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codergrl's review against another edition
4.0
Really good, as usual, but it didn't capture me like all Ilona Andrews' other books have. Looking forward to the next one though.
machinanastusia's review against another edition
3.0
I was recommended to the book because of the romance tag on Libby- there was none. But I kept reading for how unique the world was and the magic system too.
I have issues with how perfect the MC is. She’s too overpowered to the point she creates plot holes and it messes up the perfect war and fighting logistics she apparently has. Why was there so much expository? We need to keep a low profile but you keep just spilling your guts to everyone simply because you need their help? I’m sorry- didn’t you change your face to command a wizard or whatever as well as fighting fire-using wizard priests ?
She couldn’t magically compel people? Why did YOU PAY A STRANGER SO MUCH MONEY TO RENOVATE YOUR HOME only for it to consistently be broken into? We never questioned the role of the construction company in these break ins?
Also, we get SO MUCH EXPLANATION and backstory, translations, history, lore, origins of Wisconsin fake cryptids but you never are told what is up with the horse? Or anything else actually important?
Why are we arguing about politics???
I’ve never read this author before and besides maybe reading the next book, I don’t think I’ll be reading the rest of her work.
I have issues with how perfect the MC is. She’s too overpowered to the point she creates plot holes and it messes up the perfect war and fighting logistics she apparently has. Why was there so much expository? We need to keep a low profile but you keep just spilling your guts to everyone simply because you need their help? I’m sorry- didn’t you change your face to command a wizard or whatever as well as fighting fire-using wizard priests ?
She couldn’t magically compel people? Why did YOU PAY A STRANGER SO MUCH MONEY TO RENOVATE YOUR HOME only for it to consistently be broken into? We never questioned the role of the construction company in these break ins?
Also, we get SO MUCH EXPLANATION and backstory, translations, history, lore, origins of Wisconsin fake cryptids but you never are told what is up with the horse? Or anything else actually important?
Why are we arguing about politics???
I’ve never read this author before and besides maybe reading the next book, I don’t think I’ll be reading the rest of her work.
gillianw's review
5.0
4.5 stars
I see some people were unhappy about the ‘new’ Julie but goddammit, I’m just so bloody happy to be back in the Kate Daniels universe that those rumblings didn’t bother me. Besides, Aurelia is still Julie, deep down inside where it counts. She just comes with a whole new set of powers that put her on more equal footing with Derek. And I’m good with that.
I’m excited to see where things go from here and if I’m upset that Kate and Aurelia can’t reunite, at least I’ve got more spars and sparks with Derek to look forward to. Plus, I’m interested to see how Ascanio fairs now that his ego has taken a bruising. Oh, the drama! In the meantime, I’ll have to settle for re-reading the KD series and fall in love with Kate and Curran all over again.
I see some people were unhappy about the ‘new’ Julie but goddammit, I’m just so bloody happy to be back in the Kate Daniels universe that those rumblings didn’t bother me. Besides, Aurelia is still Julie, deep down inside where it counts. She just comes with a whole new set of powers that put her on more equal footing with Derek. And I’m good with that.
I’m excited to see where things go from here and if I’m upset that Kate and Aurelia can’t reunite, at least I’ve got more spars and sparks with Derek to look forward to. Plus, I’m interested to see how Ascanio fairs now that his ego has taken a bruising. Oh, the drama! In the meantime, I’ll have to settle for re-reading the KD series and fall in love with Kate and Curran all over again.
jenhurst's review against another edition
3.0
This still has Ilona Andrews strong writing and I liked seeing Jenny’s transformation into Aurelia Ryder but it suffered from the same issues I have with reading first urban fantasy books in a series. There was just a lot of info dumping for almost 40%. I just found it rather boring compared to the rest of the later Kate Daniels books. I’m still looking forward to the rest of the books though.
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
I'm obsessed with Kate Daniels series, and I would never think I would be giving 2 stars to Ilona Andrews book.To be honest, it's not badly written, and if you read this without reading Kate Daniels books, you would enjoy it. Let's start with things that made me mad since beginning with character assassination of Ascanio Ferrara.
