Tag Archives: Ilona Andrews

Sweep of the Heart by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Sweep of the Heart
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Innkeeper Chronicles #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Science fiction
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

Love, love, love the Alien Bachelor. I mean, you get introduced to a whole range of different peoples, there is ridiculous drama and it’s just all around fun. I might not be a fan of shows like The Bachelor in real life, but if they were like this with death and aliens… maybe I’d actually have half an interest in actually engaging with such nonsense. Alongside all of this drama, there is also some wonderful more clues to Dina and Caldenia’s pasts and how they ended up where they are.

For starters, I loved finding out more about just how Caldenia managed to end up having so many bounty hunters on her tail. And why she ended up being such a well-known murderess. And, without giving anything away. It was actually kind of sad. I mean, totally not the motivations that I had expected and it made me like this character even more. Which was surprising, because I freaking love Caldenia anyway – she is all sass, pomp and careful manipulations.

Then, you also get to fit another piece of the puzzle into just what happened to Dina’s parents. There are still SO many unanswered questions. And probably actually created a few more unanswered ones if I’m being honest. But, I finally feel like there is progress as to just what is going on in the background of the innkeeper world. The big mysteries continue, making me need to dive in again and again to this series… I’ll just have to continue doing rereads until the next one is published.

Although you do spend the whole time wondering just who from the Alien Bachelor is going to win, you also spend about half of that time wondering just who it is that’s trying to kill the bachelor. My first impressions are often fairly spot on in these instances and I thought I would be able to guess exactly what was going on… I was wrong on literally every single account. I loved that my first impressions were basically universally incorrect, and it makes me want to read this again all that much more. Now that I know the true motivations for characters, I want to see if I can pick up on all of these nuances!

Yet another book that I absolutely loved and can’t wait to read again. I also love that it gave a little bit of closure to the George and Sophie story and gave us a little bit more time with Gaston. I loved these characters in the other Innkeeper books and The Edge series.

<- Sweep with MeMore Ilona Andrews ->

Image source: Amazon

Sweep with Me by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Sweep with Me
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Innkeeper Chronicles #4.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Science fiction
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel, Novella
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I really love the whole idea of an innkeeper specific holiday. I mean, most religions have something similar. And then there’s the fact that it falls just after Christmas (which in One Fell Sweep meant quite a bit to Dina). Then there’s the fact that it’s based on the first innkeepers and that the three main individuals who were present at their first lunch managed to be present at Dina’s celebration.

The idea of a warrior, pilgrim and philosopher being in the inn at the same time, some of whom wanted to eat each other was fun. I also loved that this novella also introduced me to a whole slew of new alien peoples. Particularly the Koo-ko (who we get the pleasure of spending time with again in Sweep of the Heart).

I also love that, where at the end of One Fell Sweep, Sean and Dina finally start to take the steps into their new relationship. Then, as this novella unfolds, they start to actually ease into the daily activities and nuances of a relationship. That, and the fact that they are acting as innkeepers together. Sean’s approach was definitely more my speed and happiness.

The illustrations in this just help to expand on the images that parade through my mind. Although, admittedly, when I showed my partner some of the illustrations, he was incredibly confused. Just how I like it.

<- Sweep of the BladeSweep of the Heart ->

Image source: Amazon

Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Ruby Fever
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Catalina Baylor Trilogy #3, Hidden Legacy #6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I’ve been putting off reading this for a while because I just knew that I would want to read it cover to cover. And then, one night, I decided that I would just start it and read a little bit. Because I’m an adult and I have self-control… it turns out that I’m not such a good adult, and I literally have no self-control. I stayed up way too late reading this, and seriously felt punished the next day.

Andrews always does justice with their writing, but holy cow was this a fantastic ending to the Catalina Baylor Trilogy. I mean, from the very first moment, you hit the ground running. And then you pretty much don’t until you turn that final page. Ruby Fever is wonderfully intense and completely impossible to put down. It is filled with action and so many fights that my internal badass did a happy (and totally badass) dance.

