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moderngnome's review against another edition
3.0
I really loved Hugh’s character in the main series even though he was evil, so I was looking forward to reading him as the protagonist here, but this one fell a bit flat for me. The relationship between him and Elara was a typical fantasy novel enemies to lovers situation and didn’t have anything extra special to it. I also felt like Hugh lost a bit of his prior characterisation and just fell into a standard antagonistic lover role. Too heavy on the antagonism too between them, not enough actual buildup of their relationship.
desertlover's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 STARS
"You're a killer and a villain."
While I've often contemplated how life would go on after the official ending of Kate Daniels Series, I never would have guessed the answer being...Hugh d’Ambray. It's no secret how much I worship this writing power couple, but I admit to being a little hesitant about a new series featuring a villain I've loved to hate. This is a spinoff, but you definitely need to read Kate Daniels prior to starting this one in order to grasp the complex world and character relationships.
There are small cameos and carrying overs from KD, but this is definitely Hugh and Elara's story.
"Because if I'm your punishment, you're mine."
From the prologue, I was immediately sucked back into this world and it was like no time had passed. There is plenty of action, and the forced relationship between Hugh and Elara had me devouring this book in no time. This is the slowest of burns, and the journey is filled with banter, insane chemistry, and a long road to trust. Elara is everything, and I loved seeing a new powerful heroine to balance out Hugh's complexity. I couldn't get enough of Hugh's background and finally learning what made him the person he became. While I'm always going to be partial to my beloved Curran/Kate, I appreciate Hugh so much more now.
"He is my monster, Commander."
I am thrilled there will be more books set in this world, and I don't have to live without this beloved cast of characters. If you are a Kate Daniels fan, this book is a must read. If you haven't started that series, I cannot recommend it enough! It's one of the best urban fantasies series, period.
A huge thank you to the authors and NetGalley for my advanced review copy.
"You're a killer and a villain."
While I've often contemplated how life would go on after the official ending of Kate Daniels Series, I never would have guessed the answer being...Hugh d’Ambray. It's no secret how much I worship this writing power couple, but I admit to being a little hesitant about a new series featuring a villain I've loved to hate. This is a spinoff, but you definitely need to read Kate Daniels prior to starting this one in order to grasp the complex world and character relationships.
There are small cameos and carrying overs from KD, but this is definitely Hugh and Elara's story.
"Because if I'm your punishment, you're mine."
From the prologue, I was immediately sucked back into this world and it was like no time had passed. There is plenty of action, and the forced relationship between Hugh and Elara had me devouring this book in no time. This is the slowest of burns, and the journey is filled with banter, insane chemistry, and a long road to trust. Elara is everything, and I loved seeing a new powerful heroine to balance out Hugh's complexity. I couldn't get enough of Hugh's background and finally learning what made him the person he became. While I'm always going to be partial to my beloved Curran/Kate, I appreciate Hugh so much more now.
"He is my monster, Commander."
I am thrilled there will be more books set in this world, and I don't have to live without this beloved cast of characters. If you are a Kate Daniels fan, this book is a must read. If you haven't started that series, I cannot recommend it enough! It's one of the best urban fantasies series, period.
A huge thank you to the authors and NetGalley for my advanced review copy.
katestermonster's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sleepytimebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
tessa_b's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
tangodiva's review against another edition
2.0
If there were half votes I'd go for 2.5 stars. I have read none of the Kate Daniels books and most reviews said I didn't have to so I went for it when I saw the library had it.
Good: Started strong and was readable. Loved the quips between the h/h. Really good feel for dialogue.
Bad: Too many fights and battles and strategery (spelled wrong on purpose) that made my head spin. Too many beasties and explanations for the beasties. But I liked the Elephant god. He was cool.
Question: What is Elara? I think she's one of those animatronic first ones they rendered in tiny animatronics on that episode of American Gods. You know the one. Kind of like a Rankin Bass Bering Strait Goddess?
Come at me if I'm wrong!
