Magic Bites - Final Discussion Post

Yes, yes, I know this is late. Feel free to throw things in my direction. AFTER, of course, you shout out your final thoughts on Magic Bites!

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Discussion Questions:

* Now that you've made it to the ending, what are you final thoughts on this story line? Still a Kate fan? A Curran fan?

* Was there anything that you were hoping for, that was missing from this story?

* Do you see yourself continuing on with this series?

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My Thoughts?

Look, you all know how much I love Kate. You all know how much I love Curran, and the sparks that fly between these two characters when they're together. There's nothing I love more than a strong female character, especially one who is so multi-faceted. It's because she's so very human that I can empathize with her. It makes her feel real to me, and that's what I love. Kate and Curran, forever and ever and EVER!

Ahem.

I know that a lot of people are going to be upset that more background on Kate, her abilities, and her birthright, aren't present in this book. I can promise you though, it's for good reason. This series builds everything equally. Atlanta changes, Kate changes, and nothing is ever left unexplained for very long. I think the one thing I remember missing most from this installment was, ironically, romance. I say ironically, because I used to be a total hater of romance. It always felt so cheesy. But with what Kate and Curran have? I actually missed it. I shouldn't have worried, but it's the truth.

You know I've kept up with this series, and I hope I've inspired a few of you to do the same! These books just get better. I can only tell you to make sure you're ready, because there's a lot of madness and sadness coming around the bend.

Magic Bites - Discussion Post #3

Can you believe that it's already almost the end of the month? I tell you, time flies when you have a good read! Little birdies have told me that many of you already finished this book, you naughty readers you ;). I'm glad you loved it! Let's discuss chapters 7-9.

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Discussion Questions:

* As one of our members mentioned last week, Kate may seem tough on the outside but she's definitely breakable. What do you think of her now that you've seen deeper into what she can do?

* What did you think of the dinner between Crest and Kate? Could you have seen them as a permanent couple?

* Any new thoughts on Curran? Are you a fan of the Beast Lord?

* We're well on our way to a showdown between Bono and Kate. Opinions on how the story has progressed? Kate's Atlanta is definitely not always a pleasant place. How do you predict this story will end?

* Show of hands, be honest! How many of you already finished this book? *giggles and tries to look stern*

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My Thoughts?

The very fact that Kate is human, above all else, is what makes her one of my favorite characters. She might be a bad-ass mercenary, she might push people away to protect herself and them, but at the deepest part of it all she just wants to be whole. I can promise those of you who loved this story that if you keep reading on, you'll slowly find that Kate is one of those characters who is impossible not to love. She's strong, but underneath that there's a veneer of cracks. I love Kate for just that. She's flawed. She's human. 

I have to say, I do like Crest. A lot in fact. I love that Ilona Andrews uses him to show all the things that Kate isn't. He's refined, she doesn't care about that. He wants to treat her like at trophy, she just wants to feel cared about. From the moment I met Crest, I never felt like they'd actually be together. In fact, the thoughts flowing through her head when she was with him at the opera were priceless. Kate isn't a trophy wife. She's a warrior, and stubborn as hell.

Curran, on the other hand? Still my favorite cat! The fact that he will put himself in harms way, time and time again, to save Kate makes me swoon. She may not want to be saved, but he doesn't care. He reminds her that sometimes we all need a little help. Plus, their banter just gets better and better. There is no more perfect person to match Kate's stubborn ways than Curran. Those two are fire and fire. All that makes? Is more fire.

Oh gods, I totally forgot about Bono and his horrible Upir form until I was re-reading this with you guys. The first time I read this I remember cringing at the awful description of the monster that he was, and what he created around him. Now that I've read to this part, I can tell you that a big showdown is coming and it isn't going to be pretty. There will be blood friends, and that's all you'll get from me. Oh, and no. I haven't finished this yet. I'm sticking to the reading schedule! Even though it's hard as hell. LOL. Otherwise I might spoil something for you all. 

Magic Bites - Discussion Post #2

Ready for another discussion post? If you've been keeping up with our reading, I'm sure you are! Things are picking up in Kate's Atlanta, and it's time for you to shout out how you feel.

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Discussion Questions:

* Now that you have a little more insight into Kate and her background, what questions do you still have about her?

* What do you think of Curran and his Pack? About the People?

* Urban Fantasy tends to be a little heavy on the action. How are you feeling about the fight scenes? Love them or leave them?

* We finished this set of chapters on quite a cliffhanger! What are your predictions for what is coming next?

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My Thoughts?

Since I've already read this, I'll refrain from answering the first question and instead say that Kate's background is definitely interesting! You'll slowly learn more and more about her as the series goes on, should you choose to continue it of course. It's amazing! Kate isn't just a woman, she isn't just a mercenary, she's so much more. It's no wonder she's one of my absolute favorite female characters!

Curran and his Pack are one of the parts of Kate's Atlanta that I love the most. I love the fact that shape shifters aren't just rogue individuals, but that they actually have a pack and a leader. The dynamics of their political system add an interesting part to this whole story. You'll see! As for the People, they creep me out. As much as I love this new take on vampires, well, they're pretty creepy. Living inside a dead person's head in order to pilot them? No thank you. Nataraja is just one odd guy. Rowena though? I kind of like.

I LOVE the fight scenes in this book. I think they do a great job of showing how fierce Kate is when she needs to be, but also how human and frail she is at the same time. Watching her fight has a certain kind of elegance to it. As for Curran? His fighting is just pure, animalistic violence. He's strong, and he knows it. Paired up? These two are a force to be reckoned with, for sure.

I'm not giggling as I type the fact that I know what's coming next. I swear, I'm not! Okay... maybe I am. I'll leave this here. Enjoy my friends! I can't wait to see what you have to say!

Magic Bites - Discussion Post #1

Good morning, and happy Tuesday bookish people!

My deepest apologies for how long it took to get this post up. The benefit of having a Blogger site is that we don't have to pay, so no book club dues! The downside is, that sometimes it has a spastic moment and we have to wait for it to be fixed. Ah, well. That's life!

Hopefully I've given you all enough time to devour the first three chapters of Magic Bites, and you're ready for a rousing discussion! Let's do this!

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Discussion Questions:

* Starting with the basics, are you a newbie or a veteran in the Urban Fantasy genre?

* You've had a few chapters to be introduced to Miss Kate Daniels. What is your opinion of her so far?

* How do you feel about the world-building in Ilona Andrews' book? 

* Is there anything you have questions about? Anything that you're looking forward to discovering?

* So far we've had a glimpse of Curran, our Beast Lord. Any opinions?

* As always, shout out anything else you're passionate about!

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Don't forget, this discussion is spoiler free and a bully free zone! We love your opinions, but be polite to our other members as well. Thank you!

My Thoughts?

I made sure to let everyone know ahead of time that I've already read this series the entire way through and am totally in love with it :). Kate Daniels is one of my favorite characters of all time, and I don't care who knows it. That being said, I'm not new to Urban Fantasy. Kate was just my first foray into this genre, and I've been reading them ravenously ever since. So again, yes I do love Kate! She's sassy, intelligent, and as kick-ass as they come. I can't wait for you to be further introduced to her.

I think the world building in Ilona Andrews' book is solid, but one that you really have to let go to enjoy. This Atlanta is filled with magic and monsters so, if you're not able to accept that and move on? It's tough to enjoy the story. I, for one, love the idea of shifters, monsters and wild magic. It makes for a fun way to get lost in a new place. 

I'll hold my comments about Curran in check until you get to meet him more later, but trust me when I say that he and Kate are evenly matched in the sarcasm department :). I think this first set of chapters gives a good insight into the type of character he is. Strong, noble, and willing to do whatever it takes. You've seen a little bit of the banter between these two. I can promise you, there's more to come. I love them so much. I really really do.

I'm eager to hear what you think! Don't be afraid to be honest. If this wasn't a book for you so far? Shout it out! I'll never fault anyone for their opinion. That's the lovely thing about books: there's something for everyone.