Ilona Andrews is a pseudonym for the husband-and-wife writing team, Ilona Gordon and Andrew Gordon. They are known for their urban fantasy and paranormal romance novels. One of their famous series is the "Kate Daniels" series, which consists of several books that follow the adventures of Kate Daniels, a mercenary living in a post-apocalyptic Atlanta. In the "Kate Daniels" series, Ilona Andrews creates a unique world where magic rises and falls in waves. During times of magic, technology fails and mythical creatures roam the streets. Kate Daniels is a strong and independent heroine who navigates this dangerous world, taking on various supernatural foes and unraveling mysteries.
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I give up trying to get people to create short, different, and meaningful mission statements, so go ahead and spend the 25,000 for the offsite, facilitator, and consultants to create one. A day of exercises such as, Each of you will come up to the front of the group, turn your back to the group, close your eyes, and fall backwards into the arms of your colleagues.
Kate Daniels is a strong and independent heroine who navigates this dangerous world, taking on various supernatural foes and unraveling mysteries. Ilona Andrews' writing is fast-paced, action-packed, and full of suspense. The magical elements in their novels are well-developed and add an extra layer of excitement to the plot.
Mantras Versus Missions
Who among us has not had the horrible experience of an corporate offsite to build teamwork and to craft a mission statement? The offsite usually went like this:
Day 1: Teambuilding. Selection of cross-functional teams so that, God help us, engineering has to work with sales. A day of exercises such as, “Each of you will come up to the front of the group, turn your back to the group, close your eyes, and fall backwards into the arms of your colleagues. This will teach you to trust your fellow employees.”
Day 2: Crafting the mission statement. A hot, crowded room with easels of white paper and a facilitator who knows nothing about your business. Everyone who is a director level and above in the company is there—that’s sixty people. You each figure you get one word, so at the end of the day, you have a sixty word mission statement like this:
“The mission of Wendy’s is to deliver superior quality products and services for our customers and communities through leadership, innovation, and partnerships.”
Don’t get me wrong. I love Wendy’s, but I’ve never thought I was participating in “leadership, innovation, and partnerships” when I ordered a hamburger there. The root cause of mission statement-itis is that most organizations are run by people who have either gotten an MBA or worked for McKinsey—or both.
I give up trying to get people to create short, different, and meaningful mission statements, so go ahead and spend the $25,000 for the offsite, facilitator, and consultants to create one. However, you should also create a mantra for your organization. A mantra is three or four words long. Tops. Its purpose is to help employees truly understand why the organization exists.
If I were the CEO of Wendy’s, I would establish a corporate mantra of “healthy fast food.” End of story. Here are more examples of corporate mantras to inspire you:
Federal Express: “Peace of mind”
Nike: “Authentic athletic performance”
Target: “Democratize design”
Mary Kay “Enriching women’s lives”
The ultimate test for a mantra (or mission statement) is if your telephone operators (Trixie and Biff) can tell you what it is. If they can, then you’re onto something meaningful and memorable. If they can’t, then, well, it sucks.
By Guy Kawasaki | 2016-10-24T14:29:47-07:00 January 2nd, 2006 | Categories: Entrepreneurship | 39 Comments
The authors have a knack for creating complex and relatable characters, and their books often feature strong female protagonists. Aside from the "Kate Daniels" series, Ilona Andrews has also written other popular series such as the "Innkeeper Chronicles" and the "Hidden Legacy" series. Their books have garnered a loyal fan base and have received critical acclaim for their blend of urban fantasy, romance, and adventure. Overall, Ilona Andrews is a talented writing team that has made a significant impact in the urban fantasy genre. Their novels are filled with magic, action, and romance, making them a must-read for fans of the genre..
Reviews for "Examining the Ethical Dilemmas in Ilona Andrews' Magi Rises"
1. John - 1 star
"I found 'Magi Rises' by Ilona Andrews to be incredibly underwhelming. The world-building felt half-baked, and I struggled to connect with the characters. The plot lacked depth and originality, following typical fantasy tropes without adding anything new or intriguing. The writing was also lackluster, with repetitive phrases and predictable dialogue. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others seeking a captivating fantasy read."
2. Emily - 2 stars
"Although 'Magi Rises' by Ilona Andrews had an interesting concept, the execution fell short for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it difficult to stay engaged in the story. The characters were one-dimensional, lacking depth and development. The romance aspect felt forced and didn't add any real emotional connection. Additionally, the magic system was poorly explained, leaving me confused and disconnected from the world. I was hoping for a captivating and immersive fantasy experience, but unfortunately, this book didn't deliver."
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"I had high hopes for 'Magi Rises' by Ilona Andrews, but I was left feeling underwhelmed. The plot felt disjointed and meandering, making it difficult to become invested in the story. The main character lacked agency and made questionable choices that were hard to justify. The world-building felt shallow, with little explanation or exploration of the magical elements. While the writing was decent, it couldn't make up for the lackluster plot and characters. Overall, this book failed to capture my interest, and I struggled to finish it."