Magic Binds (Kate Daniels #9) by Ilona Andrews

Magic Binds (Kate Daniels #9)
by Ilona Andrews

September 20th 2016 by Ace

Hardcover, 384 pages

Mercenary Kate Daniels knows all too well that magic in post-Shift Atlanta is a dangerous business. But nothing she’s faced could have prepared her for this…

Kate and the former Beast Lord Curran Lennart are finally making their relationship official. But there are some steep obstacles standing in the way of their walk to the altar…

Kate’s father, Roland, has kidnapped the demigod Saiman and is slowly bleeding him dry in his never-ending bid for power. A Witch Oracle has predicted that if Kate marries the man she loves, Atlanta will burn and she will lose him forever. And the only person Kate can ask for help is long dead.

The odds are impossible. The future is grim. But Kate Daniels has never been one to play by the rules…

amazon link to all Kate Daniels' books

Whoa...that was an intense book! Definitely one of the best in the series. Magic Binds focuses on the history and lore of Kate's magical roots. We learn more about her power, where it comes from and why it works in the way it does. Secrets are revealed...unlikely alliances are made...unforeseen betrayal...and lots of love. I feel the story is no longer urban fantasy...but more of an urban epic fantasy. So much ground work has been laid over the past 8 books and things are starting to come together. Like Hercules, Kate has been on a quest, facing many trials, to become mentally and physically strong enough to beat her father. A more modern comparison would Roland Deschain from The Dark Tower by Stephen King. Kate is heading towards her own tower. Kate's father is the man in black.

One of the most complex and interesting characters in this series is Roland, Kate's father. The authors have created a character that is truly evil and not just as a plot device, to give Kate someone to fight. He is a logical product of his past...he makes sense. A brilliant character.

I could fangirl about the books, especially all the suspense in this one! I admire how the authors keep coming up with fresh and new mythological craziness. And of course, there is the Kate Daniel's humor to off-set some pretty terrible events. I'll add that my ship has sailed with Christopher on board... ;)

Some favorite moments:
"Will you bargain with us, Daughter of Nimrod?" Sirin asked.
Bargain with the God of Destruction and Absolute Evil or the giant dragon eats you. No pressure. "I'll hear you out."

*****

So far I had the god of evil an the God of Terror on my side. My good-guy image was taking a serious beating. Maybe I should recruit some unicorns or kittens with rainbow powers to even us out.

*****

Birds were assholes.

*****

He reached in his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper. "Crocuta crocuta spelaea. Apparently it's going to try to murder you. Don't you want to eat some delicious cake before you die a horrible death?"

*****

"You're like a crazy cat lady, but you collect killers instead of fluffy cats."

*****

"And you have no other dwelling? No palace, no fortress?"
"No."
"You make me want to stab you."
"I have that effect on many people."
"How is it you're still alive?"
"I'm hard to kill." I drank my coffee.
 

5 "magically bound" Sheep 

SharonS

About the authors:

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Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. author2sm“Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.)

Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Oregon with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge.