SWEEP OF THE BLADE

The Book

Sweep Of The Blade by Ilona Andrews
Book 4 of the Innkeeper Chronicles series
Read by Natalie Naudus
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Sweep Of The Blade:

Maud Demille was a daughter of Innkeepers. She knew that a simple life wasn't in the cards, but she never anticipated what Fate would throw at her.

Once a wife to a powerful vampire knight, Maud and her daughter, Helen, had been exiled for the sins of her husband to the desolate planet of Karhari. Karhari killed her husband, and Maud had spent a year and a half avenging his debts. But now all the debts are paid. Rescued by her sister Dina, Maud had swore off all things vampire. Except she met Arland, the Marshal of House Krahr. One thing led to another and he asked for her hand in marriage. She declined.

Try as she might, she can't just walk away from Arland. It doesn't help that being human is a lot harder for Maud than being a vampire.

To sort it all out, she accepts his invitation to visit his home planet. House Krahr is a powerful vampire House, and Maud knows that a woman who turned down the proposal from its most beloved son wouldn't get a warm reception. But Maud Demille never shied from a fight and House Krahr may soon discover that there is more to this human woman than they ever thought possible.

Published as an online free serial before the book is compiled and self-published shortly after completion.

Source: Info in the "About Sweep Of The Blade" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37712577-sweep-of-the-blade on 09/08/2020.

Buy Link(s):
 

Books In The Innkeeper Chronicles:

Author's website

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

(TBA)

Review

Vala tree

My Thoughts:

Another wonderful instalment to the Innkeeper Chronicles! This time around, the reader is taken to the homeworld of House Krahr, Daesyn! It's about Maud, Arland, and Helen, this time around.

Looking at the cover, the sword is too big to be practical. Very reminiscent of the "too-big" sword wielded by Olasard in the animated movie "Saga of Olasard" watched by Helen. As Maud describes it, "Went a bit overboard with his sword". And Arland responded, "More dramatic this way". So big swords... it's more about entertainment than practicality.

As usual, as per trademark of this series and of this author, the story telling quality is very compelling! The world building is wonderful! The plot is solid. There is absolutely nothing not to like about this book!

Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 5
World building = 5
Cover art = 5
Pace = 5
Plot = 5
Narration = 5

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries



FTC Disclosure:
Copies of the book were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.

SWEEP WITH ME

The Book

Sweep With Me by Ilona Andrews
Book 4.5 of the Innkeeper Chronicles series
Read by Natalie Naudus
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook

About Sweep With Me:

A charming, short novella in the Innkeeper Chronicles, from #1 New York Times bestselling author, Ilona Andrews.

Thank you for joining us at Gertrude Hunt, the nicest Bed and Breakfast in Red Deer, Texas, during the Treaty Stay. As you know, we are honor-bound to accept all guests during this oldest of innkeeper holidays and we are expecting a dangerous guest. Or several. But have no fear. Your safety and comfort is our first priority. The inn and your hosts, Dina Demille and Sean Evans, will defend you at all costs. [But we hope we don’t have to.]

Every winter, Innkeepers look forward to celebrating their own special holiday, which commemorates the ancient treaty that united the very first Inns and established the rules that protect them, their intergalactic guests, and the very unaware/oblivious people of [planet] Earth. By tradition, the Innkeepers welcomed three guests: a warrior, a sage, and a pilgrim, but during the holiday, Innkeepers must open their doors to anyone who seeks lodging. Anyone.

All Dina hopes is that the guests and conduct themselves in a polite manner. But what’s a holiday without at least one disaster?

Source: Info in the "About Sweep With Me" was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49353950-sweep-with-me on 09/08/2020.

Buy Link(s):
 

Books In The Innkeeper Chronicles:

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

(TBA)

Review

Koo-Ko

My Thoughts:

I was kind of hoping that the Mukama's uncontrollable need to eat children will be explained in this book after reading Sweep Of The Blade. Unfortunately this book is no longer about Maud and Helen but centered around Dina and Sean instead. So no more Mukama mentions. I am still hopeful that the mystery of the Mukama will be revealed in subsequent books in this series.

For such a short story (a novella), this book managed to fit in Koo-kos, Drifen, Medamoth, and Mr. Preston and his ninjas! That is an impressive plot building for such a small space. But then again this is Ilona Andrews we are talking about here, so it shouldn't be too surprising. And of course, masterful story telling quality that made reading this novella too fast! I wanted it to last, but no such luck!

I am an old fan of this series and this author, so this review might just be one big fan rave. However, fan rave or not, it is never-the-less true that this book is a wonderful read!!

Not recommended to be read as an introduction to this series because you will miss out on the start of Dina and Sean and an understanding of the events and characters mentioned in the book.

Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 5
World building = 5
Cover art = 5
Pace = 5
Plot = 5
Narration = 5

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries



FTC Disclosure:
Copies of the book were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.

ONE FELL SWEEP

The Book

One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews
Book 3 of the Innkeeper Chronicles series
Read by Renee Raudman
Genre: urban fantasy
Format: ebook & audiobook

About One Fell Sweep:

Gertrude Hunt, the nicest Bed and Breakfast in Red Deer, Texas, is glad to have you. We cater to particular kind of guests, the ones most people don’t know about. The older lady sipping her Mello Yello is called Caldenia, although she prefers Your Grace. She has a sizable bounty on her head, so if you hear kinetic or laser fire, try not to stand close to the target. Our chef is a Quillonian. The claws are a little unsettling, but he is a consummate professional and truly is the best chef in the Galaxy. If you see a dark shadow in the orchard late at night, don’t worry. Someone is patrolling the grounds. Do beware of our dog.

Your safety and comfort is our first priority. The inn and your host, Dina Demille, will defend you at all costs. We ask only that you mind other guests and conduct yourself in a polite manner.

Source: Info in the About One Fell Sweep was taken from GoodReads at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28756485-one-fell-sweep on 21/01/2018.

Buy Link(s):
 

Books In The Innkeeper Chronicles:

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Online

Review

My Thoughts:

Okay, so I am a die-hard fan of this series and author so my review is biased. In fact it might all just be fan girling at this point. But that does not mean that the masterful story telling quality and world building as well as the wonderfulness of everything else about this book is any less true! A book I keep re-listening to for some time yet to come. Can't wait to get my hands on the next Innkeeper book!

Empirical Evaluation:
Story telling quality = 5
Character development = 5
Story itself = 5
Writing Style = 5
Ending = 5
World building = 5
Cover art = 5
Pace = 5
Plot = 5
Narration = 5

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 cherries



FTC Disclosure:
Copies of the book were purchased with private funds.
No money received for this review.