Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews
Narrated by Renee Raudman
Length: 15 hours 2 minutes
Source: Audible Purchase
★★★★★
Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost.
Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.
Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…
This might be my least favorite book in the Kate Daniels series. Of course, I still loved it so that doesn’t mean a whole lot. This was a re-read for me. I first read this book shortly after its release and devoured it quickly. I have been slowly working my way back through the series in audio and am enjoying it even more the second time around. I started the re-read of this book when nothing else I started seemed to be working but as soon as I started this book I didn’t want to stop listening. I feel very lucky to have found a series of books that I know I will enjoy every time I want to revisit the story.
This book takes Kate, Curran, and many others out of town. I tend not to care for books in a series that move the setting to an unknown location quite as much just because I miss all of the things that I love about the main setting including the characters. I didn’t miss the characters all that much since so many of them were along for the trip. I did find the new setting to be unique and rather interesting. I liked that by having the group take a little trip we were able to see a few things that were completely new.
One of the things that I love the most about this series is the relationship between Kate and Curran. It has been fun watching things develop between them over the span of ten books. Since I have already finished the series, I enjoyed this look at their past but this book is not the high point in their relationship. To put it simply – Curran acts like a jerk in this book and I didn’t like it. Kate didn’t like it either so it causes a few problems. I will say that there are some pretty heartfelt and redeeming moments as well so it all worked out in the end.
This book had all of the action and excitement that I have come to expect from the series. There is a mystery to solve, children to protect, and political moves to be made. This book also brings a healthy dose of Hugh which added a lot to the story. This was a really heartbreaking book because we had to say goodbye to a much-loved character. New characters were also introduced that will play an important role as the series progresses.
Renee Raudman did a fantastic job with this book as she has with the rest of the series. I think that she does a great job of bringing Kate to life and adding to an already exciting story. She handles a large cast of characters really well through the voices that she uses. I have no problems listening to her narration for hours at a time.
I would highly recommend this series to everyone. Honestly, if you haven’t read this series yet you really should give it a try. I can’t wait to continue my audio re-read!
The Series
Book #2 – Magic Burns
Book #3 – Magic Strikes
Book #4 – Magic Bleeds
Book #5 – Magic Slays
Book #5.5 – Gunmetal Magic
Book #6 – Magic Rises
Book #7 – Magic Breaks
Book #8 – Magic Shifts
Book #9 – Magic Binds
Book #10 – Magic Triumphs
Click the links above to read my other review of this series!
About the AuthorIlona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Together they are the coauthors of the #1 New York Times bestselling Kate Daniels urban fantasy series and the romantic urban fantasy novels of the Edge.
out of town means more dangers! sometimes i think it's a necessary evil to travel. Oh I hope the kids are better after this
I do understand why authors take the story out of town. I just usually miss everyone 🙂
We share that wariness about change of settings in a series. Oh yes, I was ready to smack his alphaness and then that late scene had me crying my eyes out.
Glad the reread was great for you.
Yes, lots of emotions in this one!
I did listen to the last one and awww, audio!
I didn't like the narrator for the first couple of books but now I love her!
Ah Hugh. Is it wrong that I like him now?
Not even a little 🙂
I really need to try this one out.
Yes!
It's always a gamble for an author to take their characters to a different location. I'm glad this one worked so well for you!
It is but this series is so well done that it works perfectly.
Oh I love this series so much!!!
I do too!
Each book is a treasure to me. I did my Read-along this year and it was so so so good for me to go back and read them all in order. Amazing. I can't say any one is my least favorite when they are all my VERY favorite. This one gave me Christopher and I love Christopher! Anne – Books of My Heart
Christopher is pretty awesome! I do love this whole series.
It was not your favourite despite it being a five star read. That speaks volumes. I hope to get to this series soon.
I can't wait to see what you think of this series, Nadene!
I feel like kind of at a loss with huge series like these. 15 hours is pretty hefty! Glad you enjoyed it.
It is such a good series that the books kind of fly by. I listened to this one pretty quick since I liked it so much!
This narrator is fantastic, and what's funny is that I didn't like her at first. She had to grow on me. Now, she IS Kate Daniels and I can't imagine anyone else narrating this series!
This book was my least favorite the first time around, but surprisingly, I think it was my favorite upon my series reread. Curran frustrated me to no end in this book, and I feel like he may have been taken out of character to suit the plot, which did not sit well with me.
Great review. I'm glad you are enjoying your reread. 🙂
I didn't like this narrator at all when I listened to the first book. I think I had the character voices in my head and the audio just didn't fully work for me. I love her work now so it has been a total reversal for me.
Perhaps someday I'll get back to this series if time allows!
It is such a great series, Chuckles!
This series is so much fun, especially on audio. I did a complete relisten leading up to the release of Magic Triumphs. Great review.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I know that this is a series that I will be reading many times in the future. I really think that the audio is well done after I got used to the narrator.
I am reading book five right now and so was hesitant to read your review of this one. It's so good to be back in Kate Daniels world, although I probably could have used with a re-reading of the earlier books as it'd been so long. I do love Kate, Andrea and Curran. It's too bad he's a bit of a jerk in this one. 🙁 I am glad it works out though. It'd better. Haha
It is a great series to re-read 🙂
I love how this is a least favourite but it still got five stars from you. It just goes to show how amazing this series is that even the least best gets such a high rating. I am glad you're enjoying your rereads!
These books are all great. This was just my least favorite out of a collection of greatness 🙂