You must read Ilona Andrews's Books

Please, for me

Last year I discovered a husband/wife author duo through Kindle Unlimited. Kindle helpfully suggested one of the Innkeeper Chronicles. Actually, Kindle suggested a lot of their books to me—but the covers were…well…there were bare chested men and they gave an 80s vibe to me for some reason and I just assumed it would be badly written and be bogged down in excruciatingly boring detail. Which is an unfair generalization based on one experience with one Danielle Steel novel.

More importantly, though, they weren’t free, and I was on the hunt for free reads. Mostly because if I don’t put that limitation on myself it is absurdly easy to spend a lot of money on e-books.

Anyway. One day I found Clean Sweep, the first book of the Innkeeper Chronicles. It was free. It sounded interesting. I tried it.

And so, an addiction was born.

I’ve read all the available Innkeeper Chronicles, the entire Hidden Legacy Series (is it done?), and just finished book 5 of Kate Daniels’ world. And that’s after reading Fated Blades and Iron & Magic (which stands alone, but I’d recommend reading Kate Daniels world first, because spoilers).

The worlds are inventive.

The characters are likable. There is banter. There is political intrigue and philosophical questions.

Calling these books romance novels is a gross misclassification, in my opinion. Even if they do take a much more hopeful approach to plot, characters, and relationships, than your average adult urban fantasy.

I love romance—especially as an important subplot—and these books have swoon-worthy romances.

That doesn’t tell you much, I know.

So, here’s what makes a romance swoon worthy for me:

Both people are three-dimensional, competent, and I can totally get what they see in one another. They may fight, they may have misunderstandings, but they don’t deliberately submarine each other or themselves. When they decide to go for the relationship, they commit hard. They pass up lots of opportunities for stupid misunderstandings and self-doubt driven plot points.

Actually, that’s another thing that I love about these books. They aren’t about finding yourself. Most of these characters know who they are. They know what they want. They are just up against obstacles.

This doesn’t mean there isn’t character growth or progression—there is.

Another thing that makes these romances swoon worthy is that they are slow burn. It takes several books for the couple to get together. But, best of all, the story doesn’t end there. They are a couple now, but that just means they are in this together. They have to learn how to function as a couple, and the stories do it without the tv-tropes of breaking them up and putting them back together over and over until you’re pretty sure any real relationship would be well and truly over. I love getting to see the couple work together.

I love adventure stories. I love stories with romance—especially romance like this—and I love books with squads.

You know, a huge cast of important side characters that you can love.

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about it, and I think an important part of a good squad is that they get exasperated with one another. Another important element is they lean into each other’s strengths. It’s great if they also tease each other. That’s hard to do, though. I consider it a real accomplishment when I find it.

So, basically, the hallmarks of Ilona Andrews’ work are all things I love.

I’m pretty much going to read everything they write.

If you come anywhere near me, I might try to shove your nose into one of their books, too.

If you’re looking to dip your toes in, here’s a flavor profile to help you pick your starting point:

Innkeeper Chronicles – PG/PG-13 –Spiceometer 1-2 –hospitality and incredible power meets intergalactic intrigue and a budget. Lots and lots of sweet tea and coffee.

Welcome to Gertrude Hunt, a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town. Your innkeeper, Dina Demille, will see to your every need. No matter what accommodations you require, the inn will oblige. Physics are not an issue for us. Rest assured that your safety is our first priority.

If you encounter Caldenia ka ret Magren on the grounds, do not be alarmed. Her Grace has retired from Galactic tyranny and is enjoying a permanent vacation at our inn. Please do not feed the dog. Also, if you meet vampire knights, please refrain from offering them coffee. It is best for everyone involved.

Enjoy yourselves, relax, and above all, remember the one rule all visitors must abide by: the humans must never know.

Kate Daniels World –R –Spiceometer 3-4 –Snarky merc with a heart of gold battles magic monsters and makes friends in spite of her resolve not to. Really iffy beer but good steaks.

The world has suffered a magic apocalypse. Magic comes in waves, without warning. When magic is up, planes drop out of the sky, cars stall, and electricity dies. When magic is down, guns work and spells fail.

Magic waves feed on technology, gnawing down skyscrapers to skeletal husks. Monsters prowl the ruined streets, shapeshifters stalk their prey, and the Masters of the Dead, necromancers driven by their thirst of knowledge and wealth, pilot blood-crazed vampires with their minds.

In this world lives Kate Daniels. Kate likes her sword a little too much and has a hard time controlling her mouth. The magic in her blood makes her a target, and she spent most of her life hiding in plain sight.  But sometimes even trained killers make friends and fall in love, and when the universe tries to kick them in the face, they kick back.

Hidden Legacy – PG-13- Spiceometer 3-4 –Private investigators. Epic magic. Family dynamics. Giant blue tigers. Great fajitas.

The world is ruled by magical dynasties, powerful Houses, who marry for magic, maintain private armies, and own global corporations. Ruthless and cunning, like the aristocratic families of Medici or Tudors, Houses unleash devastating magic on their opponents. They spawn tornadoes, breathe life into constructs, and exhale torrents of fire.

In this world, in the city of Houston, lives the Baylor family. Three sisters, Nevada, Catalina, and Arabella, their two cousins adopted into the family, Bernard and Leon, their veteran mother Penelope, and their Grandma Frida. Together they run Baylor Investigative Agency, except for Grandma Frida who has her own business fixing mobile artillery for Houston’s magical elite. The Hidden Legacy chronicles their lives, relationship, and adventures.

Check out their site for complete list of works, in order, https://ilona-andrews.com/books/

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