Here I go again. I remember vividly expressing that I DO NOT DO continuation series. Sure, I’ve read many authors that have a series where each book is an exploration of two different characters. But yet again, I’m going to have to pin my H for hypocrite on my chest because I’ve been converted. See, the thing is, I can’t read this series because I become so obsessed with finding out the next installment that I’d do anything to get my hands on the next book. And I mean anything! So, for the sake of my marriage and my own personal morality I usually say no, and ‘turn away’. Temptation and the raving reviews from my blogger friends made me say the heck with my rules and picked up husband and wife author team, otherwise known as Ilona Andrews for the first book, Magic Bites.

Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series aka dubbed the Magic series (btw I’m notorious for ne-naming series to what I think they should be called) is both a little bit country and a little bit rock’ n’ roll. And by that I mean it borders on paranormal urban fantasy with the promise of a romance in the later books. The setting for this book takes place in a futuristic Atlanta where both magic and technology are in a constant flux leaving everyone vulnerable to the their changes. This series has a little something for everyone, action, adventure, shapeshifters, necromancers, Viking Gods and more!

What really stood out for me with this series is that fact that Kate Daniels is not your typical rough’n tough female mercenary. I’ve noticed that while trying to create a strong, female lead authors tend to have their heroines go from butch to bitch with little or no middle ground. I enjoy when an author creates an independent, strong, female lead that is a bit more three-dimensional, flaws included. Some readers felt that Kate was lacking in compassion and humanity but I disagree. Kate has been trained since birth to become the ultimate assassin in hopes of one day taking on her most powerful enemy to date…her father! So of course she is going to be a bit rough around the edges peoples! She kills people for a living…hello, that means she might have a little growing to do in the love, care and share department.

Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up 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.

What I most enjoyed about this series is the excellent tension between Kate and the leader of the Atlanta Pack Curran. Curran is the lion King….and I mean that literally.  He can shapeshift into a  giant, eight-foot tall lion and he is King, responsible for over 500 shapeshifters. He is ruthless and rules with an iron fist. Some of the best scenes in the series involve their tete-a-tetes. My favorite has to be when Kate comes home after a long day alone, and exhausted, when she suddenly smells coffee.  Out walks Curran. Sputtering and incensed, Kate doesn’t know what the heck he is up to. After he leans in close for what she thinks will be a kiss. He then utters “Psyche” and leaves. I giggled like a 15 year old.

Final thoughts:  Like baked lays you can’t read just one. You pretty much have to read ‘em all.

Series Rating



Magic Bites Book 1

Magic Burns Book 2

Magic Strikes Book 3

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