MAGIC BLEEDS

Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

367 pages

Reviewed by Rae C.

From SLPL Bibliocommons:

The fourth Kate Daniels novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author who "defines urban fantasy" (Fresh Fiction). 

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...

What a great series! Every book just gets better and better!  And this one is really significant because we meet another member of Kate's family, her relationship with Curran becomes serious, she gets a dog- and there is a twist in the dog's story which is hilarious and awesome! (Actually two twists in the dog's story.)  The relationship between her and Curran is especially satisfying because they are both so crazy and stubborn, and there are so many obstacles to overcome.

The only drawbacks are the same as the other books- they really read a lot mythology, but none of it retains any of the original flavour, it's all just filtered into modern comic book superhero identities.  But these are fun books, not meant to be serious.  But if, like me, you read a lot of old cycles and stories, and read a lot about world religions, it does require turning your academic brain off.

If you want to read my reviews of the other three, the links can be found here:
https://slplbookchallenge.blogspot.com/2018/11/magic-strikes.html

Lake Silence

Lake Silence by Anne Bishop  402 pages

Why yes, it's # 6 in The Others series by Anne Bishop (a series I've been working my way through recently).

While this book doesn't continue the story from books 1-5, it is set in the same world and references a few of the characters from the first 5 books.  What's consistent is the way the world is: "Human laws do not apply in the territory controlled by the Others–vampires, shapeshifters, and paranormal beings even more deadly. And this is a fact that humans should never, ever forget . . . "

Vicki DeVine is one of our main characters in this story. She's been through a divorce, but has gained a rustic resort near Lake Silence in a human town that isn't human controlled.  If you're confused by that, it's really going to help if you're read the first book in this series.  While Vicki has started to rehab some of the cabins and start her life over again, things come unraveled when a human body is discovered nearby. The investigating detectives seem to want to pin the man's death on Vicki, even though there isn't any evidence that a human could have killed the victim.  Who really murdered this guy? And what does have to do with Vicki?   And . . .  the story is off and running.

I continue to enjoy this series and find these engaging stories with characters I like.  I was glad that this book went in a different direction, expanding the world beyond the characters in books 1-5.  It was nice to have some new characters while still enjoying the "rules" that Bishop has set up in this world. And, while I found part of the story to be a little predictable, it didn't take away from the enjoyment of the book.

MAGIC STRIKES

Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews 310 pages

https://slpl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1023714116

Reviewed by Rae C.

This is book three in the Kate Daniels series. 

My review of book one https://slplbookchallenge.blogspot.com/2018/09/magic-burns.html
My review of book two https://slplbookchallenge.blogspot.com/2018/11/magic-burns.html

This is an alternate reality world (or possible future) where technology is often overcome by waves of magic.  Cars and electricity will stop working during a magic wave, and when tech comes back on, magical things will often not work, or won't work in the same way. Kate has magical powers of her own, and she work both in the Mercenary Guild (who you call when the cops can't help you) and The Order of Merciful Aid (the cops). 

A regular character, Saiman, who has the ability to shift his appearance but is not a member of the Pack- half-human and half animal- and also has an extreme amount of intel on the various magical forces, hires Kate to help him at the Midnight Games- a kind of Thunderdome, fight to the death, with various magical and otherworldly creatures and weapons.  Saiman is part owner under a fake name and one of his fake appearances.  Initially Kate is just there to give her opinions on the fights and one team in particular.  Of course, Kate ends up in the ring, kicking *** and taking no names.  We learn more about her parentage and powers, more about Saiman (oooh he has a great secret!), more about Andrea, and Curran... The ending of this book is so enticing!  I cannot wait for book four to get here!  I love this series because the romance isn't overdone, in fact, the first two books were just a tease.  Ironically, I keep wishing for a just a bit more bodice ripping, and this book delivers. 

Highly recommend! But don't read these books out of order! 

