Rowena
Written on May 1, 2020
No matter how much the paranormal politics of Atlanta change, one thing always remains the same in this #1 New York Times bestselling series: if there’s trouble, Kate Daniels will be in the middle of it…
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, but she must now deal with the affairs of the Pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel, ancient being with godlike powers.
As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend a gathering of leaders from Atlanta’s supernatural factions. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered by a shapeshifter, Kate is given less than twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war that could destroy everything she holds dear...
- ISBN10 0425277496
- ISBN13 9780425277492
- Publish Date 3 March 2015 (first published 29 July 2014)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Publisher Penguin Putnam Inc
- Imprint Ace Books
- Format Paperback (US Mass Market)
- Pages 416
- Language English
- URL https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780425277492
Reviews
funstm
Written on Jul 1, 2019
Yeah - read the rest of the series. It gets SO MUCH BETTER. Kate stops being standoffish and starts letting people in. Derek becomes a total badass. Ghastek - well he's still pretty creepy. But also funny and kind and sweet when he wants to be. And Curran - I love him now. He is an absolute ass in this first book. But I forgot. He becomes everything you want in a love interest. There's a ton of new loveable characters; Julie, Andrea, Aunt Bea, Raphael, Barbaras. Some new evil ones; Hugh, Roland. So much action and adventure and intensity and laughs.
So do yourself a favour. Keep reading.
Ooh, Hugh gets what's coming to him. Sort of anyway. And Kate gets her grandmother's bones. How lovely. And Roland is on the scene. Interesting.
Mercy
Written on Nov 12, 2018
There were some parts where I suffered for Kate because what she was going through was pure torture but it made me love her even more, she's so fierce, strong and fantastic. The fight scenes were brilliant and she fighting Hibla had my mouth hanging open.
I was still mad at Curran for being an asshole in the last book but what he did at the end helped to win me back. I also love their relationship so much, they're so adorable and it's great to see how fiercely they protect each other without diminishing what the other can do. I didn't felt lack of chemistry at all and I guess this book is my favourite in that aspect because although I know is part of the genre, there weren't random sex scenes in this one. 😂
The rest of characters got to shine as well, Ascanio and Derek teaming up for Kate's despair was hilarious and Desandra being the badass she is was top. I'm also glad we got to see more of the were-rat couple, Robert and Thomas. I've seen people complaining about these characters and how they aren't important but it's good to see these characters aren't only background noise and they get to be an important part of the story. And all what happened in Mishmar was brilliantly done. Ghastek was great too, I knew the Master of the Dead had more to him than annoying Kate. Although I didn't believe the part where he was made to look stupid regarding the big secret. Dude is smart, I tell ya.
I like how in every book certain topics are touched, in this one was the genocide committed to the indigenous people in the US and how the cut of their magic link to the land made things easier to the bad guy. There was also a part where a person with a disability said this: «I refuse to be defined by which functions my body can or cannot perform well. Quite frankly, I’m more than the sum of my physical parts. I’ve come to terms with my new life and achieved personal happiness. Whether or not I will recover pales in comparison. Does that make sense?» and that's a beautiful message.
The authors keep building the story around different mythologies in a way that doesn't feel forced and every new one just adds a new layer. The long awaited meeting was just how I expected it to be and I understand why things ended like it did. It will keep the situation interesting until the final and I'm so excited to get to it.
P.S. Hugh is a hateful bastard but I kinda like him because he can also be so stupid. 😂
Chelsea
Written on Oct 21, 2017
Cocktails and Books
Written on Aug 9, 2017
celinenyx
Written on Jun 12, 2017
The Kate Daniels books are immensely readable and contain a lovely sarcastic sense of humour. I especially enjoyed learning more about Ghastek, vampire pilot extraordinaire. I missed the Pack politics a bit in this one.
EBookObsessed
Written on Aug 1, 2016
Hugh d’Ambray, Roland’s warlord, is back and he is more determined than ever to have Kate for himself. Not only did Kate and Curran best him at his own castle surrounded by his Iron Dogs, but he had to confess all to Roland that he knows where to find Roland’s missing daughter and now Roland wants to meet the girl claiming to be his blood.
