renpuspita's reviews
1359 reviews

 Masih sama sih pesannya dengan buku pertama yaitu  BACALAH SYARAT DAN KETENTUAN YANG BERLAKU , yang sayangnya untuk beberapa bagian cerita pesan itu tidak diindahkan oleh penerima jajanan Toko Zenitendo yang akibatnya ya bisa ditebak sendiri seperti apa.

Premis buku dua masih sama dengan buku satu, yang membuat gue mikir buku - buku Zenitendo seperti manga yang berisi chapter - chapter yang awalnya diterbitkan di suatu majalah sehingga ceritanya seakan berdiri sendiri satu sama lain walau ada juga cerita yang masih ada hubungannya dengan cerita dari buku satu. Seperti yang udah gue bilang di awal terkait S&K berlaku, maka beberapa penerima jajan di buku ini ya ada yang mendapat hikmahnya dan ada juga yang mendapat "hikmah"nya alias kena sial. Mungkin Hiroshima sensei ingin menyampaikan pesan "tabur tuai", apa yang kamu tabur (alias kerjakan) ya itu yang kamu dapat. Sama juga dengan pesan agar jadi orang agak tidak serakah. Secukupnya saja.

Dari semua cerita jajanan di buku ini, favorite gue adalah Teh Jamuan Tamu. Ceritanya sendiri dari sudut pandang seorang wanita umur 43 tahun yang kesepian. Gue emang introvert dan agak capek kalau banyak interaksi tapi gue memahami perasaan Midori yang menjadi tokoh utama di bab Teh ini. Menyenangkan membaca kisahnya bertemu beberapa orang dari teh yang diseduhnya dan akhirnya pun Midori mendapatkan kebahagiaan. Untuk kisah Dokter Permen Soda juga menggemaskan!

Gue tetep akan rekomendasikan Zenitendo buat bacaan yang ga cuma bisa dibaca anak - anak, tapi juga sama orang dewasa. Karena kisah dan pesan moral di dalam cerita-ceritanya sendiri memang sifatnya universal. 

Setelah di tahun 2024 ini mencoba baca buku-buku Dame Christie yang tokoh utamanya bukan Poirot atau yang standalone, sekarang balik lagi baca kisahnya Poirot. Seperti Murder in Mesopotamia, The ABC Murders ini dikisahkan dari sudut pandang pertama tokoh lain. Kali ini naratornya adalah Kapten Arthur Hastings. Oh ya, gue baca buku2nya Dame Christie ini ga urut ya, jadi ga terlalu tahu hubungan Hastings sama Poirot kayak gimana selain mereka adalah teman yang akrab.

Dari review - review yang gue baca, beberapa reviewer yang dari Indo tahu tentang ABC Murders dari manga Detektif Conan. Walau dulu gue ngikutin Conan, tapi setelah vol 30an keatas udah kayak bosen aja hihihi. The ABC Murders ini cukup unik premisnya. Kalau beberapa kasus Poirot yang udah gue baca itu kebanyakan pembunuhan di ruang tertutup atau kejadiannya di suatu tempat yang cukup terisolasi alias semua orang tahu sama tahu dan siapapun bisa jadi pelakunya, maka The ABC Murders ini sebaliknya. Kali ini Poirot dan Hastings harus berpacu dengan waktu untuk mencegah seorang pembunuh serial membunuh orang - orang yang tak berdosa. Si pembunuh yang menamai dirinya "ABC" mengirimkan surat pada Poirot, menantang sang detektif untuk mencegah pembunuhan di kota dengan huruf awal sesuai urutan abjad. Pembunuhan terus terjadi sampai abjad C dan di setiap kasus selalu ada buku panduan kereta api ABC.

Narasi buku ini memang semuanya ditulis dari sudut pandang Kapten Hastings walau beberapa bagian ditulis dari sudut pandang ketiga untuk memberikan beberapa perspektif. Uniknya, sejak awal pembunuh serialnya sudah dikasihtau siapa! Tapi, bukan Dame Christie kalau ga bikin plot twist dan red herring yang sangat tampak nyata. Meski gue udah sedikit banyak bisa menebak sang pembunuh, gue puas dengan cara deduksi Poirot saat mengupas tuntas siapa si pembunuh ABC ini. Pace bukunya juga cukup cepat, ga terlalu lambat atau memb0sankan kayak buku - buku Dame Christie yang biasa gue baca. Mungkin karena ada aspek suspensenya juga dimana Poirot dan Hastings menebak - nebak akan terjadi pembunuhan dimana lagi.

