Magic Bites
Title: Magic Bites
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels
Publication Info: Ace Penguin March 2007
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
Wow. I’m speechless. I read this book in one sitting and let me say, that was some of the best world building I’ve read since Sabriel. And this is a debut novel. That, ladies and gentlemen, is some damn fine talent. Ilona Andrews is actually the husband-wife writing team Ilona and Andrew Gordon. Rather than refer to them as “ze,” I will stick with Ms. Andrews.
Future-day Atlanta, the world is a very different place. Magic has taken over, fluctuating in blackouts that cause technology to fail. Evil creatures walk the earth: necromancers, shapechangers, the Undead, and worse. Who you gonna call? Kate Daniels. As a mercenary-for-hire, Kate is a tough cookie, like all Urban Fantasy heroines are. Fortunately she leaves behind the leather and stilettos for more practical fighting gear, (which I loved. Sneakers all the way baby!). When Kate’s guardian is murdered, the hunt for his killer leads her on a trail of dead shapechangers and vampires. She has always kept her head down and tried to keep out of sight, but now her search brings her into direct conflict with the Lord of the Shapechangers (who is of course arrogant, overbearing and sexy) and the local power-hungry necromancers. She is caught between two violent and powerful armies and frustrated by bureaucracy. She’s got guts and bravado to spare, with a good helping of fighting skills and smarts too. It’ll take everything she has and more to defeat the evil that is on a killing spree through the city.
As the main heroine reminds us, words are power; Ms. Andrews is powerful indeed, wielding her tools with the beauty and skill of a master artist.
[The gloom] pooled in the corners and along the walls, lying in wait to clutch at the ankles of an unwary passerby, (p29).
He seemed to shrug off the sun’s rays–not a man, but a rectangle of darkness cut in the shroud of sunlight, (p35).
She sprinkles her descriptions with a dose of humor as well.
He wore a dark gray shirt, black jeans, tucked in soft boots, and a black cloak that wanted very much to be a cape, (p35).
I especially like the descriptions of how magic has acted on the once-mighty buildings of human civilization, eating them from the most powerful on down, until little is left but hulking ruins. I can’t find the exact passage. You’ll have to take my word for it, or better yet read it yourself. Her language and style are quite amazing. It’s a violent, action-packed story, as much UF is. Expect horror, not romance. But the world building is really something else. Recommended for anyone who likes sci-fi/fantasy and especially for Urban Fantasy fans.
Tags: Book lovers & reviewers, Ilona Andrews, Magic Bites, Urban Fantasy
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May 30, 2008 at 4:48 am
What a great name for a heroine ;)
May 30, 2008 at 11:26 am
I’m not a huge UF fan, but this sounds pretty good. I’ll have to look into it – after I finish a few others!
May 30, 2008 at 11:43 am
Tracy – UF often lacks an emotional punch and often is too cynical. Not that I need a love story per say, but I find books where the only emotions are anger and fear bother unfulfilling and draining. The world building and mythology is often better in UF than in Paranormal Romance. Patricia Brigg’s Mercy Thompson series is still my absolute favorite, because her characters have heart. They experience the full gamut of emotions, making them more real and more compassionate. I can identify with them, as I often can’t with UF protagonists. Ilona Andrews doesn’t have the same caliber characters as PB, but her world building is fantastic.
May 30, 2008 at 6:05 pm
Great review! Yes, Kate Daniels’ alternate Atlanta is wonderful, I love the dichotomy between Magic and Tech. This world building is expanded even more (and is even BETTER written, may I add!) in book 2.
Oh and Mercy Thompson completely rules :) She’s probably the most real, relateable UF heroine for me, I completely agree with you.
June 6, 2008 at 7:48 pm
[...] Burns is an excellent book! I have been looking forward it is since Magic Bites. I really liked Magic Bites and I expected to like Magic Burns, too. I wasn’t disappointed. I [...]