What Janine is Reading: Kate Daniels Edition
Reading ListsAtlanta / Kate Daniels world / Magic / romantic-elements / shapeshifters / Urban-Fantasy / vampires33 Comments
Warning: As this post deals with older books I consider spoilers fair game.
Recently I caught a bad cold and, since I was laid up in bed with little to do but read, I used this opportunity to catch up on the Kate Daniels series. I had previously read only Magic Bites (2007), book one in the series, which I didn’t care for at all, and more recently, Magic Steals (2015), the second Dali and Jim novella, which I liked much better. It was the latter novella’s wonderfulness that decided me on giving Kate a second shot.
Magic Burns (Kate Daniels book 2) by Ilona Andrews (2008)
My Kate Daniels binge started with Magic Burns, which at first wasn’t that promising. There’s the theft of the pack’s survey map by a mysterious guy who can teleport and likes to make unwanted advances on Kate, Kate’s search for street kid Julie’s missing mother (a member of an amateur coven), more unwanted advances on Kate, this time from Saiman, the introduction of Kate’s co-worker Andrea, and the revelation that Beast Lord Curran is interested in Kate sexually, and perhaps even romantically.
Curran (I almost called him Currant) and his overinflated ego had turned me off in book one, and while here the tone of his interactions with Kate was flirtier, I was still on the fence. I also wasn’t convinced I should care about Kate until about two thirds or perhaps three quarters of the way through the book, but the last quarter was much better, with Kate coming through for Andrea and Julie, Andrea coming through for Kate, and Curran making himself and his shifters useful, albeit after a counterproductive fight with Bran (the mysterious teleporter). Bran’s ultimate sacrifice was affecting, and I loved the bit about the flowers that grew from Kate’s tears for him. C+/B-.
Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels book 3) by Ilona Andrews (2009)
This one was better. Here Jim and his staff are holding out on Curran for reasons that seem sinister initially but later turn out to be anything but. Raphael wants to court Andrea, who isn’t interested, and Kate does a favor for Derek which she later regrets. She also ends up fighting in the Midnight Games, a lethal tournament in which the prize is something very dangerous indeed. There’s a cool reveal about Saiman, we learn a lot more about Kate’s background in this book, and Kate and Curran get closer.
I think this might be where Curran started growing on me. He’s still not among my favorite Andrews heroes, even now, but here I started seeing how he could perhaps be good for Kate. Kate herself became a more compelling figure, with some of the revelations about her past. I could have done with less violence, and I wanted a little more in the way of emotional moments earlier on, but I was moved by what happened to Derek, and I loved a confrontation between Kate and Jim over it, as well as Julie’s role in helping to heal Derek. The authors write kids really well, and I think the child / guardian relationships in their books are some of my favorite aspects of them. The finale of this book was strong, too. B-/B
Magic Mourns (Raphael and Andrea novella) by Ilona Andrews (2009)
Here we’ve got a novella about Raphael and Andrea in which a giant version of three-headed mythological dog Cerberus features. Andrea gets a call and goes to investigate, running into Raphael. In the process of uncovering a conspiracy that involves the theft of hyena Alpha (and Raphael’s mother) Aunt B.’s mate’s body, vampires, and more, Andrea allows Raphael to persuade her to give mating a try. There’s a revelation about Andrea’s childhood that brought tears to my eyes, but I also thought it was piling on too much. Additionally, while I liked Raphael and Andrea together, I wasn’t entirely convinced they belonged together and were on solid ground. And indeed, readers will see them encounter some big bumps in their road to happiness if they read on. I could’ve done without the scene in which Andrea and Raphael rolled around in garbage to disguise their scents. B-.
Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels book 4) by Ilona Andrews (2010)
Now this book rocked. It begins with Kate unearthing the arrival of a dangerous plague bringer who attacks some of Atlanta’s most powerful organizations, and ends with a fight to the death with a scary character who has an interesting relationship to Kate. There’s a feeling of almost non-stop action. Kate and Curran’s courtship hits a snag early on, the cause of which I still don’t fully understand, and would like to understand better. Was it a misunderstanding, or did a third party mislead them to try and break them up? (If there’s more to come on this topic, please don’t spoil me).
Regardless, Kate takes some huge steps in this book, and I think this was where I started loving her, partly for caring so much about the people in her life and being willing to sacrifice and fight for them, and partly for taking no prisoners. Curran is still his cocky self, but he puts himself in harm’s way for Kate so my thaw toward him continues. Oh, and the Big Bad of this book was truly scary, interesting, and even a little fleshed out. There’s a scene where that villain lays what seems like a curse on Kate. I wondered if it would come true. B+.
Magic Dreams (Jim and Dali novella #1) by Ilona Andrews (2011)
This novella might be my favorite work in the series so far. It begins with magic user / white tiger shape shifter Dali discovering that Jim is not himself, sleepy and confused. As the two investigate the deaths of some pack members they discover that a magical being is behind those, and behind the curse affecting Jim. They also have to face their unacknowledged feelings for one another, which Dali fears to admit.
Dali is quite possibly my favorite character in this series. Maybe she’s not as ass kicking as Kate but she is brave and fascinating in her own way. Jim is a good character too – definitely the strong, silent type, as well as committed to the people who died and to Dali’s safety. I loved the way Dali risked herself for Jim, and also the bit with the butterflies. Kate and Curran are a little too bestest specialest but Dali and Jim feel more real to me. B+.
Magic Slays (Kate Daniels book 5) by Ilona Andrews (2011)
Another very strong book. Kate is still adjusting to her new role as pack alpha or “Consort” (a title I dislike as much as she does, and hope to see go away), as well as to working for herself. Here we have an unpiloted vampire on the loose, the return of a glum Andrea, now ejected from the Order and split from Raphael, the addition of Derek and teenage bouda Ascanio to Kate’s investigative agency, and a case that involves a missing inventor and his terrifying device.
Things I liked about this one: Kate’s discovery that her mother and stepfather had feet of clay, the way Atlanta’s magical organizations worked together, the Russian sorcerers, a crisis that put Julie’s life in danger, the steps Kate was willing to go to save her child, and most especially a scene in which Kate’s doubts about Curran’s love for her are put to rest.
I was less keen on Andrea in this book. I wanted her to get over her moping and take charge of her life. I also wasn’t sure how I felt about Ascanio until later in the book. This book felt less high octane, nonstop entertainment than Magic Bleeds, but I did love the scenes I mentioned, and now I fear for the future of Kate’s relationship with Julie. B+
Some thoughts on the books I’ve read so far:
Two factors readers should consider is that (A) I almost never binge read a series back to back but I have done so here and (B) I had a cold when I read these books but still enjoyed them! It is possible that if I had read these books when I felt 100%, I might have enjoyed them even more.
Other than the Dali/Jim novella, Magic Dreams, the Kate Daniels books I’ve read so far weren’t quite as awesome for me as On the Edge, Burn for Me, and perhaps even Bayou Moon. Part of it is that it feels like there is less focus on the romance in this series, and part of it is that so far at least, I prefer couples like Rose/Declan, Jim/Dali, Nevada/Rogan, and William/Cerise to Kate/Curran. Kate is great on her own and she and Curran are even good for each other, but they’re a little mainstream for my tastes, and I like Andrews’ quirkier couples better. I also love it when the Andrews focus on family dynamics but there’s a little less of that here so far.
Having said that, I love how badass Kate is, in a way that women often aren’t in genre fiction. So many times I see readers talking about how tough a female character is, and then when I read the book I’m less impressed. Kate really is a fighter who doesn’t quit and I appreciate that so much.
Magic Bleeds is where this series turned the corner for me too.
I love this series so much, but I still haven’t warmed up to Curran. I’m not sure what it is exactly, but he’s just never appealed to me.
When I re-read this series, I start with Magic Strikes and go from there.
I love Kate Daniels and i feel you on it taking a while for the series to grow on me. I’ve read all the way through and i am considering going back and rereading. May i make a suggestion: the audio books! Renee Raudman reads them and she is amazing. I may use all of my Audible credits to buy all of the audio books because of her.!
The Kate Daniels series is actually my favorite series out of all the books I’ve read! In fact I LOVE all of Ilona Andrew’s work (The Edge and Burn for Me are fantastic), but Kate is the top for me. I’ve always enjoyed the originality, the laugh out loud quality and the characters. Urban Fantasy is my favorite genre, it easily hooks me, but Kate got me on the first and had me coming back for more. I re-read it often and recommend it all the time. I hope you keep enjoying the series it goes all kinds of good places!
Keep reading it gets better and better! I have reread and relistened to them on Audiobook too over and over. They are my go-to’s for when I am between series.
OMG you finally read Kate Daniels. YAY! I love these books too – so much.
This series is right up there with the Mercy Thompson series for me. The dialog, the snark the way Kate and Curran’s relationship has grown, it all does just it for me. These are the books I can barely wait for every year.
My love for this series is deep and wide, ever since “Here, kitty, kitty, kitty” in MAGIC BITES. There is nothing easy or peaceful about these stories for the characters and, similar to Devon Monk’s Allie Beckstrom books, I wonder how, if and who will survive. I am always riveted. And I’ll second the enthusiasm for the audio books, too.
~
*”Other than the Dali/Jim novella, Magic Dreams, the Kate Daniels books I’ve read so far weren’t quite as awesome for me as On the Edge, Burn for Me, and perhaps even Bayou Moon.” * ~
Funny … My feelings on this have been completely vice-versa. I think it is about the kind of genre you prefer. I prefer Urban Fantasy to PNR and Romantic Fiction with more character development than well… Romance!
It *is* kind of true that you need a little time to warm up to the series . I also thought that Magic Bites was the weakest book in the series and Magic Strikes was the one that got me invested.
However one of the reasons I loved this series was Kate rather than Kate-n-Curran’s relationship. I liked her strength of character and that she wasn’t a cutesy-wishy-washy heroine nor an emotionless killer .. but somehow managed to be a real, strong woman.
@Erin: That was such a fun book! And I started loving Kate there.
@Tae: I don’t actively dislike Curran anymore but he’s not a favorite character for me either. I think it’s that he thinks so much of himself.
@Jennifer & Justine B.: I have heard great things about the audiobooks and need to check them out sometime.
@Danielle & Colleen: I enjoy the humor, snark and the Kate/Curran relationship too, but I think at this point the best thing about the Kate books is Kate herself. She’s developed into a very compelling figure. She’s strong and even powerful, but has more powerful enemies. As I said above, she’s a fighter who doesn’t quit, and I love that about her. But she still has vulnerabilities and insecurities. The authors have rounded her out very nicely from the way she began in the first book, and I love the way her circle of friends, allies and family members has grown.
@Darlynne: Yes, I agree — the fact that lives are in danger and characters we come to care about can get injured or even die raises the stakes.
@Teena: My previous comment crossed paths with your in the ether, but you can see from that comment that I love Kate too. I agree, she’s better than her relationship with Curran. I read more romance than Urban Fantasy but I can love some Urban Fantasy, too (I’ve given great reviews to some of Ben Aaronovitch’s series, and most of his books have less romance than the Kate books). So I don’t think it’s as simple a matter as a preference between UF and romance. I think for UF to work for me I have to adore the protagonist and Kate has gotten wonderful but didn’t start out that way.
What I loved best about the early Edge books was the world itself. I loved the way the world sat in between two other worlds and one could cross over to our world and go to WalMart then come home and have to deal with magic and monsters in On the Edge. I thought that juxtaposition was really wonderful, and in Bayou Moon I loved the magical bayou setting. I also loved loved loved George and Jack. As I say, I think Andrews write kids incredibly well, and George and Jack are tops for me as far as their child characters go.
I think that with Burn for Me, I loved Nevada’s relationship to her family. Rogan and Nevada’s dynamic was really exciting, with Nevada’s mistrust of him and the way she stood up to him, but that wasn’t all I loved about that book. I loved Nevada’s whole family, but especially the mechanic grandma.
Anyway, Magic Bleeds and Magic Slays are IMO thisclose to being just as good, so I think I’m mostly taking points off for the weaker books at the beginning of the series. And I was sick when I read them–that makes a difference too.
@Sirius: Well, I still have four books and three short stories left to read!
Like you, I didn’t like Book 1 at all and gave up on the series. Then, was convinced to begin again and fell in love with Magic Strikes. I gave up after Book 5 because the plot progression stopped appealing to me, but I do plan to read the other books some day.
Curran is among my least favorite Ilona Andrews heroes, mostly because he feels very cookie-cutter to me – billionaire alpha who’s good at everything he does *shrugs*. I guess I prefer their vulnerable/unconventional heroes more (William is actually my favorite shape-shifter hero of all time; he’s the closest to his animal nature and is so adorably clueless. I could read a gazillion books featuring William and Jack.)
@Jo Savage: Agreed. Though my favorite Andrews hero is Declan, for the way he fulfilled the three tasks and saved George’s life in the process.
I think Jack is my favorite Andrews character period though. I always laugh out loud when he makes an appearance.
@Janine: I’m a big fan of all the Ilona Andrews books, so I don’t know if you were aware that Jack and George are now part of the Innkeeper series.
@MarieC: Yes, I heard that but I haven’t gotten to those books yet. I definitely plan to read them. I was a little sad to see George and Jack grow up so fast in the later Edge books, to tell you the truth. I loved them best as children. But I am sure I would enjoy them in the Innkeeper books, even if in a different way.
I think your assessment of the first book is fair. Even the authors say they have a really hard time going back and reading that first one. They’ve really honed their craft since then.
For me, what they write so well are families – whether by blood or by choice, their families are real and relatable even in these outrageous magical worlds and situations they imagine for us on the page.
Kate has been an interesting character to follow, because when we meet her she is unformed beyond this mercenary with an unfulfilled mission and isolated from things and people due to the one job she can’t seem to complete – Die while attempting to kill her father in vengeance. Her isolation to me is what made the first book a challenge to read. As the books progress, they become better, because Kate herself becomes better, becomes more than the solitary, one-liner merc. But if all that had happened overnight, insta-family/romance, I think it would have been a shallow and disingenuous achievement.
The other thing I love about this series is that to me it has a cohesive story arc. The authors seem to know their final destination and have a plan for ending the series. So many multi-book verses lack that IMO and it makes for long drawn out series with no fulfilling completion.
@Janine:
It is, it feels so weird to tell people, “just push through the first three books…..”
But that is exactly what I tell people.
@BooksDarling: Yes, I agree with everything you said.
@Erin: I think I might tell a friend to skip the first book at least, and then push through #2 and #3.
Erin, Janine I usually tell people to push through first two books. I started with book three ( by accident ) and loved it and then went back.
@Janine: If you like Jack and George, I hope you’re reading the Innkeeper series.
I’m sorry that the Kate Daniels series hasn’t yet hit the sweet spot for you in the way it does me and so many readers. When I really like something–and I *really* like this–I so want everyone else to like it, and get the same enjoyment out of it, the way I do.
As for me, I’ve liked the Kate Daniels series from the first book. I recognize that it wasn’t the strongest book and had a different tone from the others, but the humor was already coming out. The humor is what sets this series apart, IMO, and is probably my favorite part. There are scenes that still make me laugh regardless of how many times I’ve read them–and I read them all the time. (I reread one of the books just this past weekend. :-) ) Magic Strikes was the book where the series became, well, magical for me. There’s so much going on, and it’s pretty dark, but it’s funny as hell, too. I will always laugh at Raphael handing Kate a fan.
Oh, and I second the reccie for the audiobooks. As soon as I’ve read a new book in the series, I immediately listen to the audiobook. And, no, I’m not at all obsessed. Why do you ask?
@Susan: Oh, I would say it has hit a pretty sweet spot for me given that I almost never go on a streak of reading a bunch of books by the same author back to back like this. The prose could be stronger, but the storytelling is really gangbusters.
@Darlynne: Ilona Andrews pretty much had me at “here kitty kitty” too. I listened to the series so I think part of my enjoyment came from the excellent narration.
I also support the recommendations for the audio versions of the Ilona Andrews books. Renee Raudman does a terrific job.
@Janine et al: re Kate Daniels series, the first book wasn’t as good as later ones but I believe the books just get better and better helped by the fact Kate is a great heroine. I found Curran arrogant and annoying till he mellowed and became more supportive of Kate as the series went on. I also enjoyed the stories which featured characters from the KD world- Dali, Jim, Andrea, Derek. A particular favourite of mine is Gunmetal Magic which features Andrea’s story.
The Edge series, Innkeeper Series, Burn for Me ( Book 1 of Hidden Legacy) are all terrific as are the two novellas Silent Blade and Silver Shark. All feature smart, strong, capable women and the world building and adventure is awesome. For some readers the fact that sometimes the romance takes a back seat will be a disappointment. However since I would rather this than have my H/h stop for a kiss and a cuddle while they are being pursued by baddies wielding weapons and threatening to blow up the world I don’t mind.
I feel a bit like the odd girl out here. I’ve always loved Curran. He’s one of my favourite heroes.
Kaetrin: Not too odd–I’m with you!
I think I missed the first two books and joined at the third, so I never had the “ewww” reaction from just reading the first. Curran did come off as a typical alphahole, but I made allowances for The Beast Lord! When we got his background, though, he stopped being a “type.” His need for control due to his childhood, and The Code that all shifters must live by to remain sane, it made sense. Then there was Kate: a life lived under ever-present threat (future/perceived and immediate); wary of any kind of relationship (even friends!) for fear of being used or betrayed; always having to hide (her skills/blood/magic). Curran proved he could be there for her when she needed him, was strong enough to stand beside her, and I think that’s a very attractive thing for someone who’s always been punishingly self-sufficient.
But I truly adore the way their relationship has grown and how they’re growing together, both making efforts to accommodate the other. In the last two books especially, it seems that they really appreciate each other. It’s not just “true lurv”–it feels like two people who “fit” together, but still know a relationship requires work.
I really love this series… so much! I devoured the Derek novella, and I think Dali/Jim are the bee’s knees!
@BooksDarling: You’re absolutely right about the Andrews writing great families. Your comment reminded me of that scene in Magic Slays when the volhvs and witches have the meeting with Kate and Curran, and you brace yourself for some serious political discourse, then end up roaring with laughter at the familial shenanigans that ensue. That was my favorite scene in the book!
I love Curran too however as I may have mentioned before the fact that Andrews’ made me love the character is an extra testament to their talent. Normally I don’t like his character type – I don’t mind character with some alpha characteristics but alpha hole is so so not for me. But I love his character journey and as elf said in the last two books I see two people that fit. And there is a good example – I was reading “Burn for me” for the heroine and the story. I could not stand the male lead .
I like Curran. He mellows out. Seems like an alphhole at first, but at heart he’s not.
Seriously, that series gets better and better.
I think the Andrews team was intentional in the way they introduced cranky a-hole Curran and then slowly revealed his motivation for his behavior. So much of what he does is motivated by love, responsibility and early trauma. I was extremely put off by the aggression and bad behavior in the book, and had they done an insta-love at that point I would have dropped the series. It was the cup of coffee and “As you wish,” that brought me back for more. (Hell, throw in Princess Bride reference and I’ll happily read a menu.) IMO, that was the clue that foretold what direction the series would take. In spite of the early animosity/power plays – he listened.
What kept me is that while he could be hard and unyielding, he respects Kate and her abilities – just doesn’t appreciate her willingness to fling herself sword first into danger with a bad plan. He built the Keep to ensure the safety of those he loves and it was a hard lesson to recognize that she is a person of action and will never wait behind a wall when people she cares for or feels responsible for are in danger. They just needed to learn how to use their words and then listen. There are few UF power couples like them out there.
If you haven’t read it yet – Ilona wrote an AMAZING Analysis of the Alphahole. I think y’all would love it!
http://www.ilona-andrews.com/brief-analysis-of-alphahole-trope-in-romantic-fiction/
@Jo Savage: I would read an entire 10 book series about that family. They are wacky beyond belief (except I do believe it because MY family is crazy too!)
I also love the level of research they do for they mythos and locations. It makes the stories and the characters all the more rich IMO.
I wonder how your impressions of Curran will change after the big life altering events at the end of Magic Breaks (or is it Magic Rises? The Roland book.) you’ll hate him again in the Hugh book, then he redeems all in the Roland book. Everything changes after that and oh my, I loved it before but now I simply cannot stand the wait for each new installment. The other thing the Andrews do well is villains and Roland may just be the best villain of all time because sometimes you forget he IS a villain and start to like him….
@T Garfield: I am really looking forward to that, but please no more spoilers! I want to be surprised by all that stuff. Recently I finished the short story about Julie and Andrea’s book; I hope to write about those soon. Now I’m taking a break from Kate since I have a couple of ARCs I’ve committed to reviewing. When I finish those, I hope to get back to the series. The books are such page turners that it’s going to be difficult to find a long enough chunk of time in which to read them.