Khas novel - novel Christie, ada yang endingnya jadian juga di buku ini XD. Gue sendiri suka sama narasi Hastings yang selain gemas buat dibaca juga menunjukkan keakrabannya dengan Poirot. The ABC Murders ini juga jadi buku AC yang gue penasaran sama siapa sih pembunuh serialnya sama gimana cara Poirot menangkap si pelaku. Beberapa bagian rada rasis tapi mengingat tahun kapan buku ini ditulis, yah, kayak inevitable gitu. Bisa diskip bagian - bagian itu jika kurang nyaman.

Salah satu kisah Poirot dengan premis yang menarik, narasi Hastings yang menyenangkan buat dibaca dan tentunya plot twist berlapis - lapis kayak kue lapis legit. 

 Gambar-gambarnya simpel tapi lucu. Beberapa bagian buat tersenyum simpul dan paham akan tingkah laku ibu - ibu muda apalagi yang suka posting konten tentang anak.

Sayangnya, gue belum jadi ibu (meski udah nikah lama) jadi kurang terkoneksi sama isi-isinya. Mungkin kalau nanti gue akhirnya ada anak dan ngalamin apa yang dialami Puty, gue akan baca ulang dan siapa tahu ratingnya berubah :-)

*beli ebooknya dulu dapat free di GPB pas Mizan ada promo 

 Mood gue mayan jelek pas baca buku ini, jadi sebenarnya salahnya lebih banyak di gue hahaha. Setengah Jalan sendiri lebih ke koleksi essay dari materi stand upnya Ernest Prakasa, salah satu stand up comedian yang terkenal di Indo. Mungkin disitu juga kurangnya. Karena diambil dari materi stand up, emosinya kurang berasa jadi endingnya agak krik krik pas dibaca. Mungkin akan beda impactnya kalau gue dengerin langsung pas Ernest ngelucu alih - alih baca di buku karena emosi yang tidak bisa disampaikan dari bahasa lisan ke bahasa tulisan.

Walau gitu, gue suka bagian saat Ernest share tip parenting yang akan gue coba terapkan juga nanti kalau gue akhirnya dikaruniai anak. Bagian Ernest fanboying ke Reza Rahadian juga menarik karena walau orang suka bosan dengan film yang dibintangi Reza dan ngomong "Reza lagi, Reza lagi, kayak ga ada aktor lain aja", malah jadi mengukuhkan kalau Reza memang salah satu aktor terbaik di Indo. Gue juga suka bagian Ernest cerita proses di balik bikin film Cek Toko Sebelah (CTS). Ngelihat nama Jenny Jusuf jadi salah satu penulis naskah CTS gue ketawa keras2 karena tahu betapa kontroversialnya Jenjus di sosmed apalagi di Twitter. Gue juga salut sama cara Ernest namain anak - anaknya. Anti mainstream karena ga namain anak dia dengan nama2 Keisya, Queensha, Farasyaa atau nama apapun yang berakhir dengan huruf "A".

Sisanya sih, terlalu nano nano for my taste. Ngingetin sama buku Imperfect yang ditulis sama istrinya Ernest, Meira, karena sama - sama campur aduknya. Kalau suka materi stand up comedy atau ingin cari yang ringan - ringan, boleh lah cek Setengah Jalan. 

And Ernest, stop called yourself "OLD" when you are only 35 years old when you wrote "Setengah Jalan"! Loe di tahun 2024 aja masih 42, itu MASIH MUDA YA! Gue yang pas baca buku ini di 2024 umur 37 tahun wicis lebih tua 2 tahun daripada loe pas nulis buku ini aja masih merasa muda kok hahaha. Masa kalah sama bos gue yang usianya udah 65 tahunan lebih tapi dia selalu merasa muda dan emang masih semangat kayak anak buahnya yang gen millenial dan gen Z! 

 Finally I have concluded my Kate Daniels series binge reading with Blood Heir. Took 2 months to finish 13 full novels (Kate's 10 full novel, Hugh's and then Julie's) and many novellas in between. I need to complete my Magic Triumphs review so maybe I'll do some re-read after this, but let's focus onto Julie's book, Blood Heir.

