Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews

Description:

This novella takes place at the same time as Andrea’s book, right after MAGIC SLAYS, and the two stories intersect.

A dinner date after a hard day at work sounds heavenly. Of course, when that date is between the Beast Lord and Kate Daniels, things don’t go as planned. Before you know it, undead are running amok, heads are being chopped off, lawyers are deployed and used with extereme prejudice, and drunk vikings are calling people out.

Read at your own risk.

Review:

Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews

5 out of 5

I loved the jelly fish bit... Gross, but really funny!

So glad that Roderick made it safely through the story!  And that he gets to live with his grandfather makes this a wonderfully happy ending for this novella.

So glad that Aurellia got what she deserved.  She was a horrible woman, and her punishment seemed pretty fair.  

Another clue on Kate fighting her father came to light when Kate made a bet with Ghastek.  I do wonder how her experimenting goes.

I loved this quick novella.  It definitely helped to flesh out Andrea's story.  Though, I kinda wish I could have read the novella & Gunmetal Magic together. 

Though it is a novella, this one packs a quick and yummy punch of Kate & Curran.  :-) I highly recommend this novel.  
Happy Reading!

Cana

Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews

Description:

The New York Times bestselling Kate Daniels novels have been hailed as “top-notch urban fantasy” (Monsters and Critics). Now, Ilona Andrews delves deeper into Kate’s world, and reveals its untold stories…
After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea’s whole existence is in shambles. She tries to put herself back together by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend. When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano—the male alpha of the Clan Bouda, and Andrea’s former lover—die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate. Now she must work with Raphael as her search for the killer leads into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta. And dealing with her feelings for him might have to take a back seat to saving the world…

Review:

Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews

5 out of 5

So, at first, I was a bit disappointed with Andrea... She is a bit of a whiner.  But, FINALLY, she got her act together and became a character I liked.

Raphael is really one of my favorite guys... Coming in as a 2nd to Gurran.  He was creative to show Andrea that he likes her, and he cherishes her as much as he can (once he gets his head out of his ass).  

We only get a bit of Kate & Curran (which makes me sad! I know this is Andrea's book, but I really am a bigger fan of Kate & Curran), but we do get it re-itterated that they are just awesome!

Anapa is one big ASS.  I couldn't stand him and was glad that he got what he deserved (and by the jackels too!  How appropriate).

We really get an idea and a better explanation of what happened to Andrea as a child.  We had a glimpse of it from the other books, but the details in this book explains why she has become what she is. 

I think Julie & Ascanio should get together.  I think they would be uber cute together.  

I loved getting to know Ascanio better.  Plus we finally get to meet his mom and learn more about her.  Definitely made him more understandable.  

I was so proud that Andre a made her decision and became Beta.  She is someone who needs to belong, and I think Aunt B's pack is the best thing for her.

Overall, this is a good book... But not necessarily my favorite out of the series, but still a good one!

Happy Reading!

Cana

Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

Description:

Plagued by a war between magic and technology, Atlanta has never been so deadly. Good thing Kate Daniels is on the job.

Kate Daniels may have quit the Order of Merciful Aid, but she’s still knee-deep in paranormal problems. Or she would be if she could get someone to hire her. Starting her own business has been more challenging than she thought it would be—now that the Order is disparaging her good name, and many potential clients are afraid of getting on the bad side of the Beast Lord, who just happens to be Kate’s mate.

So when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose, Kate leaps at the chance of some paying work. Turns out this is not an isolated incident, and Kate needs to get to the bottom of it—fast, or the city and everyone dear to her might pay the ultimate price . . .

Review:

Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

5 out of 5

I love how Kate keeps becoming the collector of strays.  Derek, Julie, Grendal, and now a horny teenage bouda... It is really kind of hilarious!

Learning more about Kate's past brought up so many questions about what else she might remember, how it will effect her future plans, and how it will help her decide what path to take.  Plus, the fact that she now has more family than she originally realized does add another twist to her future plans. 

I think I would love to have a cat-bunny-duck.  I mean, it is the best pet idea in the world!

Poor Julie... In some ways, it feels that she is just a girl who can't get a break.  Though I'm glad that she pulled through, I'm wondering what will happen when she realizes what Kate ACTUALLY did.  

Poor Jennifer!  First her baby sister, then her mate... Plus her fears about her unborn child.  You wonder if she will make it.  

My one question about this series that really has me thinking is this:  All this talk about what happened to Atlanta (a huge city) after the Shift makes me wonder what happened to the little towns... Did those little town even survive the shift?  

Oh, the end with the flowers and card from Hugh!  You know trouble is on its way.  

Overall, this is a great book.  I personally think this one was one of the best ones so far.  I really enjoyed it.  I highly recommend it!
Happy Reading!

