Want a NOOK? Explore Now
Forty minutes later Saiman pulled into a parking lot before a large mansion. We’d climbed north, far into the affluent part of Atlanta, but this house made “affluent” sound like an insult. Too large for its lot, the building sprawled, rising two oversized stories into the night and edging its southern neighbors out of the way. When Atlanta’s rich built new houses, they typically imitated antebellum Southern style, but this monster was decidedly English: red brick, huge windows, dark ivy frosted with new snow, and a balcony. All it needed was a fresh-faced English miss in a lacy dress.
“What’s this?” I eyed the windows that spilled yellow electric light onto the snow.
“Bernard’s.” Saiman sank a world of meaning into the word, which whistled happily over my head.
I glanced at him.
“It’s a party house.”
“I hope for your sake it’s a very tame party.” If he had taken me to some sort of sex orgy, he would fly right through one of those pretty windows, headfirst.
“Not that kind,” he assured me. “It’s a place where Atlanta’s rich and influential gather to be seen and to be social. Technically it’s a restaurant, but the patrons are the real draw, not the food. The atmosphere is informal and most people mingle, drink in hand.”
Oh boy. Rich and influential. Precisely the crowd I wanted to avoid. “And you brought me here?”
“I warned you that you would be on display. Please don’t grind your teeth, Kate. It makes your jaw look more square.”
Saiman parked at the end of the lot.
“No valet?”
“People who patronize Bernard’s rarely relinquish control of their cars.”
I slid Slayer between the seats and opened my car door. Getting out without catching the heel of my shoe on my hem took a moment, and by the time I had accomplished this feat of dexterity, Saiman was there with his arm and his smile.
Why did I agree to this again? Aaah yes. Because I had no choice.
I let Saiman walk me up the steps. Above us a couple on the balcony laughed at something. The woman’s laughter had a slightly hysterical pitch.
We negotiated a vestibule and a luxurious staircase, and Saiman escorted me to the second floor, where a number of small tables dotted a wide room. A smiling hostess in a tiny black dress led us to a table. I sat so I could see the door and surveyed the crowd. Expensive women and expensive men traded pleasantries. A few glanced at us. No hired help. Odd.
“Where are the bodyguards?” I murmured.
“Bernard’s is a sanctuary,” Saiman said. “Violence is strictly prohibited. Should someone break the rule, the entirety of Atlanta’s elite would rise to bring him down.”
In my experience, when the violence broke out, the entirety of Atlanta’s elite scattered and ran for its life.
Saiman ordered cognac, I ordered water. The drinks arrived almost immediately. Saiman picked up his heavy crystal glass, warming the amber liquid it held with his palm. Déjà vu. We’d done this song and dance at the Midnight Games.
“Just so you know: if a rakshasa shows up, I left my sword in the car.”
Saiman’s affable expression gained an edge. “It was a dreadful affair. Thankfully it’s behind us.”
He drained his glass. In seconds he had another, emptied that one as well in a single swallow, and was brought a fresh one.
I leaned forward and nodded at the cognac about to chase its fellows down Saiman’s throat. “What’s the rush?”
“It’s simply sugar.” He shrugged and emptied the glass. “I exerted myself earlier today and need to replenish my resources.”
The waiter flittered by and deposited a huge square bottle of cognac on the table. “With our compliments, sir.”
Saiman nodded and splashed cognac into his glass. His hand shook slightly. Saiman was nervous. I scrutinized the set of his jaw. Not just nervous, but angry. He was psyching himself up for something and fueling it with liquid courage. Not good.
He noticed me looking. Our eyes met. His lips curved in a smile. Unlike the self-satisfied smile of an expert taking pride in his accomplishment, this was the smile of a man looking at a woman and fantasizing.
I gave him my flat stare. Down, boy.
“You look so surprisingly striking, Kate,” Saiman murmured and gulped cognac down like it was water.
“Slow down.”
Saiman leaned forward. “I would buy you a new dress every weekend just for the privilege of sliding it off of you.”
Not in this lifetime. “You’re drunk.”