If you follow IA's blog, Blood Heir first serialized in their web under "Aurelia Ryder" series and written when in 2020 pandemic. The year that I'm sure change our life and still affect me to this day. No wonder that Blood Heir also have a slightly "pandemic" vibes especially the homesickness and can't meet a family member that we hold dear. Blood Heir start with Julie finally come back to Atlanta after 8 years but she can't meet Kate because if she meet her, the enemy called Moloch will kill Kate. Julie now go with name Aurelia Ryder, a new face, a new scent, unrecognizable with Atlanta's citizen that once know Julie is Kate's ward. So, we will met characters that we had known and loved but also new characters as well.

Did Julie meet Derek? Of course, but Derek also change and their relationship got more complicated than ever. 

I see some reviews that compared Julie with Kate and I think that inevitable. I read Kate's books and I love her personality and her relationship not only with Curran but also another characters as well. I know that some can be harsh with said Julie is Kate 2.0 or worse, Kate 98 version. Maybe that true, but I think it's also a little bit unfair. There are some similarities between Julie and Kate, but there are also differences. Kate start as a loner and killer, she hide who she is the whole of series up to Magic Strikes because Voron told her to hide her magic in order to avoid Roland so Kate is more prominent in sword fighting rather than magic. Even when Kate finally using her blood magic with the help of Erra, Kate still hesitant to fully embrace it and only decide to use her ability to the fullest because of Conlan (as shown in Magic Triumph and more in the Wilmington Years novella). In Blood Heir, IA describe that Julie's appearance change is because the Eye of Moloch and she wished to become like Kate and Erra. Stronger and harder to kill. In my opinion, Julie's wish is very humane. When you have a Shinar princess as your Mom and Shinar queen as your Grandmother, of course you want to be like them even it was start as a wishful thinking. Julie also want to belong because she start as a street kid. Unlike Kate, Julie learn under Erra's teaching and embrace her role as the heir of Erra in New Shinar Kingdom. While at first Julie seems like better than Kate, I feel like it's unfair to compare them. Kate is her own person, so does Julie. There's no appearance of Kate and I think that's for the better because Kate will overshadow Julie and Blood Heir is Julie's story. Also, when I first read Magic Burn, I admit I can't stand Julie because I think she was bratty. But in my second read, I change my opinion because teenager supposed to be bratty, heh.

To see old characters that we love is a delight to read. Barabas and Christopher married and their daughter, Sophia is adorable. I hope we get glimpse into the children but so far only Sophia and Conlan that have some role. True to the tradition, just like Kate saved Julie back then, Julie also save a street kid named Marten. But, contrary to Julie, Marten is a savvy 7 years old that have bottomless pit and also maybe hide some secret of her own. There's some appearance by our favorite wizard, Luther and his scene is funny and hilarious because

he's one of people that recognize Aurelia Ryder as Julie just because of her magic pattern

. The fracture of the Pack already begun (as shown in Magic Claims novella) and I don't know if the rumble will come sooner or later. What surprised me more is maybe about Nick. To see Nick

have relationship with Desandra is kinda out of nowhere but I can totally see that. They have history back then in Magic Breaks with Nick injured Desandra. So, I really want to know how they become an item? What is Desandra first that make moves or Nick? I see that Nick's love for Desandra is very genuine and maybe their romantic relationship already known by the Order and the Pack. I want to see them married or have their HEA and really hope nothing dire will come to them. While Nick can be very frustrating, I want to see Desandra finally find her happiness because of what happen to her in Magic Rises.

The Atlanta People's faction now have new name and Ghastek is its CEO. I like that while Julie's ability and blood magic mirrored Kate, she doesn't want to navigate the vampire. Thanks for the small favor! There some of surprised character's appearance that 

come back from the death. Heh, Saiman, you sexual deviant. LOL, he's still cowardly til' the end. I think there's no hope for his redemption because Saiman is Saiman. He will never change who he is, a sociopath Jotunn that only think of himself.

