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Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, Bk 2)
Magic Burns - Kate Daniels, Bk 2
Author: Ilona Andrews
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...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780441015832
ISBN-10: 0441015832
Publication Date: 4/2008
Pages: 260
Rating:
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 331

4.2 stars, based on 331 ratings
Publisher: Ace
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

jai avatar reviewed Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, Bk 2) on + 310 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Magic Burns is book two in the series which started with Magic Bites. Kate Daniels lives in the outskirts of a futuristic Atlanta where where both magic and technology exist in "waves" (one crests, another falls, everyone goes on with their lives, but magic seems to be winning). She is a mercenary with some magic skills, rather a rule breaker and impulsive. Magic Bites starts off with Kate doing a mercenary job with her partner Jim when someone kills their bounty. In trying to find out who that was Kate stumbles into some odd goings on in the Honeycomb section of Atlanta, something that involves Celtic deities and a coven of missing witches. She ends up protecting a young teen whose mother belonged to that coven and as usual with Kate, nothing is easy. There is also a little bit of development in the relationship between Kate and Curran, though it is more like a cat stalking its prey than the usual romance. Honestly, I love this series. The best books are the ones where there are parts you find yourself flipping back to so you can reread them. I reread certain sections several times. I also like that it's complicated. You don't really guess what's going to happen and who is going to do what. Well you might guess one or two minor things but not everything. Very enjoyable series (one of my favorites) and looking forward to the next book.
ophelia99 avatar reviewed Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, Bk 2) on + 2527 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is the second book in the Kate Daniels series. Last I heard Andrews was contacted to do four books in this series; I sure hope she ends up doing more! This is a great paranormal fantasy series; it is not a romance. It is also not for the faint of heart; the language and gore is described in great detail. I listened to this on audio book and the audio book was very well done.

The magic flare is looming closer and closer. Kate gets a request from the pack to retrieve some maps that have been stolen from them. In retrieving the maps she stumbles upon a man named Bran. Bran is a rogue with a wicked shot and wandering hands and his origins are a mystery. Kate also runs into Red, who asks Kate to return his favor by watching a girl named Julie. Julie's mom has disappeared and Kate is going to help Julie find her mom; that is until she finds out that Julie's mom may be involved with Bran's appearance, who may be involved with a struggle between two ancient gods that would rip Atlanta in two.

I really like this series. The second book was just as good, if not better than, the first. The plot was crazy fast, the fight scenes numerous and well-written. The characters are awesome; I am in awe of how interesting Andrews makes all of the characters, even the supporting ones. The enemies are extremely creative and the world Kate lives in increasingly interesting. I love all of the characters in this book and I love that Kate is powerful but not all-powerful. She makes some mistakes and she honestly is growing as a character.

I love the humor in this book; Kate has a wicked mouth and some of the things she says had me laughing out loud. Curran and Bran also were wonderful characters with many witty comebacks. The only thing that I didn't like about this book is that, at times, too much time is spent on Kate mourning the loss of life. It is good to have some of this in there, but at times Kate's remorse was gone into in too much detail and at oddly inappropriate times. I know it is a small thing, but at times I was rolling my eyes and thinking "okay we get it Kate is sad, on with the story". These scenes made the story drag a bit at parts.

This book expands on the relationship between Kate and Curran, we slowly find out a little bit more about Kate's origins and why her blood is so special. Simone(sp?) is one of my favorite characters in this book and I hope his role expands in future books. Overall this was an excellent book in what is turning out to be a really great series. I really hope we see more than just four of these book; I am so excited to read the third book!
skywriter319 avatar reviewed Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, Bk 2) on + 784 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Is it possible that an excellent start to a classic urban fantasy series can get better? Yes, yes its possible. I do believe I like MAGIC BURNS more than I liked Magic Bites. The things I liked about the series return in full force: a kick-ass main female character, snarky supporting characters. I like how were still slowly finding out more about Kates special blood, as well as the growing relationship between her and Curran, which never fails to get my toes curling. Reading this series is like devouring an entire cake of decadent dark chocolate, so Im slowly savoring each installment for as long as possible.
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ra7 avatar reviewed Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, Bk 2) on + 1026 more book reviews
It's been a long time since I read Magic Bites. Not sure what took me so long to pick up Magic BurnsMagic Bites. This one is better, it was easier for me to pay attention. Less world-building (which for me can be a bit boring). My only issue- the ending/wrap-up seemed rushed, especially with the outcome of the missing coven and Julie's mother.
reviewed Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, Bk 2) on + 1452 more book reviews
Our heroine, Kate Daniels, mercenary extraordinaire, continues her adventures in the second of the series. Now she works for the Order. Her association with the pack continues as does her fear-hate-love relationship with its leader, Curran. Magic still fluctuates with technology in increasing waves leading to a flare.

The tale really begins when Kate encounters two street children - Red and Julie, a painfully thin girl who imagines herself in love with Red. Julie is searching for her mother who is a member of a witches coven that has disappeared. In addition, she has an unusual magical ability that makes her a target for those from the underworld who wish to rule. Red asks Kate to guard Julie, giving Julie a necklace that is supposed to protect her. Add a cauldron that allows the otherworld creatures to enter Kate's Atlanta and the packs maps that keep being stolen for what purpose we learn as the novel unwinds. The plot intensifies with reeves, beastkin, Bran, Formorians, Morrigan and her son, Morfran, all playing roles.

As in Magic Bites, the action is fierce and characters do die, often in a gruesome way. I thought that the novel waned in the middle as the authors struggled to keep the action moving. Yes, it is difficult to keep a series moving and the reader interested. Nevertheless, the authors at last managed to pique this reader's interest again as the novel roared to an exciting climax with a huge battle as the creatures of the otherworld meet those of this one ensuring that I will pick up the next in the series, Magic Strikes.
annapi avatar reviewed Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, Bk 2) on + 334 more book reviews
A little better than the first book. Kate is hired to retrieve maps stolen from the shapeshifters, but of course the whole affair blows up into epic magic warfare between two gods. Still leaves you mystified about Kate's origin, and teases you with the love/hate relationship between Kate and Curran, the Beast Master. Shows a little more of Kate's human side as she tries to keep a little girl safe. I thought the last scene with Bran was way overblown - there was no development of any relationship between them and that's how she reacts? Felt like the reader is expected to read the author's mind or else the publisher cut out chunks. Enjoyable enough, but still overall I think the story lacks substance.

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Series
Original Publication Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
People/Characters
Kate Daniels (Primary Character)
Curran (Primary Character)

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