Before we begin, just a reminder this post and its comments may include spoilers for the previous books 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.
This review includes Julie from Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks where I first wrote reviews.
Book 7: Magic Breaks
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews Series: Kate Daniels #7
Published by Ace Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 418
Format: eBook
Source: NetGalley
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As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers. Since Kate’s connection to Roland has come out into the open, no one is safe—especially those closest to Kate.
As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of the leaders from the various supernatural factions in Atlanta. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered there, apparently at the hands of a shapeshifter, Kate is given only twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war which could destroy everything she holds dear…
Julie: There should be a law stating that when a new Kate Daniels book comes out, I, Julie, has the day off work with pay and a day off from life too. It was painful to me how little reading time I had when I first got this book in my hands! I wanted to read more. Craved to read more. Yet couldn’t. But when I finally reached the end, I was pleased.
Magic Breaks is the seventh book in Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series. Some may think I am a bit biased when it comes to this series because it is my favoritest but I don’t feel I am. You see, if you read this series, you no doubt feel the same way I do. And if you have yet to try it and decide to, you will very quickly feel the love for these books too.
Anne: I have loved everything I have read by Ilona Andrews. The Kate Daniels series is easily my favorite series ever. This book is no different. I’d give them all 10 stars. I care about these people. Yet I laughed so much. That is quite an accomplishment for the author in a book where people you love are fighting for their lives.
Julie: You are absolutely right. What makes these books as amazing as they are is the people in them. Kate is amazing. Curran is amazing. Doolittle…I always loved him but in this book he is freaking amazing! They all are! Even the bad and crazy guys are amazing in their own messed up way. These authors (I say ‘these’ because Ilona Andrews is actually Ilona and her husband Gordon) really take the time to build their characters. They are flawed and vulnerable and so…real! Even though they are shifters and magic users and converse with vampires and other such beings, they are still completely relatable.
Anne: This book is perfect. It absolutely is because of the characters. I LOVE Kate and Curran, Derek, Jim, Andrea and more. I even like Ghastek. Another reason it’s perfect is the humor, the action, the smart banter and plot. It’s the setup of the world which makes everything right.
And pork sword? I’ll cut it off and feed it to him. I HATE Hugh.
Julie: I also love the humor in these books. It’s smart and subtle. Okay, maybe subtle is not quite the right word but it’s not in your face either. It fits.
In the previous book, I actually didn’t mind Hugh. He was not a good guy but I didn’t get the absolute evil vibe from him either. He was mostly…crazy. But when I finished reading the scene at the Order in this book…yeah, Hugh must go down. What a meanie! Actually, I invite you to insert the most colorful word you know where ‘meanie’ is. You say ‘hate’ in all caps and I will too. I HATE him!
Anne: Yes, because Hugh doesn’t care about Kate. He pretends but he really only wants to best her, control her and support his own ego.
Humor is an important component for me. And it’s the banter between the characters that shows both how smart they are and how much we have come to know and enjoy them. I get some of the jokes and they are funnier because I know them. And you’re right, it’s fitting.
Julie: Ilona mentions at the beginning of the book that Magic Breaks reads like a final installment and I found that to be very true. Many loose ends are tied up, but not to worry! There are still three books to go in the series so there are some new loose ends that come up. One in particular…whoa! I NEVER imagined the series heading in THAT direction. I was shocked…but I am also excited as to where the series is going.
Anne: I think the next part is important for the true urban fantasy genre. It is also one of my favorite things about this book. We get more intimacy between Kate and Curran, and I mean honest/ caring conversations, not sex, than any other book I think. It is wonderful to see how their relationship grows and changes as they do. There are many interesting, very personal talks. I also loved learning more about Ghastek.
Julie: I love Kate and Curran’s growth, as individual characters and as a couple. Again, it’s real. And Ghastek! I really enjoyed knowing more about him. He has always intrigued me so learning more about his character was a real bonus. He is, after all, one of the very first characters we meet in the series! It only took seven books to find out some of his little secrets lol.
Another character I always enjoy and was happy to see keep growing was Andrea. Seeing her in this book with Raphael makes me want Ilona and Gordon to write another book from her point of view (like they did with Gunmetal Magic)!