About Ascanio, well he also change too. Gone the pervert mischief bouda teenager because Ascanio now is Beta of the Clan Bouda and apparently he vying for the Beast Lord position. I don't think he will become one of Julie's main love interest, because unlike Julie and Derek, I see Ascanio is just a friend. Okay, I admit I'm a Team Metal Rose, lel. Although I kinda disappointed to see the way of their relationship unfold. Julie is still not over Derek despite she want to move on, but Derek also can be so dense! I had read Magic Stars and there's a hint that Derek already loved Julie back. But in that novella, Julie is till in her 16-ish while Derek already 20-ish so I understand why Derek want to be in status quo but Julie also hopelessly in love with Derek and not just a teenage crush. Their lack of communication and misunderstanding in the end is hurt to read and I really want to smack them both like "what are you two doing? why are you act both immature despite of your ages?". I know that both Julie and Derek's feeling hurt because Julie left Atlanta without telling Derek but in the other side Julie hope that Derek will pursue her by ask how she was doing or maybe do some mating dance or what, lel. I just shake my head and I wonder how IA will solve this problem in the next book. If Julie frequently compared to Kate, I don't think Derek is a carbon copy of Curran. First, Derek is more like calm and cold type. He's like to howling not roaring (duh!), but he's not that arrogant, unlike Curran. Namtur once called Derek as Shepherd of the Wolf and like Julie, Derek's wolf form also change so there's something going on with him that still unrevealed yet.

I think this review is already long enough, lol. For me, Blood Heir as a start of the new series is good and well written. Blood Heir will always be compared to Kate's books, it's inevitable. But for the beginning of Julie's adventure and maybe her HEA with Derek (please IA, Derek for Julie, Ascanio (or maybe Yu Fong, lol) can be for everyone, lol), Blood Heir is still a must read and I can't wait to read book 2 especially with that ending that have while didn't end in cliffhanger but have some promise for more stories to come. 

  If Magic Tides is an appetizer with hints of nostalgia for loyal Kate Daniels series reader, then Magic Tides is a full main course that established Ilona Andrews as one of my favorite authors and Kate & Curran as one of premiere alpha pairing in urban fantasy genre that continue rule supreme.

At first, I think Magic Claims will be in a light tone like Magic Tides. Just a glimpse into the life of Lennarts family in the Wilmington. But, I'm wrong. IA once said in their blog that they intent for this book to be in novella length but in the end it's almost a full novel! I'm not complain tho, more words to consume for me. The story itself more like the continuation of what happen after Magic Breaks . Especially regarding Curran's decision to left the Pack and how after more than ten years together Kate still feel guilty about that since she thought that Curran left because of Roland's ultimatum. Actually since I had read Curran's PoV in Small Magics but I think not everyone that follow Kate Daniels series read it so IA once again wrote that

Curran left the Pack because it's the right things to do. He know that Kate hate it and Kate become a Consort because of him. So Kate already sacrifice so much. Curran also admit that the Pack is already fractured for a long time. He create the Pack based on Mahon's views, not Curran's. The last straw already happen in Magic Bleeds so to see Curran finally left the Pack is inevitable. I always think the fall of the Pack is kinda like poetic justice. We see Pack in all of their glory in the Magic Bites only to see that its have so many faults with the series progresses. Even Curran admit that he and the Pack become xenophobic and I liked that he willing to change his views and change for the better

I once write about Jim in my review of Magic Tides and finally what happen with Pack under Jim as Beast Lord come to the light. I never see Jim as a villain, there's many hateful characters to be despised from Kate Daniels series and deserve their villain status. But to see how Jim finally become is quite sad. He become

like his father was. His savior complex getting worse and unlike Kate that keep Curran's arrogance in check, I'm afraid that Dali see Jim in a rose colored glass so she just let Jim act as he please. Erra once warn Kate that the Pack will fractured, not in the timeline of Magic Claims but will happen years after

. I read in IA interview that Jim is a character that hard to write so I wonder if they will finally redeem him in the future and maybe Jim will mend his friendship, both to Curran and Kate.

Just like its title, Kate again try to claiming a land like what she did back then in Atlanta. But, unlike her immediate and rush claiming, Kate now have years to practice and Erra also guide her to learn about her heritage. Oh, Kate still reluctant to fully embrace her Shinar magic, but she's now mature and didn't hesitant to use it when necessary. It's satisfying to read Kate's character development from Magic Bites to Magic Claims. Her personality change to the better but her old shelf as a killer still shone through. Kate will never be a Queen although Jushur insist that she's the Sharratum, lol. Not everyone must be a queen with crown. 

