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yerawizard_kristen's review against another edition
5.0
Uh oh. I'm reading this series too fast and enjoying it far too much!
alixelix's review against another edition
4.0
This is book 2 in a series of, I think, 6 books, so far. I don’t know if this is an ongoing series or whether there are a planned number of books. Book 2 was pretty well encapsulated as its own adventure but still makes some nice advances on the overarching story of Kate’s heritage and develops her relationships with the other characters.
One thing that bugs me. The author of this book uses the pseudonym of Ilona Andrews. The author is the husband and wife writing team of Ilona and Gordon. So am I missing something or isn’t the pseudonym just the wife’s name? Ilona Andrews… that’s her name… how is that a pseudonym? Isn’t she really just saying “I wrote these books but I guess hubby helped a bit, too”?
Book 2 feels much more episodic. Like we’re settling into a groove and a pattern, which is cool. There’s 6 of these things so I like that there’s a clear delineation to each one, rather than one just blending into the next and being essentially just one really long story.
This adventure was good. I especially enjoyed the Celtic mythology used. It was also the first time we heard about witches being a part of this world, even using the maiden, mother and crone archetype. I don’t recall that there was any mention of witches in the first book. I’d like to know a bit more about the witches. The other ‘species’ that inhabit this universe, namely vampires and werewolves, vary enough from the traditional stereotypes that I’d be interested to see what the author has done with witches to make them unique to their books.
We learn a few more tidbits about Kate’s heritage. It feels like details are being rationed out to us according to a carefully planned out schedule. In book 1 we are told A, B and C. In book 2 we get facts-about-Kate D though G. Book 3 H-M. You get the idea. Until eventually we are fed the last piece only to find out that Kate is something we never expected completely undermining our perception of her and probably also something horrific that means we question our trust in her. Then something happens and we love her again. Cue the last book where Kate comes to grips with her destiny.
I got quiet infuriated at the way Kate kept calling Julie “my kid”. She’s not her kid. Kate may have accepted responsibility for Julie, but she is not her kid. It came across as a writer’s trick to establish a bond between Kate and Julie that the rest of the narrative wasn’t strong enough to convey on its own.
The tension between Kate and Curran continued. I’m sure they’ll get together eventually. Once they do one of the most compelling aspects of the story will be gone. Once they’re together it will be as it if was ‘meant to be’ and they’ll laugh fondly about how antagonistic they used to be to each other. Oh, they’ll fight all the time, but they’ll make up. There’ll probably be a whole book down the line about when something drives a wedge between them and they almost break up. The tension before they get together is the good bit and Andrews has written it really well. As long as that lasts there’ll be a reason to keep reading.
I’ll read book 3, since I’ve already bought it, but if it’s going to have to be darn good to make me shell out more cash for book 4. Magic Burns was a fun little adventure, but I think this series might have given me just about all the entertainment it can.
3.5 out of 5 cute bows on your panties.
One thing that bugs me. The author of this book uses the pseudonym of Ilona Andrews. The author is the husband and wife writing team of Ilona and Gordon. So am I missing something or isn’t the pseudonym just the wife’s name? Ilona Andrews… that’s her name… how is that a pseudonym? Isn’t she really just saying “I wrote these books but I guess hubby helped a bit, too”?
Book 2 feels much more episodic. Like we’re settling into a groove and a pattern, which is cool. There’s 6 of these things so I like that there’s a clear delineation to each one, rather than one just blending into the next and being essentially just one really long story.
This adventure was good. I especially enjoyed the Celtic mythology used. It was also the first time we heard about witches being a part of this world, even using the maiden, mother and crone archetype. I don’t recall that there was any mention of witches in the first book. I’d like to know a bit more about the witches. The other ‘species’ that inhabit this universe, namely vampires and werewolves, vary enough from the traditional stereotypes that I’d be interested to see what the author has done with witches to make them unique to their books.
We learn a few more tidbits about Kate’s heritage. It feels like details are being rationed out to us according to a carefully planned out schedule. In book 1 we are told A, B and C. In book 2 we get facts-about-Kate D though G. Book 3 H-M. You get the idea. Until eventually we are fed the last piece only to find out that Kate is something we never expected completely undermining our perception of her and probably also something horrific that means we question our trust in her. Then something happens and we love her again. Cue the last book where Kate comes to grips with her destiny.
I got quiet infuriated at the way Kate kept calling Julie “my kid”. She’s not her kid. Kate may have accepted responsibility for Julie, but she is not her kid. It came across as a writer’s trick to establish a bond between Kate and Julie that the rest of the narrative wasn’t strong enough to convey on its own.
The tension between Kate and Curran continued. I’m sure they’ll get together eventually. Once they do one of the most compelling aspects of the story will be gone. Once they’re together it will be as it if was ‘meant to be’ and they’ll laugh fondly about how antagonistic they used to be to each other. Oh, they’ll fight all the time, but they’ll make up. There’ll probably be a whole book down the line about when something drives a wedge between them and they almost break up. The tension before they get together is the good bit and Andrews has written it really well. As long as that lasts there’ll be a reason to keep reading.
I’ll read book 3, since I’ve already bought it, but if it’s going to have to be darn good to make me shell out more cash for book 4. Magic Burns was a fun little adventure, but I think this series might have given me just about all the entertainment it can.
3.5 out of 5 cute bows on your panties.
lauracooleyjohnson's review against another edition
3.0
This kind of YA urban fantasy is my secret guilty escape. This was book #2 in the series and it delivered a fun distraction as hoped. It’s not great writing. But the world and these magical creatures are very creative, and the story was interesting. I find I glaze over on some of the names and attributes of some minor characters, which makes for some muddy subplots. But I’m mostly intrigued by the two main protagonists: Kate and Curran. Her magic is mysteriously strong, and he’s a shape shifting hunk. Seems interesting enough to keep reading.
tregina's review against another edition
3.0
Here's the major contradiction when it comes to me and urban fantasy: I generally really enjoy the worldbuilding and the sense of humour and the straightforward writing, cliches and all (there's a place for that, and it's here), but the whole alpha male dynamic and sexual tension does nothing for me. Zilch. And it's pretty ubiquitous in the genre. So I think it's inevitable that I really enjoy some parts (the plotting, the magic systems, and several of the characters), and roll my eyes at others (nearly any time there's mean to be a sexual charge with the main character). I'm not a big fan of gender essentialism in general, which shifter-centric urban fantasy especially leans towards. But there's enough that I do enjoy here--more than enough--that I'm excited to keep going.
yenteb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
xoaditi's review against another edition
4.0
this was a significant improvement from book 1!!! the story was much more compelling, and it was much easier to understand the urban fantasy setting/ allegiance of different characters. i'm excited to see the relationship between curran and kate progress in the next book.
kandlf's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
kq8x's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
veraann's review against another edition
5.0
Kate Daniels #2
Adult Urban Fantasy
After book 1 I thought I kind of like this series. After this book I think I'm starting to love it. The characters are really growing on me, the world is growing clearer in my head. I love Kate's snarky attitude and the fact that sometimes she can't help her mouth, makes for some funny scenes. I love that her thoughts aren't moonie, falling for the hot guys. Of course there is Curran, a playful alpha. What's not to love?
Adult Urban Fantasy
After book 1 I thought I kind of like this series. After this book I think I'm starting to love it. The characters are really growing on me, the world is growing clearer in my head. I love Kate's snarky attitude and the fact that sometimes she can't help her mouth, makes for some funny scenes. I love that her thoughts aren't moonie, falling for the hot guys. Of course there is Curran, a playful alpha. What's not to love?
snoopydoo77's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, this book was even better than the first book and the first book was already great.
This book was another great mix of action, humor, and gore, some suspense, add to that the sexual tension between Kate and Curran it makes for a great fun read. And when I say fun , I also mean funny.
OMG the dialog between Kate and Curran is just too awesome and makes it so great. But not only that , the story-line and all the characters all play part of it.
You can find my full review here:
http://snoopydoosbookreviews.com/magic-burns-kate-daniels-2-ilona-andrews/
This book was another great mix of action, humor, and gore, some suspense, add to that the sexual tension between Kate and Curran it makes for a great fun read. And when I say fun , I also mean funny.
OMG the dialog between Kate and Curran is just too awesome and makes it so great. But not only that , the story-line and all the characters all play part of it.
You can find my full review here:
http://snoopydoosbookreviews.com/magic-burns-kate-daniels-2-ilona-andrews/