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jackiehorne's review against another edition
4.0
I know I read this one, but there isn't any review on Goodreads for it...
alikatson's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it! I really enjoyed Derek’s POV and Julie has turned into quite the warrior woman. They work great as a team and this book has made me want more!! Please write more dear authorlords!!
whatsmacksaid's review against another edition
3.0
This was enjoyable but not the greatest novella I've read by them. I liked the premise, and I rather like the idea of the younger generation--the characters who are beloved by readers but little more than sidekicks in the Kate Daniels books--getting their own adventures and character arcs.
The novella is told in third-person limited, and so while we get to see Derek's admiration for Julie, she's really the highlight of the story and I would have much rather read her version. His seemed sort of flat at times.
That being said, I read this all at once and enjoyed it. I don't regret paying money for it.
The novella is told in third-person limited, and so while we get to see Derek's admiration for Julie, she's really the highlight of the story and I would have much rather read her version. His seemed sort of flat at times.
That being said, I read this all at once and enjoyed it. I don't regret paying money for it.
michalice's review against another edition
5.0
I am a big fan of the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews. When I saw the Derek and Julie were getting a story I knew I had to read it, and I purchased Magic Stars with the fastest one click ever.
Although Magic Stars is set in Kate Daniels world, Magic Stars is a book set in its own series (Grey Wolf). Magic Stars also takes place after Magic Shifts, so make sure you are up to date with Kate Daniels series before venturing into this new world as there is a spoiler or two within the pages.
Magic Stars gives us the chance to get inside Derek's head, to see what he is really thinking and feeling. We also get to see him work alongside Julie, both of those as individuals are pretty kick ass by themselves, but throw these two together and you have true awesomeness, and from the very beginning we get a small taste of what these two will be like together...and it's hilarious.
I devoured Magic Stars and it didn't take me long to read it. I love that Derek gets his own book, we get to see a lot of ass kicking but also some sad parts, where he remembers his childhood and how he became who he is today. Derek and Julie make an awesome team, and I can see some traits of Kate in what Julie does, but also how Julie is her own person and isn't afraid of a little fight or two.
If you read the Kate Daniels series then you know of a concern between Kate and Julie. In Magic Stars Julie actually reveals that she knows about this concern, and it worries her about how she may turn out in the future. We also learn of a little secret she has been keeping from Kate and Curran, and I think it's a stupid thing to do, even if it is helping with her own powers.
Magic Stars was a great read, and I am gutted that it's over, with no new book in the works yet. This is a great way to get your fix of the Kate Daniels world, but also leaves you wanting more.
Final Verdict
Can I please have the next book now.
Although Magic Stars is set in Kate Daniels world, Magic Stars is a book set in its own series (Grey Wolf). Magic Stars also takes place after Magic Shifts, so make sure you are up to date with Kate Daniels series before venturing into this new world as there is a spoiler or two within the pages.
Magic Stars gives us the chance to get inside Derek's head, to see what he is really thinking and feeling. We also get to see him work alongside Julie, both of those as individuals are pretty kick ass by themselves, but throw these two together and you have true awesomeness, and from the very beginning we get a small taste of what these two will be like together...and it's hilarious.
The mane was white too, ridiculously long, and wavy. It was wavy because the horse's owner braided it and sometimes put flowers into it. Because she couldn't get a normal horse. She had to have a draft version of My Little Pony.
[Derek kindle location 13%]
Julie sighed again and glanced at him. "This is taking way too long. That was a declaration of murderous intent. We're clear. The big one is yours; I'll take the ginger."
[Julie kindle location 16%]
I devoured Magic Stars and it didn't take me long to read it. I love that Derek gets his own book, we get to see a lot of ass kicking but also some sad parts, where he remembers his childhood and how he became who he is today. Derek and Julie make an awesome team, and I can see some traits of Kate in what Julie does, but also how Julie is her own person and isn't afraid of a little fight or two.
If you read the Kate Daniels series then you know of a concern between Kate and Julie. In Magic Stars Julie actually reveals that she knows about this concern, and it worries her about how she may turn out in the future. We also learn of a little secret she has been keeping from Kate and Curran, and I think it's a stupid thing to do, even if it is helping with her own powers.
Magic Stars was a great read, and I am gutted that it's over, with no new book in the works yet. This is a great way to get your fix of the Kate Daniels world, but also leaves you wanting more.
Final Verdict
Can I please have the next book now.
smuttea_matcha's review against another edition
4.0
I never cared for Julie as a character, but Magic Stars certainly made me appreciate her much more. It's cute that she's a mini-Kate in progress, but I want to see more of her own character (more than that she can see people's magic). Also, I find it interesting that she's able to use a power word at 16 and only get a nose bleed plus some fatigue. I don't know if Andrews is gearing Julie up to be more powerful than Kate, but I'm not sure how I feel about that considered I worship Kate as my #1 superheroine in the UF world. Also, incantations are an interesting mix since we've never seen Kate use them. Julie is definitely being taught the finer points of magic in comparison to Kate strong arming everything. I think Andrews was really ambitious in Julie's skill because Julie has been training for 4 years now (give or take) and it sounds as though she's beginning to surpass Kate (magic wise).
Anyway, I thought this was an incredibly well written short that really shows us how deep the friendship (and more) between Julie and Derek runs. Can't wait to see how their relationship develops!
Anyway, I thought this was an incredibly well written short that really shows us how deep the friendship (and more) between Julie and Derek runs. Can't wait to see how their relationship develops!
amym84's review against another edition
5.0
When I saw that this was available I stopped everything else I was doing and started reading. When Ilona Andrews announced on their website that they were working on this short story, I was exceedingly excited. The finished product does not disappoint.
I love seeing things in the Kate Daniels world from a different perspective. There are some surprise revelations that I can't imagine won't pop up somewhere in the remainder of the main series and have a big impact. I loved seeing Derek and Julie get to work together. The story is told from Derek's POV which is something readers / fans haven't gotten yet, and I really like being in his head, but I think I didn't realize how damaged he is from things in his past. I know he's been through a lot, but it's always different when you're looking at it from the outside. All I can say is I hope there may be a certain someone in the future who can help him heal ;)
Overall, I loved it. It's a great, quick read!
I love seeing things in the Kate Daniels world from a different perspective. There are some surprise revelations that I can't imagine won't pop up somewhere in the remainder of the main series and have a big impact. I loved seeing Derek and Julie get to work together. The story is told from Derek's POV which is something readers / fans haven't gotten yet, and I really like being in his head, but I think I didn't realize how damaged he is from things in his past. I know he's been through a lot, but it's always different when you're looking at it from the outside. All I can say is I hope there may be a certain someone in the future who can help him heal ;)
Overall, I loved it. It's a great, quick read!
shanaqui's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Ilona Andrews' Magic Stars is a fun short story from Derek's point of view, featuring Derek and Julie. They fight crime! Well. They avenge supernatural murders, track down a couple of mysteries, and get themselves into big trouble -- just as Kate and Curran would want. Wait a sec, no...
It's a fun little taster of how Julie's going to handle life, and also a glimpse at what she's intending, where she sees herself in the world. She's in touch with Roland, she knows about the caveats and side effects of what Kate did to save her, and she's ready to grow up and be a bit of a wrecking ball herself, Kate-style.
There's not a lot here to dig one's teeth into, but it's a different look at the familiar characters, and adds a little bit more colour to their world.
It's a fun little taster of how Julie's going to handle life, and also a glimpse at what she's intending, where she sees herself in the world. She's in touch with Roland, she knows about the caveats and side effects of what Kate did to save her, and she's ready to grow up and be a bit of a wrecking ball herself, Kate-style.
There's not a lot here to dig one's teeth into, but it's a different look at the familiar characters, and adds a little bit more colour to their world.
hlazarus's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.5