Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels #10) by Ilona Andrews

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance, Adult, Series

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Available:

Amazon: amazon.com/magic-triumphs

Barnes and Nobles: barnesandnobles.com/magic-triumphs

Nook: nook.com/magic-triumphs

Kobo: kobo.com/magic-triumphs

Synopsis

Mercenary Kate Daniels must risk all to protect everything she holds dear in this epic, can't-miss entry in the thrilling #1 New York Times bestselling urban-fantasy series.

Kate has come a long way from her origins as a loner taking care of paranormal problems in post-Shift Atlanta. She's made friends and enemies. She's found love and started a family with Curran Lennart, the former Beast Lord. But her magic is too strong for the power players of the world to let her be.

Kate and her father, Roland, currently have an uneasy truce, but when he starts testing her defenses again, she knows that sooner or later a confrontation is inevitable. The Witch Oracle has begun seeing visions of blood, fire, and human bones. And when a mysterious box is delivered to Kate's doorstep, a threat of war from the ancient enemy who nearly destroyed her family, she knows her time is up.

Kate Daniels sees no other choice but to combine forces with the unlikeliest of allies. She knows betrayal is inevitable. She knows she may not survive the coming battle. But she has to try.

For her child.

For Atlanta.

For the world.

Review

This is one of my favorite series of books EVER, and this book? This book is a SPECTACULAR final book for the series to close on. I tried as hard as I could to slow down my reading, to savor every single detail, but I couldn't. I devoured it all within less than 24 hours, and I refused to let even my husband speak to me for the last half hour of reading, because I was GLUED to the book and COULD NOT BE INTERRUPTED.

The magic is fantastic and imaginative. The danger and the stakes are intense. The humor is wonderful and sly and leavens some of the grimmest moments. It is absolutely fabulous and hilarious to watch Kate manage a supernaturally powerful toddler in the midst of her own apocalyptic magical adventures - and those adventures are incredibly exciting.

But the real joy of this whole series has been watching loner Kate become part of a rich, complex community of fascinating, flawed, wonderful people, including a multi-generational family (both by birth and by creation) - and this book was just the perfect culmination of that arc. There were SO many amazing character touches through this story, so many intensely wonderful and emotional moments between different characters, and I love the complexity and compassion of those developments.

I cried at the ending - and I can't wait to read it again. I am also SO going to do many, many full-series re-reads.

I loved every single bit of this!

I'm so sad it's over. It's like if someone took a tiramisu cake out of my hands. 

Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels #7) by Ilona Andrews

Genre: Urban Fantasy | Magic, Romance, Adult, Series

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Available:

Amazon: amazon.com/magic-breaks

Barnes and Nobles: barnesandnobles/com/magic-breaks

Nook: nook.com/magic-breaks

Kobo: kobo.com/magic-breaks

Synopsis

No matter how much the paranormal politics of Atlanta change, one thing always remains the same: if there’s trouble, Kate Daniels will be in the middle of it… 

As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers. Since Kate’s connection to Roland has come out into the open, no one is safe—especially those closest to Kate.

As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of the leaders from the various supernatural factions in Atlanta. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered there, apparently at the hands of a shapeshifter, Kate is given only twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war which could destroy everything she holds dear…

Review

Is there a single Kate Daniels book out there that isn't fantastic? I would honestly have to answer that question with a no, no there isn't. But, this by far has become a favorite out of all of them for me.

So very much happens and in fact, the main story arc of the past six books, comes to an end in this exciting, action packed seventh book.

Even though things were more intense, more dangerous and outright more kick butt, I'm having a terrible time portraying, writing in words, all that I felt while reading this. It was just so much, MORE and I know my review, isn't going to do this series, this book, justice.

Kate and Curran have been a favorite since the very beginning along with several members of the pack, and even some that aren't in the pack, that I shouldn't like at all. This story is so engaging, so fabulously written with just the right amount of humor, action, sups, romance, magic, and danger to really make it be one of those books that puts you on the edge of your seat frantically reading as quickly as you can and not wanting to miss a thing.

I loved that while this isn't the end of the series (thank goodness!), it was the end of this chapter in Kate and Curran's life. The end of the story arc in so many ways, but a big beginning too in lots of others.

I'm so very excited about where this series is headed and hoping like heck that everyone I love, will still be front and center for it all. But I trust the Andrews and I know they haven't come this far with this couple, to screw it up now. So it is with an anxious and a sad heart, that I say goodbye to many things that have to do with this series, but with an open heart, welcome all the changes I know are in store for it as well.

