The #1 New York Times Bestseller!Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost… Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the … is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.
Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…
more
Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews
*SPOILERS*
I want to be Ilona Andrews when I grow up.
She—well, they—are the one of my favorite writers. Their novels mesmerize, make me laugh, leave me in awe and inspire me. The last book of hers I reviewed was the first in the series—Magic Bites. Well, that was because I’ve been so busy reading every novel and novella the husband/wife team has published.
The Kate Daniels world is amazing and so original. And there is no heroine in all of literature that is as kick-ass as Kate.
Each new novel goes farther, digs deeper and makes the reader’s eye bug out. And yet she keeps it all fast and funny.
Her newest novel, Magic Rises is no exception. I loved this novel from page one. And even though it leaves the familiar environ of post shift Atlanta Georgia and sails off (literally) to Europe, and deceit and mayhem, murder and betrayal, it is still Kate doing what she does best: sticking to her guns (well, swords, since she’s a suck shot) and fighting for those she loves.
I have to give Ilona credit, she really had me going this time. She had me on the edge of my seat, dismayed and depressed that Curran was actually going to leave Kate.
I’ve never skipped to the last page of a novel before, but by halfway through I did. I just couldn’t deal with how the thought of him breaking up with her was affecting me.
Man can she write.
By the end all the questions are answered, Kate and Co. almost die, and she finds out that her powers are far more vast and deadly than she had imagined.
I was so sad to see Aunt B die. She was a one in a million character and went down with such savage honor. She will be missed.
I can’t rate this one high enough. Spectacular!
Read them all!!!!
This series just gets more intense with each new instalment. When key Pack members are forced to go across the world into what is an obvious trap everyone’s emotions and commitment are tested. This was a suspenseful novel with lots of unexpected twists. and bittersweet moments. The relationship with Kate and Curran moves to another level and there is the death of a major Pack member that will wring your heart. I have congratulate Ilona Andrews on her strong writing because at book 6 in the series I lost night sleep as I could not pace myself when reading this, I had to stay up to see what was going to happen next. I love seeing how other Packs in the world operate and interact with each other as opposed to the action being limited to the politics of clans within the Atlanta Pack. This is a fantastic book and I highly recommend it, off to start book 7 and lose some more sleep tonight.
Its best to read the series in order, you won’t be disappointed.
Love this series…love the action and characters. It’s always a fun read.
Kate and Curran make an oversea journey to help mediate a dispute with some European shifters for the chance to get the medicine that will save the packs children. While they expect it to get dicy, it turns into a much larger trap than they expected.
This book was so angsty! While I loved all the action and new characters in this one there was still one major problem for me, Curran. I hated how he treated Kate in this one. I know he had his reasons but it still was a shitty thing to do. I don’t know how I feel about Curran now and I hope he doesn’t ever do anything like this again.
The new setting in this one was very unique and fascinating. There are all kinds of new characters and enemies for the Pack to deal with. It was interesting seeing how other shifters interact in other parts of the world. We also get to learn more about Hugh and how dangerous he can be. The final clash between Hugh and Kate is going to be very interesting when it happens.
This was an emotional, heartbreaking, and action packed adventure for Kate and Curran. I can’t wait to see what is going to happen next with these two because they are always getting into trouble.
I enjoy this series thorough and lately I have been awed by the infusion of freshness with each newly released installment, the strength of the plot threads, the amazing ongoing character development, and just the storytelling power of the writers. This was exciting, emotional, sensual and fierce. I think this was my favorite book of this must read in order series so far.
The authors took the gang on the road, provided a potential love rival for both Curran and Kate, forced the emotional impact that only true loss can bring and wound things up even tighter for the series arc. I don’t mean to sound disloyal to Kate and Curran because I love what they have going, but I have to admit that I have a dangerous fascination for Hugh d’Ambray. I am so addicted that its scary.
Go to the Black Sea, meet new people, see beautiful places, get killed by a mutant carnivorous kangaroo goat. One item off my bucket list. p.151 Kate from Magic Rises
Bonus Story: An Ill-Advised Rescue was included and took place chronologically just before this book and has a baring on the story. It was a good short story piece involving Kate, Derek, Grendel and Saiman.
