Description: Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.
   Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap.

Review: This is an another adrenaline pumping read in the Kate Daniel series. We finally meet Hugh D'Ambray, a character that I loved to hate. Hugh is almost like the male version of Kate herself, he has the same fighting skills, tenacity, and stubbornness. The big thing that separates them is Kate's strong moral code and conscience, both of which Hugh finds unnecessary and useless. It's clear that Kate hates Hugh though there is a part of her that can not deny a pull towards him, but to be clear there is no love triangle.
  There is a lot of conflict, angst, and miscommunication in this book. I know a lot of readers hated Curran in this book but I wasn't one of them which isn't to say that I approved what he did but I knew his heart had the best intentions. We also lose a valuable pack member in this book which was shocking, but necessary in order to move the plot arc along. 

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language, strong violence, and some crude sexual humor. Recommended for adults.


Description: As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers. Since Kate’s connection to Roland has come out into the open, no one is safe—especially those closest to Kate.
   As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of the leaders from the various supernatural factions in Atlanta. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered there, apparently at the hands of a shapeshifter, Kate is given only twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war which could destroy everything she holds dear.

Review: After hearing about Roland and his immense power for six books, we finally get to meet him in person and find out what his feelings are towards Kate and the pack. When Roland makes a power move, we anxiously see how Kate responds and whether or not she resorts to using her magic to keep the people she love safe or some other means.
  Unlike the other books in this series, this book zeroes in on the politics of the Pack which is preambled by a prologue written from Barabas' point of view. Curran makes a world shaking choice that opens a new story arc. Though I understood why Curran made his choice, I had a really hard time agreeing with it.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language, strong violence, some crude sexual humor, and sexual situations. Recommended for adults.

Waiting on Wednesday is a meme hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine! This week I am waiting for the release of Magic Binds, the ninth book in the Kate Daniels series.




Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews
Publish date: September 20, 2016
Publisher: Ace

The Kate Daniels series is one my favorite urban fantasy series. It has a great combination of wonderful characters, a complex world, humor, romance, and fantasy. If you haven't read this series yet you are missing out! 

Kate and the former Beast Lord Curran Lennart are finally making their relationship official. But there are some steep obstacles standing in the way of their walk to the altar…

Kate’s father, Roland, has kidnapped the demigod Saiman and is slowly bleeding him dry in his never-ending bid for power. A Witch Oracle has predicted that if Kate marries the man she loves, Atlanta will burn and she will lose him forever. And the only person Kate can ask for help is long dead.

The odds are impossible. The future is grim. But Kate Daniels has never been one to play by the rules.

Husband and wife team, Ilona Andrews, has delivered another engrossing and thrilling read set in the Kate Daniels World with Gunmetal Magic. Kate, our main heroine for much of this series, steps aside so her best friend, Andrea, can work out some issues.

Description (from Goodreads): After being kicked out of the Order of the Knights of Merciful Aid, Andrea's whole existence is in shambles. She tries to put herself back together by working for Cutting Edge, a small investigative firm owned by her best friend. When several shapeshifters working for Raphael Medrano--the male alpha of the Clan Bouda, and Andrea's former lover--die unexpectedly at a dig site, Andrea is assigned to investigate. Now she must work with Raphael as her search for the killer leads into the secret underbelly of supernatural Atlanta. And dealing with her feelings for him might have to take a back seat to saving the world...

