No matter how much the paranormal politics of Atlanta change, one thing always remains the same in this #1 New York Times bestselling series: if there’s trouble, Kate Daniels will be in the middle of it… her investigative business afloat, but she must now deal with the affairs of the Pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel, ancient being with godlike powers.
As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend a gathering of leaders from Atlanta’s supernatural factions. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered by a shapeshifter, Kate is given less than twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war that could destroy everything she holds dear…
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It’s unusual for a series to go from strength to strength but the Kate Daniels’ series is the exception to the rule. This book was simply stunning with a perfect blend of old favourites in the characters, new and wonderful creatures and an ongoing storyline which has grabbed me and not let go since book 1. Kate Daniels is the best heroine you’ll ever read about!
The writing is wonderfully accurate and passionately portrays the story without any deviation from the first instalment. My only disappointment in this book is that I missed Saiman but we were given Ghastek back so my disappointment was quickly abated.
Kate continues to hunt her father but as usual the enigmatic and persistent Hugh D’Ambray reappears to challenge her at every turn. Curran as ever is at Kate’s side but for most of this story she turns to her old friends for support: Andrea, Derek, Ascanio and Desandra. I love the banter between these friends from Ascanio’s innocent determination to go against Kate’s orders to Andrea’s never failing loyalty this group they face danger and risk their lives to support Kate in her hunt for her father.
Roland finally makes a physical appearance in this book and Kate’s secret is revealed to all. Roland tries to act fatherly but will Kate accept his attempts at humility or will her past memories of him and the murders of her Mother and Voron prevent any sort of a family reconciliation.
The magic continues to amaze in this story and you have to wonder how many new tricks and treats Ilona Andrews has up her sleeve. For me I didn’t think Weredolphins could be topped but then two new creatures appear who are fantastic and freakishly imaginative.
I want this series to continue for forever but I also want it to spin off in so many directions. The short story at the end of the book was a treat and one that I hope is developed further. We all need more from Julie.
Former mercenary, Kate Daniels has a lot of responsibility to juggle between her business and being the Consort of the Beast Lord. There is also the continuous threat of an attack from Roland, her father. When Hugh, Roland’s warlord, shows up in Atlanta she knows the war has begun.
This book was nonstop action and emotion. So much happens in this book! Hugh returns to Atlanta and sparks a war between the People and the Pack. Kate finally meets her father and has to negotiate for their future. And Atlanta is finally claimed. I was on the edge of my seat reading this book and basically spent all day reading it. I didn’t want to put it down. Roland was just as deadly and scary as I expected him to be. His people are just as deadly as well, which is going to make future confrontations even more interesting.
Kate and Curran’s relationship continues to grow in strength with each book. They may not have a steamy on page relationship but you can still feel these heat from these two. I love that they are willing to give up everything as long as they are together.
I loved this book. It was an action packed adventure that led to huge changes for Kate and Curran. I can’t wait to read the next book to see how the new dynamics change Atlanta.
Awesome authors! So far all of their series are all huge winners – they are uber talented!!
Of all the books about Kate Daniels, this is my least favorite. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an EXCELLENT BOOK! It’s just that there’s one thing that happens that keeps me from being totally and completely over the top for this book. As the author prefaces, this reads like the end of the series. Fortunately, it isn’t. There are things that happen that make me laugh, that infuriate me, that make me cry. I could go on and on. What kept me reading and reading was not knowing how it would end. I’d hoped for a certain thing to happen and I’ll leave it up to you to discover whether it did or not! 🙂 Get this series and read it! NOW!
One of the paranormal romances to judge all other paranormal romances by. But read them in order!
Audiobook: Narrator – Renee Raudman
Always an excellent job but I must say that the depth of emotion presented with this book was even more exceptional. Kate really put this narrator to the test here and Ms. Raudman excelled!
Man, this one kept me on the very edge of my seat! The first half took place pretty much within hours and it was laced with so much drama, danger and emotion that I resented anything that had me turning my audio player off. By the time I got to the second half, I was listening to it even when I shouldn’t have been. Kate finds herself in some serious danger and while I knew she’d find a way out of it, the pure pain and despair of her situation had me captivated, eagerly awaiting how she would survive.
Curran is the perfect hero and oh my gosh, he continues to recapture my heart but this time around, when Kate is almost lost to him, I thought for sure my chest would crack open on his behalf. Then it really got serious. With the “showdown” on the horizon and the pack’s lives at stake, I wasn’t sure what we were going to experience. There were some really tough decisions that had to be made and with them I was sure that this couple were going to be decimated. I kept reminding myself that wouldn’t happen.
