Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews

December 12th, 2014 Kimberly Review 66 Comments

12th Dec
Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews
Magic Burns
by Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #2
Narrator: Renée Raudman
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Narration: 4,5 cups

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 is 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 is 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.

Magic Burns the second book in the Kate Daniels series has solidified this audio series as a favorite. While still gritty, Andrews’ added depth smoothed out some of the rougher aspects and endeared me to Kate. If you have not tried the Kate Daniels series, I urge you to do so. Magic Burns is fresh and original with a storyline and characters that will have you casting the real world aside and losing yourself within its pages!

Squee! I am almost at a loss for words. Andrews’ world and its characters are complex and kept me engaged. Narrator, Renée Raudman brings Magic Burns to life and her interpretations of the characters are brilliant.

Kate Daniels is kick-ass as a mercenary. Her job cleaning up magic gone wrong is dangerous, unappreciated and intense. Kate resides in an alternated Atlanta where magic ebbs and flows. In this installment, Kate does battle with a divine one and the tale that unfolds held me tightly in its grips. What starts out as a simple task of retrieving stolen maps for a shape-shifting clan quickly becomes complicated. Kate soon finds herself in a battle to save them all.

As a heroine, Kate is fantastic. The girl has tude and her snarky; quick-witted comments had me smiling like an idiot while I listened. What makes it so epic is that most of the time she does not do this deliberately. It is just Kate pure and simple. Her interactions with the smexy alpha male Curran are among my favorite. Anytime these two shared scene time, I was completely smitten.

“I gave him my best cryptic smile. He did not fall down to his feet, kiss my shoes, and promise me the world. I must be getting rusty.” -Kate Daniels, Magic Burns

“I turned to leave and paused before the gap in the ruined wall. “One last thing, Your Majesty. I’d like a name I can put into my report, something shorter than typing out ‘The Leader of the Southern Shapechanger Faction.’ What should I call you?”
“Lord.”
I rolled my eyes.
He shrugged. “It’s short.” – conversation between Kate and Curran, the Beast Lord, Magic Burns

“Please, Kate. Suspend your dislike of me for a few moments and listen to what I have to say. It makes sense.”
“I don’t dislike you. It’s an oversimplification.” Curran and Kate, Magic Burns

The storyline is intense and action packed with a heaviness that weighed on my heart. Death, loss, and change all affect the tone. Andrews continues to flesh out the world and the characters. We gain insight into Kate’s past and see growth in her powers. There is so much more to Kate and her gift. Magic Burns is fast paced, and with the magic flare that is occurring we see many fascinating creatures. Andrews’ world is utterly fascinating and complicated without overwhelming the reader. In fact, they only make me crave more. The ending was nail-biting and climatic making me immediately download the next audible, Magic Strikes. Eeep!

Magic Burns is a fantastic urban fantasy and lives up to its massive following. Ilona Andrews is brilliant, absolutely brilliant and I cannot wait to listen to more.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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66 Responses to “Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews”

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I am having a blast Anna. I recently finished audio five Magic Slays, although my review won’t post till the very end of February #BlogAhead..LOL

  3. Dani Chapman

    Ilona Andrews is one of those authors I keep meaning to read and just haven’t yet. Your review has renewed my interest and I may just have to check out these book in the new year! Thanks!

  4. Candace

    I’m so glad you loved this one! I have heard the first isn’t so great but they get better and better. I might have to grab them on audio even though I own at least the first.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yes book one is gritty but gads they just keep getting better.

  5. Mariana

    This series is really awesome. I had some problems with really connecting to the first book, but after that everything fell in place and I read them back-to-back. The endings are almost always cliffhanger, but I think the author is getting ready to finish this series and things are getting more dark now.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yeah the first was rocky for me as well..but I am on audio five and having no issues..well except for addiction!

  6. Berls

    I just finished listening to this a couple weeks ago & I totally agree Kimba! Renee Raudman is great, Kate is great, and the world! They fleshed the world out better in this book and I understood its brilliance a lot better! So many feels mixed in with the action. Win win!! Great review Kimba!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I am loving them and on audio five. I took a break to listen to The Walled City which blew my mind and Cry Wolf.

  7. Christy

    I love that we started this series about the same time. I get to experience the love with someone else. lol

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Agreed. I am up to audio five, but reviews will be slower posting as I am booked into Feb now..lol

  8. Jennifer Bielman

    You don’t even know how much I love that you are loving this series. You know it’s my baby. I honestly can’t think of a better kickass, snarky heroine. I laugh my ass off every time I read a Andrews book. And Curran. He’s insane perfection for me Just the right amount of alpha. When listening to this book, did the narrators do the snarky comments right?

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Olivia, book one and the rest of the series are worlds apart. I am currently listening to audio # 5 and it just keeps getting better.

  12. Melissa (Books and Things)

    Totally agree with you. I really loved this second installment as well. I can’t wait to see Curran and Kate get together. I have no doubt it will be fun. I will be listening to the 3rd shortly! 😀

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I am on the fifth one…eeep..you are going to love Magic Strikes and Magic Bleeds!

  13. Cyn

    I just finished Burn for Me and was crying over the fact that I have to wait forever for the next book and was just considering picking up this series, haha! Happy to hear that this one is pretty awesome too and I do love a good snarky heroine! Thanks for the review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      hehe..I loved Burn for Me. I am on book five Cyn and all I can say is listen/read them! Book one is rough but eek gads I cannot get enough!

  14. Christy

    I seriously need to pick this up, I’ve had the first book on my shelf forever but haven’t read it yet. I’ll definitely have to move it up on the list 🙂

  15. Heidi

    I am so happy to hear you are loving the audio versions of this series. I have my copies and I was planning on starting in November, but I got behind it is first up for the New Year and I can’t wait to finally dive into this world.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Wahoo! Audio one is rough, but keep listening. I am on five and they are so wonderful!

  16. Kris

    I’ve heard so much awesomeness about this series. Your review has me wishing I had the books on my shelf, so I can pick them up right this instant! It sounds like it has so much of what I love in a good UF!!!!!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Oh I hope you snag these and soon. The library should have both audio and novel.

  17. Braine Talk Supe

    I still sort of remember your review for the first one and it I think you felt it was “okay”. I guess book 2 has a big progression from the first one. I don’t know why I haven’t read this yet when I have the first 5 books. Smh

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yes, book one was raw, and gritty. This was stronger and smoother but still has dark aspects. I am on audio five now Braine and every book has gotten better. LOL sounds like me and that Fae series or me and that vampire series..:snort:

  18. Nick

    I loved Burn For Me and I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this series, so I’m very interested in it. I’m a little nervous about the length of the series, but I can do it and most importantly, I want to do it!
    Great review, Kim! I hope this continues to be an amazing series for you! 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Nick I am on audio five and blowing through these. Mainly because I cannot get enough. Just think you can read one a month in the new year while ya wait for book two of Burn for Me!!

  20. Sophia Rose

    Yay! Glad you loved this one. I have it waiting for me. I think I’m going to read it this weekend as a break from all my Contemporary fare. Fun quotes too, Kimba!

  21. Debbie Haupt

    Hi Kim wow someone’s on a audio kick lately. Great review and I love your description of Kate nothing better than a heroine who’s the real deal.
    Thanks

  22. Jennifer

    This series is so good. Really any book by Ilona Andrews is great and I do them all on audio since Renee narrates ALL their books. LOL

  23. Trish

    You are going to break my TBR today with all these fantastic sounding series! How can I resist a kick ass kick-ass mercenary main character!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      this is fantastic on audio. I am on the fifth one and slightly addicted!

  25. Liz

    I just don’t think I could handle an audiobook… at least I haven’t so far. And Ilona Andrews has been on my reading list forever. This sounds like a good series, and might be a good one to get into since it’s only 2 books in! Great review… and yeah, like other commenters… the cover is a fail.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I am loving these on audio..so addicting…Either way you needs to read these!

  27. kindlemom1

    Yay! I love this series. At the rate you are going, you are going to finish this before I do, which is awesome. I am so glad you are loving it!

    Have a wonderful weekend Kim!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      So glad you are loving them too. I am on audio five and slightly addicted!

  28. Lupdilup

    Told ya!! Right now I wish I was you so I can experience these books again for the first time 🙂
    Great review! I couldn’t have said it better myself!

  29. Melanie Simmons

    I love this series to death and Renee Raudman really brings it to life on audio. This is a series that I never want to see made into anything on screen (or anything from Ilona Andrews). As much as I love this writing pair and would love to see them get the huge royalties that come with on screen, I just don’t think any director could put their creatures on film and have any hope to coming close to what I have in my head. In the most recent book, there is a bunny-kitten. How could you put that on screen and not make it look terrifying or ridiculous.

    I’m so glad you are enjoying this series. I highly recommend anything by this pair and Raudman narrates all their stuff, so they are all great on audio.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Renee rocks and yep I am loving this author. I loved her newest 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I am loving it..you should get the audio version from your library!

  31. Red Iza

    Haven’t read it yet, though I want to, but my library has it, so… I’m just torn because I already have so many books to read on my tablet, I’ll never make it lol !

  32. Alreem

    I have been seeing this series going around on blogs alot, its in the top of my list for the books i will read on 2015, glad you enjoyed this book 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Wahoo! If you like audio or want to dabble I so recommend these on audio!

  33. Melliane

    I remember that I liked book 1 but I was a bit confused, however with this one it was better ter all the books were all awesome each time. I’m glad you had a great time with it! great review!