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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
Gunmetal Magic was spectacular! I loved getting to know Andrea (and Rafael) better - I would not be averse to having a spin-off series with them as the main characters, just saying.
The narration was really well done, and the mystery surrounding the case Andrea was on just made the romance even better.
The narration was really well done, and the mystery surrounding the case Andrea was on just made the romance even better.
This review is for Magic Slays, Gunmetal Magic, and Magic Rises (Kate Daniels, #5, 5.5, 6).
I'm reviewing these three simultaneously, because I'm flying through this series! Additionally, I don't like to say very much about the books that fall in the middle. I'm too worried I'll spoil something that happened previously! However, I feel like something needs to be said, because I am really loving all of the Kate Daniels books. Even Gunmetal Magic, a book from Andrea's perspective, was amazing. I'm so happy they decided to write a book from her point of view!
It's hard to choose a favorite character, because I honestly love them all! Kate's fierce determination, Curran's unwavering presence, Andrea's sweet southern accent (only when she wants something), Roman's hilarious "dark" side, everything about Aunt B, Jim's need to be puurrrfect, Doolittle's endless sweet tea and kind heart, Ascanio's antics and enthusiasm, Derek's loyalty and stoicism -- I could go on and on! They are all so uniquely different, and I love learning new things about them as the story progresses (there are other characters I didn't name, but that are equally awesome).
I get a little annoyed with the repeated information, although I know it's for a new reader's benefit. You can pick up any book in this series and enjoy it without having read any of the books before it. A lot of the story would make more sense if read consecutively, and they do somewhat depend on each other, but each book is able to stand on its own (which I love). However, that does mean hearing (since I'm listening to the audiobooks) some of the same information over and over again. Why Derek's face is no longer pretty, for example. He was only in Gunmetal Magic for a few seconds, yet something horrible from his past is explained in great detail for the umpteenth time (I would rather forget it ever happened, to be honest).
Ilona Andrews is an amazing author duo, and I have loved every single thing I've read by them. I recently ordered all of the books in this series, because I wanted physical copies for my shelves. Kate Daniels is that good. Pinky swear! The details are ridiculous and insanely convincing, the fight scenes make me feel anxious, even though rationally I know there are more books, so most of the characters have to be okay. I really like everything about the Pack, including the mating frenzy (some of the tricks that are played are hilarious). Simply put, it's a fantastic series! Read it!
Originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on February 24, 2019.
I'm reviewing these three simultaneously, because I'm flying through this series! Additionally, I don't like to say very much about the books that fall in the middle. I'm too worried I'll spoil something that happened previously! However, I feel like something needs to be said, because I am really loving all of the Kate Daniels books. Even Gunmetal Magic, a book from Andrea's perspective, was amazing. I'm so happy they decided to write a book from her point of view!
It's hard to choose a favorite character, because I honestly love them all! Kate's fierce determination, Curran's unwavering presence, Andrea's sweet southern accent (only when she wants something), Roman's hilarious "dark" side, everything about Aunt B, Jim's need to be puurrrfect, Doolittle's endless sweet tea and kind heart, Ascanio's antics and enthusiasm, Derek's loyalty and stoicism -- I could go on and on! They are all so uniquely different, and I love learning new things about them as the story progresses (there are other characters I didn't name, but that are equally awesome).
I get a little annoyed with the repeated information, although I know it's for a new reader's benefit. You can pick up any book in this series and enjoy it without having read any of the books before it. A lot of the story would make more sense if read consecutively, and they do somewhat depend on each other, but each book is able to stand on its own (which I love). However, that does mean hearing (since I'm listening to the audiobooks) some of the same information over and over again. Why Derek's face is no longer pretty, for example. He was only in Gunmetal Magic for a few seconds, yet something horrible from his past is explained in great detail for the umpteenth time (I would rather forget it ever happened, to be honest).
Ilona Andrews is an amazing author duo, and I have loved every single thing I've read by them. I recently ordered all of the books in this series, because I wanted physical copies for my shelves. Kate Daniels is that good. Pinky swear! The details are ridiculous and insanely convincing, the fight scenes make me feel anxious, even though rationally I know there are more books, so most of the characters have to be okay. I really like everything about the Pack, including the mating frenzy (some of the tricks that are played are hilarious). Simply put, it's a fantastic series! Read it!
Originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on February 24, 2019.
I really enjoyed getting more of Andrea's story. I wanted to kick Rafael a couple of times, but he redeemed himself. Rafael and Andrea are awesome as a couple.
