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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
First read: 26/11/2020
Reread: 11/03/2021
Reread review:
This is a novel in the Kate Daniels world, but not from Kate’s perspective. In it we follow Andrea, Kate’s best friend/former coworker/current employee and a shapeshifter, struggling to find her place in the world after everything went to shit in Magic Bleeds (book 4). Investigating the murder of several shapeshifters at a site owned by her ex-boyfriend, life gets a whole lot more interesting for Andrea in this book.
I prefer reading from Kate’s perspective, but I still really enjoyed this. Andrea is one of my favourite secondary characters in this series, as is Raphael, and this book has a whole lot of both of them. The progression of their romance was fun to read, as were their antics as Andrea tries to investigate the murder. Also, shapeshifter mating antics are hilarious. I think the boudas might be my favourite of the Clans, they’re so uninhibited and they just don’t care. There’s a scene where Ascanio dumps sugar on someone and I was just cackling the whole was through.
Kate doesn’t feature much in this, but when she does it’s a wonderful display of supportive female friendship - they both have their own issues, but they don’t hold it against each other. This wasn’t just an indulgent read in a world I love, there was a progression of the overarching plot and a deepening of the world building. I’m looking forward to getting back into Kate’s POV, but this was still an absolute delight.
Reread: 11/03/2021
Reread review:
This is a novel in the Kate Daniels world, but not from Kate’s perspective. In it we follow Andrea, Kate’s best friend/former coworker/current employee and a shapeshifter, struggling to find her place in the world after everything went to shit in Magic Bleeds (book 4). Investigating the murder of several shapeshifters at a site owned by her ex-boyfriend, life gets a whole lot more interesting for Andrea in this book.
I prefer reading from Kate’s perspective, but I still really enjoyed this. Andrea is one of my favourite secondary characters in this series, as is Raphael, and this book has a whole lot of both of them. The progression of their romance was fun to read, as were their antics as Andrea tries to investigate the murder. Also, shapeshifter mating antics are hilarious. I think the boudas might be my favourite of the Clans, they’re so uninhibited and they just don’t care. There’s a scene where Ascanio dumps sugar on someone and I was just cackling the whole was through.
Kate doesn’t feature much in this, but when she does it’s a wonderful display of supportive female friendship - they both have their own issues, but they don’t hold it against each other. This wasn’t just an indulgent read in a world I love, there was a progression of the overarching plot and a deepening of the world building. I’m looking forward to getting back into Kate’s POV, but this was still an absolute delight.
adventurous
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:
Yes
Trigger warnings: death, violence, blood, gore, serious physical injury, torture (in the past), fire (in the past), rape (in the past), gun violence.
3/4/2025
I love Andrea a lot. And I wish we got more stories from her perspective.
11/1/2022
I love Andrea and Kate's friendship so much, but also I think this is the ONLY time that Andrea gets called Andi???
25/9/2020
This was the first Ilona Andrews book I ever read and as a result it will always have a special place in my heart. This cover art though. That's not Andrea, man. That's Uma Thurman in Kill Bill. Sure, Andrea's a badass, but that's not at all how she's described, and it bugs me.
21/12/2019
I regretted not reading this during the NEWTs back in August when I was marathoning the rest of the Kate Daniels series, but I simply didn't have time or a prompt that worked for this. But I still picked it up before the end of the year, so we'll call it a win. I love getting Andrea's perspective and seeing Kate from the perspective of another character. I love this world and these characters and the writing a lot, and I'm just glad I got to hang out in this world one more time before the end of the year.
24/10/2016
Rereading this having read the entire Kate Daniels series, I absolutely loved it. I love Andrea as a secondary character in the main series, so having an entire book from her perspective was a hell of a lot of fun. That said, it did take me a little while to get into this one, mostly because I missed Kate and Curran. Thankfully, there are plenty of appearances from both of them as the story progresses, and Andrea's almost as much of a sass explosion as Kate.
I particularly loved the scenes featuring the two of them, because their friendship is just so delightful. Andrea knows that Kate has a dark and fucked up past and she doesn't care. Kate knows that Andrea has an equally fucked up past and has a hard time dealing with being beastkin, and she equally doesn't care. They're just supportive and wonderful and it's great.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the Kate Daniels novella that follows on from this, because getting the story of what was happening for Kate at the same time was a hell of a lot of fun and tied the story together really nicely. So, on the whole? This was delightful and I'm really glad I reread it.