Arkan is a seriously terrifying villain, probably because he is a shadow figure for the entire trilogy. Which means I really loved how Catalina and Alessandro are able to systematically dismantle his whole team of horrible things that go bump in the night. They are a wonderful power team and Catalina’s ability to plot and scheme better than everyone else… it left me smiling from ear to ear. It might have been why I found Catalina to be far more relatable than Nevada – she’s very much in her own head and finds this to be both a strength and a weakness.

The entire Baylor clan is freaking amazing. There is honestly not a character terrifying in the family that I don’t love. I would honestly love a trilogy for each and every one of them. However, even though I’m not entirely certain that there will be any more tales. I am so stupidly hopeful that Arabella will get her own series one of these days. Especially considering her final scene in this book…

<- Emerald BlazeMore Ilona Andrews ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

Silver Shark by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Silver Shark
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kinsmen #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Assassins, Paranormal romance, Science fiction
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2011

Thoughts

Claire and Ven are just too damn cute. Which I’m finding with pretty much every Ilona Andrews couple. I mean, they are bad asses who can kill. But they’re also just too damn freaking cute. I particularly like that Ven falls in love with Claire on two fronts. Partially as the Silver Shark he sees on the bonnet, but also as his assistant and woman who stands beside him in the business world.

I always love the world building in Andrews’ work – the world is almost like a secondary character. In the case of this tale, it was the creation of the bionet that I fell in love with. Each version and visit was slightly different, and I loved that each person had a totally different perspective and view of that world. I wonder how I would view that bionet…

Alongside the fact that this is totally an office romance, there was also the fact that this was a refugee story. It’s all about Claire adapting to a whole new culture and world and trying to figure out how to live in it. She’s also having to deal with her ptsd and find a way to cope with the past. I loved the collision of cultures and that assimilation which is being experienced. Something that I felt was very true to a lived experience.

<- Silent BladeMore Ilona Andrews ->

Image source: Kobo

Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Sapphire Flames :HarperCollins Australia

Title: Sapphire Flames
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Catalina Baylor Trilogy #1, Hidden Legacy #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Strong women
Dates read: 4th – 31st March 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2019
5th sentence, 74th page: It wasn’t a question, but I answered it anyway.

Synopsis

From #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Ilona Andrews comes an enthralling new trilogy set in the Hidden Legacy world, where magic means power, and family bloodlines are the new currency of society…

In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.

But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.

To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House – and her heart.

Thoughts

This book is just as amazing, wonderful and phenomenal as all of the other Andrews books. There is just something wonderful about the writing that makes it almost impossible to put down the book from the very beginning. Something that draws me in and leaves me grinning like a fool. Each and every time.

You got a bit of an introduction to Catalina in Diamond Fire, but it isn’t until Sapphire Flames that you really get a feel for her. I mean, what would it be like to constantly have to hide who you are so that you don’t bespell anyone? Catalina’s power seems more like a curse to me and one that made me incredibly sad. Although, I am seriously looking forward to finding out more about how it will evolve as the series continues… I mean, there are so many hidden depths in these books…

Throughout this story, my heart broke for Catalina multiple times. Not just because of her power, but because she’s trying to go against her nature constantly. That her love for Alessandro is not unrequited like she thinks but is definitely going to hurt them both in the future. Then, there are the family dynamics which also make everything difficult. I mean, seriously, how much pain can one girl go through?

Alessandro is a very intriguing lead character. A total enigma, and, like Catalina, I can’t wait to see how his powers work. Plus, he’s obviously not an assassin, and he has a mission. But I’m just not quite sure about the ins and outs of this. It makes me itch to pick up Emerald Blaze. I just need to finish a few of the books that I’m currently reading though.

Then, to top off all of the mystery in this story – there is a weird connection to Linus. I have a few guesses, but I can’t wait for yet another mystery to unfold as Catalina battles the new threat to the societies and families in Hidden Legacy.

<- Diamond FireEmerald Blaze ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

Magic Triumphs by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels, #10) by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Triumphs
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #10
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Paranormal fantasy, Shapeshifters, Strong women
Dates read: 17th – 18th June 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ace Fantasy
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: So, what triggered it?

Synopsis

Kate Daniels has come a long way from her origins as a loner taking care of a paranormal problems in post-Shift Atlanta. She’s found love and started a family with Curran Lennart, the former Beast Lord, and has made an uneasy truce with her father, Roland. But her magic is too strong for the power players of the world to ignore.