Review: Gunmetal Magic takes place between the closing events of Magic Slays and the short story Magic Gifts. Andrea is Kate's best friend and side-kick. She is an integral character like majority of the secondary characters in the Kate Daniels series. In Gunmetal Magic we get to see all aspects to Andrea- the good, the bad, and the ugly- as the authors flesh out her character.
  We are use to seeing Andrea take action, loving her job in the Order of the Knights of Meriful Aid, and offering her sage advice to her best friend. In Gunmetal Magic, Andrea has hit rock bottom. She is fired from her job when her employer found out that she is a beastkin, a rare breed of shapeshifters, she broke up with her boyfriend, Raphael, and now lives in fear of repeating the abuse she receieved as a child when she was brought up in a clan. Andrea wants to start over, but only on her terms and with her being in charge. I loved Andrea in this book as much as I loved her in the Kate Daniel series. She is definitely a friend that I would want to have and I can see why Kate loves her. She is smart, extremely witty, but very guarded. It takes Andrea a long time to get comfortable in her beastskin and realize that it's not a flaw in her character but something to be proud of. Though we might not know exactly what it feels like to be in her shoes, we can empathize with her insecurities.
 Gunmetal Magic is very much plot driven as Andrea refuses to deal with her emotional turmoil for majority part of the book. Her relationship with Raphael, a character who I thought balanced her well, is antagonistic at best as each lash out from being suddenly dropped from each others lives. Though separated for majority of the time in the book, their sexual tension is still high. It's clear that both still have strong feelings for one another. Before this book, I like many other readers, were scrambling to figure out what happened that broke Andrea and Raphael apart as both seemed to be very much in love. In this book, we get answers and a more clearer understanding of how both characters feel. While I loved the action scenes and the humor to keep me on my toes, I really felt the absense of the emotional warmth I'm use to getting when I read about these characters. While things end up well, it doesn't feel as satisfying as it should. Nonetheless the book provides us with new questions about the structure of the Pack's order and what might happen next in Andrea's life. Gunmetal Magic is another exciting story that will help ease the waiting period for the next Kate Daniels book to come out.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: Strong violence, some language, and sex is implied. Recommended for mature teens and adults.

If you like this book try: Bloodsong series by Cat Adams, Mercy Thomspon series by Patricia Briggs, Fray or Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 graphic novel series by Joss Whedon, Chicagoland Vampires by Chloe Neil, Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, Charley Davidson series by Darynda Jones

  As a gift for their readers during the holiday season last month, husband and wife team Ilona Andrews offered up a free Kate Daniels novella for a limited time. The novella, Magic Gifts, takes place at the same time as Andrea’s book, the upcoming Gunmetal Magic and right after Magic Slays. The two stories intersect. If you have not already, I highly recommend reading the Kate Daniels series. It's one of my favorite series that I recently discovered. There are currently five books out and it's best to read them in order as the series builds upon itself. You can click on my review link which will bring the books up in order for you. 


Description (from Goodreads): A dinner date after a hard day at work sounds heavenly. Of course, when that date is between the Beast Lord and Kate Daniels, things don’t go as planned. Before you know it, undead are running amok, heads are being chopped off, lawyers are deployed and used with extereme prejudice, and drunk vikings are calling people out. 

Review: Reading about Curran and Kate is a special treat and Magic Gifts is no exception. I know when I read the Kate Daniel series I'm always craving more scenes that feature both Curran and Kate together and in Magic Gifts we get a glimpse into their relationship and in their daily lives. What was suppose to be a simple, relaxing dinner date turns out to be anything but as a battle between vampires, mages, shape-shifters, and Vikings with the mead and axes interrupts.   
 I thoroughly enjoyed Magic Gifts and read it in one sitting as there were no dull moments in the book. I liked learning about what is going on with the Merc and how Kate was going to deal with that situation. While this is discussed and touched on a bit, it was quickly pushed to the wayside while the characters faced a more prominent issue. I also loved learning about more mythological creatures that inhabit Kate's world and I made a mental note to never tick off a Viking. *shudders* Though the conflict gets resolved by the end of the book, I though it was a bit rushed and that may because the novella is a mere 100 pages. The novella does fulfill its purpose in just whetting our appetites while we agonizingly wait for Gunmental Magic (August 2012) to be released and I'm dying to know what happened to Andrea and Raphael.


Rating: 4 stars


Words of Caution: There is some strong language and violence. Recommended for older teens and adult only.


If you like this book try: Bloodsong series by Cat Adams, Mercy Thomspon series by Patricia Briggs, Fray or Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 graphic novel series by Joss Whedon, Chicagoland Vampires by Chloe Neil, Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare

Thanks to the recommendations of my good book friends, I discovered the Kate Daniels series. This series has quickly become my favorite. Filled with action, romance, mystery, and humor, each book is a rollercoaster ride. I was thrilled to find out that the latest book was coming out last month and I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy. Though the word slays is in the title had me worried that one of the characters will be killed, I wasn't too worried how the awesome husband and wife duo, Ilona Andrews, was going to handle the book.

