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dellydoos's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Okay, so I read this in a night. I think I've found my new obsession.
What's becoming increasingly evident in these novels is that, while they are undeniably plot-driven, the characters are gradually developing deeper relationships and growing more complex with each installment. Take Kate, for instance; she remains an absolute joy to read about, but as a reader, you're left in the dark about much of her backstory. The series cleverly parcels out morsels of her upbringing and the intricacies of her tortured past, building a captivating sense of mystery as the narrative unfolds. Personally, I'm loving the gradual revelation, it's keeping me hooked book after book. However, for those seeking the full story right from book one, they might find themselves perhaps teased, as the series unfolds its secrets to only loyalists who stay with the series.
The other thing that gets easier to understand is the world building. In the first book, it was a really strange concept to get your head around, that this is a modern city with fantasy creatures- but the city has fallen into disrepair since the magic switch occurred years ago... and now all these technologies; water-powered cars, faelaterns and m-scanners run the city. It was a lot in the first book. But as the series progresses, the once perplexing landscape becomes more familiar, offering a deeper connection and context to the intricate blend of magic and technology.
Yet, my lone grievance lies in the writing's simplicity. The lack of detailed descriptions leaves me yearning for more answers regarding the plot's mysteries and the motivations of certain characters. The abrupt endings, occurring swiftly after the climax, leave loose ends dangling, a narrative choice that I'm hoping gets answered in following books.
But so far I'm having the time of my life reading this series. The writing, whilst simple and sometimes lacking detailed description, has just the funniest and sarcastic tone. Kate's inner monologue as me cackling, she's just a delight. And the romance is just delicious, and so far no one's even gotten together! Perfection, this means I won't get bored by book 3.
Onwards! 4/5 stars.
What's becoming increasingly evident in these novels is that, while they are undeniably plot-driven, the characters are gradually developing deeper relationships and growing more complex with each installment. Take Kate, for instance; she remains an absolute joy to read about, but as a reader, you're left in the dark about much of her backstory. The series cleverly parcels out morsels of her upbringing and the intricacies of her tortured past, building a captivating sense of mystery as the narrative unfolds. Personally, I'm loving the gradual revelation, it's keeping me hooked book after book. However, for those seeking the full story right from book one, they might find themselves perhaps teased, as the series unfolds its secrets to only loyalists who stay with the series.
The other thing that gets easier to understand is the world building. In the first book, it was a really strange concept to get your head around, that this is a modern city with fantasy creatures- but the city has fallen into disrepair since the magic switch occurred years ago... and now all these technologies; water-powered cars, faelaterns and m-scanners run the city. It was a lot in the first book. But as the series progresses, the once perplexing landscape becomes more familiar, offering a deeper connection and context to the intricate blend of magic and technology.
Yet, my lone grievance lies in the writing's simplicity. The lack of detailed descriptions leaves me yearning for more answers regarding the plot's mysteries and the motivations of certain characters. The abrupt endings, occurring swiftly after the climax, leave loose ends dangling, a narrative choice that I'm hoping gets answered in following books.
But so far I'm having the time of my life reading this series. The writing, whilst simple and sometimes lacking detailed description, has just the funniest and sarcastic tone. Kate's inner monologue as me cackling, she's just a delight. And the romance is just delicious, and so far no one's even gotten together! Perfection, this means I won't get bored by book 3.
Onwards! 4/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
renpuspita's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
First read review: 4 stars
Second read review: 4,25 stars
Second read review:
Reading my first read review, wow the secondhand embarrassment is pretty real, lol.
