Product Description

Mercenary Kate Daniels cleans up urban problems of a paranormal kind. But her latest prey, a pack of undead warriors, presents her greatest challenge.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1286 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-27
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 272 pages

Patricia Briggs
Splendid...an edgy dark fantasy touched with just the right amount of humor.

Customer Reviews

Definitely worth a try
This book was a little slow moving at first, but picked up after the first 100 pages. I look forward to reading book 2. I am a Kim Harrison and Charlaine Harris fan. This has a similar feel to it. If you like supernatural action and romance, you should give this a try.

Very well-done dark urban fantasy...bit squishy for me tho
This is (as my title says) quite a well-done little book. I wish Illona Andrews (and Kate, et al) well with this series.

[BTW, if you're looking for a synopsis of this book, you might glance at the book itself, or read a few of the other reviews here. My main purpose in this review is to warn off those folks who MIGHT not understand what's in store for them.]

I, however, will not be reading any more of these and I'd just like to warn any of y'all out there that enjoy this genre of what you're getting into. For a little perspective, I've read all the Sookie Stackhouse books, all the Rachel Morgan books, all the Patricia Briggs Mercy books, Carpe Demon, Bitten, and a few other titles. Oh yeah, I just finished the first Lilith Saintcrow Dante Valentine book, too.

Anyway, I like all of the above-mentioned books and none of them really creeps me out TOO much. There's the odd passage or scene here and there that are just too graphic and morbid and gross (per the "squishy" in my title description) for me to thoroughly enjoy, but most of the times these occassional authorial forays into the macabre and Grand Guignol just add a little spice.

The "Magic XXX" Illona Andrews series goes beyond my PERSONAL comfort level, though.

I am NOT knocking either this series or the author. I really did like the book--in most ways. It's NOT just a slasher. But the slashing and gushing and squishing and maiming and raping and cannibalism and all that sort of thing are just a too integral a part of the world for ME to enjoy the experience--even though I was VERY fond of most of the main characters and I found the plot and world-building very good.

So...FAIR WARNING...
And...Ms Andrews, should you ever write something else more-or-less of this ilk, but with a less, shall we say, morbid/graphic/eviscerating outlook, I'll be one of your happiest readers.

Fresh Urban Fantasy with an Excellent Heroine (B Grade)
Ilona Andrews has a hit with with her Kate Daniels series. This is one Urban Fantasy book that is fresh and crackles with energy. If you like your heroines strong, powerful and with wit, you have to read Magic Bites.

Magic Bites takes place in Atlanta, Georgia where magic cripples the city. There are things called flares that can take out modern conveniences such as cars and electricity. During theses times, creatures that enjoy using their magic for their own devious means come out and cause problems. That is where Kate comes into the picture. She is a sort of freelancer mercenary who keeps control and cleans up these problems. Kate has her own special magic at her disposal. She has a pretty nifty sword she can use along with another secret weapon up her sleeve. Kate has two magic words from her deceased father she can use as a last resort if need be. When Kate says one of these words out loud to whomever, the unlucky fool must do what she orders. In Magic Bites, Kate acquires four new words from her mentor who has been murdered. She now has six words and her sword to use. Just because Kate may have these powerful words to use whenever she wants to, there are consequences. Every time she says one of these words, the pain she experiences is unbearable, only to be used if there is no other option.
Greg, Kate's mentor, was a powerful knight who belonged to a group called the Order of Knights and Magical Aid. Kate has the option of joining but she doesn't deal well with authority. Now that Greg has been eliminated, she must enter the world he was involved with to find his killer. This is where she is introduced to a whole new group of characters. Not only are there magicians and witches, but vampires, werewolves and all different types of shift changers.
Once such shifty creature is Curran, who is the Beast Lord. He is also the Pack King a.k.a. the lord of the shift changers. Curran can change into this monster lion and does not like to be told "no" and feels he must be obeyed in all things. You can just imagine his reaction to Kate when they meet. Sorry, folks, this is no love at first sight or even a twinge of lust between the two. Curran can't stand Kate and she feels the same way about him. These two not only come to blows but try their best to kill one another. Remember how Kate has a problem with authority? Well, Curran is the top dog, er... cat and he wants Kate out of the way mainly because of her nose in the air attitude. As the story progresses, Kate and Curran come to an understanding and help one another. Kate eventually finds out who killed Greg, gets her revenge and helps Curran and his pack keep control of Atlanta.

Ilona (and don't forget her wonderful husband Gordon who lends a hand) has come up with a gritty, dark world that has some great potential. I look forward to Kate and her future adventures with her six magical words that can cause so much damage. And, if Kate and Curran end up sharing a kiss or two, I wouldn't mind that either.

Katiebabs
Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, Book 2)