2/6/2013
It took me a really long time to get into this, probably because it's a stand-alone relating to an existing series, so there wasn't much world building involved. But once I hit a certain point in the story, it was like a switch was flipped, and suddenly I loved it and raced through the rest of the story AND the Kate Daniels short story that followed.
I'll definitely be tracking down main series as soon as possible!
3/4/2025
I love Andrea a lot. And I wish we got more stories from her perspective.
11/1/2022
I love Andrea and Kate's friendship so much, but also I think this is the ONLY time that Andrea gets called Andi???
25/9/2020
This was the first Ilona Andrews book I ever read and as a result it will always have a special place in my heart. This cover art though. That's not Andrea, man. That's Uma Thurman in Kill Bill. Sure, Andrea's a badass, but that's not at all how she's described, and it bugs me.
21/12/2019
I regretted not reading this during the NEWTs back in August when I was marathoning the rest of the Kate Daniels series, but I simply didn't have time or a prompt that worked for this. But I still picked it up before the end of the year, so we'll call it a win. I love getting Andrea's perspective and seeing Kate from the perspective of another character. I love this world and these characters and the writing a lot, and I'm just glad I got to hang out in this world one more time before the end of the year.
24/10/2016
Rereading this having read the entire Kate Daniels series, I absolutely loved it. I love Andrea as a secondary character in the main series, so having an entire book from her perspective was a hell of a lot of fun. That said, it did take me a little while to get into this one, mostly because I missed Kate and Curran. Thankfully, there are plenty of appearances from both of them as the story progresses, and Andrea's almost as much of a sass explosion as Kate.
I particularly loved the scenes featuring the two of them, because their friendship is just so delightful. Andrea knows that Kate has a dark and fucked up past and she doesn't care. Kate knows that Andrea has an equally fucked up past and has a hard time dealing with being beastkin, and she equally doesn't care. They're just supportive and wonderful and it's great.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the Kate Daniels novella that follows on from this, because getting the story of what was happening for Kate at the same time was a hell of a lot of fun and tied the story together really nicely. So, on the whole? This was delightful and I'm really glad I reread it.
2/6/2013
It took me a really long time to get into this, probably because it's a stand-alone relating to an existing series, so there wasn't much world building involved. But once I hit a certain point in the story, it was like a switch was flipped, and suddenly I loved it and raced through the rest of the story AND the Kate Daniels short story that followed.
I'll definitely be tracking down main series as soon as possible!
I may be lynched for saying this, but here goes ... I like Andrea & Raphael better than I like Kate & Curran. There. Now it is out there. *ducks the rotten fruit and vegetables*
I am not sure how it is possible to totally understand the world they live in, yet be utterly lost and confused all at the same time, but that is how I feel about the world of Andrew's Atlanta. Magic comes in waves, and sometimes there are stronger waves, and some magic works during tech, but most of tech goes down during magic, yet phones sometimes work ... I would go crazy living in that world. Never knowing from one minute to the next if I would need a laptop or pen and paper.
This book starts off with Andrea and Raphael broken up. They had a pretty big falling out at the end of Magic Bleeds, and throughout this book they work it out. When a shifter mates, it is for life. So they pretty much have to work it out or be alone for the rest of their lives. I don't consider that a spoiler, since it is pretty obvious they would end up together. What was not obvious, was the story, or how it came full circle.
Of course, one of my favorite things in all of Andrew's books, are the witty comments. A couple favorites.
Andrea, talking about losing it:
And the young were-hyena Ascanio is pretty hilarious sometimes:
I really need to remember that for the next time someone comes knocking on my door wanting to spread the good word.
Overall, this is a good solid Urban Fantasy. I would definitely suggest you read the previous books to understand the world and get to know the characters, but I don't believe it is mandatory. It is meant as a stand alone just set in the same world. I am not sure what it is, but I am not fangirling over this series like many do. It seems there is always something crucial missing for me, but it is good, so it gets 4 out of 5 baskets.
I am not sure how it is possible to totally understand the world they live in, yet be utterly lost and confused all at the same time, but that is how I feel about the world of Andrew's Atlanta. Magic comes in waves, and sometimes there are stronger waves, and some magic works during tech, but most of tech goes down during magic, yet phones sometimes work ... I would go crazy living in that world. Never knowing from one minute to the next if I would need a laptop or pen and paper.