The Witch Oracle has begun seeing visions of blood, fire, and human bones. And when a mysterious box is delivered to Kate’s doorstep, a threat of war from the ancient enemy who nearly destroyed her family, she has no choice but to combine forces with the unlikeliest of allies.

She knows betrayal is inevitable and survival uncertain, but she has to try.

For her child.

For Atlanta.

For the world.

Thoughts

I have been putting off and putting off reading this. Simply because it is the last book in the series, and I really, really didn’t want the Kate Daniels adventure to be over! After all, this has been one of my favourite series since I first picked it up a few years ago and it’s one that I have absolutely adored. That final read is so bittersweet… and I really dreaded knowing what the ending was going to be like.

Sometimes when a series ends, one of two things happens. The first, the series doesn’t really end, and it just drags on and on until you kind of lose interest. Or two, it ties things up in a neat bow and just doesn’t really work with the rest of the storyline. This story was one of the rare third option – a closing of novel that is both brilliantly tying up ends, but leaving the future open-ended. There will be more battles and  monsters in the future, but the great challenge of Roland that has been building up throughout this entire series… that is solved. It leaves future stories open, but you don’t need to know them. Because there is this great sense of completion to the whole storyline.

The whole way through this novel, I had my heart in my throat. I think partly because I knew that this was the conclusion to the series. But, there was also no gradual build up like all of the other books in the series. This started at a crest and just kept on rising. I almost didn’t talk to my partner for a twenty-four hour period because I was so desperate just to finish off this book. There are NO GOOD places to put this down and take a breath. No crests and troughs, just rise after rise after rise. It’s not the kind of novel I always want to read… but when it’s the conclusion to such an amazing series… yeah, that’s the kind of novel I want to finish everything off.

After finishing this novel, I got straight onto the phone to my sister to tell her how much she needed to read this. Now, I’m hoping that she catches up soon so we can discuss it… in depth. Not only did I feel the mad need to discuss this with everyone and anyone… I also now have an insane urge to go right back to the beginning and reread all of the books in this series. Regardless of the fact that I have a TBR pile that towers over my head…

<- Iron and MagicCurran’s POV ->

Image source: Goodreads

Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Diamond Fire :HarperCollins Australia

Title: Diamond Fire
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Hidden Legacy 3.5#, Nevada Baylor Trilogy #3.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Strong women
Dates read: 26th June 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: Arabella was still in school, and today she was crash-writing a two-thousand-word essay, which was assigned to her a month ago and which she had started this morning.

Synopsis

Nevada Frida Baylor and Connor Ander Rogan cordially invite you to join their wedding celebration. Summoning, weather manipulation, and other magical activities strictly forbidden.

Catalina Baylor is looking forward to wearing her maid of honor dress and watching her older sister walk down the aisle. Then the wedding planner gets escorted off the premises, the bride’s priceless tiara disappears, and Rogan’s extensive family overruns his mother’s home. Someone is cheating, someone is lying, and someone is plotting murder.

To make this wedding happen, Catalina will have to do the thing she fears most: use her magic. But she’s a Baylor and there’s nothing she wouldn’t do for her sister’s happiness. Nevada will have her fairy tale wedding, even if Catalina has to tear the mansion apart brick by brick to get it done.

Thoughts

I absolutely loved this novella. It was the perfect glimpse into Nevada and Connor’s happily ever after and the perfect introduction to Catalina. A great little bridging novella that let you know that Nevada and Connor got their happily ever after. But also written in Catalina’s voice, so you immediately began to fall for her, as you said goodbye to Nevada’s voice and welcome a whole new trilogy.

One of the things that I enjoyed about the Kate Daniels series was that you got to read from different characters points of view in the different novellas and short stories. This isn’t quite the same as it effectively ends one trilogy and begins another – but it does beautifully change the tone of narration. I don’t know many authors who can continue on in the same world and reality, but completely change the tone of narration. And that is done seamlessly in this novella. To the point that it starts in Nevada’s voice, and ends in Catalina’s.

