Scan barcode
subparcupcake's review against another edition
4.0
Andrews does short stories / novellas well. I'm usually not a fan of them, but I really liked this. I'll definitely be looking forward to [b:Gunmetal Magic|12288282|Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels, #5.5)|Ilona Andrews|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1331230049s/12288282.jpg|17264774] in July. It will be interesting to see this story continued through Andrea's POV.
stephxsu's review against another edition
5.0
It’s the best day of the week…month…(year)…when a new Ilona Andrews book comes out, and it’s even better when it’s a story in Kate Daniels’ world. MAGIC GIFTS may only be a novella, but it was just the thing to whet our appetites with some more of Kate and Curran, and set our senses tingling for the arduous wait until Kate #6.
Perhaps the husband-and-wife writing team that makes up Ilona Andrews has the world’s best/wickedest sense of humor, because MAGIC GIFTS gifts us with more of the delightful humor that we love about the series. Maybe the magical scenarios get wackier and wackier as Ilona Andrews researches more deeply into more and more countries’ mythologies, but I’m willing to believe anything and everything they write, simply because A) they make the mythologies merge effortlessly with their fictional world, and B) the characters have the best sense of humor ever, all the while still being remarkably “human” (despite them, er, not being fully human).
MAGIC GIFTS is a full enough story to be a satisfying read on its own. It’s a must-read for Kate Daniels fans, though not a necessary read—although you should obviously still read it!
Perhaps the husband-and-wife writing team that makes up Ilona Andrews has the world’s best/wickedest sense of humor, because MAGIC GIFTS gifts us with more of the delightful humor that we love about the series. Maybe the magical scenarios get wackier and wackier as Ilona Andrews researches more deeply into more and more countries’ mythologies, but I’m willing to believe anything and everything they write, simply because A) they make the mythologies merge effortlessly with their fictional world, and B) the characters have the best sense of humor ever, all the while still being remarkably “human” (despite them, er, not being fully human).
MAGIC GIFTS is a full enough story to be a satisfying read on its own. It’s a must-read for Kate Daniels fans, though not a necessary read—although you should obviously still read it!
kk7's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic addition to the Kate Daniels series. Fun humorous characters and some butt kicking! I love this duo's writing style.
mellhay's review against another edition
5.0
Curran takes Kate out to eat after her long day chasing a large jellyfish. When they get to the restaurant Curran has in mind, there are two vampires chained outside, their owners inside eating. While on their date the male necromancer gives the female jewelry, a gold necklace...that kills her, unleashing her vampire and her date going into shock looses control of his. When all is calmed and the dead girls mother arrives, she removes the necklace from her daughter and places it on her son more curiosity stirs. Curran and Kate take the now necklaced boy to the Keep curious how to get it safely removed. The mom lets the boy go, and Gahsket want's the necklace because it killed his journey-woman.
This short story has so much happening! Not only is the story about the necklace now slowly strangling the boy, but we have the Guild still divided into two groups trying to decide which should rule. This is still happening from the fall from an earlier book. Jim wants Kate to vote, the Guild wants Kate to make the deciding vote, but Kate doesn't want involved. Eventually, she'll have to being in the position she's in how with the Pack.
We see Kate and Curran as a couple working together. I know, hard to believe. They have their disagreements or different views still and the fun banter, now all is flirty too. But when they start their fun comments as a TEAM on others, oh do watch out!
This story does coincide with Andrea's story in time. It explains a few things as to where Kate's been and why there, which is briefly mention in Andrea's book. And the connection from Andrea's book like wise relates here. Will it spoil to read this first? No way. This is it's own story with Kate and Curran. And do love seeing so much Curran!
This short story has so much happening! Not only is the story about the necklace now slowly strangling the boy, but we have the Guild still divided into two groups trying to decide which should rule. This is still happening from the fall from an earlier book. Jim wants Kate to vote, the Guild wants Kate to make the deciding vote, but Kate doesn't want involved. Eventually, she'll have to being in the position she's in how with the Pack.
We see Kate and Curran as a couple working together. I know, hard to believe. They have their disagreements or different views still and the fun banter, now all is flirty too. But when they start their fun comments as a TEAM on others, oh do watch out!
This story does coincide with Andrea's story in time. It explains a few things as to where Kate's been and why there, which is briefly mention in Andrea's book. And the connection from Andrea's book like wise relates here. Will it spoil to read this first? No way. This is it's own story with Kate and Curran. And do love seeing so much Curran!
veranthia's review against another edition
3.0
Not the greatest book when it comes to pacing, as the long build up was resolved in a couple of pages and all was wrapped up with a neat bow. The little things for continuity's sake make it worth the read.
notpopeyesolive's review against another edition
4.0
Why wouldn't I read some more funny and thrilling pages from the world of kate daniels?? I'd be crazy to refuse it. I love that there's such an abundance of stories from it. This one in particular was so lovely, especially the ending was so heartwarming and satisfying and wholesome and just great! <3
rvmama's review against another edition
5.0
Another great story. Satisfying in spite of being short.
elbyjosie's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
masquerader888's review against another edition
4.0
Magic Gifts—a Novella in the Kate Daniels universe by Ilona Andrews
This is yet another reason I truly love Ilona Andrews. For Christmas, as a thank you to their fans, Andrews released a free e-book novella download from the website. “Magic Gifts” fills the time period after Magic Slays and we are lead to understand runs somewhat parallel to the next book being published in this world Gunmetal Magic which will be from Andrea’s point of view. If you didn’t manage to snag a copy before they took it down in the new year—not to fear—“Magic Gifts” will also be an added bonus at the end of the mass market of Gunmetal Magic. If I didn’t already love Ilona Andrews for writing suburb, candy-crack book, I would adore how generous they are to their fans with both their time and efforts. (Yes, they. Ilona Andrews in an amalgam for the husband/wife writing team Ilona and Andrew Gordon. Usually for the sake of continuity I just go with Ms. Andrews, as that is easier to relate to, however in this case, since they both were responsible for giving their fans this gift, I felt that it was important to acknowledge them both. Even if it ended up requiring explanation.)
“Magic Gifts” is a short story that was entertaining to power through. We glimpsed some quiet moments between Kate and Curran, which are rare, got some more background and interpersonal interaction with The Norse Heritage which was just barely touched on in Magic Slays, and we found out a little more in depth about what is going on in the Mercenary Guild. I have to say I was a bit confused with some of the timing of some events…I thought we has a clear leader on the Merc Guild by the end of Magic Slays, and here we have them still in dispute after it…but otherwise it was a fun dip-in to one of my favorite universes. I cannot wait to see the flip-side expanded edition when Gunmetal Magic comes out at the end of July.
I give this short four stars for the fun factor ★★★★
http://masquerader.harshmage.com/category/book-reviews/
This is yet another reason I truly love Ilona Andrews. For Christmas, as a thank you to their fans, Andrews released a free e-book novella download from the website. “Magic Gifts” fills the time period after Magic Slays and we are lead to understand runs somewhat parallel to the next book being published in this world Gunmetal Magic which will be from Andrea’s point of view. If you didn’t manage to snag a copy before they took it down in the new year—not to fear—“Magic Gifts” will also be an added bonus at the end of the mass market of Gunmetal Magic. If I didn’t already love Ilona Andrews for writing suburb, candy-crack book, I would adore how generous they are to their fans with both their time and efforts. (Yes, they. Ilona Andrews in an amalgam for the husband/wife writing team Ilona and Andrew Gordon. Usually for the sake of continuity I just go with Ms. Andrews, as that is easier to relate to, however in this case, since they both were responsible for giving their fans this gift, I felt that it was important to acknowledge them both. Even if it ended up requiring explanation.)
“Magic Gifts” is a short story that was entertaining to power through. We glimpsed some quiet moments between Kate and Curran, which are rare, got some more background and interpersonal interaction with The Norse Heritage which was just barely touched on in Magic Slays, and we found out a little more in depth about what is going on in the Mercenary Guild. I have to say I was a bit confused with some of the timing of some events…I thought we has a clear leader on the Merc Guild by the end of Magic Slays, and here we have them still in dispute after it…but otherwise it was a fun dip-in to one of my favorite universes. I cannot wait to see the flip-side expanded edition when Gunmetal Magic comes out at the end of July.
I give this short four stars for the fun factor ★★★★
http://masquerader.harshmage.com/category/book-reviews/