Review: Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Triumphs
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels, #10
Publisher: Ace
Release Date: August 28, 2018
Pages: 352
Rating:

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

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

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

For her child.

For Atlanta.

For the world.

Hi, Dad, it's me. I know you're trying to kill me, my husband and our son, but guess what, all is forgiven, I need your help. Ugh. I'd rather walk on broken glass. 

The Kate Daniels Series is one of the few series I have enjoyed from start to finish. And MAGIC TRIUMPHS is no exception. I have enjoyed every single book in the series and I am sad it's over. Things happened that I didn't expect, the plot, the characters, the story, it made me want more! So when the end came, I was like, "fuck, now what?"

MAGIC TRIUMPHS opens with Kate giving birth to their son and things are relatively normal for Kate for a while until she is thrown into another big mystery and let me tell you, this one is BIG. On top of that we got a mystery box on her doorstep and she's not really sure of the message inside it and she's busy making sure Roland doesn't get her hands on her son.

Now before starting MAGIC TRIUMPHS I thought this whole book was going to be dedicated to bringing Roland down. I was caught off guard, but the plot twist was so amazing. This BIG mystery involves people dying in a bad way, but it connects to a terrible enemy of Kate's Family, obviously from Roland's side of the Family. And as soon as this is revealed I am totally bummed that this is the last Kate Daniels book because I FREAKING LOVE Kate's family history! Let's just say Kate is a busy bee in the book for all the shit she is occupied with.

Now this big long lost family enemy was done so well. We know how strong Erra and Roland are. I mean Kate and Curran were barely able to defeat Erra, but this enemy was someone Erra and Roland were barely able to defeat, so you know they are strong and I loved that. So Kate thought Roland was their biggest problem, boy was she wrong, this guy's 10X worse. I am insane, but I loved the villian. I swear Ilona Andrews is the only one to get me to love people I'm suppose to hate.

"Don't you want to wait until after dinner?" I murmured into his ear and licked the corner of his jaw, tasting the rough edge of his stubble. "Fuck dinner." 

Kate and Curran in this book were amazing as always. Kate obviously will do anything to make sure her son and Curran live, even killing herself. But Kate, you married a stubborn man. Kate has plans in motion to make sure her husband and son survive, but Curran set some things in motion as well. I'll just say he did something BIG. And my mind is thinking how is that possible? Ugh. I can't say more, it's hard to spill and not spill at the same time.

Okay. Conlan Lennert. Gimme! I want one so bad!!! Kate and Curran's son. I FREAKING LOVE HIM!!! I'm sure eveyone will love him. It's always fun when kids are thrown into the mix, and he was definitely fun! Conlan was quite the mystery because of Kate's magic and Curran being a shapeshifter, so what was gonna come out of two very powerful alphas? I'll just say we are STILL finding out stuff about this kid. I will beg you right know, Ilona Andrews, I NEED a Conlan book!

I knew Hugh and Elara just had to be in this book. I mean it's the final book and come on, we need everybody against this huge upcoming battle. Now if you haven't read the Iron and Magic aka Hugh's book, please go back and read it before you read MAGIC TRIUMPHS. Anyways Hugh is here to atone and Kate isn't really sure what to think. And we get to here a little about Hugh's past. Obviously after Hugh's book I love him. Hell! Even before that I loved him. But in MAGIC TRIUMPHS you get a little bit of clarity into Hugh and what a blood bond really means.

"It may prove foolish." "If it does, I'll deal with it," I told her. "Spoken like a queen." My aunt ran her ghostly fingers through my hair. "I finally made you into one." Too bad I've run out of time. 

Erra, Kate's Aunt made fantastic character development from when we first met her to the end of the series. I am really glad where Ilona Andrews took her character. She went from unbeatable enemy to mother figure for Kate and I absolutely loved that. And also that despite who Erra was when Kate and her first came face to face to now, Erra is an actual part of Kate's family. Erra is an example of what we wish Roland could be. Let me tell you though Roland is a whole other story.

