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spellboundbybooks's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.25
katyanaish's review
5.0
Re-read Nov 2018
In my pretty much annual re-reads of the Kate Daniels series, I've always skipped over this book. I'm not entirely sure why, because I like it very much. I suppose it is because Kate and Curran are the draw for me. I like to immerse in a story and the main characters. I suppose that's why PNR was never a big draw for me - I want to follow the main characters, and dig in deep on their arcs. One-off books rarely interest me much, and with PNR I generally like the first book very much, but then my interest wanes in latter books of the series, because I'd rather just follow the primary couple and plot line. I like depth.
That all said, I do like this side story with Andrea and Raphael, and even though it doesn't do much (if anything) for the main plot ... I feel like it fills a necessary spot in the main series, because of what went down with Andrea and Raphael in book 4. The detailed resolution of their side plot is really fun. And the purple shag carpet made me laugh so hard I snorted my drink out my nose.
In my pretty much annual re-reads of the Kate Daniels series, I've always skipped over this book. I'm not entirely sure why, because I like it very much. I suppose it is because Kate and Curran are the draw for me. I like to immerse in a story and the main characters. I suppose that's why PNR was never a big draw for me - I want to follow the main characters, and dig in deep on their arcs. One-off books rarely interest me much, and with PNR I generally like the first book very much, but then my interest wanes in latter books of the series, because I'd rather just follow the primary couple and plot line. I like depth.
That all said, I do like this side story with Andrea and Raphael, and even though it doesn't do much (if anything) for the main plot ... I feel like it fills a necessary spot in the main series, because of what went down with Andrea and Raphael in book 4. The detailed resolution of their side plot is really fun. And the purple shag carpet made me laugh so hard I snorted my drink out my nose.
stephxsu's review
4.0
Oh my goodness. I thought that in no way could I like Andrea and Raphael's story as much as I do Kate and Curran's, but the Ilona Andrews husband-and-wife writing duo have this uncanny--seriously, uncanny--way of taking all of your negativity and doubts and cynical comments ("there is no way a Kate-world spin-off can be anywhere as good or swoony) and sweeping it all aside, seemingly effortlessly.
krismgray1's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mellhay's review against another edition
4.0
Andrea's harsh past is resurfacing in her sleep, dreams or nightmares. Andrea's neighbor knocks early asking her help as Darin was missing from taking their dog out and Andrea notices the white residue on the walls. Andrea's day starts with magical creatures creating havoc at home and on the streets. Jim calls Andrea at the office of Cutting Edge Investigations, with troubles at one of the Pack's businesses being hit during the night and four pack members are dead. However, the business is run by Andrea's ex-mate, Raphael Medrano - Medrano Reclamation. The relationship seems to have ended on a sour note, and Andrea tries to figure out who she is in relation to her shifter side and human side. Andrea will be strong, as she always is, and carry through with the case for the Pack. She will solve this case on her own, and with a few friends along, even if it kills her in the end.
Gods, snakes, and all sorts of magical creatures are present in this twisting tale while Andrea learns who she is and what position in the world she wants.
Wow! We learn of the harsh past Andrea lived through and when she grew up how she cured those troubles, or most of them, with a gun. We all know by this point, Andrea is the guns specialist, and amazing at what she does whether with knowledge or aiming. This past is haunting Andrea, always has but recently getting worse.
You could read this one without reading the others in Kate Daniels series. There is mention of Kate and whats happening but not enough to spoil Kate's story. Maybe even make you curious more than anything of her happenings. We see why Andrea doesn't trust shifters. We also see she loves Raphael deeply and misses him, but that fight they had about not leaving the Order to help Pack was ugly for them. And what he does to torment her is cruel, leaving a rift in Andrea's heart. Andrea's world is the one and only place that Kate also resides in, but we see her neighbors and familiar parts and new parts of the city, and Andrea's ways of dealing with things. A shifters way, and a shifter with a gun.
Everyone we've meet with Kate is here. Ascanio, the teen bouda working for Kate at Cutting Edge as an intern, is present for much of the first half of the book. He kind of becomes an assistant to Andrea for a short time. Jim, Curran's head of security, makes an appearance as well. Andrea also has Aunt B hassling her to join clan Bouda, sending people her way while trying to get through a strainous and dangerous investigation along with Aunt B's son driving Andrea insane. Andrea goes Beast!! Yes, the one thing you don't expect her to do, she does early on.
