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Anne's Reviews > Magic Bites
Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1)
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by
Anne's review
bookshelves: paranormal-schmaranormal, read-in-2010, read-in-2017, urban-fantasy, audio, read-in-2024
Jun 27, 2009
bookshelves: paranormal-schmaranormal, read-in-2010, read-in-2017, urban-fantasy, audio, read-in-2024
Read 3 times. Last read February 10, 2024 to February 18, 2024.
This was a really dry book. I mean...wow!
So, I originally read this (at the prompting of my BFF) back in 2010, and was so underwhelmed it took me 4 years to pick up the second book. And, no I didn't bother doing a re-read of book 1 beforehand. I was simply so sick and tired of all my friends telling me what a great series I was missing out on, that I just snatched up 2 and dove in.
I fully expected to hate it.
However, Magic Burns was fantastic, and set me on the path of becoming a rabid fan of not only this series, but of anything the Ilona Andrews duo writes. And even though I've pretty much read everything else that I can get my hands on, I'd still never attempted a re-read of Magic Bites. All I could remember was what a chore it felt like to slog through, and some vague Here, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty... reference to Kate and Curran's first meeting.
It was love at first sight for those two...
So. Fast forward 7 years, and here I am. Finally going back to see what happened to kick off one of my favorite series ever! I felt sure it would be awesome! And in my mind, I looked a bit like THIS while jumping into the story:
The reality was a bit more...THIS:
Ok. So, yes, it was better this time around. Now that I know what the world is like, see where all of this is going with Kate and Curran, know what's up with all of the cryptic references to her father and her blood, and recognize characters that will become important staples in this universe in later books - it wasn't chore to get through it.
However.
I still say this is one of the worst intro books ever. At least, to such a fabulous series.
The first book of a new series should WOW you. It should be so delicious that it slaps you across the face, knocks you off your feet, makes you want to come back for more.
This?
This was dry and crunchy with an oddly unspecific taste to it.
This time around, I'd give it 4 stars because I love these characters SO much, and seeing them meet and fight was unbelievably worthwhile. But there's still a teeny-tiny part of my brain that realizes this book was boring enough that it took me 7 years to bring myself to do a re-read.
I wish I could just be like, Nah, this was great! I don't know what you fools are talking about! And admitting that I understand why a lot of people don't continue with the series after reading this pains me...truly.
Ok, so here's the deal: if you read this and thought it sucked, for the love of God, just read the second book before you decide to give up. And, NO, don't go back and try to do a re-read of this one first! Go...just go! Move on to book 2, and the recaps will get you through.
For anyone who truly did enjoy this book the first time around, know that I'm not saying it's crap, just that I don't believe it does a good job showing how awesome these characters or this world will become in the future.
If you are having a hard time with this, you can also try Magic Bites [Dramatized Adaption ]. All the little extra goodies in that version really made a difference for me.
So, I originally read this (at the prompting of my BFF) back in 2010, and was so underwhelmed it took me 4 years to pick up the second book. And, no I didn't bother doing a re-read of book 1 beforehand. I was simply so sick and tired of all my friends telling me what a great series I was missing out on, that I just snatched up 2 and dove in.
I fully expected to hate it.
However, Magic Burns was fantastic, and set me on the path of becoming a rabid fan of not only this series, but of anything the Ilona Andrews duo writes. And even though I've pretty much read everything else that I can get my hands on, I'd still never attempted a re-read of Magic Bites. All I could remember was what a chore it felt like to slog through, and some vague Here, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty... reference to Kate and Curran's first meeting.
It was love at first sight for those two...
So. Fast forward 7 years, and here I am. Finally going back to see what happened to kick off one of my favorite series ever! I felt sure it would be awesome! And in my mind, I looked a bit like THIS while jumping into the story:
The reality was a bit more...THIS:
Ok. So, yes, it was better this time around. Now that I know what the world is like, see where all of this is going with Kate and Curran, know what's up with all of the cryptic references to her father and her blood, and recognize characters that will become important staples in this universe in later books - it wasn't chore to get through it.
However.
I still say this is one of the worst intro books ever. At least, to such a fabulous series.
The first book of a new series should WOW you. It should be so delicious that it slaps you across the face, knocks you off your feet, makes you want to come back for more.
This?
This was dry and crunchy with an oddly unspecific taste to it.
This time around, I'd give it 4 stars because I love these characters SO much, and seeing them meet and fight was unbelievably worthwhile. But there's still a teeny-tiny part of my brain that realizes this book was boring enough that it took me 7 years to bring myself to do a re-read.
I wish I could just be like, Nah, this was great! I don't know what you fools are talking about! And admitting that I understand why a lot of people don't continue with the series after reading this pains me...truly.
Ok, so here's the deal: if you read this and thought it sucked, for the love of God, just read the second book before you decide to give up. And, NO, don't go back and try to do a re-read of this one first! Go...just go! Move on to book 2, and the recaps will get you through.
For anyone who truly did enjoy this book the first time around, know that I'm not saying it's crap, just that I don't believe it does a good job showing how awesome these characters or this world will become in the future.