We see so many moments in the series with Roland and Kate that are perfect father and daughter moments that you wish that he could be more to her. And I will go more in depth with this once this book is out. But I will say I didn't expect this ending for him, but it is genius. (view spoiler) Roland disappointed me. Family should be held above all. After everything, Erra got that, Roland didn't, (view spoiler)

Now MAGIC TRIUMPHS had such a satisfying ending, but I refuse to believe that is it, because this series has tons of side characters with outstanding stories that NEED to be told. I will say this is the end of Kate's story, but for the rest of them, I don't think so. I was left with so many questions for all of the other characters. Ilona Andrews is something amazing to be able to hold my attention for 10 complete books and making me not want it to end.

As I previously said, the Kate Daniels Series was amazing start to finish and without a doubt will always remain to be one of my all-time favorite series. I know Ilona Andrews will write more series I will gush over and I look forward to all their future projects. All I will say is Good-bye, for now.

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Review: Gemina by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Title: Gemina
Author: Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
Series: The Illuminae Files #2
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Release Date: October 18 , 2016
Pages: 659
Rating:

Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.

The sci-fi saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the Jump Station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of the BeiTech assault.

Hanna is the station captain’s pampered daughter; Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while the pair are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech strike team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the station residents one by one, and a malfunction in the station’s wormhole means the space-time continuum might be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival; the fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly the known universe—is in their hands.

But relax. They’ve totally got this. They hope.

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?! I seriously have no freaking clue which book I loved better, ILLUMINAE or GEMINA! They both were equally AMAZING! And I don't think I have ever thought that about a first and second book in a a YA Series. To be so speechless beyond believe. To read a book that really stuns and wow's you! To not be able to put the book down. I mean, my god. HOLY FUCK, THIS BOOK! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?! As you know from Illuminae, we still have that great format I love so much. GEMINA is told in emails, documents, military files, ims, pictures and more. And it's one of the things I absolutely love about this trilogy.

GEMINA focuses on the Hemidall Jump Station where the Hypatia is trying to get to spread word about the Kerenza invasion. But Hemidall is having their own problems as a elite BeiTech strike team invades Hemidall to take control and killing people off. And we have Hannah Donnelly, the Captain's daughter and Nik Malikov, member of a crime family trying to save Hemidall and help Hypatia from BeiTech! Now when I heard the book would be centered on a different cast of character I was slightly disappointed. So I didn't read this right after Illuminae, I put it off for some time. I worried over nothing. The characters were just as amazing as the ones in Illuminae!

Hannah and Nik! At the beginning Hannah had a boyfriend and Nik was her drug dealer. And Nik was obviously so into Hannah. And she off as a spoiler rich girl. But once the story moved along I came to like them. I'm not going to say I liked them more that Kady and Ezra, but I really did enjoy them. But once the BeiTech strike team invades Hemidall, damn! these two definitely how bad-ass they were. Especially Hannah! Behind all gorgeous face is a warrior!

Of course, I have to have a SPOILER SECTION, so BEWARE if you haven't read the book and don't blame me if you spoiled yourself. I did WARN YOU. But I just have to talk about this shit! Charles Donnelly. My heart broke when he died. All I could think about was Hannah. And he died so horribly. My god. And obviously Hannah kicking the shit out of these BeiTech team members. You go, girl! And when Hannah stabs Nightingale in the eye and wrote in lipstick on the floor: WHO'S NEXT? COME PLAY! HD XOXO Oh, my god! You gotta love this girl!

Jackson Merrick. Hannah's BFF. Secret Double Agent. I knew there was something up with him when he was telling her to turn herself in the BeiTech strike team so they won't kill anymore or some shit. That was just bizarre. But to find out he was the one who betrayed everyone. He is the reason why BeiTech got on Hemidall. Oh, my god! PURE RAGE! And the part later were he is talking to her that she chose Nik and not him?! WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK? You fucking betrayed her? Her fucking dad id dead because of you! And after all that she's suppose to choose you!? ARE YOU FOR REAL? In the end he does right by Hannah and stays behind to sacrifice himself she Hannah, Nik and Ella (Nik's cousin) can escape.

I prayed through this whole book that Isaac Grant made it out alive. Thank god he did. I couldn't take it if Kady lost both her mom and her dad. Thank you for not killing him! And the different universe thing. Like what? So much shit happening in this book! And before I forget NOT ENOUGH AIDAN! Please let there be more Aidan in the final book! I NEED HIM IN MY LIFE! And then the ending! Can somebody say cliffhanger? Thank god Obsidio is already out! We are now at the END OF THE SPOILER SECTION.


