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cipotalectora's review against another edition
2.0
re-read: 12/18/20
i wrote a full review for this when i first read it in 2017, but deleted it. the most i can remember i said is how i really loved kate's character and felt meh about curran. to be honest, my thoughts still stand the same. i really like kate as a character, truly a fierce and a don't-give-a-fuck queen. i still found curran to be meh. he was funny, i'll say that, but still, i wasn't as interested in him as i wish i was. the character i can't wait to continue reading about though is derek. i loved him since the first time i met him, and i loved him this second time. i can't wait to see how he grows.
i've read the 2nd and 3rd book, but i'm going to re-read those as well. i do remember though that curran grows on me, and i live for the slow-burn romance between kate and curran. i also enjoyed this less than i did the first time, but i'm excited to get into the entire series and finish it once and for all.
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first time read: 3/20/17
i wrote a full review for this when i first read it in 2017, but deleted it. the most i can remember i said is how i really loved kate's character and felt meh about curran. to be honest, my thoughts still stand the same. i really like kate as a character, truly a fierce and a don't-give-a-fuck queen. i still found curran to be meh. he was funny, i'll say that, but still, i wasn't as interested in him as i wish i was. the character i can't wait to continue reading about though is derek. i loved him since the first time i met him, and i loved him this second time. i can't wait to see how he grows.
i've read the 2nd and 3rd book, but i'm going to re-read those as well. i do remember though that curran grows on me, and i live for the slow-burn romance between kate and curran. i also enjoyed this less than i did the first time, but i'm excited to get into the entire series and finish it once and for all.
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first time read: 3/20/17
smuttea_matcha's review against another edition
4.0
This book took some time to get into, but once it starts, the pages start turning. I liked this one and Kate, but it's no Mercy Thompson. Sure, Kate is bad ass, but I still like Mercy more. Anyway, if you liked Patricia Briggs's Mercy, you'll definitely like this. Romance takes a back seat, which is always refreshing in a paranormal romance. I love vampires in this book. I mean, I don't REALLY love them, but I love how Andrews portrayed them. I find it hilarious that you can tell how old a vampire is according to his nut sack. Anyway, this was an interesting read and it passes the time. The mysteries aren't really that great, I feel like Kate doesn't really think puzzles through like Mercy does. Or maybe I'm just biased?
UPDATE 8-15-15
I don't know if it's because I'm so obsessed with Kate Daniels now that I raised my rating on this book, but I absolutely adore this series. It's great to look back on this book after keeping up with the latest book because it's so exciting to see the characters meet for the first time.
UPDATE 8-15-15
I don't know if it's because I'm so obsessed with Kate Daniels now that I raised my rating on this book, but I absolutely adore this series. It's great to look back on this book after keeping up with the latest book because it's so exciting to see the characters meet for the first time.
jimbowen0306's review against another edition
3.0
In this book, we see technogoly duel with magic. It's set some time in the near future and sees magic work somewhat like magnetism. When the "magic field" is strong, the world goes dark, technology (everything from phones to cars) doesn't work, and skyscrapers colapse. The problem is that the "magic field" isn't always present, so there are times when you need the old fashioned techology that we all rely on today.
Since the rise of magic, beings like werewolves, magicians and vampires have come to the fore. It is those beings that we see do battle when the "magic field" is on. In this book, Kate Morgan looks into who killed her guardian (who was a chief magician, for want of a better description).
The story reminds me of Laurel K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series, but with the key difference that it focuses on story, rather than who the central characters fancy. Because of that I'd say the series has potential. It should attract the Hamilton readers who actually believe in storylines.
This having been said, the book is far from perfect. It's good, but it can be a bit busy in places. It's a short book, but Ilona Andrews (the author) seems to have attempted to pack as much story as possible into the book. You want to say "enough already" on occasions, but that having been said, the series is one worth watching.
Since the rise of magic, beings like werewolves, magicians and vampires have come to the fore. It is those beings that we see do battle when the "magic field" is on. In this book, Kate Morgan looks into who killed her guardian (who was a chief magician, for want of a better description).
The story reminds me of Laurel K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series, but with the key difference that it focuses on story, rather than who the central characters fancy. Because of that I'd say the series has potential. It should attract the Hamilton readers who actually believe in storylines.
This having been said, the book is far from perfect. It's good, but it can be a bit busy in places. It's a short book, but Ilona Andrews (the author) seems to have attempted to pack as much story as possible into the book. You want to say "enough already" on occasions, but that having been said, the series is one worth watching.
dannibooks89's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
alixelix's review against another edition
4.0
I’ll admit that I judged this book by its cover before I even started reading it. I do this all the time, and I know I shouldn’t. To me, this book just looked cheesy and lame and I knew I was going to have some serious problems with the pouty, I’m-so-hardcore girl on the cover. Sometimes it’s nice to be surprised when you’re expectations are shattered.
I just don’t like Kate Daniels though. It just feels like she’s forcing that attitude too much. Sure, sure, the attitude is her defence mechanism and her way of not getting crushed by the weight of the world on her shoulders. It still feels too ‘put on’ though, and if it was really a defence mechanism it would need to be a lot more solid than it is. I could just be being really picky though. I have a problem with finding any female characters believable, whether it’s in books, movies, TV shows or games. I hold female characters up to a much closer scrutiny than I do any male character. Perhaps it’s a role model thing. When I was younger I was looking for the perfect role model – not too girly, not too ice-queen, strong but not intimidating, independent yet not isolated – the list could go on for pages. If I’d read this book when I was 13 I think I would have become the world’s biggest Kate Daniels fan girl. Now, all I can see are her flaws. Can anyone say “jaded”? Also, she wants to be Buffy.
The universe is really quite intricate and deep and well-constructed. Much more so than I was expecting, but then the whole book has turned out to be more than I was expecting. I did feel like I’d been thrown in the deep end somewhat though. It took me a while to start feeling like I wasn’t coming in halfway through a movie and playing catch up to try and understand how the world we’re in functions. I think a little more world building would have helped me feel immersed in the book a bit quicker.
About halfway through the book I realised that I had completely forgotten that I was supposed to hate it. Actually, I was enjoying it. It’s got no literary pretences; it’s not going to give you a new outlook on life. It’s the written equivalent of a summer action blockbuster designed to distract you from the real world and just let you enjoy the mindlessness of it for a while. And I think that’s ok. If that’s what the aim was then it has been well achieved. I didn’t want to read this book because it had a pouty girl on the cover. I read it anyway, gearing myself up to tear it to shreds. Instead I got a swift reminder that I should stop being such a pretentious snob.
4 out of 5 unimaginatively named swords. Yeah, seriously, that’s what you called it?
I just don’t like Kate Daniels though. It just feels like she’s forcing that attitude too much. Sure, sure, the attitude is her defence mechanism and her way of not getting crushed by the weight of the world on her shoulders. It still feels too ‘put on’ though, and if it was really a defence mechanism it would need to be a lot more solid than it is. I could just be being really picky though. I have a problem with finding any female characters believable, whether it’s in books, movies, TV shows or games. I hold female characters up to a much closer scrutiny than I do any male character. Perhaps it’s a role model thing. When I was younger I was looking for the perfect role model – not too girly, not too ice-queen, strong but not intimidating, independent yet not isolated – the list could go on for pages. If I’d read this book when I was 13 I think I would have become the world’s biggest Kate Daniels fan girl. Now, all I can see are her flaws. Can anyone say “jaded”? Also, she wants to be Buffy.
The universe is really quite intricate and deep and well-constructed. Much more so than I was expecting, but then the whole book has turned out to be more than I was expecting. I did feel like I’d been thrown in the deep end somewhat though. It took me a while to start feeling like I wasn’t coming in halfway through a movie and playing catch up to try and understand how the world we’re in functions. I think a little more world building would have helped me feel immersed in the book a bit quicker.
About halfway through the book I realised that I had completely forgotten that I was supposed to hate it. Actually, I was enjoying it. It’s got no literary pretences; it’s not going to give you a new outlook on life. It’s the written equivalent of a summer action blockbuster designed to distract you from the real world and just let you enjoy the mindlessness of it for a while. And I think that’s ok. If that’s what the aim was then it has been well achieved. I didn’t want to read this book because it had a pouty girl on the cover. I read it anyway, gearing myself up to tear it to shreds. Instead I got a swift reminder that I should stop being such a pretentious snob.
4 out of 5 unimaginatively named swords. Yeah, seriously, that’s what you called it?
lauracooleyjohnson's review against another edition
4.0
If fiction were the restaurant industry, this book would register in the quick sit down category. So when I give it four stars, it’s not like I’m saying it’s super great food, I’m just saying that I liked it. Much like I prefer Panera or Chipotle over Applebees; but of course I wouldn’t choose it over a Michelin star restaurant. I enjoyed the novel for what it offers: vampires, magic, intrigue, strong female lead who is still discovering her powers, blooming love interest with a shape shifter. The premise of the world is also intriguing. Magic is returning and at times when it crests, technology breaks and airplanes crash and phones may or may not work, and vice versa: when tech is strong, magic is weak. It has all the things that make me happy when I’m craving a paranormal fantasy novel and reminds me a little of the Sookie Stackhouse books. I docked it a star because the writing is sooo basic as to feel a bit childish and clipped. But I don’t go to fast food restaurants for great food anyway.
mkowens's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tregina's review against another edition
3.0
The three stars is definitely an average, between the stuff I really liked and the stuff I really didn't. I picked this up because sometimes I am deeply in the mood for urban fantasy, and there is some really interesting worldbuilding here, as well as a story that kept moving. But there's something uncomfortable about a story where, other than the main character, all the primary players are male and all the other women are victims or sex objects or both.
anni3008's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.0