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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
Read Count: 2
- Heroine: Kate Daniels
- Love Interest: Curran
- Love Triangle? No
- POVs Included: Single Female POV (Kate Daniels)
- Book Playlist (Kate Daniels Book Series Playlist)
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RE-READ 10/19/2022
UPDATED RATING (4 STARS)
Second time around I still really enjoyed this one, but Curran allowing Lorelei to behave as she did grated on me more than the first time I read this. I realize he had his own undercover reasons, but he should’ve clued Kate into it, bad acting or no. Thankfully he did a lot of groveling and I forgive him I suppose.
Still don’t like that Aunt B died. Boo!
I also would’ve liked more Samain scenes. I was glad he had a role but missed his crazy arse being more involved!
Curious where things will go with Hugh and Roland. This is the last book I read from the series before taking a long break so from here on out it’s all new to me! Yay!
The chaotic final battle was probably my favorite. So much going on with lots of battles colliding. So much fun to read! In the craziest way of course…
Okay now let’s see where all this goes. Love you Kate. You’re a total badass. One of the best heroines ever.
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ORIGINAL REVIEW (8/25/2013):
ORIGINAL RATING (5 STARS)
There are those Urban Fantasy series that sort of tend to lose steam after five or more books in, but then there are those UF series like Kate Daniels that seriously just get stronger and stronger with each book. Magic Rises is easily my favorite book in the series so far and it's certainly the strongest installment, proving that Kate Daniels is here to stay for (hopefully) a long time!
This book most reminded me of Magic Strikes in that all the main characters kind of banded together on a single mission. I really love these kinds of books because I have grown to love really every character in this series and I don't want any of them left out! :) They all add a little something to the storyline, so with all of them in the same story it feels strongest.
Of course I was also happy to see a Kate and Curran book again, even though I did thoroughly enjoy Andrea and Raphael's book, Gunmetal Magic. Still, it was nice to be focused on the main couple again, even if they did have some relationship issues going on in this book.
The one thing I wasn't happy with, as I know a lot of other Kate Daniels fans will agree, was the loss of one of the characters in this book. I won't get into details but it definitely didn't make me happy and it didn't feel entirely necessary. But I do have some theories as to why Andrews decided to go this route. Mainly because I think Andrea and Raphael are going to get some more books and Andrews wanted to create a new conflict for them. With Aunt B gone, Raphael (and in turn Andrea) are going to be forced to take over the bouda clan and I'm sure some drama will come of it.
But mostly this book was 100% what I look for in an Urban Fantasy book -- action, drama, a little bit of romance (but not too much), and strong characters which compliment a perfectly written storyline. Definitely pick up the Kate Daniels series if you're an Urban Fantasy fan and haven't yet, it's really one of those lesser known gems of a series that doesn't get nearly enough publicity for how good it is.
- Heroine: Kate Daniels
- Love Interest: Curran
- Love Triangle? No
- POVs Included: Single Female POV (Kate Daniels)
- Book Playlist (Kate Daniels Book Series Playlist)
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
RE-READ 10/19/2022
UPDATED RATING (4 STARS)
Second time around I still really enjoyed this one, but Curran allowing Lorelei to behave as she did grated on me more than the first time I read this. I realize he had his own undercover reasons, but he should’ve clued Kate into it, bad acting or no. Thankfully he did a lot of groveling and I forgive him I suppose.
Still don’t like that Aunt B died. Boo!
I also would’ve liked more Samain scenes. I was glad he had a role but missed his crazy arse being more involved!
Curious where things will go with Hugh and Roland. This is the last book I read from the series before taking a long break so from here on out it’s all new to me! Yay!
The chaotic final battle was probably my favorite. So much going on with lots of battles colliding. So much fun to read! In the craziest way of course…
Okay now let’s see where all this goes. Love you Kate. You’re a total badass. One of the best heroines ever.
-----------------------------------
-----------------------------------
ORIGINAL REVIEW (8/25/2013):
ORIGINAL RATING (5 STARS)
There are those Urban Fantasy series that sort of tend to lose steam after five or more books in, but then there are those UF series like Kate Daniels that seriously just get stronger and stronger with each book. Magic Rises is easily my favorite book in the series so far and it's certainly the strongest installment, proving that Kate Daniels is here to stay for (hopefully) a long time!