Cana

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

Description:

Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren't for the magic. When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose.

Kate Daniels works for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, officially as a liaison with the mercenary guild. Unofficially, she cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to handle - especially if they involve Atlanta's shapeshifting community. When she's called in to investigate a fight at the Steel Horse, a bar on the border between the territories of the shapeshifters and the necromancers, Kate quickly discovers that there's a new player in town. One who's been around for thousands of years - and who rode to war at the side of Kate's father. This foe may be too much even for Kate and Curran, the Beast Lord, to handle. Because this time Kate will be taking on family.

Review:

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

5 out of 5

I really want to kick Curran's butt after he stood-up Kate!  What the heck!  Not a happy Cana after reading that... But!  I was YELLING at Kate after she LET. CURRAN. WALK. AWAY!  What the heck was she thinking?

Naeemah is an interesting character... She kinda reminds me of the ancient Egyptian stories about their gods.  I wonder how she will pop up again, cuz you know she will.  

I liked how what is going on between Jim and Dali was finally recognized by the others... 

Erra seemed to be absolutely terrifying.  Worse, she seems to hold a lot of secrets that Kate could probably benefit from knowing.  

What is a First?  I mean, shifter-wise?  I got hints, ,but I could have, and would have really liked to have some answers.  I hope I'll get some soon in the other books.  

I really enjoyed getting to hear the story of the creation of the first vampire.  To see the similarities and differences between the Biblical story of Abraham, Esau & Jacob and Kate's story of the same people really make the story very believable.  

Finally!  Kate & Curran get together and stay together!  This made me very, very, very, very happy.  

Honestly, one of the biggest selling points for me on this series is the variety of mythology that you will get.  I love that!  I mean, it is so much better than me having the same-old myths tossed around again, and again.  

Grendel is definitely a special dog... But a poodle? Really?  I giggled at that one... Okay, maybe more than just giggled.  

Overall, this is the best book so far!  Loved it!  And I love this series!  I highly recommend it!
Happy Reading!

Cana

Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews

Description:

When magic strikes and Atlanta goes to pieces, it’s a job for Kate Daniels… 

Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with these days. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that’s saying a lot.

But when Kate's werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games—an invitation only, no holds barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament—she and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta's shapeshifting community…

Review:

Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews

5 out of 5

Now, for those of you who aren't familiar with me and my reading habits, I'm a yeller & a book thrower.  Now with that disclaimer given, you will understand the rest of this. 

Gosh, Curran could not be more delectable than in this book.  The way he is courting Kate without her knowing it is funny.  But how he rescues her, that is so hot!

I must admit, finally finding out what Saiman is, that really was kinda cool.  But I did have to re-read that part that explained/described him because it was just amazing!

I really enjoyed getting to know Jim more.  It did explain a bit about him.  

Poor Derek!  He didn't deserve to get hurt.  And the reason he gets hurt was horrible too.  I just wish it wouldn't change how he is, how he behaves, but you know it will.  No one can go through that kind of trauma without changing.  
I wish Andrea and Raphael would just get together!  Shesh!  But I appreciate that Raphael is making his point about his intentions. 

I liked meeting Dali.  She was definitely unique in the shifter world (at least to me), since she is nearly blind in her human form, gets temporary amnesia after she shifts, and she is vegetarian.  It definitely made for some interesting moments, which of course leads to some laughter on my part.  

I liked getting to know more about Kate.  The whole Roland thing is coming to a full circle... It will be interesting to see what happens with it.  

I think I yelled multiple times at Kate to stop being an idiot about Curran!  I mean, really, take a chance girl!!!

Wow!  An illegal fight club... Definitely adds to the mystery of Post-shift Atlanta.  
I LOVED the epilogue!  (and yes, I did squeal about it, just a bit!).  

Overall, this is the best book so far in this series!   Highly recommend it!
Happy Reading!

Cana

Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

Description:

Down in Atlanta, tempers – and temperatures – are about to flare…

As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.

When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest – and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug-of-war between two gods hoping for rebirth. And if Kate can’t stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive…

Review:

Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

5 out of 5

Let me tell you, as a snarky person I loved the snark that Kate gives.  Like a lot! So of course, I loved the in this book!

Oh! My! Goodness!  I absolutely loved Curran!  And when he is under the influence of the magic spikes, WOAH!  Nothing like an alpha male to make a woman want to join the Pack!  

Kate is a great, strong-willed, and smart woman.  I loved that.  Plus the use of her natural sarcasm and the amount of snark she gives just makes her a great character.  

Poor Julie.  She lost all of those she loved.  But she did get lucky to gain Kate as her aunt.  

Bran was a great character.  To be able to go from cocky asshole to a sacrificing hero is special, and can sometimes be hard to do. But Ms. Andrews (and her husband) succeeded in doing it right. 

