Rowena
Written on Mar 3, 2020
When magic strikes and Atlanta goes to pieces, it’s a job for mercenary Kate Daniels in this thrilling novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series.
Drafted into working for the Order of Merciful Aid, mercenary Kate Daniels has more paranormal problems than she knows what to do with these days. And in Atlanta, where magic comes and goes like the tide, that’s saying a lot.
But when Kate's werewolf friend Derek is discovered nearly dead, she must confront her greatest challenge yet. As her investigation leads her to the Midnight Games—an invitation only, no holds barred, ultimate preternatural fighting tournament—she and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, uncover a dark plot that may forever alter the face of Atlanta's shapeshifting community...
- ISBN10 0441017029
- ISBN13 9780441017027
- Publish Date 31 March 2009 (first published 1 March 2009)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Publisher Penguin Publishing Group
- Imprint Ace
- Format Paperback (US Mass Market)
- Pages 320
- Language English
- URL https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780441017027
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.
This series is insane. There's always so much going on. Midnight games. Derek going rogue. Raphael wooing Andrea. Rene (of the Red Guard) is awesome. I love Julie. She is a pain in the ass to start with, all teenage angst but man she's hilarious. Making deals with Curran - dodgy/smart girl. And Kate and Raphael showing up at Julie's school in all their badass-ery. Totally wicked.
UGH and the BLOODY PEACHES!!! I could kill Curran and Kate. They have no idea how to communicate. She think he's saying she's weak. He's trying to tell her she's worthy. Fk me.
Berls
Written on Apr 28, 2019
Chelsea
Written on Oct 5, 2017
Kim Deister
Written on Jan 31, 2017
In this one, Kate has been drafted to work in the Order as a sort of liaison between the Pack and the Order. She is on shaky ground with them, even though her mentor was a Knight of the Order and held in high esteem. But Kate quit before earning her Knighthood and is a bit of an authority-hating rebel.
These books are action-packed and thoroughly engrossing. But for me, the characters are what really bring me in. We learn more about Kate, her past, and why she is the way she is. The story of Kate is fascinating and tragic at the same time. Curran plays a big role in this novel and I love his character, too. It would have been too easy to make him the alpha male, all brawn, and no brains type. He is an alpha male, but he is so much more than that. He is smart and just and surprisingly amusing. Derek, one of my favorite shifters in the story, is significant in this novel. I loved his story almost as I did Kate's.
The mythology is fantastic in these books. The way it is woven into the mythology of the world is creative and seamless and adds a really rich layer to the entire series.
Overall: This has quickly become one of my favorite series and it is one I highly recommend!
mitabird
Written on Dec 9, 2016
Original Rating: 12/14 - 4.5 stars
nitzan_schwarz
Written on Dec 1, 2016
This novel was hard for me the first time, and it was hard for me the second time, because Derek is my favorite. Like, seriously, I did not like him getting hurt one bit! And the whole situation with Jim was still nerve wrecking even though I knew what is going to happen.
Another thing I enjoyed in this novel is that Kate is starting to show how smart she really is. The first two novels establish her shit luck and her strange powerfullness, but now we get to see some more deduction from her and how much of a fast learner she is (the scene where she's cold Order member with Jim and he's like who are you and what have you done with Kate killed me. Same for Saiman)
Still experiencing phantom frustrations with Kate and Curran taking their time haha
Once again, Kate throws her well being out of the window and does everything she can possibly do to save and protect her friends and loved one. I love this, but I also think these books are following a very similar pattern for each one - a lot of bad shit happens, and at the end Kate is bleeding and on the verge of death but pulls through.
EBookObsessed
Written on Sep 29, 2015
Kate is contacted by Saiman after he finds Derek breaking into his apartment and trying to steal his tickets to the illegal, gladiator-type fights known as the Midnight Games. Saiman recognizes Derek from the last time Kate visited him with the werewolf in tow. He makes a deal with Kate to release Derek to her and not involve the authorities. The authority being Curran who as Beast Lord would have to punish Derek severely, first for the B&E and secondly because Curran laid down the law the no shifter could attend the Midnight Games — EVER!
Derek is one the few people Kate considers a friend and he is obviously in over his head on something to risk that type of punishment from the Beast Lord, but whatever Derek’s problem, he won’t let Kate help.
But there is one thing she can do. Kate agrees to escort Saiman to the Games for his silence. Saiman not only wants Kate there in his continued attempts to seduce her but also for her abilities as a warrior to assess the combatants. There is a group of fighters calling themselves The Reapers, who are testing as human, but there is no way they could be surviving all these fights against supernaturals without some type of magical or supernatural ability.
