Welcome to our discussion for Magic Burns, Kate Daniels #2.  I feel like the story really takes off in this second book.  You know, it’s the book where you can see where everything is going and you can’t wait to get there!  Angie Elle and I had a great time breaking it down, and I hope you enjoy it too!

Please make sure you jump over to BaBAMB to read part one of our conversation.  You don’t want to miss anything.

*Please be advised that since this is a discussion, there will be spoilers.

Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews
Kate Daniels #2
Urban Fantasy
Ace | April 1, 2008

Part 2

How do you feel Kate and Curran’s relationship developed since the first book?

Angie Elle: On the surface, I don’t feel like it has much. They both see each other as adversaries still, I think. Even while they see each other as allies. It’s a very complex relationship. But I feel like beneath the surface, they have a mutual admiration and even some trust going on. But I think it’s begrudgingly and galls the hell out of both of them. And man, is that ever fun to read!

Birdie: I think Kate sees Curran as an adversary, but Curran’s only idea of adversary is how to make Kate accept him without talking about it blatantly and making her run.  I feel like he’s already stalking her, setting her up in his sights.  I thought, in this one particularly, he’s already decided he wants her.  I’m not sure if that’s for the long term, probably not, but he definitely wants to get her into bed.

Angie Elle: I still think, throughout a lot of this book, Curran wouldn’t have hesitated to snap Kate’s neck if he thought she was a danger to his pack. I think that changed as the book went on, but I do think Curran saw Kate as a big conquest until near the end of the book. I think he is insanely attracted to her, and it’s baffling him because it’s not merely sexual.

Birdie: I agree with that.  That’s what I meant by not for the long term.  He doesn’t see ‘mate’ yet.  Pack still comes first, but he definitely likes what he sees and wants to play bedroom games with her.

Kate prides herself on being in the know when it comes to the creatures she is working with or fighting, but there was one pack custom that slipped by her. What did you think of Kate’s accepting soup from Curran as being a declaration?

Angie Elle: I thought it was hilarious, and the whole reveal scene was amazing. I think at this point, Curran was still staking his claim to simply bed her, but I loved it.

Birdie: Dude, I loved it so much!  I’ve always loved when giving or receiving of food is a mating ritual in a series.  It was a big one in Black Dagger Brotherhood too.  There’s something so attractive and endearing about ‘feeding’ being a form of showing attraction.  (Plus, it makes me really excited for what’s coming next.)

Angie Elle: You are much more versed in Fantasy/Urban Fantasy that I am (though I’m trying my hardest to catch up,) so I wasn’t aware this was a thing. But I love the idea of it, too!

I think it’s clear to the reader, even if it’s not to Curran, that he’s warming up to Kate in more than a sexual way at the end of this book. Do you think Curran was aware that’s what he was doing at the end of this book?

Angie Elle: I’m not sure he’s so in the know about humans to know how supportive and caring he was being, but I loved this scene regardless. Even if he’s not aware of what he is doing, it’s clear Curran cares a great deal for Kate here. I was just surprised it happened so swiftly within the series.

Birdie Bookworm: I think he has an inkling.  I don’t think he’s admitted to himself that he’s falling for her, but if pushed I think he’d admit that she’s somehow become important to her.  Pack still comes first, but he’d be very cross if someone killed her.

Angie Elle: For sure. Pack is still first, and even while I find it frustrating, it’s one of the things I do love about Curran – he’s one loyal lion.

Do you think Kate already subconsciously feels like part of the Pack?  Why did Curran’s call to let loose give her the feeling that she could also let loose?

Angie Elle: No. I think that was one of the threads throughout this whole series for me – Kate has never felt like she’s belonged anywhere. And I think her relations with the pack are still too new for her to feel like she belongs there. She’s a lone wolf, and it will take her a while to feel like she belongs, if she ever even does.

I think Kate often flirts with crossing the line from good to evil, and when Curran insisted the pack let loose, it fed the beast inside of Kate. She likes the danger and fighting, and she found others who did, too.

Birdie Bookworm: Interesting theory.  You’re right, saying she feels like part of the pack is incorrect, because she never does.  However, she does feel the pull of Curran, so a part of me does wonder if his allowance of letting go of the Code also made her feel secure enough to let go of her own Code.  Like, we know his ‘alpha’ ness does pull on her, even if it doesn’t control her the way it does pack, so was that foreshadowing showing the connection those two have.

Angie Elle: I think Kate’s only code is ‘don’t die.’ Except now, it’s ‘don’t die and protect Julie.’ I just think, until the end of this book, she was very solitary about it.

Birdie Bookworm: Agreed, but I think it’s ‘don’t die and hide who I am’.  Something subconsciously allowed her to completely let go, and it was ironic that it was after Curran’s big speech.  The first time I read it I didn’t think twice, but knowing what happens later made that moment feel important this time around.  Like, something in his words (because he’s Curran) made her feel safer.

Are you looking forward to the completion of the series?  Did we miss any good topics?  Let us know in the comments.

In other news, the release of the final book was pushed back so we adjusted our reads.  If you’re interested in joining us, please see the new schedule below.