Magic Rises [Dramatized Adaptation]

Kate Daniels [Dramatized Adaptation] #6

by Ilona Andrews, Nora Sofyan (Narrator), Michael Glenn (Narrator)

It's a volatile world: waves of magic and technology fight and feed off each other, monsters prowl the streets, werebears, cats, hyenas stalk their prey, and Masters of the Dead 'pilot' blood-starved vampires with their minds.

In Atlanta, lives Kate Daniels, former mercenary, Knight of the Order of Merciful Protection, world class swordswoman and smart-mouth, and – recently – mate to Curran, the Beast Lord of Atlanta's Pack. His problems are now hers, and this one is particularly heartrending – many of the Pack's shapeshifting children can't control their beast nature and are doomed to perish.

A medicine can help – but it's controlled by the European shapeshifters, who've proposed a devil's bargain to Kate and Curran: In return for the medicine, they must arbitrate a thorny dispute...which promises to send them straight into a deadly trap...

This dramatized audiobook also includes 1 short story: An Ill-Advised Rescue.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy, Audiobook, Romance, Paranormal, Magic, Vampires

11 pages, Audiobook

Published August 7, 2024

About the author

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 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.

Reviews

[book bruin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book! It reminded me a lot of Magic Strikes (book 3) and the Midnight Games - super high stakes, lots of danger and drama, and a fight to the death. I was on the edge of my seat worried about who would make it and who wouldn't (my heart! IA didn't pull any punches in this book). There's also some major Curran and Kate drama that had me fuming, but it all ended up having the most Curran and Kate explanation ever. For the record, I was never worried that their love wouldn't prevail (the end of the book definitely drove that point home), but I was not a fan at all with how things went down. The addition of Hugh took things to the next level. I wasn't expecting his increased fascination with Kate, but I guess I should have given how similar they are and how they were raised. It was fun though to give Curran a taste of his own medicine.

I truly am so impressed by Ilona Andrews and how creative their books are. Experiencing this series via Graphic Audio continues to be a fantastic decision and I'm not sure I can ever reread any of these books without hearing the voice actors in my head. I'm sad that I'm getting closer and closer to the end of the series, but I can't help but want to abandon all responsibilities and jump to the next book.

[h o l l i s · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite crushing the first half of this in one day, I was too tired to continue for a few days. But oh diving back in was so so easy.

This sixth instalment hurts for a variety of reasons. Curran's stupidity being the main one. Doolittle. But also George. And Aunt Bea. Also also Christopher. Some of those get happy endings and or resolved. Others.. less so. Yes, I got sniffly. Man these authors are good.

I really enjoyed how this one opened up aspects of this world as things ramp up to feel bigger, badder, and Kate is faced with multiple people convincing her she's not ready to face off with dear ol' dad. We know it's coming but even this far in it's refreshing to see a character faced with that realization even with all the strides she's made in working with her magic.

One of those people is Hugh. And yeah, I'm Hugh trash. I can't help it.

A few characters were added to the dynamic as a result of this one and between that, and another major milestone, I'm excited to see them play out in the next book.

As for the bonus story, AN ILL-ADVISED RESCUE, I'm sure I've read this before (because I've read them alllll) but weirdly this didn't feel familiar. And I'll admit I sorta tuned out for most of it. Seeing as the story is referenced, and the repercussions play out, in the main story, I think this could probably be skipped.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy this series thorough and lately I have been awed by the infusion of freshness with each newly released installment, the strength of the plot threads, the amazing ongoing character development, and just the storytelling power of the writers. This was exciting, emotional, sensual and fierce. I think this was my favorite book of this must read in order series so far.

The authors took the gang on the road, provided a potential love rival for both Curran and Kate, forced the emotional impact that only true loss can bring and wound things up even tighter for the series arc. I don't mean to sound disloyal to Kate and Curran because I love what they have going, but I have to admit that I have a dangerous fascination for Hugh d'Ambray. I am so addicted that its scary.

Go to the Black Sea, meet new people, see beautiful places, get killed by a mutant carnivorous kangaroo goat. One item off my bucket list. p.151 Kate from Magic Rises

Bonus Story: An Ill-Advised Rescue was included and took place chronologically just before this book and has a baring on the story. It was a good short story piece involving Kate, Derek, Grendel and Saiman.

My revisit to this book and the novella came as the enriched Graphic Audio version with full cast, music, sound effects, and a deeper dive into the story and the emotions behind it thanks to the talented voices of the Graphic Audio team.

I keep asking myself if this writing duo can sustain the fantastic stories with each new release and the answer to that is yes they can. Urban Fantasy lovers should put this on their list.

[steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Giving .5 extra for the GraphicAudio production, which continues to be my favourite thinggg. I have been waiting for the Hugh and Kate scenes and – gah!! So good. I really love how I can recognise the voice actor from his work as George Camarine in the Innkeeper GraphicAudio books and yet his Hugh definitely sounds quite different now he has more lines here. I can't quite pinpoint what it is, but maybe he sounds less... friendly than George does? Anyway, I loved his performance so much! And Nora Sofyan is once again pitch perfect as Kate. I mean, all the cast are amazing, truly. I will never stop raving about GraphicAudio!!! If full cast productions with sound effects and background music are your thing, then you have to give them a try.