This book starts off with Andrea and Raphael broken up. They had a pretty big falling out at the end of Magic Bleeds, and throughout this book they work it out. When a shifter mates, it is for life. So they pretty much have to work it out or be alone for the rest of their lives. I don't consider that a spoiler, since it is pretty obvious they would end up together. What was not obvious, was the story, or how it came full circle.
Of course, one of my favorite things in all of Andrew's books, are the witty comments. A couple favorites.
Andrea, talking about losing it:
When I went off the rails, I didn't do it halfway. No, I flipped a few times, caught a lot of air, and then exploded in a fiery crash.
And the young were-hyena Ascanio is pretty hilarious sometimes:
"Did those nice church ladies come by again?"
He nodded, "I asked them if a man died and then the woman remarried, and the three of them met in heaven, would it be a sin for them to have a threesome, since they were all married in God's eyes. And then they decided they were late to be somewhere else."
I really need to remember that for the next time someone comes knocking on my door wanting to spread the good word.
Overall, this is a good solid Urban Fantasy. I would definitely suggest you read the previous books to understand the world and get to know the characters, but I don't believe it is mandatory. It is meant as a stand alone just set in the same world. I am not sure what it is, but I am not fangirling over this series like many do. It seems there is always something crucial missing for me, but it is good, so it gets 4 out of 5 baskets.
Not as well layered as the main books in the series, but still and enjoyable read. I do have to ask though, what was with all of the owl similes? In both the main story and the novella, everything was like an owl. I'm not alone in noticing that, am I?
STOP ROMANTICIZING IRREDEEMABLE VIOLENCE AND ABUSE. STOP ROMANTICIZING BREAKING SOMEONE'S BOUNDARIES. JUST STOP.
Reading this book was really great! Loved Andrea in this book, she was hilarious, and how this book connected, and echoed a bit, Magic Gifts, was really awesome! Loved how that guy got his deserts from kidnapping a child, and what he put Andrea through!
While I enjoyed learning more about Andrea and seeing her finally figure a few things out, including her romantic life, I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the last couple in the Kate Daniels series.
My rating: 5/5 stars
First line:"Thud! My head hit the sidewalk. Candy jerked me up by my hair and slammed my face into the asphalt."
Favourite quote:"For the first time in my twenty-eight years I was truly living. I wanted to love and to be loved in return. I wanted happiness, and family, and children. I wanted a long life and I wanted Raphael to live it with me."
Song of choice: Titanium by Sia
Wow. Just wow. I'm still reeling from the shock of reading thisamazing, gorgeous book. It was that good. The Ilona Andrews team sure knows how to write books to my taste. I'm thanking God that I found them so quickly and that I wasn't that dumb to brush it off after seeing the circusy cover of Magic Bites.
Andrea Nash is facing difficulties in her life. She's in a tough place. The Order, her "family" rejectes her after finding out that she is a shapeshifter and they "retire" (which is a nice word for kicking her out) her citing PTSD and other mental issues. Her love life isn't going that great either since Raphael Medrano, her on again/ off again lover doesn't want her anymore and he finds himself a human fiancee. Life sucks for Andrea. Luckly, her best friend Kate Daniels offers her a job at Cutting Edge, her private firm. A case comes in and Andrea has to figure things out: she has to work with Raphael, sort things out with her past and claim her place in the shapeshifter world.
When I first found out that after Magic Slays the Ilona Andrews team was planning a book for Andrea, I was a bit surprised and let's just say it, disappointed. I didn't want to abandon the new found heaven of Kate Daniels and Curran but I was a bit curious as to how things were going to mend between Andrea and Raphael. I already knew that they were separated but after reading the spoilery scene in which Raphael brought his human honey to Andrea's office, I was hooked. Line and sinker, included.
While I was reading the book, I got this feeling that Andrea's voice was very different from Kate's. Even though they both have enough snark to make me die of laughter, they are very different from each other. While Kate tends to be chaotic and does everything based on instinct, Andrea is more reserved and technical. She is focused and she loves structure and order. She plans ahead and the only time when she is impulsive is when she is with Raphael. She is one tough woman that I truthfully admire. I'm not ashamed to say that I cried while reading about her heartbreaking past. One scene in particular tugged my heartstrings : I love the fact that she didn't become a victim and didn't cower from life's hardships. UF auhors (and I'm not talking about you, Nalini Singh!), take notes! This is the type of heroines that sane people want to read about.
"Every bone in my body had been broken by shapeshifters before I was ten years old. I’ve been stabbed, punched, kicked, whipped, and set on fire. I’ve watched my mother being beaten to a bloody pulp repeatedly and with vicious glee."
Her relationship with Rapahel is complicated. So complicated I wanted to slap them both and yell at them to stop ruining it and do something good about it. One step ahead, two steps back. They frustrated the hell out of me. They both screwed up, from my point of view. I saw some responses from the fans (after Andrews posted the spoilery office scene) in which they repudiate Raphael completely and that he's a douchebag, a jerk, an asshole. I'm not saying that what he did was right but give this guy some credit.
“You left me,” Raphael said. “No explanation. We had a fight, then we all went to battle Erra, and after she set all of us on fire you disappeared. I thought you were dead. I went to every hospital. I sat in waiting rooms. Every time they would bring in a new charred body, I’d stop breathing because I thought it might be you under all that crusted meat. And what do I get after all that? A note in the mail. Five days later. Five fucking days later, Andrea! ‘Don’t look for me, I have to do something for the Order, I will be back soon.’ A fucking note. No explanation, nothing. You dismissed me from your life and went on your crusade. Now, weeks later, you suddenly decide to call me, like I’m just some mutt who will always be waiting for you.”
I swear, this must be the first time when I'm protecting a male character. But he deserves my defense. Andrea isn't some victim, she knew what she was doing and what would happen to her relationship with Raphael. Sure, what he did was petty and I wanted to skin him alive for making her pain echo mine but I understood his motivation. The fact that he groveled for her forgiveness and tried to make things better between them made me like him even more. But then again, when have I ever disliked an Ilona Andrews hero?
Fortunately for KD fans, she and Curran make their appearances. God, I can't describe in words how much Iworship love this couple. They truly are the perfect couple, there can't be anyone else for either Kate or Curran. Just perfect. Trust me, I see what I'm writing and I can't believe my eyes the fact that I'm gushing like a lovesick idiot doesn't do wonders for my ego. But how can you not love this?
Curran and Kate stood by the door.
“I can’t believe you decided to come down here and check on me,” she said.
“The guy once handed you a fan and told you to fan yourself if the sight of his naked torso was too much.”
“That was like a year ago. Will you let it go already?”
“No.” Curran grabbed her and pulled her to him, kissing her. “Never.”
She kissed him back and smiled.
Awww. Kate and the Beast Lord sitting in a tree…
Roman and Ascanio were wonderful additions to the book. Roman is such an intriguing character, I enjoyed him a lot. His snark, his charm, everything. I hope we'll find out more about him soon and who knows? maybe he'll find himself a girl.
While I was in doubts about Ascanio after Magic Slays, now I am 95% sure that he'll grow up being a future version of Raphael. The charm, the smothness fit him to a T. And I love that the only girl he can compete with, is Julie. I am 100% sure that these two are going to be together. Their lovely exchange of “Snitch”, “Crybaby”, “Harpy”, “Pussy”,“Bitch” confirmed my suspicions. These two are the future Kate/Curran or Andrea/Raphael.
I loved this book. Ilona Andrews, I bow my head in front of your genius.
First line:"Thud! My head hit the sidewalk. Candy jerked me up by my hair and slammed my face into the asphalt."
Favourite quote:"For the first time in my twenty-eight years I was truly living. I wanted to love and to be loved in return. I wanted happiness, and family, and children. I wanted a long life and I wanted Raphael to live it with me."
Song of choice: Titanium by Sia
Wow. Just wow. I'm still reeling from the shock of reading this
Andrea Nash is facing difficulties in her life. She's in a tough place. The Order, her "family" rejectes her after finding out that she is a shapeshifter and they "retire" (which is a nice word for kicking her out) her citing PTSD and other mental issues. Her love life isn't going that great either since Raphael Medrano, her on again/ off again lover doesn't want her anymore and he finds himself a human fiancee. Life sucks for Andrea. Luckly, her best friend Kate Daniels offers her a job at Cutting Edge, her private firm. A case comes in and Andrea has to figure things out: she has to work with Raphael, sort things out with her past and claim her place in the shapeshifter world.
When I first found out that after Magic Slays the Ilona Andrews team was planning a book for Andrea, I was a bit surprised and let's just say it, disappointed. I didn't want to abandon the new found heaven of Kate Daniels and Curran but I was a bit curious as to how things were going to mend between Andrea and Raphael. I already knew that they were separated but after reading the spoilery scene in which Raphael brought his human honey to Andrea's office, I was hooked. Line and sinker, included.
While I was reading the book, I got this feeling that Andrea's voice was very different from Kate's. Even though they both have enough snark to make me die of laughter, they are very different from each other. While Kate tends to be chaotic and does everything based on instinct, Andrea is more reserved and technical. She is focused and she loves structure and order. She plans ahead and the only time when she is impulsive is when she is with Raphael. She is one tough woman that I truthfully admire. I'm not ashamed to say that I cried while reading about her heartbreaking past. One scene in particular tugged my heartstrings :
Spoiler
when she meets Michelle, her childhood tormentor. She has her in her hands but she doesn't have heart to kill her in front of her children. She lets her go, proving that she's one hell of a person."Every bone in my body had been broken by shapeshifters before I was ten years old. I’ve been stabbed, punched, kicked, whipped, and set on fire. I’ve watched my mother being beaten to a bloody pulp repeatedly and with vicious glee."
Her relationship with Rapahel is complicated. So complicated I wanted to slap them both and yell at them to stop ruining it and do something good about it. One step ahead, two steps back. They frustrated the hell out of me. They both screwed up, from my point of view. I saw some responses from the fans (after Andrews posted the spoilery office scene) in which they repudiate Raphael completely and that he's a douchebag, a jerk, an asshole. I'm not saying that what he did was right but give this guy some credit.
“You left me,” Raphael said. “No explanation. We had a fight, then we all went to battle Erra, and after she set all of us on fire you disappeared. I thought you were dead. I went to every hospital. I sat in waiting rooms. Every time they would bring in a new charred body, I’d stop breathing because I thought it might be you under all that crusted meat. And what do I get after all that? A note in the mail. Five days later. Five fucking days later, Andrea! ‘Don’t look for me, I have to do something for the Order, I will be back soon.’ A fucking note. No explanation, nothing. You dismissed me from your life and went on your crusade. Now, weeks later, you suddenly decide to call me, like I’m just some mutt who will always be waiting for you.”
I swear, this must be the first time when I'm protecting a male character. But he deserves my defense. Andrea isn't some victim, she knew what she was doing and what would happen to her relationship with Raphael. Sure, what he did was petty and I wanted to skin him alive for making her pain echo mine but I understood his motivation. The fact that he groveled for her forgiveness and tried to make things better between them made me like him even more. But then again, when have I ever disliked an Ilona Andrews hero?
Fortunately for KD fans, she and Curran make their appearances. God, I can't describe in words how much I
Curran and Kate stood by the door.
“I can’t believe you decided to come down here and check on me,” she said.
“The guy once handed you a fan and told you to fan yourself if the sight of his naked torso was too much.”
“That was like a year ago. Will you let it go already?”
“No.” Curran grabbed her and pulled her to him, kissing her. “Never.”
She kissed him back and smiled.
Awww. Kate and the Beast Lord sitting in a tree…
Roman and Ascanio were wonderful additions to the book. Roman is such an intriguing character, I enjoyed him a lot. His snark, his charm, everything. I hope we'll find out more about him soon and who knows? maybe he'll find himself a girl.
While I was in doubts about Ascanio after Magic Slays, now I am 95% sure that he'll grow up being a future version of Raphael. The charm, the smothness fit him to a T. And I love that the only girl he can compete with, is Julie. I am 100% sure that these two are going to be together. Their lovely exchange of “Snitch”, “Crybaby”, “Harpy”, “Pussy”,“Bitch” confirmed my suspicions. These two are the future Kate/Curran or Andrea/Raphael.
I loved this book. Ilona Andrews, I bow my head in front of your genius.
"When I went off the rails, I didn't do it halfway. No, I flipped a few times, caught a lot of air, and then exploded in a fiery crash."
I really enjoyed getting a full Andrea-centric fix. I love Andrea as a character almost as much as Kate. This novella (a long one) made me angry, made me feel, made me warm and fuzzy, I could go on. Raphael made me want to reach inside the book and shake him but all the angst and frustration was worth it. I hope there are more Andrea POV novellas to come.