Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews
Series: The Iron Convenant #1 / Kate Daniels #9.5
Publisher: NYLA
Publication Date: June 26, 2018
Date Read: July 1, 2018
Length: 406 pages
Source: Won – Books of My Heart
★★★★★
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 the magical heavyweights about to collide and plunge the state of Kentucky into a 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 prophet says: “It is better to marry than to burn.”
Hugh and Elara may do both.
My Review
Of course I love this book! How could I not? I have been really eager to get my hands on this book and love the fact that the whole concept started out as an April Fool’s joke. Being the awesome people that the writing team of Ilona Andrews are, they decided to make this book happen when their fans showed a desire to read it. I did wonder how I would feel reading an entire book about Hugh. Hugh is one of the bad guys! I can tell you that I enjoyed every single moment reading this book.
This book is set in the same world as the Kate Daniels series. I do think that readers could enjoy this book without reading this series but I think it would work best if read in order. If you were to read this book before reading Kate Daniels, there would be quite a spoilers for the series. Plus Kate Daniels is awesome and you don’t want to miss those books.
Hugh is one of Roland’s men in the Kate Daniels series and as I said earlier one of the bad guys. As I read this book, I started to understand Hugh and some of the things he has done made more sense. At the start of this book Hugh is pretty much at rock bottom. His men are doing well and he knows that he needs to do something to improve the situation. He makes a deal with a village to offer protection in exchange for food and shelter by marrying Elara who has her own set of abilities.
Hugh and Elara were so much fun together. They bickered constantly and I have to say I loved every moment of it. I don’t know if I have ever had so much fun watching two people fight. Despite their disagreements they grow to have a mutual respect for each other. They also quickly prove to be very honorable and committed to making their agreement work.
This book had everything I was looking for. There were some pretty comical scenes with great banter. The characters were wonderful and I really getting to see a few favorites from the main series make an appearance. There were some exciting action scenes and a finale that blew me away. I can’t wait to read more about this group of characters.
About the Author
Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Together they are the coauthors of the #1 New York Times bestselling Kate Daniels urban fantasy series and the romantic urban fantasy novels of the Edge.
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Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews
I read the first Kate Daniels book and liked it but never got back to the series. I think I have a few still lurking on my ereader so maybe I need to get back to them when time allows-if it ever does!
I just love this series, Chuckles! I can read and re-read the books and just like them more each time.
Eeek! This is ready to go on my kindle right now! I loved Huge, especially his dynamic with Kate. So I'm eager to see how he is in this.
I think you are going to love this one, Christy!
I have not read Kate Daniels, I guess I need to if I want to read this one.
OMG Run to the nearest library or bookstore and start reading it. It's the best. Anne – Books of My Heart
Of course you loved it Carole. To know Ilona Andrews is to love them. I was curious and thrilled to see who Hugh was beyond the whatever for Roland. I thought they did a great job of making someone I absolutely HATED understandable and honorable in his dealings. Anne – Books of My Heart
Nadene, I really think you would love this series!
Anne, thank you so much for this book! They did such a good job with it:)
So many people love these authors. I know I've read one of their books but I can't remember. It wasn't any of the Kate Daniels series. I know Hoopla has this one so I'm planning on grabbing it and giving it a go!
They are just amazing writers. The Kate Daniels series is just amazing and it has been fun to see more of that world in this spin off book.
It's definitely in my wish list. I've heard great things about this series but haven't read it yet.
I think you would really like this book and the whole Kate Daniels series!
It's fun when side characters suddenly get to take centre stage. Sometimes they're even more interesting than the leads 🙂
It was a lot of fun to see Hugh in such a different way.
I haven't heard of these before, but it looks really good! Great review.
I was really good! I hope you get a chance to read this one, Ash!
Oh yes I really enjoyed this one as well!
They did such a good job with it!
Haha! Funny about the bickering. I can't wait to read this one.
These two were so much fun together, Sophia Rose!
I never thought she would do it, but I do get Hugh
I can't believe that I like Hugh after everything I have seen him do.
Gads! I bought the eBook, but am holding out for the audio. I haven't even read the blurb so I only checked out your opening and rating!
I think that I will have to get the audio and do a re-read with this one before too long.
I like that cover 🙂 the concept started as April Fools? xD that's pretty cool. But yeah, this sounds interesting. Sounds like a fun read, great review 🙂
It did start as an April Fools joke but their readers wanted the book so they decided to go ahead and write it.
I'm waiting on the audio. I can't wait. I love everything that Ilona Andrews puts out. Glad to see you loved it.
Melanie @ Hot Listens & Books of My Heart
I am sure I will be getting the audio for this one as well 🙂
Oh yeah. Their books are always so good 🙂
They are such a good writing pair!
You know, when I first found out about this book, I was bound and determined to stay away from it. But now that it's here, I want to read it. And your review makes me want to read it even more! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. 🙂
I do think you would like this one, Angie Elle!