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hazelgirl21's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
bree_h_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I think I would die of shock if I didn’t enjoy a book in this series. From the moment the book started I was reminded of why Magic Bites appealed to me so much.
To start, Graphic Audio always does a great job. It adds so much to the story and really elevates my enjoyment. Especially as an audiodrama fan. These productions really help me get invested and keep focus.
The consistency of the characters and world building was also wonderful. I loved seeing characters from Magic Bites and hearing all the tidbits dropped again as reminders of past events. This consistency also helped my OTP, Currin and Kate. I was FERAL for them. I need them together now. Yesterday, even.
I also loved Kate’s character and growth in this book. Her dynamic with Julie especially was adorable. I was so delighted every time she called Kate her kid. I’m dying to see how that relationship develops. This book also had a wonderful insight into the greater mystery of her past and magic.
Also the way this book wove mythology and folklore into the plot was so good. Every reference I got made me so excited. Despite the variety of cultures and stories, everything fit so well together.
However, despite everything I loved, there were some issues that just barely knocked the book from 5 stars.
The prose were generally very repetitive and it took me out of the story a little. I don’t remember if it was a problem I had with the last book, but it’s possible. This issue in part carried over to the fight scenes as well. It felt clunky and didn’t move as quickly as I would have liked. There was also Bran’s ending. It was cliche and that disappointed me a little, but it wasn’t an awful ending. Those things aside, the only other issue was my main problems with Currin, as mentioned in my book one review. He’s just too “Alpha Male” at times and it throws me a little.
Overall an absolutely amazing book, I’m dying to continue the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcohol
alysereadsbooks's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Another fun fantasy novel. I preferred the first book, but I am enjoying the series and excited to read more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
rorikae's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
‘Magic Burns’ by Ilona Andrews is the second installment in the Kate Daniels series.
This installment further delves into the world first introduced in Magic Bites. Kate discovers a young girl who has lost her mother. While attempting to help her locate her mother, Kate discovers that a flare is imminent and that gods are gearing up to take advantage of the flare to manifest and wage war.
In this second installment, I feel that the world of Kate Daniels is really coming into focus. We get to spend more time with Kate and the rest of the cast of characters that were first introduced in the initial installment. Their characters are coming into better focus as well as the world. I can already tell that this series is likely going to thrive in its worldbuilding and the character growth that happens over multiple books. The first book made me interested, but I can definitely feel my investment in the series and the characters growing in this second installment. I’m excited to continue to book three.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, and War
wickedgrumpy's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
And so I continue my re-read of the series.
It's surprising how much a long series can blend into itself and warp when you think things happen. This is furthered by the offshoots and novellas for different POVs. This time around I'm going to try reading everything in chronological order rather than publication order.
It's surprising how much a long series can blend into itself and warp when you think things happen. This is furthered by the offshoots and novellas for different POVs. This time around I'm going to try reading everything in chronological order rather than publication order.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
kristen1994's review
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
naturally's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
like it's predecessor, magic burns is a fantastic introduction to the world of kate of daniels. what makes this second instalment a little better is the fact that we're provided with a detailed explanation about how/why there is a tech-magic tug of war. additionally, ilona andrews masterfully weaves a plotline rich in Celtic mythology.
we meet an array of great supporting characters in magic burns. it seems that my previous wish - for kate have friendships with other female characters - has been granted twofold. kates scenes with julie were VERY adorable, and kate has a strong ally in andrea. everyone's character development was top-notch - even bran's. i hated him at the beginning and tbh throughout, but his arc was well done.
i like that we peeled back kate's layers a little bit, and more details about her heritage were hinted at but not spelt outright. she's a tough cookie to crack. so is curran. their last scene together singlehandedly cured my depression, ended a drought, made my crops grow, improved my grades, cleared my skin, and made my lifespan lengthen considerably <3
we meet an array of great supporting characters in magic burns. it seems that my previous wish - for kate have friendships with other female characters - has been granted twofold. kates scenes with julie were VERY adorable, and kate has a strong ally in andrea. everyone's character development was top-notch - even bran's. i hated him at the beginning and tbh throughout, but his arc was well done.
i like that we peeled back kate's layers a little bit, and more details about her heritage were hinted at but not spelt outright. she's a tough cookie to crack. so is curran. their last scene together singlehandedly cured my depression, ended a drought, made my crops grow, improved my grades, cleared my skin, and made my lifespan lengthen considerably <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
relin's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I love this series and the world, I've reread this so many times over the years. Always a joy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Racism, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, and Outing
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Torture
Racism is fantasy racism where a new group of people are being discriminated against, just in case that helps. Animal deaths - one off screen but discussed, one on screen but magical animal.beccaand's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Kidnapping
Minor: Child abuse, Rape, and Death of parent
rbash2391's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Liking this series more as I go. I am interested in the overarcing character development that I'm sure we will see as the series progresses. I'm heavily invested in the multi-book, slow burn romance, despite my usual aversion to this trope. I also hardly enjoy procedurals, but this being a shapeshifter, vampire, magical beings, urban fantasy makes the cop/mercenary stuff fine for me. Some of the plot stuff can be confusing, especially the Celtic lore in this book in particular. I try not to dwell on those details too much and am just along for the ride with the extremely sarcastic, badass FMC slicing dudes apart with her magic sword.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abandonment and Alcohol
Minor: Gun violence, Rape, and Cannibalism