Urban Fantasy Review: Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews

Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews (Innkeeper Chronicles #1)


bought

Synopsis from Goodreads
On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast. But Dina is...different: Her broom is a deadly weapon; her Inn is magic and thinks for itself. Meant to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a retired Galactic aristocrat who can’t leave the grounds because she’s responsible for the deaths of millions and someone might shoot her on sight. Under the circumstances, "normal" is a bit of a stretch for Dina.

And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night....Feeling responsible for her neighbors, Dina decides to get involved. Before long, she has to juggle dealing with the annoyingly attractive, ex-military, new neighbor, Sean Evans—an alpha-strain werewolf—and the equally arresting cosmic vampire soldier, Arland, while trying to keep her inn and its guests safe. But the enemy she’s facing is unlike anything she’s ever encountered before. It’s smart, vicious, and lethal, and putting herself between this creature and her neighbors might just cost her everything.

 Amazon  US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK

9/10

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To be honest, peeps, I never know quite what to say to express the depth of my feelings towards Ilona and Gordon's writing. I always assume that everyone loves them just as much and any sort of endorsement is unnecessary which makes my reviews seem awkward.



I would say that Andrews couple managed to create a cross between their Kate Daniels series and The Edge series with a sprinkle of their sci-fi novellas, and it's utterly charming.

Reading Clean Sweep was like snuggling to my favorite pillow with a bowl of popcorn and an all time favorite movie, - comforting and awesome. It was familiar and at the same time new and exciting.

Dina as it happens was a deep well of knowledge. I have a feeling that 3-4 books into the series she will still continue to deliver many surprises to the readers. I also really enjoyed the different planets and dimensions thrown in, which would ensure that as a reader I would never get too comfortable or bored with the world-building.

I also admit that although Sean reminded me of the Beast Lord, I was glad that the dynamics between him and Dina weren't settled and that Arland made them into a loose love triangle, because there was just way too much yumminess in the first book for the main heroine to make some sort of a final choice.

Overall, an exciting, wonderful, cozy urban fantasy! Now I want to drop everything and re-read enything the tandem Ilona Andrews has ever written. If you have never tried their books this is your chance to enjoy urban fantasy at its finest for a very small price. I'd also recommend Silver Shark - one of my favorite novellas from this couple. Enjoy!


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Слушайте, дамы и господа, ну мне совсем уж неловко рекламировать Илону Эндрюс! Я настолько привыкла к тому, что эта пара пишет одни из лучших книг в жанре городского фэнтези, что я всегда подразумеваю, что остальные поклонники жанра это прекрасно знают, и упоминать мне об этом совершенно не нужно.

В общем, замечательное начало новой серии! Эндрюсам удалось объединить лучшее из Кейт Дэниэлс, их второй серии На Грани и их научно-фантастических новел. Тут вам не только магия и паранормальные существа, но и другие измерения и неисчислимые новые планеты и какие-то яркие картины чуть ли не из Звёздных Войн.

Дина - очень симпатичная главная героиня, а Шон немного смахивает на Куррана. Однако мне пришлось по вкусу, что внимание Дины на нём в этой книге не зацикливается, а читателю даётся выбор в виде условного любовного треугольника в виде вервульфа-вампира и ведьмы с небольшим подколом в сторону Сумерек.

В общем, читайте. Очень мило и идеально для знакомства с Эндрюсами как с новыми авторами, так как это начало свежей серии.

Comments

  1. Lovely! Just started this last night - it's my first time reading Ilona Andrews book and I got very high expectations because I heard way too many great things about them!!! :)

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  2. I think I have Silver shark around but must find it, my ebook files are a mess

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  3. Oh yes I'm so happy you liked it that much too! It was a wonderful disocovery and I can't wait to read more!

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  4. Great review Karina, I loved this one very much as well. It doesn't really need any romance either.

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  5. I need to get this one. I keep running out of time though. *sigh* Darn it. Glad to hear you loved it!

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