Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews
Narrator: Renée Raudman
Series: Kate Daniels #2
Published by Tantor Media
Published on: January 29, 2009
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 9hrs & 30 mins
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Amazon | Book Depo | GoodReads
Down in Atlanta, tempers – and temperatures – are about to flare…
As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels has seen her share of occupational hazards. Normally, waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta like a tide. But once every seven years, a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant. Now Kate’s going to have to deal with problems on a much bigger scale: a divine one.
When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta’s paramilitary clan of shapeshifters, she quickly realizes much more at stake. During a flare, gods and goddesses can manifest – and battle for power. The stolen maps are only the opening gambit in an epic tug-of-war between two gods hoping for rebirth. And if Kate can’t stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive…
By the end of Magic Bites I felt like I was beginning to get the gist of the rules of Ilona Andrews’ universe but then, lo and behold, a flare pops up in Magic Burns and all of a sudden those rules go out the window. That, combined with all of the witch and goddess business, and I couldn’t help feeling overwhelmed. Luckily, the convoluted world didn’t dampen my overall enjoyment of this book. Kate’s as cheeky as ever, Curran’s as sexy as sin and the story telling is as good as it gets.
This installment left me with more questions than answers which frustrated me to no end. I realize that Andrews has a long-term plan for this series and that unraveling her secrets in their intended order will be immensely satisfying in the long run but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to know everything now! Some light is shed on Kate’s past and she has more than a few impressive displays on power which leads me to believe that her character has a greater purpose but that about sums up all that I was able to piece together after this book.
I found Daniels’ to be surprisingly introspective in this installment, which is a feat in itself considering all of the trouble that’s brewing in Atlanta. The non-stop action and relentless pacing aside, I thought that the overall tone of this book was quite sad. Kate’s ex is moving on with his life without her, a little girl gets kidnapped, a character dies and, Daniels gives a moving speech about how everyone she’s ever loved is dead and now she’s all alone. Urban Fantasy books don’t normally make me cry, but this one did.
The interactions between Kate and Curran are priceless; I love the way that she challenges the alpha among alphas at every turn. Most of the time it’s unintentional, it’s just her stubborn nature reacting to a situation, but that’s what makes their confrontations so interesting. The beast lord doesn’t know what to make of Kate and he’s attracted to her because of the challenge she represents. The tension between these two is so strained that I honestly think that the likelihood of them tearing each other to shreds is just as great as is the possibility of them doing the nasty. Either way, when they finally dance it’s sure to be explosive!
Renée Raudman is a gifted narrator who has a knack for immersing herself in not only the story she’s reading, but also the main character’s head. After having experienced the first two books of this series in audio, she will forever be the voice of Kate Daniels inside my head.
Magic Burns is Urban Fantasy at its best. That is, until it gets topped by Magic Strikes and it will. I have no doubt. I fully expect that every installment in this series will be better than the last.
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| Recommendation: | If you’re looking for a truly unique experience and world building that’s out of this world. |
| Like this, like that: | The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. |
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
Excellent review Carmel! I wish I was you right now, I’d love experience the series as a I did the first time I read it and the listen. This is some awesome stuff. I love the action and most of all the sexual tension between Kate and Curran 🙂
Haha well I wish I was you right now and that I wasn’t so far behind on this series! I hate playing catch-up.
I’m glad you are enjoying the series. I can’t wait for the new release this summer!
I’m hoping to be caught up by then so I can read Magic Rises right along side everyone else.
Thanks so much for the review. I’ve had a copy of the first book, Magic Bites, in the TBR pile on my nightstand for a while now, but haven’t gotten around to reading it. Because of your post, I’ll move it to the top of the pile!
This series has been on my TBR pile for a long while too but now that I’ve started it… I simply can’t stop! These books are THAT good!
I was really confused during the first book (I even had to re-start it) but it seems like the series has a lot of potential. I can’t wait to read the 2nd one!
The world-building is pretty complex; it’s definitely easy to miss a thing or two and if you do… you’ll quickly end up lost.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying it this series! I love, love, love it and can’t wait until Magic Rises come out!
Better late than never, right? LOL
You can love their books but you can’t steal our love, me and these 2 have a relationship. 😉
LOL. It’s because of that sandwich, Carmel is reading/listening to the books faster. LOL
LOL And I thought *I* was an author stalker… I have nothing on you!
I am not a creepy author stalker though. At least I don’t think I am. I think its flattering if I stalk someone. lol
Great review Carmel, you totally make me want to reread this series now. Glad you are enjoying it 🙂
You should try the audiobooks! 🙂
Awesome Review! Ilona is my all time fav authors and I love the Kate Daniels series too! Magic Bleeds was my favorite in the series but all I believe are pretty EPIC reads 🙂 I’ll admit to author stalking her blog but only because she posts a free serial series called Clean Sweep. If you havent read it yet, you should. Its amazing!
-Danielle @ Coffee and Characters
http://www.daniellecromero.blogspot.com