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A review by renpuspita
Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Contain some spoilers from previous books
Kate and Curran is tying the knot. Finally. After 8 books. But, the marriage will not complete without the doom and gloom. Sienna, one of the Witch Oracle see in the future that Kate will lost Curran (and their future son) if she married. Not a good news, indeed. Roland also shed his "best behavior" persona and keep taunting Kate. War is coming. So do marriage. Because apparently Kate can't never have a calm moment in her life.
Magic Binds is slightly shorter compared to Magic Shifts, but still action packed from the first. Kate is anxious, not from marriage, but about her own power, her claiming into the city's magic and if she will one day turn into her father. A tyrant. Despite all of his charming and wise persona, Roland is indeed a tyrant. I like Kate's conversation with Roland (in civil manner of course) that Roland want to shape those who fall under his rule as he seems fit while Kate think people should have a free will. It's just my guts but I think partwhen Kate criticize Roland is also a societal commentary from IA to socialism/communist at large? Or more like their critic towards dictators alike? Worth a discussion indeed .
For a book that talk about marriage, the marriage topics is a few but often hilarious to read. Roman, our favorite black volvh is agree to officiate Kate and Curran's marriage but that's mean he also their wedding organizer. The part when Kate insist that her marriage ceremony must be small and intimate get veto'd by many people with argument "wedding night is for Kate and Curran. The wedding ceremony is FOR EVERYONE". Lel, I guess the wedding tradition always hold true for many countries, huh. There's no way with so many faction and people that Kate & Curran know, the wedding will be small. Roland's reaction regarding Kate's wedding also a crack with he complaint about "meat or vegetarian option" in the invitation while insult Curran as a pauper and Kate's wedding should have a big feast. For a man who gung-ho in starting a war and tyrannical, Roland sure is wussy about his daughter marriage.
While Curran is not away like in Magic Breaks or doing suck things like in Magic Rises, his appearance is not that much like in Magic Shifts although of course he still support Kate fully and want to marry her. I guess the part whenKate hiding Adora's existence from Curran because Kate doesn't want Curran to see her as a carbon copy of Roland can be handled differently. Or maybe because Kate know that Curran is a control freak. But when she finally come clean, I liked that Curran understand Kate and know that Kate will not turn into another Roland in the future . Honestly? I can't get enough of their interactions, sigh. They are the bread and butter of this series!
Although there's a novella that set before Magic Binds, you can read Magic Binds without reading Magic Stars first. Some event in Magic Stars also written in Magic Binds, although it get explained more in the novella. Such like Julie's status as Kate's Herald and Hugh's fate after Magic Break. We get to know about Julie's background and her affinity for horse and wolf (ehm, more hints toward Metal Rose? *snicker). Nick's pasts and his connection with Kate get revealed. Christopher real identity also revealed and it's funny to know that at first I think Barabas is the top of this couple, but I have a guts it's Christopher instead. Hehe, Christopher and Barabas is another couple in Kate's series that become my favorite and I'm really rooting for their HEA since Christopher admit that he love Barabas *awww. Saiman finally make amend with Kate after his insulted her in Magic Shifts and we got to know that Kate can do ballet, lel. Jim is not in his brightest moment. Yeah, he's a Beast Lord and his paranoia is unparalleled. But he top it to the notch in this book also it seems that he love Dali so much. Sigh, male characters of Kate's series sure love their lover blindly, from Curran, Raphael, Jim and of course Roland even in the end he kill Kate's mother.
The book's blurb also mention a people that Kate know can help her but already long dead and that people isof course, Eahrratim aka Erra. Erra might talk and act high and mighty, as expected from Roland's sister that knows as City Eater. But she also has a heart and not cruel like her brother. The Water Garden scenes when Kate resurrect Erra and then they exchange memories with Semiramis in attendance is my favorite part. Despite her sneering and insults, Erra care a lot about Kate even in the pretend that Kate is one of her bloodlines. Also, Roland apparently afraid of Erra and Semiramis, I wonder if Erra's power actually are stronger than Roland but she decide to not use it to full potential .
The war is coming and yep we get some war chapter although it's more like a battle. Kate finally mastered her magic, get allies and in the end married the man she love more than anything. But, there's one book left so the problem with Roland is still there. Also, I have to know the sick fuck, uhm, I mean, Hugh's fate after he got thrown away by Roland and his book apparently must be read before I read Magic Triumphs!
Kate and Curran is tying the knot. Finally. After 8 books. But, the marriage will not complete without the doom and gloom. Sienna, one of the Witch Oracle see in the future that Kate will lost Curran (and their future son) if she married. Not a good news, indeed. Roland also shed his "best behavior" persona and keep taunting Kate. War is coming. So do marriage. Because apparently Kate can't never have a calm moment in her life.
Magic Binds is slightly shorter compared to Magic Shifts, but still action packed from the first. Kate is anxious, not from marriage, but about her own power, her claiming into the city's magic and if she will one day turn into her father. A tyrant. Despite all of his charming and wise persona, Roland is indeed a tyrant. I like Kate's conversation with Roland (in civil manner of course) that Roland want to shape those who fall under his rule as he seems fit while Kate think people should have a free will. It's just my guts but I think part
For a book that talk about marriage, the marriage topics is a few but often hilarious to read. Roman, our favorite black volvh is agree to officiate Kate and Curran's marriage but that's mean he also their wedding organizer. The part when Kate insist that her marriage ceremony must be small and intimate get veto'd by many people with argument "wedding night is for Kate and Curran. The wedding ceremony is FOR EVERYONE". Lel, I guess the wedding tradition always hold true for many countries, huh. There's no way with so many faction and people that Kate & Curran know, the wedding will be small. Roland's reaction regarding Kate's wedding also a crack with he complaint about "meat or vegetarian option" in the invitation while insult Curran as a pauper and Kate's wedding should have a big feast. For a man who gung-ho in starting a war and tyrannical, Roland sure is wussy about his daughter marriage.
While Curran is not away like in Magic Breaks or doing suck things like in Magic Rises, his appearance is not that much like in Magic Shifts although of course he still support Kate fully and want to marry her. I guess the part when
Although there's a novella that set before Magic Binds, you can read Magic Binds without reading Magic Stars first. Some event in Magic Stars also written in Magic Binds, although it get explained more in the novella. Such like Julie's status as Kate's Herald and Hugh's fate after Magic Break. We get to know about Julie's background and her affinity for horse and wolf (ehm, more hints toward Metal Rose? *snicker). Nick's pasts and his connection with Kate get revealed. Christopher real identity also revealed and it's funny to know that at first I think Barabas is the top of this couple, but I have a guts it's Christopher instead. Hehe, Christopher and Barabas is another couple in Kate's series that become my favorite and I'm really rooting for their HEA since Christopher admit that he love Barabas *awww. Saiman finally make amend with Kate after his insulted her in Magic Shifts and we got to know that Kate can do ballet, lel. Jim is not in his brightest moment. Yeah, he's a Beast Lord and his paranoia is unparalleled. But he top it to the notch in this book also it seems that he love Dali so much. Sigh, male characters of Kate's series sure love their lover blindly, from Curran, Raphael, Jim and of course Roland even in the end he kill Kate's mother.
The book's blurb also mention a people that Kate know can help her but already long dead and that people is
The war is coming and yep we get some war chapter although it's more like a battle. Kate finally mastered her magic, get allies and in the end married the man she love more than anything. But, there's one book left so the problem with Roland is still there. Also, I have to know the sick fuck, uhm, I mean, Hugh's fate after he got thrown away by Roland and his book apparently must be read before I read Magic Triumphs!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Blood