Monday 19 September 2016

Review: Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews

Magic Binds (Kate Daniels #9) by Ilona Andrews
Publisher: Ace
Publication date: September 20th 2016
My rating: 5 stars 
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 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25644437-find-her
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…
 


My Thoughts:
The threat of Kate’s father, Roland is coming to a head with him pushing, and it seems war with him will be inevitable.  Roland’s decides to set up camp right outside of the border of Atlanta, building his fortress, not crossing the land Kate has claimed, but coming right up against it. Kidnapping Saiman is the last straw, but Kate must consider all her moves before charging in or thrust them into a war with Roland before she’s ready to take him on.  As if this wasn’t bad enough the witches have looked into Kate’s future and it is either: 1.) Bad or 2.) Really, really bad!  Can Kate change the course she’s headed on: doom, gloom, and death?  Gotta say, I was a little worried!

But that’s not all that was going on, Kate and Curran’s impeding wedding brings humor and laughs in an otherwise tense, action filled story.  Picking dresses, colors, and a cake is so not Kate’s thing, but she has some surprising help.  I was so thrilled these two were finally going to tie the knot! One of the things I love about this series is that it doesn’t rely on relationship woes to make the story interesting.  Magic Rises (book 6) was sort of an exception, but still, for the most part Curran and Kate are a strong united couple, still passionate for each other, yet not without normal relationship issues. Battling for their lives and the lives of the people they love adds quite enough thrills to this series.

A lot of the regular characters I love were featured: Julie, Derek, Andrea, Raphael, Jim, Dali, Roman, Barabas, Christopher, but not in depth, because the conflict with Roland was at the forefront. I liked that Julie continues to grow into a more important/interesting character, even with the little page time.  I’m rooting for much more with her and Derek, and I would be thrilled if we got another Derek and Julie story like Magic Stars! 



Magic Binds was epic, action packed, and thrilling! As I finished and closed my Kindle, all I could think was, “Wow!”  Ilona Andrews manages to keep this series fresh, and exciting even after nine books. I truly think the series just gets better with every installment with Kate growing, evolving, and coming into her own. The story here was pretty much resolved, but the greater story arc continues on, and I wonder what will happen especially with that last revelation?!  



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8 comments:

Lekeisha said...

Awesome review! I'm so in love with this book! So many things coming to light, and enemies becoming allies; it was all just so wonderfully done. I need the next book because that last sentence....... WTF, Ilona Andrews? You can't do this to us. LOL! But I'm so excited to see how it all ends.

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I can't wait to read this one. I have been holding off because I really want to listen to it. I am so glad you loved it.

Keertana said...

Aaah, I'm so glad you enjoyed this one! I haven't been LOVING this series as much lately but I am really looking forward to this installment so I'm glad it's been getting rave reviews all around. Wonderful review, Rachel!

Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

I have to agree with you, Rachel. This is one of those rare gems that just keeps getting better and better. It will break my heart when it ends. I honestly don't know how I'll manage, although I do see a spin-off with Julie on the horizon.

Eva @ All Books Considered said...

Great review Rachel! I so need to start this series! I love that it keeps getting better since that is so rare with series lately ♥

Emma said...

I still haven't read this series Rachel. So many love it and every time I think to read it or buy it and distracted by another book. I really really need to get on this book band wagon with Ilona Andrews. So glad it's still going strong for you.

Ksenia said...

Every time I see your review on yet another book in this series I tempted to finally start it. In truth I’m usually a little bit intimidated by such long series. It sounds like such a commitment. But while I was on hiatus I’ve read a couple of series that I was putting of like forever, and it was such a wonderful experience. So I’m willing to try another series.

Carina Olsen said...

Yay for loving this one :D And for loving the series. <3 Not books for me, but it do seem pretty amazing. Gorgeous review Rachel :) Thank you for sharing your thoughts about it. <3

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