Description: Kate Daniels has some major life changing events: a new job and a new relationship status to name a few. Stubborn and determined to make it on her own, Kate jumps at an opportunity for an impossible case when Atlanta’s premier Master of the Dead calls to ask for help with a vampire on the loose. Since nothing is easy for Kate, the loose vampire is not an isolated incident but just the beginning of a very probable apocalypse if Kate doesn't get to the bottom of it. The fate of the city and everyone dear to her is in Kate's hands.

Review:  Magic Slays is a terrific addition to the Kate Daniels series. It is well written, intricately woven novel that builds upon its previous installments. While Magic Bleeds may have the tone of a happily ever after, Magic Slays reminds us that the fairy tale ending is not very realistic. Kate faces new obstacles, new enemies, and once again her past threatens to shatter her one chance of happiness. 
  With each book in this series, the writting becomes better and stronger. There is definitely a shift of focus in the writing as it has matured just like our heroine. There is one major storyline which involves an anti-magic “bomb” that is being built in the city and could kill hundreds that draws our attention. While there are some deviation from this storyline, they actually add something to the overal plot and character development. What I love about the Kate Daniels series is that there is no filler. 
  There are a few twist and turns in Magic Slays including startling revelations about Julie and Kate's parents amongst other things. I enjoyed watching all of the established characters grow as well as be introduced to new ones too.
 Kate is one of my favorite heroines. She has a tough as nails exterior but a warm, vulnerable heart, which makes her all that much more endearing and lovable. I have to say that I loved her much more in Magic Slays. There are moments when she could easily back track and remove herself from everyone, but she moves past this and faces her problems head on. I loved watching Kate embrace her magic and her heritage, though it meant for her to go to the dark side.
  I think many readers of the Kate Daniels series will agree with me when I say that the best part of this series is watching Kate's and Curran's relattionship change and grow. They remind me of an urban fantasy version of Elizabeth and Darcy. Their banter always makes me smile because they are so alike and it feels very natural. 
 I know I said this before, but those who haven't read this series must put it on their to be read pile. If you are new to the urban fantasy genre or have thought about diving in but not sure where to start, I would highly recommend this series. If this book piques your interest, please start from the very first book and not the latest one. Though each book is written as a standalone, the character development and world building that occurs in the previous books are crucial to this series. You can find the reading list for the Kate Daniel series here.  

Rating: 5 stars

Words of Caution: There are strong language and strong violence in the book along with a few allusions to sex.

If you like this book try: Bloodsong series by Cat Adams, Mercy Thomspon series by Patricia Briggs, Fray or Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8 graphic novel series by Joss Whedon

Image Credit: Ruby Reads

GIVEAWAY: I preordered all the Kate Daniels books this past January, but I had no idea that a friend of mine also preordered them for my birthday this May. Since I love this series so much and I highly recommend them, I'm going to giveaway all of them to one lucky reader. That's right, one person gets a chance to win ALL 5 Kate Daniels books! Since I have the books on hand, this giveaway is open to US Residents only. You don't have to follow my blog to enter, but it is appreciated. To enter, please leave your name/alias along with an email address so I can contact you if you win. I will use Random.org to select the winner. This giveaway ENDS July 22nd at 11 pm EST! Good Luck!

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. This meme allows bloggers to connect with one another and share their top ten lists on specific topics. Today's topic is our top ten favorite love stories, which seems appropriate because yesterday was Valentines Day. While I have you here, I would love your input on my booklists: Love Will Tear Us Apart, Bizarre Love Triangle, and I Can't Help But Fall in Love, which I created for Valentines Day. Feel free to add your suggests in the comments!

  I would like to preface this list by saying that Elizabeth Bennett and Darcy along with Bella Swan and Edward Cullen are a given. I wanted to create a list of other fabulous couples that you may or may not have heard of, who also deserve the spotlight. Without further ado...

