CompleteMartialArts.com - Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, Book 2)
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List Price: $6.99
Our Price: $6.99
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Ace
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Average Customer Rating: 
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Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN: 9780441015832
ISBN: 0441015832
Label: Ace
Manufacturer: Ace
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 272
Publication Date: 2008-04-01
Publisher: Ace
Studio: Ace
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Editorial Reviews:
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As a mercenary who cleans up after magic gone wrong, Kate Daniels knows how 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. When Kate sets out to retrieve a set of stolen maps for the Pack, Atlanta's paramilitary clan of shape shifters, she quickly realizes much more is at stake. 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.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Grows on you
Comment: I'm a Sookie Stackhouse and Rachel Morgan fan who is always looking for other series. I read book one in this series and gave it a 4. I bought book 2, just to kill time and was totally drawn in by it. I am now putting book 3 on my wishlist. I am not a "magic" fan, but enjoyed the interplay between Kate with her magic, and the knight in shining armor who is the alpha of the shapeshifter pack.
Customer Rating:
Summary: (4.5) No Sophomore Slump
Comment: No sophomore slump here! Ilona Andrews follows--and tops--her debut novel with an excellent sequel, _Magic Burns_.
We get some more world-building. Andrews explains, in a way that flows smoothly with the story and doesn't feel like an infodump, the theory as to why the magic and tech have gone wonky in the first place. We also learn about magic flares, which occur roughly every seven years. During these upsurges in magic, powerful and dangerous summonings can be done. As _Magic Burns_ begins, a magic flare has kicked in and Kate finds herself entangled in the mystery of a witch coven who disappeared after getting in over their heads.
Kate is growing as a character as this series progresses. In Magic Burns, she lets a few more people into her heart, and I don't just mean romantically (though the romantic tension between her and Curran is just enough to be lots of fun without dominating the story). We also learn a few more tantalizing hints about Kate's parentage and about the powers she keeps under wraps.
The mystery/supernatural plot is more layered than that of _Magic Bites_, and better executed. Andrews continues to root her plots in a diverse range of mythology and folklore rather than sticking to the current urban fantasy trends. This time, everything's more complicated, because the good guys and bad guys are less clearly delineated, and Kate has to navigate a minefield of other people's competing agendas. The pace is fast, and there are no "Huh?" moments like the one I had in _Magic Bites_.
Andrews has also toned down the gore. There's still plenty of violence, but if you thought there were a few too many explicit descriptions of cannibalism and rape in _Magic Bites_, you'll probably like _Magic Burns_ better.
_Magic Burns_ just earned Andrews a place on my very short "snap up on sight" list. She's one of the most original voices currently writing in the urban fantasy subgenre, and I can't wait to see what she does next.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The magic sizzles! The future is bright for Ilona Andrews!
Comment: Futuristic Atlanta: magic wreaks havoc in the city and citizens, human and supernatural alike, prepare for the dreaded phenomena when magic and technology refuse to co-exist and continually fight for dominance. It is a world where you wake up each day not knowing if you'll be able to start your car due to the magic fluctuation or, for those who possess magical powers, your spells will fail when the technology is up and running. It's all part of the citizens' daily life except every seven years, the magical waves intensify and all the complexities associated with it culminates into a build-up called a flare. As all hell breaks loose in Atlanta, greater forces like gods and goddesses battle it out for supremacy. And death to anyone who stands in their way...
Once again, our Kate Daniels is knee deep in supernatural drama as she finds herself helping the local Pack retrieve some stolen maps. As Kate goes map-hunting, she comes face to face with the impertinent culprit who takes delight in confounding her and the local Alpha, Curran. More obstacles are thrown her way when she unexpectedly becomes a babysitter to a young girl whose missing mother may be the key to unravelling the chaos surrounding her. And with two powerful gods vying for the chance to step into the human realm, Kate may be out of her depth. Tough as this mercenary is, she knows that she needs all the help she can get even if that means going to the very man who gives her the chills... in a good and (mostly) bad way.
MAGIC BURNS is a tautly written action thriller filled with supernatural creatures galore! The author conveys the intricacies of this alternate universe with drama and flair. Magic leaps off every page and characters come to life. I thought Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1) was an excellent read, but this book totally exceeded my expectations. Ilona Andrews' world is utterly bewitching, captivating the reader right from the start. Kate's character is continuously evolving; the same goes for the secondary characters. Every individual has their place in Andrews' magical world. No secondary character is wasted, everybody is given an opportunity to react and interact and prove their purpose. Indeed, the author has given us such intriguing characters leaving you hanging on to see what she has in store for them.
A word of caution though that the violence and mayhem in this book equates to splatter horror. It is graphic and horrific and Andrews doesn't gloss over the details. If you don't mind these, then I guarantee that this is a great reading experience that packs a terrific punch.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic Read
Comment: This is one of those rare books that you just can't put down after you start reading it. I can't wait for the nezt in the series!
Customer Rating:
Summary: The gore and the sexual tension are ramped up.
Comment: Be warned: Magic Burns is a dark story with graphic monsters and battle scenes mixed in with the humor and shapeshifters. In this second book, the banter is even better and the characters and the setting given additional details. Again, this isn't erotica or a romance, but a urban fantasy book with a few wonderful alpha-male characters to drool over while you cheer for Kate. Highly recommended!
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