Not only is this a great bridging novella, but it is also the perfect little cozy mystery feeling. There is a mystery running through the pages that isn’t quite life or death. But, whilst you are getting introduced to the different characters, you’re also wondering who stole the tiara. And why. And what other secrets are being hidden in Rogan’s family…. All things you really should find out… by reading this fantastic novella.

<- WildfireSapphire Flames ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

Wildfire by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Wildfire (Hidden Legacy, #3) by Ilona Andrews

Title: Wildfire
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Hidden Legacy #3, Nevada Baylor Trilogy #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Strong women
Dates read: 18th – 26th June 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Most of all, she needed someone to step up and be there.

Synopsis

Nevada Baylor can’t decide which is more frustrating—harnessing her truthseeker abilities or dealing with Connor “Mad” Rogan and their evolving relationship. Yes, the billionaire Prime is helping her navigate the complex magical world in which she’s become a crucial player—and sometimes a pawn—but she also has to deal with his ex-fiancée, whose husband has disappeared, and whose damsel-in-distress act is wearing very, very thin.

Rogan faces his own challenges, too, as Nevada’s magical rank has made her a desirable match for other Primes. Controlling his immense powers is child’s play next to controlling his conflicting emotions. And now he and Nevada are confronted by a new threat within her own family. Can they face this together? Or is their world about to go up in smoke?

Thoughts

I absolutely loved this conclusion to the story of Nevada and Connor. It was just as ridiculously fast-paced and intense as the first two novels. But, FINALLY Nevada and Connor are together, so you get that extra layer of steaminess that you can only find when a couple finally decides to be together. It left me with a seriously happy buzz, not only when I turned that final page. But throughout the whole storyline.

I love that although there is a serious point in which jealousy could exist between one of my favourite couples, they have this constant open communication. Even the few moments of miscommunication are few and far between. And none of it is tinted with distrust. I love that there is a great, strong couple who are completely able to understand and trust each other. Even when they’re both being incredibly difficult and kind of silly. It meant that when Rynda appeared, what I thought was going to be a kind of huge issue… ended up being almost no issue at all. That’s what true relationships are all about… at least to my mind. It was nice to have a literary one in the same vein.

At the conclusion to White Hot, Nevada is discussing becoming a “House” in her world. The construction of worlds is one of my favourite aspects of Ilona Andrews’ writing and I thought it was brilliant that she is able to continue building on the world in the Hidden Legacy series even into the third book. The politics and complexity just keep progressing and I honestly cannot get enough of it.

Not only is this a great conclusion to Nevada and Connor’s story. But you also FINALLY get to find out what Arabella’s hidden talent is. And you begin to become a little more introduced to Catalina. And her love interest. Which perfectly sets this series up for the next little trilogy…

<- White HotDiamond Fire ->

Image source: Goodreads

White Hot by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
White Hot (Hidden Legacy, #2) by Ilona Andrews

Title: White Hot
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Hidden Legacy #2, Nevada Baylor Trilogy #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Strong women
Dates read: 17th June 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: His face was flat, his eyes bloodshot.

Synopsis

Nevada Baylor has a unique and secret skill—she knows when people are lying—and she’s used that magic (along with plain, hard work) to keep her colorful and close-knit family’s detective agency afloat. But her new case pits her against the shadowy forces that almost destroyed the city of Houston once before, bringing Nevada back into contact with Connor “Mad” Rogan.

Rogan is a billionaire Prime—the highest rank of magic user—and as unreadable as ever, despite Nevada’s “talent.” But there’s no hiding the sparks between them. Now that the stakes are even higher, both professionally and personally, and their foes are unimaginably powerful, Rogan and Nevada will find that nothing burns like ice . . .

Thoughts

Yet again, I absolutely adored this Ilona Andrews story. There is just something about her works that I find completely unforgettable. And impossible to put down. And just generally leaves me in my happy place. It’s… comforting. And enthralling. And whilst I loved the Kate Daniels books, I have a new series to heavily obsess over now… the Hidden Legacy series.

Nevada Baylor is definitely one of my favourite new characters… I started seriously falling for her in Burn For Me. But it really wasn’t until I read White Hot that I fell completely. She’s tough and independent. Driven by her love for her family and just amazingly powerful. Her power, however, doesn’t make her confident, and she’s constantly trying to train and improve. I can’t wait to see how her power evolves in the last book of this series. Especially with the cliff hanger that White Hot ends on.