  I had a very strong feeling that I was going to love the Kate Daniels series after I finished the first chapter of Magic Bites, the first novel in the series. I knew there were currently only four books out for the series and that I had to pace myself. Pacing myself was easier said than done. After I finished each book, I fell in love with the characters and the fantastic world that Ilona Andrews created and I didn't want to leave. I recently finished the fourth book, Magic Bleeds, which is my current favorite out of the series so far and now I have wait 5 months for the next installment.The waiting is going to be brutal.

Description: Kate Daniels is an employee for the Order of Knights of Merciful Aid, which is really a fancy way of saying she cleans up paranormal problems that plague Atlanta. Her latest assignment is to track a carrier of a plague which is meant to kill all of the shape-shifters of Atlanta. With the help of Curran, Lord of the Beast and the thorn in Kate's side, Kate uncovers clues about who the villain is and begins to fear they might be related.

Review: The Kate Daniels series is in my top ten favorite of adult books that I've read this year. This series is filled with non-stop action, humor, mystery, magic, and fabulous characters. With each book we are introduced to complex villains and dire scenarios. We also see new layers of our characters. After my jaw dropped numerous times with world shattering information surrounding Kate's mysterious parentage presented in Magic Strikes, I didn't really know what other critical information will be revealed or how the husband and wife team could top themselves. I did high expectations for Magic Bleeds and it easily exceeded all of them.
  Kate Daniels has become one of my favorite heroines and I would really want to be her best friend. Although she has a tough exterior, wicked physical strength, and fighting abilities, she also has a soft side and vulnerability. Through the first three books, we watch Kate develop relationships with those she cares about even though she has been taught and believed that relationships will only make her weaker and weakness will only get her killed. Torn between her love and loyalty for those she loves and the arduous destiny that lies ahead of her, Kate must decide which is more important. Will she run away from her fears and hide or will she confront them? Thus is the main crux of Magic Bleeds. Like Kate, Curran also has his shares of difficulties and does not go unscathed in this book either.
  Readers, like me, who loved watching the dangerous dance between Kate and Curran will find  the answer to the question we all are dying to know: Will they or won't they get together? Their similar personalities, flaws and strengths, mirror one another and this is the main reason why I enjoy observing their interactions. I swear I fall more in love with Curran after finishing each book, but this book cemented my feelings for him and I bet yours will too.
  Although Magic Bleeds can be read as a stand alone, I wouldn't recommend doing so. Readers who have not read the previous books will miss out on the story arc as well as not appreciate Kate's character growth and her connections with other characters. Each book builds upon one another and, I promise, won't disappoint you. Rarely do I want to reread a book as soon as I finish the last page, but I wanted to do so with Magic Bleeds.
  It saddens me that I have to wait until May 31, 2011 to read Magic Slays, the next book, but I will definitely be getting my own personal copy of this series and hopefully reread them before it comes out. Even though there is a snippet of the prologue in Magic Slays available on the author's website, I refuse to read it because I hate being teased and tortured not having the book in my hands. The Kate Daniel series is filled with non-stop action, humor, romance, magic, and mystery. If you haven't read this series yet, what are you waiting for?!

Rating: 5 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong language and strong violence in the book. There is also some sex. Due to these precautions, I would recommend this title for adults only.

If you like this book try: Magic Slays (Kate Daniels #5) available May 2011, Fray by Joss Whedon, Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Paranormalcy by Kiersten White, Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

  I'm pretty new to the urban fantasy genre. I don't know why I didn't read from this genre before, but I'm glad that I started to dip my feet in it. I am absolutely loving the Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniel series. Every time I finish a book, I'm sad that I have to leave Kate's Atlanta and the characters I met along the way. I'm glad that I started reading the series when there is already four book out so I can take my time reading them back to back. I just finished the third book in the series called Magic Strikes.

