Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, #3) in Vampires, Weres and Fae!

May 23, 2010 Belles rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2025

My favorite book of the series. <3

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Oct 15, 2009 Melindeeloo rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, reread

Second read - mostly in audio
It was fun to go back and revisit this story and rejoice in the fact that it not only holds up on the second go round but still holds the spot as my favorite in the series. Having the Midnight Games in the background, some really cool mythology and watching the beginning of the mating dances for both Kate/Curran and Andrea/Raphael were all good. It was a slightly different experience listening to Kate than reading her but I enjoyed that too - the female reader was g Second read - mostly in audio
It was fun to go back and revisit this story and rejoice in the fact that it not only holds up on the second go round but still holds the spot as my favorite in the series. Having the Midnight Games in the background, some really cool mythology and watching the beginning of the mating dances for both Kate/Curran and Andrea/Raphael were all good. It was a slightly different experience listening to Kate than reading her but I enjoyed that too - the female reader was good but it would have been nice to have a male voice for Curran but that didn't detract.

From my first read 4/2009
This series is pure 'Magic'
The husband and wife team who are Iona Andrews deliver another home run with their third Kate Daniel's saga - magical urban fantasy with a touch of romance. This series has become one of my favorites and I really enjoyed how Magic Strikes keeps the series story arc unfolding as we finally discover secrets about Kate's past and about the weird and powerful Saiman. I love Kate, she's powerful (and now we know why) and she has a great 'first person' voice - there's nothing that breaks a UF like having a lead who isn't likable. Magic Strikes also had some really great action sequences for Kate and crew as they face down a truly challenging enemy and are drawn into the world of gladiator style death games.

The Andrews also continue to develop relationships between lead Kate and a rich supporting cast - with some verbal sparring and nice steamy tension building between Kate and beast lord Curran and some real connections for Kate who has only rarely allowed herself attachments. There are also some poignant moments as Kate fears she will lose one of those she has come to care about. And I love way Kate handles her sometime partner Jim, when he tries to freeze her out and hide the circumstances behind Derrick's attack - go Kate!

My only nit about this series is not really a complaint about the books at all, it's just that the Andrews can't possibly write these fast enough to keep me sated. So I just have to content myself with their other offerings waiting on the horizon - a short in the Must Love Hellhounds anthology and the first book in their new 'Edge' series, On the Edge (The Edge, Book 1), both are coming in September - and will have to tide me over until our next 'Magic(al)' journey to Kate Daniel's alternate Atlanta.
...more

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Sep 20, 2010 Nichole ~Bookaholic~ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: z-2014, z-2013, audio, pnr-uf, favorites, zz_2017, zz_2017-audiobook-challenge

Some favorite lines from this one:

A shadow crossed Andrea’s face. “I don’t want to be his TWT-IHFB.” “What does that mean?” “That Weird Thing I Haven’t Fucked Before.”

“His Majesty needs a can-I girl anyway. And I’m not it.” “A can-I girl?” Andrea frowned. I leaned back. “ ‘ Can I fetch you your food, Your Majesty? Can I tell you how strong and mighty you are, Your Majesty? Can I pick out your fleas, Your Majesty? Can I kiss your ass, Your Majesty? Can I . . .” It dawned on me that Raphael was si ...more

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Apr 20, 2017 Wealie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favourites, 0-audible, 0-kindle, 0-series-read, listened, fav-series

Though 'Magic Strikes' could be read as standalone, you miss out on a lot of world building and character development, which adds a great deal to your enjoyment of the novel. For best effect read the first two novels in Ilona Andrews's 'Kate Daniels' series - in order they are, Magic Bites and Magic Burns. There are some companion novellas, but you can get away without reading them in the main sequence.

It's a well paced, nicely written, a great storyline and has enough satisfying subplots to kee Though 'Magic Strikes' could be read as standalone, you miss out on a lot of world building and character development, which adds a great deal to your enjoyment of the novel. For best effect read the first two novels in Ilona Andrews's 'Kate Daniels' series - in order they are, Magic Bites and Magic Burns. There are some companion novellas, but you can get away without reading them in the main sequence.

It's a well paced, nicely written, a great storyline and has enough satisfying subplots to keep you on your toes, wanting to know where it's going and how it will end. It has lovable characters, lots of humour and you really feel the weight of the decisions Kate has to make, as she wars between her obligation to duty and the Order, the budding feelings between her and Curran and her loyalty to friends with differing allegiances of their own.

Although both Kate and Curran have elements of the typical 'feisty and opinionated female, meets gruff and possessive alpha male', the characters are more well rounded than many PNR and urban fantasy protagonist relationships. This is in part due to the long courtship over multiple novels, which allows the authors (A husband/wife writing team) to spend time developing and sharing the characters and easing them into a deeper relationship. It's also because they are more realistic, neither bows down to the other and true compromise is exhibited on both sides to make a relationship work. Many authors attempt this, but few succeed in portraying it authentically, with the female character more often than not capitulating to the male. I think the male/female writing team helps to create realistic characters of both sexes who are flawed, but lovable, courageous and yet full of pride and fear. This goes for the secondary characters as well as the 'alpha pair'.

Spoilers ahead
It took me getting through the first two books to truly warm to Kate and Curran (view spoiler) ...more

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