Good: Started strong and was readable. Loved the quips between the h/h. Really good feel for dialogue.
Bad: Too many fights and battles and strategery (spelled wrong on purpose) that made my head spin. Too many beasties and explanations for the beasties. But I liked the Elephant god. He was cool.
Question: What is Elara? I think she's one of those animatronic first ones they rendered in tiny animatronics on that episode of American Gods. You know the one. Kind of like a Rankin Bass Bering Strait Goddess?
Come at me if I'm wrong!
blessedwannab's review against another edition
5.0
I want to say I was unsure about reading a story about Hugh. That is not the truth! I was super eager for it! I feel like these authors teased this story for so long, allowing us to think it wasn’t actually happening. Even then, I wanted it. And while I wasn’t sure how this writing team would pull off redeeming Hugh, I also fully expected to be won over. I was too, Iron and Magic was really damn good. It enhanced the story perfectly.
There’s a bit of enlightenment to be found in Hugh’s perspective of this world Ilona Andrews built. His experiences are very different from Kate’s. For instance, I know I didn’t realize how deep the connection between Roland and his blooded Warlord was until I read Iron and Magic. It was pretty ingenious actually, both because it made us understand Hugh and Voron, but also because it shed more of a light on Kate’s family and their power. That connection also led to an epic moment between Hugh and Raphael, which was a long time coming and pretty much broke my heart. Because somehow Hugh won my heart, even though his character didn’t change much, just enough for forgiveness.
While I do think Hugh sought and fought for his new future, a huge part of what did it for me in this story was watching Hugh and Elara take each other on verbally. Elara wasn’t afraid of him and gave his sarcastic bite right back. What started as a wary alliance became respect, and I can easily see it becoming something more over the next two Iron Covenant books. Elara is powerful, but her power comes from somewhere very different from Hugh. She’s a contender, an equal, and I loved her and their tenuous bond. Even though Ilona Andrews wrote Hugh as feeling lust for Kate, I always struggled with it because I never felt it myself. I feel the chemistry between Hugh and Elara. I love how she will never abandon him.
Now I really can’t wait to see what happens in Magic Triumphs. I feel like there’s no way Hugh and Elara aren’t in it, and I get the feeling that Elara is going to be the answer to everything, and if I’m right I absolutely adore it! I can’t wait for MORE!
Like this review? Read more like it on Birdie Bookworm!
There’s a bit of enlightenment to be found in Hugh’s perspective of this world Ilona Andrews built. His experiences are very different from Kate’s. For instance, I know I didn’t realize how deep the connection between Roland and his blooded Warlord was until I read Iron and Magic. It was pretty ingenious actually, both because it made us understand Hugh and Voron, but also because it shed more of a light on Kate’s family and their power. That connection also led to an epic moment between Hugh and Raphael, which was a long time coming and pretty much broke my heart. Because somehow Hugh won my heart, even though his character didn’t change much, just enough for forgiveness.
While I do think Hugh sought and fought for his new future, a huge part of what did it for me in this story was watching Hugh and Elara take each other on verbally. Elara wasn’t afraid of him and gave his sarcastic bite right back. What started as a wary alliance became respect, and I can easily see it becoming something more over the next two Iron Covenant books. Elara is powerful, but her power comes from somewhere very different from Hugh. She’s a contender, an equal, and I loved her and their tenuous bond. Even though Ilona Andrews wrote Hugh as feeling lust for Kate, I always struggled with it because I never felt it myself. I feel the chemistry between Hugh and Elara. I love how she will never abandon him.
Now I really can’t wait to see what happens in Magic Triumphs. I feel like there’s no way Hugh and Elara aren’t in it, and I get the feeling that Elara is going to be the answer to everything, and if I’m right I absolutely adore it! I can’t wait for MORE!
Like this review? Read more like it on Birdie Bookworm!
arojo1's review against another edition
5.0
This book was slow to start but picked up quickly once Hugh met Elara. It's such a great idea to delve more into the life of Hugh. Looking forward for book #2!