I keep asking myself if this writing duo can sustain the fantastic stories with each new release and the answer to that is yes they can. Urban Fantasy lovers should put this on their list.
I love their books
ilona andrews…don’t know how two people can write so seamlessly. don’t know how they do it, but, I’m so glad they can. the kate daniels/beast master books are incredible. you should read them if you like action, shifters, fantasy, magic, vampires, some light romance, rebellious off-spring of all ages, and fun. not gonna tell you what tis is about; this is a review. just read the book; then go out and get the rest. you can thank me later.
There is so much that happens in this book and I think I experienced every conceivable emotion there is. I felt humor, concern, anger, fear, rage, hopelessness, relief…you name it, I felt it. No, experienced it. This isn’t a book you can just “read.” This is a book you “experience.” Kate, Curran and the rest are put through a wringer of mammoth proportions it’s both heartbreaking and uplifting. I’ve read this series so many times, I’ve lost count. Yet, every time, this book is a stand out for me. I remember it so vividly. Reading it is like watching a movie. It’s packs a punch and you feel it as if it’s happening to you. If you haven’t read this series, do so. You’ll be very happy you did. It contains a short story called “An Ill-Advised Rescue” that sets the stage for this book. Hats off to Ilona Andrews! Kate’s world gets bigger and badder with every book, which is all to the good!
Such a wonderful series
Audiobook: Narrator – Renee Raudman
This narrator has definitely solidified herself in a favorites place for me. I’ve said it before but it bears repeating, I cannot imagine another performing these books. Ms. Raudman IS the voice of Kate, Curran and their group of friends and adversaries.
Wow! This one just about killed me and I loved every moment!
Just when I thought Kate and Curran were at a good place, Curran has to prove to me that he really is a jerk-hole. All the drama resulting from his actions had me almost doubling over with angst. And yet, even as Kate comes to terms with the decisions he made, I did as well. And I had to accept it just as she did. It was quite agonizing.
Add all of the above to what is already an atmosphere fraught with anxiety over an attack upon their motley group at any moment, and other political intrigues, and you’ve got a situation that is eventually going to blow up in their faces. There is a lot of action here as well as moments that had me by the throat and I didn’t want to have to stop listening when the time came to turn it off. Life can be very frustrating.
I absolutely loved this whole book, from start to finish it was totally bitchen.
Kate is such a bad ass, I just love her, she’s totally sarcastic which i love 🙂 , my favorite parts of this book are Kate & Curran’s scenes together, I love how ther interact with one another, its always awesome when they are together, Curran did pull a couple of dick moves in this book , I know he did it for a reason but still he shouldn’t have pulled what he did, it really hurt Kate and you can totally feel her pain, but in the end everything works out 🙂 .
I was so sad when someone died, I won’t say who but it definitely pulled at the heart strings.
Overall This Book & Series just kicks major ass , I loved every single second of it and I couldn’t put it down , anyone who can read do yourselves a favor and pick up this series ASAP , you won’t regret it.
Oh my gods. The Kate Daniels books just keeps getting better and better. I can’t wait to begin the next book. I highly recommend this series, which I reread every time a new book comes out.
A storm is about to hit Atlanta. Kate and Curran is as usual in the middle of it. Hugh, the Preceptor of the Iron Dogs comes to Atlanta to make Kate his, and Roland the builder of towers, Kates father, now knows where she is. It’s time to make some hard decisions. The fight is coming and people will die.
Hard packed action, magic and witty dialog keeps you on the toes during this frigging awesome story. The end will surprise you and you’ll do anything to get your greedy paws on the next book. Enjoy 🙂
Good story, but the gratuitous sex scene in every book is tiresome, and wholly unnecessary.
Even for a short story, I loved it. This might have to do with how much I enjoy when Saiman shows up in the series. He’s a hoot!
Merged review:
OMG! That’s pretty much all I’ve got to say. I’m in awe. Such a roller coaster of emotions reading this book. I honestly don’t know what else to say, except this novel is the best yet. Amazing!