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Ratings & Reviews for

Magic Triumphs

Ilona Andrews

5 stars

18,943 (65%)

4 stars

7,749 (26%)

3 stars

2,044 (7%)

2 stars

202 (<1%)

1 star

61 (<1%)

Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,893 reviews

✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans)

2,342 reviews7,291 followers

February 16, 2023

➽ And the moral of this particular rererererereread is: okay house Andrews, it's been FOUR YEARS since you released this book and went on to write other stuff. You've punished us long enough, can we have Kate back ~~now~~ NOW?

👋 Until next time and stuff.

🐈 The Adventures Of A Brave Little Kitty Buddy Rerererereread (TAOABLKBR™) with the IA Addicts 🐈

➽ And the moral of this reread is: it is decidedly sad but disgustingly true, I still do not quite exactly like the ending of this book very much indeed. But it is KD. And it is IA. So QED and stuff.

➽ And the other moral of this reread is: I want to be Eahrratim Of The Lethal Sneers And Deathly Put-Downs (EOFTLSADPD™) when I grow up.

👋 Until next time and stuff.

[August 2018]

A well-known 18th-century author once said:

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that Kate Daniels is the Best Bloody Shrimping Urban Fantasy Series That Ever Was and Ever Will Be.”

I can’t remember this most perceptive author’s name, unfortunately , but one thing’s for sure: those 18th-century folks really had Impeccable Book Taste (IBT™). Too bad their being somewhat dead prevented them from reading this last installment in the series. Life really sucks sometimes. Hmmm…I wonder what sucks more, come to think of it: being a little dead and not having read the book, or being vaguely alive, having read it and therefore having no other installment to look forward to. Sounds like we’re all equally screwed, if you ask me. But I ever so slightly digress.

So. This book. The Last One. The Final One. The One That Shall Be Followed By No Other. Ever. Not At Any Point In The Entirety Of Our Entire Lives. And Probably Not Even After That.

Note to self: get ahold of yourself, for shrimp’s sake! You’re supposed to be nefarious and evil and black-hearted and stuff!

Okay, so this book ~~,up until the ending -I-am-not-quite-terribly-enthusiastic-about,~~ is probably one of the best the Authorlords have ever written. “Why,” you kindly ask? Because:

① I said so.

② Hahahahaha. Haha. Ha. Hahahahaha. And also, HA. The lines/dialogues/banter/whatever in this book are some of the mostest funniest (and even hilariousest, imagine that!) in the series. I actually laughed my shapely exoskeleton off several times while reading the book. I kid you not.

③ Deliciously nerve-wracking stuff abounds. The sense of impending doom is strong in this one, my Little Barnacles. Which is slightly delicious. And also a little nerve-wracking. Sometimes.

④ It features one of the most amazing fight scenes ever. Seeing Kate chop-chop-chopping and slice-slice-slicing away has been one of the major highlights of my reading life these last few years, but this! THIS! This was memorable and glorious and beautiful and wondrous and magnificent, and, mark my words, shall not be outdone for centuries to come. Except maybe by the Andrews. Who will obviously still be writing books four hundred years from now.

⑤ It all finally comes together. And quite fantastically at that. Also, most of the slightly awesome characters that have crossed Kate’s path at some point in the series make an appearance in this final instalment. Well except from Spoiler Spoiler Spoiler (not the character’s real name, in case you were wondering), whose absence pissed me off a teensy little bit. But more on that later.

⑥ Conlan. So. Immutable law of the universe #1: kids and teenagers in books tend to either bore me to death and back, or annoy the fish out of me. They have also been known to awaken the homicidal maniac in me once in a while. But. The Andrews have sold their souls to the devil in exchange for Super Magic Super Writing Superpowers (SMSWS™), ergo I 💕lurves💕 all their kids. And they are all MINE. Obviously. And safely locked up in the kindergarten section of my High Security Harem. George and Jack, from The Edge, Little Helen from Innkeeper Chronicles, Matilda from Hidden Legacy…and now also Conlan, because duh. I mean, who wouldn’t want to have such a ~~baby terrorist~~ “sweet dumpling” of their own? Even one of the greatest philosophers of our time (one Robert Lonesco) is known to have said “I want one,” when meeting the ~~ninja cub~~ gentle babe for the first time. So Poof, Gone, Harem and stuff!

⑦ Random Yet Gloriously Awesome Stuff (RYGAS™): the woman known as Lady Ma’am. Evil old shit. Roman the Riveting Russian Rake (aka R⁴). Gifts from socially awkward horticulturalists. Barabas. Fire calls to Dear Daddy. Desandra. Severing heads vs cleaning skulls (I must talk to Lady about this). Ghastek (aka the Fearless Leader). Druids and hearing aids and chickens, oh my! Christopher. ~~Spilled bags of Skittles~~ Vamps and sunblock. Hugh & Elara. Blood magic. Enormous, pissed-off pigs. Teddy Jo. “Why, gods? Why me?” Auntie Rowena. Highly nourishing human soup. Noah at the Casino Help Desk. “Ranar kair. ” Abnormally large glowing wolves. Grendel. “Knight in the streets, wizard in the sheets.” Nutrient values of cookies vs raw mice. Uncle Nick Stupidhead. Awesome stuff. More awesome stuff. And even more, more awesome stuff I could mention but if I did we’d still be here 250 years from now and I have ~~puny humans to slaughter~~ things to do and ~~kingdoms to overthrow~~ places to go, so I won’t. Besides, if I talk about all the Utterly Yummilicious Stuff (UYS™) now, what will I talk about in the crappy non-review for my twentieth reread of the book, I ask you? So QED and stuff.

⑧ I said so.

Now. All this ↑↑ was positively scrumptious and generally stupendous and wonderfully spectacular and the perfect conclusion to this perfect series and stuff, BUT. That ending. Sigh. It was okay, but I expected SO much more from it. More epic stuff. Messier stuff. Grittier stuff. More complex stuff. More dramatic stuff. Unfortunately, the ending was not nearly as momentous and thrilling as I thought it would be. It felt rushed and oversimplified, and gave me the impression the book had been cut short somehow. I’m pretty fairly sure and almost nearly certain that another 50-100 pages would have turned Magic Triumphs into the most satisfying conclusion to a series in the history of most satisfying conclusions to a series. Then again, what do I know? I am naught but an ungrateful, miserable little shrimp, after all.

Okay, I’m pretty sure my fascinating ramblings haven’t yet bored you to death, so let’s now expand and analyze, shall we?

I guess one of my main problems with the ending is that I thought it would be gutsier. I expected at least one of the major characters in the series to be killed (I wouldn’t have liked it, but it would have made the ending more realistic), so simply getting rid of Adora and Saiman felt like a cop-out to me. Yes, I know, Saiman is one of the main characters in the series, but killing Saiman didn’t have the same impact as killing someone closer to Kate (like Barabas or George, for example) would have had. Besides, I’ve hated his guts for a while now, so I didn’t mind seeing him killed deadly dead and stuff. That being said, I have to admit I was a little shocked to see him disposed of off page so casually, and his death being completely brushed off. He was a selfish bastard, but he was part of the cast from day 1 and played a key role in some of the major events in the series. He deserved much better than such a careless dismissal, if you ask me.

Something else that disappointed me about the final battle is how predictable it was, and how easily the supposed evil nemeses were defeated (Roland ends up being as decaf as a soap opera villain). Not to mention that it read like a repeat of the events in Magic Strikes, with Kate stabbing herself to try and save the day…and being saved right back by Curran…who got to be a god just long enough to bring her back to life…~~Yay~~ Sigh. I guess the whole thing felt too convenient and perfect and nice and stuff. And just wasn't dark enough for me. No, I never expected the ending to this series to be a grim one, but I certainly didn’t expect it to be such a Bottomless Well of Serial HEA Delights (BWoSHEAD™), either. I did want Kate and Curran (as well as most of the cast) to have their almost-nearly-happy ending, but this was just too much for my black, withered heart to take.

A few other things that didn’t sit that well with me:

• What the bloody hell of the stinking shrimp happened to Ascanio?! Why was he taken out of the picture?! I demand an explanation! What the rabid fish was that BS Raphael fed Kate about Ascanio wanting wealth and power about?! Where the homicidal decapod was my favourite Bouda during the final battle?! I want my Ascanio back! I want to hear how his threesomes on the morgue steps are going!

• The Dali-wants-a-baby-badly subplot was completely unnecessary and added absolutely nothing to the story. I would rather have read about how Julie and Derek managed to snatch the ruby from Neig's realm than about Dali and Jim's failed attempts at having a kid.

• The epilogue: I love Erra and Julie, and like that the epilogue seems to open the way to a spin-off, but I think it would have been nice to have some kind of wrap-up of the series (maybe something in the vein of Barabas’ journal in Magic Rises) instead. I’m a revoltingly demanding shrimp, I know.

• Jim didn’t die. Which is a total rip-off, as far as I’m concerned.

Much as I bitch and moan and complain and stuff, this is still an amazing book. And Kate Daniels still and forever will be the best UF series ever. The world. The characters. The humor. The incredibly researched historical/cultural background. The action. The magic. The creatures. The cut-cut-cut, slice-slice-slice. EVERYTHING. I don’t even know why other authors even bother writing UF series anymore. It’s a total waste of time, if you ask me. Nothing will ever compare to Kate Daniels. It’s the series you can reread 11,000 times (and a half) without ever getting bored. It’s the series you can reread 11,000 times (and a half) and still fangirl like a 13-year-old maniac on crack everytime you read the words “hot tub.” It’s the series you can reread 11,000 times (and a half) and still discover new, awesome things you hadn’t noticed before. It’s the series you can reread 11,000 times (and a half) and still want to punch the pack princess to a bloody pulp every single time she makes an appearance. It’s the series you can reread 11,000 times (and a half) and still feel like the Andrews just saved your life all over again. And to think it all started with “Here, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty...”

Now if you will please excuse me, I’m off to weld the bimbo room shut.

P.S. I want to be Kate Daniels when I grow up. Just so I can say “Osanda, you bastard!” to anyone who slightly pisses me off.
P.P.S. The Dove and Chick are secure. I repeat, the Dove and Chick are secure.

