Sanctuary by Ilona Andrews

Title: Sanctuary 

Author: Ilona Andrews

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Roman’s Chronicles # 1

Paperback, 152 pages 

Publication: July 30, 2024

Source: Personal Library
Buy|AMAZON|

It’s not easy serving the Chernobog, the God of Destruction, Darkness and Death…especially during the holidays; and especially when you’re out of eggnog and one of your pesky, freeloading mythic creatures has eaten your last cookie.

Roman would like nothing more than to be left alone, but when a wounded boy stumbles into his yard and begs for sanctuary, Roman takes him in. Now elite mercenaries are camped out on his property, combat mages are dousing the house with fire, and strange priests are unleashing arcane magic. They thought Roman was easy pickings, just a hermit in the woods, but they chose the wrong dark priest to annoy. For while Roman might be patient, he is the Black Volhv, filled with the love of his terrible god. For his adversaries, it's a fight to the death, but for him, it's just another day in the neighborhood.

MY THOUGHTS

I would like to preface this review by saying that I am one of Ilona Andrews biggest fan (says all of the BDH lol). I literally reread the Kate Daniels series every. single. year. It's my favorite comfort series. With that said, I like many others were counting down the days until Roman's novella was released. Roman has been one of main side characters in the Kate Daniels series and have grown to be one of the readers beloved side characters. But it saddens me to say, this novella was a letdown. 

Sanctuary is a fairly decent sized novella with approximately 150 pages but boy, did it feel like a dense read. There was barely any plot or character development. And before anyone says "This is a novella!"; I know! I've read plenty of novellas, some also by Andrews but this was just mediocre. Instead, readers were bombarded with info-dumping page after page...from beginning to end. I felt like I was getting a history lecture versus reading a story. Don't get me wrong I love history and mythology, but this was just not palatable, nor did it come across as interesting.  

There were a few good scenes but overall, I didn't connect to any of the characters. Oddly, Roman was more intriguing as a tertiary character in the Kate Daniel novels than here in his own story. Sanctuary was not enjoyable, and I felt like I had to push through to finish the novella. I am unlikely to continue with Roman's Chronicles. There may be a possible romance in future novellas, but from what I've seen of Andora...I just don't care. I wished the authors' put more focus on key novels than us getting anymore of Roman's novellas. I don't feel like this novella brought anything to the Kate Daniels world. To be honest, we could live without it. 

Magic Tides by Ilona Andrews

Title: Magic Tides

Author: Ilona Andrews

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Wilmington Years #1, Kate Daniels World

Paperback, 156 pages 

Publication: January 17, 2023 by NYLA

Source: Personal library
Buy|Amazon|

Kate, Curran and their son, Conlan have left Atlanta, vowing to keep a low profile, and are settling into a new city and new house…but some things never change! Magical mayhem is about to erupt when Kate undertakes the rescue of a kidnapped youth, while Curran guards the homefront.

It should be a simple retrieval, but with monsters on land and sea, Kate’s got her work cut out for her. Still, she's never let her blade dull or her purpose falter. And that low profile? It’s about to wash away with the raging tides!

 

 

 MY THOUGHTS

The book lord has heard our pleads and have finally given us an additional story in the Kate Daniels’ world! Magic Tides is a novella that takes place approximately 10 years after book 10, Magic Triumphs and before Julie’s book, Blood Heir. I love being back in Kate’s world and seeing what Kate, Curran and Conlan been up to since we last saw them. Kate and the family moved away from Atlanta to a small town in North Carolina, trying to stay under the radar to live a simpler life. But its Kate we’re talking about. She may not look for trouble but trouble will find her regardless. During a home renovation, the relative of Kate’s contractor’s son is kidnapped. Kate doing what she does best and never one to turn a blind eye takes it upon herself to retrieve the young man.

