"...“The ugly truth about democracy is that it breeds anxiety. The responsibility for the government is shifted onto the body of the citiz*** 4.65 ***
"...“The ugly truth about democracy is that it breeds anxiety. The responsibility for the government is shifted onto the body of the citizenry, who often lack the awareness and knowledge necessary to make informed decisions. They are tasked with electing their officials, they stress over it, they fall into despair when their side loses and act like their lives are over, and then when the government they elected inevitably does something they don’t want, they feel betrayed. There is no constancy in leadership, the policies vary wildly from one administration to the next, and one never knows where the nation shall be in ten years’ time. It is chaos.”..."
For a fun, slice-of-life in a Fantastical Inn story, this has a great thoughts on government and democracy:):):)
Once again, I absolutely loved the tale the Andrews team is spinning. We are back at the Inn and Dina Demille and Sean Evans are co-innkeeping, while their chef Orro and permanent guest Her Grace Caldenia, are co-existing in harmony and constant, very entertaining drama:) The regular guests, those that come, visit and then go, are often the main entertainment. In this case, literally. The Dominion's ruler is looking for a bride, and the venue for this "Bachelor" style selection is bestowed onto our own Gertrude Hunt, the up and coming in the interstellar Inn network establishment. Twelve brides/grooms are presented and they have to prove why they are the ones to be chosen for the honor of becoming the Spouse! Thigs become even more complicated when we discover that Caldenia has history with our Bachelor, and it is not what you think... Also, we have a friendly werewolf to rescue, which brings the stakes of hosting the event, without incurring any casualties, even higher.
"...“This could be made much simpler if we just locked Caldenia up until it’s over,” Sean said. “Sometimes you say things that make me wonder about you.” “No need to wonder. I’m a simple man. I love you and I will protect you. And the inn. Even if I have to murder Caldenia and everyone else to do it.” I stood on my toes and kissed him. “What if we don’t murder anybody?” The corners of his mouth curved. “No promises.”..."
As I already said, this was fun, engaging and very pleasant to read, as usually the Andrews' works are. I utterly enjoyed myself!!! ...more
"“Adapt or die,” Helen said. “It’s impossible to stop change,” Maud said. “It’s the nature of life. Those who refuse to adapt will even*** 4.15 ***
"“Adapt or die,” Helen said. “It’s impossible to stop change,” Maud said. “It’s the nature of life. Those who refuse to adapt will eventually die out. But before they do, they will get nasty. They might even hate you.”"
Another light and very enjoyable read by the Ilona Andrews team! I was reading it, thinking that when I pick up a book by them, I never worry that I might be disappointed, no matter how little I know about the book beforehand. They are one of the authors I buy books by as soon as they publish, because I can count on them to find a way and bring out a pleasant experience, be it with romance, urban fantasy, or paranormal romance. I might like some of their work more than other, but I always end up enjoying myself.
"“Vampire worldview, condensed into three sentences: If it’s not food or a pet, kill it, because it might be poisonous.”"
I have a soft spot for the Innkeeper series. It is funny at times, it is full of caring, and it is magical in a very realistic way. The characters and their relationships is what makes these books special, and although we have moved on from the first three books leading character Dina, to her sister Maud, the overall light mood of the series persists and the authors guide us into their world with easy consistency.
I recommend this series to all readers, regardless of age or genre preference. I believe everyone could find something to love in them...more
Perfection!!! For a short story, it packs all the goodness of Ilona Andrews!!!
"...“Sentient beings are spectacular liars. We are gifted with an unpPerfection!!! For a short story, it packs all the goodness of Ilona Andrews!!!
"...“Sentient beings are spectacular liars. We are gifted with an unparalleled ability to deny things that make our life unpleasant. We even pretend death isn’t a certainty, because contemplating our own mortality drives us mad.” ― Ilona Andrews, Sweep with Me..."
Dena, Caldenia ( “Excellent. Life gives us precious few opportunities to put our best foot forward, so when a chance to shine presents itself, one should always take it.” Caldenia grinned, baring inhumanely sharp teeth. “Besides, it’s been almost two weeks since anyone was brutally murdered. Things were getting a bit dull. We wouldn’t want to die of boredom, would we?”), and the Inn gang are hosting a murderous "pretty" alien (His hair was long and fell to his shoulders in perfectly symmetrical golden blond waves, as if he had spent a staggering amount of time with a curling iron and then killed half of the planet’s ozone layer spraying it in place.), a powerful Lord Magician, and 61 sentient giant space chickens who are using the Inn as a place for their philosophy convention. Yes, Chicken Philosophers!!! And a chef who is trying and miserably failing in reproducing a fast food cheeseburger - the conclusion is, it is not real food!!! Such poisonous for the body food product just doesn't exist in nature... (“If this human creates problems, we will feed him the Grand Burgers. Once he consumes enough of them, his body will surely fail.”)...more
The Grand IAA™ KD Buddy Rerererereread Extravaganza!
This is a great beginning for a wonderful series!!! Yes, I am biased. I can't help that. *** 4 ***
The Grand IAA™ KD Buddy Rerererereread Extravaganza!
This is a great beginning for a wonderful series!!! Yes, I am biased. I can't help that. This is the first book in a series by which all other UF series are measured in my mind, so it is difficult to stay objective at this point. Having said that, I am not in any way blind to the many inconsistencies in this volume, not only within its content, but also with the prequel short story. However, just as in most things, when it comes to the work of Ilona Andrews, we tend to forgive and overlook, because after all, this was just the beginning. They grew with every book that followed, so yeah, we are cutting them some slack:)
The World IA create is one of the most imaginative and whimsical I have ever encountered. It is a World a lot like ours, having been created and led by its developments in science and technology. Imagine our world, but at some point in the past 100 years or so, Magic enters is in waves, and being surpassed for so long, it devastates most of what Technology had established. The Magic feeds and erodes all of Technology and its creations, leaving only skeletal buildings and intermittently working phones, TVs, radio or any of the things we have grown so accustomed to in our daily lives. The battle of the two powers makes for a World where people are never sure which wave of influence will be dominant over which part of the country , what time and for how long... Although Magic seems to be dominant at this time, Technology has its established roots deep and is not ready to fully capitulate.
"...“Magic could not be measured and explained in scientific terms, for magic grew through destroying the very natural principles that made science as people knew it impossible.”..."
Many things have changed since Magic has come back, but most importantly, creatures which were considered only myths and old wives tales are now part of reality. There are deities, monsters, undead and Shape-shifters, all becoming just another part of the city and landscape. There are two factions, which have become predominant along with the magical and non-magical humans. One is The People, a sect of Necromancers who control hoards of undead-vampire creatures. The other is the Pack, a controlling gathering body of loosely connected shifter animal clans, where the members live by strict Code, allowing them to keep their animal nature in check and helping their humanity stay in charge.
"...“Please, Kate. Suspend your dislike of me for a few moments and listen to what I have to say. It makes sense." "I don't dislike you. It's an oversimplification.”..."
Our main protagonist is the tough as nails Kate Daniels, a Guild Mercenary, wielding a sword which eats magic, and who does anything and everything possible to stay lower than the grass, hiding from both infamy or recognition, but a character and blood like hers have almost zero chance of not failing in hiding in spectacular fashion. When she receives a news of her guardian being killed, with him goes the only connection left to her now gone family. She decides to investigate who and why he was killed and her investigation leads her to the conclusion that someone is trying to start a war between the People and the Pack, and her guardian had gotten too close to the truth. In her efforts to find the perpetrator, she meets with members of both groups, proving once again that she makes friends easily, but enemies even easier. This is when she meets with the Leader of the Pack, his furriness, Curran, and the first line she mutters to him is a classic Kate: “Diplomacy was never my strong suit and my patience had run dry. I crouched and called out, "Here, kitty, kitty, kitty." [...] "Kitty, kitty?" asked a level male voice.[...] "What kind of woman greets the Beast Lord with 'here, kitty, kitty'?" he asked. "One of a kind". I murmered the obvious reply.” . Because, what else can one say to the Big Bad Lyon, King of the Jungle?:)
"...“I turned to leave and paused before the gap in the ruined wall. "One last thing, Your Majesty. I'd like a name I can put into my report, something shorter than typing out 'The Leader of the Southern Shape-changer Faction.' What should I call you?" "Lord." I rolled my eyes. He shrugged. "It's short.”..."
We also get to meat the young wolf-shifter Derek, who after somewhat of a rough start, decided to hang with Kate for the chicks"in truckloads"!:):):) And last but not least, my favorite character of the series, the often disliked Saimon made a cameo, not too much, just enough to make me happy! So, if you are still wandering if this series is for you, if you love the Fantasy genre as a whole, and Urban Fantasy in particular, I would heartily recommend it! Give it a try and if you feel let down by book 1, give it another chance. Book 2 just might get you hooked for life!!!
Now I wish you all Happy Reading and many more Wonderful Books to come!!!...more
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