Much Ado About Magic

Much Ado About Magic Shanna Swendson

Hi All. This is the fifth book in the Katie Chandler series, so there are some spoilers for the other books. 'Tis the nature of the beast.

The first four books in this series were published by Random House. Swendson wrote the 5th book for her Japanese publisher, but it never came out here in the States until she decided to just go ahead and self-publish it. (And I am SO GLAD she did!) I asked my library to buy it, and they did, and if the holds list is anything to go by, I'm not the only one who was excited to read it.

Back in New York and back with Owen, Katie's also back on the job, this time as the Head of Marketing at MSI. But, the bad guys have turned up the juice not only with their marketing (and actual stores!) but they have a more sinister plot in mind. They're creating mischief and bad spells and also selling amulets to "protect" magical beings from them. The MSI crew is up against a lot, and no matter what they do, they're playing right into the hands of a plot that's been brewing for a long, long time and will end with Owen in jail.

Another great addition to the series. I really like how we see more of the Spellworks plot and how much higher it goes, and why it's happening at all. There are a lot more magical world politics, which is something I always enjoy. Owen's always been this super-powerful orphan mystery, and his backstory gets fully explained, which is nice. I also like the other side of Gloria that we finally get to see. AND! I almost forgot, now that Katie's the Head of Marketing, she gets her own assistant. I love Perdita. She's not a great assistant, but still useful. PLUS, she knows what magic can really do-- she's been working on perfecting all of Starbucks's seasonal beverages so she can have one (or zap one for Katie) anytime of year. Now there's a power I can get behind!

Book Provided by... my local library

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Don't Hex with Texas

Don't Hex with Texas Shanna Swendson

This is the 4th book in the Katie Chandler series, so there will be spoilers for the earlier books.

At the end of Damsel Under Stress, Owen had a choice between saving the world and saving Katie. He chose Katie.

Katie needs to keep Owen out of danger, to keep him from having to make the same decision again, so she’s left New York and moved back home to Texas. Life is pretty boring as she works in her family’s farm supply store. No magic wars, just wars with her brothers and sisters-in law. But then her mother starts seeing weird things and Katie sees all the markers of magic brewing.

Turns out, Irdis is now recruiting people online and teaching them magic, including someone in Katie’s own backyard, and Owen’s on the case.

LOVED this one. The change of scenery works really well, and I love how much more we learn about magic and immunity and how it all works. Most of the important characters are still here, but we get some great new ones (especially Granny. I LOVE Granny.) I also really enjoyed seeing Katie on her home turf and how she reacts when her New York life and Texas life collide in a major way.

Book Provided by... my local library

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Damsel Under Stress

Damsel Under Stress Shanna Swendson

This is the 3rd book in the Katie Chandler series. Obviously, there are some spoilers for earlier books

Wahoo! Katie and Owen finally got their act (and themselves) together. But, of course, in the world of corporate magic, it all goes to hell in a handbasket immediately.

Ari’s escaped from MSI’s holding cells and it quickly becomes apparent that Irdis is a puppet in a larger plot to bring down Merlin and the MSI team.

Plus, every time Katie and Owen do get a moment together, Katie’s fairy grandmother tries to “help” with disastrous consequences.

Poor Katie and Owen! Owen just gets more and more adorable and Katie’s determination to keep her magical and non-magical lives separate gets harder and harder. I also love how the Irdis plot continues to deepen and thicken, giving it more teeth. Owen also takes Katie home for Christmas, and finally meeting his foster parents explains a lot.

Not my favorite book in the series, but a good bridge novel for the later part of the series.

Book Provided by... my local library

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Once Upon Stilettos

Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson

Katie Chandler is back! Just a small town Texan girl living in the city. Her friends all think she's normal to a fault, but at work, her normalness is what makes her special. She's Merlin's Assistant at Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc. because she's completely immune to magic. She can see through illusions and glamors.

Phelan Idris may have been defeated, but he hasn't given up. In fact, he's now stalking Katie outside of work to try to get under her skin (it's working.) Plus, top secret plans have been stolen from Owen's lab, so no one at MSI is trusting, or talking to anyone else, let alone working as a team. Merlin puts Katie on the task of finding out who's the inside-man and finding a way to boost morale. Plus, she's dating Ethan and trying to have one date where magic doesn't turn it into a disaster. To top it all off, her parents are in town, and it turns out, her mother's also immune.

Katie's barely keeping her head above water, and that's when her immunity goes away. And doesn't come back.

So, Katie explained *why* it took her so long to tell anyone she lost her immunity, but I totally wanted to smack her the entire time about that-- such a stupid decision. I did like Katie's interactions with her parents and how she kept having to come up with new excuses to give her mother about what she was seeing. I also really liked the mystery at play. I was very surprised by who the culprit turned out to be and did NOT see it coming, even though, looking back, the clues were completely there.

I also just love this brand of urban fantasy. Despite the big bads, it's light and fluffy and very fun.

I want more Rod. He's a character that's growing on me and I'd like to delve into that a little more. I also really loved the hilarity of when Katie was no longer immune to him.

But overall, I just like Katie. She's full of plain common sense (except for the stupid decision above) and has a good head on her shoulders. She's a bit insecure around guys, but not in a "oh, I'm so boring and normal and plain but every guy in the world wants me" sort of way. I find her insecurity honest and it doesn't get in the way of everything else. Yes, guys are there, but she has bigger things on her plate, so they're not the major priority.

Overall, it remains a fun series that I'm excited about reading more of.

Book Provided by... my local library

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Enchanted, Inc.

Enchanted, Inc. Shanna Swendson

Katie Chandler is from a small town in Texas, trying to make it in the business world of New York City. She lives with her friends from college (who all manage to have awesome jobs, even though they have the same degrees? But still can't afford anything bigger than 3 girls sharing a 1-bedroom?) She has a horrible job and no dating prospects. She's a plain-Jane normal boring every-girl. To the point, where her voice is kinda boring to read.

UNTIL.

Katie's used to seeing weird things that she just assumes are the freaks and weirdos of New York City. It turns out that she's just completely immune to magic. Most people have a bit of magic in them, just enough to be susceptible to cloaking spells. Not Katie. It turns out this is a good thing. Magic, Spells, and Illusions quickly hires her as a verifier. She can see if the competition has slipped anything into contracts and hidden it and other things. At MSI, Katie's extreme normalness is an asset and that's where her voice and the action pick up. The boys are better, then romantic tension is better (although this is NOT a romance chick-lit type book) and the MSI world and corporate intrigue is pretty good, too.

It took my awhile to get into it, but once I did, I fell in love. I can't wait to read the rest of the series. I like the fact that it didn't end up being standard chicklit fare as far as the romance goes. I liked the corporate intrigue with the magical twist. I really like Owen. I'm excited to see where this one is going.

Book Provided by... my local library

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.