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delaneybull's review against another edition
5.0
Julie's perspective was interesting. I liked a younger generation's view on magic, and I really appreciate how the tone of Andrea, Dali, and now Julie really are different from Kate. It still feels like the Kate Daniels world, but you don't feel like you're reading shades of Kate; each character stands out as their own person. It would be fun to have a spinoff series with Julie's life at this new school.
amyiw's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the best over 4 story anthologies I've read. If I average, using the mean, I don't get the 5 star, in fact it is more like 3.9 but if I take the mode, which is what occurs the most, I get 4 1/2 stars.
Thanks Jen for listing all the stories as I forget even who the author is a millisecond in.
So I finally got back to this. I read only Julie's story the first time around.
Playing Possum by [a:Charlaine Harris|17061|Charlaine Harris|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1399317093p2/17061.jpg] 4 1/2 star
Part of the Sookie Stackhouse series. Sookie is taking her nephew birthday cupcakes to his kindergarten class. A crazy boyfriend shows up with guns blazing and crazy in his head.
Spellcaster 2.0 by [a:Jonathan Maberry|72451|Jonathan Maberry|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1512594942p2/72451.jpg] 4 star
I really liked this one. What is missing from this ritual, does it mean it won't work. Was this a dream or warning? It does leave us to wonder how or why it got to where it ends but we are glad it got there. New author for me, not sure if I'll look more up.
Academy Field trip by [a:Donald Harstad|406326|Donald Harstad|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1374519294p2/406326.jpg] 3 1/2
Interesting twist but I like the instructor wondered if she could be saved. Instead we are left not really knowing what the end will bring only that the situation was totally turned around. Interesting but not enough for me to love it. Another new author.
Sympathy for the Bones by [a:Marjorie M. Liu|35022|Marjorie M. Liu|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1268491375p2/35022.jpg] 3 1/2
A bit on the dark side for me but you see the possibility in the end of a better more light filled future. I did like it in the end.
Low School by [a:Rhys Bowen|202867|Rhys Bowen|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1283051168p2/202867.jpg] 2 1/2
So far the one I liked the least. This woman, so smart and a lawyer doesn't figure the things she has done put her into the position that she is in. She goes down fighting which doesn't match her highschool persona and you are left wondering if she is going to be fighting, instead of suffering depression and high school for the rest of days. Is it fair? Hmm...
Another unknown
Callie Meet Happy by [a:Amber Benson|27209|Amber Benson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1231537678p2/27209.jpg] 4 stars
This author was the actor sister in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, never read her but she doesn't get very good reviews. I really liked this short a lot, an alternate reality, kind of, maybe, and how it gives her the ability to leave at the end was great.
Iphigenia in Aulis by [a:Mike Carey|9018|Mike Carey|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1334894864p2/9018.jpg] 1 1/2 stars (this one now takes "the one I like the least" and it was a repeat read!)
Argh, I read M.R. Carey's [b:The Girl With All the Gifts|17235026|The Girl With All the Gifts (The Girl With All the Gifts #1)|M.R. Carey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1403033579s/17235026.jpg|23753235] DNF at 60% or so, and this was the beginning of that story almost word for word. I had read all of it before except the very end. There might have been somethings left out from the very start but it was the beginning of that book. It dragged in the book and it dragged here, maybe a little less. I listened to it here again wondering if there would be a different ending and there was. I might have liked it better here but still didn't like it. I DNF the actually book but went well beyond where this diverged and ended. The actual book I read synopses of the ending, and liked where it was going even less. I had no idea that Mike Carey and M.R. Carey were the same writer. I really liked the Fix (Felix Castor) books he writes.
Golden Delicious by Faith Hunter 4 1/2 stars
I never liked Rick as a love interest for Jane and his actions even made it worse. Luckily here he isn't a love interest. This is a quick story of his entry into the Psy-Led. I really liked how he entered and figured things out with his companions. How he is fighting against others that just want information from him is interesting. I like him in the Soulwood series. This was really good.
