killjoy. I remember vividly as if it was yesterday when I specially patronized a certain library branch to borrow the first two books because they were available only in that particular library. I was lucky then that I didn't have to wait long for book 3 Magic Strikes to be out. And then, the pain came. It came right after I finished reading book 3, and it repeated itself every year after. Those were terrible times.

Also, it feels wonderful to be holding and reading Kate Daniels in the dead tree version. I bought the books some years ago and I specially went for the original covers it came in (first edition covers which I read in previously). So, even though I am rereading the series now, the books I hold in my hands are proudly mine and in mint condition. So happy!

While book 3 Magic Strikes, my all-time favourite, is a book that reaffirms that this series is worth all my time reading and following, book 4 Magic Bleeds is a book that cumulates all that have been said and done in the previous three books and then... reveals and reduces it to three mere words "all or nothing".

If you are a fan of Urban Fantasy, this is s series not to be missed.

Next up book five Magic Slays.