It was an absolute blast to return to Kate’s world and although us readers been a way for a couple of years, it felt as if we’ve never left. Reading this felt effortless despite the 10 year break in the story. The authors did an amazing job at summarizing what we missed while we were gone, at the same time introducing us to new locations and characters. There was just the right amount of backstory. Everything was explained easily without feeling like info-dumping. With this book being a novella, the authors utilized every single word and space given. There was a lot of moving plots and characters but never once did I feel lost or rushed.

I loved Magic Tides! It oddly didn’t feel too short like the usual novellas, but I certainly wished there were more! It was great visiting old characters we’ve come to know and love but this new group of characters were just as fun and interesting and I can’t wait to see more of them! You can expect everything you love about the Kate Daniels series in this recent addition such as; snarky banter, kick-butt action, humor and just overall great and engaging storytelling. I am looking forward to more stories from Kate’s world, hopefully we won’t have to wait another couple of years!

 

 

Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews

Title: Blood Heir

Author: Ilona Andrews
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Aurelia Ryder # 1

Paperback, 375 pages
Publication: January 12, 2021 by NYLA
Source: Purchase
Buy|Amazon|B&N|

Atlanta was always a dangerous city. Now, as waves of magic and technology compete for supremacy, it’s a place caught in a slow apocalypse, where monsters spawn among the crumbling skyscrapers and supernatural factions struggle for power and survival.

Eight years ago, Julie Lennart left Atlanta to find out who she was. Now she’s back with a new face, a new magic, and a new name—Aurelia Ryder—drawn by the urgent need to protect the family she left behind. An ancient power is stalking her adopted mother, Kate Daniels, an enemy unlike any other, and a string of horrifying murders is its opening gambit

If Aurelia’s true identity is discovered, those closest to her will die. So her plan is simple: get in, solve the murders, prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled, and get out without being recognized. She expected danger, but she never anticipated that the only man she'd ever loved could threaten everything.

One small misstep could lead to disaster. But for Aurelia, facing disaster is easy; it’s relationships that are hard.

My Thoughts

It’s been a little over two years since the Kate Daniel series ended and ever since then I feel the B.D.H./IA fans have been begging hoping for a Julie novel. I am one of the fans that have had my fingers-crossed and waited on abated breath to hear any news of Julie’s novel. And in 2020 our wildest dreams came true when IA announced they were penning Julie’s novel! This has got to be the most anticipated release we’ve been waiting for YEARS. YEARS.

 Before I continue, if you haven’t read the Kate Daniels series, please x out of this window and go read the series A.S.A.P. There are too many backstory, history, reference to the KD world that is needed to make this a more enjoyable read. It will be worth it. You’ll thank me later.

So the quick rundown, Julie left Atlanta 8 years ago. She’s 26 years-old now and has a new name, face and new powers. A prophecy regarding Kate was what kept her away and also the reason why she’s returned. And the biggest issue of all is that she can’t see Kate until she changes the prophecy enough that doesn’t result in Kate’s demise or Atlanta burning, or both.

My expectations for Blood Heir was all over the place but Andrews exceeded them. Julie’s novel did not disappoint. It felt so good to be back in Kate’s world and having Julie/Aurelia continue the story was the perfect choice. I’ve always thought that Julie was a mini Kate and as the years went by she proved to be just as capable and a worthy successor to Kate. She certainly has the attitude and smarts for it. I loved seeing all the original characters. It kinda became a game as I read to see who would figure out Aurelia’s true identity! We meet a handful of memorable new characters as well, notably Julie’s ‘great uncle’ and a street smart child named Marten. I am exceeded to see more of these two.

I loved every moment of Blood Heir. It had everything I loved about the KD novels while still being different enough to stand on its own. Andrews just recently announced on their website that Blood Heir is the start to a new trilogy and I Can. Not. Freaking. Wait. I want more Julie/Derek! In the meantime, I feel like another reread of KD is in order…so I can just read Blood Heir again and soak in the KD/AR feels!