Magic Tests by Ilona Andrews 5 star
Julie is brought to a new school and talked into it because there is a mystery to be solved. Final she gets a school she can somewhat fit in. Oddballs. Pretty fun.
An Introduction to Jewish Myth and Mysticism by Steve Hockensmith 3 1/2
Well that was one way to punish someone but it seems like it wouldn't work once he understood what was going on.
Another unknown for me
VSI by Nancy Holder 4 1/2 stars
Well that was good but I want more. She is taken into a new task force and taught that there are vampires. Her partner is learning with her, or so it seems. A dead maybe vampire with a stake through the heart is studied and later we get to learn who exactly he is but not how the vampire condition works. I ended thinking what's next? Did they subdue the vampire in the end? Is it a forever or just for now?
Been meaning to read this author and this will probably push me in that direction.
The Bad Hour by Thomas E. Sniegoski 4 1/2 stars
I'm going to have to start Remy Chandler. I love his dog and this was all about the dogs. A haunting is going on at a dog training and care facility. The trainer asks for Remy's help. Is his dog a good dog? Can they figure out who or what is causing this trouble. Yep, and pretty easily as the haunting comes to a conclusion just as they start their good dog classes.
Been meaning to read this author too
Pirate Dave and the Captain's Ghost by Toni L.P. Kelner- 5 stars, great
Wow, really liked this lone wolf story. She has a vampire boyfriend and goes to a seminar where a woman is studying the super natural. This is the first time that she gets to truly interact with werewolves. At first they are friendly and find it interesting, the life she leads. She then gets confronted by a ghost who hates vampires, as he was killed by one, and turns the others against her. The woman though is facinated with them and wants more. With Pirate Dave (her vampire boyfriend) coming to the rescue, what could go wrong. Maybe someone is insane. **sarcasm** doesn't work without it.
Another unknown for me but going to have to look her up.
Thanks Jen for listing all the stories as I forget even who the author is a millisecond in.
So I finally got back to this. I read only Julie's story the first time around.
Playing Possum by [a:Charlaine Harris|17061|Charlaine Harris|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1399317093p2/17061.jpg] 4 1/2 star
Part of the Sookie Stackhouse series. Sookie is taking her nephew birthday cupcakes to his kindergarten class. A crazy boyfriend shows up with guns blazing and crazy in his head.
Spellcaster 2.0 by [a:Jonathan Maberry|72451|Jonathan Maberry|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1512594942p2/72451.jpg] 4 star
I really liked this one. What is missing from this ritual, does it mean it won't work. Was this a dream or warning? It does leave us to wonder how or why it got to where it ends but we are glad it got there. New author for me, not sure if I'll look more up.
Academy Field trip by [a:Donald Harstad|406326|Donald Harstad|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1374519294p2/406326.jpg] 3 1/2
Interesting twist but I like the instructor wondered if she could be saved. Instead we are left not really knowing what the end will bring only that the situation was totally turned around. Interesting but not enough for me to love it. Another new author.
Sympathy for the Bones by [a:Marjorie M. Liu|35022|Marjorie M. Liu|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1268491375p2/35022.jpg] 3 1/2
A bit on the dark side for me but you see the possibility in the end of a better more light filled future. I did like it in the end.
Low School by [a:Rhys Bowen|202867|Rhys Bowen|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1283051168p2/202867.jpg] 2 1/2
So far the one I liked the least. This woman, so smart and a lawyer doesn't figure the things she has done put her into the position that she is in. She goes down fighting which doesn't match her highschool persona and you are left wondering if she is going to be fighting, instead of suffering depression and high school for the rest of days. Is it fair? Hmm...
Another unknown
Callie Meet Happy by [a:Amber Benson|27209|Amber Benson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1231537678p2/27209.jpg] 4 stars
This author was the actor sister in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, never read her but she doesn't get very good reviews. I really liked this short a lot, an alternate reality, kind of, maybe, and how it gives her the ability to leave at the end was great.
Iphigenia in Aulis by [a:Mike Carey|9018|Mike Carey|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1334894864p2/9018.jpg] 1 1/2 stars (this one now takes "the one I like the least" and it was a repeat read!)