“Nonsense.” He poured more liquor. “It’s my third glass.”
“Fifth.”
He studied the amber liquid. “Do men often tell you you’re enchanting?”
“No. Men often tell me I hit very hard.” Hint, hint.
“Every woman should be told she’s attractive. Men are seduced by their eyes, women by their ears. I would tell you every night and every morning.”
He was just going and going. “That’s nice.”
“You would like it.” Half of the cognac was already gone. Even with his racehorse-on-crack metabolism, he had to be wasted. “You would like the things I would say. The things I would do.”
“Sure, I would.” Maybe if Mr. Casanova drank himself under the table, I’d get the waiter to help me carry him down to the parking lot and we’d call it a night.
Worry nagged at me. I’d never seen Saiman drunk. Drinking, yes, but not drunk.
I glanced behind me. At the far wall sat a large table full of hors d’oeuvres. If I couldn’t prevent him from drinking, perhaps I could distract him with food.
“Would you mind if I helped myself to some?”
He rose, as expected. Drunk or not, Saiman’s manners were flawless. “Allow me to escort you.”
We strolled to the appetizers. I positioned myself so I could have a better view of the floor. Saiman loitered next to me.
“Aren’t you hungry?” I asked him.
“Not particularly.”
“What about replenishing your resources?”
“Ah yes! Thank you for reminding me.” He raised his empty glass and within seconds a waiter brought him a full one.
Bertram’s six, Kate zero.
I surveyed the food. Directly in front of me was a silver platter filled with tiny fried squares. Each square supported a cube of minced meat, flecked with tiny pieces of green onion, sesame seeds, and what might have been grated ginger.
“Tuna tartare,” Saiman told me. “It’s delectable.”
I picked up a square and popped it into my mouth. Saiman’s gaze snagged on my lips. A few more drinks and he might strip naked and offer to dance with me in the falling snow outside. How the hell did I get myself into these things?
“Do you like it?” he asked.
“It’s go—”
Jim walked through the door, wearing a black cloak and a scowl.
Oh, hell.
He paused in the door, surveying the crowd and radiating menace. In the gathering of Atlanta’s glittering elite, the alpha of Clan Cat stood out like a solid block of darkness. He saw me and reeled back, wide-eyed, looking like a cat who’d been unexpectedly popped on the nose—shocked and indignant at the same time.
I would never live this down.
Behind him, Daniel and Jennifer, the alpha wolf couple, strode through the door. Interesting.
Jim flashed his teeth. A young man quickly detached himself from the opposite end of the room and hurried over.
A bulky form blocked the doorway next. Mahon. The Bear of Atlanta, alpha of Clan Heavy, and the Pack’s executioner. What the hell was going on?
Jim drew the young man aside. Green rolled over his eyes. He said something. The man glanced at me. His eyes widened.
A tall handsome man came through the door, side by side with a leaner, darker man a few years younger and pretty enough to be stunning. Robert and Thomas Lonesco, the alpha rats. More people followed, all with the liquid grace of shapeshifters.
Houston, we have a problem. “We need to leave.”
“Oh no.” Saiman’s eyes flared with a crazy light. “No, we must stay.”
Jim continued his fierce chewing-out. It was a very one-sided conversation.
A plump middle-aged woman stepped through the door next, registered me, and pursed her lips. Aunt B, the alpha of the boudas. Saiman had dragged me into a restaurant where the Pack Council apparently had dinner. Alphas from every clan were in attendance . . .
My ears caught a voice I knew very well. I couldn’t have possibly heard it all the way from across the room, but I sensed it all the same. My fingers turned ice-cold.
A familiar muscular figure walked through the door.
Curran.
He turned his blond head. Gray eyes looked at me.
Time stopped.
The floor dropped down from under my feet and I floated, disconnected, seeing only him. For a second he looked as if he’d been slapped.
He thought I’d rejected him.
Curran’s gaze shifted to Saiman. Molten gold flooded his irises, burning off all reason and turning it into rage. Shit.
Jim said something at Curran’s side, then said something else.
Curran gave no indication he heard him.