If you are having a hard time with this, you can also try Magic Bites [Dramatized Adaption ]. All the little extra goodies in that version really made a difference for me.
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Reading Progress
June 27, 2009
– Shelved
September 20, 2010
–
Started Reading
February 26, 2017
–
Started Reading
February 28, 2017
–
Finished Reading
February 10, 2024
–
Started Reading
February 18, 2024
–
Finished Reading
February 18, 2024
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 118 (118 new)
message 1:
by
Mrs.
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Sep 20, 2010 05:02PM
The first is the hardest, but if you get confused I urge you to go to their website and read the Kate Daniels section about the world and different factions :)
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I kept hearing about this series so much that I finally had to check it out. Thanks for the heads-up about the first book. I'll keep that in mind when I'm reading it!
Yeah, the next books are good though!
That's what I've heard. I planned on reading the next few books. This one wasn't bad, though. It just didn't grab me. Sometimes that happens with the first book.
I am presently hate-reading a book about a magic-using family that is proving to be impossible to finish. 82% in, I feel I MUST finish just 'cause, but Lord I don't even remember The Brothers Karamazov being such a slog.
Lol - exactly!!!! And I even considered rereading it before moving on. Thank goodness I didn't haha. I loved book 3 soooo much and am impatiently waiting on book 4 from the library.
Niki Hawkes wrote: "Lol - exactly!!!! And I even considered rereading it before moving on. Thank goodness I didn't haha. I loved book 3 soooo much and am impatiently waiting on book 4 from the library."I'm waiting for the newest/next book, and I'm dying to know what happens next. I'm glad I had some friends to push this one me, b/c left to my own, this first book would have been my last.
I so agree. I was so bored when I first read this, and to some extent, the second book, but when I got to the third one it was like "Hallelujah, I have found God."Never really understood how IA managed to write a boring first book. Mysteries of life.
Yep. It's sort of insane how amazing their writing is, and then...this! Odd.
Is this something guys would like too or one of those Urban Fantasy books that are really just Romance novels in disguise? I love Urban Fantasy like The Dresden Files, but have been fooled several times from other writers of the genre.
This one is urban fantasy. A few books down the road she and the guy get together, but it's mostly action-packed fights. I'm not a fan of paranormal romance, either.
Anne wrote: "This one is urban fantasy. A few books down the road she and the guy get together, but it's mostly action-packed fights. I'm not a fan of paranormal romance, either."Cool. I don't mind romance in a book, just not looking for it to be the main focus. You all made this sound like it's a good series so I'll check it out.
This is really good to hear! The first book REALLY turned me off of continuing the series. But after reading your review I might give it another go!
Just remember this first one isn't the best, Chad. It's a totally different story as it goes on!
Katie wrote: "This is really good to hear! The first book REALLY turned me off of continuing the series. But after reading your review I might give it another go!"God, yes. Skip this one if you have to!
You make this so uneven, I kind of want to read it now! Haha
Loved your review. Especially Mr.Wilson!
Zack! wrote: "You make this so uneven, I kind of want to read it now! Haha"Try it, Zack! You can even skip this on if you want!
I loved the part of the movie where Dennis replaces the front teeth of his dentures with Chicklets. I don't know why, but that just cracks me up!
Ok Anne. You are the one that convinced me. I didn't like book 1 AT. ALL. But I will pick up book 2 at your encouragement.But I still need to ask.......if one doesn't like Kate Daniels? How will the rest of the series fare?
Jess ❈Harbinger of Blood-Soaked Rainbows❈ wrote: "Ok Anne. You are the one that convinced me. I didn't like book 1 AT. ALL. But I will pick up book 2 at your encouragement.But I still need to ask.......if one doesn't like Kate Daniels? How will ..."
Kate is annoying in this one, Jess, but she's not that way in the rest of the series. I don't know why, but she grated on my nerves in this book as well.
Joudy wrote: "Love your funny reviews"Thank you, Joudy!
Anne wrote: "Jess ❈Harbinger of Blood-Soaked Rainbows❈ wrote: "Ok Anne. You are the one that convinced me. I didn't like book 1 AT. ALL. But I will pick up book 2 at your encouragement.But I still need to ask..."
Ok good. I will look for the second one soon!
I'm biting my fingernails! I hope you like it!
OMG, anne-i am so glad to read this review! after reading your reviews exalting this series i ordered this and just could not get into it. it is sitting on my nightstand still. taking your advice & moving on to book 2. might check it out from the library though. ;)
I love the hilarity and honesty of this review. This is on my TBR, I'm not sure whether or not to touch it. Hmmmmm...
Great summation. I was warned about this first book and I think knowing that it was a bit slow helped me get through it. For some reason I find the first book to be problematic for a lot of the "Urban Fantasy" series. For example: Rosemary & Rue (October Daye), Hounded (Iron Druid Chronicles) - althought I'm still stuck around #3 of this series, but have friends who promise that it keeps getting better, and Storm Front (Dresden Files).
I loved this book but I know that tastes differ. So if you already have it the book give it try. This series has many fans who buy the book on pre-order.