[Zen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that these dramatized novels allow the reader a whole new experience with a series they already love.

[Tiffany Tabiai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right when you think the books couldn’t get any better, surprise! A European adventure, relationship questioning, a new dark thrill…where will they all stand at the end of it all?! This book kept me on the edge the entire time. I can’t get enough!

[Ada · Rating 3 out of 5]

***Dinsdag 26 november 2024, Graphic Audio***
⭐3 - it was okay
Narrators: Nora Sofyan as Kate Daniels. With Michael Glenn as Curran Lennart, Jon Vertullo as Hugh D'Ambray, Tanja Milojevic as Desandra, Peter Holdway as Jarek Kral, Colleen Delany as Hibla, Stewart Crank as Astamur, Nick J. Russo as Barabas, Nathaniel Priestley as Christopher, Ellen Quay as Lorelei, and Dawn Ursula as Aunt B. Also with Ken Jackson, Robb Moreira, Emlyn McFarland, Christopher Walker, Kelly Baskin, James Konicek, Khaya Fraites, KenYatta Rogers, K'Lai Rivera, Tyler Hyrchuk, Peter Holdway, Donald Guzzi, Andrew James Spooner, Daniel Llaca, Valentina Vinci, Nanette Savard, Drew Kopas, Ryan Dalusung, Laura C. Harris, Keval Shah, Eric Messner, Damon Alums, Tracy Lynn Olivera, Earl Fisher, Yasmin Tuazon, Christopher Williams, Jonathan Lee Taylor, Mark Harrietha, Lydia Kraniotis, Shanta Parasuraman, Jeri J. Marshall, Megan Hastie, Dan Delgado, and Jessica Threet

I really really really dislike Curran. His reasons for the way he acted was stupid. The only reason I keep continue on with this series is because Kate apologizes a lot less and she doesn't forgive him just because of 'The Magical Penis™'.

It was heartbreaking though. One of my favourite characters dies...

The voice acting was excellent though. Really enjoyable to listen to.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Give this Book a 3.5-4/5 Star Rating, Listing as 4.

*Audiobook Review at Bottom

Cliffhanger(?): It’s own way.
Relationship Type: MF
Romance: 3.5-4/5
Heat: 3/5
Pacing: Mid
Suspense: 3.5-4/5
Drama: 3.5-4/5

*Audiobook Review
Overall: 4.5/5
Story: 3.5-4/5
Performance: 4.5/5
Narrators: Graphic Audio Cast

I Honestly thought this book wasn’t as good as the others so far In this series, cause this one actually felt like it was solely filled with tropes and cause it was so obvious It was taking me a little bit longer to enjoy.
But this book actually hold a lot of little tidbits of important characters that we may see in the future.
I really don’t want to spoil this book surprisingly.
Also I really love this cast, they do so well with each book!

[Monicat · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS SHIT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my least favorite book of the series - it stresses me out! There are too many casualties! It's still great, and I'll keep rereading it, but still. I'm sure there are other KD readers who pick this as their favorite - Trip to Europe! Adventures! Christopher! - so don't let my stress stop you from reading it.

The Graphic Audio edition is fantastic. It is abridged for the dramatic adaptation, but I honestly didn't notice anything missing from the story.

Highly recommend.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

These dramatization's are a ton of fun that me and my wife listen to and we don’t know what we will quite do when there all finished I guess start at beginning and do it again

[Silver James · Rating 5 out of 5]

2025: This is my second time listening to the dramatized adaptation from Graphic Audio. I have no clue why I haven't added reviews because this book! The feels! So many spoilers! It's a pivotal book in the series. Yes, even after multiple rereads and lisens, I still get angry with Curran despite the fact that I sympathize with him. And there are times I want to shake Kate, but in the end, they are still Kate and Curran. Love the full cast versions of this series. And there's a bonus novella at the end that explains in detail some events glossed over at the beginning of the book. Fun--though nail-biting--times. 5 stars.

Original reviews from original edition:
Edit: Feb. 2016 "reread"] I originally checked this book out of the library. I now own both a digital and audio copy. My opinion hasn't much changed since I originally read it. Even knowing what was going to happen didn't deter from my total enjoyment. This is one of my favorite paranormal/fantasy series and this book is an outstanding reason of why.

I spent quite a bit of this book regretting that I'd added Curran to my Book Boyfriend List. Talk about playing into Kate's insecurities! I forgave him by the end of the book but da-yam. I was up all night reading it just to make sure. Yes, it was that good.

[Tuti · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - I didn't enjoy this book as much as the other ones in the series, but it's not the book's fault.

When I read the printed copy of this series, this book is one of my least favorite. With the Graphic Audio, it's also one of my least favorite so far. It didn't feel as grim as when I read it, but Curran's crappy treatment of Kate felt a lot worse here. I don't remember how much I disliked Hugh d'Ambray back then, but I think he felt more intriguing now, probably because I already knew what happened to him. Also, he was voiced by the same actor who did Cassian on ACOTAR series. How can I hate Cassian?