Perhaps Michael and I are spoiled by Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (who narrates Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London series) but we just couldn't get into this reading.
It wasn't terrible, it just didn't draw us in, so I went and finished my re-read on the Kindle.
It wasn't terrible, it just didn't draw us in, so I went and finished my re-read on the Kindle.
Did I ever mention how much I love Andrea?
Well, now you know.
I love her character. And yes, I love Raphael, too.
But back to Andrea (because this series is pretty much the most heroine-centric series ever which is another reason why I love it so much).
She's dealing with the consequences of the events in book #5. One, the Order knows her secret and she's basically been unceremoniously shown the door. Two, her relationship with Raphael, the male alpha of the douda clan, imploded. Andrea felt unmoored and uncertain. Her heart was broken and my heart along with her.
Then there's Raphael. Andrea's ex...err, mate or whatever, acting like a royal ass. His male bouda pride can't quite grasp why Andrea made certain decisions in the past. He's hurt, too but he really pissed me off in this book.
But not for long. Andrea and Raphael's relationship is passionate as it is volatile and in this book, they're trying to get past everything that happened while dealing with another ancient power intent to annihilate everything in its path.
I enjoyed learning about the Firsts and how it relates to Curran and the implication it might have in the series. I also enjoyed Roman's cameo. He's fast becoming a favorite character of mine.
Fast paced, action packed and angsty, Gunmetal Magic packs a solid punch despite its shorter length.
Well, now you know.
I love her character. And yes, I love Raphael, too.
But back to Andrea (because this series is pretty much the most heroine-centric series ever which is another reason why I love it so much).
She's dealing with the consequences of the events in book #5. One, the Order knows her secret and she's basically been unceremoniously shown the door. Two, her relationship with Raphael, the male alpha of the douda clan, imploded. Andrea felt unmoored and uncertain. Her heart was broken and my heart along with her.
Then there's Raphael. Andrea's ex...err, mate or whatever, acting like a royal ass. His male bouda pride can't quite grasp why Andrea made certain decisions in the past. He's hurt, too but he really pissed me off in this book.
But not for long. Andrea and Raphael's relationship is passionate as it is volatile and in this book, they're trying to get past everything that happened while dealing with another ancient power intent to annihilate everything in its path.
I enjoyed learning about the Firsts and how it relates to Curran and the implication it might have in the series. I also enjoyed Roman's cameo. He's fast becoming a favorite character of mine.
Fast paced, action packed and angsty, Gunmetal Magic packs a solid punch despite its shorter length.
1) Ascanio is fucking awesome, he's my favorite sidekick. More, I say!
2) I love Andrea & Raphael.
3) This book made me laugh out loud. I never laugh out loud whilst reading. Ilona Andrews are magic.
This was my favorite novel in the Kate Daniels world so far? I. know. Everyone is side eyeing me really hard right now. But this just pressed all of my buttons in the those-buttons season at those-buttons o'clock.
I'm completely in love with this.
2) I love Andrea & Raphael.
3) This book made me laugh out loud. I never laugh out loud whilst reading. Ilona Andrews are magic.
This was my favorite novel in the Kate Daniels world so far? I. know. Everyone is side eyeing me really hard right now. But this just pressed all of my buttons in the those-buttons season at those-buttons o'clock.
I'm completely in love with this.
So amazing.
Honestly, if you're a fan of Urban Fantasy and you're not reading Ilona Andrews you're missing out.
Smart, action-packed writing full of myth, legend and even a little romance.
It's the kind of story you can fall into and suddenly it's 5 hours later. I feel smarter after reading Ilona Andrews' books. The amount of research that must be done is amazing. Plus, they're funny.
The balance between high tension and humour is masterfully maintained.
Why are you still reading my crappy review? Go buy all of Ilona Andrew's stuff and read it. Run. Do it. Right now!
Honestly, if you're a fan of Urban Fantasy and you're not reading Ilona Andrews you're missing out.
Smart, action-packed writing full of myth, legend and even a little romance.
It's the kind of story you can fall into and suddenly it's 5 hours later. I feel smarter after reading Ilona Andrews' books. The amount of research that must be done is amazing. Plus, they're funny.
The balance between high tension and humour is masterfully maintained.
Why are you still reading my crappy review? Go buy all of Ilona Andrew's stuff and read it. Run. Do it. Right now!
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Kinda disappointed that they turned Andrea and Raphael into Kate/Curran-lite for a majority of the book...