He wore khakis, a black turtleneck, and a leather jacket. For him, that was the equivalent of formal wear. He must’ve come here for some special occasion. Maybe he wouldn’t rip Saiman to pieces in public. Maybe pigs would fly.
Next to me, Saiman smiled. “We all want what we can’t have, Kate. I want you, you want love, and he wants to break my neck.”
Dear God. The fool had actually orchestrated the whole thing. I was on display for Curran’s benefit. I opened my mouth but words failed to come out.
“He can do nothing here.” Saiman sipped from his glass. “After the Red Stalker affair, the People and the Pack instituted a monthly rendezvous held here in neutral territory, to keep the lines of communication open and discuss business. Any deviation from the protocol would mean war. He can’t move a finger out of line.”
Jim was still talking, but Curran wasn’t listening. He was looking at us with that unblinking focused stare.
I finally forced my voice to work. “You brought me here to humiliate the Beast Lord? Are you out of your mind?”
An ugly grimace skewed Saiman’s features. The civilized mask slid off his face. His voice was a rough snarl. “Would you like to know what humiliation is? Humiliation is being forced to sit quietly and mind your manners sandwiched between two brutish animals at your own venue. Humiliation is being told when to leave and when to arrive, to be confined to your quarters, and to have claws on your neck at the slightest deviation from your orders. That’s what he did to me at the Midnight Games.”
Saiman had spent the tournament sitting between Aunt B and Mahon. So that’s what this was all about. His towering arrogance couldn’t take it. He must’ve seethed for weeks, and I had played right into it. That’s why he’d drunk his weight in booze. Curran was pressurized violence and Saiman had expected a confrontation.
“Of course, you know that he wants you.” Saiman grinned, a savage bearing of teeth.
“He can hear you.” Shapeshifter hearing surpassed human, and Curran had to be straining every nerve to catch our voices.
“I want him to hear. I’m an expert at lust and he lusts after you. He’s possessive. He would’ve tried to claim you and you must’ve rejected him the way you had rejected me; otherwise you wouldn’t be available to join me here. I wanted him to see it. To drink it in. I have you and he doesn’t.”
Idiot. “Saiman, be quiet.”
Curran’s face was unreadable.
Saiman bent toward me. “Let me tell you about love. I once seduced a bride and a groom on their wedding night. I had him before the reception and her afterward. I did it solely for fun, to see if I could do it. Two people at the start of their new life together, having just promised to forsake all others. If that’s not proof of the impermanence of love, what is?”
Curran graduated to a full alpha stare. It was the primeval, merciless glare of a predator sighting his prey. It slammed my senses. I stared right back into the golden irises. Bring it. I have a lot of pent-up aggression I saved just for you.
Aunt B turned to the two rats, said something with a smile, and together they walked into the side room marked PRIVATE PARTY. One by one the alphas followed her.
Saiman laughed softly. “We aren’t without similarities, Curran and I. We both fall prey to lust. We both guard our pride and suffer from jealousy. We both employ our resources to get what we want: I use my wealth and my body and he uses his position of power. You say I want you only because you refused me. He wants you for the same reason. I remember when he became Beast Lord. The boy king, the perpetual adolescent, suddenly at the head of the food chain, granted access to hundreds of women who can’t say no. Do you think he forces them into his bed? He had to have done it at least a few times.”
A muscle jerked in Curran’s face.
At the corner Jim nodded, and a couple on our left and the recipient of Jim’s chewing-out followed the Pack Council. Jim had pulled his people in. They were giving Curran a clean playing field. No Pack witnesses, so no shapeshifter could be forced to testify against the Beast Lord. Nice.
Curran’s eyes promised murder. I could practically see the headline: ORDER’S CONSULTANT TORN APART BY BEAST LORD IN EXCLUSIVE NORTHSIDE RESTAURANT. I had to keep Saiman alive. I needed him to help me with my petition, and I had extended the Order’s protection to him when I agreed to this idiotic date.
I had no sword, no needles, nothing.
Saiman signaled for a new drink. “There is only one difference between us. The Beast Lord will lie to you. He’ll tell you he loves you, that you’ll always be the only one, that he’ll sacrifice everything to be with you and keep you safe. I won’t lie to you. I won’t make promises I can’t keep. Honesty, Kate. I offer honesty.”
How could a man so smart be so stupid? It was like he couldn’t stop himself. He’d gone beyond the point of reason. “Saiman, shut the hell up.”
“You’re all mine tonight. Kiss me, Kate. Let me nuzzle your neck. I bet it would send him over the edge.”
Saiman reached for me. I sidestepped.
Something snapped in Curran’s eyes. He started toward us, moving in an unhurried, deliberate fashion, his gaze fixed on Saiman.
If Curran got his hands on him, he’d kill him. I had seconds to prevent it.
I stepped in front of Saiman. “Stay behind me.”
“He won’t hurt me. Not here. It would mean repercussions.”
“He doesn’t care.” Saiman knew that society operated by certain rules, and as long as he stuck to those rules, he would be safe and respected. No emotion ever touched him deep enough to contemplate breaking those rules. He couldn’t fathom the fact that Curran could throw everything out the window just for the chance to grip Saiman’s throat.
Curran wove his way between the tables. I started toward him. Weapon. I needed a weapon. On my right a couple was laughing at the table, a mostly empty bottle of wine sitting on the white tablecloth next to them. I swiped the bottle and kept moving.
Curran’s eyes shone.
I showed him the bottle. You can’t have Saiman. I’m guarding him.
He picked up speed. I don’t care.
I hefted the bottle and picked a spot between two tables. Fine. Keep coming. You wanted to talk. We’ll talk.
Anonymous
Posted May 19, 2010
Like other reviewers I happened accross the first book on a recommendation. I read it in one sitting and went to purchase the next two immediately. This series just keeps getting better and better each book. There are so few authors that can maintain this momentum. What I like best is the snippits of humor thrown in. They all flow with the story and never feel forced. It helps build the characters. I also really like the basis of this story with the world fluctuating between technology and magic driven.
On to Magic Bleeds - this story was amazing. I really liked how the story progressed and without giving anything away what measures Kate used to overcome her own fears and meet the opponent in this book. While other authors like to cash in on the romantic tension between two main characters and never resolve anything (hello Evanovich), I was glad to see the Andrews team not only gives us some resolution but makes us realize it isn't the end but just a doorway into all new possibilities. The book also met my expectations for the one liners and humor I have come to expect.
12 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I fell into the Kate Daniels series late last year while perusing a gossip blog site. I wasn't expecting too much so I just purchased the first one. Midway through it, I grabbed the remainder of the series. These books rocketed to the top of my all time favorite series. I'm pretty picky about the types of books I enjoy reading. For example, if it involves a love triangle, I'm out. If the hero/heroine hops from bed to bed, I'm out. See where I'm going with this?
Anyways, onto Magic Bleeds. It did not disappoint. The dialogue, plot, relationship development, etc. all satisfied me and then some! Most authors get stuck in this repetitive cycle book after book. Usually they are strong the first few books and then it starts to go downhill. But with Andrews, she continues forward with her character development and doesn't lock her into one mode and one mode only. It's a refreshing change from other authors whose characters I started to despise like Sookie Stackhouse and Anita Blake. Bottom line: Read the book, the series, and the Edge series. You'll love it!
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Magic Bleeds will blow you away! I had read the first chapters from the book on Ilona Andrew's website and I thought the book was going to go in a different direction than it did but it did not disappoint. I was very pleased with the way the book was because it kept me guessing and worrying about the well-being of my favorite characters! There are some returning characters in this book like Jim, Andrea, Aunt B (just to name a few) and a lot of new characters as well. The emotions displayed between Kate and Curran seem realistic and it was easy to get caught up in their emotional whirlwind. I thought the length of this book was fitting because it was longer than the other Kate Daniels books giving the author time to develop the characters and the plot while tying up some loose ends. The action in this book was awesome and Kate really gets into her history. The book also goes somewhat into Curran's background but it mostly focuses on Kate's family history. I was surprised to read about the family member that presents themselves in this novel because I just assumed it would be Kate's dad. Have a great time reading this book and make sure you give yourself a full day to read it because you won't put it down!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I strongly recommend you read the previous books in the series (Magic Bites, Magic Burns and Magic Strikes, short story in the anthology Must Love Hellhounds Magic Mourns ) prior to reading this book.
Kate Daniels is sent to a local watering-hole, the Steel Horse, to investigate what she thinks will be a simple conflict but instead stumbles onto a scene that is like no other. Magic is being used to spread festering sickness on the scale of Biblical proportions.
For the Kate and Curran fans this is the book we've all been waiting for. This book is pure Kate and Curran candy and I greedily devoured it! The story completely took hold and I hung on to every word. This installment was exciting, fresh and creative and I love the direction the series is heading. Knowing that there might be just a couple more Kate Daniels books has me sad already.
I highly recommend this book to fellow dark urban fantasy readers and anxiously await the next book due out in 2011 and the short story in DARK AND STORMY NIGHTS due out 7/20/10. I also recommend- Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between by J.A. Saare, B&N doesn't carry this book, try Amazon for it.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.dorko
Posted May 16, 2010
I won't give away any plot details since in most places this book hasn't been released but I can say that this book was worth the wait. I couldn't believe it when I saw that bn.com was shipping it! I immediately ordered it and once it arrived, I devoured it. I'm reading it for the second time right now and plan to re-read the whole series soon! Ilona Andrews, you rock!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Won ARC from Ilona and Gordon's Website. Thank you so much for the opportunity.
I'm still sort of reeling at the moment.
Magic Bleeds is an awesome addition to the Kate Daniels Series. I am sooo gonna have to read it again in the next few days. There is soooo much that happens!!!
The plot was very surprising, and wasn't what I had thought it was going to be at all! I was very impressed with how close to the vest Ilona and Gordon kept the plot from the fans
Ilona and Gordon sure know how to bring it! The writing is strong, It is compelling from start to finish. I didn't put it down once I started reading it. (except for a few min at supper time and quite frankly that was torture b/c it was a major part!!!) But a mom has to feed her cubs and mate :D
I will write a more in depth review when the release date approaches. I don't want to risk ruining it for anyone. But for sure put this on your must read list for 2010!!!
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 23, 2010
I Also Recommend:
I totally loved this 4th book in the series. Compared to the others. I thought there was more depth of the characters. You got more of how they each were feeling and a better understanding of them. Kate continues to be sassy, sarcastic, witty and funny. Sometimes all at the same time. There were parts I laughed, some I cried. I love that how supportive some of the other characters were. Curran.... what more is there to say. I love Curran! He is a strong man very masculine but can be open, funny, and merciful. Julie is a character I love. Andrea really surprised me in this book among many other characters. I like the plot of this book it was fast paced with a well mix of action, humor, romance, and suspense.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 22, 2010
I Also Recommend:
After reading some snippits of this book I was scared I wouldn't like it. After I started reading I found that I not only liked it but I couldn't put it down. Magic bleeds is a great continuation to the Kate series.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Magic Bleeds is yet another example in this series of how fun it can be to read an extremely well written urban fantasy. There's so much right with this novel. It's possible to read these novels out of order, but you'll get the full effect of all the different plots and sub plots if you read them as they were written - in order. We get to see a bit of Kate's awkwardly evolving friendships - she never did learn how to have friends, and doesn't know how a friendship really works. Her relationship with Curran remains explosively satisfying to read. Kate Daniels also remains satisfyingly assertive and aggressive.
While each of the books in the Kate Daniels series seems to be better than the last book, I don't think that I would be able to pick a favorite out of them all. There's not many series that I can say I absolutely enjoyed every aspect of each book. There's always at least one book that I don't like as much as the others, but not so with this series.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I bought this book.