Argh, I read M.R. Carey's [b:The Girl With All the Gifts|17235026|The Girl With All the Gifts (The Girl With All the Gifts #1)|M.R. Carey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1403033579s/17235026.jpg|23753235] DNF at 60% or so, and this was the beginning of that story almost word for word. I had read all of it before except the very end. There might have been somethings left out from the very start but it was the beginning of that book. It dragged in the book and it dragged here, maybe a little less. I listened to it here again wondering if there would be a different ending and there was. I might have liked it better here but still didn't like it. I DNF the actually book but went well beyond where this diverged and ended. The actual book I read synopses of the ending, and liked where it was going even less. I had no idea that Mike Carey and M.R. Carey were the same writer. I really liked the Fix (Felix Castor) books he writes.
Golden Delicious by Faith Hunter 4 1/2 stars
I never liked Rick as a love interest for Jane and his actions even made it worse. Luckily here he isn't a love interest. This is a quick story of his entry into the Psy-Led. I really liked how he entered and figured things out with his companions. How he is fighting against others that just want information from him is interesting. I like him in the Soulwood series. This was really good.
Magic Tests by Ilona Andrews 5 star
Julie is brought to a new school and talked into it because there is a mystery to be solved. Final she gets a school she can somewhat fit in. Oddballs. Pretty fun.
An Introduction to Jewish Myth and Mysticism by Steve Hockensmith 3 1/2
Well that was one way to punish someone but it seems like it wouldn't work once he understood what was going on.
Another unknown for me
VSI by Nancy Holder 4 1/2 stars
Well that was good but I want more. She is taken into a new task force and taught that there are vampires. Her partner is learning with her, or so it seems. A dead maybe vampire with a stake through the heart is studied and later we get to learn who exactly he is
Spoiler
her long gone father-in-law who was staked by her husband hundreds of year ago.Been meaning to read this author and this will probably push me in that direction.
The Bad Hour by Thomas E. Sniegoski 4 1/2 stars
I'm going to have to start Remy Chandler. I love his dog and this was all about the dogs. A haunting is going on at a dog training and care facility. The trainer asks for Remy's help. Is his dog a good dog? Can they figure out who or what is causing this trouble. Yep, and pretty easily as the haunting comes to a conclusion just as they start their good dog classes.
Been meaning to read this author too
Pirate Dave and the Captain's Ghost by Toni L.P. Kelner- 5 stars, great
Wow, really liked this lone wolf story. She has a vampire boyfriend and goes to a seminar where a woman is studying the super natural. This is the first time that she gets to truly interact with werewolves. At first they are friendly and find it interesting, the life she leads. She then gets confronted by a ghost who hates vampires, as he was killed by one, and turns the others against her. The woman though is facinated with them and wants more. With Pirate Dave (her vampire boyfriend) coming to the rescue, what could go wrong. Maybe someone is insane. **sarcasm** doesn't work without it.
Another unknown for me but going to have to look her up.
audiobookmel's review against another edition
4.0
I only read Magic Tests by Ilona Andrews. Julie is the narrator. She investigates a missing student at a magical school. Julie is really good in this story. She starts off as the annoying teenager that she is at the beginning. Once she starts to investigate this missing student all by herself, she starts to act like a person instead of the whiny teenager. It was nice to see this side of her. It also shows her potential as an investigator. She will be an asset to Kate's PI firm when she's older. Right now, she just needs to go to school and grow up.
bookfessional's review against another edition
3.0
RTC to come as part of the KATE DANIELS reread-to-make-all-other-rereads-look-puny-and-ineffectual.