But DAMN! I got so freaking excited when I read such a fantastic book that I go kinda crazy for a little bit! GEMINA definitely had me engaged. It's like these books read like an actual movie and you're there and you're seeing everything unfold. And The Illuminae Files would be a FUCKING AMAZING movie! All I can say is what I've been saying for this whole review already, it was absolutely amazing and I was blown alway and I need to leave you and go reads OBSIDIO ASAP!

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Review: Iron & Magic by Ilona Andrews

Title: Iron & Magic
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: The Iron Convenant, #1
Publisher: CreateSpace
Release Date: June 26, 2018
Pages: 322
Rating:

No day is ordinary in a world where Technology and Magic compete for supremacy…But no matter which force is winning, in the apocalypse, a sword will always work. 

Hugh d’Ambray, Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Warlord of the Builder of Towers, served only one man. Now his immortal, nearly omnipotent master has cast him aside. Hugh is a shadow of the warrior he was, but when he learns that the Iron Dogs, soldiers who would follow him anywhere, are being hunted down and murdered, he must make a choice: to fade away or to be the leader he was born to be. Hugh knows he must carve a new place for himself and his people, but they have no money, no shelter, and no food, and the necromancers are coming. Fast. 

Elara Harper is a creature who should not exist. Her enemies call her Abomination; her people call her White Lady. Tasked with their protection, she's trapped between the magical heavyweights about to collide and plunge the state of Kentucky into a war that humans have no power to stop. Desperate to shield her people and their simple way of life, she would accept help from the devil himself—and Hugh d’Ambray might qualify. 

Hugh needs a base, Elara needs soldiers. Both are infamous for betraying their allies, so how can they create a believable alliance to meet the challenge of their enemies? 

As the prophet says: “It is better to marry than to burn.” 

Hugh and Elara may do both. 

She spun on her feet and walked out. Behind her Lamar murmured, "One day that woman will drown you in the moat and I won't blame her." 

For real, I didn't think I was going to love IRON AND MAGIC as much as the Kate Daniels Series, but I do! I have no words that will do this book justice. It's just Oh.my.god. Just gimme more already! Now, I have freaking loved Hugh D. Ambray in the Kate Daniels Series since we freaking met him!

I don't know what it is, but hot damn do I love my bad boys. I was even at the point that if there was a Hugh and Kate thing, I didn't mind, I loved him that much! I was so pissed when we didn't see him anymore in the Kate Daniels World. I was like, What happened to my Hugh!!! But to hear he was not only going to get his own book, but his own trilogy?! The gods have answered my prays!

When we meet Hugh D' Ambray in IRON AND MAGIC he is in a very drunken state. Roland has exiled Hugh of failing him in bring his daughter to him. But come on, let's be real, who can make Kate do anything she doesn't wanna do? Not even Curran! lolz! Now the Iron Dogs that Hugh leads are being hunted down by Landon Nez, who is Rolands's left hand man. So Hugh needs to find a base for them.

"If you ever pull a demented stunt like that again, I will make your life a living hell." He bared his teeth at her. "You already do darling." 

And now we have Elara Harper, The White Warlock who needs protection. So an Alliance begins, though none of them trust each other. So for it to be a true alliance on the inside and to the outside there has to be a marriage. A marriage between Hugh and Elara who basically can't stand each other!

I greatly enjoyed Hugh's and Elara's constant bickering and fighting all the time. And also to mention trying to piss each other off because they enjoy the other's misery. There is definitely attraction there and the want for the other, and I am going to enjoy seeing this relationship develop further.

I loved like all of the side characters. I enjoyed getting to know the Iron Dogs and I loved getting to know Elara's people as well! After reading IRON AND MAGIC I can't say that I think Hugh is a bad man, he's not. He just followed the wrong man, but that couldn't be prevented because Roland is like the only father Hugh knows. Now I know after finishing IRON AND MAGIC this is the question on everyone's mind, but I just have to say it too, What the hell is Elara? I have to know! I look forward to finding out that's for sure!

