Ilona Andrews invites you to experience the first novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series featuring the intriguing fantasy world of mercenary Kate Daniels… factions within Atlanta’s magic circles. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she’s way our of her league—but she wouldn’t want it any other way…
This edition includes in-depth information about the world of Kate Daniels with descriptions of its characters and factions. Explore Kate’s Atlanta like never before with a quiz to find your place there and with answers to frequently asked questions. And don’t miss the prequel story “A Questionable Client” as well as scenes of events in Magic Bites from Curran’s point of view.
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This was a lot of fun, and I hear everything just gets better and better as this series goes on. Looking forward to it!
Audio-book: Narrator – Renee Raudman
While this narration was okay, I think this is the type of book that is better to read first. There is so much world building and creatures that are unknown that I had a hard time following along with the story much of the time. I found myself constantly rewinding and then getting frustrated at times because I didn’t know what the heck she was talking about. That resulted in me feeling lost and unsure of what exactly was going on at points along the way.
The narration itself was fine. I have to admit I was expecting a stellar performance due to others who have listened and loved this audio series, but I found it just to be okay. Some of her inflections were a bit over the top and I kinda got tired of it after a while. However, I am currently listening to the next book so it didn’t bother me enough to not move forward.
This story has some wild crazy, nightmare inducing creatures that I would never want to meet in my dreams, much less in person as Kate does.
I liked Kate and her take charge, don’t take crap attitude. The fact that at times she showed a healthy respect for her situation, even if in her thoughts, made her relatable.
There were a ton of characters and I struggled to keep up with them – audio issue – but was unable to guess who the bad guy was. I’m curious about so many things to do with Kate as well as Curran.
So yeah, while I might have had a few issues (and some of those may be that I resent being pulled into a series! Lol!) I enjoyed it more than enough to want to know more. I’m hoping I’m able to fully understand book 2.
Heroine POV
This is the strong female lead you haven’t even known you needed. With great pop culture references for the hidden geek in all of us.
My first impressions when starting this audiobook was “Oh GAWD! Another horrible narrator!”. As with the Karen Marie Moning Fever books, that quickly vanished. As I became engrossed in the story, I learned to love the narrator. She’s not as captivating as someone like Tavia Gilbert (narrator of Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress Series) but the writing of husband/wife team Ilona Andrews quickly over shadows that.
As I was making my way through this first book, I pulled out a stack of Post-It notes to jot down trigger words so I wouldn’t forget what I wanted to say in my reviews. I wrote exactly 3 words: Epic Urban Fantasy. Categorizing this series as simply “urban fantasy” just isn’t fitting enough.
Magic Bites introduces us to Kate Daniels – quite possibly one of the most bad ass badasses with a vagina in literary history. She’s my new standard for what a kick ass female lead should be. Dont get me wrong! Cat (Night Huntress Series) is still my down-ass bitch but Kate pisses excellence.
Then there’s Curran…
I never thought I would encounter a character more terrifying than I found Jericho Barrons to be at the beginning of Darkfever but…man….Curran Lennart did it. He’s still a big fat bucket of mystery at the end of Magic Bites so by the end of this book, aside from being flat-out scared of him, I was all “what’s the big frikkin deal?” but that gets clarified a little later.
Ilona Andrews proves from the flip of the first page that urban fantasy needed a kick in the ass. Action packed and full of humor that had me laughing my ass off at every turn. The world that this team created is so ornately detailed that the only thing I found hard to deal with is that there is a LOT to take in. I found myself rewinding the audio book here and there because something would happen and it made no sense so I knew I had missed a piece. I’d go back and sure enough, there it was.
Magic Bites was a great start to a fantastic series. Riddled with downright intriguing characters and humor unmatched by any other series I have ever read. Epic to the point of almost too much detail.
My favorite thing about this series is even though you have this dark edgy story line, the books are RIDDLED with humorous scenes. Here’s my favorite for Magic Bites:
“What did you tell them?”
“I don’t recall. I think I mentioned your discipline and ability to follow orders. I may have said something about you being a team player.”
Derek emitted a strangled cough.
“Why?” I demanded.
“It seemed like a good idea at the time.” Curran resumed hammering.
“I’m sorry,” I said into the phone, sticking me finger into my other ear so I could hear. “His Majesty tends to exaggerate things. I’m not a team player. I’m undisciplined and I have a problem with authority. Also, the Beast Lord can’t hammer for shit.”
On the roof Derek was laughing his head off.
I am giving Magic Bites 4.5 stars.
This series is my favorite Urban Fantasy series. I recommend it to anyone interested in UF, especially if you’re tired of regular shape-shifters and magic users.
The Kate Daniels series is my hands-down favorite series. It has everything. Kick-ass female protagonist, strong and unique world-building with well-researched and varying magic systems, character growth and action-packed fights. This series is a must read for Urban Fantasy fans, and at 10 books, you’ll have plenty to keep you reading for a while.
Generally a fun read. Solid story with a fast-paced plot and an overly-aggressive female protagonist.
I love the concept of this world. The idea that magic and science exist side by side but cannot overlap is intriguing. Honestly, I would have liked to see this unpredictable element played up a bit more. It seemed that, with the exception of a few trips in a normal car, magic was up in almost every scene of the story. It would have been great to have it cut out at just the right moment to sway a battle or thwart a covert operation, etc.
The character of Kate Daniels was a little abrasive for my tastes, aggressive to the exclusion of common sense. She lacks any sort of verbal filter, and often behaves like a petulant child with no consideration for consequences. This behavior is the only reason I didn’t love the story, so I’m hoping she’ll smooth out a little in future books since she’ll be interacting with more known characters.
The overall plot was excellent, engaging me even though the story telling was, at times, somewhat disjointed — facts taking a backseat to verbal banter as characters contradicted or conveniently forgot previous plot points. The twists were cunning, and the action was consistent and suspenseful with a good pace.
Every book in the series is great. I love Kate’s magical Atlanta. Definitely recommend it.
I Love this Series
Love this series!!!
This book was my first foray into reading anything by Ilona Andrews, and I loved it. Kate is a kick-butt heroine, and Curran is great for her, if only they’d stop trying to kill each other. If they don’t end up together I’m going to scream. I highly recommend it.
Loved this book and others in the series. Great heroine and loved her snark.
Good story, would be better without the seemingly obligatory porn chapter that the seem to need to randomly put into every book.
I became a fan of Ilona Andrews whilst reading their Innkeeper Chronicles series. Because of Kate Daniels, I now have an unholy obsession with them and their collective works. But Kate will always remain my favorite.
I’m not going to lie, once I met Kate Daniels, I was drawn into the story. Before I even knew it, I was whisked away on a fascinating, hilarious, gripping story.
All books in this series are great!
Honestly, I love anything this husband and wife duo write. The humor and realism in a very unreal world takes some serious talent. Awesome start to the Kate Daniels series!
This book series set the standard for others.
The first book of the Late Daniel’s series hooked me immediately. If you are starting this series now, you are lucky. There are now nine more books in the series as well as opt-in books about other characters in the series. Kick as s fight scenes, snarky hero, and lots of well drawn side characters. Who can ask for more?
Great start to an excellent world. Can’t wait to start the second book.