Magic Bites (Kate Daniels)Audiobook

I would give this first book a 4-4.5, but the series as a whole a 5+.

This is a review of the first book but also the series in general, as I have gone on to read through book 5 so far.

If you thought this 1st book in the series, Magic Bites, was okay/good, but not great yet, PLEASE PLEASE buy books 2 and 3. They are the turning point for this series, mainly the 2nd half of book 2 and all of book 3, in that this is when this series goes from good to AMAZING. You will NOT regret it. That is when it all really and truly clicked for me. I've read the first 5 books and have bought the 6th and have it ready to go. I am one to proceed with caution when I buy series. I read the first book and if I don't see potential I won't buy the next. I was not disappointed. Not only did it keep getting better, but it surpassed expectations. Some great things about this book and beyond:

1. Kate Daniels-one of my favorite fictional fantasy heroines ever, top 5, if not higher. She just gets better. Never once have I felt disconnected from the way her character is written, she is badass without it meaning she can't be vulnerable physically and emotionally, she is strong without it veering into bad, stereotypical SFC territory. You will love her even more as the books progress.

2. Curran-you will fall in love with him even if you haven't yet in this first book. You get to see much more of him as the series progresses and learn much more about him and the Pack and the dynamics involved. His banter and sexual tension with Kate only gets better and more intense, too.

3. Great secondary characters-even the ones that don't appear too much you end up caring about, Ilona Andrews just have a talent for this. You get to meet so many more interesting and important characters as the series progresses. We get to learn more about the ones we've already met as well. The shifter characters especially will capture your hearts, such as Raphael, Jim, Derek, and Andrea, and later on several more that I have not listed.

4. Great balance of plot and romance- One of the things I'm very critical of. Too often with urban/paranormal fantasy/romance, there is too much romance or too little, or it develops way too quickly. This series never messes up, the perfect balance is maintained as it goes, so it never gets stale. If you thought there was too little in this book, well the hints in this 1st installment are developed at the perfect pace after the crucial setup that takes place. This authorial duo has managed to capture the elusive perfect formula for a slow build romance. It's not "when the **** will this happen already?!!?" levels of frustration, or "insta-love" ridiculousness. Also, the couple doesn't get boring after they eventually get together! Authors often make the mistake of, after getting their couple together, having them spend time together 24/7 in all proceeding books, which kills reader interest and the spark. FINALLY, authors that realizes a couple can and should be together without spending every single moment together. It makes you look forward to their next interaction. Other UF authors should learn from Ilona Andrews.

5. Interesting and unique mythology unlike any other urban fantasy I've read-it's not that we haven't seen certain elements before, like shifters and vampires (not romanticized vampires at all), but the Andrews take on them is fresh. And I love how much we learn about the were/shifter dynamics and culture as the series goes on. The whole Kate Daniels world, with the magic vs. tech, brings so many interesting developments and possibilities to the table.

Note: At first it is hard to keep track of all of the detail b/c you are immersed in the world without a lot exposition, but more is revealed as you read the book and you pick it up from context as you read. As the book and series goes on more and more is explained and revealed concerning the details of the world Kate lives in, and Kate's background and past. You will catch on quickly.

Overall, this is definitely one of my favorite urban fantasy series ever, top 3 for sure.

Kate Daniels Series First of all – I don’t do book reports. Other reviewers and the synopsis do a wonderful job of that - all I do is tell the reasons why or why I really like or dislike a book so that others potential readers can figure out whether this is a series that they might enjoy.

In the 1st novel, I found myself lost at times and confused because of the totally different world this novel takes place in with the various factions and rules. I then became so engrossed that I couldn’t put it down despite at times feeling lost when I did not understand all the rules and characters. After reading the supplement at the end with in-depth information about the world of Kate Daniels – everything made sense. I understand now why the authors went back and included this in the 1st book of the series. The book really needed it because of the world created within and its complexity and rules. If you do decide, (after reading my reasons why I really like this series), to give this series a chance – read the supplement at the end first!

Yes, this is a series that contain a love story within(not a romance as usually portrayed); but, the love is a very slow developing love that takes place over time, trials, mistrust, misunderstandings between species/cultures and fights. This is one thing I really enjoy about this series. While I enjoy an occasional “fluff” novel with the “see mate, take mate and HEA” by the end of the book, I really relish a novel where the couples’ love and commitment is more realistic in that it takes time, development, compromises and work to keep it that way. This series is not really a HEA but more of a HRN (Happy Right Now) because we destroyed the evil monsters for right now, didn’t walk away for good because of a misunderstanding and both ready to fight even friends/associates/allies to stay together – so we can be Happy Right Now without worrying about what tomorrow will bring - type of saga. And, the commitment to each other grows stronger over time.

Yes, this series contains very graphic depictions of violence. I also enjoy Larissa Ione's Demonica Series so the graphic violence does not deter me from enjoying this series. In fact, the violence is a needed part of both series as they both take place in a very unfriendly, fight-for-your-life, vicious world setting where monsters do exist and they will come for you. All the main characters are fighters – fighting for survival, fighting for those that can’t, and fighting for what is right. The actions scenes are therefore graphic in their portrayal of what has to take place in making this world safe for another day – making the fight scenes come alive in blood, gore and guts.