Angel's Blood (Guild Hunter #1) by Nalini Singh

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal | Angels,  Romance, Adult, Series

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Available:

Amazon | Barnes & Nobles | Nook | Kobo

Synopsis

USA Today bestselling author Nalini Singh introduces a world of beauty and bloodlust, where angels hold sway over vampires… 

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she’s the best—but she doesn’t know if she’s good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, only one thing is clear—failure is not an option…even if the task is impossible. 

Because this time, it’s not a wayward vamp she has to track. It’s an archangel gone bad. 

The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other…and pull her to the razor’s edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn’t destroy her, succumbing to Raphael’s seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break…

Review

Elena is a guild hunter which means she hunts down crazy vampires or ones on the run from their sires. Raphael the archangel hired Elena to do a special job. It required her to find a demented angel who was a major threat to society. Tracking angels was not her specialty, and the limited information she was given about the job didn’t make it any easier. 

I loved Raphael even in the beginning when he manipulated Elena just to get her to work for him. He was definitely dangerous and not someone to screw around with but I never really felt that Elena was in any danger from him. It wasn’t good that he was arrogant and demanding, but he had enough charm that I didn’t care. Raphael and Elena were great together. I didn’t bother me that he was very old and enamored with a much younger woman. The chemistry oozed off the page when they were together, so it didn’t seem unrealistic. Elena never backed down to anybody no matter how easily the other person could kill her. She’d rather die being true to herself than be somebody’s puppet. Both of them have family issues but the full extent of them has not been revealed. 

The world building was so good. The angels in this series are different. They’re not nice and generally lack compassion. Most of them are selfish and power hungry. So far no direct connection has been made to religion or God. It was an unusual twist to have angels create vampires. Who would expect angels to create vile, bloodthirsty creatures? People know vampires and angels exist but have no clue what they are really capable of. Just enough info was given that I wanted to keep reading to find out more. It’s a great world with entertaining characters.

I would highly recommend this to all those angel lovers in the world!!!

LOL I seriously can't be the only one who imagined this scene when it was mentioned dozens of times. 

Add to Goodreads: goodreads.com/angel's-blood-nalini-singh

Sapphire Flames (Hidden Legacy #4) by Ilona Andrews

***repost. my website had a malfunction***

Genre: Urban Fantasy | Magic, Romance, Adult, Series

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Available:

Amazon: amazon.com/sapphire-flames

Barnes and Nobles: barnesandnobles.com/sapphire-flames

Nook: nook.com/sapphire-flames

Kobo: kobo.com/sapphire-flames

Synopsis

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews comes an enthralling new trilogy set in the Hidden Legacy world, where magic means power, and family bloodlines are the new currency of society…

In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.

But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.

To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House–and her heart.

Review

I officially like Catalina better than Nevada. And I really liked Nevada's trilogy. But Catalina brings..something else entirely.

The Hidden Legacy series has now come to focus on Catalina Baylor, one of Nevada’s younger sisters who is now head of House Baylor. Catalina has taken over as lead investigator for their firm as well. Runa, a poisoner we met in Diamond Fire comes to Catalina after tragedy befalls her house. Taking on Runa’s case, Catalina runs up against a dangerous foe bringing not only her, but her whole family into danger. To complicate matters, after three years of no contact, once again Alessandro Sagredo pops back into her life right smack in the middle of her case. Alessandro alternatively flirts with Catalina and then seriously warns her off the investigation. Oh, I look forward to seeing how it’ll all play out in the coming books!

Ilona Andrews is such an amazing writing talent; I’m always anticipating their next story. There’s never a dull moment with lots of action, danger and humor expertly woven into their smart plots! The Hidden Legacy has been an amazing series and I’m sooo happy we’re getting more stories in this world, now focusing on Catalina. I’m so happy to see her as a power in her own right, gaining confidence, and whipping out attitude when needed. I was glued to the pages right from the start! Love the teasing humor from Grandma Frieda (her Herald must be very entertaining) and Arabella! There was bound to be some payback from Nevada, lol! The photo was priceless! The other Baylor’s continue to entertain as well, and I wonder at something between Burn and Runa? The current mystery/conflict is solved, but as this is a three-story arc, things are up in the air which made me very eager for the next book!

While I think a reader would benefit from reading the books in order, I do think you could read Diamond Fire, the novella before this story, and then Sapphire Flames and still enjoy the story. However, skipping the previous stories would deprive you of the awesomeness of this series!

Thank you, HarperCollins for sending me this ARC through Edelweiss. This is my full and honest voluntary review. 

Literally favourite book. 

Add to Goodreads: goodreads.com/sapphire-flames-ilona-andrews

Wild Hunger (Heirs of Chicagoland #1) by Chloe Neill

Genre: Fantasy | Vampires | Werewolves,  Romance, Spin-Off, Adult, Series

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Available:

Amazon | Barnes & Nobles | Nook | Kobo

Synopsis

In the first thrilling installment of Chloe Neill's spinoff to the New York Times bestselling Chicagoland Vampires series, a new vampire will find out just how deep blood ties run. 