There is one character in particular who has finally made his long awaited appearance. I’m not sure what I think of how that all went down but whatever I think, it fit. If guns went blazing, it would have been the end of the series because there is no way anyone was truly prepared for this guy. It would have been a very forced scene. But the way it was written works. I am quite curious to see how this new character affects our favorite couple.
Anne: I’m not very comfortable with this character. I’ll be interested to see how everything goes for Kate and Curran in this next phase. They are making some big changes. I also wonder how things will go with Ghastek now. And will Hugh show up? Also, I’ll be interested to see what happens next with Andrea, at least in passing. If they are “in town” for the next book, we may see more of the “regulars” than in this book.
Anyway, I can’t wait. I’m so amazed at the intimacy and humor in this book – amazing!!! This is the best series EVER.
10+++ stars, lots of extra love. (5plus stars for this blog)
Julie: You are so cute, how much you ‘fan-girl’ over these books Anne. And it’s all so well deserved.
Magic Breaks really is the end of an era and the beginning of what I can assume will be an incredible next phase in the lives of all the characters involved in this series to date. The story is engrossing. You feel you know what will happen but it’s never quite right. Ilona and Gordon really keep you on your toes, once again.
This series truly is an example of what urban fantasy should be. All authors of the genre should look to this series to know what to aspire to and all readers of the genre absolutely must read it. Magic Breaks continues the series better than I would have anticipated. I can’t wait for you all to read it.
Giggle-worthy quote:
“ ‘We’re floating in cold murky water.’
‘It’s pretty warm, actually.’
He raised his finger. ‘I haven’t finished. We have no food. We have been here at least forty-eight hours, because the hunger pangs I’m feeling are now less intense. Right now our bodies are burning through what meager fat reserves we have which will result in severe ketosis, which in turn will lead to blood acidosis, bringing with it nausea and diarrhea. Soon faintness, weakness and vertigo will follow. As our brains are deprived of the necessary nutrients, we’ll begin to hallucinate, and then we’ll suffer catastrophic organ damage, until we finally die of cardiac arrest. It’s a brutal and torturous death. Mahatma Ghandi survived for twenty-one days when campaigning for India’s independence, but considering that we’re in the water and our bodies are going through nutrients at an accelerated rate, I give us two weeks, maximum.’
‘If you ever decide on a career change, I’d avoid motivational speaking.’”
Who said:
“Hey, Kate? Have you thought of walking up to Hugh and telling him that he’s got the biggest dick ever?”
Schedule and wrap up:
We are doing one book every four weeks, posting on Mondays. We have a review for each of the books with the team here at Books of My Heart plus some of our blogging friends.
Jul 30: Magic Shifts
Aug 27: Magic Binds
Aug 28: Magic Triumphs (release day!)
Miss a post?
Jan 15: Magic Bites
Feb 12: Magic Burns
Mar 12: Magic Strikes
Apr 9: Magic Bleeds
May 7: Magic Slays
Jun 4: Magic Rises
The winner of last book’s giveaway is: Carole
This Book’s Giveaway: (digital copy)
Read-along Giveaway:
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.
About Julie at Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks
Every blog has a story, and every story has a beginning. This is mine.
My name is Julie. I am 38 years old and live in a small town outside of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. I have two amazing children, a little big girl who is 8 and a little guy who is 5. I’m also lucky to have a wonderful and supportive husband whom I have been married to for over 10 years. I run a home daycare during the week where I care for two 1 year olds and one 2 year old. You could say that I’m a busy gal.
You can go read her story at Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks
It’s great but too long to put here.
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.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- COYER BSBB
Oh I love this series so much!
Me too.
It is fun refreshing my memory before the final book!
I knew I would want to do it before this last book so I planned this read along late last summer.
I love all of the Ilona Andrews books – they are great!
All their series are awesome. They never disappoint me. I don’t even worry like I do with most other books I anticipate. I’m lucky enough to read an unusually high quality of books but these are the best of the best.
I agree with Julie. Every day that a new Ilona Andrews book is released should be a special holiday that excuses me from work. These are books that I know I can read over and over and never grow tired of.
Yes! I am so happy I planned to do this read along because it has been such a pleasure to read them again this way.