Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1) in Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group

May 13, 2012 Lindsay rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: book-challenge-2015, read-in-2015, 5stars, urban-fantasy, library-read, romancein2013, read-in-2013, lmaiangowis-150-for-2013, reread

First read Feb11/13 - Feb 14/13

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May 11, 2012 Holly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal-romance, urban-fantasy, ilona-andrews

Never fails. I get tired of reading books filled with nothing but kinky fornication and then I pick up a wonderful, complex, confusing-enough-to-keep-me-interested book yet I complain about it not having enough hot sexing. Oh well! Can't wait to read the next one. ...more

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Feb 23, 2011 Jen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kate-daniels, audio

So I spent the first 40% of this book going WTH? Did I just skip a chapter? What did I miss there? I have heard a lot of GR friends say this book suffers from "first book of the series" syndrome and I would have to agree. I think Andrews would spend 2 pages describing what the dead body looked like but who is Sam Buchanon(the head that Curran wanted Kate to see)? And at one point Kate mentions that Ted would not be happy with what was happening? Who the hell is TED? I came to find out that Ted i ...more

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Dec 05, 2019 Netanella rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, 2019-december-reading-challenges

I do believe this is going to be my next favorite urban fantasy/occult detective series.

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Mar 27, 2010 Stella rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: paranormal, urban-fantasy, 2010

If I remember correctly, I first heard of Ilona Andrews on All Things Urban Fantasy where Abigail was raving about the Kate Daniels series. I don't know why I waited so long to order and then read it, because once I did, I was utterly captured by the magical universe Ilona Andrews created and became devoted to the Kate Daniels series.

The beginning of the novel might be daunting a bit at first, since the story starts deus ex machina: we are in the middle of events without any explanation or footn If I remember correctly, I first heard of Ilona Andrews on All Things Urban Fantasy where Abigail was raving about the Kate Daniels series. I don't know why I waited so long to order and then read it, because once I did, I was utterly captured by the magical universe Ilona Andrews created and became devoted to the Kate Daniels series.

The beginning of the novel might be daunting a bit at first, since the story starts deus ex machina: we are in the middle of events without any explanation or footnotes to understand the strange world and creatures Ilona Andrews has created. However, if you overcome your feeling lost and carry on, soon the story will reveal itself and will transport you to that magical Atlanta where magic is common and an everyday occurrence. (Check out Ilona Andrews official site, there is a Kate Daniels section where lots of interesting and very useful information can be found, among others the glossary to the different factions and creatures, presentation of some of the main characters and some general answers regarding the Kate Daniels universe or the M-Scans. I would advise you to check out the above links as the Kate Daniels universe is quite different from the usual UF universes and it can be a bit disorienting finding your feet at first.)

The characters are all well developed and the actions are decribed in such a vivid and detailed way, you feel as if you were right there in the middle of the story.

The novel is narrated in the first person by the protagonist, Kate Daniels, a young twenty-something brave woman, who is alone in the world, having lost her father not too long ago, her mother when she was still a child, and now her only remaining family her guardian, good friend of her father was murdered. Kate works as a mercenery cleaning up magical problems. She is a strong yet very real character with flaws and insecurities. It is very refreshing to see a heroine who isn't perfect but human.

Kate's humour is bitingly sarcastic, she has bravado and a big mouth and tells off people who try to intimidate her. My favourite parts were her interactions with Curran, the Lord Beast, king of all weres. He, who is used to obedience and respect gets none of these from Kate. The first time they meet she calls him "Kitty, kitty", while he is a huge impressive golden lion! Just a small glimpse and you can understand why this novel made me chuckle so many times, which surprised me, usually urban fantasy novels aren't that funny. Well, Ilona Andrews series is an exception!

Ilona Andrews finds the perfect balance between packing the novel full of fast paced action and still developing details and spending time on deeper feelings, and she tops it all with fantastically humourous dialogues!

Curran is one of the main characters, the impressive and ruggedly handsome Lord Beast, king of all weres. He is extremely arrogant, frustrating the hell out of Kate, but responsible, brave and protective at the same time. He is a true leader figure and an irresisitible hero. His banter and cocky lines to Kate makes this novel so entertaining.

The plot is complex with a few small twists and turns keeping you interested and at the edge of your seat until the very end. (Be warned though that some mysteries will remain unsolved and you can only hope they will be revealed in the following books.)

Verdict: This is a wonderful start to a fantastic new series! The story is fast paced, never dull due to the twists and turns, the characterisation is wonderful and another trait which makes Ilona Andrews and the Kate Daniels series outstanding is the humour! A truly enjoyable read, if you haven't read any Ilona Andrews books yet, don't tarry, go and procure yourself either Magic Bites (the 1st in the Kate Daniels series) or On the Edge (the 1st in The Edge series), you will thank me! ;-) Fans of Kelley Armstrong, urban fantasy lovers, this series is for you!

Plot: 8/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 9/10
Writing: 10/10
Cover: 9/10 (I love the mysterious green light and billowing mist, they give such a powerful athmosphere to the cover. The lion is also fantastic as well as the glowing sword, my only problem is the girl on the cover: it's not the way I imagined Kate, I wouldn't picture her to have such a potato nose.)
...more

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Jan 03, 2010 RogueHireling rated it liked it · review of another edition

Really want to give this three and half stars.
Its a little rough around the edges and the plot is rather simplistic, but overall it was very like able and well worth the read. Plus the main bad guy was really well done.

Oh one thing that I just couldn't get past was that way too many of the main male characters had names that started with C. I'm terrible at remembering names, but if too many are too similar its almost impossible for me to keep track of them all. =P

Definitely going for book two! ...more

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Jul 25, 2010 Meredith Barrons rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this one. Andrews created a new and interesting world, and although it was a little hard to keep track of everything at the beginning, I got a better understanding as the book went along. I swear I thought I was going to need to draw myself a diagram to keep track of all the hierarchies.... the order, the pack, the guild... ha ha I really liked Kate. She is a great kick- ass heroine. She definitely reminded me of Anita Blake in the early books. I think this series has real promi ...more

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Jun 10, 2011 Ally rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011, ebook, urban-fantasy

Interesting world and enjoyed the word building and getting into the series. However, I wasn't hooked to the series nor did I feel anything for Kate or Curran!
Was it me?

Favourite Quotes:
"When in doubt and in need of information, find a snitch and squeeze him. That was one of the very few investigative techniques I was aware of. As a matter of fact, that and the 'annoy principals involed until the guilty party decides to kill you' pretty much summed it up for me. Move over, Sherlock."

"What kind ...more

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May 04, 2009 Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~* rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: urban-fantasy, owned-read

3.5 - 4 Stars

To be reviewed soon...

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Oct 31, 2011 Pet rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I don’t know why I never gave reviews back when I read this, but it def deserves one. Kate is a powerfully strong h, so much so that it would take a massively strong alpha to stand at her side and boy does she find one, though it’s not a pure romance this is the beginning of an amazing world and one I’m happy to immerse myself in.

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Aug 25, 2013 Amy Nielsen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: come_back_someday_to_finish, most_like_fever, 2015-booklist

DNF - This book wasn't bad at all but I just found more interesting stuff to read at the time and didn't finish. But I think I'd like to read it later when I've not got so much going on. ...more

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