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Title: Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1)
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Manufacturer: Ace
List Price: $6.99
Our Price: $3.33
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| Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1) by Ace The ending was a let-down | There's a lot to like about this book. The world-building is excellent, and I like it that Kate had enough self-respect not to jump in bed with either potential boyfriend. However, I never cared very much about Kate or what happened to her. She constantly acts in very childish ways and often acts without thought to the consequences. She's somewhat redeemed by at least knowing she's acting childishly, but she also doesn't try to act more maturely. I'm also not attracted to a "heroine" who deals with depression (caused by consequences of her actions) by drinking herself into a stupor.
The writing was generally strong enough that I might have bought the second book in the series except that the ending just didn't do it for me. I knew who the unknown bad guy was from the moment we were first introduced to him. I accept that Kate didn't realize who it was, but I have a very hard time understanding why no one else did.
I also don't understand another part of the ending. **SPOILER ALERT** It's Curran who suggests that his rival for Kate's affection is the unknown enemy. Kate agrees that his reasons make sense, but she says she doesn't think he's the enemy and gives several reasons why. Curran decides to test the fellow anyway. I sort of assumed it was mainly to get rid of his rival. While the fellow is being tested, one of Curran's subordinates tells the boyfriend that this was all Kate's idea. Kate doesn't correct him and say, "no, it wasn't." When the boyfriend turns out to not be the enemy, Curran blames Kate for leading him wrong _when it was his own idea_ and Kate just accepts the blame. I was so confused by this that I went back to re-read the previous section just to make sure I was right, that Curran had been the one with the idea. Kate blew things with the boyfriend, no doubt about it, but I can't understand why she accepts blame for something she didn't do when that doesn't seem consistant with how she's acted before. I felt like the author changed the story mid-way and forgot to revise the previous part. **SPOILER END**
Since the rest of the ending was pretty predictable (including her getting drunkenly depressed), the book left me feeling confused and not wanting more. Obviously, most people didn't have the problems I did with the book, so go ahead and try the book if you're on the fence about getting it. | | Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1) by Ace Excellent in every way! | First let me say that I read about 400 books a year. I am fussy but a loyal fan, if I like an author I buy everything he or she writes and support them to keep those books coming. For me the transition from the crime dramas by authors like Kathy Reichs and Patricia Cornwell began with the Harry Potter series. For years I had scorned the fantasy/magic/vampire type novels in favor of the modern day real life-like murder and death drama. After the first couple of Harry Potter books I went looking for something to read in between the next release, and for something more suitable to adults. I quickly discovered The Hobbit, and then the Lord of the Rings series, even plowing my way through the Silmarillion and most recently, The Children of Hurin. I worked into the Golden Compass, and the 2 following novels in the "His Dark MAterials" series, and I was ready for something new. I can not really remember which one of the previosuly mentioned novels came with the suggestion "if you like this, you will love Magic Bites", but I purchased the first book in the Kate Daniels series without even reading what it was about just to meet the $25 minumum for Amazon and get the free shipping.
I started the book months ago, and put it down after 3 pages. I hadn't read a vampire novel since "the Feast of All Saints" years ago. I am kind of glad I did wait so long to actually give the story my full attention. This morning I had a trip to make, 6 hours on a boat and I took this novel along to pass the time. I finished it in one day. And now I am ordering the second book in the series; I am so glad I waited to read the first because I will not suffer the fate of those people who read it last spring and had to wait a whole year for book 2.
I am not going to try to describe why I love this book. I am only going to say that for those of you who thought the world of magic was finished when Harry Potter killed Voldemort, well you have a big surprise in store. Harry Potter grew up, and he is a woman who kicks butt. And the Dementors are pesky flies compared to the soul suckers in this book.
I look forward to many more books by Ms. Andrews. She got my attention!!! | | Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1) by Ace Just Didn't Do It For Me | I tried to finish this book, I really did. I made it a good way through, and since it was fairly short I figured that was good enough. But this book wasn't interesting to me. The character seemed outright cynical and hateful. I couldn't seem to connect with her. Also, the opening scene had a real impact on me and throughout the book I kept seeing her as an alcoholic. The book itself was well-written (though not award-winning, it still had few errors and flowed) but the story seemed kind of corny. The vampire on the ceiling was straight from a B-line movie.
I think that you have to be interested in a certain genre in order to like this book. But if you do like this particular genre you will like it. It is darker, without a doubt, and I don't recommend it to those who read some of the lighter series such as those of Mercy, Betsy, or even Miss Blake (whom has a dark side of her own). I bought this book because everyone seemed to have such high praise. I was more than a little disappointed. I think people should be able to hear about the book from all perspectives | | Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1) by Ace Great book even for teenage readers | | This book has mature themes but no blantant sex (like another author I love but won't mention that we all are comparing it too) and the main charachter of the book is a buttocks kicking female. As a real life kick butt girl I had my usual aggravation (clips go in your hair and in automatic weapons, MAGAZINES go in handguns ) but she did well with her weaponry and her heroines humanity. I love that Kate knows and respects her limits but is able to get around it and I really really want her to hook up with Curran! I will definately keep reading this author. | | Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1) by Ace Not Moving to Atlanta | I picked this novel up the old-fashioned way--I saw it in the book store. Then Amazon paired it with my novel as a special buy, and I figured I better move it to the top of the reading pile to see what it was about! While our content is miles apart, I enjoyed the story and the style. Here's why I recommend it to others:
When Kate Daniels learns that her guardian Greg Feldman is dead, she sets off on a wrath-filled quest to find his murderer(s). Given the description of Greg and his "mournful" eyes, I was sorry that we didn't get to meet him. But there are plenty of other characters to meet as Kate forms uneasy alliances with shapechangers and members of the Order who may or may not prove helpful in finding the force behind Greg's death. From vampires to necromancers to humans who know how to use traces of magic left when it "falls" periodically in post-modern Atlanta, Kate walks alone in a world where it sure would be good to belong to a group.
Ilona Andrews has an intriguing writing style, describing dark scenes, dark places, dark people, and dark times. Death, blood, and gore vividly stain the pages as her female lead moves--and it seems quite purposefully--away from human relationships to bond with dual-natured creatures. Maybe humans can't be trusted. From the police to the empath Anna to the doctor Crest (who, I have to admit, I wanted to kill when he complemented Kate on "behaving correctly" on their evening date), Kate rejects humans. Maybe it's in her blood.
The story reads at a good pace with plenty of cultural and literary allusions to help set mood and tone. Readers will enjoy Andrews' sense of humor, which most often is displayed in Kate's sarcastic inner monologue. The concept of magic rising, falling, affecting modern technology, and contributing to the decay of infrastructure is clever and provides an alluring backdrop for the story. Readers who are familiar with fantasy will glide easily into the world Andrews has created. Not for the squeamish, the novel offers a paranormal mystery that ties up all the loose ends nicely and leaves you satisfied with the ending.
From Sandy Lender, "Some days, I just want the dragon to win." | | Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1) by Ace 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. |
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