Kate Daniels #4
Like most books this deep into a series I have to start with a disclaimer: DO NOT start this series here. Magic Bleeds is the fourth in the series, and like most series it has a point where the world and characters are fairly well established and the story start moving on with the readers as friends and close relatives rather than as an audience. For the Kate Daniel series, Magic Bleeds is that book.
The Kate books are set in a post apocalyptic-ish Atlanta where tech and magic are at war for dominance over reality. By this point "tech" being up and "magic" being up, as well as the characters and the monster archetypes (such as vampires being "horses" for necromancers and werecritters being unified under one ruler in a feudal-like system of clans) should be familiar for readers because Andrews is moving on to expand, rather than explain.
The book opens with Kate following through on a bet she lost (that entails her cooking a meal and serving it in lingerie to the Beast Lord--Curran). Except Curran stands her up, which is a massive blow to Kate, emotionally, since she was raised to never get close to anyone, and had let Curran in anyway. This directly sets up the plot for plenty of angst, however Andrews backs up Kate's fear of trusting people with a big whopping dose of the family from Hell. Formerly Jesse Custer, main character of the Preacher graphic novel series, held the title of worst family ever (in my reading experience). But Kate's family is legendary, as in actual legends, like the kind that have parents swallowing children out of jealousy and full grow adults being born from each others' heads.
If Kate's destiny and relatives aren't enough to keep her from getting attached, the fact that someone in Atlanta is targeting the strongest magic users in the city and turning their bodies into sentient, aggressive, living diseases (as in, these disease will literally chase you down to infect you) and appears to be outright after the shapeshifters, making Kate's angst over being attached to the beast clans an even harder decision.
Character progression is what this series is about, possibly even more than the mysteries and thrill of each book itself. Kate is the cold, vicious killer that we know isn't as heartless as she seems. It's hard not to get drawn in, especially when on an emotional level we want to see Kate conquer the world by allowing herself to be open and passionate and a real person instead of a flat killer.
Engaging, exciting, sensual and darkly hilarious, Magic Bleeds is a wholly satisfying read with a hint of Arthurian legend in a backdrop of murder, magic and werewolves. If you love paranormals and adventure this series is not to be missed.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 13, 2010
I Also Recommend:
It took everything I had not to call in sick so I could finish reading. If this is you first book in this series, do yourself a favor and start from the beginning. The character development through out the series should not be missed. I love Kate, and how much more maturity, and restraint she develops in each new book. I also love that she gives her all to every fight she has emotional and physical, and deals with the broken bones later. Ilona Andrews is an amazing writer both series she has are amazing. And though it killing me not to beg for the next book to come quicker, i'd rather wait and have it live up to my growing expectation. I would love to see this in a tv series only if they don't lose Kate's inner voice.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Magic Bleeds opens with what has to be the best prologue of all time - it's that good. There is positively no contest here folks. In the interest of not becoming all spoiler-y, I won't go into details, but just know that after the dust settles, we are left with one mad Kate. Mad with a capital M. And it would be safe to assume that most of that barely controlled animosity is directed firmly at His Fuzziness, The Beast Lord, Curran. Fortunately for us, Kate isn't like the rest of world when she's furious. She's a teeny bit more dangerous since she never goes anywhere without her enchanted sword, Slayer, strapped to her back. That would add a little bit of swagger to any girl's stride. So Kate's already seeing red when the Order calls upon her to investigate a bar fight turned deadly. Upon her arrival, Kate finds not only an entire bar of spent brawlers who have no idea why they began fighting in the first place, but a man staked to a telephone pole, crawling with what appears to be a fast-multiplying, deadly disease. Kate contains the disease (barely) but then finds herself up against all sorts of obstacles upon discovering that the victim was a shapeshifter and therefore part of Curran's territory. Not someone she really wants to deal with at the moment. But as the plague-spreading culprit strikes again and again, Kate realizes she's gonna have to call in every favor and rely upon every weapon in her arsenal before this newest enemy can wreck complete destruction on the city of Atlanta. And that means working together with the Order, the Guild, the People, and most importantly the Pack to control this centuries-old evil from destroying everything Kate holds close.