My only little complaint about the book, I felt in the first half of the book Andrea and the characters around her were another version of Kate and her top secondary characters. Almost a Kate equation here. But in the second half of the book Andrea became her own person, and took on her own personality 100%.
Kate does make an appearance, along with Curran, that is brief. We get to see her through Andrea's eyes and it's interesting to hear her first thoughts on Kate.
This book did bring one secondary character into a brighter light for me. I do believe I love Roman! The volko. Even though he's of the dark and death, he's opposite in personality. The volko is a job to him, but he's full of life and fun. He has a soft spot I really enjoy and a sense of humor. He's a good man with a crappy job and full of powerful magic.
~~~~~~~
Magic Gifts:
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!
Gods, snakes, and all sorts of magical creatures are present in this twisting tale while Andrea learns who she is and what position in the world she wants.
Wow! We learn of the harsh past Andrea lived through and when she grew up how she cured those troubles, or most of them, with a gun. We all know by this point, Andrea is the guns specialist, and amazing at what she does whether with knowledge or aiming. This past is haunting Andrea, always has but recently getting worse.
You could read this one without reading the others in Kate Daniels series. There is mention of Kate and whats happening but not enough to spoil Kate's story. Maybe even make you curious more than anything of her happenings. We see why Andrea doesn't trust shifters. We also see she loves Raphael deeply and misses him, but that fight they had about not leaving the Order to help Pack was ugly for them. And what he does to torment her is cruel, leaving a rift in Andrea's heart. Andrea's world is the one and only place that Kate also resides in, but we see her neighbors and familiar parts and new parts of the city, and Andrea's ways of dealing with things. A shifters way, and a shifter with a gun.
Everyone we've meet with Kate is here. Ascanio, the teen bouda working for Kate at Cutting Edge as an intern, is present for much of the first half of the book. He kind of becomes an assistant to Andrea for a short time. Jim, Curran's head of security, makes an appearance as well. Andrea also has Aunt B hassling her to join clan Bouda, sending people her way while trying to get through a strainous and dangerous investigation along with Aunt B's son driving Andrea insane. Andrea goes Beast!! Yes, the one thing you don't expect her to do, she does early on.
My only little complaint about the book, I felt in the first half of the book Andrea and the characters around her were another version of Kate and her top secondary characters. Almost a Kate equation here. But in the second half of the book Andrea became her own person, and took on her own personality 100%.
Kate does make an appearance, along with Curran, that is brief. We get to see her through Andrea's eyes and it's interesting to hear her first thoughts on Kate.
This book did bring one secondary character into a brighter light for me. I do believe I love Roman! The volko. Even though he's of the dark and death, he's opposite in personality. The volko is a job to him, but he's full of life and fun. He has a soft spot I really enjoy and a sense of humor. He's a good man with a crappy job and full of powerful magic.
~~~~~~~
Magic Gifts:
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!
notpopeyesolive's review against another edition
4.0
Ilona Andrews always manage to write an engaging and well-thought story that keeps me glued to my kindle until the end. The characters are charming and interesting and true badasses, if I may say so. It's a pleasure to read their work, and I all I can say is that I'm grateful they have given us so much of it.
luciearan's review against another edition
5.0
I když jsem celou sérii Kate Daniels četla až po vydání všech dílů a to včetně této knihy, stejně jsem si tento díl nechala nakonec. Přiznám se, že zpočátku mě postava Andrey moc nezaujala a tak jsem se trochu bála toho, že si čtení této sériie pokazím a kniha se mi nebude líbit. Postupem času mi ale k srdci přirostla i Andrea a to, že knihu dočítám zpětně mi vlastně vůbec nevadí, spíš naopak. Je to takové milé ohlédnutí za celou sérií z trochu jiného a o nic míň poutavého úhlu. Duo Ilona Andrews prostě umí a nezklame.
jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
Kate compares Andrea and Raphael's romance as a Mexican soap opera; disappointingly, she's all too accurate. Not much of the nuance of Kate and Curran's relationship, or the careful revelation of back story to make their difficulties truly interesting.
abergland7's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5