So, things that I appreciate or notice during the re-read (warning, I'll write some spoilers too):
1. The writing quality have a huge improvement compared to Magic Bites. I can relate more to the characters, especially Kate. Her background also get revealed bit by bit
2. In the first read I got annoyed by Julie. While in the re-read, sigh, Julie is a child, a teenager to be exact. Teenager supposed to be annoying. Heck, I find myself irritated more toward Red compared to Julie. Julie is a brat, yes, but she was lost and Red manipulate her. I wholeheartedly support Kate to kill Red if they cross path again
3. I find that the part when Julie found out that her mother get eaten by the sea demon, the scene feel anticlimatic. Is it happen off screen? Since the disappearance of Julie's mother is the driving force that make the story unfold, I'm kinda disappointed with the way IA write about Julie's mother demise
4. I feel like Bran can be a hard contender for Curran in order to win Kate's affections. Sad about his fate in the end, he look like a good match with Kate compared to Crest in book 1. I also like that Bran's power kinda derived from the legend of Cu Chulainn. Sadly, he's not Cu himself. Like, it will be MOOOORE interesting if Bran is really Cu Chulainn, just sayin'
5. Speaking about Crest, I feel like the way he written is more fleshed out compared to book 1 and that's funny because he didn't make appearance at all in book 2. I know that for sure that he's not compatible with Kate and it's final
6. The soup scene. Why I miss it in the first read? The soup scene between Curran and Kate is a game-changing for their relationship. While Kate and Curran still irritate each other much, the soup scene indicated that the Beast Lord was falling in love first, lol. He fell first, dear reader! Although he did a shitty job to show it with he being Pack's alpha and all that. The scene when Aunt B, Andrea and Raphael recognize the meaning behind Curran's act and tell Kate is hilarious as hell.
7. I still don't get why the Formorians want Julie died. I have read the book twice and still have no idea, lol. What did I miss? Anyway, while I find it weird that Kate is pretty gung-ho to ensure Julie's safety while they are basically stranger and you know that Julie can be ungrateful brat, I realize that Kate's feeling to Julie maybe influenced by when Voron act as her stepfather and how Greg become her guardian when Voron died. Maybe, just maybe, Kate is seeing herself in Julie and she don't want Julie end up like hers.
8. Derek and Julie, hmm, still in early phase and they are both children although Derek is already 18. The metal rose scene is nice, though
9. With the way of the culprit act in book 1 sinceBono, the upir was once Ghastek's journeyman , it's surprising to see Ghastek act nonchalant with Kate. Like, umm, he didn't feel guilty at all?
See..I'm glad that I give a chance for Magic Bites and the second read of Magic Burns also make me appreciate the book more. Now, onward to re-read Magic Strikes, one of the book that make me read anything that IA write in the future and become their BDH aka Book Devouring Horde.
First read review
Ahhhh, I like this one than book #1, Magic Bites! I guess, that's what happen for all Ilona Andrews's books, at last for me. So hard to enjoy the first book of their series (even I still like On The Edge from Edge series), but the next book become better. What I love more is how the author put Celtic Myth into this. I like, no more likely love that myth! I guess, because there was so many book that put Greek and Norse myth in their books, it become boriiiiing. And so few books have Celt myth on it (even now, it become many. And nope, I will not count Fae. I want to read about Celt Gods and Goddesses). Beside Celt, they also have Hekate from Greek pantheon (but as Ilona Andrews mention in this book, Hekate also from Asia). The fact that Oracle Witch are 3 people that represent Hekate make me.. what I can describe... umm, squeal! Heheheh :P
Yep, I love myth and folklore, that's why I like Magic Burns more that it predecessor. But, I also love Kate. Her sarcasm, dry humor,her dark past (I know kinda guess, who her real father was), her responsibility to Julie. Talk about Julie, what with that kid, huh? Offer her virginity to Red, just because she love him. Blech! She still 13 years old. And Red just 15. I don't like Julie, she's an irritating child. Kate and Curran fight so hard to save her from Fomorians who want she died, and all she cared were about her feeling to Red, especially when that little bastard (uhm, sorry) left her. What a spoiled child!
Curran, hmm Curran. I'm soooo frustated to see his relationship to Kate. I understand that he somehow care for Kate, and who know maybe he plan to court her. But, ugh, at last just one kiss please? Poor Kate doesn't get laid for almost 2 years, her hormones go overload. Just one kiss is enough, no hanky panky is okay *sobs*. The last scene between Kate and Curran make me giddy, lol!
Okay, this review more like me ranting and gushing anyway :P. I'm glad I can enjoy this series now. And I can read the rest of the books very slowly. Book #6, Magic Rises will be released in July. That's mean I can read one book in a month. Slow of course, but at last I will not feel tortured while wait for Magic Rises to be published.
Second read review: 4,25 stars
Second read review:
Reading my first read review, wow the secondhand embarrassment is pretty real, lol.