Yes, Kate Daniels is “snarky”, sarcastic and exhibits a type of “dark” humor, which I really appreciate. I’m not into “slap-stick” or juvenile humor. Kate is also a strong female heroine that has no need for a strong, big, male to save her. Not that she’s too stupid to turn down any help that comes along but that she has been trained to rely on herself alone. The development of learning that she can rely on others is a long, frightening and rocky path for her. All the main female characters are strong women in strength and spirit but are not so perfect that it makes you want to gag. They get injured. They get hurt feeling, feelings of loneliness and despair. They are never “door mats.” And, most importantly – there are no TSTL moments. (That kills a book for me!)

All of the male protagonists are Alpha males with different abilities, different personalities, different viewpoints. Curran is the ultimate Alpha with such a developed personality and ability that I would read this series just to keep up with his trials and tribulations. His and Kate’s actions and interactions are enough to keep me coming back for more. Curran if far from perfect – he’s arrogant, demanding, and is capable of being a “pain-in-the-behind” type of male. He’s also loyal, extremely protective of others, and the ultimate predator.

Yes, there are unanswered questions at the end of the first novel. This series is more of a mystery at times that continues on to the next in the series. Each novel reveals a little bit more about Kate – her pass and her possible future. It’s more of an evolution of her and the people and world around her. While some of the novels deal with other main characters – they still need to be read in order to understand the dynamics of the relationships and the past events that has led the characters to their current place. Warning – this series can become extremely addicting.

The icing on the cake is that the authors were able to successfully take our known world – give it a twist and create an alternate world that is so developed - making it so believable that I could easily picture the characters, the actions and world that it happens in. This is no formulaic writing. The twist did not end with just the world building but in the type of characters inhabiting that new world. Just one example is with the vampires not being portrayed as handsome creatures operating under their own steam but as ugly tools operating under the guidance of others. This series is no doubt one of the most creative, imaginative and engrossing series that I have gotten into. There are no plot holes. No misspellings. All of the characters, actions and places are well developed. Another important fact – is that I have not been disappointed in any of the novels in this series so far (up to the 8th in the series now). While I have liked some novels better than others in the same series – when compared to other authors’ novels – this still beats them. (Except for Nalini Singh, Shelly Laurenston, Thea Harrison and a very few others – I have a very short pre-buy list of authors I trust to put out exceptional work.)

Summary When the magic is up, rogue mages cast spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictable as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake.

Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate's guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta's magic circles.

The Master of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizarre killings - and the death of Kate's guardian may be part of the same mystery. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she's way out of her league - but she wouldn't have it any other way...

The Good This is the kind of book that grabs you from the beginning. Unlike many authors, Andrews (a wife and husband team who wrote this book) doesn't bog down the book with elaborate explanations of her world. She integrates the basics throughout the whole book as to not bore the reader with pages of explanation.

What was even better was the actual world Andrews created. I have never come across another concept like this before. It made it more exciting to read because I never knew what was next. It was as if the normal rules did not apply, so the limits were endless.

But the best part, the thing that made me almost cry when it was six in the morning and I still hadn't gone to bed because nothing was going to come between me and my book, not even unconsciousness, was the characters.

Kate is the kick-assiest (yup, not a real word, but it has a ring to it) protagonist ever. She is fearless, has mad fighting skills, and does what the hell she wants.

Curran. Oh, Curran. He is the Beast Lord in every sense of the word. He's strong, brutal, and knows how to push Kate's buttons (and vice versa).

The dialogue is down right hilarious. I literally laughed out loud for half of the book. I like those type of characters that don't hold anything back.

The combat scenes where excellent. Very clear, concise, and interesting. Gory at times, but I like that.

The air of mystery around Kate Daniels is by far the most tantalizing part. It's obvious there is more to her history that has yet to be revealed, which only guarantees people will be picking up book #2 Magic Burns.

The Bad I can truly say there was nothing I disliked about this book. I guess some could find it a little too gritty and gory, but I think it made the book interesting and raw.

The Snuggly There was a little sexual tension but there is no sex.

Overall This is one of my favorite books (and series) I have ever read. The characters are the best part and the action is beautifully written. I actually became a writer because of this series. My protagonist is slightly based off of Kate Daniels because I believe she is one of the best characters ever created.

I’ve read the Kate Daniels series what feels like a million times. It’s easily one of my favorites, and so far I have really loved everything that Ilona Andrews has written. This book isn’t my favorite book in the series, but it’s definitely a good introduction into this world and to Kate Daniels. Kate Daniels goes from being a mercenary to working with an investigative agency when their estranged guardian is murdered. The world building in this series is great, I really love the idea behind tech and magic battling for dominance. It’s also really cool to see how fully thought out this idea is, from needing two sets of lights, transportation and more because one doesn’t work depending if it’s a tech wave or a magic wave. You get a good intro into the major players in Atlanta, the Pack and the People. Curran is the Beast Lord and also the one Kate ends up having to deal with a lot throughout the book. His level of cockiness is next level, and some of the things he says make me laugh out loud. But Kate gives as good as she gets, so the banter between them is fantastic. We do also learn about The People, otherwise known as the necromancers that pilot vampires. We just get a little taste in this book, more to come about them later in the series. Overall, I really love this as an intro book, and Kate Daniel’s will always be one of my favorite urban fantasy characters. And if you get a chance the Graphic Audio version of this book is fantastic as well.