Jason

Jason by Laurell K. Hamilton, 292 pages

"’Enjoying pain with your pleasure is something you either get, or you don't. If you get it, then you don't really need it explained, because you know how good it feels, and if you don't get it then no amount of talking is going to convince you it makes sense.’ But sometimes you have to explain the unexplainable, especially if the love of your life needs to understand, or she'll leave you. Jason Schuyler is one of Anita Blake's best friends and favorite werewolves, with benefits. J.J. is his lady love, an old flame from childhood who dances at one of the top ballet companies in New York. She's accomplished, beautiful, and she's crazy about him, too. Neither of them wants to be monogamous, so what could go wrong? J.J. is enthusiastically bisexual, with an emphasis on the female side of things. She plans to keep sleeping with women, because Jason can't meet that need, just like she can't meet Jason's need for rough sex and bondage. J.J. doesn't understand why Jason isn't content to go elsewhere for a need she can't fulfil, so Jason asks Anita to help him explain. Anita is having her own relationship growing pains with her only female lover ever, Jade. Jason suggests that J.J. might be able to help Anita with her girl problem, while she helps him with his kinky explanations. With some encouragement from a few other lovers in Anita's life she reluctantly agrees, and J. J. makes plans to fly into town for an experience that none of them will ever forget.” Hamilton’s books have become less story and more sex with every new book, I think.  I still enjoy them, but people that are just looking for a good supernatural read will probably not be satisfied.  These books are a lot closer to erotica than anything else but people who like erotica are likely to love this book.

Imprudence

Imprudence by Gail Carriger, 352 pages

“Rue and the crew of the Spotted Custard return from India with revelations that shake the foundations of England's scientific community. Queen Victoria is not amused, the vampires are tetchy, and something is wrong with the local werewolf pack. To top it all off, Rue's best friend Primrose keeps getting engaged to the most unacceptable military types. Rue has family problems as well. Her vampire father is angry, her werewolf father is crazy, and her obstreperous mother is both. Worst of all, Rue's beginning to suspect what they really are... is frightened.”  This sequel is just as fun as all of Carriger’s other books.  This is for fans of steampunk fantasy.

Dead Ice

Dead Ice by Laurell K. Hamilton, 566 pages

This is another typical Hamilton book: vampires, shapeshifters, witches and sex, with Anita Blake at the center.  The main story is about Anita trying to help the FBI with a case that seems to involve a necromancer that is capable of raising a zombie that appears to be human.  These zombies are being used in sex films and Anita and the FBI are determined to stop him.   Of course, nothing in Anita's world is ever simple, so this case becomes even more awful than she could have dreamed.  In between, she is trying to plan weddings and commitment ceremonies and work out politics in her world with the vampires and shapeshifters.  I liked the book.  I think that people who are fans of her books will probably enjoy it.  However, the people who were fans before all of the sex, who liked them because of the fantasy aspect and fell away because of the sex, definitely will not want to come back to this one.

The Kate Daniels series, books 1 to 6

Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes, Magic Mourns, Magic Bleeds, and Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews, (6 books - 1669 pages)

The Kate Daniels series takes place in a post-apocalyptic world that has, and is constantly ravaged by magic. Now this isn’t the fun kind of magic that you see in books like Harry Potter, this is wild magic. Magic that washes over the world in waves without any warning. Magic that stops technology, kills electricity and erodes buildings. With this apocalyptic onslaught comes various monsters, vampires, shapeshifters, and psychotic magic users. Kate’s job is to make sure the world doesn’t spiral further down the drain.

These books and this series, have quickly become favorites of mine. Not only do they feature a lot of action, some elements of steampunk, and well developed fantasy world, they also have a completely believable lead character. One that doesn’t have to survive by luck or rely on her friends, one that is willing to get the job done, sometimes in very gruesome ways.

I would highly recommend this series to everyone that has read anything fantasy by Kenyon, and want something with more action than lust.

Vision In Silver

Vision In Silver by Anne Bishop, 400 pages

I'm still really enjoying this series.  This book continues story lines that began in the previous books, such as Meg and the terra indigene trying to figure out ways to help the other blood prophets, the girls who've been released, to survive in regular society.  We also get some new developments with food shortages, stolen items, and an interesting storyline about the officer who has become a liaison to the courtyard, Monty, and his family.  The Humans First and Last group has started to become a real problem for the Others, which could end up being a huge problem for the humans, if some of the wilder terra indigene start to deal with matters themselves.  I actually can't wait for the next book to come out.  I think this story just keeps getting better.

Turning Season

Turning Season by Sharon Shinn
341 Pages

 A Shifting circle novel continues the story of a community of shapeshifters.  Karadel is one such shapeshifter who is unable to control when she shifts and what animal she becomes.  Her circle of friends and fellow shapeshifters are threatened by a series of events that might expose their secret.


Sharon Shinn is a local author and I've pretty much enjoyed everything she has written.  While I'm not a huge fan of the Shifting Circle novels,  they are still an enjoyable read.