The challenge about written a pair that already achieve their HEA is they become mundane and stagnant. That's not the case with Kate and Curran. If possible, their love grew stronger and they have goals now to protect Conlan. I really like when Curran say that he will do everything to see Kate smile again like his stabby Kate and I love the scene when Kate call Curran "His Furriness". Their bantering is a delight to read especially Curran's flirting that really, really smooth. IA show that even the characters already married that didn't mean they will become boring of sort. I like that after decade, Kate and Curran still find things to be laugh together, have deep talks regarding their future, compromise especially about if they got injured and try to not rush to the danger and so on. That's what marriage do, not only based on love but based on companionship.

Roland still an interesting character and to call him a villain now maybe stretching it a bit. He's more like a morally grey character now. I like that Roland written with so many facets. He's a megalomaniac tyrant but also a wise grandfather to Conlan although he love to disparaging Curran. Maybe he still doesn't want Kate to marry Curran, but he didn't refuse it either. Complicated, thy name is Roland. He also still like to manipulate Kate and maybe still not talking with Erra. But, I like that despite so many of his faults, he can see that Kate's doubt about using her magic is because Kate afraid that she will turn into Roland or Erra. So Roland's dialogue about Kate to not hesitant to use her magic maybe show that he try to understand his children. Fascinating character indeed. Erra herself still become a stern aunt and I still can't believe how she become Kate's enemy back then in Magic Bleeds and how she also make Curran go comatose but now Erra and Curran respect each other. People do change, huh.

There's so many interesting characters in Magic Claims like Kellan's Wilminton Pack with his renders and another Roland's people, Jushur and his son Rimush. My favorite renders is Owen and Troy who keep bickering to each other, lel. The enemy itself have pretty unique background and kinda come from nowhere, lol. Still interesting to read. The scene when the Penderton's citizen panicked about Kate's claiming envoke my emotions because at first they seems ungrateful to what Kate and Curran did, but Curran's speech (without too much roar) assure them. Conlan is still totes adorable and the enemy identity get revealed because of him.

I read Magic Claims before Blood Heir aka Julie's book so maybe this book kinda explained what happen in Julie's story because Magic Claim timeline is 1 or 2 years before the event in Blood Heir. IA promise that there will be Wilmington 3 that will released in 2024. Can't wait!! 

Kate and Curran on retirement? Trying to lay low with moving to Wilmington? HA, joke on them, because we always know problems always follow Kate everywhere. Just kidding. I usually give 4 stars for novella in Kate Daniels's world, but the Wilmington novella written as good as the full length novel, my complaint is just a few compared to the delight that I feel after finish read it. 

Review will contain spoilers from previous Kate's books

About Kate: 

I read from some reviews that Kate now more mature. From my observation, it's more like Kate didn't have any high stake threats after her battle against Neig in Magic Triumphs. The sword is no longer dangle above her head, nor that Roland will target Conlan because Roland is entrap in Neig's realms. Oh, Roland will do his best to influence Conlan to his own megalomaniac views but Conlan is lucky to have both Kate and Curran to keep the boy in check. I like that despite Kate want to stay low profile in Wilmington, she can't help to save people in needs although Conlan kinda manipulated her in the first place. I like the discussion between Kate and Rimush, that IA still manage to write Kate as a reluctant leader although she have the capability (and ability) to be a leader. The interesting part is when Rimush said that those who hesitant to use the power of the leadership is those who will benefited people they lead. Also, now Ghastek have a rival because apparently Rimush want to serve Kate, lol (

About Curran and Conlan:

I like that IA decide to give Curran and Conlan their own PoV, since in Magic Tides the Lennart family kind of separated in order to save Darin. Kate in search of Darin and Curran try to hold Fort Kure from the gang that kidnapped Darin in the first place. I like the interaction between Curran and Conlan, how Curran didn't forbade Conlan to meet his grandfather but also constantly remind Conlan that Roland is dangerous. Also, I kinda miss the shapeshifters interaction! There's no appearance of Derek, but a new wolf shifter named Keelan got introduced and he's a hoot. Sigh, IA keep introduced interesting new characters! Keelan seems to be a new role model for Conlan. And speaking about Conlan, he's totes adorable and also prodigy. I will wait the time when he will call Roland of all his bullshit, lol

About relationship between Kate & Hugh, also Curran & Jim:

