Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews

Kate and Curran are worried about their Pack's children. Too many of them are going Loup. There is a cure in Europe but the Europeans aren't sharing. Well, unless the American Beasts come and protect a woman who is being used as a pawn by several European shifter factions. She's pregnant by two men (it happens) and which ever twin is born first will inherit a good chunk of land.

This is going to be a slog anyway but then it turns out that Kate's father's right hand, Hugh D'Ambry, is hosting the entire mess.

I liked this one, but it did make me sad in places,which is fine but I'm not a good place in my life to deal with the deaths of even fictional characters. (Even on re-read, this one hurts.)

Three and a half stars

Follows Magic Slays

Followed by Magic Breaks

This book came out July 30th, 2013

Borrowed as ebook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

Kate is no longer working for the Order; she's set out on her own. She's not had any clients so far but then there's an unmanned vampire, the PAD is in her yard, and all hell is breaking loose. Her best friend Andrea has just showed up after eight weeks of no word and Kate finally gets her first client. And then she gets two new employees (Derrick and a 15-year-old Bouda). And she is going to get ready to go to battle (again). Just in time for her adopted daughter Julie to show up.

Lots of action in this book but I wish we had seen more character development. Still a good book in the series.

Three stars

Follows Magic Bleeds

Followed by Magic Rises

This book came out April 25th, 2011

Hard copy borrowed from library

Opinions are my own

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

It's been 8 weeks since Curran told Kate that he wanted to have a naked dinner with her. So, the fact that he didn't show up is causing her some consternation. When he won't even come to the phone, she's pissed.
Three weeks later, she's called to the Steel Horse, a bar on the border of the necromancer/shifter areas. A shapeshifter has been infected with disease. And more impossible things are happening. Including Kate picking up a dog and meeting family she didn't really know she had.
A good book that really moved a lot of storylines ahead quite a bit. I'm looking forward to listening to the next one.

Four stars

Follows Magic Strikes

Followed by Magic Bleeds

This book came out May 25th, 2010

Borrowed as an audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews

Kate is working as a contractor for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid. But she's distracted by the barely-legal Midnight Games that leave her beast friend Derek on the edge of death. She becomes the enemy of a team determined to win the games, the Reapers who are also determined to wipe out all half-breeds.
This is the book where we learn more about Kate's father as well.
I think this would be better read than listened too but that was my easiest option and the narrator is good so why mess with it?

Three stars

Follows Magic Burns

Followed by Magic Bleeds

This book came out March 31st, 2009

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

 This book was a little easier to follow as an audiobook than the first one. Kate is trying to retrieve some maps for the Pack when her colleague is killed. That leads her into an investigation of trying to find the mother of a 13-year-old girl who has a rare power and the coven of witches that disappeared with her mother. She'll have to face the Oracles, deal with The Shepherd, and defeat Morrigan herself in order to survive. Also involved, Ghastek, the man who controls vampires, Derek, Kate's blood-bound werewolf friend, and Curran, the leader of the Pack. All while the magic seems to be heading for a flare...
Favorite line? "Asshole innocent bystanders" Ha!

Three and a half stars

Follows Magic Bites

Followed by Magic Strikes

This book came out April 1st, 2008

Borrowed as a hard copy from the library

Opinions are my own

Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews

The Smart Bitches podcast recommended this book as being better than the Dresden Files.
Kate Daniels doesn't belong to the Order but when her guardian is killed, she's pulled into the investigation. She's not official but at least she's involved. She'll encounter vampires, shifters, and an "Unpire" (maybe, not sure on spelling since I was listening) before the book is over.
This was a little hard to keep up with on audio but I enjoyed it as much the second time I listened.

Kate Daniels #1

Three stars
This book came out March 29th, 2009
Followed by Magic Burns
Borrowed as an audiobook from Libby
Opinions are my own

Reread March 2024