Personally, I love how the Celtic myths were used in this book.  I think that this was really one of my favorite books that used Celtic myths.

The epilogue was my favorite part of the book for several reasons.  

1. It gives an insight to Curran's future plans for him and Kate.
2. You know that Kate knows that Curran knows what she can do.  
3. You now finally get to know Kate's favorite book (good choice by the way!)

Overall, this is an awesome book.  And I'm so reading the rest of the series!  I highly recommend this book!
Happy Reading!

Cana

Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

Description:

When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably 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 Masters 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

Review:

Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

5 out of 5

I love how this book (and the rest of the series) is pretty much set in Atlanta.  Primarily because, I know that area pretty decently.  I can easily imagine what it looks like in this Post-shift world. 

Saiman is such a weird man.  His desire to morph into "Uberman" just makes me giggle... It is just too funny!

Curran sounds so yummy.  There is nothing more appealing than a strong alpha male in a book... Hmmm :-).

Derek is such a strong kid, especially after what he has experienced.  I think he is going to keep showing up in Kate's life.  

I love how there is a mystery to Kate.  You know that there is something about her, but you don't know exactly what it is.  

I loved the twist on who the actual villain was.  I didn't see it coming until the big reveal... And I love that!

I like how Lyc-V seems to be the magical equivalent to rabies.  It doesn't discriminate between human or animal, but just because you have Lyc-V doesn't mean you get put down.  If you have self-control, you can use it to your advantage.  

Overall, this is a great book!  I really enjoyed it, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.  Highly recommend.  
Happy Reading!

Cana

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison

Description:

All the creatures of the night gather in "the Hollows" of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party ... and to feed.

Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining -- and it's Rachel Morgan's job to keep that world civilized.

A bounty hunter and witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she'll bring 'em back alive, dead ... or undead.

Review:

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison

2.5 out of 5

Okay, so I've been told that this series is "Amazing!", "Awesome!", and "Fantastic!"... And During the first 3 chapters, I thought that my friends had been hit with the stupid stick.  It had a few moments after that, that made it seem like the tides were turning, and I'd be converted to one of the big fans of this book... But alas, it failed to happen.  

So what did I love about this book?  

• I loved that tomatoes equal death in a lot of peoples minds.  As an avid tomato hater, it just makes sense, so I can appreciate this.
• The funniest/best part of the book was the mink episode... It was hilarious!

I just felt that this book was just not for me.  It was sluggish to the point of dullness.  And that was disappointing.  

Overall, it was okay, but I will have to force myself to read the next book.  (I promised my friend Becca that I would).  So at this time, I can't recommend this book, or the series.... 

Happy Reading!

Cana

Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews

Description:

On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast. But Dina is...different: Her broom is a deadly weapon; her Inn is magic and thinks for itself. Meant to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a retired Galactic aristocrat who can’t leave the grounds because she’s responsible for the deaths of millions and someone might shoot her on sight. Under the circumstances, "normal" is a bit of a stretch for Dina.

And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night....Feeling responsible for her neighbors, Dina decides to get involved. Before long, she has to juggle dealing with the annoyingly attractive, ex-military, new neighbor, Sean Evans—an alpha-strain werewolf—and the equally arresting cosmic vampire soldier, Arland, while trying to keep her inn and its guests safe. But the enemy she’s facing is unlike anything she’s ever encountered before. It’s smart, vicious, and lethal, and putting herself between this creature and her neighbors might just cost her everything.

Review:

Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews

5+ out of 5

This story was amazing.  I loved how Ms. Andrews created a whole new world that I am dying to explore!  I loved the idea that werewolves and vampires are aliens, that there are magical inns that shelter them on pit stops to Earth, and that the innkeepers are suppose to be a neutral entity in this world.  But I love that Dina isn't willing to just stand by and let people get hurt.  

Sean is my favorite character... But then again, I've got a thing for werewolves ;-).   The alpha part of him was so yummy, but when he was flirting with Dina, that took the cake!

Caldenia seems like the harmless pussy cat that turns into a hungry lioness.  She does add quite a bit of humor to the book, but I'm not sure if I like her or not.

The dahaka sound like a creature that would give you nightmares.  And the fact that he always seemed to show up at night doesn't help.  Also, I think he is a perfect villain.  You don't really see him much, but you see his actions and evil plotting in everything that happens.

Can I just say that the idea that coffee for a vampire is the equivalent of alcohol for humans was just hilarious!  And creative!  Poor Arland getting drunk on coffee was just hilarious!  I laughed so hard, and it was great!
OMGoodness!  I loved this book!  I can't wait for the next one!  I loved the unique world paralleled with our own.  I highly recommend this book!  Happy Reading!

Cana