Ilona Andrews is a pseudonym used by the husband-and-wife writing team of Ilona and Gordon Andrews. They are best known for their urban fantasy novels, particularly the Kate Daniels series. One of the prominent elements in their books is the use of magic, and they have created a diverse array of spells that their characters employ throughout the series. The spells claimed by Ilona Andrews are an integral part of their fictional universe, adding depth and intrigue to the storylines. **These spells serve as a powerful tool for the characters, allowing them to wield various forms of magic and overcome obstacles in their quests.** In the Kate Daniels series, the spells cover a wide range of abilities, from offensive spells like fireballs, lightning bolts, and ice shards, to defensive spells such as shields and barriers.
There is nothing more exciting than a new Ilona Andrews book. I am ecstatic they have continued beyond the Kate Daniels series. These stories are shorter than full books, and tell of Kate, Curran and Conlan and their life in Wilmington NC. They are trying to lay low and just provide a normal childhood for Conlan. Well, that’s over.
6 Published by NYLA on June 13, 2023 Genres Urban Fantasy Pages 245 Format eARC, eBook Source NetGalley, Purchased Goodreads Amazon, Barnes Noble, Apple. 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.
** In the Kate Daniels series, the spells cover a wide range of abilities, from offensive spells like fireballs, lightning bolts, and ice shards, to defensive spells such as shields and barriers. They also introduce unique spells like the ability to shift into a were-creature, control animals, or manipulate the elements. One of the intriguing aspects of Ilona Andrews' spells is that they often have limitations and consequences.
Magic Claims by Ilona Andrews @ilona_andrews @nyliterary #Favorite
Magic Claims by Ilona Andrews
Series: Wilmington Years #2, Kate Daniels #10.6
Published by NYLA on June 13, 2023
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 245
Format: eARC, eBook
Source: NetGalley, Purchased
Goodreads
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple
Kate and Curran have just settled into their new home and their 'low prolife,' when a local businessman approaches them with an offer they can’t refuse. A mysterious evil has spawned in the nearby forest and is holding a defenseless town hostage. The ‘due date’ is rapidly approaching.
It’s exactly the kind of fight the Lennarts can’t resist, not for the prize the town offers, but for the people who will surely die if they ignore it. If they succeed, they’ll be rescuing an entire community and can build a strong new base for their family and the Wilmington Pack. If they fail. well, fail is a four-letter word.
There is nothing more exciting than a new Ilona Andrews book. I am ecstatic they have continued beyond the Kate Daniels series. These stories are shorter than full books, and tell of Kate, Curran and Conlan and their life in Wilmington NC. They are trying to lay low and just provide a normal childhood for Conlan. Well, that’s over.
Kate and Curran have been reticent to make the mistakes of their parents or even repeat ones from their past. But they want to fight to protect people. So they are starting to figure out how to do it in a different way. They were building their own beach compound but now they are offered a forest one if they help remove the evil there.
Conlan may be only 8 but he is a talented and trained boy. He is having to grow up fast. They are teaching him the best they can and he eventually is part of this fight. He is just beginning to see the hard decisions and reality.
The world building and character development are exquisite. I enjoy the humor too, but part of that is enjoying the personalities and characters as themselves. For that, one needs to have read the series, in order, which is always a good strategy with urban fantasy. For example, I was tickled to see Luther Dillon. But he only means something if you have read the other books. I’m also laughing at the people who have no idea about Kate. Or Curran.
There is so much here. The politics of the Order, the Farm, and the Pack. The tentative grasp of the humans to survive in some areas. We get some insight into the problems of the Atlanta pack and how some of the issues started in Curran’s time. Now they may start over with new and better rules.
The source of the evil is not easily understood. But they start to get an idea based on the fighting style and when Conlan finds “the elephant creature” in a historical picture book. There’s more mythological creatures out there in this crazy post shift world. I love how Kate knows almost all the rules, the details, the mythology of the many creatures who might fight her. She understands the different types of magic.
This is my favorite author and my favorite series ever and it is worth reading from the start, in order. So I would not read this as a stand-alone. If you haven’t read this series, you are seriously missing out. There is so much character growth and world / mythology development to understand. It’s the beloved characters that are the foundation with their compassion, courage and intelligence.
About Ilona Andrews
“Ilona Andrews” is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. 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 Texas with their two children and many dogs and cats.
They have co-authored several bestselling series, including the #1 NYT bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels, rustic fantasy of the Edge, paranormal romance of Hidden Legacy, and Innkeeper Chronicles, which they post as a free weekly serial.
Follow me Blogger at Books of My HeartI can't really remember any time when I wasn't reading. I LOVE books and what they give me. It's an opportunity to learn new things, see new places,live different emotions in a "safe" way. It lets me live in a new world.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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**They emphasize the concept that magic comes with a price and carries risks.** For example, a character may become physically drained or emotionally unstable after utilizing a particularly powerful spell. This adds a layer of complexity to the magic system in their books and raises the stakes for the characters. The spells claimed by Ilona Andrews are not just about power and action; they also play a role in character development and relationships. **The way characters use and interact with magic can reflect their personality, values, and growth throughout the series.** Spells can deepen bonds between characters, create conflicts, or even be used as a means to communicate with supernatural beings. Overall, the spells claimed by Ilona Andrews add depth, excitement, and complexity to their urban fantasy novels. **They serve as a catalyst for thrilling action sequences, character development, and the exploration of moral dilemmas and consequences.** The variety of spells and their intricate integration into the overall narrative make the books a captivating and immersive reading experience for fans of the genre..
Reviews for "Unique spellcasting systems in Ilona Andrews' novels"
- Samantha - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Spells claimed" by Ilona Andrews. I had been a fan of their other books, but this one just didn't live up to my expectations. The plot felt disjointed and confusing, and the characters lacked depth. I found myself struggling to care about what happened to them. Overall, it was a letdown and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
- John - 3 stars - I had mixed feelings about "Spells claimed" by Ilona Andrews. On one hand, I enjoyed the fast-paced action and the magical elements. However, I found the romance aspect to be forced and predictable. The main character's motivations were also unclear and left me feeling disconnected from the story. It had some potential, but ultimately fell flat for me.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I really wanted to like "Spells claimed" by Ilona Andrews, but I just couldn't get into it. The writing felt repetitive and the world-building was lacking. The story had a lot of potential, but it never seemed to reach it. I found myself skimming through the pages, hoping for something more engaging, but it never came. I won't be continuing with this series.