Description: Kate can never catch a break, especially in her hometown of Atlanta where magic and technology are constantly battling one another. When one of her close friends is attacked by a mysterious group and left for dead, Kate is geared up for payback. No one messes with her friends. Allied with the Pack and the infuriating Lord Beast Curran, she knows it is not going to be easy and it could be her greatest challenge yet.

Review: The Kate Daniels series gets better and better with each new installment. Magic Strikes is no exception. With strong characters, excellent world building, and a great balance of magic, romance, mystery, and mythology, this series soars. Magic Strikes doesn't pick right up where Magic Burns left off. Time has passed for Kate. Thankfully, the author didn't bore her readers with all the minute details of what happened since between these books. Kate is again lured into conflicts where her loyalty to friends is threatened and fears of her past are about to surface. This tension is what drives the book and makes it so much fun to read and experience.
  An underground gladiatorial games of sorts, which reminded me much of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy provides the backdrop for the story as new villains emerge and looming threats from previous novels begin to take shape. You don't necessarily have to read the first two books, but being familiar with the characters and Kate's world will help. Each book is made to stand alone, but I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss the character development and world building.
  I love Kate. She is strong heroine who doesn't take flack from anyone, yet under all of her bravado she is vulnerable. Whether it is her conflicting feelings with Curran or her own value system, Kate knows she has limits and she is willing to lose. It the balance of her strength, witty attitude, and her uncertainties is what sets Kate apart and makes her appealing.
  There is plenty of humor to diffuse the tension in the book and actually make me laugh out loud. The flirtatious dance between Kate and Curran is always a pleasure to witness. Their chemistry simmers in the first two books, but definitely sizzles in this installment. I wanted to share with you a passage from Magic Strikes that illustrates their relationship, but unfortunately they were a bit too spoilery. So instead, I will share with you one of my favorite passages from Magic Burns that perfectly describes their banter. This is the last scene in Magic Burns where Kate finds Curran reading Princess Bride in her apartment:

"You're an interesting woman," he said.
"Your interest has been duly noted." I pointed to the door.
He put down the book. "As you wish." He rose and walked past me. I lowered my sword, expecting him to pass,but suddenly he stepped in dangerously close. "Welcome home. I'm glad you made it. There is coffee in the kitchen for you."
My mouth gaped open. He inhaled my scent, bent close, about to kiss me.....
I just stood there like an idiot.
Curran smirked and whispered in my ear instead. "Psych."
And just like that, he was out the door and gone.
Oh boy.

Although they don't like to admit it, Kate and Curran are very similar in their personalities and life experiences, which is becoming more apparent with each book that I read. What I think sets book three apart from the previous two books is that we are seeing more of Kate and her relationships. We learn more information and back stories about her as well as key characters. We also see that Kate is willing to open up to people around her. She fights not only to protect people who are dear to her, but also for her place in their lives. We now finally understand why Kate shuts down and puts up her walls when she refuses to be emotional.
  Unlike many books where secondary characters are just there in the background, the secondary characters in the Kate Daniel series are integral to the story arc just as much as Kate is. Though Curran lights up the page and makes my heart beat faster, he does not overshadow the other characters. Each friend that Kate makes has a strong presence in the book, which is quite refreshing to read. I can't wait to read more!


Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong language throughout the book. The violence is definitely gory in this third installment. If the book were a movie, I would rate it as rated "R". I can see teen appeal with this series, but I would be a bit reluctant to have it my high school library.

If you like this book try: Magic Bleeds (Book 4) by Ilona Andrews, Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs, Paranormalcy by Kristen White, Graceling by Kristin Cashore, Fray by Joss Whedon

 I had such a great time reading the first Kate Daniel's book, Magic Bites, that I couldn't wait to read the second book in the series. I looked up the author online and was surprised to discover that Ilona Andrews is actually a husband and wife writing team: Ilona Gordon and Andrew Gordon. How cool is that?! There are currently four books in the Kate Daniel series with a fifth book on its way. I picked up book 2 in the Kate Daniel series called Magic Burns.

Description: Kate Daniels is a mercenary who cleans up the mess left by magic. She is very familiar with the waves of paranormal energy ebb and flow across Atlanta. Once in every seven years a flare comes, a time when magic runs rampant, which can be a really big problem. When Kate is sought out by the Pack,Atlanta's paramilitary clan of shape shifters, she quickly realizes it is much easier said than done, especially when there is a possible epic tug of war between two gods hoping for rebirth. If Kate can't stop the cataclysmic showdown, the city may not survive.

Review: Magic Burns is an excellent second book in the Kate Daniel series. Andrews weaves magic, technology, and Celtic mythology in this installment without dragging the book down. Magic Burns takes place where the first book ends. Kate is still struggling financially and takes up another project to help her income. She is still a smart-mouth, who doesn't filter any of her thoughts when she talks. Her interactions with other paranormal groups continue and she keeps trying to do good while staying as sassy and likable as before.

  The mystery and the villain this time around is much harder and complex. Many of the characters from the first book reappear and are developed. While it may not be necessary to read the first book since Andrews gives sufficient prior information, I think you might be missing out on a lot of character development and interactions. As usual, I loved the action, humor, and the tantalizing, possible romance between Curran, the Lord Beast and leader of the pack, and our plucky heroine. We are given a few more clues regarding Kate's background and her powers. I can't wait to read book three!

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong language throughout the book. The violence can be a bit gory for some. If the book were a movie, I would rate it as rated "R". I can see teen appeal with this series, but I would be a bit reluctant to have it my high school library.

If you like this book try: Magic Strikes (Book 3) by Ilona Andrews, Fray by Joss Whedon, Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

  I have heard of the Kate Daniel series, an urban fantasy series written by Ilona Andrews, for quite some time. My dear book addict. blogger, and lovely friend, Twimom, and our mutual lovely book addicted friend, Una, have praised this series for quite sometime now. Yet I debated whether or not to pick up yet another series to read. I currently have about ten YA series and a few adult series that I'm currently reading right now. Was this series really worth picking up? Well, when Twimom selected a passage from this series on her feature called "Sunday Snippets" that was so funny, entertaining, and action-packed, I knew that I had to pick it up. Thanks, Twimom and Una for introducing me and chatting about Kate Daniels. While I only read the first book, Magic Bites, I can't wait to continue the series!


Review: I really enjoyed Magic Bites. The world building that Andrews has created is truly unique. Unlike many other paranormal books/series I have read, vampires, shapeshifters, and other paranormal beings live among humans and their identities are well known. Vampires who are generally portrayed as being sexy and alluring are the complete opposite; they're feral and motivated by their own volitions. To say the least, I found the struggle between magic and technology to be fascinating.  
  In addition to the great world building, the book is fast-paced and reminded me of Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire series with its balanced mythology, magic, humor, and likeable characters. Kate Daniels, our heroine, is instantly likeable. She is tough-as-nails, takes no crap from anyone, impulsive, and has a wicked sense of humor. She loves to infuriate Curran, the arrogant yet dependable were-lion and Lord of the Beasts. Seeing Kate and Curran bicker and work with another are my favorite parts of the book, particularly the scene where Kate meets Curran for the first time and calls him "kitty". Right from that moment, I knew these two's interaction would be highly entertaing. There is definitely sparks and tension between them and I can't wait to see how that develops.
  There is a lot of mystery surrounding Kate, particularly of her parentage and her blood. There are some teasers about Kate's mysterious identity that are sprinkled in the book, but aren't answered which I don't mind because I'm eager to read the next installment in this series. It's great to see a female character hold her own in a male dominated world.
 Please note that this is not a paranormal series. Despite the suggestion of its title, Magic Bites falls strongly in the urban fantasy genre. Magic Bites is both a very good fantasy as well as mystery that will immediately grab your attention and draw you in.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is strong language throughout the book. The violence can be a bit gory for some. If the book were a movie, I would rate it as rated "R". I can see teen appeal with this series, but I would be a bit reluctant to have it my high school library.

If you like this book try: Magic Burns (Book 2) by Ilona Andrews, The Study series by Maria V. Snyder, Graceling by Kristen Cashore, Moon Called by Patricia Briggs, Fray by Joss Whedon