Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews
Jun. 15th, 2010 07:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
meganbmooreThe fourth Kate Daniels book has a bit much action on the action:plot ratio for my taste at times (though, thankfully, the action doesn’t get in the way of the snappy one-liners) but also resolves and addresses a lot of plotpoints that would have been drug out forever in other series. In addition, it’s one of the few pieces of fiction I’ve read that directly addresses the subject of female-centric myths being changed to male centric over the years.
So, Erra? Erra is awesome. I kind of like that her character was “ancient evil all-powerful version of Kate.” It led to some of the best dialogue in this series. I also like to think it gives us a glimpse of the worst-case scenario version of Kate’s future. Also, yay for blood manipulation powers that aren’t allegories for rape.Read it and learn, A:TLA writers.
I wasn’t thrilled that the Kate/Curran friction essentially relied on not communicating (even though it made perfect sense for their uber-alpha personalities) but I’m glad it wasn’t dragged out, and it was hilarious once they went past not talking and into fighting. And I’m definitely fond of Kate just challenging any were to challenge her if they had a problem with her alphafemale status.
I did find it a bit odd that Kate intended to leave Julie at school, though. I mean, if an ancient war goddess wanted to kill my nearest and dearest and I knew I could surround my kid with an army of weres and had a were sidekick who’d handled transportation without asking any questions even if the head were would want some answers, I’m not sure I’d hesitate. Then again, I’ve never been under pressure with an ancient war goddess out to get me, and I suppose it comes down to whether you look at it as surrounding her with protection or keeping her out of the war zone and hoping no one notices her.
So, Erra? Erra is awesome. I kind of like that her character was “ancient evil all-powerful version of Kate.” It led to some of the best dialogue in this series. I also like to think it gives us a glimpse of the worst-case scenario version of Kate’s future. Also, yay for blood manipulation powers that aren’t allegories for rape.
I wasn’t thrilled that the Kate/Curran friction essentially relied on not communicating (even though it made perfect sense for their uber-alpha personalities) but I’m glad it wasn’t dragged out, and it was hilarious once they went past not talking and into fighting. And I’m definitely fond of Kate just challenging any were to challenge her if they had a problem with her alphafemale status.
I did find it a bit odd that Kate intended to leave Julie at school, though. I mean, if an ancient war goddess wanted to kill my nearest and dearest and I knew I could surround my kid with an army of weres and had a were sidekick who’d handled transportation without asking any questions even if the head were would want some answers, I’m not sure I’d hesitate. Then again, I’ve never been under pressure with an ancient war goddess out to get me, and I suppose it comes down to whether you look at it as surrounding her with protection or keeping her out of the war zone and hoping no one notices her.