Kate Daniels Read-A-Long w/Candace's Book Blog: Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

Series: Kate Daniels 2
Format: Mobi
Release Date: April 2008
Publisher: Ace
Source: Gift
Genre: Urban Fantasy

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

Me: Hey Candace! First off, thank you for reading this series with me. I've had the books for years now but I never really got around to starting it.... So what did you think of MAGIC BURNS?

Candace: YES! I have had the series since before I started blogging in 2008. It was way past time to finally pick up. It took a minute, and I had to be in the right mood, but once I was I really loved this one! I listened to the audiobook so it wasn't like I devoured it fast but I did find myself pushing to make more time to listen to it as I wanted to know what happens next.


Me:  I found the first book, Magic Bites good, but I didn't quite get why it's such a sensation among UF readers and fans. Now I'm slowly getting it. The universe is immense! I love all smorgasbord of paranormal creatures. I especially love their vampire mythos and the whole hierarchy of weres.

Candace: I was a little blah about the first book and felt the same. I didn't get it. But I know that urban fantasy series are just like that. I often have to read the second (or even the third) before I'm invested. I find myself invested now. I'm not totally in love with the vampire idea. But I kind of like the uniqueness of them. Totally unlike anything else I've read. And you really don't know what kind of weird creature will pop up next!

Me: So true, I wasn't expecting sea monsters and those types of witches in MAGIC BURNS. And they did it so well too! The cast and kind of characters isn't overwhelming, unlike some UF series where they keep on dumping creatures at us.

How do you like the World building here? The series is considered "old" and since we're behind the curve, does it still feel fresh and exciting at this point?

Candace: Yes, actually I think because of the nature of it, it's kind of timeless. At least more so than many books. Because of the nature of things, there's not the stuff that 'ages out' or dates it. It works well because no matter what it's more of an alternate future and already so different. I really loved how this was done. The only thing is that I have heard so much about this series for so long that I knew some things already. But I don't think it ruined anything for me. And really, it's just a unique series so far. I have read quite a bit of UF and haven't read anything quite like it (Devon Monk has a magic series that is kind of similar feel but still very different). What are your thoughts on that? Do you think it does a good job of being a series that doesn't feel dated? And do you think it's unique? You've probably read even more UF then I have...

Me: I haven't read DMonk, yet another series I should try at some point. Yes, oddly it still feels unique to me even if I've read a lot of UF that has a mish-mash of creatures. I'm sure IAndrews have inspired a lot of other UF authors, thankfully nobody has written anything that's close to Kate and Curran. I personally think it's the Lion shifter part, I haven't met a Lion shifter Alpha Kind before...

Our gabfest continues on at Candace's Book Blog with audiobook feedback. 

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