This ending was so good! It left me feeling victorious along with Kate and her gang, but also concerned over what the future would hold. To say I was shocked by it is an understatement!
THANK THE GODS
ILONA AND GORDON
PUT IN A DISCLAIMER!!!
I read this book via audio book. First note – I love the narrator, Renee Raudman. She’s just awesome all around. When I first started listening to this series, I wasn’t sure I was going to like her because she’s got a much different style of speaking than most narrators, but now, I couldn’t imagine anyone else being the voice of Kate.
The audio book opens up with two things. The first is a disclaimer warning the readers that although this reads like a final book in a series, it is not, in fact, the final book in the Kate Daniels series. Had they not put that in there, this book would have WRECKED me. They’re right. It MOST DEFINITELY reads like a final installment.
The second thing at the beginning is a character recap of sorts. Had this been any other series, I would have had a reaction like “Ok, if you’re coming in at the seventh book, that’s your own fault, go back to the beginning”, but this series – I’m about to sound like a parrot because I have said this a million times – is the only Urban Fantasy series I would consider classifying as Epic Urban Fantasy. The world building in the Kate Daniels series is unlike any other series I have ever read. Huge. Massive. The history and the cast of characters is so large that, even though I am a die-hard fan, the recap was kind of nice. It actually reminded me of quite a few things I had completely forgotten about. If you’re a Kate Daniels fan, I encourage you to still read through the little recap. It’s worth it.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT MAGIC BREAKS:
Ummmm, frikkin everything. (*said with snotty tone*)
This book was a roller coaster ride. It was highly intense, and, at times, deeply emotional. As Pure Textuality is a spoiler-free zone, I am not going to go in to details, but this book had me reduced to tears in four separate spots. Also, given the end of series feeling the book has, there are a couple of spots where I was screaming “NUH-UH!!!!” at my iPod.
As with the rest of this series, Magic Breaks is urban fantasy on a grand scale. Ilona and Gordon certainly seem to have the ‘go big or go home’ credo nailed down. I hate to say this, because this is an INCREDIBLE series that EVERYONE should read, but the world Kate Daniels might be a little tough on those who are attention span impaired. That being said, I have ADD, and, although I struggle at times with much simpler books, I have never once found my mind wandering while reading one of the Kate Daniels books. They are just THAT good.
I am really afraid of commenting here on any of the story lines in Magic Breaks for fear of blowing some serious plot points. For long time fans of the series, there are a great number of gems in this book that will have you squealing. Stunner moments left and right, both good and bad. I wasn’t kidding earlier about scream “NUH-UH!” at my iPod. You’re going to LOVE this ride.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE ABOUT MAGIC BREAKS:
Ummmm, nothing. (*also said with snotty tone*)
No, seriously. Magic Breaks was another incredible installment in the Kate Daniels world. I have to say, even if this HAD been the final book in the series, I really think I would have been happy with the way it ended. It would have been a great way to wrap up the series. The story lines all came full circle and a decision is made that really shows how much Kate has changed over the course of the seven books.
So, yeah. Nothing.
I loved this book cover to cover.
WHO WOULD I RECOMMEND MAGIC BREAKS TO?
Urban fantasy fans for sure! Particularly the Mercy Thompson or Alpha & Omega crowd (by Patricia Briggs), or the Charley Davidson lovers out there (by Darynda Jones). There is a paranormal romance story line in there, but it’s MUCH heavier on the urban fantasy. If you go into it expecting a bodice ripper with fangs, you’re going to be disappointed. Ilona Andrews writes what I consider true urban fantasy, and it’s awesome.
Almost all the books written by these authors will get a 4 to 5 star rating from me. The storylines are clever and original with engaging and interesting characters. I have just finished re-reading the Kate Daniels series and look forward to reading the last one soon.
Now, I am not a huge Julie fan. I love this series, love this author team, and freaking adore the world the husband and wife writing duo created and I know that they won’t let me down. So I read it. And loved it! Though I still don’t really like Julie, as it’s truly rare any author can make me love a kid character, but every thing else they create is pure genius. So even a character I don’t especially like becomes an entertaining read!
Merged review:
Each book keeps getting better and better! You can’t help but love everything about this series. And wow, what an ending to this one. I love it!
love love love