I don't know what happen after Magic Triumphs and 7 year gaps that happen, but to sum it up the relationship between Kate and Hugh also Curran & Jim is "water under the bridge". We got scenes when Hugh make amends in Magic Triumphs and maybe time sure heal any wounds because Kate and Hugh is now just like a family to each other. Kate even act as one of Iron Dogs when trying to deceive Barrett, a Master of Dead that responsible for Wilmington's People base, the Farm. Their interaction evolve from enemies to family. Even Curran bonding with Hugh over a moat, although I think they will not forget that once they try to kill each other in the past. But, the process happen otherwise for Curran and Jim. The lack of Jim's appearance in Magic Triumphs now make sense. Curran acknowledge that Jim is no longer his best friend and how his views and Jim's regarding the Pack was different. This is very sad to read because of how Curran lost Jim. Jim once was Curran's Chief of Security, he was Curran's Best Man in the wedding. It's thanks to Jim that Kate and Curran met and the rest is history. To see a friendship turn sour is very heartbreaking. I get why some of BDH perceive Jim as one of the worst villain, but I don't know. Loss of best friend happen because life happen. I will wait what IA have for Jim and if there's any chance that Jim and Curran will reconcile

For a novella, Magic Tides as entertaining as the full novel. My complaint maybe because Kate and Curran separated for almost all the book because I like when they are together in the books. It's just me tho, because Kate and Curran is already become a solid couple and maybe one or two distance is fine. I like the touch of the Celt myth that IA used and with some tidbits about Irish people in Wilmington maybe we will get more Celt myth's fiasco in the future. 

Kate and Curran try to stay low and to give a chance for Conlan to live is a normal kid. But maybe, their wish is for naught because we know that they will never back down from any challenge! I welcome for more Wilmington year novella! 

Debut in Magic Slays, then stealing spotlight and maybe will snatch Andrea from Raphael in Gunmetal Magic (also shout his favorite Gandalf lines), then become a wedding planner extraordinaire in Magic Binds, our favorite Black Volvh Roman Grigorinovic Tihomirov finally debuted in his own story. Happen 1 or 2 years after Magic Triumphs, we finally get a glimpse of what Roman do in his times serving his Dark God, Chernobog.

I really enjoy reading Sanctuary although Roman is grumpier than usual, but there's a reason behind that. The story start with Roman give sanctuary to a little boy that got hunted by mercenaries and unknown enemy. The identity of the enemy still a mystery, tho. Roman did what Roman do and I really like the magic battle that ensues. Very different from Kate of course. Roman's magic more like long range magic based on his Slavic deity. Near the end of story, Roman will meet his potential romantic interest, a Vasilisa . Apparently, Roman know her back then and the Valisila (named Andora) was an unwilling victim of Roman's magic going awry when Roman is in his 12-ish. I like that IA didn't sugarcoated that what Roman did was bullying even Roman had his reason and in the end Roman apologized properly to Andora. But, the romance is more like a hint and maybe will explored more in the next Roman's novella. Yep, IA already confirmed that Roman will get another story to be told.

One of the highlight of this novella is Evdokia. OMG, she's a hoot, lol. She's such a concern mother that currently nagging Roman to married and make babies, with some commentary that make laughing so hard (low sperm count? Maybe Roman have low testosterone and must get tested? LOLOLOL). The Baba Yaga sure enjoying herself in order to get Roman walk the altar. There's also some explanation about Roman's deceased brother and how Roman got chosen as Chernobog's volvh. 

My one (and only) complaint just this book is short, lel. But, for a novella, Sanctuary pack quite a punch because there's a long essay from Mod R (if you a visitor of IA's blog, you will know her) about Vasilisa, Baba Yaga and stock characters in Slavic Myth. Sanctuary is filled with many Slavic creatures, especially in Roman's nechist that consist of so many creatures with names that hard to pronounce. We also got glimpse into Chernobog's realms, Nav and some of meaningful discussion about what the characters perceive as evil and good. 

A good novella that reveal that our favorite black Volvh have some depths and also a difficult past that shape him as a character that we know and loved. Looking forward to more Roman's story!! 

 5 STARS ++++

After binge reading for almost 2 month, I have reached the conclusion of Kate Daniels's arc against her father Roland that is Magic Triumphs. 

Finally....

Nah, we know that the story still continued to Julie's book in Blood Heir and we also get some of novella from Kate and Curran (and their son, Conlan) in Magic Tides and Magic Claims. Also don't forget Hugh's own book in Iron Covenant 2 and Roman's novella Sanctuary. Godness, BDH aka Book Devouring Horde is a menace and we demand MORE books from Kate & co, because admit it, IA write so many wonderful characters that need their story to be told.