I can feel myself starting to grin like a idiot right now because I've just got to say it: This. Book. Is. Awesome. And then some. Like if Awesome and Mind-Blowing went and had a love child it would be called Magic Bleeds. It's been obvious since day one that husband and wife writer duo Ilona Andrews has had a plan in store for Kate (and us), but "Magic Bleeds" just went and and blew all my expectations right out of the park.
Weighing in as one of my top picks of 2009, "Magic Strikes" set the bar pretty dang high as far as impressive books go: we finally got to know Kate's Big Secret and saw some very nice relationship development between her and Curran (roar). I wasn't sure it would be possible but it's like "Magic Bleeds" took those eye-popping elements and then ramped up the intensity, the action, and the sizzle (whoa baby) one-hundred fold. Magic Bleeds simply delivers. And dang it, but every time I'm enjoying watching Kate kick some serious butt, I end up forgetting just how frightfully brilliant she is. The girl is a total sword-swinging killing machine; too often taken for a simple mercenary with nothing much going on upstairs. Not so. Kate is infinitely more capable - and deadly. Sometimes it's hard to remember that not only has Kate been training as a warrior since age two (or earlier), she's also been getting a comprehensive education in mythology, history, and magic at the same time. It's not until she rattles off the minutiae of some obscure, ancient belief system at the drop of a hat to stunned audiences that I remind myself to pick my jaw up off the floor and just turn the page. She's just that good and I cannot even begin to explain how skillfully her story has been crafted. It's okay, we all want to be Kate. Go ahead and adm
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Arancha
Posted May 19, 2010
I was lucky to find Ilona Andrews and their Kate Daniels while I was trapped in an airport and was looking for something to read. I bought Magic Bites and a new world opened to me. I read the book while I traveled to my destination, and once there, first thing I did was to buy the other two books. Loved them!!
I was resigned to have to wait until June to be able to read the continuation of the story, but here is my surprise when I saw that B&N was sending the pre-ordered books early. I didn't think it twice, and I ordered my copy and added express delivery to it to get it sooner ... and it was worth every penny!!.
Magic Bleeds captured me from the very first page, the plot is surprising, dialogues witty, battles are thrilling and sometimes right down scary. There is friendship, love, betrayal, death. You laugh, and you cry. And when the end of the book comes, you just keep asking for more. How am I going to be able to wait until the next book comes?.
If the first three books were good, this one is even better ... I absolutely loved it!!.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Kate Daniels pays her lost bet to the Beast Lord Curran with a meal she prepares. However, when he fails to collect, Kate becomes outraged by his affront and humiliated as she wanted to see him. Fuming, she declares war on Curran; leading to not talking, emailing or twittering one another.
However, a truce is needed when a "Steel Mary" plague carrier arrives in Atlanta planning to kill shapeshifters; collateral damage of the innocent being acceptable. The Order of Merciful Aid assigns Kate to hunt down the lethal Steel Mary using whatever force is necessary to end the deadly plague. However, as Kate, with Curran's reluctant help, closes in on the deadly visitor, she fears she knows who macabre murdering Mary is.
The latest marvelous "Magic" urban fantasy (see Magic Bites, Magic Burns, and Magic Strikes) is a terrific entry filled with a deadly dangerous inquiry balanced by jocular domestic pandemonium. Kate is kissable and killable as she works the Steel Mary plague case as well as her personal hostility with Curran. She and readers will wonder which side is the more dangerous combat to the heroine as Ilona Andrews provides another powerful Magical Mystery Tour of Atlanta.
Harriet Klausner
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 23, 2013
Okay. So how do you find the PolyJuice potion.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 20, 2013
.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.breezembhm
Posted February 9, 2013
Love both series by these authors!! The Edge series and Kate Daniels series!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 29, 2013
Hey, Troll. I think their jimmies are rustled.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 29, 2013
Haha trolololo
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 29, 2013
*puts forehead against latas giving her all his power*
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren't for the magic. When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose.Kate Daniels works for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, officially as a liaison with the mercenary guild. Unofficially, she cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to handle-especially if they involve Atlanta's shapeshifting ...