Kate Daniels 5: Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

This book had everything I could ever ask an author for: 1 part action, 1 part mystery, add 1 evil villain with nefarious plans, shapeshifters and vampires and witches (oh my!), a dash of romance, a pinch of humor, and the crazy antics of our favorite characters Kate and Curran...mix together and you've got a perfect urban fantasy recipe!

I truly loved this book...especially because this wasn't your typical middle of the series filler book. What I love is how Ilona Andrews is able to connect all of their books plus the novellas into a coherent series while still allowing a certain amount of originality in each storyline. Their character development is some of the best I've ever read. We don't just love Kate and Curran...we get to learn about the other shifters, learn to care about them. The supporting characters aren't just space fillers in the plot; they're an important force all on their own.

This is an atypical book in that we get to see after Kate and Curran's HEA. Most books end with the hero and heroine either finally in a solid relationship or making that big commitment and saying "I do." In Magic Slays, we get to see Kate and Curran in a solid relationship...bunnycakes the Consort and her sugar woogums, His Furriness. Their interaction and antics as a couple is hilarious (what I would have given to be a fly on the wall while this book was being written :D) Poor Curran...I thought for sure that this would be the book where he'd finally give into his instincts and lock Kate away in a tower or have a heart attack...


It was also interesting to see Kate grow as a person now that she's the Beast Lord's Consort. She's not on her own anymore...suddenly she's responsible for the entire pack and has to deal with all of the politics that comes along with that power.


We're moving closer and closer to that final showdown...and now, Kate has more to lose than ever. I can't wait to see where Ilona Andrews takes me in the last few books.


5 stars *****

Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

This book is another shining example of why Ilona Andrews is my favorite author. It pulls you in and makes you care deeply about all the characters not just Kate. Each book you learn more about the shapeshifters so they are not just names that are listed but you become attached so when one is lost in battle it is sad. Even the People are more interesting as you learn more about their background.

As you read you root for Kate and her friends, become angry, laugh, and cry along with these characters as they go through the story up against impossible odds. I also love how Kate seems to learn more about her family history and makes more connections in the magical community each book. I was deeply satisfied finishing this book and even though there are still many loose ends I look forward to reading the next installment to see what crazy situation Kate is thrown into next while Curran is left growling and chasing after her trying to save her life again.

I regularly read the author’s blog and I know she had some difficulties with the story but I just wanted to commend her and anyone who will listen that this series is a great read and a shining light among urban fantasy novels. As an additional note you should read the blog – the author and her family have a great sense of humor. : )

Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill

I finally had the chance to read Hard Bitten. I picked it up with excitement and trepidation. Kelsey had a chance to read it the day it came out and has been bursting to talk to me about it. She said the ending was insane. Finishing it, I think it was a really well written, solid book. It is what I would call a transition book where a lot of loose ends are tied and some major events near the end of the book in a way restart the excitement in the series and send it in an entirely new direction. I did enjoy the book, but I do find I get bored during transition books at times (not the author’s fault it happens in most series I read). I found at the end of the book all I could really think of was “How the hell is the author going to get out of that plot twist?” Well, her restart of the series has me intensely interested in the next book coming out in November.

Chicago Vampires 4: Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill

Ok, I said we weren't going to post until June, but I can't help myself. I'm waiting for Crystin to read CV 4, but I need to put these thoughts somewhere, or my head just might explode. I got my copy of Hard Bitten around 3am this morning, and finished at 6am; I'm exhausted, and the ending really hit me hard because I wasn't expecting it at all. Totally stunned me, which rarely happens. Kudos to you Ms. Neill.

So, here's my review...nothing really spoilerish. I think that my brain has been overloaded by the events of CV 4, and when you add the exhaustion of staying up literally all night to read and finish the book, I can't formulate any serious or deep thoughts. I'm definitely going to have to re-read Hard Bitten once my brain stops freaking out from information overload and shock. Basically all of that rambling means that a more detailed review is still to come.


So, I finished Hard Bitten almost 2 hours ago, and I'm still not quite sure what to say in this review. I think I'm still in shock...so no real spoilers here (but read at your own risk):

I did give this book 5 stars. I think that CN is a wonderful writer and a fantastic storyteller. She is one of a very few authors whose pacing is spot on (in my opinion). There is a lot of action that happens in this book, and I thought that the pacing was perfect. One of my biggest pet peeves is when events happen too fast to be realistic; but everything felt really natural in this book. I loved the whole suspenseful who-dun-it theme! It really added an extra umph to the plot! Merit kicks some serious ass in a variety of ways and settings!

The chemistry between Merit and Ethan TB post-break up was great; I loved watching Ethan change a little bit while still maintaining his essential Ethan-ness. Again, everything is very realistic; I really appreciate the normalcy in a supernatural setting.

Overall, in my opinion, this book is a great addition to the series. I think that it's a shame that people are letting the ending (aka the last 10 pages or so) color their entire opinion of the book. Don't get me wrong, I am just as angry/shocked/upset as everyone else about the ending...I'll admit it, I totally cried (it was worse HP6), but considering the book overall, it was fantastic plot-wise, character-wise, and emotionally it really hit me home hard!

I am extremely interested to see how CN deals with everything in Drink Deep. But I am definitely still processing everything that's happened. All I can say is, congratulations CN...you have officially joined the very small group of authors who have managed to completely shock and stun me. I totally didn't see it coming. That doesn't happen very often, so kudos.

Welcome everyone to our blog! We're so excited to try this whole blogging thing and see if we can manage to post regularly between the two of us.

Just a note: we're not planning on posting anything really until late May or early June as we both finish up the college school year.

Looking forward, we're excitedly expecting this summer (just to name a few):

Chicago Vampires 4: Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill (May 3, 2011)

Kate Daniels 5: Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews (May 31, 2011)

Hexed Anthology (includes Jim and Dali short by Ilona Andrews) (June 7, 2011)

Tiger's Curse Series 2: Tiger's Quest by Colleen Houck (June 7, 2011)

The Parasol Protectorate 4: Heartless by Gail Carriger (June 28, 2011)

Night Huntress 6: One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost (August 30, 2011)

So, keep us in the back of your minds, and check back soon. We can't wait to get started...especially with all of the great urban fantasy and paranormal romance books and anthologies due out in the next few months.

Thanks for stopping by!

<3 2 Chicks and a Book