Before we begin, just a reminder this post and its comments will include spoilers for the first book in Ilona Andrew’s Kate Daniels series. This read-along is for those who have read the books previously and also for those who are new to the series, so please no spoilers for books beyond the one featured in the discussion this week.
Book 1: Magic Bites
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews Narrator: Renée Raudman
Series: Kate Daniels #1
Published by Tantor Audio on April 1, 2007
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 260
Length: 9 hours, 11 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble
When the magic is up, rogue mages cast their spells and monsters appear, while guns refuse to fire and cars fail to start. But then technology returns, and the magic recedes as unpredictably as it arose, leaving all kinds of paranormal problems in its wake.
Kate Daniels is a down-on-her-luck mercenary who makes her living cleaning up these magical problems. But when Kate’s guardian is murdered, her quest for justice draws her into a power struggle between two strong factions within Atlanta’s magic circles.
The Masters of the Dead, necromancers who can control vampires, and the Pack, a paramilitary clan of shapechangers, blame each other for a series of bizarre killings—and the death of Kate’s guardian may be part of the same mystery. Pressured by both sides to find the killer, Kate realizes she’s way out of her league—but she wouldn’t have it any other way…
Kate Daniels is my favorites series, ever. Yet it’s been too long since I have gone back to the beginning and read all the way through. It struck me how young and raw Kate is. She has been hiding. While she is vigilant about not allowing anything to reveal herself, I think the hiding has hampered her ability to grow and learn more about herself.
Magic Bites is the start of her journey into knowing more of herself and Atalanta where she lives. She certainly makes a splash meeting the Pack. Sure, she has known and worked with Jim, but now most will know her.
In spite of how alone she has been in the world, and the sometimes vicious training she has done, Kate cares about others. She is compassionate for their issues and thinks about someone besides herself. Not just caring, she risks her life for others. And whatever she does, Kate attacks it with intelligence and energy. She is completely herself with with and humor and yet knows how to be tactful.
I have kept this purposefully short. If I was reading for the first time, I would note my questions and observations with you but since I’m not, I’ll ask you to comment with any you have below.
I listened for this reread which is new to me. I own Magic Bites in print, ebook and have just purchased the audio. I had not listened to it on audio yet however. Renee Raudman is a real talent. Her performance was a joy and is a favored way for me to revisit the story. On to Magic Burns!
Who said:
“Because I deal in information, Kate, and men tend to blab their secrets to beautiful women.” She smiled. “As you well know.”
Schedule and wrap up:
I got notified last night the release of Magic Triumphs will be August 28 rather than May 8. So we have a choice, as we are very early on the read-along. Vote for what you prefer and I will update the schedule, if needed.
We are doing one book every two weeks, (alternate schedule) posting on Mondays. We should have a review for most of the books with the team here at Books of My Heart plus some of our blogging friends.
Jan 29: Magic Burns (Feb 12)
Feb 12: Magic Strikes (Mar 12)
Feb 26: Magic Bleeds (Apr 9)
Mar 12: Magic Slays (May 7)
Mar 26: Magic Rises (Jun 4)
Apr 9: Magic Breaks (Jul 2)
Apr 23: Magic Shifts (Jul 30)
May 7: Magic Binds (Aug 27)
Aug 28: Magic Triumphs (release day!)
The winner of last book’s giveaway is: Maria K.
This Book’s Giveaway: 
Read-along Giveaway:
About Renée Raudman
Renée Raudman is a multi-award-winning audiobook narrator. A multiple Audie Award nominee, she has earned a number of AudioFile Earphones Awards, including for The Last Secret by Mary McGarry Morris and Wesley the Owl by Stacey O’Brien, as well as a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award for Joe Schreiber’s Chasing the Dead. She has also performed on film, TV, radio, and stage, including the recurring roles of Jordon on ABC’s One Life To Live, Phyllis on NBC’s Passions, and guest-starring roles on prime-time TV. She has been heard in cartoons (The Simpsons, Billy & Mandy), videogames, and on the E! channel. Her narration of Homer’s Odyssey by Gwen Cooper was selected by Library Journal as one of the best audiobooks of 2009, and her reading of Marthe Jocelyn’s Would You was selected by the ALA as one of the best young adult audiobooks of 2009.
About Ilona Andrews
“Ilona Andrews” is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.)
Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Texas with their two children and many dogs and cats.
They have co-authored several bestselling series, including the #1 NYT bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels, rustic fantasy of the Edge, paranormal romance of Hidden Legacy, and Innkeeper Chronicles, which they post as a free weekly serial.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- Anne: 2017 Audiobook Challenge
- Anne: 2017 Library Love Challenge
- COYER Winter Switch
So when I saw the news on the delay, I immediately thought of you! I wasn’t planning a full re-read of the series, but now with the delay, I think I will (via audiobook), but not until July – August. So if you do the schedule that takes you into August, I will jump in when I can. Either option is good b/c any time you can read Kate is a good time!
It looks likely that the schedule will extend. I’m going to give the polls a few days to see how people respond. I really hope you will join in! It’s my favorite series. I am switching over to reading since it is easier to highlight and make notes on ebooks and I don’t own all the audiobooks yet.
It was a tie between Kate Daniels and the Others series by Anne Bishop! Love them both so much!
The winner has been emailed so check your emails and perhaps your spam folder for an email from booksmyheart@gmail.com