My other reviews for this series:
A Questionable Client (Kate Daniels, #0.5)
Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1)
Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, #2)
Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, #3)
Magic Mourns (Kate Daniels, #3.5)
Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, #4)
Magic Dreams (Kate Daniels, #4.5)
Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, #5)
Magic Gifts (Kate Daniels, #5.4)
Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels, #5.5)
Retribution Clause (Kate Daniels, #5.6)
An Ill-Advised Rescue (Kate Daniels, #5.8)
Magic Rises (Kate Daniels, #6)
Magic Steals (Kate Daniels, #6.5)
Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels, #7)
Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels, #8)
Magic Stars (Kate Daniels, #8.5, Grey Wolf, #1)
Magic Binds (Kate Daniels, #9)
Iron and Magic (Kate Daniels, #9.5)
Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels, #10)
Curran POV Collection
Merged review:
Golden Delicious, Jane Yellowrock 4.2 by Faith Hunter - 3.0 stars
Short story from Rick's perspective. Takes place during his training with PsyLED.
I hate Rick.
At least there's Pea. *glares daggers at Rick*
Magic Tests - Kate Daniels 5.3, Ilona Andrews
Julie's POV after her help is enlisted to find a missing student at a private school. LOVED it.
My other reviews for this series:
A Questionable Client (Kate Daniels, #0.5)
Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, #1)
Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, #2)
Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, #3)
Magic Mourns (Kate Daniels, #3.5)
Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels, #4)
Magic Dreams (Kate Daniels, #4.5)
Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, #5)
Magic Gifts (Kate Daniels, #5.4)
Gunmetal Magic (Kate Daniels, #5.5)
Retribution Clause (Kate Daniels, #5.6)
An Ill-Advised Rescue (Kate Daniels, #5.8)
Magic Rises (Kate Daniels, #6)
Magic Steals (Kate Daniels, #6.5)
Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels, #7)
Magic Shifts (Kate Daniels, #8)
Magic Stars (Kate Daniels, #8.5, Grey Wolf, #1)
Magic Binds (Kate Daniels, #9)
Iron and Magic (Kate Daniels, #9.5)
Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels, #10)
Curran POV Collection
Merged review:
Golden Delicious, Jane Yellowrock 4.2 by Faith Hunter - 3.0 stars
Short story from Rick's perspective. Takes place during his training with PsyLED.
I hate Rick.
At least there's Pea. *glares daggers at Rick*
Magic Tests - Kate Daniels 5.3, Ilona Andrews
Julie's POV after her help is enlisted to find a missing student at a private school. LOVED it.
kelic's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent collection of stories. I don't think there was a let down in here. Sympathy for Bones was my favourite. It was suitably creepy and atmospheric, like a Carolina's version of Baba Yaga. I also loved Iphigenia in Aulis, it reminded me how much I loved [b:The Girl With All the Gifts|17235026|The Girl With All the Gifts (The Girl With All the Gifts #1)|M.R. Carey|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1403033579s/17235026.jpg|23753235] and that I should have a re-read soon. Or, at the very least, watch the movie. The only slight hitch in the book was Magic Tests. Not that it was bad; in fact, I gave it five stars previously. The problem was that I had only just recently read it at the end of [b:Magic Slays|8559047|Magic Slays (Kate Daniels, #5)|Ilona Andrews|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1288727226s/8559047.jpg|13427398], so though great to recently read for an enjoyable re-read.
narflet's review against another edition
3.0
I confess, I only read the Sookie Stackhouse short stoey (as I always seem to do with these collections). And I only read that out of some sense of duty to see the series through to the end, warts and all. However, this was one of the more fun Sookie shorts. Maybe, someday, I'll read the rest of this collection of shorts - but if they're shorts that belong to other series (as they so often are), then it seems unlikely.
wealie's review against another edition
4.0
A nice little story from [a:Ilona Andrews|21748|Ilona Andrews|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1219436898p2/21748.jpg]' Kate Daniels series, focusing on Julie (Kate's ward and magical sensor extraordinaire, who was introduced in [b:Magic Burns|1811543|Magic Burns (Kate Daniels, #2)|Ilona Andrews|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1311280284s/1811543.jpg|1810889]). Julie is roped into investigating the disappearance of a student at a potential new school. An interesting insight into how Julie's mind works.
books26's review against another edition
2.0
Just read the Sookie story which was only about Sookie's visit to Hunter's kindergarten classroom. Very uneventful.