This book has excitement galore. No matter how many mythical creatures have attacked Kate, she has always managed to stay safe. In this story, Hugh is a real danger to Kate. He is an excellent swordsman and an equal match for Kate with a blade. On top of that he is a brilliant strategist and he has spent more time perfecting his magic than Kate has. In Magic Rises Hugh tried to woo Kate away from Curran, pushing a rival at Curran and playing the Voron card, but he was bested by Kate and almost killed by Curran. The gloves are now off and Hugh is playing for keeps. This makes him the best antagonist we have had so far. He will do whatever ugliness is necessary to win Kate and in this story he does get pretty desperate.
Hugh knows that he can’t use his magic on Kate to force her to him or Roland will know that Hugh enslaved his daughter. So Hugh is going to make things so difficult for Kate that her only option will be to turn to him, and if that doesn’t work, a little torture of her and her loved ones goes a long, long way towards getting what you want.
While Curran is away from the keep and Kate is left in charge, a shifter is accused of killing a Master of the Dead and the People want that shifter turned over to them for punishment. Once Kate verifies that it is indeed a shifter who slaughtered Ghastek’s man, they first need to find the shifter before they determine which fate is worse, turning them over to the People and losing face with the Pack; or refusing the People and risking an all out war between the Pack and the People.
To add to her worries, Kate can’t get in touch with Curran and has no way of knowing if Curran has been trapped or killed by Hugh. Kate is on her own in this one and the wrong move could destroy the Pack.
Hugh has planned this out very carefully so that he can get Kate to sacrifice herself for the Pack, and if he can’t kill Curran in the meantime, taking Kate away from him is just the perk to make Hugh’s day.
Even if Kate can figure a way out of this mess, Roland now knows where to find his missing daughter, or at least the woman claiming to be her, and if she passes his test, there is no guaranty he will let her live.
Just another exciting day in the world of Kate Daniels. I can’t wait to read more.
See more at EBookObsessed.com
Linda
Written on Aug 6, 2015
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
#COYER Scavenger Hunt item #40 Read a book featuring a strong female protagonist (3 points)
mitabird
Written on Mar 17, 2015
kimbacaffeinate
Written on Dec 31, 2014
First date: Barabas, our beloved weremongoose gives us a prologue at the beginning of our date, recapping what has happened and noting key players. I thought this aspect was brilliant and allowed us to jump right back into the story. We know Daddy dearest is coming and preparations are being made. Curran must leave the pack and travel to create alliances but before he goes, he manages to make both Kate and I swoon. His absence leaves Kate in charge of the Weres and forces to attend the Conclave. Despite everything that is happening Kate manages to keep her humor. Her snark causes me to giggle even as I worry. At the Conclave, a Master of the Dead is murdered and chaos ensues leaving Kate with a nasty ultimatum- find the killer or start a war. Gads poor Kate cannot get a break.
“Where to now?" I asked."Hold on," Robert said. "I'm still . . . coming to terms with your mode of transportation."
"Take your time," I nudged Cuddles, turning her to give him a better view. Cuddles flicked her ears, lifted her feet, and pranced. Oh dear God.”
Second date: Andrews is pulling my heart in all different directions and taking us places I could never even have fathomed. Witches, predictions, Hugh and danger are at every corner. I feel like there should be tribal drums beating out, Daddy is coming. Scenes in the middle of the story reaffirmed my love of urban fantasy on audio. Raudman made me feel every emotion and taste Kate’s despair. I could barely breathe and lost myself completely in the story. I have never been more anxious in my life. Andrews scoffs at predictability leaving me very unsure of my third date.
“If your head explodes can I have your stuff?”
Third date: The final segment is breathtaking, nerve racking and heartbreaking. Can I just take a moment to say how kick-ass Kate is? Her protective nature and love for those around her gives her this incredible strength. We see growth in her abilities and Andrews created a panoramic view as the events unfold. Daddy dearest is strong and even I quivered in his presence. Leave it to Andrews to completely surprise me and move the storyline in a direction I did not expect. This series is completely addictive and the characters are amazing. Even the secondary characters gave me the feels, made me laugh and sometimes I wanted to run. Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant!
“Will I get nights of ecstasy?"
"And days. Ecstasy all the time.”
Bonus date: Magic Breaks includes Magic Tests a novella that originally published in the anthology, An Apple for the Creature. It is also available as a a standalone. I enjoyed this case featuring Kate and Julie. It has me adding all of the novellas from the series. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer