Tag: Ilona Andrews

This Chick Read: The Inheritance (Breach Wars #1) by Ilona Andrews

An interdimensional invasion brought unimaginable suffering but it also awoke talents slumbering deep inside us. Adaline is a Talent. She works for the government search breaches for magical metals and medicine to help Earth repel an interdimensional enemy. Two kids, one cat, bills, benefits, mortgage and school tuition…Risking her life became routine. She has gone into hundreds of dimensional gates without a problem, but this time everything goes to hell. Two kids, one cat, bills, benefits, mortgage and school tuition…Risking her life became routine.

Ilona Andrews occasionally releases new novels a chapter at a time on their blog and normally I don’t let myself read them. For some reason when I started getting The Inheritance in their newsletter I read the first chapter….. and got absolutely hooked. This story is novella length and they stopped the free releases well before the end, but I eagerly anticipated every blog post. They released the book on all bookseller sites pretty quickly and I started from the beginning. I’m glad I did because they inserted a few new scenes that really added to the story and fleshed out the characters a bit more.

Adaline is our main character. She’s stuck in the breach with the group’s K-9, Bear, who also survived the initial attack. She and Bear go on a journey further into the breach and discover all manner of beings. Some who are dangerous, but also some species who are just going about their everyday alien lives. Ada and Bear need to do some kind of gross things that make their bodies powerful and in Ada’s case, her magic becomes more fierce. Where before she could use her “sight” to find valuable minerals and medicines, now she has fierce fighting skills which come in handy as she keeps them alive. The end goal being that she returns through the gate and gets back with her kids. The motherly “force” is strong in this one.

Outside on Earth we also follow Elias, who heads the guild that sent Adaline and her team into the breach. His moments are brief, but his awesomeness was very reminiscent of Curran from the Kate Daniels series, and truly, Ada is very reminiscent of Kate. Both strong individuals with great conversational skills (even though Ada is mostly talking to a dog), and as with the first Kate Daniels novel- zero romance. However there is that glimmer of hope (and a note from the author that there will be a romance between the two). Not to say this novel is like Kate Daniels, however it reminded me of it in bits and pieces.

The book is short and I don’t want to give away any more than I already have, but I just have to give one more note. If you are an uber fan of this author duo, you will find some crossover between characters (species?) in this novella and the Innkeeper series. Just enough to make you go “huh!” and smile to yourself. Truly, every small little Easter egg they drop makes me squee in enjoyment and wish that they could write quicker and set aside a little time to finish book 2. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* The Inheritance

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*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chicks Audio Review: Sanctuary (Roman’s Chronicles #1) by Ilona Andrews

When a wounded boy stumbles into his yard and requests sanctuary, Roman takes him in despite knowing he was bringing trouble to his door. As the Black Volvh to Chernobog, the God of Destruction, Darkness and Death, Roman was looking forward to his three days off drinking egg nog and cookies. Now he has mercenaries surrounding his home and combat mages dousing his house with fire.

Roman is a character in the Kate Daniel’s universe and if you’re a fan of that series, like I am, you are saying to yourself “FINALLY” Roman gets his own story! Roman is a particular favorite because despite his serving Chernobog, he is a man who acts with kindness and has always stood at Kate and Curran’s side in a crisis. In fact, they asked the Black Volvh to marry them! In this book more of Roman’s back story was revealed. How he was called to his position from a small child, how that calling affected his family, and how it shaped him into the man he is today. All while kicking mercenary butt and teaching this young man Finn how to survive his own call of duty. It was a special tale, and it is not down being told. Yay!

Chris Brinkley does a solid job as narrator on this novel. I’ll admit that I had a bit of a stumble when I first heard his voice because I’m a big fan of Penny Reid’s Winston Series and he voices all of those Winston brothers. However, this is not a rom-com and Chris Brinkley lived up to the character he was voicing. His slight southern dialect fits the location for the Kate Daniel’s universe, which is in the Atlanta area, and as far as I know (because I’m not Russian) he did a great job with the pronunciation of all of the characters from that countries mythology. Honestly, anyone could voice an Ilona Andrews novel and I’d fall in line and learn to love it, I like them that much.

In an author’s note at the end is a woman’s voice with what sounds like a Russian accent describing Ilona Andrews use of mythology in their stories. This was an interesting addendum to an already great story and provided more insight into this author duo that I love so much. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️

I received a copy of this ARC through NetGalley for an honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase this audiobook!* Sanctuary

Copyright 2024 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chick Read: Magic Claims (Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years #2) by Ilona Andrews

Kate and Curran are living their “retired” lives in their new home outside Wilmington. When they receive a guest at their door who asks for their help in saving their small town from evil, they decide retirement might not be their purpose in life and accept the job and the offer of a large chunk of land in the forest. This job will forge a path to a new beginning, a keep for the new Wilmington Pack, and embracing their true nature’s and what that will mean in raising their son, Connor.

If you are a fan of Kate Daniel’s books, then you most likely did as I did and downloaded a copy as soon as it came out on June 13th, and then voraciously read it. The Wilmington Years is an offshoot of Kate’s original series and continues the story of she, Curran, and their son Connor, who they are trying to raise “normally” in a large home on the shore near Wilmington. However, normal is not who they are and despite their best efforts, they keep heading off to save the locals, or fight the unruly, not really giving a hoot that they are blowing their cover. Kate is the daughter of Roland, who once ruled the world and despite not wanting to rule as he did, she does have a boatload of power that she lets loose in small amounts. Her mate, Curran, used to be the alpha of the Atlanta pack and despite his “retirement” the shapeshifters in their area still consider him to be their leader, and he really doesn’t do anything to negate that impression. Instead he embraces it. Both of them make for interesting parents to Connor, who has inherited his father’s shapeshifting and strength, and his mother and grandfather’s magic. Their efforts at parenting are often hilarious and make for some great reading material.

This novella takes up right where Magic Tides left and Kate and Curran’s decision to help the town of Penderton means that they are about to make a decision that will alter the way they live their future lives, and Connor’s. I loved how both of them made their own decision, supporting each other, and owning what was to come in the future. I just wish that that future was now and that I had the next book in hand. I am that eager to see where this new fork in the road takes them.

As with all Ilona Andrews novels, this one was chock full of action sequences, witty reparteé, and much needed humor to break up the gore. I loved every moment! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Magic Claims

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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Can’t Wait Wednesday!

The title of this post is self-explanatory I think but for those of you who may need clarification… I can’t wait to read this book that is coming out next month!

I am a huge fan of this author duo and the Kate Daniels series is a favorite. So, when they ended the series and then a couple of years later started up again with an off-shoot, no one was more excited than me!This book comes out June 13, 2023.

Synopsis:

Kate and Curran have just settled into their new home and their ‘low profile,’ when a local businessman approaches them with an offer they can’t refuse. A mysterious evil has spawned in the nearby forest and is holding a defenseless town hostage. The ‘due date’ is rapidly approaching.

It’s exactly the kind of fight the Lennarts can’t resist, not for the prize the town offers, but for the people who will surely die if they ignore it. If they succeed, they’ll be rescuing an entire community and can build a strong new base for their family and the Wilmington Pack. If they fail…well, fail is a four-letter word.

Nothing comes without a price. Now Kate must decide if she has what it takes to pay it.

Click this link to purchase! Magic Claims

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This Chick Read: Magic Tides (Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years #1) by Ilona Andrews

Kate, Curran, and their young son Connor have moved away from Atlanta to start fresh in Wilmington, NC. Their aim is to build their home and live a quiet life, with a low profile, and stay out of trouble. When one of their contractor’s family members is kidnapped that quiet life gets upended when Kate decides to involve herself and make sure his young nephew is returned to his family safe and sound. Needless to say, her low profile is blown. Magic, sea monsters, and gods, OH MY!

This short novella was a great fix for fans of the Kate Daniels series, but dare I say it? It was not long enough! Kate Daniels is one of my all-time favorite heroines and reading a brand new story with her bad-@$$ attitude? Needless to say, I was all in and launched into my 6th re-read of her series to prepare myself for this four hour re-immersion. It was so wonderful (sigh).

What starts off as your basic recovery of a small child turns into an epic Kate adventure. We travel from the dregs of Wilmington, to the local vampire base, and Kate tries to stay undercover. In the meantime, Curran is waiting at home for all those she’s pissed off. Fun! Sorry, this is a totally biased review, but I’m a huge fan of this author duo and will read and re-read everything they release. Speaking of which, I read on the authors website that Wilmington #2 will be out in June so you don’t have to wait too long to get your next fix, and these two books will be released as audiobooks together. This year is going to fly by with so much to look forward to. 🙂 ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Magic Tides

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chick Read: Sweep of the Heart (Innkeeper Series #6) by Ilona Andrews

Sean’s werewolf mentor is captured and the only way Dina and Sean can get to the planet where he is being hidden is to use a portal held by the Dominion. To get permission they have to hold the Dominion’s spouse search in Gertrude Hunt, their Inn. Expanding their Inn to provide comfort, safety, and food to multiple species is all in a day’s work for Innkeeper’s Dina and Sean, but when an assassination plot is thrown into the mix their skills are stretched to the breaking point- and this is all before they can save Sean’s mentor. Life as an Innkeeper is never boring!

This series has all the things that make you love reading fantasy novels. Interesting characters, vibrant world-building, great action sequences, and heart. Dina is the heart of these novels and it’s her actions that drive the story. When she and Sean agree to host the spouse search in return for gaining access to the portals to the world where Wilmos is being held, she goes all in on making this project for the Dominion’s ruler a success. The comfort and safety of all of her guests is of utmost importance to an Innkeeper and managing each species while not killing anyone, or having anyone be killed is a challenge, but this team is up to the task. The descriptions and needs of each species are so varied and interesting, it’s amazing to me that these authors can make a tree species come to life in a way that makes the reader react with feelings of like or dislike is amazing. To steal from Paul Hollywood’s Great British Baking Show – their writing is not style over substance, it’s an amazing balance of the two.

Sweep of the Heart’s spouse search is political machinations at its best. Each species receives an ask for taking part in this competition. If they get sent home without winning, their minor ask is received by the Dominion who chooses to either grant that request or deny it. If they win, their major ask is given and granted. All of these are puzzles pieces on a large playing board that will affect the balance of all of their lives as well as their planets. As a reader we are just along for the ride, and it’s so much fun. I can’t imagine being the author who must put it all together so that it’s cohesive and makes sense! Sweep of the Heart was definitely a master class in writing.

The underlying story that runs through the Innkeeper series- the mystery of the disappearance of Dina’s parents and their Inn, does move forward in the culminating chapter in this book. I know it will wrap up in the next novel which might be the end of this series, which will break my heart, but I do think it’s time for us to know the answer to that storyline. Given the cliff-hanger I hope that the authors don’t wait two years to write the next novel. Of course, if they do I’ll have read and re-read (and listened!) to this book multiple times, so I’ll be ready. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Sweep of the Heart

Copyright 2023 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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It’s Monday, what are you reading? (1/30/23)

I’ll admit that I haven’t picked up my next book yet and am going back and forth between a few. I have started re-listening to one of my all time favorite series and have pretty much been spending my time with my earbuds in my ears and being anti-social. It’s funny how each time I listen to this series it’s like it’s the first time. I find something new every time. I’ll tell you a little more about it below.

JUST FINISHED

One of my favorite books in this series. Why? Kate and Curran finally decide what to do with their relationship, plus theirs some kick @$$ action! As much as I love the paranormal romance aspects of this series it’s really the mystery and action scenes that keep me coming back for more. Oh, and for Kate as well. She is one bad mother!! LOVE her.

JUST STARTED

Just started #5. I know it won’t disappoint because I’ve picked it up and read it a million times before. Sometimes you just need the comfort of a much loved series. This is my comfort read.

Enjoy your Monday and happy reading!

Deb

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This Chick Read: Ruby Fever (Hidden Legacy #6) by Ilona Andrews

Catalina is the head of her household and lead investigator of Baylor Investigations. She’s used to solving riddles and being in charge but when she becomes Acting Warden of the State of Texas in addition to the above it just might be more than she can handle. Good thing she has fiancé Alessandro Sagredo by her side… of course he brings his own set of problems as well.

Ruby Fever is the conclusion of Catalina’s three book story arc, and all of the sub plots that have been in play are coming to a head. Arkan is out to destroy Alessandro and her family, and they are under constant attack. She is pursuing an investigation into who has attacked the warden, and Alessandro’s family is still trying to farm him out to save their family name and bring in some much needed dough. There was a LOT going on in this book and looking back on it, the plot is a bit of a jumbled mess in my head. Not that I’m going to spoil your fun in reading this novel but I’m having trouble deciding what to write about without giving anything away.

As with all Ilona Andrews books, I loved jumping back into the world they’ve created and Ruby Fever gave us more peek’s into some of her family’s lives than we’ve gotten in the previous two novels which focused more on Catalina and Alessandro’s love story. That story is a foregone conclusion in Ruby Fever and we are given action sequence after action sequence and good investigative moments for the Baylor family, including Nevada and Rogan. The whole family gets involved in the resolution of all of the problems they face, which is fun. We get a hint of a couple of possible love matches for Arabella which made me eager to read her story, but alas, this book concludes Ilona Andrews deal with their current publisher and we may have to wait until they are in the mood to write and self publish the next novel in the series which could take years to happen, if they do decide to write it. Regardless, Ruby Fever was a fun way to end the series.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest review and it was honest!

Click this link to purchase!* Ruby Fever

Copyright 2022 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- If you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chick Read: Fated Blades (Kinsmen #3) by Ilona Andrews

When Ilona Andrews releases a book I eagerly anticipate the drop into my kindle so I can read it right away. Fated Blades is the third novel in an older series called the Kinsmen. I’ve read the first two books a couple of times each but I’ll admit it’s been awhile. Not letting that stop me from reading this one right away I jumped right in. It is novella length so it didn’t take me more than 3-4 hours to read it in its entirety.

Fated Blades takes place on Rada where a few families all with Seca powers reside. This power enables them to become bladed, and as such their history is filled with violence, but currently people have forgotten who dangerous they can be. The Adlers and Baenas are two of the families with these powers and despite living relatively close, they consider each other enemies. When Ramona Adler shows up in Matias Baena’s place of business and tells him that her husband and his wife have run away together, and they both stole their research. The two of them join forces to investigate who is behind this plot and are determined to bring them down. What they haven’t taken into consideration is their immediate attraction and connection, something that the two of them may not be able to live without.

As I do with all Illona Andrews books, I read a book first, and then follow it up with listening to the audiobook pretty quickly after. I think with this one, I’ll need to go back and start at the beginning of the series. Not because this book wasn’t good, it certainly was, but because I feel like there are some details I’m missing that may make my journey with this story even better.

As with the Hidden Legacy series these novels fall into the romantic fantasy genre. My favorite genre and this author duo excels at bringing life to the page and their characters. Fated Blades was no different, and in fact I’d like to see a longer length novel for these characters or at least in this world. If you’re a fan of this author I’m sure you’ll feel no different. If you haven’t read the previous two books, you don’t really need to, but like I said above, a refresher might have been necessary and might enhance your pleasure in this well written novel.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase this book!* Fated Blades

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associates- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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This Chick Read: Blood Heir (Aurelia Ryder #1) by Ilona Andrews

Set in the Kate Daniels world Blood Heir is the story of Julie Lennart, Kate’s adopted daughter, 8 years after she followed her Grandmother Erra out of Atlanta. A lot has changed in those 8 years, her magic, her face, and her name. Using the moniker Aurelia Ryder, she finally returns to Atlanta when a legendary evil threatens her adopted mothers life and the only family Julie has known. In fighting this evil she faces not only her own fears, but also people she was close to in the past.

This was a controversial novel for Ilona Andrews to write. Apparently Julie was not a popular character because she always seemed to resent Kate but also because she left Atlanta with out speaking to anyone and there wasn’t any closure. I guess now we know the reason why. I didn’t have these same feelings about her as other Kate Daniels enthusiasts. I eagerly awaited her story hoping that it would answer some questions as well as let me see some of the characters in this world I loved for so long. I got a little bit more of the latter than I did the former. In fact, I have more unanswered questions than I do any unresolved ones. However, I know that Ilona Andrews will eventually check off every one of my questions. Including what happens when she and Derek find each other again.

What I love the most about these novels is how fast paced they are. Although if you need to stop to cook dinner, work, or do some chores, that’s not necessarily a good thing. Right from the first chapter I am intrigued by this character who is so different than the Julie I remember from the past. Of course, she now calls herself Aurelia Ryder, and with the name change comes a who new set of magical skills. Oh, and did I mention the new face? That story needs to be read as it’s really a part of Aurelia’s evolution story and shouldn’t be spoiled by a blogger, but don’t take too long to read it, it’s worth finding out!

As with a lot of first novels in a series, this one sets up a lot of plot lines. Julie is now Aurelia, looks different, and has some uber magical skills that match the new name and face. Some of our other favorites are also different. Ascanio, who was her “friend” or at least cohort in her youth is set up as an adversary of sorts, which is different than I expected. Then, of course, there’s Derek, who like Aurelia, has gone through his own transformation. So, what I expected to find, didn’t end up happening and I found myself just a touch disappointed until I just let go of my issues and let myself get immersed in the story. Will it all make a little more sense in the second novel? This one ends on a cliff hanger so you can only hope the answer to that question is yes.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Click this link to purchase!* Blood Heir (Kate Daniels World Book 1)

Copyright 2021 The Reading Chick All Rights Reserved

*Amazon Associate- if you purchase this book through the above link I’ll receive a small stipend.

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