Elizabeth wrote: "OMG, anne-i am so glad to read this review! after reading your reviews exalting this series i ordered this and just could not get into it. it is sitting on my nightstand still. taking your advice..."
Oh, do it! If you can get past this one, you'll probably be hooked.
Patricia wrote: "I loved this book but I know that tastes differ. So if you already have it the book give it try. This series has many fans who buy the book on pre-order."You don't need to pre-order this one, Patricia. I think you must be thinking about the new ones. I did actually read this one twice, and yes, I definitely recommend this series. :)
Erica wrote: "Great summation. I was warned about this first book and I think knowing that it was a bit slow helped me get through it. For some reason I find the first book to be problematic for a lot of the "Ur..."I think this one REALLY got going for me around...4? Now I salivate when a new one hits the stores.
Aileene wrote: "I love the hilarity and honesty of this review. This is on my TBR, I'm not sure whether or not to touch it. Hmmmmm..."
Yes. Yes, yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Yes!
This review is perfect. I never enjoyed the first book, it always felt like (to me) the authors were stumbling around in the dark trying to figure out what to actually write about. Also what a complete ass Curran is at first.
And that Kate gets blamed for things that were not her fault, and she just kinda accepts it. Like.. I didn't do that but ok, are you sure? Ok I did do that then. (totally did not)
Yes! After this series gets going, they really hit their stride! It's an amazing difference. I almost think they kept too much of Kate's backstory secret for too long, you know? Like, if I had known more about her 'secret origin' I would have been waaaaay more interested in finding out more about her and this whole world. This book was kinda vague.
So just finished the Night Huntress series from Jeaniene Frost and going from that to this was like switching from a corvette to a broken down oldsmobile. I am so glad u pushed for the second one because I probably would have stopped. The vagueness and lack of character building was awful for an intro esp into a world where magic/electronics sometimes work sometimes dont. Kate was also blaise as well. She supposedly had spectacular results for joining the order but it doesnt really explain how or what the ranking she got meant at first. Usually if someones sees the kind of horrors she described on one of her first missions u wisen up to potential mission objectives and not run your mouth when facing every leader/ threat. I dont think Kern was that bad but I consider an alpha beast mentallity in charge of 200+ animals, u dont get to sit in the big chair without stepping on a few toes. So thank u for your honestly I keep a leary but hopeful perspective for the rest of the series.
I just finished this book, UGH. Only read it because my friend insists this is a good series. SHOULD have skipped the first book, gone straight to Magic Burns. Please let it be good!
It gets SOOOOOO much better. My friend did the SAME thing to me and I'm really thankful she did. Every book gets better and better and better!
Anne wrote: "It gets SOOOOOO much better. My friend did the SAME thing to me and I'm really thankful she did. Every book gets better and better and better!"So far I am digging Magic Burns :D Don't know if they got a new editor or something, but it is much easier to read.
Right? And from there on out, the books go from meh to WOW.
Thank you for this review! I think I would have walked away from this series after finishing this book (I'm still not done) but I'll give book 2 a try now.
Yes! For the love of god, don't give up because of this dry, crunchy nonsense! Go read the rest! lol
Painfully finished book one last night and even the epilogue was better than the entire book... started book two and am only a few chapters in and it's like a different author took over the series! I wonder if the authors know how many people only stuck with their series because of your review? :)
Ugh this is so me! I was VERY underwhelmed by the first book, I only wanted to keep going because Ilona Andrews' best friend is author Jeaniene Frost, and she writes my favorite vampire series. Jeaniene rants and raves about the Magic Bites series so I really wanted to see what she and everyone else was talking about. I still got a little bored with Magic Burns and I put it down a few months ago. I think I may try again though. I WAS about to try the first one again but you've convinced me to just dive back into the second one! I think I WILL start Magic Burns from the beginning though. I will say, I read the audio versions on both and I think that made comprehension much harder. I'll have to read the hard copy and see how that goes. Thanks for your awesome review!
Laura wrote: "Painfully finished book one last night and even the epilogue was better than the entire book... started book two and am only a few chapters in and it's like a different author took over the series!..."Ha! Just saw this today. Should I ask for a cut? lol
Kiara wrote: "Ugh this is so me! I was VERY underwhelmed by the first book, I only wanted to keep going because Ilona Andrews' best friend is author Jeaniene Frost, and she writes my favorite vampire series. Jea..."If you're still not into it by the end of the 2nd book, then don't sweat it. Not every series is for everyone. I think the second is (by the end) LEAPS and BOUNDS above this one.
Anne wrote: "Kiara wrote: "Ugh this is so me! I was VERY underwhelmed by the first book, I only wanted to keep going because Ilona Andrews' best friend is author Jeaniene Frost, and she writes my favorite vampi..."I CAN'T BELIEVE IT IS OVER. Life as I know it will never be the same...
But then again, Julie and Erra... <3
Right?! I'm hoping Derek runs into them out on the open road...
Anne wrote: "Right?! I'm hoping Derek runs into them out on the open road..."YES PRETTY PLEASE WITH A BIG STEAK ON TOP.
I am going down with the Julie and Derek ship! Though I do wonder why Ascasio did not make an appearance in the last book...