Kate knows from first glance that these warriors are not 100 percent human. The one fighter has skin too perfect. No healed cuts, no small scars. And another has an absolutely uniform tattoo covering most of his body. Impossible since he could not have had all that work done at the same time and this fighter also has no flaws in the ink, no scars, no cuts. These fighters couldn’t possibly be human, but how can they possible fool the m-scans and the blood tests?
The winner of the games will win a gemstone unlike any other. When Kate learns that The Reapers are trying to win it so they can carve it down to use to destroy all the shifters, Kate has no choice but to enter the ring herself in order to keep all her friends safe.
THOUGHTS:
There was a huge difference in my enjoyment of the story since I read this novel vs. listening to the audiobook. There is the fact that a lot of this story involves the gladiator-type games which was easier to follow than some of the other story lines. But when we get into the why and the what-the-hell-are-those and what’s with the flying castle which all involve Hindu legends, it was a lot easier to absorb the details while reading.
Who doesn’t enjoy the tension between Curran and Kate, although I will complain that it was a very quick change of mind from Curran calling Kate his personal nightmare to wanting her as his mate but who can argue since I like their chemistry. I have also been enjoying the quick Curran POV shorts that you can get free on the Ilona Andrews website. Especially the Hot Tub scene from Curran’s POV.
This is a very interesting Urban Fantasy series, with great world building and interesting characters, but you have to give the story your full attention if you want to understand it.
celinenyx
Written on Jul 22, 2015
Magic Strikes is the third book in the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, a husband-wife writing team. Don't let the crappy covers fool you, as Magic Strikes once again proves that this is one of the best urban fantasy series out there.
Kate navigates a world where technology and magic alternate. Lucky for her, her sword Slayer always works. The Midnight Games are in town, a fight to the death tournament that attracts all kinds of dangerous supernaturals. When a young werewolf asks her help, she has to help him - especially as she discovers why weres have been disappearing lately.
The pace of the Kate Daniels books is absolutely fantastic. There is not a single dull moment, yet they never feel rushed or too shallow. There is a perfect balance of action and emotion, of touching scenes and fighting. Though I like action in my books, I lose attention when a fighting scene takes too much time. In Magic Strikes, the fighting happens in short intense bursts rather than long drawn-out sequences. Not only is this more realistic (as most fights are over within minutes), it also pleases me as a reader.
Kate is quickly becoming one of my favourite female heroes I have encountered so far. I like how straight-forward she is - she has quite a hands-on attitude, and she gets things done. She can take care of herself, but isn't too independent to ask for help. She's street-smart, and quite snarky, and I love it.
The romantic relationship between Kate and Curran has been building in the last three books, but at no point does their attraction take away from the plot. These books seem to be in no danger of turning into paranormal romance any time soon. Secondly, I would also like to get on my knees for a second and appreciate the fact that Curran trusts Kate to defend herself. Lemme repeat that - a shifter alpha who does not do the "oh no hunnybuns you are too precious for fighting I'll lock you up for your own safety" spiel. He's clearly into her, but he fights beside Kate. At not a single point does he tell her to back off because a situation is unsafe. Hallelujah!
Magic Strikes is another fantastic book in this urban fantasy series. I don't like the covers at all, but what's inside these books is wonderful.
kimbacaffeinate
Written on Dec 2, 2014
Kate once again puts herself in danger for her friends, as she demands vengeance and tries to protect Curran and his pack. The plot was action-packed as we find ourselves in the middle of the Midnight Games. The games feature a gladiator type arena where shifters and other supernatural creatures compete. The stakes are high and the betting is of the chart. It is also a place that Curran has strictly forbidden pack involvement. I found myself standing still in the middle of my chores totally caught up in the tale and holding my breath.
Andrews keeps the action at full throttle even as she continues to develop Kate. I loved the softer sides of our snarky heroine. Andrews gaves her wings and allowed her to fly. It was so impressive. Curran continues to make me swoon. He is a fearless alpha, quick to temper and cocky as hell, but we see his softer side as well. The interaction between them is positively delightful. I found myself giggling at their banter. His mannerisms and her inner banter are things of pure joy.
Andrews weaved in a little Hindu along with some Greek and Norse mythology. I love that the tale is grounded more in shifter history with the magic woven into it. We learn more about Kate’s reasons for burning her blood and what she is. Dark, gritty, bloody and heart stopping at times Magic Strikes was perfectly balanced with humor, friendship and snark. The ending was perfect and had me giggling.. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer