Ilona Andrews
Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels #4)
Ace
ISBN-10: 0441018521
ISBN-13: 978-0441018529
Urban fantasy
May 25, 2010
From the author’s site:
Atlanta would be a nice place to live, if it weren’t for the magic. 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 rose.
Kate Daniels works for the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, officially as a liaison with the mercenary guild. Unofficially, she cleans up the paranormal problems no one else wants to handle—especially if they involve Atlanta’s shapeshifting community.
When she’s called in to investigate a fight at the Steel Horse, a bar midway between the territories of the shapeshifters and the necromancers, Kate quickly discovers there’s a new player in town. One who’s been around for thousands of years—and rode to war at the side of Kate’s father.
This foe may be too much even for Kate and Curran, the Lord of the Beasts, to handle. Because this time, Kate will be taking on family…
*provided by publisher
Book gud. Bai book. Reed book. Luv book. The End!
Oh, what, that didn’t fool you?
Well, won’t I really just be repeating, basically, what I thought of the last 1, 2 and 3 books? YES. I will. And that’s the point because they are all, including this one, totally made of 100% deluxe awesomesauce!
You’ve either been, like me and others, eagerly anticipating Magic Bleeds for about a year now, or you’re new to the series. If you’re the former, you don’t need any preemptive back scrambling of the series arc to get the gist. If you’re new, please just hang on, step into line, keep arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times and the announcer will clue you in when necessary. Please don your safety belts because the blast of awesome that is this book could pick you clear out of your seat!
There once was a mercenary maiden named Kate Daniels who, when we first met her, decided to swear off Boones Farm “wine” and therefore all other alcohol forever. She’d just lost a dear friend and was understandably under the weather. She persevered till the point we find her at in book four….and she’s now battling a mage with the power to spread highly infectious diseases with the virulent aid of the magic that plagues the land in waves as well as effects weres in a particularly unsettling way. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered quite such a…gross plot, but as Kate tries to save the city of Atlanta from a magically enhanced crop of fuzz-sprouting syphilis, I think to myself – Self, this is Ilona Andrews. If anyone can make this right, as in make my gorge stay in the vehicle with all arms and legs inside said vehicle, it’s Ilona Andrews. Get it together, self!
Don’t worry. There’s actually a good reason for the syphilis! And Kate is once again driven to drink. Welcome to Chapters 1 and 2. But that’s not all. Oh no.
At the end of the third book, readers were eagerly left panting for more of the romantic relationship between Kate and a certain feline beast lord to The Pack, one Curran. Who Kate said, “Here kitty, kitty,” to, or something such, at their first meeting. It’s been on like Donkey Kong (or Thundercats) ever since between the two, the tension mounting to Icelandic volcanic proportions. I’ll give you a clue. Once you get your copy, just read the acknowledgments, and you’ll know if your prayers have been answered in this installment or not. Heh.
The book does, I am mighty pleased to say, deal very well with Kate and Curran’s relationship. Instead of a secondary plot line, I thought it got stepped up quite a bit. I usually don’t like to say things like, Fans will love the turn of Kate and Curran’s relationship this time, but, dudes, yes, you will love the turn of Kate and Curran’s relationship. You will to the millionth power of love. If love was quantified mathematically. Oh god I’m glad love isn’t figured in mathematical terms in my small brain-iverse.
Now that we’ve got what has become the fever pitch of the series out of the way (although the love-fest will only make you want MORE garrrrr!), let’s talk about plot and characterization and other goodies, m’kay?
Kate’s been hiding a big ‘ole traditional urban fantasy Dark Secret since book one, something that makes her job as an employee with the Order (an established organization whose purpose is to aid those in dire magical need) a bit difficult. If you’re already into the series, you know what she has to hide, but since we’re going spoiler free (and even at the cost of all those delicious details revealed in prior books – you licentious fiends!), I won’t get into specifics. Suffice to say, Kate has to put a little more elbow grease into making sure scenes where she’s gotten too forceful physically get cleaned up properly. It would also be ideal were she able to keep a low profile, but each book brings Kate closer and closer to full exposure, her secrets flapping in the magical Atlanta, Georgia breeze like silky knickers and bed sheets. And believe you me, someone highly dangerous is looking for her figurative knickers and bed sheets. (flap flap flap)
OK, I’ll give slightly – it has to do something with family, but that’s all I’ll say in that regard.
Kate’s faced a worthy adversary each time, and each time I think we see Kate’s confidence boosted as a result. She says a lot in this book how the bad guys, this time the illness-inducing mage from the beginning chapters, aren’t going to win. She’s going to beat them. She’s going to win. And we know by now why she’ll win – she’ll do anything to protect those she loves. That hasn’t changed, it’s only gotten more fierce.
If it wasn’t for the fact that Kate gets results just about every time she goes into battle, I might’ve thrown the towel in on this series by now. Kate gets hurt. A lot. This book is no exception. But she’s capable and gets things done and so the usual, seemingly absurd amount of pain and agony she sustains doesn’t delve into the actual realm of absurd. These encounters make her stronger, coalescing with that boost of confidence into this awesome super woman of a madonna of urban fantasy!
Woops! Sorry, lemme just go stick my fangirl back in the closet. So sorry about that. She’s…yeah.
Moving on. Dudes, I don’t know how the Andrews writing team steps it up every book, but they do. Magic Bleeds is probably my favorite book to date and I love how they weave back through series time and reconnect little details here and there, solidifying it all that much more as a series. There is a wonderful clear progression of a series arc and you can see it like a tunnel reaching back to book one. That arc is tightening around Kate as the mage mentioned above reigns a holy terror of disease-a-thons over the city, targeting powerful people to beget their nasty plagues. Kate does her usual smart sleuthing and cleverly figures out who’s behind it all. And methodically goes about stomping their ass into the ground.
As noted above, this isn’t without a considerable bit of damage to Kate, and I think this all aids her and Curran in becoming closer. His natural animal instincts are on full Rambo alpha male mode and The Pack is on Kate’s butt to do something about it. And just when Kate thinks the mage is taken care of, everything she thought she could live without might well be forever ripped from her.
We get to see more of the incorrigible Saiman, one of the most interesting of the recurring secondary series characters. He’s always had a thing for Kate, and this time he is awesomely influential in egging Curran on. We got to learn a very intriguing secret about Saiman last time, and even if he’s only Curran….well, let’s just say Saiman will always be one of my favorite characters. The resident chameleon, if you will. He has no ethics, no morals, none which do not serve him that is….or does he? I wondered after what he does to “help” Kate.
We also get to see more of Kate’s best gal pal, Andrea the bouda, or hyena shifter. She’s actually a more rare form of shifter, something that would normally get her killed if it weren’t for Kate and some other great folks keeping her secret. She provides some good backup for Kate, and Andrea’s relationship with another of the hyena clan, Raphael, is always good for some more comic relief.
Derek, a young member of The Pack, is also back for a few cameos, but he doesn’t have nearly as big a role this time. I look forward to more development in his arena because what happened to him in the last book, which is alluded to in this installment, has changed him.
Julie, Kate’s adopted kid, also figures in, but much more in the background this time. I do like how she adds that air of family that Kate is so scared of trying to keep. And I love Kate’s fierce protectiveness of the seeemingly emotionally fragile girl.
Kate is one of those first person protagonists that doesn’t hog the story. While on one hand, yes, it is all about her, on the other hand it also is not. We have learned (and still do) so much about the world this is all housed in, the other characters, the unique mythologies incorporated each time, and the ins and outs of every major governing force (The Pack, The Order, The Guild, The People, etc.), and so on. Kate is a superb narrator, showing it all to us in a glorious urban fantasy technicolor perfect for the imagination.
I feel like this review has been just about the vaguest one I’ve done yet, but you don’t want me to go any further. You want and need to experience this for yourself. If I had time, I would have immediately gone back to book one and read them all the way through after finishing Magic Bleeds. That is just about the highest compliment I can give a series, it’s ability to empower in me a way to live on past a first, maybe even second and third, reading. These books are here to stay. They only get better. I don’t ever want them to end. I can only honestly say that about one other series for me personally. The Kate Daniels books have arrived, baby. They’ve proven their resilience with Magic Bleeds, but Andrews, I think you had me at “Here, kitty kitty.”
Rating: Five Scoops
Series order:
- Magic Bites
- Magic Burns
- Magic Strikes
- Magic Bleeds
Giveaway Rules Closed, Winners Announced
I have one copy to give to a U.S. resident thanks to the ever awesome and generous Katiebabs – thank you, Babs!
ET: GOOD NEWS! The publisher has graciously agreed to chip in three more copies to the U.S. side of the contest.
I will also do one 4 pre-orders for international peeps via The Book Depository. To see if you qualify for their free shipping, PLEASE check this list to see if your country is on there. If not, I will have to cancel your entry and redraw a winner that they can ship to.
1. One comment per person/IP address, please.
2. Any comment, no specific questions this time.
3. But you MUST specify if your U.S. or international so I can do the drawings more easily. Pretty please! Please try not to come back later and add that in on a separate comment oh please oh please.
3. Starts now, ends Saturday, May 15 at midnight, Friday, May 14 at Eastern U.S. time (I’ve changed the deadline since so many people have entered to win. It will take me a good while to calculate the winners and so will get started sooner.).
And that’s it! Go go go go! And good luck.
February 21, 2012
May 1, 2012
May 1, 2012
February 28, 2012
April 3, 2012
April 3, 2012
May 8, 2012
February 28,2012
May 1,2012
July 3,2012
Would love to win a copy of Magic Bleeds. I am desperate for this book!!
International (UK) :)
I am going crazy waiting for this book! I keep re-reading the preview and would totally love to get a copy!!
U.S.
US
I’d love to win a copy of this book!
Thanks!
would love a copy of the book..thanks!
USA
U.S.A
I would love to win this book ~ among my favoriate authors~ ~ ~
I would like to win this book.
USA, USA, USA!!!
international
I would really love this one!!
I would give up chocolate if I could win this book! International (UK)
Great review can’t wait to read it
(International – UK)
I so love Kate!!!! I am excited to get this book!
USA
Ohh! I’m in! I’m in the US :~)
I love this series! I was hesitant to read it but am totally addicted to Kate now.
U.S.
USA – Please enter me!
Thanks for the contest!!
Would love a chance to read this. I’m in the US :)
I’m a new fan to Ilona Andrews…checked out and read the first three Kate Daniels books from the library over the last 5 days and I have to agree—fantastic! I’m saving up to buy these first 3 books and would be so happy if I win a copy of Magic bleeds! Here’s crossing my fingers…x
Sorry! I forgot to say I’m from the USA!
Ah! Sorry I missed the last instruction about added where I’m from—hope this doesn’t count against me…pls! Hopefully third time’s the charm:
I’m a new fan to Ilona Andrews…checked out and read the first three Kate Daniels books from the library over the last 5 days and I have to agree—fantastic! I’m saving up to buy these first 3 books and would be so happy if I win a copy of Magic bleeds! Here’s crossing my fingers…x
(US)
reading this review makes me want to read the book so bad!! please enter me thanks!!
(usa)
Love the Kate daniels series!! and would love to be entered to win a copy of this book.
would like to be entered!
U.S. resident
Wonderful giveaway, I love this series!
U.S.
Oh dear, I am now even more desperate for this book! (Which I didn’t know was possible). What a great review- I would love to be entered.
I’m from the UK :-)
I can has? US.
I live in the U.S and am praying that I get picked!
US. Please pick me!
I would love to win a copy of this Please?
USA resident
jellybelly82158 at gmail dot com
I would love to win a copy of this book
USA resident
jellybelly82158 at gmail dot com
(u.s. resident) add me in for a chance to win a copy of magic bleeds!
I would die (from Happiness) if I won a book. I am dying in anticipation. If only it would come out like today! :(
U.S. resident
great contest for a fab book.
I’m in the US
heatwave96(at)hotmail.com
Thanks for the review — I cannot wait to read the latest installment of Kate — she is by far my favorite, most kick-ass, all time hero. And Curran action too? Swoon.
(US Resident)!!! sorry I forgot :(
xoxo
Hi, sorry, but the contest was over on May 14. Sorry I didn’t make that more clear.
1) Tesis (Alejandro Amenabar, 1996) Disturbing film based around the concept of snuff movies.