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bee23 's review for:
Magic Bites
by Ilona Andrews
Review Update: July 2015 - 5 stars
I've decided to update my review, because as time passes my opinions change. I still think the book starts out slow -- but I appreciated it for what it was this time -- it's a slow build that helps create the world, so by the time you're immersed in the action the author doesn't have to do any world build other than dropping a line here and there. The author does a fabulous job of creating the world and establishing the rules of it. It could be that this read through I knew there was a payoff waiting for me, so I enjoyed the first 30 pages more than the first time I read them. But I'll never be able to say for sure since I can't have a first read again.
I think overall I just enjoy Kate as a character -- she's not some super detective or mega soldier. She's a fighter, she makes mistakes, she's got an attitude that she recognizes gets her into trouble, and she's got determination. She's also got a lot of secrets -- which means there's a lot of potential for more stories to come. I also like that we get to see her interact with someone like Crest, and someone like Curran, as both are characters that treat Kate completely differently.
There is only one thing in this book that stops me, and I know it does every time. It's an incredibly minor thing so it doesn't affect the rating, and I can't specify without going into spoilers but basically -- Kate (and others) blames herself for a misunderstanding that was not her doing and given her attitude it's odd that she lets others blame her for it. Other than that, I enjoyed the story and the longer it went on the more I wanted. It's definitely one of the first Urban Fantasy series I recommend to others.
Review: May 2011 - 4 stars
I really liked this book. It was a little slow for me to get into but by page 30 or so I was hooked. By the end I was desperately looking for the next one. The idea of the story is really interesting and an attention keeping one, and so are the characters. I like the dialogue a lot and I think it makes it more interesting. Definitely a good book for those who like fantasy and I think the author does a great job on creating a very different and intriguing setting.
I've decided to update my review, because as time passes my opinions change. I still think the book starts out slow -- but I appreciated it for what it was this time -- it's a slow build that helps create the world, so by the time you're immersed in the action the author doesn't have to do any world build other than dropping a line here and there. The author does a fabulous job of creating the world and establishing the rules of it. It could be that this read through I knew there was a payoff waiting for me, so I enjoyed the first 30 pages more than the first time I read them. But I'll never be able to say for sure since I can't have a first read again.
I think overall I just enjoy Kate as a character -- she's not some super detective or mega soldier. She's a fighter, she makes mistakes, she's got an attitude that she recognizes gets her into trouble, and she's got determination. She's also got a lot of secrets -- which means there's a lot of potential for more stories to come. I also like that we get to see her interact with someone like Crest, and someone like Curran, as both are characters that treat Kate completely differently.
There is only one thing in this book that stops me, and I know it does every time. It's an incredibly minor thing so it doesn't affect the rating, and I can't specify without going into spoilers but basically -- Kate (and others) blames herself for a misunderstanding that was not her doing and given her attitude it's odd that she lets others blame her for it. Other than that, I enjoyed the story and the longer it went on the more I wanted. It's definitely one of the first Urban Fantasy series I recommend to others.
Review: May 2011 - 4 stars
I really liked this book. It was a little slow for me to get into but by page 30 or so I was hooked. By the end I was desperately looking for the next one. The idea of the story is really interesting and an attention keeping one, and so are the characters. I like the dialogue a lot and I think it makes it more interesting. Definitely a good book for those who like fantasy and I think the author does a great job on creating a very different and intriguing setting.