· Book 1: Magic Bites ★★★★★
· Book 2: Magic Burns ★★★★★
· Book 3: Magic Strikes ★★★★★
· Book 4: Magic Bleeds ★★★★★
· Book 5: Magic Slays ★★★★★
· Book 6: Magic Rises ★★★★★
· Book 7: Magic Breaks ★★★★★
· Book 8: Magic Shifts ★★★★★
· Book 9: Magic Binds ★★★★★
· Book 10.5: Magic Tides ★★★★★
· Book 10.6: Magic Claims · to be published June 2023

[Pre-review nonsense]

No, thou art not dreaming. Yes, I did just rate an instalment in the Mostest Gloriousest UF Series of All Time (MGUFSoAT™) less than 12 5 stars. Yes, this is blasphemy indeed. But fear not, for all is not lost. Pretty sure I'll end up rating the book 3 million stars (give or take a star or two) by the time I reread it for the twentieth time and stuff.

Full Forgive Me IA For I Have Spinned Crappy Non-Review (FMIAFIHSCNR™) to come.

P.S. It's the ending that did it. Or rather didn't do it. All shall be explained. In due time and stuff.

2018 diversity-is-slightly-scrumptious favourite-series

Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁

1,258 reviews8,701 followers

November 29, 2021

It’s been a fun ride, Kate. I know we’ll see other again, but it won’t be the same. You’ve fought your battles, and now you’re letting someone else pick up the torch. Enjoy the peace and quiet. You’ve earned it.

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BUT. Know this—it’s everything you could possibly wish for it to be.

2/13/18:

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B/c why? B/c CURRENTLY READING. *flails* *moonwalks* *booty shakes*

10/26/17 - Derek SNIPPET: http://www.ilona-andrews.com/do-you-m...

10/8/17 - Scooby SNIPPET: http://www.ilona-andrews.com/dear-bar...

10/02/17 - Conlan SNIPPET (*dies of cuteness*): http://www.ilona-andrews.com/da-phhhft/

9/21/17 - SNIPPET (#2, courtesy of Authorlord spawn): http://www.ilona-andrews.com/are-you-...

9/21/17 - (baby, twitter thread) SNIPPET: https://twitter.com/ilona_andrews/sta...

9/7/17 - SNIPPET (as delicious bribe): http://www.ilona-andrews.com/read-for...

8/11/17 - SNIPPET: http://www.ilona-andrews.com/snippet-...

7/17/17 - SNIPPET: http://www.ilona-andrews.com/snippet-6/

7/13/17 - SNIPPET (as delicious bribe): http://www.ilona-andrews.com/the-pend...

7/7/17 - (tiny) SNIPPET: http://www.ilona-andrews.com/friday-f...

My other reviews for this series:

A Questionable Client (Kate Daniels, #0.5)
Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1)
Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, #2)
Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, #3)
Magic Mourns (Kate Daniels, #3.5)
Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, #4)
Magic Dreams (Kate Daniels, #4.5)
Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, #5)
Magic Tests (Kate Daniels, #5.3)
Magic Gifts (Kate Daniels, #5.4)
Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels, #5.5)
Retribution Clause (Kate Daniels, #5.6)
An Ill-Advised Rescue (Kate Daniels, #5.8)
Magic Rises (Kate Daniels, #6)
Magic Steals (Kate Daniels, #6.5)
Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels, #7)
Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels, #8)
Magic Stars (Kate Daniels, #8.5, Grey Wolf, #1)
Magic Binds (Kate Daniels, #9)
Iron and Magic (Kate Daniels, #9.5)
Curran POV Collection

mythology not-your-ordinary-creatures pre-ordered

Robin (Bridge Four)

1,606 reviews1,480 followers

September 8, 2018

Joint review with Anne at Books of My Heart

WOW!!! WHAT AN ENDING TO A SERIES

Anne and I both read Magic Triumphs and also listened to the audio version. I was on the beta team. Anne was fortunate to get an eARC and we both received the audio for review. It is hard to do such an amazing book justice. I've said many times how it is my favorite series. So we decided to try to answer some questions for you (without spoilers).

1. If you could give people your reasons for reading the Kate Daniels series, what would you tell them?

Anne: How much time do you have? Getting right to the point, though, I love the action, the mythology of the world-building and the "villains", the amazing growth and development of the characters, the touch of romance, the smart battles, Kate's compassion for others, her collection of allies (even ones who don't like her or believe her) and the humor. Reading the Kate Daniels series is fascinating, exciting and an emotional journey.

Robin: Kate Daniels is a book series I totally push into everyone's hands. I almost feel a little pushy about it but console myself that they will thank me later. Kate's a strong woman with a very clear morale code and she sticks to it. I love that she is who she is and for the most part is really comfortable with that, plus she has a sword and kicks some ass. Even though Kate is so awesome (she is my spirit animal) the real magic in these books comes with the supporting cast of characters. The humor they add to the story and the relationships Kate build make ending the series bittersweet. Plus the cool Magic/Technology tides world is just amazing.

2. Name 2 characters in the series you love and why? Name a character you don't like and why?

Robin: Two??? How can I only pick two? It is almost impossible as it is hard for me to think of characters I don't like. Even the ones I hate I love. There are characters I love for the comic relief and others I love for their devotion to Kate.Okay *deep breathe* I love Curran, to be sure, but besides him I really love Kate's BFF Andrea. They are what true great friends should be. Andrea calls Kate on her bullshit but would still back her up against anything. If either of them needed anything the other would drop everything to be their for them.

The other character I'm completely obsessed with is Derek. I've loved him since he made Julie a metal rose and threatened Red. He is totally in Kate's corner. That guy will always have her back and protect her and anything she loves with his life, no questions asked. He is like a best friend and a son all rolled into one and I love how simple life is to him when it comes to Kate and Curran.

Gah...I love them all. Even the villains I love hating. Voron maybe, I'm super mad at what his plans for Kate were. While I love how he trained her to help her be the person she is in this series, I really hate how he planned to use her for some kind of revenge.

Anne: I love them all! I'm going to highlight Christopher because he is so smart, so broken and so devoted to Kate. She saves him, as she does so many, and then they become part of her life and circle of allies. Another one is Ghastek. He fascinates me, although his motivations are rather transparent. He has such a hard time with Kate for many reasons, but their interactions always make me laugh. He is skilled but it is so easy to tease him.

I don't like Jim, at least how he treats Kate. He can be an asshole who uses Kate for his own purposes when he needs her but offers no support or loyalty unless he must. But he is our asshole, as they say.

3. Did you think Ilona Andrew would be able to do a series finale which would be amazing?

Anne: Yes. I have complete faith in Ilona Andrews. They never disappoint. Magic Triumphs is amazing!

Robin: I get nervous anytime a series I love is ending. I mean I've read a few where the last book totally ruined the magic for me. But in IA I Trust. I knew they could do it. For one, they had a clear plan of when the series would end instead of just popping out more books just because they could. It almost feels natural that this is where the story went. That said, I was a little worried Kate being a new mom was totally going to hijack everything and I'd loose interest in the story. *Pfft* I was so wrong -Momma bear Kate is even better.

4. Does Magic Triumphs meet your expectations for a series finale?

Robin: OMG yes!!! This has everything in it I've come to expect from the Kate Daniels series. It has humor and heart, action and substance, good moments and hard moments. Magic Triumphs is Triumphant!

Anne: I completely agree with Robin. Magic Triumphs is everything I wanted and expected.

5. What do you like best about Magic Triumphs (without spoilers)?

Anne: I feel like I say the same things over and over. Nothing beats great world-building, amazing characters who grow and develop, intelligent plots, action, and the emotional savvy of compassion, courage and caring brought to each book in this series. Humor is the crowning jewel. I also feel the wrapping up of various plot lines was ingenious. It was done in a way they could keep their moral integrity.

Robin: Momma Bear Kate! I totally loved how, having a child, she had some of the same first time parent issues everyone has. All the worries and concerns of a new parent but then she has to contend with Roland coming for her. I thought it was so well done and added to the story instead of sidetracking it.

6. How do you feel about the series ending?

Robin: Bittersweet for sure. I'm so happy they ended it well and before the series became stale. I think this series is still at the top of its game and so it is ending at a high. I'm just sad because I love this world and the characters in it, I don't want to say goodbye completely. I'm really hoping *crosses fingers and bribes Ilona with yards of yarn* Ilona and Gordon revisit the world and want to write more stories in it. We get more Hugh/Elara stories and I'm really excited about that, for sure, but I really hope Julie and Derek get their own series eventually. I'm holding out hope inspiration will hit after they've written some other things and Ilona Andrews will want to come back to the Kate Daniels world too.

Anne: I'm surprisingly not sad. I know I can go back and reread these amazing characters and stories any time, and I'll always learn and find new details. Because Ilona Andrews did it right and ended it perfectly. Plus we still have Hugh in the Iron Covenant series, and probably Derek and Julie, Grey Wolf series stories. There might even be some novellas or Conlan stories! I'm also excited to read other series and new ones by Ilona Andrews.

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I Laughed...so many times
I was emotional, a lot
I was stumped on occasion
I loved every minute of reading it
I was blown away by the ending

This was everything and wanted it to be and so much more. The Andrews have done it again and surpassed every expectation I had. This was better than I hoped for and my hopes were HIGH

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I always go into the last book of a series with a lot of trepidation. For one I’ve had entire series that I love ruined by the last book of the series and so it is always a bit nerve wracking. But in Ilona Andrews I should have trusted and known that they would do their readers proud and end the series with everything I as a reader have come to expect from them.

I was worried that having a baby would make this book boring.

But Conlan is a cute kid and does great stuff and uptight overprotective momma-bear Kate is hilarious. I think having the kid actually increased the enjoyability of the story instead of detracting form it.

I was worried that it would become too unrealistic

Don’t look at me like that. I know that it is Urban Fantay. But you know what I mean, Curran and Kate being indestructible. But there is real fear for them in this without thinking that no biggie they can’t be killed. I had some genuine fear for the characters in this and no not everyone will make it to the end.

I stressed that the ending would just fizzle

You know how it is…all this build up for books and books and then poof we win, you lose and lets’ go get cake. But the plot was great and I loved how this ended. But the ending was worth it. The journey is definitely the best part but the ending did justice to the entire series and I’m so happy with it all. Well maybe there is one thing I’m unsure of but I’m thinking spin off series one day so totally fine with it.

Thank you to the Andrews for letting me be involved with the beta read of their final book for the Kate Daniels Series. I am honored.

2018-reads 4-5-stars book-boyfriend-material

Anne

3,917 reviews69.3k followers

September 12, 2018

It's over.

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But the good news is that it's a pretty nice last installment in a much-beloved series.
I think most fans will be happy with the way everything turned out for the characters, and I'm looking forward to any and all spin-offs that team Andrews comes up with from this world.
*mentally sends out plea for Derek & Julie stories & at least ONE book with Roman*

description

Ok, like every series ending, this is almost less about the Big Battle with Roland and some mysterious new foe, and more about tying up all the loose ends and giving our favorite characters a proper send off. And in that way, I think Magic Triumphs does a fantastic job bringing everyone together for a final goodbye to Kate and Curran.

description

One of the highlights of this was Hugh and Elara. And if you haven't yet read their book, Iron and Magic, then I suggest you do that immediately. You don't strictly have to but it will make a lot of what happens in this one a bit clearer. AND you'll be able to nod knowingly along to things that Kate and the rest of the gang are still scratching their heads about.

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So. Was this the bestest thing ever?

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Ok. I know I'm probably going to get crucified for saying this, but I kinda disliked Kate and Curran's kid, Conlan.

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He was extremely annoying to me, even for a toddler. He just kind of ran wild, doing whatever he wanted, and everyone cooed over him because he was the Chosen One.
Letting your kid run away, growl, bite, and/or slap at people isn't cute. I don't give a shit if they're a magical being or not.

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And worse, Kate was this weird version of a helicopter parent. I mean, I get what they were going for, but it just came across as a stupid parody of what a first-time parent would look like.
Taking him to Dr. Doolittle because he sneezed is beyond silly.
The rest of her reactions were normal, though.

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Plus he was so overpowered it was ridiculous.
And speaking of OP characters, Curran's new power set was bit much for me. I still don't understand how the hell all of that worked out.
So, he became a god. <--on purpose
Which was supposedly really bad because he'd eventually lose his free will and not be able to stay on this plane. But then after he performed his one big miracle at the end, his godhood just...went away? Is that even a thing? I'm not an expert on being a god but I wouldn't have thought it worked like that, and nothing about it made any sense to me. It seems like it would have been better to have Hugh bring her back. He's an incredibly powerful and talented healer. Plus, that way he would have been able to do this one big good thing that would allow him to somewhat balance the scales with Kate. <--two birds, one stone!
As it was, the WTF Curran/god thing felt too easy.

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For the most part, though? I was very satisfied with the way everything came full circle, and I love that it looks like this isn't the end of the road for the other characters. This isn't my favorite book in the series, but I also understand that there was really no way to make the ending perfect...especially since all the fans have their own version of what perfect endings entail. The Andrews have done a fantastic job throughout this entire run and have created characters and a world that will remain one of my favorites forever.
To Kate & Curran's Happily Ever After!
Those two have definitely earned it...

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kindle read-in-2018

Melanie

1,165 reviews98.2k followers

September 7, 2018

ARC provided by Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.

1.) Magic Bites ★★★★
2.) Magic Burns ★★★★
3.) Magic Strikes ★★★★★
4.) Magic Bleeds ★★★★★
5.) Magic Slays ★★★★★
6.) Magic Rises ★★★★
7.) Magic Breaks ★★★★
8.) Magic Shifts ★★★★
8.5) Magic Stars ★★★★
9.) Magic Binds ★★★

“I hold gods prisoner, tormenting them for my pleasure. I bring war and terror. I am Neig, the Undying. I am legend. All who know me bow to me.”

Friends, I promise you, no one wanted to love this book more than me. I have been reading this series for what feels like close to a decade. And this will always be a series that I will cherish and keep close to my heart forever. But sadly, this final book just fell a little flat for me.

For those of you who do not know what this series is about, this is a ten book urban and paranormal romance series about a mercenary named Kate Daniels who will do anything to keep Atlanta safe. This Atlanta feels very much post-apocalyptic, and magic waves come and go along with paranormal creatures that sometimes choose to do bad things. Kate is human, but she has teamed up with the animal shifters, the vampires, the witches, and more to help defend Atlanta from everything that is seeking to destroy it.

And in Magic Triumphs something that is much bigger, and much worse, than anything Kate and her friends have ever encountered before, is trying to take over not only Atlanta, but the entire world.

“For the first time in my life I wished magic had never come.”

This review will not have spoilers for Magic Triumphs but it will briefly talk about things that have happened throughout the other nine novels leading up to this final conclusion. So, please use caution while reading this review if you are not caught up with Magic Binds!

I will also give a caveat and say that I did not read Iron and Magic this June, upon release. I just couldn’t fit it in my TBR, because this summer has been so busy for me with work. But I have always loved Hugh d’Ambray, and plan to pick it up one day. I will tell people that you should for sure read Iron and Magic first, because I was spoiled to something rather large at the end of this book, but it didn’t make it so I couldn’t understand or appreciate what was going on.

Though sadly, I feel like nothing really happened in Magic Triumphs until Hugh showed up at the ~70% mark. The previous ~200 pages? It honestly felt like a constant pattern of someone threatening Kate’s child, Kate getting upset, Kate killing whatever the threat is. Rinse and repeat for infinity, apparently. The “real action” literally was just jam packed quickly into the end, and even though I enjoyed it, I just wanted so much more at that point. And not in the good way of wanting so much more.

And yes, one of my favorite parts of this book was finally seeing Kate and Curran start to build their well-deserved happily ever after. And seeing Kate fully step into the role of motherhood, even though she has done a wonderful job transitioning thanks to Julie. Conlan is the cutest baby to ever be written in literature, and I was always giggling way too hard at the things he did or feeling completely and utterly heart warmed at the things he did.

“Conlan Dilmun Lennart squirmed on my chest and cried. There was no better sound in the world.”

I will say that I loved the epilogue. I think it is easily the strongest point of this book, ironically enough, and I feel like Ilona Andrews is really setting up for something that is going to be really amazing. Oh, and I truly believe that Roland is one of the best villains of all-time, too! He is the most morally grey character I believe in all of literature.

And I will always say that this series was probably the first love letter to found families that I’ve ever read. I truly believe that Kate’s found family and her realizing that she is deserving and worthy of unconditional love will always be the forefront of this story for me. And I feel like Magic Triumphs really showcases that beautifully.

Overall, I’m sad to see this come to and end. But maybe it is for the best, considering I didn’t feel the same magic that I felt earlier in this series. I will also say that I completely recommend any and everything that Ilona Andrews has created. I have loved this series, the Edge Series, and the Innkeeper Chronicles more than I have words for. This wife and husband writing duo really are the queen and king and PNR, and I can’t wait to see what they will have me fall in love with next!

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The quotes above were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.

Content and trigger warnings for murder, death, mass killing, violence, gore, torture, self-harm, talk of past rape, talk of suicide, and war themes.

arc dragons fantasy

Jilly

1,838 reviews6,161 followers

September 5, 2018

The book series that has been my favorite thing ever written on paper has come to an end. I feel so empty inside now. I'll just fill that emptiness with ice cream and booze. Pretty much my prescription for anything that ails ya.

Try this at home kids!

This book hasn't been out for very long, so I will just give general quotes to prove its awesomeness. It's basically overflowing with awesomeness. Like spewing it all over the place. Much like you will be doing if you take my ice cream and booze day-drinking advice.

Here are some quotes:

Kate to Derek:

Kate: "Have you thought about investing in a cape? As much time as you spend running around the city righting wrongs, it would come in handy."

Derek: "Not a cape guy."

Kate and Teddy Jo talking:

Kate:"Do you still have the corpse bus?"

Teddy Jo: "It's not a corpse bus. It's a Multiple Recently Deceased Efficient Removal vehicle."

Derek: "You do realize that spells MURDER?"

Kate to the guy trying to come to her rescue:

Dude: "Where is the fight?"

Kate: "I already killed everybody. You gotta be faster next time."

Kate yelling at the crowd of people in her house who are arguing:

"Nobody is eating anybody's soul!"

The good news is that there are plenty of storylines left open to be able to do spin-off series'. I want Julie & Derek to have one for sure. *Fingers crossed*

faeries-fae fantasy favorites

Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽

1,880 reviews22.7k followers

September 17, 2021

4.5 stars! 2021 reread, just for fun, since I just picked this up on a Kindle deal. Review first posted on Fantasy Literature:

Kate Daniels, after nine novels’ worth of fighting magical villains, romancing Curran the Beast Lord, developing her own über-magical powers and preternatural sword-fighting abilities, and magically claiming all of Atlanta as her territory (and that’s only a start), gets an ending to her story in Magic Triumphs, the tenth and final book in Ilona Andrews’ popular KATE DANIELS series. Well, kind of.

Kate is married to Curran now, who’s passed his title as Beast Lord on to Jim. After a very brief prologue in which Kate gives birth, the story jumps forward in time thirteen months, when their son Conlan is a precocious one year old whose antics keep his parents hopping. He still hasn’t started shapeshifting, which is causing Atlanta’s Pack to fret, but Kate is nevertheless something of a helicopter parent, anxious to protect Conlan from any threat … of which there are plenty, so her concerns aren’t without a basis.

The threat level gets amped up when Kate’s power-hungry father Roland ― after a fairly lengthy period of non-aggression ― starts to manufacture confrontations in Atlanta again, aiming at disrupting Kate’s claim to Atlanta and gaining power over her children, Conlan and her adopted daughter Julie. Meanwhile, something or someone is mysteriously murdering entire communities of people in the Atlanta area in a particularly gruesome way, for some unknown but doubtless malicious purpose. An ominous, evil-smelling box is left on Kate’s doorstep, causing thirteen-month-old Conlan to suddenly erupt into a new shape (or two), making Kate even more nervous, Curran joyful, and life exponentially more difficult.

Magic Triumphs is actually one of my favorite books in the KATE DANIELS series, and a great wrap-up to the series. It has a fun, exciting and delightfully complex plot, this time with an ancient Irish mythology spin to it. Lots of old friends from earlier books in the series play a role in the story, and much of the impact of those appearances will be lost on the reader who hasn’t read all of the prior KATE DANIELS books. What one might not expect is that it’s also fairly important to plot understanding and continuity to have also read Iron and Magic, the recently published spin-off novel featuring Hugh D’Ambrey, Kate’s old enemy.

Conlan is an amusing and adorable addition to the cast of characters, and Kate manages fairly well in combining her ass-kicking magical investigator and problem-solver ways with capable parenting, though her spin on it ends up being, well, different than most parents’.

"Look, Daddy killed him dead. All dead.”

Conlan giggled.

Dali was staring at me with a look of pure horror.

“I don’t want him to have nightmares that the bad man is going to get him,” I told her. “This way he knows that his daddy killed him … We are a family of monsters and he’s our child. People will always try to kill him and we will always protect him. He better get used to it.”

Along with the family bonding, there are a few heartbreaking moments in Magic Triumphs, so the Andrews don’t pull all of their punches here. After fudging a little with the ongoing, high-stakes conflict with Roland in Magic Binds, there is an ingenious resolution to the Roland Problem in this novel, which satisfies the need for a wrap-up but still leaves room for possible adventures to come. As Iron and Magic evidences (not to mention the epilogue in Magic Triumphs), Ilona Andrews isn’t yet finished with Kate’s world. Kate is probably happy to take a back seat at this point and let some other characters do most of the driving and monster-slaying. Though I’ll certainly miss Kate’s point of view, I’ll always be deeply interested in whatever adventures in this world may come from the fertile imaginations of the Andrews team.

fantasy urban-fantasy vampires-and-werewolves-oh-my

Corina

756 reviews2,127 followers

January 11, 2022

UPDATE 2022 - finished another re-read of a series that never gets old.
I still remember the feelings I had when I read it the first time, knowing the book would conclude a beloved series - I was crushed.
Fortunately I don't feel that way anymore. Instead I love revisiting friends whenever I feel like it, AND I'm excited knowing there is more to come.

___________________________________

I’m not even pretending that this review is easy to write.

From the moment I found out that Magic Triumphs would be the last Kate Daniels novel, I had a hard time accepting it. I couldn’t imagine a life without this series. But now, after reading 10+ novels about Kate’s battles with gods, monsters and the different power plays in and around Atlanta, I can say with absolute certainty that Kate deserves this ending.

Battle after battle she gave it all. Always for the better of the people of Atlanta, her family and friends and humanity. I felt for her. My heart ached at times!!!

Magic Triumphs was a fantastic and triumphant ending to my most favorite series of all.

I was sitting on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. When it got closer to 80 and 90% this book turned into a nail-biter. I wouldn’t be surprised if my heartbeat went up the closer I got the ending. This book had me entirely in its grasps.

In this epic conclusion, Ilona Andrews brought the entire cast together for this final battle. The plot that unraveled throughout the story, and the many answers to questions I didn’t know I had, kept my head spinning. The way the authors had this entire story executed was stunning. So many events and decisions in previous books suddenly made even more sense.

I’m utterly astonished by how well everything came together.

The fighting scenes were as always amazingly vibrant and easy to follow. The banter that I love and adore was there, but I had the feeling the overall feel of the book was a touch darker than any of the others. Getting to the end of it all was strenuous for everyone involved and it was noticeable. But all in all, I don’t think this story could have ended any other way. It felt RIGHT. You know how Kate always talks about how sometimes things just feel right? This ending gave me just this feeling.

Even though it’s very hard for me to say goodbye, especially to Kate, Curran, Julie and Derek, and now baby Conlan, I feel good about it. The relief at the end was palpable and satisfiying. And it seems that the authors are keeping the possibility open of coming back to the world of magic and tech in future books. You never know what kind of adventures are waiting around the next corner.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS EPIC EXPERIENCE!!!

So this is a bittersweet goodbye to the BEST UF series that has ever existed. It deserves every superlative I can think of. BRAVO to the authors for writing this epic masterpiece. I can’t say it enough, this series ROCKED, and if I’m ever stranded on an island, these are the books I want to have with me. I can’t imagine my life without them, and I’m utterly and deeply grateful for this experience. Since May of 2012, this series has ruled my life and I haven’t regretted it once. I hope that many other readers will find this series and fall in love with Kate and Curran the way I did. Goodbye for now!!

___________________________________

You can find me on my blog and on Bookstagram

urban-fantasy

carol.

1,532 reviews7,856 followers

May 29, 2020

The last book in a ten-book series. By all means, don't start here. However, I do recommend reading this series if you enjoy ass-kicking sword-fighters, unusual but accessible world-building, and well-rounded characters. The cast also includes vampires--with quite a different take--shapeshifters, and a wide variety of myths.

Still, I'm not sad the Kate Daniels series is ending. It's odd to me, in a way, that we look for overarching plots in our entertainment, as if the story needs to make sense from one book to the next, and each installment moving towards a grand finale. Though I do it as well, it is odd, because that isn't life at all: there is not one overarching mission, some enemy to vanquish before heading into the sunset, some gold ring to obtain before retirement to a village. So Kate and Curran will head into the sunset, and readers will certainly hear more about them through many of the formerly peripheral characters.

What's good here? As always, the Andrews know how to write a plot and keep the momentum going. Sometimes it's almost as if there is too much going on, but you definitely won't be bored. As always, there is a fascinating mix of mythology, but more importantly for the end of the series, most of the important members players at least get a chance to stop by. We get the usual one or two butt-kicking scenes, and an obligatory sex scene or two. Well, probably love scene. The issues with the series-long villain are nicely resolved, and there was an angle to it that was both unexpected and welcome. I did like the role of Kate's aunt.

Parts of this book feel a little underwritten, a far cry from the days of books two and three where more details about the world were shared. The world seems to be more magic than tech these days. I think Andrews have adopted that style on purpose, but I admit I miss some of the depth. Kate and Curran have settled into their relationship, so there's less of that drama, although there's still the 'I want to keep you safe,' and 'no, I want to keep you safe' arguments. Their little tyke is growing, and I was kind of disappointed to see Kate become an anxious mom rushing him off to Dolittle all the time, while Curran was a relaxed dad.

Overall, satisfied, with a solid wrap-up and an intriguing ending. Read in a day, as always. It's not really the kind of book you want to set down, and it's generally an undemanding read. A series not to be missed for those who enjoy fantasy and interesting, tough women fighting for a cause.

fantasy female-lead shifter

☆★Tinja★✮ A Court of Pizza and Laziness

331 reviews564 followers

November 6, 2018

Thank you, Ilona Andrews

Thank you so very much 💜💜💜

OH MY GOOOOOD OH NOOOO THE LAST KATE DANIELS!!!! *SCREAMS*

WHAT I ~~WANT~~ HOPE TO HAPPEN 💖💖

- ROLAND BEHEADED
- LOTS OF ACTION & EPIC BATTLE
- LOTS OF DEREK AND JULIE ERMERGERD MY SHHIIPPP (SPIN-OFF SPIN-OFF PLEASEEE I BEG) I SHIP THEM SO HARD IT HURTS!!!!@%^$
PLEEEEASEEEEEEEEEEEEE
- JULIE DOING SOMETHING EPIC
- KATE DOING EPIC SHITT
- ROMAN MY SWEETIE
- B & C = BEYOND CUTE
- SMEXY TIMES AND COUPLES AND ROMANCE LOL #sorrynotsorry
- ALL MY FAVS (WHICH ARE MANY) TO LIVE <3 <3
- OH AND DESSANDRA WITH NICK IT WOULD BE DELICIOUS AND HILARIOUS
- MORE SHORT STORIES TO THIS AAMAAAAZINGGG WORLD
(I WANT ASCANIO'S POV MAYBE IN A SHORT STORY??)
- OOOH OOH AND LUTHER. LOVE THAT DUDE.

I'M NOT TOO EXCITED ABOUT

action adults badass-characters

Steven

1,063 reviews383 followers

August 28, 2018

OH NO. It's over. The series is over. *dies*

*remembers two more Hughs and potential same world books and kind of perks up a little tiny bit*

*throws temper tantrum*

Review to come on release date. And if you thought there was even a chance this would get less than five stars, you're delusional. ALL THE STARS.

NOTE: READING IRON AND MAGIC BEFORE READING MAGIC TRIUMPHS IS REQUIRED. DO IT. DON'T SKIP IT.
---
Thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review... I think. I mean, to be fair, it kind of means the series ended sooner for me than it should have... but yes, I definitely appreciate being trusted with an ARC of the final book of one of the best UF series of all time.

I don't even know where to begin to process my feelings, and I can't say too much without giving away spoilers.

Conlan - Yes. All the yeses. The way he is written is fantastic and funny and adorable. Bring on the teenage Conlan/older Julie spinoff, please.

Kate and Curran - plenty of their famous banter, some sexy times, lots of depending on each other, and proof that they are definitely "OTP."

Atlanta - We get to see so many characters in this one and I love it. Pretty much everyone we've ever met of any importance at least gets an appearance, and not a single one of them felt like a cameo just for a cameo. All felt like they progressed the story or helped Kate or pushed the narrative in some way or another.

Violence and Magic - lots, duh.

Iron - Read Iron and Magic before you read this. Just saying. Trust me. It's a great book anyways, but you need to. NEED TO. Thank goodness we have two more Hugh books.

The Villains - not exactly what you're thinking. Great surprises when you think the book will ONLY be about Roland. Nope. Lots of shit going on, of course, because that's when Kate thrives -- in the chaos and stress of EVERYTHING ALL AT ONCE.

Future Spinoffs - Yes, give me more. Ilona has mentioned more set in this world. I would love a Julie spinoff, especially after the finale of this book. She has aged into a smart, wise, powerful young woman.

Thank you, Ilona, for this series, for this world, for the time I've spent there (and will spend in future rereads). You are truly talented.

Now, excuse me while I go weep uncontrollably that this amazing series has reached its finale.

favorites netgalley-or-publisher read-in-2018

Em Lost In Books

871 reviews1,760 followers

September 10, 2018

It's over! 😭

It's been two weeks since I turned the last page of this book and yet I find myself unable to let this book go. There are so many good things about this book, so many funny moments that still makes me laugh. But there are also things that I want authors should have dealt better with.

Needless to say this was one of the most anticipated book of this year for me. I read 4-9 to get myself ready to read this big finale, one final battle to settle the score with Roland, hence I am teeny tiny disappointed that this was not what I expected.

My two biggest issues with this book are 1) how the authors dealt with Roland, 2) Kate's acceptance of Hugh.

I have been preparing for this battle since book 7. I was expecting a lot of tension, backstabbing, action (don't get me wrong there were battles not just with Roland).

While reading Iron and Magic, I get how Hugh saw Kate in a new light. There was lot of introspection on his part and here

Other than these two complaints, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was so hilarious at times that I had tears in my eyes. And I loved that epilogue! While it gave a perfect end to this story, it also paved way for a new story.

In the end it was a satisfactory end to a beloved story.

2010-19 2018 4-star

Aisling Zena

635 reviews461 followers

April 20, 2019

Update!20/2/209

So I just found out that we are not getting a Julie/Erra/Derek spinoff (at this point in time) because of the amount of hate mail Ilona Andrews receives over Julie.

Some of us love all the characters because the writing/world building/authors are so good and we would have loved a Julie spinoff. I can't wrap my head around this and I had actually written a rather long rant over it..

I just want to say that it's a damn shame that some of you have made the authors feel this bad over a character. And to the Authorlords, I'm so so sorry that some people have made you feel this way..

Direct quote from their website: http://www.ilona-andrews.com/braining...
[..] Long story short, we get Julie hatemail. Half want bad things to happen to Julie. They literally hate her and want her to die. The other variation of the hatemail is, “I am just not interested in Julie as a character and I don’t think she could carry a book.” Right, because despite writing 12 books set in this world, all of which succeeded in being entertaining, we will lose all of ability to tell a compelling story just because Julie is the main character.

It actually resulted in Brandi having second thoughts about publishing her own work. She isn’t sure she would be willing to put up with all the venom.

We had definite plans for a continuation of the storyline, picking it up with Julie as the main character roughly 8 years after the events of Magic Triumphs. The world is even more warped by magic, Conlan is 10, Jim is ready to retire, and the battle for the Pack is about to start. We have chunks of the first book plotted. We spared some characters in Magic Triumphs so they could return in the sequel. However, I’m not going to do it.

Writing comes from the same place as play. Right now if we sit down and write Julie, she won’t be true to the original vision of the character. There is a lot more depth and layers there than in Ascanio, for example, who is at the core a simple character. I don’t feel like working with her until I’m sure we can do her justice. So that trilogy and any other work in KD world, except for Iron Covenant, is indefinitely on hold. That might change tomorrow, but probably not. 🙂

description

Re-read 29/1/19

After re-reading it, I really want a novella with Kate's adventures Rating remains the same.

4.25 stars

2/1/19 Review now posted

I finally got my hands on this! I'm now making a new tradition for myself. The last and first book of the year will be from Ilona Andrews. I did it last year and again now. Talk about closing and opening the year with a bang.

First, I have to say that I'm gonna miss my regular dose of Kate and Curran. And if the authors had decided to continue their adventures I'd still read them. That said, both characters earned a well deserved break and there's only so far you can go. Though clever people that they are, the authorlords did leave things where, I think, they can return occasionally so I have a sneaky suspicion we'll see some Kate novellas in our future. So have hope people. This is not the last we'll see of them. (Consoling myself here.)

There's not much I can say without spoiling things, especially if you have never read the series. So if you see my review and have not yet read this, treat your self for New Years and go pick it up. As for fans that have followed this through the years, I think you'll find it mostly satisfying. We had some loses, reconciliations, departures, HFNs and I think several potential set ups for future novellas/spin-offs.

I'm finding it difficult to continue without spoiling more stuff. There were things that disappointed a bit and reduced my rating but again I can't really explain them without spoilers. I will say though that if the authors decided to write a full book about Conlan's typical day to day life I'd read it, eagerly. I totally fell in love with him! I had the same feeling in their other books as well, I love the characters they create so much, that I'd read about the mundane,ordinary parts of their lives with the same enthusiasm as their adventures.

What else can I say except give these authors a chance! You wont regret it.

And to the rest of you that have read it, feel free to discuss everything with me in the comments. Rant, rave or praise I'd love to hear what you thought about it.

description

P.S. I feel like re-reading the whole thing novellas and all.

description

8/9/18

I'm currently avoiding all reviews for this until I manage to get my hands on it.

17/03/18
Excerpt

The first two chapters of Magic Triumphs:
http://www.ilona-andrews.com/magic-tr...

29/11/17
SNIPPET!
Your Favorite Female Wolf Says Hi!
http://www.ilona-andrews.com/your-fav...

17/10/17
SNIPPET!
http://www.ilona-andrews.com/do-you-m...

2/10/17
SNIPPET! Do not read if you haven't read book 9!
It took me thirty minutes to get from Biohazard to Casino, which I spent stewing in my own anger. Normally the sight of an ethereal white castle, strategically back-lit with colored lights and framed by fountains, made me pause. It was so unexpected in the middle of grim ruins and utilitarian post-Shift housing, a beautiful declaration of arrogance and human resilience. But today I didn’t care. I was so pissed off, by the time I reached the ornate gates, my cloak was fraying. I walked into the Casino with my magic boiling.

The first journeyman who saw me, a skinny kid with blue hair and a collection of piercings in random places, started to bow, then caught a whiff of my magic and took off running. I strode through the gaming floor, ignoring the din and garish light show of the slot machines.

A journeywoman swung into my way, swallowing. “May I help…”

I made a heroic effort to get a hold of myself. None of what happened was their fault. “Find someone in charge. Now. Please.”

“Yes, ma’am!” She sprinted up the stairway ahead of me.

I waited. Conlan stared at the dancing lights of the gambling floor, mesmerized.

Rowena hurried down the stairs, the journeywoman at her heels. Today Rowena wore a dress the color of brown garnet that shimmered as she walked. Combined with her perfect figure and ridiculously long red hair, she looked like a living flame. Against all that red and brown, her green eyes stood out and right now they brimmed with alarm.

She saw Conlan and stumbled. The female journeywoman lunged and caught her, before Rowena tumbled down the stairs.

“I need to get a hold of my father.”

Rowena recovered enough to speak. “Please come with me.”

We took the stairs down.

“What happened?”

“My father happened.”

She didn’t ask anything else. We descended deep into the underground bowels of the Casino, walked through the maze, and emerged into the vampire stables, rows of cells where the Casino housed their undead. The vamps, chained to the walls within their individual enclosures, strained on their chains, their eyes glowing, their foul magic polluting my mind like dirty smears on the window.

“Daa phhhf!” Conlan declared.

“Yes, phhhf is right.”

22/9/17
SNIPPET! Do not read if you haven't read book 9!
A thud jerked me awake. I was up and moving, my sword in my hand, before my brain processed that I was now standing.

I paused, Sarrat raised.

A thin sliver of watery, predawn light broke through the gap between the curtains. The magic was up. On my left, in the little nursery Curran sectioned off from our bedroom, Conlan stood in his crib, wide-awake.

The room was empty except for me and my son.

Thud-thud-thud.

Someone pounded on my front door. The clock on the wall told me it was ten till seven. We kept shapeshifters hours, late to bed, late to rise. Everyone I knew was aware of that.

“Uh-oh!” Conlan said.

Uh-oh is right. “Wait for me,” I whispered. “Mommy has to take care of something.”

I ran out of the bedroom, moving fast and quiet, and shut the door behind me.

Thud-thud-thud.

Hold your horses, I’m coming. And then you’ll have some explaining to do.

It took me two seconds to clear the long staircase leading from the third floor to the reinforced front door. I grabbed the lever, slid it sideways, and lowered the metal flap covering the small window. Teddy Jo’s brown eyes stared back at me.

“What the hell are you doing here? Do you know what time it is?”

“Open the door,” Teddy Jo breathed. “It’s an emergency.”

It was always an emergency. My whole life was one long chain of emergencies. I unbarred the door and pulled it open. He charged in past me. His hair stuck out from his head, windblown. His face was bloodless, and his eyes wild.

A sinking feeling tugged at my stomach. Teddy Jo was Thanatos, the Greek angel of death. Freaking him out took a lot of doing. I thought it had been too quiet lately.

I shut the door and locked it.

“I need help,” he said.

“Is anybody in danger right now?”

“They’re dead. They’re all dead.”

Whatever happened has already happened.

“I need you to come and see this.”

“Can you explain what it is?”

“No.” He grabbed my hand. “I need you to come right now.”

I looked at his hand on mine. He let go.

I walked into the kitchen, took a pitcher of iced tea out of the fridge, and poured him a tall glass. “Drink this and try to calm down. I’m going to get dressed and find a baby sitter for Conlan and then we’ll go.”

He took the glass. The tea trembled.

I ran upstairs, opened the door, and nearly collided with my son. Conlan grinned at me. He had my dark hair and Curran’s grey eyes. He also had Curran’s sense of humor, which was driving me crazy. Conlan started walking early, at ten months, which was typical of shapeshifter children, and now he was running at full speed. His favorite games included running away from me, hiding under various pieces of furniture, and knocking stuff off horizontal surfaces. Bonus points if the object broke.

“Mommy has to go work.” I pulled off the long T-shirt I used as a night gown and grabbed a sports bra.

“Baddaadada!”

“Mhm. I’d sure like to know where your Dada is. Off on one of his expeditions.”

“Dada?” Conlan perked up.

“Not yet,” I told him, reaching for my jeans. “He should be coming back tomorrow or the day after.”

Conlan stomped around. Besides early walking and some seriously disturbing climbing ability, he showed no signs of being a shapeshifter. He didn’t change shape at birth, and he hadn’t shifted yet. By thirteen months, he should’ve been turning into a little baby lion on regular basis. Doolittle found Lyc-V in Conlan’s blood, present in large numbers, but the virus lay dormant. We always knew it was a possibility, because my blood ate vampirism and Lyc-V for breakfast and asked for seconds. But I knew Curran hoped our son would be a shapeshifter. So did Doolittle. The Pack’s medmage kept trying different strategies to bring the beast out. Except I’d pulled the plug on that.

About six months ago, Curran and I visited the Keep and left Conlan with Doolittle for about twenty minutes. When we came back, I found Conlan crying on the floor with three shapeshifters in half form growling at him, while Doolittle looked on. I kicked one out of the window and broke the other’s arm before Curran restrained me. Doolittle assured me that our baby wasn’t in any danger, and I informed him that he was done torturing our baby for his amusement. I might have underscored my point by holding Conlan in one hand and Sarrat sheathed in my blood in the other. Apparently, my eyes had glowed and the Pack’s Keep trembled. It was collectively decided that further tests were not necessary.

I still took Conlan to Doolittle for his scheduled appointments and when he fell or sneezed or did any of the other baby things that made me fear for his life. But I watched them like a hawk the whole time.

I buckled my belt on, slid Sarrat into the sheath on my back, and pulled my hair back into a pony tail. “Let’s go see if your aunt will watch you for a few hours.”

I scooped him up and went downstairs.

Teddy Jo was pacing in our lobby like a caged tiger. I grabbed the keys to our Jeep and went out the door.

“I’ll fly you,” he said.

“No.” I marched across the street to George and Eduardo’s house. I would have to buy George a cake for all the baby sitting she’s been doing lately.

“Kate!”

“You said nobody is in immediate danger. If you fly me, I will dangle thousands of feet above the ground in a playground swing and I’m not doing that. You can fly overhead and lead the way.”

“It will be faster.”

I knocked on George’s door. “Do you want my help or not?”

He made a frustrated noise and stalked off.

The door swung open and George appeared, her tight black curls floating around her head like a halo.

“I am so sorry,” I started.

She opened her arms and took Conlan for me. “Who is my favorite nephew?”

“He is your only nephew.”

“Details.” George smooched Conlan on his forehead. He wrinkled his nose and sneezed.

“Again, so sorry. It’s an emergency.”

“She waved. “Go, go…”

I turned right and headed toward Derek’s house.

“Now what?” Teddy Jo growled.

“I’m getting back up.” I had a feeling I would need it.

8/9/17
SNIPPET! Do not read if you haven't read book 9!

My son shrugged the shreds of his clothes off himself and showed Robert his fangs. “Rawrrawrrr!”

“Is he challenging me?” Robert eyes sparkled.

I put my hand over my face.

“Rawrwrwa!”

“That’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.”

“Conlan,” Curran said, putting some growl into his voice. “Come here.”

“Rawr.”

Curran got up and strode toward Conlan. My kid lunged sideways, but Curran was too fast. His hand snapped out, and he lifted Conlan by the scruff of his neck. “No.”

Conlan settled into his father’s arms, eyeing Robert like he was a cobra. If we survived my father and I got to raise him, I was in for a hell of a time.

“I want one,” Robert declared.

15/07/17
Tiny snippet for this book!! Please do not read if you haven't read the previous book!
http://www.ilona-andrews.com/the-pend...

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Edited 22/07/17
* All info regarding Hugh's book has been moved to the appropriate place which is Kate Daniels 9.5

Regarding this book
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paranormal-fantasy-urban-fantasy vampires werewolves-dragons-shifters

Sophia Triad

2,239 reviews3,452 followers

January 22, 2019

“Behold, the Immortal One, the In-Shinar, the Blood Blade of Atlanta.”

*few spoilers*

It’s a bittersweet feeling every time you reach at the end of a journey. You feel satisfied because this trip has been fulfilling and full of memories, but at the same time you feel so sad because it is time that you need to move on with your life and you know that you will miss your fellow travellers, your companions.

Kate Daniels’s world has been an awesome journey for my: Mystical, mythical, magical, legendary, full of fantasy and a genuine storyline.

I don’t want to say goodbye to Katie and Curran and little Conlan. I don't want to say goodbye to their friends and enemies. And even if I know that the torch has been picked up by Hugh and Elara I still won't feel happy unless Katie appears in the future and messes up a bit Hugh's new life.

Unfortunately, as it was announced, this is the last book of the series.
Katie has a few more things to say to her father and live another great adventure-although her father does not want to pick up the phone!

Humans are once more the weakest link in Atlanta (whole villages will disappear) and Katie still slaughters monsters with the precision, the sarcasm and the coolness of a well trained killer.
Her downfall/weakness is that now she is not just a professional lonely exterminator, but she is also a wife and a mother.

“How about your responsibility as a wife and mother? What about that?”

Kate is now part of a family who loves her and wants to protect her and she wants to protect them back. She is more qualified anyway. Or maybe not?!?

“Is he silver?” I asked.
Nobody said anything.
“Is he silver?” I repeated, raising my voice.
“Yes,” Julie whispered.

Kate also has her claimed city and the weak humans to protect and she has to come into terms that she is the daughter of a mythical creature , of a God, of an ultimate ruler who is not exactly the best and sweetest father figure.

“You are my daughter, Blossom. One of a kind.”

Soon things will become extremely complicated as it happens in every Kate Daniels' book – or is it Kate Lennart now?

People will change: “Some are born to godhood,” Roland said. “Others attain it.”
Old forgotten enemies in the road of history will appear: “Neig?” The old druid peered at him. “Oh, that’s not good.”

Curran will always be there for his Kate:
“I’ll never let you go.”
I put my face into the crook of his neck. “You have to.”
“No.” He kissed my hair. “You and me, Kate. We’re forever. Conlan will grow up and go his own way, and you and I will still be here, squabbling over who is going to save whom.”

And Conlan will fit just fine with his family:
“We are a family of monsters and he’s our child. People will always try to kill him and we will always protect him. He better get used to it.”

Finally, Atlanta would have to hold its own for the final battle: shapeshifters, necromancers, witches, mages, mercenaries, humans, volhvs and Druids, gods and monsters and Kate and her family will need to save the city. The last part of the book has everything and everyone that I was hoping for!

I look forward to reading Hugh's second book now.
Bye Kate, Curran and Conlan! At least for now...
(I will miss you 😢)

1paranormal-lovestories 4fantasy-lovestories dragons

Emma

972 reviews975 followers

August 26, 2018

So now concludes one of the best, if not THE best, urban fantasy series of all time. Kate Daniels got her ending. And worry not, fellow fans, her creators have done her proud.

Firstly, if you haven’t read the other 9, don’t bother finishing this review, just go get Magic Bites and enter the world so many of us have loved for over 10 years. That original book isn’t their best- I struggled to get into it initially and nearly put it aside. When I think about that, it gives me a little tremor inside and it’s what keeps me reading books I might not initially get just in case they turn out to be a treasured companion in the end. As Ilona and Gordon note in their Prologue ‘it’s not our favourite, and we would probably rewrite it if we could, but we all have to start somewhere, and it’s better to begin at the beginning’. Please do begin, you won’t regret it.

Secondly, if you thought you could miss out Iron and Magic, the answer is no. If you’re not a Hugh kinda person, you still need to know what’s going on there, it feeds into this story in a big way and, I imagine, what comes after for a lot of the characters. Learn to love him, if you don’t already, he’s such a goddamn cute murderous psychopath. You know you want to.

Ok, remember that scene in the Midnight Games…actually the whole part of the book set in the stadium, from Kate and her team’s arrival to the bloody conclusion? If you’re anything like me, the first time you picked up the book you had to read it several times over and have gone back to it many times since. Honestly, sometimes I don’t even do the whole book, just that section. I think all that of us will have at least one of those memories from the series, the bits we could read 100 times but still do so with hands clenched, breath held, heart pounding… Recognise the feeling? If so, I know you’ll have it again in this offering. More than once. Maybe because the action was so fast or maybe because the implications were so great or maybe because it was just so damn awesome that an immediate reread was necessary. I’m not exaggerating when I say that there were moments I went over at least three times before moving on to the next bit (and you can imagine how eager I was to see what was coming next) because I just didn’t want to let those special scenes go too fast.

Time and time again, my expectations were crushed into smithereens and I couldn’t be more thrilled about it. Right from the outset, when the timeline didn’t start where I thought it would, both the technical and the creative choices made by the authors were designed to bring out the very best in the overarching narrative as well as the characters’ connected stories. There’s so much here for those who love this series: references, storylines, and jokes that hark right back to the beginning. A whole range of characters are brought back so they could have their moment, their own tales explained, expanded, or … ended. Some people don’t make it, while some get their happy ever after. Either way, it will be a very changed world that follows the final battle. Yet it’s so very funny as well as sad, especially when baby makes three. This, coming from someone who thought the motherhood thing would be Kate’s dullest hour. How wrong could I be? In these hardest of times, she is tested beyond all imagination. After a life full of danger and adversity, will she finally get the happy home she longs for? Not unless she fights for it, and boy does she ever. With every piece of martial skill and magical power at her disposal. It’s spectacular and heart wrenching to see her lay everything on the line for her family, friends, and city.

I already want to read it all again.

Even with the bittersweet goodbye to Kate’s story, I know that I will be back to this place and these people. Not only in my rereads but through the eyes of different characters, notably Hugh and Elara in the Iron Covenant series, but I suspect others may have something to add too… So I won’t yet say a final farewell, just au revoir.

ARC via Netgalley

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Adina

827 reviews3,225 followers

October 27, 2019

Done. I finished my first Urban Fantasy series. I started a few but Kate Daniels is the first one that I read from A to Z, if I don’t count the additional novellas. I guess it is also my favourite UF series, otherwise I wouldn’t have gotten so far.

It was an exciting, fun, adventurous, scary and sexy ride. I got to know some wonderful characters such as Kate, Curran, Derek, Hugh, Andrea, Aunt B etc. I got immersed in an exciting world full of terrible creatures and fascinating magic. I will miss this series although I can already see more spinoffs coming along.

And now, let’s talk about Magic Triumphs. Well, it did not feel like a triumph to me. It seemed like they had to end the series and they had to quickly come out with a resolution. It felt rushed and underwhelming. We are told for 9 volumes that Roland is the biggest and meanest but then the author spends 2/3 of the novel on a fight with another, more dangerous being. The father issue is quickly dealt with in a few pages.

On the good side, although at the beginning I thought I will be annoyed by a baby in my adventure series, Conlan was actually the star. The helicopter parenting style of Kate was also annoying although I understand where the fear came from. Sort of.

Please feel free to recommend me which other UF I should read that will make me get over this Daniels.

ilona-andrews urban-fantasy-pr

Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*

2,426 reviews1,059 followers

September 5, 2018

As always loved it, review and rating soon

Pre-review thoughts

It's Kate Daniels series - always worth a favorite read
We get to see just about every character of the series come together
Liked the working together of those against each other
Felt a little distant --- probably due to having to cover such a large scope
Sad losses
Liked the Hugh scenes
It's still as funny as usual
Ghastek gets more than one scene
Glad they went there with Christopher/Barabbas but the scene was so tiny and emotionless - my heart wants more for those two!
Dragons are cool - even if monstrous
Erra is still a cool aunt
Conlan is ridiculously adorable, slightly overpowered but his scenes were too cute
I love the bear grandparent bonding and honey sneaking
Kate gets to show her powerful magic muscle several times
I didn't like the change with Kate at the end and the land. I liked her being in the position she was. It was difficult but more interesting. Plus Im confused with the Ghastek and other bonds now.
The solution with Roland was awesome.

Still feels like so much can be done with the series - depressing this is the last book! Hopefully we get spinoffs. I'm already looking to the second of Hugh's trilogy.

More thoughts and review still on their way. I'm lazy.

needs-review

Niki Hawkes - The Obsessive Bookseller

724 reviews1,202 followers

May 5, 2020

I read that way too fast! 😭😭😭

RTC.

Sarah

3,336 reviews1,016 followers

February 1, 2021

1st read - July 2018
2nd read - August 2018
3rd read - October 2019
4th read - November 2020
5th read - January 2021

Anyone who knows me or who has been following my blog for any length of time should already be aware that I'm a proud member of the Ilona Andrews fan club and totally addicted to this writing duo's books. The Kate Daniels series has been one of my favourites for such a long time now and it's one I reread over and over again so it's fair to say I'm hugely invested in this world and these characters. It's really hard to write a review for the final book in a much loved series because you want to be able to talk about ALL THE THINGS that happened and rave about how incredible it was but I don't want to spoiler anyone so I'm going to deliberately try to keep this vague.

If you're a fan of this series you'll probably have a good idea of what to expect anyway: there's humour, fabulous banter, incredible characters (ones you'll love and ones you'll love to hate), fascinating mythology, weird and wonderful creatures and high drama action scenes that have you praying all the characters you love will survive. This is a story that will make you laugh and cry but will leave you with the biggest smile on your face by the end. Some series go out on a fizzle but Kate Daniels is going out with a BANG. It ends on the highest of highs and gives us a fitting end to a series that we've invested years in but it also leaves a few doors open for some of the side characters to get their chance to shine.

We already know that Hugh and Elara have another 2 books left in their series, Ilona has also mentioned a potential story about Roman and she's not discounted the possibility of other characters (and possibly even Kate and Curran) to make the occasional come back in a book or novella. I for one will be happy to read any other story that Ilona and Gordon choose to set in this world (or any other for that matter!) but at the same time I'm so, so happy that Kate and Curran are going to get to enjoy the happily ever after they've spent so long fighting for.

This series continues to be an all time favourite and I know it's one I'll continue to reread at least once a year so if you've not discovered this world yet now is the perfect time to start. Whatever you do don't start with Magic Triumphs though, this book is the culmination of 10 books and numerous short stories and novellas and if you don't start at the beginning with Magic Bites then you'll be doing yourself a huge disservice. Please do give the series a try though, it's absolutely wonderful and I'm so jealous of those people who are still going to get to experience it for the first time!

_________________________

Holy shit, first I get approved for Archangel's Prophecy (which I already started reading!) and then I get Magic Triumphs!!!!!! The excitement of this weekend's reading may just kill me LOL

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Geri Reads

1,232 reviews2,038 followers

September 1, 2018

Goodbyes are hard, and it's even harder when you're saying goodbye to a series that you've lived and breathed for the last year or so. I never expected how much this series would come to mean to me when I started reading Magic Bites last year. After 9 books, several novellas and one spin-off later, we finally get the final book in Ilona Andrews' wildly successful Kate Daniels series, and they delivered!

“You and me, Kate. We’re forever.”

Magic Triumphs delivered an ending I will not soon forget. Ilona Andrews had painstakingly laid the foundations of this finale over the course of 10 books and several novellas.Everything that happened in this book was foreshadowed in previous books and delivered in a way that only Ilona Andrews can. I finished this book satisfied and yet oddly, craving for more.

Kate has come a long way from a prickly mercenary who had no friends to a being a loving wife to Curran and now mother to Conlan. But Kate and Curran are on borrowed time. Roland has been relatively quiet after the events in Magic Binds but the specter of his presence has never left Kate or Curran. As long as he is alive he continues threaten the lives of those that Kate loves. This time, there's even more at stake because Kate and Curran just had a baby, and we all know how Roland likes shiny new things, and Conlan is that shiny new thing that Roland wanted. Honestly, I couldn't really blame Roland for wanting Conlan because this kid is seriously one of the best addition to this series.

But Roland isn't the only power threatening Atlanta. An old nemesis is back to settle an old family score. And when I say old, I mean, really, really OLD. I got to say that out of all of Kate's enemies, this enemy is probably the most powerful. Kate had battled a lot of super powerful beings, including Roland, but this enemy is on another realm in terms of power and the depth of its cruelty. This is the first time where I felt like Kate can't win, not without Roland's help. I was so anxious while I was reading it for the first time that after I was done, I couldn't think straight. I had to reread the entire series and then reread Magic Triumphs again just to give myself time to take it all in because I felt like I missed a lot of things. Boy, was I glad I did that because everything made even more sense.

As I mentioned, everything that happened in this book has been set up in the earlier books. I was lucky enough to be able to re-read the whole series including some of the novellas before I read this book, and it really hammered home the level of dedications the Andrews have to building this world. The level of foreshadowing and call backs they employed throughout the series was nothing short of amazing. So a word of caution. If you've missed a book in the series, you better hurry before this one comes out because Magic Triumphs is the third act in the Kate and Roland saga, it wouldn't make much sense if you haven't read the rest of the series. This is the culmination of everything so it would be a mistake to read this book without reading the first nine books that came before it, including Iron and Magic.

I'm not going to go into plot details because I think you guys should experience that first-hand, but let me just say that this book packs a wallop. But because Kate's world is so large now, it's understandable that some characters get lost in the shuffle or don't get as much page time as others. Rest assured that the major players are there front and center though. Some notable characters for me aside from Kate, Curran and Conlan are Dessandra and Adora. Man, I really want a Dessandra book now. It'd be hilarious and full of inappropriate things. Adora really surprised me here. I ended up really enjoying her character even more.

And to answer the question on everyone's mind right now: are there any deaths? Yes, there are notable deaths. And yes, I said "are" so multiple characters are going to die. There's one death that was kind of disappointing only because we didn't get to see it but other than that, I have no complaints.

Reading Magic Triumphs was such a rewarding experience from start to finish. The amount of time I've invested in this series was so worth it. As much I would love to continue reading about Kate, I'm glad Ilona Andrews decided to end this part of her journey because while I would miss the feeling of looking forward to a new KD each year, Kate deserves her rest and her HEA.

“I promise you this morning wouldn’t be the last time,” he told me. “I keep my promises.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley

Just based on the snippets and the updates I've read from IA's twitter, I think I'm going to need plenty of alcohol while reading this book.

I'm not prepared for any of the major characters to die.

Especially not Curran and Kate.

I mean, IA won't kill them off, right? RIGHT???

♥Rachel♥

1,851 reviews846 followers

October 6, 2018

Re-read by audio book September September 28th 2018

4.5 Stars

Magic Triumphs! Wow! I closed the book thinking wow, I can’t believe this is the last book! But after being disappointed by the ending of another favorite series (I’m looking at you Iron Druid!) I was soooo happy Magic Triumphs does not disappoint! So much to love here! Conlan! Too cute!!! Hugh, Julie, Derek, and of course, Curran!! That’s not to say that I’m not sad that the series is over, but I do have hopes of spin-offs with Hugh, Julie, Derek and though I thought I’d never say this, Kate’s morally ambiguous Aunt Erra!

As with the previous books Magic Triumphs has its own mystery/conflict, along with the continuing story arc of Roland (Kate’s father) and his mission to kill or subject Kate to his will. Kate must put aside all her other investigations when a whole neighborhood just disappears, 200 residents just gone. What’s left over is sickening and extremely disturbing and you know things will only get worse. As if that wasn’t bad enough word comes in that Roland is gathering his troops, getting ready to invade. Is Kate and her allies ready for this final battle?

Kate is the star of the show, always facing insurmountable odds and coming out on top with crafty thinking, sheer determination, and a shit-ton of power! I love that she always finds humor and snark even in the most desperate situations. Her friends defend and stick with her because she inspires love and loyalty. Curran comes a close second, as Kate’s husband and mate, he’s fierce in his devotion and love for her, and he is one sexy-beast! Curran is a scary power in his own right, not a force to be reckoned with. These two together have taken on sooo much over the course of the series, but in this book everything has come to a head.

If you haven’t read the Kate Daniels series this is seriously the time to pick it up! All the books are out now, and this is one of my all-time favorite series out there! Epic battles, a wealth of amazing secondary characters, snarky, fun humor, and bizarre but cute animals! Start at the beginning and hang on. Each book only gets better!

A copy was kindly provided by Ace via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This review is also posted at The Readers Den.

urban-fantasy

Kat

Author 8 books350 followers

February 11, 2021

Have you ever had a series that was everything you ever wanted and you both wanted to consume every book in a crazy-fast reading blur and savor them so they never ended? I am sad to see Kate and company end, but so delighted that I got to be along for the ride. Not sure how to talk about this one without it being one big spoiler-fest, so I’m going to put the whole thing in spoiler tags.

Conlan=ADORABLE. Kate being the world’s most overprotective parent and going to Doolittle over rashes even when she’s constantly fighting demons and covered in gore? Ilona Andrews knows how to add the hilarious moments. I loved the honey and cookies bit.

Derek and Julie. YES PLEASE. I would LOVE a Derek and Julie series and desperately hope the secret project to which Ilona Andrews cannot allude to involves future Derek and Julie sometime down the road after she has had some adventures and grown up into an adult. They are my ship! Throw in some Ascanscio and Yun Fan love quadrangle for fun because I like those characters, too, and want to see EVERYONE in this universe, but Team Derek and Julie all the way!

I loved the way each of my favorite characters… Roman, Erra (she was SO cool here!), the witches, Saiman, Ghastek, the pack, Christopher, clan heavy, etc, all got some page time with Kate, and sort of a final hurrah. The evil mystery/villain to root out was well done as always, and the final battle with Roland, which all of this was leading up to. Terrific end to a series.

I love all of IA’s books and am excited to hear some of their other series will be continuing. Yay!

Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.

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Cece ❀Rants, Raves &Reviews❀

250 reviews928 followers

February 22, 2022

Unpopular opinion ahead

Im sorry but what the actual fuck did I just read??

Everyone knows I love Kate Daniels, a snarky paranormal detective just trying her fucking best. I love this world, this writing, and these characters!! But I really feel like the characters lost their spark that I first adored

So just a heads up, dis one gonna be a rant about this book as the ending to such a great series
And I’m not happy.

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Our characters,

Kate, she has gown so much since we first met her. She’s made friendships, channeled her powers, and embraced her heritage as protector *minus the whole power hungry part.

But then … we lose that??

Kate reverts to same position as her earliest self ???

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Seriously in the end here, Kate undoes whole heritage power collecting thing that we spent all 10 books working up to. And to me? She just lost some character growth and I was disappointed cuz I know my girl could’ve handled it

Curran
Yah okay fine the Beastlord was still the same snarky pantiedropping supportive son of a bitch we all know and love

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Julie. I’m *very * upset over the direction of Julie’s relationship with Kate

Going into this, I was nervous about the baby stuff. Sorry thats just me, babies be boring / annoying and take away from actual plot. But I felt like, yes, it was balanced with Kate still staying her badassness. At the cost of her relationship with Julie.

Julie *barely* shows up

When she does, she is constantly keeping secrets and hiding stuff from Kate

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We see Kate verbalizing being supportive of Julie… but we no longer see it in action.

They don't go out on monster hunts together
They no longer are each other confidants
Kate isn’t teaching Julie about her magic
Fuck, they aren’t even weapons training to talk and bond anymore *smh*

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I understand it was all to break Julie being an adult and separating from Kate’s shadow. But it was done in such a castaway move, that Kate never would’ve just dismissed Julie like that.

I would've loved to have seen a sword to sword talk, (get it, cuz Kate 2 much of a baddie for a heart to heart? ) of them practice fighting each other while Julie shares her frustration and Kate gives some advice to go independent adventures

Instead we got... a *goddamn* note ?

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Jim okay so fuck him... but also fuck those later books that just *ruined* Jim's character.

He went from Kate's mercenary buddy to blind pack solider to selfish prick. Before, his paranoia was to keep his friends safe. But then he even hurts Curran, after basically being Curran's only real friend. What the actual fuck

Thank christ we *finally* see Christopher and Barabbas but it was a 2 second scene that I HAVE been WAITING and SHIPPING since fUcKiNg BOOK 5. So just FUCK ALL YALL they deserved more!

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Okay while I rant and bitch, this is still an amazing book. Everything about this world, the characters, the humor, the cultural background, and the magic is so unique and captivating.

Overall, I’m sad to see it end.... but it was definitely time. I didn’t feel the same magic that I felt earlier in this series. And worst of fall, the characters lost their connections, sparks, and dynamics that first made me love them. It’s bittersweet goodbye to one of the BEST urban fantasy series ever.

I just wish the group dynamics had been stronger, about Kate and her makeshift mischief family finally ending this long dispute … instead of just focusing on the overpowered baby.

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*Acknowledgement: I hate most end books of series ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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Jen Davis

Author 7 books700 followers

July 4, 2018

Ilona Andrews probably could have written Kate Daniels books for another 10 years and made a fortune. They are wildly successful and even after 10 books, fans love them every bit as much as they did years ago... if not more. I know I do. But that makes it all the more impressive that they decided to end this series on top. They finished Kate’s story and they did it in spectacular fashion, giving me everything I wanted and needed from an epic conclusion. I can’t imagine the kind of pressure they were under to satisfy their readers with Kate’s swan song, but somehow, they pulled it off with their trademark blend of humor, action, and heart.

There are so many things that make this book awesome, but the clearest front-runner is an adorable, fascinating, and powerful one year-old named Conlan Lennart. That’s right, Kate and Curran’s baby is born in the prologue and we scoot ahead in time a bit for the bulk of this book. It was a brilliant move, because Conlan has grown enough to feel like a real character here. He is clearly smart and extremely gifted with magic, but at the end of the day he is also a toddler that loves his mommy and daddy. And man, do they love him too.

You think love for her husband and her friends motivated Kate? Just watch out for this mama bear protecting her cub.

I really thought this book was going to be all about Kate's big face off with her father. And that is part of the story, but far from the only conflict. I’ll stop here and say if you have not read Iron and Magic, Hugh's book, go back and read it now before you jump in here. The events of that story are vitally important to this one. Because those bad guys? They’re going to look awfully familiar. Only here, we are finally understanding their origins and their goals. It is the biggest and baddest force that Kate has ever had to fight. And she knows that she still must deal with her dad and his eminent attack on her and her son. So much is happening.

And that means calling in all of the big players. From the family of her heart like Julie and Derek... to the ties of her blood, like Erra and Rowena... to her allies: the Pack, the People, even Atlanta herself. And then there are the men who were basically like estranged brothers, Nick and Hugh. They know better than anyone what kind of foe Roland is. Saiman, Roman, Christopher, Teddy Jo. The list just goes on and on. And they all matter to the story. They all have a part to play, and for long-time readers of this series, it is so gratifying to see all of these pieces come together in this amazing tapestry.

I laughed out loud. I cheered out loud too. But even as I approached the last two chapters, I kept wondering how the authors were going to manage to make everything work out in the end. And I don’t know why I even questioned it, because they have never let me down and they certainly did not start here.

I couldn’t be happier with Kate’s HEA. And I love that they have dangling threads which will allow them to return to this world in the future with stories centered on other characters. I definitely will continue with Hugh’s books and I feel total confidence in a future series for Julie. All the dominoes are set up just right.

I will miss this series terribly, but I am so grateful that I got to see it go out with the kind of quality story it deserved. Thank you, Ilona Andrews for bringing this world to life... and for letting me love Kate Daniels.

Rating: A

*ARC provided by Ace

Bradley

Author 6 books3,962 followers

August 30, 2018

It's over. Ish. At least, the Kate Daniels-Lennart cycle is DONE.

It's been one hell of a ride, with bigger and badder enemies, like dear papa wanting to be in her life to take and corrupt his perfect magical grandchild or elder gods/dragons from pocket universes wanting to use and share Kate's new godhood in ruling the whole world.

You know, the same little problems on the same scale as Curran and Kate's little jealous tiffs. Or the fear. You know, fear of godhood or motherhood, of a precocious child spraying magic everywhere like a firework, or the inevitable showdown with gods and family and wondering how she got to this impasse.

I feel for her.

It doesn't help that courting rituals of gods can be JUST like being boiled alive.

This last book is easily my favorite of the whole bunch. Some series end with a whimper, but this one ends with a very satisfying bang. Emotionally, plot-wise, the level of magic amazingness, the fights, the betrayals, the successes... all of it just kicked ass.

Yes, things got wrapped up very nicely.

The only concern I might have is for Hugh and Kate. They have a lot of history and a lot of nastiness to overcome, and even tho some of it was worked out in previous novels and Hugh has had his own little awesome side-series kick off (I loved it) I couldn't QUITE make the emotional connect that Kate made. I may like the two characters on their own, but Kate's acceptance of Hugh is a mite unbelievable. As a reader, I'm totally on board with Hugh, but for Kate's sake, perhaps not.

Other than that, I still think the whole novel is something special. :) Very satisfying.

2018-shelf urban-fantasy

Antonella

3,401 reviews448 followers

January 13, 2023

forth time reading
still my favorite series ever

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AMAZING

This was an amazing ending to this fabulous series.

I highly recommend it to EVERYONE.

I only hope that there will be more books about some of the characters.
I think this will definitely be a reread series for me.

Kate Daniels is one of my favorite female characters in books ever.

I had so much fun reading about her journey, and in this book, we see her as a mom. Don't worry she is still a badass Blade of Atlanta, In Shinar, Curran's better half and kind and loyal friend. And sarcastic...And stubborn..and basically me. Except I don't have an immortal evil father who is trying to kill me, I don't jump on the table with my sword and break a fight between mercenaries and I don't have a shapeshifter husband....okay okay so we are not soooooo alike...

The bottom line is...Kate is THE boss.

Dialogue is exceptional, witty, and enjoyable.
The plotline is fast-paced and interesting.
All the lovable and some of the naughty one's characters from previous books got some lines and appearance.

EXTRA TIP:
- read Iron and Magic- Hugh's 1. book, before reading this ( I wish I did that)

2018-front-runner badass banter

Holly

1,430 reviews981 followers

August 30, 2018

Well, that happened. It's the end of an era, or rather a book series. I'm not spoiling anything, but just know that there was pretty much no chance of me NOT giving this book five stars short of Andrews deciding to kill off every major character. I think that was a double negative, but whatever, I'm in mourning for the end of my favorite UF/PNR series ever, so cut me some slack. And yes, there are spin-offs of this series and Andrews also writes two other series that I adore, BUT IT'S NOT THE SAME.

I really don't want to spoil any part of this last book for anyone, so just read it. And if you haven't read this series yet, you're missing out and I highly recommend starting it from the beginning with Magic Bites (with the caveat that that book is probably the weakest of the bunch because it's the oldest).

RIP Kate Daniels series. You are already missed!

Oh, and definitely read the Hugh spin-off book before this one. It helps.

2018-read paranormal-romance-urban-fiction

Kira

1,241 reviews132 followers

September 1, 2018

As happy as I am to have gotten to read this early, I'm also sad because I'll never get to read a new Kate Daniels book ever again. This series is amazing! I love the way it ended. It was better than anything I imagined.

It was funny. It was touching. I didn't want to put it down. I read the whole thing in one sitting while battling a migraine. It was that damn good. Some parts were really gruesome. So much was going on. All of my favorite side characters were there. Kate was great at balancing being a badass and being a mom. Why can't more UF do this? Curran frustrated the hell out of me. The man is too secretive. My heart was breaking for Kate for a while there because it appeared that Curran had gone to the point of no return in what he was doing. Hugh's appearance was fun. He's such a lovable asshole, but it's not the same with him being nice.

The situation with Roland ended in a way that I wanted it to. I can't really say more than that because it would give it away. My feelings towards him have always been mixed since he became an active part of the story. On one hand he is evil, and on the other he does genuinely love Kate in the only way he knows how. I didn't want him to die but didn't want him to remain in power either.

As much as I loved this, there were two things I really didn't like. Conlan being so special was one. It was ridiculous that he was capable of so much as such a young age. It really irritated me that he was a shifter. It doesn't make sense with the world building. Kate's blood destroyed lyc-v, so how could she have a kid with it? It seems like a kid of their's would have either inherited Kate's or Curran's magic for them to be able to survive. I know this is a fantasy and I need to let it go. I'm injecting too much real life medical knowledge into this. The second thing I didn't like was how things ended with Saiman. It was an anti-climatic ending for a character who had been in the series since book one. He was never a good guy because he was extremely self-serving and amoral. It wasn't fair that he was hated as much as he was throughout the series. He didn't do cruel things or hurt people. I hope that

The epilogue gives me hope for a spinoff series with some characters I love! The two of them would make a fun team.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me this in exchange for an honest review!!!

favorites kick-ass-heroine magic

Maria V. Snyder

Author 79 books16.9k followers

July 18, 2021

This is one of probably a dozen series where I can say I've read all the books until the end of the series! A series has to be really gripping for me to continue reading, and this series had it all. This was also the perfect end to the series - it's so very rare when I can say that **cough** Divergent **cough** ;) Good endings for a single novel is hard, but to end a series that has gone on 10 books, is very difficult.

I'm glad there are many spin offs to this series as there is a large cast of characters and plenty of conflicts in this world and I'd hate to not have more books to read! I put off reading this ending book 2 years just so it wouldn't be over.

Teodora

303 reviews1,631 followers

April 29, 2021

4.5/5 ⭐

Well, after so long, I finished my Kate Daniels journey. And truth be said, it feels bittersweet.
It's been great.
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adult-new-adult fantasy on-app

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Ratings & Reviews for

Magic Triumphs

Ilona Andrews

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