I need time to process, lol. But for me in term of awesomeness and 5+++ stars rating, Magic Triumphs come in third place behind Magic Strikes (the first) and Magic Breaks (the second). It's not that Magic Triumphs was worse written. Quite the opposite to be exact, because IA carefully close some story threads that need to be closed while still left many mysteries open, such as Julie's fate in the end of the book (that we know will be continued into Blood Heir). And not all beloved characters have scenes and parts. Like our naughty bouda Ascanio (that have some part in Iron and Magic) or the good doctor Dolittle. I admit, I'm become so familiar with Dolittle presence since Kate love to get herself to hurt but in Magic Triumphs, surprisingly the amount of wound that Kate inflicted to herself is minimum. Maybe because she's already a mother to Conlan. Reading about her become a helicopter parent is funny, lel

Will write more after I sit it for some times. Maybe, will do some little re-read, heh 

Small Magics is anthology of some short stories from Kate Daniels series that already published in another anthology and another short stories that not from Kate's series

Magic Tests

I had read this short stories before in Magic Breaks and I believe this is the first time Julie get her own PoV. Fun and interesting, Julie show that she is as shrewd as Kate and she have so much potential in the future. Yeah, Julie is a brat but her brattines and know-it-all still in manageable level. Her sensate magic is unique and I wonder how it will get explored in Julie's own book, Blood Heir.

A Questionable Client

First time meeting between Kate and the sexual deviant, Saiman. Apparently Saiman already try to wooing Kate from the first time they meet and if you had read Magic Bleeds, you know that Saiman try his damnedest to get into Kate's pants just to prove his point about emotions and relationship. We all know how its end, poor Saiman (not). I like the touch of Slavic myth that IA used and also got to know some interesting creatures as well.

Retribution Clause

Eh, too short and not much pages to get to know more about Adam Talbot and his partner, Siroun, except for that Adam is Saiman's cousin and both he and Siroun is part of insurance company adjuster. I don't know what Siroun is and if her feeling for Adam is romantic or not. A pity because the story seems interesting

Of Swine and Rose

Cute! As cute as a YA short story can be. It's also end when things become interesting *sigh

Grace of Small Magics

So this short story first published in Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance and in 2009. Maybe that's why the romance is the main focus and also happen fast although still well written. I believe some parts of this short story such as the war between Clan and the unique magic system was expanded more into Hidden Legacy although both Grace and Nassar didn't appear in that series.

 Curran's PoV

This. This is the best part of this anthology. Save the best for the last, hehe. With all of Kate's books told entirely from Kate's 1st PoV, it's a wonder to know what His Majesty thinking. So, IA decide to write some scenes from Curran's PoV from Magic Bites to Magic Bleeds and with one addition, from Magic Breaks. From Unicorn Lane and Fernando's scene in Magic Bites, it's appear that Curran already interested to Kate. The interest become full blown mating frenzy in the Soup scene from Magic Burns. So, His Furriness is falling first and very hard at that, heh. I often read that Kate really, REALLY love Curran and she think that she was unlovable at first. But if only she know what Curran thinking in their first meeting, she may know that Curran also love her so much. We also get to know why Curran didn't appear for his Naked Dinner with Kate and well, no wonder he didn't make it in time. He try to settle some of domestic dispute!

Sadly, there's no Curran's PoV from Magic Rises, because admit it, he's very suck in pretending to interesting to other girl just in order to keep Kate safe. But maybe IA try to not write that part because I know that Magic Rises make some readers upset to Curran (me included). Magic Breaks told about Curran's past when he lost his family to the loups and meet Mahon. The rest when he become Beast Lord is a history although I want to know what Mahon thinking in the first place to sent Curran to fight Andorlf in the first place when Curran is in his 16 or 16-ish. Beside Curran, we also got Jim's PoV when he become Beast Lord after Curran's abdication. While I know that Curran trust Jim and consider Jim as his best friend, I don't know if Jim really cut it to be a Beast Lord since Jim's paranoia is off the chart just like what he did in Magic Binds. Only time will tell, I guess.

Small Magics is a must read if you love Kate Daniels series and especially if you want to know more about Curran, since his voice and PoV is pretty interesting to read