To make him into some money hungry guy like he isn't the same guy who sacrificed himself to protect Julie and Kate. The same guy, Kate, practically thought everything that evan Hugh called smarter than Raphael.
And they ruined it for what just so Derek can look good. He is such a wooden character. I'm sorry, but I don't care. Derek is Walmart Curran. He only works as side characters to Kate. He doesn't have charisma or chemistry with Julie, and they were practically raised as siblings. Him and Julie together are boring and lame. They should just go with enemies to lovers and give us Ascanio and Julie. Now Julie is so mid something she never was in the og series. Her one side pinning for Derek was annoying in the og series, but she was a teen then, but now it doesn't make sense. I loved seeing OG characters, and the cover looks amazing if only Kate could get one this.
To make him into some money hungry guy like he isn't the same guy who sacrificed himself to protect Julie and Kate. The same guy, Kate, practically thought everything that evan Hugh called smarter than Raphael.
And they ruined it for what just so Derek can look good. He is such a wooden character. I'm sorry, but I don't care. Derek is Walmart Curran. He only works as side characters to Kate. He doesn't have charisma or chemistry with Julie, and they were practically raised as siblings. Him and Julie together are boring and lame. They should just go with enemies to lovers and give us Ascanio and Julie. Now Julie is so mid something she never was in the og series. Her one side pinning for Derek was annoying in the og series, but she was a teen then, but now it doesn't make sense. I loved seeing OG characters, and the cover looks amazing if only Kate could get one this.
spellboundbybooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
uehfiwo's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book and was so sad to see the second hasn’t been released yet. I loved Julie coming back and seeing a small bit of what happened to her when she left. I’m so hungry for the continuation of what happens with her and Derek.
mikailah's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
katieinca's review
3.0
I enjoyed the heck out of this, and I appreciate the authors creating something for Kate Daniels fans during what was a really tough year. If you read all those books and miss them, totally dive on in.
I also had mixed feelings about it, as far as quality and whether I'd read another. It sits a little uncomfortably between "start of a new series" (this is what our main character is like, here's her mission, here are the main characters you'll need to know, etc.) and "Kind of like Book 11" (if you never read 1-10, or don't remember them well, you get the sense that you're missing the scaffolding). In particular, the fact that Julie/Aurelia is back in Atlanta, but we have this VERY IMPORTANT, I guess annoyingly convenient, reason we have to keep totally separate from Kate & Curran (ahem, other than fearing they'll take over the book).
Honestly, if I need a comfort read I'll take anything they write, but I was a little frustrated with this one, and I hope if they do more of these they get out of Atlanta with her.
I also had mixed feelings about it, as far as quality and whether I'd read another. It sits a little uncomfortably between "start of a new series" (this is what our main character is like, here's her mission, here are the main characters you'll need to know, etc.) and "Kind of like Book 11" (if you never read 1-10, or don't remember them well, you get the sense that you're missing the scaffolding). In particular, the fact that Julie/Aurelia is back in Atlanta, but we have this VERY IMPORTANT, I guess annoyingly convenient, reason we have to keep totally separate from Kate & Curran (ahem, other than fearing they'll take over the book).
Honestly, if I need a comfort read I'll take anything they write, but I was a little frustrated with this one, and I hope if they do more of these they get out of Atlanta with her.
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This started off a little rough. There was a whole lot of unnecessary world building. I understand this is the first in the Aurelia Ryder series, but we're well into the Kate Daniels world by now. I don't need everything re-explained to me at this point. I also don't think this is a good place for people to start either, but I'm guessing the authors did the world building for those who do start here.
It definitely got better as it went on. I liked the character of Julie (Aurelia) a lot better than I thought I would, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her story. Ilona Andrews continues to be my favorite urban fantasy/paranormal romance author.
It definitely got better as it went on. I liked the character of Julie (Aurelia) a lot better than I thought I would, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her story. Ilona Andrews continues to be my favorite urban fantasy/paranormal romance author.