I still like Barabas, probably even more than Derek, in this book. Hibla is unfortunate. Knowing what I do now about Desandra, I am excited to listen to Magic Breaks.

The final battles were a bit too much where things kept getting worse and worse, to make it dramatic I suppose, until suddenly we got a convenient ending.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dramatized adaptation of Magic Rises made me feel. It made me feel a lot.


Of all the books in the Kate Daniels series, I most looked forward to this dramatized adaptation. Why? Two words. Sea shanty! IYKYK Both it and the magic and mayhem much later in the book were portrayed brilliantly. These dramatized adaptations ROCK!

I don't have time to give a proper review, so I'll just say Magic Rises was action packed, chock full of badassery, made me cackle with laughter, and also made me incredibly sad. It is one of my favorite books in the series for numerous reasons, none of which I can delve into at this time. Getting the Graphic Audio treatment has made it even better.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so emotional. There is a lot of action, and it takes you into a whole other area of the world. There is a lot of relationship strain, danger, and betrayal. There is a lot of plot movement on Kate's overarching storyline regarding Roland and Hugh. High stakes for the pack's current and future children force them into a situation that no one wants to enter. There are new monsters, bodyguard duty for a snarky pregnant wolf-shifter, and some epic fighting.

There are some really big changes that happen in this book which will have widespread impacts for Kate, Curran, and the entire Atlanta Pack. This is probably one of my favorite of the books, it introduces some really interesting characters and shows some new aspects to Kate's power and skills that haven't been explored in the same way, with Hugh pushing her buttons and forcing exposure.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omgosh, this one had me going through the gamut of emotions! I was laughing in the beginning, (Saiman was even enjoyable) and experiencing angst, anger, heartache and sadness. This was probably my favorite so far in the series because it made me FEEL so much. I felt so much pain for Kate, and Ilona Andrews really kept me guessing at where the relationship was going. I will say that she does a fantastic job at high-stakes stories and is not afraid to take those chances. The writing is so witty and clever. I could not stop listening to the last 3 hours because I had to know what was going to happen next and how things were going to play out. I absolutely love this series.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

See review for Magic Bites Dramatized Adaptation or for the original of the book!

This book is my weakness within the Kate Daniels universe, so I had to wait several months after Magic Gifts before starting it. I always get so furious, hah. Excellent adaptation, though!

121224-131224 (audio, Storytel)

[Wendy (bardsblond) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars – probably my favorite in the series so far next to Magic Strikes. Ilona Andrews is probably the best urban fantasy author I’ve ever read. All the characters are interesting, the world is so rich, the magic is unique to any series that I’ve ever read, and Kate Daniels is a fantastic heroine with a riveting backstory. This installment takes us to Eastern Europe on a bit of a mystery where both the clan and Kate and Curran’s relationship is tested.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

So according to Goodreads I this is my 4th time reading this book. I know I have read some scenes more than 3 times, but this is the first time I have listened to it. It was not bad, but I think I have enjoyed the reading of it more than I did listening. I did not feel the emotions as much from listening as I have done reading it. So even though I finished it in a day, I still enjoy the paper/ebook more. Still it was good and I enjoyed it.

[Lekeisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a pleasure to listen to this dramatized adaptation of the KD series. I think this is the only book in the series where I wanted to slap Curran upside the head for how all of this played out. I know, He had to make it seem legit with the "little princess that could". Lol I hate her even more now that there's a voice to go with the name. The cast did an amazing job with this!

[K D · Rating 4 out of 5]

The graphic audio versions are usually pretty good, as is this one. Still sounds great at higher speed playback.

And of course Kate Daniels is always good.

The one thing that puzzles me is why KD sometimes had a Russian accent... I think it was used when Kate was apparently speaking in Russian?

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the dramatised adaptations. Hearing my favourite series come to life lets me enjoy it in a whole new way. Interestingly, hearing Curran's explanation as opposed to reading made me understand his perspective a little more. I am still mad at him and think there was a better way but I didnt hate him for it as much in this version.

[Emma Knights · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things really evolved in this book and I couldn't put it down. I kept wanting to know what was going to happen and life was being annoying and getting in the way. I think this is my favourite of the series so far.

[Daisy Delfin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The graphicaudiobooks keep getting better and better. Sadly I have to take a break from this series. I really liked all the audiobooks but this one was the best in the series. Sadly I have to take a break from this series for maybe two weeks, to finish some borrows I have out.

[MELISSA · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series continues expanding Kate's universe and her trials. Off to Europe she goes, unhappily confronts Hugh, Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, and her father's loyal servant. Of course, Kate truly "schools" Hugh.

Again and again, GraphicAudio produces Ilona Andrews' work in excellent form.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ***

[Amanda Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was even more devastating in GA 😩

[ROMEOISNOTFUNNY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read on different audio casting

Love Kate and all the gang, not much to say ❤️

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars for the narrators
3 for the story, just because of Curran's stupidity and his dumb decisions

[Amanda McCraw · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 🌟