So, things that I appreciate or notice during the re-read (warning, I'll write some spoilers too):
1. The writing quality have a huge improvement compared to Magic Bites. I can relate more to the characters, especially Kate. Her background also get revealed bit by bit
2. In the first read I got annoyed by Julie. While in the re-read, sigh, Julie is a child, a teenager to be exact. Teenager supposed to be annoying. Heck, I find myself irritated more toward Red compared to Julie. Julie is a brat, yes, but she was lost and Red manipulate her. I wholeheartedly support Kate to kill Red if they cross path again
3. I find that the part when Julie f
4. I feel like Bran can be a hard contender for Curran in order to win Kate's affections. Sad about his fate in the end, he look like a good match with Kate compared to Crest in book 1. I also like that Bran's power kinda derived from the legend of Cu Chulainn. Sadly, he's not Cu himself. Like, it will be MOOOORE interesting if Bran is really Cu Chulainn, just sayin'
5. Speaking about Crest, I feel like the way he written is more fleshed out compared to book 1 and that's funny because he didn't make appearance at all in book 2. I know that for sure that he's not compatible with Kate and it's final
6. The soup scene. Why I miss it in the first read? The soup scene between Curran and Kate is a game-changing for their relationship. While Kate and Curran still irritate each other much, the soup scene indicated that the Beast Lord was falling in love first, lol. He fell first, dear reader! Although he did a shitty job to show it with he being Pack's alpha and all that. The scene when Aunt B, Andrea and Raphael recognize the meaning behind Curran's act and tell Kate is hilarious as hell.
7. I still don't get why the Formorians want Julie died. I have read the book twice and still have no idea, lol. What did I miss? Anyway, while I find it weird that Kate is pretty gung-ho to ensure Julie's safety while they are basically stranger and you know that Julie can be ungrateful brat, I realize that Kate's feeling to Julie maybe influenced by when Voron act as her stepfather and how Greg become her guardian when Voron died. Maybe, just maybe, Kate is seeing herself in Julie and she don't want Julie end up like hers.
8. Derek and Julie, hmm, still in early phase and they are both children although Derek is already 18. The metal rose scene is nice, though
9. With the way of the culprit act in book 1 since
See..I'm glad that I give a chance for Magic Bites and the second read of Magic Burns also make me appreciate the book more. Now, onward to re-read Magic Strikes, one of the book that make me read anything that IA write in the future and become their BDH aka Book Devouring Horde.
First read review
Ahhhh, I like this one than book #1, Magic Bites! I guess, that's what happen for all Ilona Andrews's books, at last for me. So hard to enjoy the first book of their series (even I still like On The Edge from Edge series), but the next book become better. What I love more is how the author put Celtic Myth into this. I like, no more likely love that myth! I guess, because there was so many book that put Greek and Norse myth in their books, it become boriiiiing. And so few books have Celt myth on it (even now, it become many. And nope, I will not count Fae. I want to read about Celt Gods and Goddesses). Beside Celt, they also have Hekate from Greek pantheon (but as Ilona Andrews mention in this book, Hekate also from Asia). The fact that Oracle Witch are 3 people that represent Hekate make me.. what I can describe... umm, squeal! Heheheh :P
Yep, I love myth and folklore, that's why I like Magic Burns more that it predecessor. But, I also love Kate. Her sarcasm, dry humor,her dark past (I know kinda guess, who her real father was), her responsibility to Julie. Talk about Julie, what with that kid, huh? Offer her virginity to Red, just because she love him. Blech! She still 13 years old. And Red just 15. I don't like Julie, she's an irritating child. Kate and Curran fight so hard to save her from Fomorians who want she died, and all she cared were about her feeling to Red, especially when that little bastard (uhm, sorry) left her. What a spoiled child!
Curran, hmm Curran. I'm soooo frustated to see his relationship to Kate. I understand that he somehow care for Kate, and who know maybe he plan to court her. But, ugh, at last just one kiss please? Poor Kate doesn't get laid for almost 2 years, her hormones go overload. Just one kiss is enough, no hanky panky is okay *sobs*. The last scene between Kate and Curran make me giddy, lol!
