Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1) by Illona Andrews
Publication Date: April 1, 2007
Publisher: Penguin
Pages: 260
Genre: Adult, Urban Fantasy
Source: Gifted from Karen at For What It's Worth Reviews
Book Description from Goodreads:
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:
In an alternate version of a Post-Apocalypse modern day Atlanta, magic wreaks havoc in waves and in its wake it brings a whole slew of magical problems from total technological failure to creatures of the dark running rampant on the streets. Task forces have formed to protect people and contain the creatures, but not many have the versatility and the skill to handle every rogue monster.... that is except for Kate Daniels.
The covers aren't exactly eye catching and each book of this version of the series follows the same theme, and in the fantasy section they kind of blend in with every other epic hero. But after I read the story and got to know the characters on the cover, I got a little bit giddy every time I saw them.
I was initially recommended this series as something to read inbetween Karen Marie Moning releases, and its proven to be a great choice! It features Kate Daniels as your no-nonsense, kick ass, smart mouthed heroine that's deadly with a sword and has a past that's just riddled with mysteries. Part mercenary and part detective, she's like a blood hound when she's got a target in mind and I dare you to try and stop her. She was an instantly likable character and her interactions with other characters with her often witty banter can sometimes get her into a world of trouble. So when the last of her family Greg ends up the victim of a grisly murder, Kate takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of it and avenge him.
A dark evil orchestrating in the darkness starts bringing the body count up as Kate's investigation takes her all around Atlanta. She's racing against the clock to prevent an all out war between "The People" and shape-shifters. Her investigation leads her into the belly of the Beast Lord Curran. When you're first introduced to Curran there's no doubt about his status as alpha of the pack. He just oozes power, masculinity and control. Watching him butt heads with an equally strong willed Kate was hilarious, frustrating and kind of hot...
The story takes us on a wild action packed ride, and while at times I felt a bit confused about the lore I think I just need to get used to the relaxed Kate Daniels style of story telling. This husband-wife writing team creates a gritty dark world with a refreshing take on some old monsters (the necromancers and vampires were ingenious!). While it starts out a bit slow, they build up the world and the people in it with meticulous detail and when you get to about halfway I guarantee you won't be able to put this book down!
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:
In an alternate version of a Post-Apocalypse modern day Atlanta, magic wreaks havoc in waves and in its wake it brings a whole slew of magical problems from total technological failure to creatures of the dark running rampant on the streets. Task forces have formed to protect people and contain the creatures, but not many have the versatility and the skill to handle every rogue monster.... that is except for Kate Daniels.
The covers aren't exactly eye catching and each book of this version of the series follows the same theme, and in the fantasy section they kind of blend in with every other epic hero. But after I read the story and got to know the characters on the cover, I got a little bit giddy every time I saw them.
I was initially recommended this series as something to read inbetween Karen Marie Moning releases, and its proven to be a great choice! It features Kate Daniels as your no-nonsense, kick ass, smart mouthed heroine that's deadly with a sword and has a past that's just riddled with mysteries. Part mercenary and part detective, she's like a blood hound when she's got a target in mind and I dare you to try and stop her. She was an instantly likable character and her interactions with other characters with her often witty banter can sometimes get her into a world of trouble. So when the last of her family Greg ends up the victim of a grisly murder, Kate takes it upon herself to get to the bottom of it and avenge him.
A dark evil orchestrating in the darkness starts bringing the body count up as Kate's investigation takes her all around Atlanta. She's racing against the clock to prevent an all out war between "The People" and shape-shifters. Her investigation leads her into the belly of the Beast Lord Curran. When you're first introduced to Curran there's no doubt about his status as alpha of the pack. He just oozes power, masculinity and control. Watching him butt heads with an equally strong willed Kate was hilarious, frustrating and kind of hot...
The story takes us on a wild action packed ride, and while at times I felt a bit confused about the lore I think I just need to get used to the relaxed Kate Daniels style of story telling. This husband-wife writing team creates a gritty dark world with a refreshing take on some old monsters (the necromancers and vampires were ingenious!). While it starts out a bit slow, they build up the world and the people in it with meticulous detail and when you get to about halfway I guarantee you won't be able to put this book down!
Overall: 4/5 Hot Cups of Tea!
I'm completely addicted to this magical post apocalypse wasteland and especially Kate Daniels and Curran. This is a definite must read for fans of Karen Marie Moning's Fever Series. I'm going to completely devour these books!
OMG! I remember reading this book before!! It was a really quick, thrilling read. I think I remember it starting off slow, as well. Somewhere around the 5th, 6th chapter it got really intense,though. o_O I might just have to reread it and write a review on it, now. LOL Thanks for the review!
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