This book most reminded me of Magic Strikes in that all the main characters kind of banded together on a single mission. I really love these kinds of books because I have grown to love really every character in this series and I don't want any of them left out! :) They all add a little something to the storyline, so with all of them in the same story it feels strongest.
Of course I was also happy to see a Kate and Curran book again, even though I did thoroughly enjoy Andrea and Raphael's book, Gunmetal Magic. Still, it was nice to be focused on the main couple again, even if they did have some relationship issues going on in this book.
The one thing I wasn't happy with, as I know a lot of other Kate Daniels fans will agree, was the loss of one of the characters in this book. I won't get into details but it definitely didn't make me happy and it didn't feel entirely necessary. But I do have some theories as to why Andrews decided to go this route. Mainly because I think Andrea and Raphael are going to get some more books and Andrews wanted to create a new conflict for them. With Aunt B gone, Raphael (and in turn Andrea) are going to be forced to take over the bouda clan and I'm sure some drama will come of it.
But mostly this book was 100% what I look for in an Urban Fantasy book -- action, drama, a little bit of romance (but not too much), and strong characters which compliment a perfectly written storyline. Definitely pick up the Kate Daniels series if you're an Urban Fantasy fan and haven't yet, it's really one of those lesser known gems of a series that doesn't get nearly enough publicity for how good it is.
I love and I hate and I love and I hate Curran. I was so mad at him. Then I wasn't. Then I was...you get the picture. But in the end I still loved him. It was really good. This is the first book that has so much of Curran in it. It's definitely my fav.
I wish I could sock Hugh in the face. Or between the legs. Depending on how annoyed I am.
I wish I could sock Hugh in the face. Or between the legs. Depending on how annoyed I am.
3 .5 stars Parts of the book are good and parts not so good and slow moving.
I read the reviews before jumping into this one, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, anger and frustration-wise. I spent from 55% mark to the 70% mark rather irritated, but the first half and the last quarter weren't too bad. I was surprised to find that Hugh is an interesting character. I don't like him. Speaking of new characters I was a fan of, I liked Desandra. I wasn't jumping up and down for her and Kate to be besties, but I found her compelling in her own way. Overall, this book took a second for me to get into, but it was worth reading. I'm glad I didn't let it scare me off, especially as there are only four books to go now! 4 stars. A solid, if occasionally frustrating, installment in the series.
Spoiler
Barabas became one of my favorite characters, and Mahon stood up for Kate when it counted. Curran pissed me off, and Lorelai annoyed the shit out of me, but it all worked out with that by the 75% mark. Also, RIP Aunt B!
Another great book in the series. One once I started I couldn't put down until I'd read it all. Some tear jerking moments in this one.
This is one of the series' that keeps getting better and better as they go. I can't wait to read the next book :)
Spoiler
AUNT B!!! NOOOOOOOOO! I knew they wouldn't make it out without at least one casualty but not Aunt B :'(This is one of the series' that keeps getting better and better as they go. I can't wait to read the next book :)
I love this book! I'd give it more stars if u could. Ireread the first five books of the series this week before I read this one. and I think this one is my favorite in the series so far.
Kate got insecure, but didn't go into whiny territory. The last fight sense at the castle well done.
Kate got insecure, but didn't go into whiny territory. The last fight sense at the castle well done.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
I can’t say enough about this series to express my love for it. I am obsessed; so fair warning that this review will contain a lot of gushing and claims of epicness.
At the end of the last Kate Daniels book we saw Kate use an enormous amount of magic to save her ward, Julie; magic we all knew she possessed, but one that probably put her back on the radar for the big power groups out there: the People and Roland. I know there’s been a couple of free short stories and a spin-off book in between, but the main storyline was heading off from here. Flash forward to the new book and we start with a bang. Kate’s magic and her heritage – not the main focus, but the trouble with shapeshifters going Loup (ie. losing themselves to their animal side in a dangerous and crazy way) is the issue. What’s even more interesting is that there’s a magic cure for loupism, panacea, something Kate (and the readers) weren’t aware of. I love this. If it’s magical, we’re in business; but nothing was ever going to be easy for these guys. A special, limited supply, magical cure? Of course there are going to be hoops to jump through to even get the tiniest dose.