Okay, this review more like me ranting and gushing anyway :P. I'm glad I can enjoy this series now. And I can read the rest of the books very slowly. Book #6, Magic Rises will be released in July. That's mean I can read one book in a month. Slow of course, but at last I will not feel tortured while wait for Magic Rises to be published.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Death of parent
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
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.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
librarymouse's review
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
4.75
This series is really fun. I Love the addition of Julie to the cast of characters. Kate immediately starts referring to her as "my kid", and the dynamic of the pack and they're protective nature around children is really nice. I like that Kate doesn't try to replace Julie's mom, but offers up the role of weird aunt. This is a really interesting storyline, and I look forward to seeing how the plot twist that was revealed in this book about Kate's parentage plays into future novels in the series. I also really enjoy the addition of Andrea into the series. I love a good female friendship, and the two of them are really good for each other. Curran's reactions to learning about Kate's words of power is very funny. It feels a little bit like a sitcom to have him psych her out of a kiss. The one thing that really messed me up for a while is the death of the dog in the honeycomb.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
booksthatburn's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Kate starts watching over Julie, a young girl whose mom has vanished while worshipping in a coven who can't keep their crows straight (a dangerous thing in a world alternatingly drenched in magic and tech). Julie is one of my favorite characters in the series and her first appearance here sets the tone of their relationship for the next few books. This also is the first book to feature Andrea, an excellent markswoman who loves the Order and guns. The dynamic between Kate and Curran is emotionally charged in a way that currently is tilting towards mutually consensual violence but Curran seems to be making subtle (and not-so-subtle) moves in a more sexual direction that Kate hasn't yet reciprocated.
This picks up on the last known status of a bunch of plot threads but isn't trying to wrap them up, really (except for Crest). It continues Kate's entanglements with the Pack and the People, and shows her involvement with the Mercenary Guild and the Order but isn't focusing on them as much this time around. There's a new storyline featuring some new characters (a few who won't continue past here and some who will be series regulars), but even that has a connection to a minor character who appeared in MAGIC BITES. That storyline has a major thing that is both introduced and resolved in this book. There are several things explicitly left for later which involve changes to the status quo. The main character is still Kate, her voice is consistent with the previous book. It might make sense to start here because this is laying so much groundwork of its own, but the dynamic between Kate and the Pack (specifically but not only Curran) definitely benefits from being read after the first book, since otherwise Curran's strong personality can be a bit off-putting when it lacks the context of Kate's opening salvo to their interactions in MAGIC BITES.
This book begins with a map theft and stays pretty focused on the characters important to that initial incident, while building out the world in specific ways. This introduces the witch covens as an important power in the city, shows some factions within the Pack, and deals with a different set of gods that are upsettingly more relevant during the Flare. Bran, Andrea, and Julie provide three completely different sets of problems and opportunities, keeping this from feeling like just a stepping stone to later books.
This picks up on the last known status of a bunch of plot threads but isn't trying to wrap them up, really (except for Crest). It continues Kate's entanglements with the Pack and the People, and shows her involvement with the Mercenary Guild and the Order but isn't focusing on them as much this time around. There's a new storyline featuring some new characters (a few who won't continue past here and some who will be series regulars), but even that has a connection to a minor character who appeared in MAGIC BITES. That storyline has a major thing that is both introduced and resolved in this book. There are several things explicitly left for later which involve changes to the status quo. The main character is still Kate, her voice is consistent with the previous book. It might make sense to start here because this is laying so much groundwork of its own, but the dynamic between Kate and the Pack (specifically but not only Curran) definitely benefits from being read after the first book, since otherwise Curran's strong personality can be a bit off-putting when it lacks the context of Kate's opening salvo to their interactions in MAGIC BITES.
This book begins with a map theft and stays pretty focused on the characters important to that initial incident, while building out the world in specific ways. This introduces the witch covens as an important power in the city, shows some factions within the Pack, and deals with a different set of gods that are upsettingly more relevant during the Flare. Bran, Andrea, and Julie provide three completely different sets of problems and opportunities, keeping this from feeling like just a stepping stone to later books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Ableism, Cursing, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Excrement, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Alcohol
brennaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Alcohol
angelareads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
3.75
For me this was an improvement compared to the first book. I really enjoy some aspects, though it is a little too gruesome for me occasionally. I'm looking forward to continuing the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence