by Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #9
Narrator: Renée Raudman
Length: 13 hours and 1 minute
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchase, Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups
Mercenary Kate Daniels knows all too well that magic in post-Shift Atlanta is a dangerous business. But nothing she’s faced could have prepared her for this.…
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.…
It’s no secret that I love the Kate Daniels series and that I must listen to the audio version with Renée Raudman first. Magic Binds in another stellar edition to the series written by the fabulous husband and wife duo that compromise Ilona Andrews. With wedding bells fastly approaching Kate is about to pull out her hair. Daddy causing trouble and a Witch Oracle predicts the burning of Atlanta and Curran’s death if she says, “I do.” Gripping, Intense, and emotional Magic Binds bound my heart.
Like most urban fantasy it is essential to read the Kate Daniels series in order, or as I prefer – grab your earbuds and listen. The tales are filled with characters you will love and hate making each read engaging. I love the relationship between Curran and Kate. It is full of snark, bite and swoony-worthy moments.
Magic Binds was interesting in that we both learn about Kate’s father Roland and watch as Kate tries to outwit the Oracle’s prediction. To handle both her father and change her fate she enlists the help of others giving readers a fantastic treat. Kate and Roland’s backstory and those of their ancestors are shared. It was brilliant and otherworldly! Andrews continues to impress me with how far reaching and developed their characters and world are.
It was hard seeing Kate struggle, just once I would love for her to enjoy a quiet afternoon. I cannot imagine she ever spends an afternoon reading in the sun. She is struggling with who she is, and we see developments as she struggles with her abilities. She is so fearful of becoming her father. Her struggles felt real, and I help my breath as she made choices. Some of the battle scenes were so incredible, I honestly rewound my player and listened again. I loathed the tension between Curran and Kate, but we all know how stubborn they both are. Grab a few truffles.
ARC developments will delight fans. We finally find out WHAT Christopher is and get happy news about Andrea and Raphae. We also get wonderful moments and humor between characters. Gads I love the humor from Kate’s witty one-liners to the teasing. Characters made me grind my teeth, and others had me laughing so hard I had tears. Teasers have me chomping at the bit for my next Daniel’s fix!
Fans will devour and love Magic Binds. It delivered the reading experience I expect from Ilona Andrews. Rudman is amazingly talented and only enhanced this tale with her narration. If you haven’t read/listened to this series, you must rectify it post haste!
Quotes
“Did you run any of this by Curran?”
“I told him I was about to do something idiotic and dangerous, and he told me to go ahead and let him know if he could help in any way.”
“I don’t understand your relationship.”
“You’re like a crazy cat lady, but you collect killers instead of fluffy cats.”
“I don’t collect killers.”
“Yes, you do, and those who aren’t killers turn into killers by the time you’re done. You made Julie into a maniac. That child has more knives on her than a squad of the PAD.”
Magic Binds by Illona Andrews grabbed me, squeezed my heart, and had me biting my nails #audiobook Share on X“You’re letting him get to you. You’re like a walking mythological encyclopedia, Kate. You pull random mystical crap out of your head and figure out that a giant monster nobody has seen on the face of the planet for three thousand years is allergic to hedgehogs and then you find a cute hedgehog and stab the monster in the eye with it.”
“Where do you even get this shit?”
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. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
kara-karina
I absolutely loved it too! Great review, K.! made me want to do a re-read
kimbacaffeinate
I will be very sad when this series ends.
Jennifer
I really enjoyed this one too. Can’t wait for the next one and to see how they wrap up the series.
kimbacaffeinate
Is it only one more? I though maybe two.
Jennifer
Nope just one more. Andrews said that at NOLA Storycon when some people thought there would be more.
Dani Chapman
So I just read this entire series the last couple of weeks. Wow! I loved it!!! 🙂 Not sure why I waited soooo long to read them all!
kimbacaffeinate
OMG..that is awesome. Yeah this time last year I listened to all the audios and was kicking myself too!
Karen
Gah! I still haven’t read this yet. I can’t wait!!!
Karen @For What It’s Worth
kimbacaffeinate
Oh you are in for a treat…enjoy!
Cyn
I’m always happy to see This was a good listen! And that’s for sharing the quotes, good reminder to get back to this series! Great review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
I will be so incredibly sad when this series ends.
Christy LoveOfBooks
I didn’t like that she was struggling, but I admit, I really liked when she kind of went all GRRR. lol. I’m going to miss this series.
kimbacaffeinate
Me too Christy!
Debbie Haupt
I know you love this author duo and I really want to try them but #9 Gah. Well maybe they’re start another!
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, you need Kate and Curran Debbie.
Braine
Ooh, maybe I will listen to book 3 now that I think I’ve found my audiobook groove. Thanks for the idea, hopefully that will make catching up faster!
kimbacaffeinate
Love this series on audio. I had the arc in my hot little hands but waited for audio
The Bibliophile Babe
I just loved this one! The ending has me dying for the next one. Can’t wait!
kimbacaffeinate
Right and of course we have to wait a YEAR!
Sophia Rose
Oh yes! I’m in love with this series, too. You captured several things that I didn’t think to put into words, but felt or enjoyed. Ha! Great quote choices.
kimbacaffeinate
Thank you Sophia.
blodeuedd
Waaaant
kimbacaffeinate
Oh yes, this is a must read!
Laura Thomas
It’s been a while since I first started this series. I need to go back to the begiining and start over. I keep seeing these everywhere!
kimbacaffeinate
I started this on audio in the fall and devoured all of them in 3 months..lol Since then I have read all of her other books. Love them all.
Melissa (Books and Things)
I’m getting there (partly thanks to you!)… 🙂 Totally have been loving this series on audio and I don’t think I could have done it any other way!
kimbacaffeinate
Right. I had the arc but had to listen first.
Heidi
I got an ARC of this months ago but like you, I had to wait for the audio. I devored it and loved it. So happy for Christopher and I loved the aunt. I want more.
kimbacaffeinate
Hehe..me too. I felt bad about not reading the arc, but this and the Others series must be listened to first. I used the arc to pull my quotes.
Lily B
I am so behind. I miss Kate and Curran 🙁 I need to make time to catch up on their books.
kimbacaffeinate
Lily, you need Curran and Kate in your life. Fit them in!
Rowena
My friend is reading and loving this series so I really need to check it out. Thanks for the review, Kim.
You’ve got me checking out audiobooks to try and listen to one at work, see if I’ll like it. I didn’t before but I’m curious now to give it another go.
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, listen to your friend and Caffeinated listen to them!! Now, fair warning book one was meh for me, but by book two I was totally addicted.
Tanya
This is one book I did wait for the audio on. Sometimes I get too impatient and give in to the lure of the arc ebook, but I just can’t on this series. I feel like Kate & Curran’s relationship is unique. I love the two of them together.
kimbacaffeinate
Bwahaha Tonya, yes…I had an arc and almost picked it up a time or two but needed Renee to read it too me.
Danielle Nolan
I really need to branch out more and give urban fantasy more of a fair read. It is a genre I am not too familiar with. Lovely review Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you do, Andrews is one of the best. Book one was my least favorite, so please give it two books.
Melanie Simmons
Great review. I just finished the audio yesterday. I loved it as well. For me, the funniest parts were Kate and wedding planning (she makes me think of how I would react to those questions, LOL) and her inner dialogue.
kimbacaffeinate
Bwahaha..yes. It was exactly how I expected her to react too.
sherry fundin
Sounds great to me. I don’t think I have read any of her work. Have to check my Kindle and see if I have something.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you decide to try them. Book one was a little rough for me, but after that I have had nothing but love.
Bookworm Brandee
I’m thrilled this was such a great installment, Kim. I adore Kate & Curran and hope to do some catching up in the series SOON! 😉
kimbacaffeinate
I am jealous you have to catch up!
Mary Kirkland
It’s been a while since I read one of her books.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you pick them up again soon
Melissa
Oh my gosh…you made me so sad for her when you said that you don’t think she ever has a quiet afternoon in the sun!
kimbacaffeinate
Right, although she does manage laughter and has plenty of love.
kindlemom1
I am about two books behind on this series because I was hesitant to start it after the changes that I know where made but I really need to because everyone has loved them. So glad this was another great one and that you loved it !
kimbacaffeinate
I was nervous when that happen, but we are in good hands with Andrews.
Angela
I love this series! I stopped a few books back so I need to get caught up before I start this one.
kimbacaffeinate
Happy catching up!
Lexxie
*Fistpump!* I’m so happy you loved Magic Binds as much as I did, Kim! Wasn’t it just awesome? I do agree, though, Kate never gets a minute to just settle down and relax a little… I can’t remember a longer moment when she and Curran just got to be a cute couple in love. Don’t get me wrong, I love, love, love the action, but at times, I do feel a bit sorry for them both.
I need to listen to this series, too! I have read all the books, and I own most of them in audio as well. Great review 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Maybe for a re-read? Once I start a series by reading I am often hesitant to start audio because voices are in my head and vise verse with those I start on audio. One day I plan to listen to the Charley Davidson series on audio.
Olivia
I tried to get into this series but the first book didn’t really manage to hook me. However your review makes it sound brilliant, so I might give it a second try 🙂 Thank you.
kimbacaffeinate
The first book was really rough for me, but book two had me addicted!
Melliane
I really love this series as well and I had a great time with this new volume! I so can’t wait for more, but isn’t it always like that?
kimbacaffeinate
Bwahaha…yes I always want more!
Di
I really, really want to try this series out. And the fact that there are so many books in this series (and that people seem to rate them all highly if they enjoy the series) makes me very excited for it. They sound like EXACTLY the sort of books that I enjoy.
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you do. Book one was a little rough for me, but after that it was all love!
Leona
I can’t wait to finally get to this installment! I just finished Magic Slays and I’m really looking forward to the showdown between Roland and Kate.
kimbacaffeinate
Woot! Enjoy Leona!