Even though I am head over heels with Nevada, I think that Rogan is great. He’s obviously kind of damaged and messed up. But Nevada realises that and accepts him as he is (she also manipulates him a little knowing this, but who wouldn’t?). She also manages to completely infuriate him and constantly argue with him. Something that I think is seriously important in any good relationship. Particularly one with a strong, alpha male – we all need to remind them to keep their controlling impulses under control and Nevada does this is a way that has absolutely zero finesse.

Although I found the dynamic and relationship between Rogan and Nevada absolutely fantastic, it is the main plot line that really makes this book impossible to put down. The conspiracy that started in Burn For Me gets more complex. And I’m seriously hoping that things are solved in the final novel. You also being to discover more about Nevada’s siblings and cousins – the powers that they’ve kept hidden. And, you know, the fact that they are some seriously powerful magic users that have just been mostly ignored…

<- Burn for MeWildfire ->

Image source: Goodreads

Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
IRON AND MAGIC

Title: Iron and Magic
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kate Daniels #9.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Paranormal fantasy, Shapeshifters, Strong women
Dates read: 24th – 27th March 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ilona Andrews
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: And Elara would fight to the bitter end.

Synopsis

No day is ordinary in a world where Technology and Magic compete for supremacy… But no matter which force is winning, in the apocalypse, a sword will always work.

Hugh d’Ambray, Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Warlord of the Builder of Towers, served only one man. Now his immortal, nearly omnipotent master has cast him aside. Hugh is a shadow of the warrior he was, but when he learns that the Iron Dogs, soldiers who would follow him anywhere, are being hunted down and murdered, he must make a choice: to fade away or to be the leader he was born to be. Hugh knows he must carve a new place for himself and his people, but they have no money, no shelter, and no food, and the necromancers are coming. Fast.

Elara Harper is a creature who should not exist. Her enemies call her Abomination; her people call her White Lady. Tasked with their protection, she’s trapped between magical heavyweights about to collide and plunge the state of Kentucky intoa war that humans have no power to stop. Desperate to shield her people and their simple way of life, she would accept help from the devil himself – and Hugh d’Ambray might qualify.

Hugh needs a base. Elara needs soldiers. Both are infamous for betraying their allies, so how can they create a believable alliance to meet the challenge of their enemies?

As the propher says: “It is better to marry than to burn.”

Hugh and Elara may do both.

Thoughts

I have a really horrible habit of putting aside the series that I really love so that I don’t get too hooked into the books. Mostly when I have a lot of other work that I need to keep on top of. Which is why it’s taken me so long to get to this book. And it’s probably still a good way to go about things – because once I opened this up, I couldn’t keep my nose out of it! Or my mind away from it. And I’ve literally had to bury Magic Triumphs in a pile of books so I can’t quite pick that up quite yet.

Iron and Magic is a fantastic story. It’s one of those tales in which you suddenly see the other side of the story. Or, in this case, you finally understand even more about Hugh D’Ambray. And, for me, who kind of hated him in the rest of the Kate Daniels books, I came to absolutely adore him. I love the backstory and the reasons behind the horrors he commits. He’s not exactly a good guy, but at least I finally managed to begin to understand his actions and decision making.

Hugh is a fantastic male lead in this story. But, for me, as normally happens, Elara stole the show. She’s strong, independent and terrifyingly powerful. She’s also got this great sense of mystery about her past and her motives. It’s a great approach and adventure. Elara is so much more graceful and put together than any of the other women in this series. she might not be my favourite, but the whole “White Lady”, prayers mystery that springs up around her. The powerful people she surrounds herself with out of love and loyalty… it all works beautifully. And I still can’t stop thinking about what an amazing character this woman is.

This is an amazing story. I love the action, I love the drama. But most of all, I love the relationship between Hugh and Elara. Even when it takes on a more serious overtone, one of real emotion, they have this great, witty banter with each other. I love that there is this sense of rivalry and war between them. A power struggle that had me laughing out loud again and again and again.

<- Magic BindsMagic Triumphs ->

Image source: Ilona Andrews