Magic Rises is..a book that sure evoke so many reactions and divide fans opinion, lel. For me, the series is going strong and IA didn't afraid to take a punch although some drama in this book feel unnecessary. I state in my review of Gunmetal Magic, for the novella Magic Gifts, Kate and Curran seems like in a happy bliss. They are work as a couple and enjoying their honeymoon phase. Like a calm before storm. Imagine that the storm happen in Magic Rises and not storm either. More like a hurricane. A mix of political bullshit from the shapeshifter, sickening obsession from Roland's warlord and emotional turmoil that Kate feels regarding Curran's decisions and plans.

Many spoilers ahead, you've been warned.

About Kate and Curran,

yes, I know that many reader were pissed off about Curran's plans regarding Lorelei. Yes, Kate's jealousy in valid and also hard to read because we know Kate is WAY BETTER and ABOVE the spoiled princess. But, to knowing and to experience it is a different things. IA show how shapeshifter behave and also throw some hints that in the future Curran and Kate will left the Pack because admit it, Kate endure the Consort role because she love Curran not because she want to lead the Pack. Their love and relationship were tested in this book and while Curran apologize and explain his plan because he just want to ensure Kate's safety,it's no wonder that Kate feel hollow and empty in the end. I will do the same if I in her shoes, because Kate has a big trust issues and commitments. We follow her journey from Magic Bites and how she slowly open to people around her while dreading the time when Roland will find her and kill everyone she hold dear. I can't blame Curran totally because his plan actually make sense, but he doing a suck job about it. I feel like Kate forgive Curran TOO easily and I need Curran to grovel more, lol. Contrary to their first big fight in Magic Bleeds that feel immature and juvenile, their conflicts in Magic Rises resolved in a calm and mature way. Oh, Kate still angry, Curran also throw some rocks and roar menacingly. But in the end, all is end well

About Lorelei,

I pity her. I don't think she can become Kate's rival and come on, she didn't hold the candle. She just a spoiled wolf princess and as much I want to bitch slap her, in the end the right way is totally ignore her. Desandra described that Lorelei is a sociopath while Curran said that she is a naive and totally sheltered in her own point of view regarding shapeshifter's politics. So her end seems fitting, she become forgettable in the end. Still want to see Kate bitch slap her in the end, tho. Not killing, just bitch slap. It's will be satisfying to read but alas, we can't have it all

About the yellow flag character

farewell Aunt B, you will be missed. I read one of my friend review that said someone beside the villain always end up died. Aunt B's death is painful to read. Bran's death in Magic Burns is kinda hard because Bran actually can make Curran run for his money and he seems like a good candidate for become Kate's love interest. I forgot who died in Magic Strikes and in Magic Bleeds, Erra's death didn't count because she was a villain. Daniel's death in Magic Slays more like a plot device to let Jennifer out from the page in the future so basically his death is just.. there. Aunt B is different. We know her from the Magic Bites, she is one of Pack Council and she also play big role in accepting Andrea to her Bouda Clan. I feel like her death is to pave the way for Andrea to become the alpha for the boudas. But, is death the only way? Sure we can see Aunt B retire peacefully so she can live to see her grandchildren? Aunt B's death is difficult, sure she died heroically because in the end she saved both Raphael and Andrea. I think maybe she didn't have regret because her husbands (both Raphael's dad and her late husband that play minor role in Magic Mourns) already dead but the future for Bouda Clan is secure. Still, her death is one of the most painful scene I read, more than Bran's death in Magic Burns

Regarding Hugh d'Ambray, he feel like an anti-hero rather than villain. If people ship him with Kate, I will just, umm nope, they are too much alike they won't work. Hugh's sick obsession with Kate is entertaining to read. He's cunning, manipulative, but he also a strategist and tactician, so I look forward to read more about him (and yeah, I know that IA already write a spin-off about Hugh).

The European shapeshifters are nasty and their political maneuvers suck. No wonder Kate's hands totally tied regarding Lorelei's act toward Curran. They constantly underestimated her but I'm glad our girl make from rock while I know her emotions was running high. I like the myth regarding the lamassu and I'm curious about 

Astamur the shepherd. Who is he? Astamur more like a name that he used like Roland using a new name so the original identity of Astamur is still in mystery. Atsany is more like a hobbit creature and apparently an original creatures that IA created because when I search for atsany myth, I got their blog, lol

. There's no memorable characters from Obluda, Volkodavi and Belve Ravennati pack because admit it, they are all sucks with their own agendas. Anyway, I really like Desandra! Sure she behave like a difficult person in the first but do not forget that she is heavily pregnant and Desandra actually is not what she seems to be. She's more than a dumb wolf princess and she hide some surprises that will revealed in the end.

What surprised me in Magic Rises is Mahon. From the start, it seems that Mahon is disagree about Curran's decision to mate with Kate but he still accept Kate as the Consort. But, when Kate is cornered to the back because she is the only human in a castle full of shapeshifter, it's Mahon who support Kate because he knows how it feel to be an outsider. My opinion regarding Mahon drastically change and I hope Mahon will become Kate's father figure too in the future. Derek is Derek, a boy wonder that will support Kate. We also got introduced to Jim's sister Keira that have interesting past with one of Mahon's subordinate in Clan Heavy, Eduardo. Saiman also play some roles and while still hate each other, both Saiman and Curran let go of their animosity and join hands to get the panacea. Poor Dr Doolittle, but I get to know his real name. Also I'm totally support Barabas and Christopher!

The start of the book is kinda slow and I agree that the story can go round and round but the last chapter is totally worth to read. I can said that chapter alone is the saving grace for Magic Rises although I know that some reader maybe feel that it's a little bit rush. Not an easy book to read and maybe not one of my favorite Kate Daniels book because you know.....CURRAN SUCKS!!!! (although he pack a mean home run), but still entertaining to the end.

Oh, how can I forget the weredolphin? WEREDOLPHIN, y'all. The more you know. But, they are pirates, so they are far from cute and adorable. You've been warned.