What I loved about this issue that it was very Pack focused. I love the Pack, I think we’re supposed to love them so much, even if there are a few shapeshifters who don’t come across as loving the Kate-Curran connection, you can’t help being on their side and wanting them all to survive. The problem is, it’s not an American cure. The panacea is of European origin, and when Curran gets an offer to guard a troubled and pregnant young woman, who is caught up in a dispute between three Packs, with the promise of 10 barrels of panacea, the offer is too hard to resist. I loved that this was an out-of-Atlanta book. That’s not to say that trouble can’t be found in Atlanta anymore, but that we got to do a bit of travelling. I’ll be honest, even with all the hints of a trap between the three European packs in question, the only thought running through my head was that Kate was going to be closer to Roland. Maybe not in contact with him directly, but I was curious to see if he popped up. I think what we got was better.
I love the danger and action in this book. Like always, there’s a mythological mystery to be solved and Kate jumps in with her usual grace and charm – swords waving around until the guilty party makes a wrong move and run into the pointy end of her weapons. I think we got more fighting in this book than the last 3 – and that included a round in the Midnight Games and Erra’s destruction of Atlanta; so it’s kind of hard to believe that any book could have more action than that, but this one did. Part of that was because of creatures needing to be defeated, and part was because of Hugh d’Ambray. Hugh is like a male Kate, trained by the same man, but devoid of any emotions that make a person loveable. He believes himself to be better than anyone because he’s so important to Roland’s plans and actions for the world. Knowing who Kate is and where she comes from, he has a way of poking her vulnerable past and he caused a lot of wounds to reopen (in more ways than one) But the sword fighting...that was impressive. I cannot get enough of good, action packed sword fights. It’s part of why I love Kate so much. She owns her sword, it’s an extension of her, and it’s what built her character.
There’s a lot of mentions about Kate’s heritage in this book. It’s getting harder and harder for her to hide her powers and her past. I’m surprised she’s lasted this long after being involved with Curran and the Atlanta Pack in such a strong way. Her family history, and the meaning behind it, is going to surface soon, and this setting and story might have just been the push to start the unravelling past.
The hardest part of this book was the romance. It’s funny, despite knowing how much Kate and Curran love each other, there were a lot of tests and trials to their relationship. I kept telling myself there had to be some hidden agenda going on. But the questioning kept me on my toes. There’s a lot going on, and the strange part is that everything that came up as a potential crack in their connection made sense, while also helped to rub salt in old wounds. But Kate and Curran are one of my favourite fictional characters ever, so I had no doubt they could pull through.
I loved the final fight in this book. I loved the strength it showed for the Pack, I loved how it was more than just physical, it was an emotional fight. I loved the danger, the action, the display of magic, fighting techniques, power. And most of all I loved how curious I was about what might come next. I’m so happy this series is going to have more than the original 7 books because I’m not ready to give them up yet and there’s so much more to come. I hope Kate gets the chance to fight Hugh d’Ambray sometime in the future, because Hugh’s going to have to pull out all the stops if he has any chance of surviving...and I don’t think he does coming up against her.
Amazing book to continue my favourite series! I’m going to have to do a Kate Daniels reread soon, because I miss Kate, Curran and the gang already.
5/5 stars
At the end of the last Kate Daniels book we saw Kate use an enormous amount of magic to save her ward, Julie; magic we all knew she possessed, but one that probably put her back on the radar for the big power groups out there: the People and Roland. I know there’s been a couple of free short stories and a spin-off book in between, but the main storyline was heading off from here. Flash forward to the new book and we start with a bang. Kate’s magic and her heritage – not the main focus, but the trouble with shapeshifters going Loup (ie. losing themselves to their animal side in a dangerous and crazy way) is the issue. What’s even more interesting is that there’s a magic cure for loupism, panacea, something Kate (and the readers) weren’t aware of. I love this. If it’s magical, we’re in business; but nothing was ever going to be easy for these guys. A special, limited supply, magical cure? Of course there are going to be hoops to jump through to even get the tiniest dose.
What I loved about this issue that it was very Pack focused. I love the Pack, I think we’re supposed to love them so much, even if there are a few shapeshifters who don’t come across as loving the Kate-Curran connection, you can’t help being on their side and wanting them all to survive. The problem is, it’s not an American cure. The panacea is of European origin, and when Curran gets an offer to guard a troubled and pregnant young woman, who is caught up in a dispute between three Packs, with the promise of 10 barrels of panacea, the offer is too hard to resist. I loved that this was an out-of-Atlanta book. That’s not to say that trouble can’t be found in Atlanta anymore, but that we got to do a bit of travelling. I’ll be honest, even with all the hints of a trap between the three European packs in question, the only thought running through my head was that Kate was going to be closer to Roland. Maybe not in contact with him directly, but I was curious to see if he popped up. I think what we got was better.
I love the danger and action in this book. Like always, there’s a mythological mystery to be solved and Kate jumps in with her usual grace and charm – swords waving around until the guilty party makes a wrong move and run into the pointy end of her weapons. I think we got more fighting in this book than the last 3 – and that included a round in the Midnight Games and Erra’s destruction of Atlanta; so it’s kind of hard to believe that any book could have more action than that, but this one did. Part of that was because of creatures needing to be defeated, and part was because of Hugh d’Ambray. Hugh is like a male Kate, trained by the same man, but devoid of any emotions that make a person loveable. He believes himself to be better than anyone because he’s so important to Roland’s plans and actions for the world. Knowing who Kate is and where she comes from, he has a way of poking her vulnerable past and he caused a lot of wounds to reopen (in more ways than one) But the sword fighting...that was impressive. I cannot get enough of good, action packed sword fights. It’s part of why I love Kate so much. She owns her sword, it’s an extension of her, and it’s what built her character.
There’s a lot of mentions about Kate’s heritage in this book. It’s getting harder and harder for her to hide her powers and her past. I’m surprised she’s lasted this long after being involved with Curran and the Atlanta Pack in such a strong way. Her family history, and the meaning behind it, is going to surface soon, and this setting and story might have just been the push to start the unravelling past.
The hardest part of this book was the romance. It’s funny, despite knowing how much Kate and Curran love each other, there were a lot of tests and trials to their relationship. I kept telling myself there had to be some hidden agenda going on. But the questioning kept me on my toes. There’s a lot going on, and the strange part is that everything that came up as a potential crack in their connection made sense, while also helped to rub salt in old wounds. But Kate and Curran are one of my favourite fictional characters ever, so I had no doubt they could pull through.
I loved the final fight in this book. I loved the strength it showed for the Pack, I loved how it was more than just physical, it was an emotional fight. I loved the danger, the action, the display of magic, fighting techniques, power. And most of all I loved how curious I was about what might come next. I’m so happy this series is going to have more than the original 7 books because I’m not ready to give them up yet and there’s so much more to come. I hope Kate gets the chance to fight Hugh d’Ambray sometime in the future, because Hugh’s going to have to pull out all the stops if he has any chance of surviving...and I don’t think he does coming up against her.
Amazing book to continue my favourite series! I’m going to have to do a Kate Daniels reread soon, because I miss Kate, Curran and the gang already.
5/5 stars
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Pretty standard Kate Daniels novel.
I'm not sure what to think about this one.
Curran is an idiot. No question there. But so is Kate.
The whole "explanation" reeked of victim blaming, and I do not feel like Kate can trust him anymore. They could've easily worked together, but Curran chose to make the whole situation more messed up. He has some serious making up to do in the next book.
The secondary characters were great!
Curran is an idiot. No question there. But so is Kate.
The whole "explanation" reeked of victim blaming, and I do not feel like Kate can trust him anymore. They could've easily worked together, but Curran chose to make the whole situation more messed up. He has some serious making up to do in the next book.
The secondary characters were great!