As the only vampire child ever born, some believed Elisa Sullivan had all the luck. But the magic that helped bring her into the world left her with a dark secret. Shifter Connor Keene, the only son of North American Central Pack Apex Gabriel Keene, is the only one she trusts with it. But she's a vampire and the daughter of a Master and a Sentinel, and he's prince of the Pack and its future king. 

When the assassination of a diplomat brings old feuds to the fore again, Elisa and Connor must choose between love and family, between honor and obligation, before Chicago disappears forever.

Review

The next generation is here! This spin-off of the Chicagoland Vampires features the one and only Elisa. As the only born vampire, she is unique and treated differently. It is possible to read this book as a standalone. Reading the original series would help. In this new series, it is literally featuring the son and daughters of the original powerhouse. The powerhouses are still here, in a supporting cast role. They will be needed as it seems this next generation has issues. I like the new generation. 

Elisa is a responsible and conscientious daughter. As a possible heir to her father's house, she is a princess. This could make her a spoiled brat. She is not. She did her training in Paris, France to be treated the same as other young vampires. However, her apparently lack in age does not equate to a lesser power. She holds an extra oomph and she's afraid of it. This has trouble written all over it. Why children think they can hide something from responsible, caring, loving and supportive parents is beyond me. We do get to see a little bit of what is to come. Personally, I think it's awesome what Elisa has, but that is because I'm a jaded old woman uncaring of other people's opinions. When I was as young as Elisa, it would have mattered a lot to me. 

Along with Elisa, Connor, son of the Pack Alpha makes his presence known. Connor is a hawt, sexy werewolf shifter with issues of his own. His are responsibilities to his pack. It shouldn't be a problem, but it is because Elisa messes with his priorities. He isn't expecting to be attracted to the snot-nosed little princess he remembers. To round out this supernatural triad is LuLu. She is the daughter of Mallory. As a witch from two very powerful magicians, one would think Lulu is a powerhouse too. But no, she complete cut of any magic use and ignores her full potential. Of the three, Lulu is the one I'm most disappointed in. I understand where she is coming from. However, her willful blindness to magic is going to be a major handicap and will only bring her grief. I'm already thinking of all the different scenarios of how she will be a liability. None of the permutations are looking good. 

The conflict in this story is a long time coming. The Fae are back and what they want is fathomable if unachievable. When they attempt to do what they want, all hell breaks loose. The strong alliances between the American vampire houses and the shifters are strains. This flushes the European Vampires peace treaty talks down the drain with Elisa caught in the middle. The political intrigue in written heavy-handed. The players are not subtle in the Pack, Vampire house and especially not in the Fae. It is clear from the get-go who are the main threats. It will be exciting to see what happens. 

This new adult book is recommended to paranormal readers who enjoy seeing a new batch of supernaturals coming into their own.

Sighhh. Werewolves are such kryptonite to me. 

 Add to Goodreads: goodreads.com/wild-hunger-chloe-neill

Wildfire (Hidden Legacy #3) by Ilona Andrews

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance, Adult, Series

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Available:

Amazon: amazon.com/wildfire

Barnes and Nobles: barnesandnobles.com/wildfire

Nook: nook.com/wildfire

Kobo: kobo.com/wildfire

Synopsis

Nevada Baylor can’t decide which is more frustrating—harnessing her truthseeker abilities or dealing with Connor “Mad” Rogan and their evolving relationship. Yes, the billionaire Prime is helping her navigate the complex magical world in which she’s become a crucial player—and sometimes a pawn—but she also has to deal with his ex-fiancée, whose husband has disappeared, and whose damsel-in-distress act is wearing very, very thin.

Rogan faces his own challenges, too, as Nevada’s magical rank has made her a desirable match for other Primes. Controlling his immense powers is child’s play next to controlling his conflicting emotions. And now he and Nevada are confronted by a new threat within her own family. Can they face this together? Or is their world about to go up in smoke?

Review

Nevada Baylor and her magical PI family pick up a new case, that of the wife of the head of House Sherwood, whose Mage husband has been kidnapped. That case swirls around and mixes in with the ongoing issues of the clandestine group of Mages who are vying for magical control and a ‘New World Order’’; with a Supreme Leader holding the ultimate dominion, and themselves in positions of great influence. Add to that the problem of her dangerously powerful grandmother wanting to absorb Nevada into her own House, forcing her to contemplate creating House Baylor; and Nevada has her hands full, both personally and professionally. Not to mention that her relationship with Rogan is getting very serious and moving along nicely, if not without issues.

Nevada’s power as a Mage are still growing, and she is still learning how to use her burgeoning power. If she decides to become a House, her secret of being a ‘Truthseeker’ will come out; as well as the powers of the younger members of her immediate family. According to Mage rules, Nevada and Rogan are not a good match to create a new generation of Mages, so she will be expected to make a compatible match to her particular powers. The various threads and plotlines work around each other, come together, and all comes to a mostly satisfying close. The leader of the rogue Mages, called Caesar, has still never been identified, but I have my suspicions. This leaves the tantalizing possibility of more to come with Nevada, Connor Rogan, and the gang.

And so we come to the end of what is the planned trilogy of the “Hidden Legacy” series. Here’s to hoping the contract is picked up by Avon, or the Andrews decide to self-pub. Given that the first two books shot up the fantasy best-seller list, Avon will surely extend the contract to more books. There are several members just in Nevada’s immediate family who have really stepped up to the plate, with stories begging to be told.

Great series, lots of fun. I know Catalina's story is still happening. Hope it goes on for years…

WHO IS CESARE?!

But seriously, I loved it. 

Add to Goodreads: goodreads.com/wildfire-ilona-andrews

Kill the Queen (Crown of Shards #1) by Jennifer Estep

Rating: 5 stars

Genre: Fantasy, Adult, Romance, Fiction, Epic

Available from:

https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Queen-Crown-Shards-Novel/dp/0062797611

https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062797612/kill-the-queen/

Synopsis

In a realm where one’s magical power determines one’s worth, Lady Everleigh’s lack of obvious ability relegates her to the shadows of the royal court of Bellona, a kingdom steeped in gladiator tradition. Seventeenth in line for the throne, Evie is nothing more than a ceremonial fixture, overlooked and mostly forgotten.

But dark forces are at work inside the palace. When her cousin Vasilia, the crown princess, assassinates her mother the queen and takes the throne by force, Evie is also attacked, along with the rest of the royal family. Luckily for Evie, her secret immunity to magic helps her escape the massacre.

Forced into hiding to survive, she falls in with a gladiator troupe. Though they use their talents to entertain and amuse the masses, the gladiators are actually highly trained warriors skilled in the art of war, especially Lucas Sullivan, a powerful magier with secrets of his own. Uncertain of her future—or if she even has one—Evie begins training with the troupe until she can decide her next move.

But as the bloodthirsty Vasilia exerts her power, pushing Bellona to the brink of war, Evie’s fate becomes clear: she must become a fearsome gladiator herself . . . and kill the queen.

Review

❝ Summer queens are fine and fair, with pretty ribbons and flowers in their hair. Winter queens are cold and hard, with frosted crowns made of icy shards.❞

“The day of the royal massacre started out like any other. With me doing something completely utterly useless.”
All it took was that line and I was instantly hooked.

Kill the Queen is a fast-paced, exhilarating new fantasy series from Jennifer Estep. Filled with magic and intrigue, Kill the Queen will leave you breathless with excitement as you follow Evie’s journey from a meek orphan girl to a force to be reckoned with.

Part Gladiator, part Game of Thrones, Kill the Queen is about Evie’s journey. In a world where magical abilities determine a person’s worth, Everleigh is at the bottom rung of the ladder in Bellona. No one thinks she will amount to anything. Everleigh, of course, is hiding a magical ability that could change the power structure in the palace. When Evie’s murderous cousin violently took the throne, Evie was forced to fight for her survival. She found help in the most unlikely place, the gladiator troupe with connections to the murdered queen. With her cousin intent on wiping out her family line and no one to trust, Evie has to learn not only how to fight not just for her survival but fight to win the kingdom for herself.

The most striking and enjoyable aspect of this story for me was Everleigh’s journey. When readers first met her, she’s meek and tends to hide away from everyone. Not that I blame her, of course. Her family treated her horribly so when she finally served them their revenge cake, it was glorious.

Another element that I really enjoyed was the gladiator troupe that took Evie in, especially Serilda and Lucas Sullivan. They are two very intriguing characters that I’m really hoping will get more page time in the next books.

I’m also intrigued by the budding relationship between Lucas and Evie. While there isn’t technically romance in this book, Estep is definitely laying the groundwork for one. So I’m intrigued and hopeful that there is more romance in the next books because I definitely see the sparks between Lucas and Evie, so I want that relationship go somewhere.

I highly recommend this book even if you’re not necessarily a fantasy reader because I think this is a great gateway book for the genre. But seasoned fantasy readers will have something to latch on to with this book as well. It’s definitely intriguing and action-packed. 

Planning on giving the book a try? Link is above to whisk you away to a world of fantasy like you've never seen before.