Help A Bitch Out

Violet Has a May 31 Dilemma

Violet has a dilemma, and she needs your help.

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I have a problem that I hope the Bitchery can help me with. (Perhaps some of you have the self-same problem?) I call it the “What to read? What to read? The May 31st dilemma.”

May 31st is coming, which ordinarily wouldn’t mean much. Just another day. But it’s a Tuesday this year, which means it’s a book release day. Again, ordinarily it mightn’t mean much. Maybe something interesting is being released, maybe something not. But this year, I have a problem.

Two books that I really, really, really want to read are being released that day. (Did I mention that I really want to read them? Both of them? I say again ‘cause I can’t emphasize it enough: I really want to read them.) Of course, I’ll be reading both of them, but which one should I read first? That is my dilemma.

Book Cover Book Cover Y’all know what I’m talking about: Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews, and Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh. Both authors have created wonderful, compelling stories and characters. (I know I don’t have to tell you that.) I am caught up in the worlds they created and can’t wait to find out what happens next in the series. Both authors are on my auto-buy, auto-read list. I mean, they don’t even make it to the TBR pile to begin with. Whatever I’m currently reading gets put aside until I’ve finishing devouring the latest Andrews or Singh book.

Magic Slays is Book 5 in the Kate Daniels series. So far, Ilona Andrews has maintained the momentum established thus far in the previous books. I’ve never been disappointed, and love how Kate’s relationships with her friends and Curran are revealed and evolve as the books progress. In Magic Slays, I know I’ll get a good, solid tale in the Kate Daniels saga. Along with Kate, I’ll learn a little more about her father, her abilities, her relationships, and the magic-riddled world of alternate Atlanta. I know when the book is finished I’ll feel satisfied and fulfilled, and will be looking forward to the next book in the series.

Kiss of Snow is Book-Number-Something-Double-Digits-Already? in the Psy-Changeling series. Some of the books are better than others (i.e., have more interesting characters and stories). In general, for me, the earlier books are the ones that really captured my interest; some of the more recent ones have been hit-or-miss. (Could it be because in every recent book I’ve grown increasingly impatient for the Hawke-Sienna story to come to fruition? I mean, we know this is where it’s headed, so get on with it already. Grr.) I’m worried, of course, that there’s been too much anticipation (on my part and perhaps the author’s as well), and I’ll ultimately be disappointed because I’ve built it up too much in my mind. But I still have to read it and hope for the best.

So, since I can’t choose which I’d like to read first, I thought I’d ask the Bitchery for their thoughts and suggestions.


OK, then, it’s poll time! Which one do you think Violet ought to read first? Whichever you pick, she’s agreed to read first.

 

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  1. Helly says:

    Kate would be my choice. But then, I have not read a single Nalini Singh.

    If you want to put off choosing for a while, read “Hold Me Closer, Necromancer” by Lish McBride. Seriously good book.

  2. Aliyah says:

    The real question isn’t which to read first, it is which will leave you happiest. I think, given the possibility that Kiss of Snow may leave you disappointed, you should read that first.

    So if it turns out well, you go into Magic Slays happily and if it doesn’t you know you still have a back-up plan so that you don’t go to sleep angry/disappointed/feeling like you wasted your energy or time/etc.

    And anyway, Magic Slays should be read at night next to a crackling fire (in this weather with the air conditioner on but so what! atomsphere is important) if it is anything like the other Kate Daniels books.

  3. Donna says:

    Kiss Of Snow!!!! (I wish I lived in America – not released until August (!ARGH!) in the UK – but it does have a cooler cover http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/images/0575105674/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=266239&s=books – at least I think so.)

  4. Vorpaks says:

    I would go for Kiss of Snow first, that way if it doesn’t live up to expectations (though I am sure it will!!!), you still have Magic Slays to give you that happy fufilled feeling.

    My question is why do they always release these freaking books on a Tuesday??? I am going to be completely zombified for the entire week thanks to my inability to put the books down! Can’t they release it on Friday before the holiday weekend??? Grrrr….

  5. Elizabeth Smith says:

    Read the Kate Daniels one first, while you wait for the UK version of the other one to arrive, because holy crap are those awful covers in the US. Is that mini-wolf chewing on his thigh?

  6. Helly says:

    Is that mini-wolf chewing on his thigh?

    Snort. You ruined that cover for me now!!

  7. CK says:

    I voted in the poll, Violet.  As for me, I am going to try to resist and hold the books in my hot little hands (without reading them!) until I go to the beach the Saturday after they are released.  Then, I will read Magic Slays, then Kiss of Snow and then HEXED, which releases the following Tuesday with a new Ilona Andrews novella.  That is the plan, wish me luck on the willpower!

  8. MissMariah says:

    I have been waiting for the same books, just like all of us.  But I’ve been slightly more impatient for Kate and Curran, because of how fabulously their relationship has been developing through the books.  The Hawke-Sienna relationship has been building, too, of course, and we are dying to know how they explode, but it is a little more shallow in development for me than Kate and Curran.  So I say read KOS FIRST, and savor and save Magic Slays for second.  Because we all know deferring gratification makes for a bigger bang. 😉

  9. Blue says:

    I can’t decide, either.  I was really hoping that the release date wasn’t firm for Magic Slays (more likely because it’s in pb) and I could read it this weekend instead, but I checked at the bookstore today, and no way is it hitting shelves until Tuesday.  I’m going to put a hold on copies in the morning because I’m stuck at a “special motivational team luncheon” that day and have to wait until after work to start on whichever one I decide on.

  10. Kristie says:

    Having read Kiss of Snow myself…. I say Kiss of Snow but… Magic Slays is out now at Wally World and I have yet to see KOS problem solved:) KOS rocks!!!

  11. Cerulean says:

    I have the same dilemma! I plan to read Kiss of Snow first, because I know I’ll love Magic Slays – so just on the crazy off chance that I’m not totally thrilled with KOS, I’ll have MS to end on a happy note.

  12. BookwormBabe says:

    I voted for Magic Slays but on reflection I think you’re better off with Kiss of Snow.  That way if the story disappoints after all the anticipation you can console yourself with Magic Slays. 

    But take the day off work, take the phone off the hook and get comfy.  Read all day / night so you don’t have the “what happens next” driving you to distraction wherever you may be.

    Enjoy!

  13. Shell says:

    ***Kiss Of Snow***
    You should read this first… only because you see the build up to those two’s relationship in the last however many books.. this was a long time in coming… I have both of these books pre-ordered… I’m going to the philippines that weekend after it’s released and i’m already planning on this book being what i read first chance i get…

  14. EliG says:

    Well my decision changed thanks to the wierd computer system of a certain bricks and mortar big guy deciding that Magic Slays hasn’t been published yet, even though it says 5/31 for the release date so the staff “couldn’t” put it on the shelf yet.

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