Thursday, February 28, 2019

2 Bloggers 1 Series - Magic Burns Review


So this month Stormi and I are continuing our Kate Daniels year-long series read.  I can honestly say I'm enjoying doing this because I don't know that I would have made time for the series otherwise.  In fact, I already have a few series proposals for Stormi to consider next year - I just haven't told her yet.  So check out my review below and then hop over to Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! and see what Stormi thought.

TITLE: Magic Burns (Kate Daniels #2)
AUTHOR: Ilona Andrews
PUBLISHER: Ace
PUBLISHING DATE: April 1, 2008

FROM GOODREADS: 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… 


MY THOUGHTS:  I am beginning to like this world of Atlanta the more and more I read about it.  And I have to admit, at times, I liked "Magic Burns" more than the first installment.  If this is any indicator about the rest of the series, I can see why people rave about it.  

In "Magic Burns," Kate ends up getting stuck caring for Julie, a young  teen, who clearly holds some kind of power and is quite the character.  Throw in a bunch of witches, a materializing individual named Bran, the Order, the Pack and a new best friend for Kate, and you have a whole lot of action and a book that barely takes a breather.  

So as the book progresses, not only is Kate trying to get permission from Curran for her ex and his ex to marry, she is also protecting a serious secret her best friend Andrea has, looking for a punk kid named Red who is using Julie to advance his own agenda, trying to find Julie's witch-dabbling mother all while trying to save the world and oh yea, stay alive.  There is so much going on in "Magic Bites" and one of my small issues was that at times, it was hard to keep track of everybody.

My only other issue is I want more Curran.  Now I'm sure that's a personal thing and honestly has nothing to do with the plot development.  He does appear, I just want him to appear more often.  And while I haven't been spoiled on this series per se, it is my belief that Kate and Curran become this awesome couple and do we really have to draw it out.  Some tension is good but just stop denying the obvious.

So I'm glad Stormi and I chose Kate Daniel for our first series buddy read.  I have been told the books only get better so bring them on!

RATING: 4 PAWS

12 comments:

  1. You both want more Curran. I have to meet this guy. I was laughing at your comment on Stormi's post about reading The Princess Bride!

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    1. There's just something about him. He and Kate despise each other so you know where it's headed. I like romance that is subtle and is included in the book, not the book being built around the romance.

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  2. I had to giggle over both you and Stormi wanting more Curran. As I told her, more Curran is always a good thing. ;) I'm thrilled you both are enjoying Kate & Curran. I still lack 2 books finishing the series but it's one I LOVED since it first released. So good!

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    1. I'm so glad we finally started this series. I'm already looking forward to the third one.

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  3. So fun to share good books with good friends!

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  4. These sound so good! Witches, shapeshifters... sounds pretty awesome.

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  5. I can't tell you how excited I am that you are reading this series. I love these books so much! I always want more Curran and think that every scene he is a part of is really special. I look forward to your next review!

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    1. Glad you are following along. I told Stormi I feel like we've joined a Kate Daniels cult - so many people love them.

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  6. I've always fancied this series and I like that it seems to be improving with each instalment (so far anyway).
    Lynn :D

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    1. I think so too. Hopefully I'll have lots of Curran in my future.

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