Sanctuary by Ilona Andrews

3 Stars

It’s not easy serving 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.

I enjoyed the different mythos this book brought, and I love MMC. No world building since it’s apart of the Kate Daniel’s series. You don’t need to have read all of the other books in the series but it does add to the overall series. Definitely worth a read if you are a fan.

Book 1 Roman Chronicles

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Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews

 

3 Star

The day starts out with the head of the Assembly being murdered, Linus is attacked and, in a coma, and a Russian Prince shows up on Catalina and Alessandro doorstep. Catalina is made acting warden while Linus is out of commission, and she needs to track down those responsible while preparing for a House war. Can she rely on Alessandro to help her through all of this when he’s not sleeping, taking as many jobs as possible, and taking late night phone calls in Italian?

This was just an ok read. It does wrap up somethings nicely such as Alessandro’s family and how Catalina can keep him as her husband. Also who is the grandfather of the girls which I had figured out in book one with Nevada but was nice to have it confirmed. It just felt like things dragged on in this book. I normally blow through these books, and this was not the case with this one. It also left somethings open and as of right now no plans for future books which kind of sucks. Overall, it was good to get some conclusions but was left wanting.

Book 6 Hidden Legacy

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Best Books of the Year

List of My Top 10 Books of the Year and Why I liked them so much. Ironically when figuring this one out it was harder to justify why I liked them best vs the worst list where I could come up with a couple words to describe my hate of the book. Some of these were just the books hit just right that they kept me interested and wanting more. They are also books that I’ve reread already this year as I did enjoy them so much which is why I’ve selected them. Here’s the best of the books I’ve read this year. If you're interested in the review just click on the title and author and it will take you to the review. 

1. Tryst in the Dark by Grace McGinty – Well written omegaverse story 

2. That Time I got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming – Well written story that is weird and has a lot of humor 

3. Bewitched by Elise Faber- Love a good hockey book, Well written and great characters 

4. Pack Darling Part One by Lola Rocks – really well written bully, omega romance 

5. Pack Darling Part Two by Lola Rocks – Well written redemption and heroin saving herself 

6. Protector by Anna Hackett – well written end of a series with a heroin who saves herself 

7. Fated Blades by Ilona Andrews – Great character development and in short story 

8. Hunt the Stars by Jessie Mihalik – Well written story with great characters both primary and secondary

9. Crow Bones by Anne Bishop – Great addition to a series with more world building and character development 

10. Bond of Destiny by Larissa Ione – Well written short story with great characters and made me want to go and reread the entire series

Fated Blades by Ilona Andrews

 

5 Star

Rada seems like such a peaceful planet but there is a constant competition for power. There are two main fractions Adlers and Baenas. They have been fighting to gain the upper hand for generations. After a catastrophic betrayal brings the heads of each together. Ramona Adler and Matias Baena must set aside their differences and work together to prevent something much worse from taking over their planet. As they investigate, they find there is an attraction between them. Will they act on it?

I loved this book so much. I loved how Ramona and Matias work together to solve their marital problems. The connections they make whole tracking their cheating spouses was amazing. The ending was perfect and made me laugh so hard. Overall, the writing was spot on. Same for the world building. Here’s hoping for more books in this world.

Book 3 Kinsmen

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Kinsmen Universe by Ilona Andrews

4 Star

Silent Blade:

Meli is the blade for her family. She’s taken many jobs on to protect her family, but she is tired and wants to be done. She plans on staying retired until her family asks her to take on the one man who ruined her life. Celino was once her fiancé and when he called off the engagement it left her hanging with no other option then to separate from her family. Will she get her revenge?

I loved these two. Meli just wanted her happy retirement until her family asks her to take on the one man who ruined her life. The fireworks between Meli and Celino was amazing. I loved that Meli got her revenge and her man.

Silver Shark:

Claire has spent years fighting a war on her home planet with no escape until the war is settled. Her side has lost and after escaping off world she must hide her talent. She finds a job and keeping her head down until someone from her past needs her help and she is discovered. Will she be safe and happy?

This one made me want more backstory but was good. I loved seeing Claire and Venturo work together to take down his enemies. I didn’t feel as connected to them as a couple, but I still enjoyed the story.

A Mere Formality:
Deirdre is apart of a political envoy when she ends up being used as a pawn to further one group. Will she find her happy ending?

This one disappointed me. It was too short and felt incomplete. Deirdre ends up forced into marrying Lord Nagrad and it didn’t quite work for me. Overall enjoyed the whole book but this short story fell short for me.

Book 1-2.5 Kinsmen

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Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews

 

5 Stars

Catalina Baylor is trying to protect her family from all the heavy magic users out there.  She became deputy to the Warden of Texas to keep them safe.   With this role it brings new tasks that need to be completed.  The newest issue will bring her back in contact Alessandro, the prime she wants but can’t have.  The man Alessandro has been hunting is in Texas and he will need Catalina’s help in bring him down. 

I loved this book so much.  The pacing was spot on.  There was never a moment I wanted the book to move on other than wanting to read it faster.  It wraps up some questions from the last book and raises some more for the next book to answer. The epilogue was one of the best OMG moments and made me so mad but in a good way.  They have since done a new scene for those who preordered from certain bookstores and this new scene rounded out the book perfectly.  They will be releasing the scene at a later date and it is worth the wait.

Book 5 Hidden Legacy