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Review: Illuminae by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Title: Illuminae
Author: Amie Kaufman, Jay Kristoff
Series: The Illuminae Files #1
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Release Date: October 20 , 2015
Pages: 602
Rating:

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

HOLY FUCK, THIS BOOK! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?! I freaking loved ILLUMINAE to death! To be honest, this book was not on my radar at all, probably because I was taking a break from YA for the last few years. But I noticed this book all over #booktube and #bookstagram and seen how highly rated it was on Goodreads that I had to take a chance on it. Now the fact that it was a sci fi book made me want to pass it by because sci fi is one of my least favorite genres. I just find them so boring. But like I said, I just had to take a chance on this book and I am glad that I did!

I knew very little going into ILLUMINAE and I'm glad I knew very little. The only thing I new was a planet was invaded and destroyed and remaining survivors flee on these ships and those who destroy the planet are on hot pursuit to kill the remaining survivors. Sounds like a wicked awesome plot, right? But to add to that awesomeness this whole book is told in emails, documents, military files, ims, interviews and more.

Now I have never read a book in such a format like this, I'm sure lots of readers haven't, but I wasn't sure how I was gonna feel about it at first. Was it going to be easy to understand everything going on? Was I going to like it? The way this book was written is the best damn thing they could'be done, I think I enjoyed this book 100X more than if it was written in the traditional way! I was freaking hooked on the first page and could not freaking stop! I remember just having to stop, because I have to sleep, right? But I would keep thinking about this damn book everytime I wasn't reading it! It was THAT good!

But let's get into it! Our main duo, it Kady and Ezra, who just broke up before chaos erupted on their planet and they are trying to flee and survive. They both up on different ships. Kady ends up on the Hypatia and Ezra ends up on the Alexander-78V while the Lincoln (aka. the bad guys) are hot on their trails to finish off the remaining survivors! But even though Kady and Ezra are both on different ships, they are still in contact with each other via emails/im's!

Now I loved Kady and Ezra, from the beginning to the ending. Both of them just trying to stay alive and get back to each other. Now besides this book being so amazing, it's also horrifyingly violent! Let's just say if you're squeamish, turn around please! I swear at some parts I wanted to close my eyes and hold my mommy, but wait, I'm reading a book, not watching a movie. lolz! I heard myself screaming! and saying EEWW quite a lot. But the horrifying things make for such a good book!

And I have to talk about HIM. I have to! If you've read the book, you know damn well who I'm referring to. I have a crush! I have a crush on a crazy psychotic insane computer. AIDAN. I swear he took the show away from Kady and Ezra for a while there. I immensely enjoyed his mind and his talks with Kady and everything about him. PERFECT.

Of course, I have to have a SPOILER SECTION, so BEWARE if you haven't read the book and don't blame me if you spoiled yourself. I did WARN YOU. But I just have to talk about this shit! James McNulty! Why? Did he have to die? I loved the way he went though and that he had a choice. He made that video and I loved that we got to hear his final words. Byron Zhang! Why? At least you saved Kady from yourself! But I loved you too!

David Torrence. Why? Wait! You're asshole self deserved to die. And Aidan adds the perfect touch to his death, playing Mozart. If this was a movie, I want to see this scene the most. And Aidan, I cannot believe you! Pretending to be Ezra to Katy to the Alexander! Oh.my.god. I'm sorry, but I didn't see that! I did a doubletake. What? I prayed Aidan was lying and Ezra was not dead. Low behold, I get to the ending and scream, FUCK YES!

But OMG. These last 100 pages, I was freaking balling my eyes out crying! I mean Kady and Aidan's last words to each other. THE FEELS! And I was SCREAMING, 'someone please find Kady before she dies'. Thank god, my prays were answered! And, Ezra's mom?! Oh.my.god. I thought I was shocked beyond believe enough already. What.the.hell. That's it! I NEED the next book now! We are now at the END OF THE SPOILER SECTION.

But DAMN. This book took me so many places. When I first picked up this book, I didn't expect to love ILLUMINAE this damn much. This book horrified me to no ends, it gave me so many feels! And made me weep for these characters, characters that you are only getting their story through these emails and documents. That is saying something! Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, Goddess and God of Science Fiction YA! I bow down to you!

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