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littleastrid's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
indusnm's review against another edition
5.0
I like that Hugh is actually better as he is now. That he won't let Elara be the end of his people even though he would probably risk themselves for her. And wow, Elara. Ilona Andrews writes ridiculously amazing female characters.
I keep reading that the next book is not coming any time soon and that makes me seriously sad. I can't wait to see the next chapter in their story. I love the secondary characters. I love the fight between Harry Potter and Machiavelli. I want to return to this world for a long time to come.
ammiebelle's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I know it’s the first of three so I’m expecting that it’s going to take all three books for me to be completely won over by Hugh, but I think this is a good first step. The bulk of the story is the introduction of a new main character, Elara, through marriage and a new setting through a battle with a common enemy: Landon Nez, whom we have met in previous Kate Daniels’ novels.
Unfortunately there are a few things preventing me from giving it four or five stars. First, I have a problem with the retconning of Hugh’s feelings on shapeshifters. It’s drastically different from what we previously know about him. The authors try to explain it and I could see where some buy it but I wish his feelings changed based on the trilogy’s story arc rather than the reasons presented. Second, none of the secondary characters made a huge impression on me. In Kate’s world, the characters we meet are so rich and well drawn that I feel like I know them and can predict how they will react. Now, that series is nine books in so I can’t really hold Iron and Magic to the same standard after one book. I just wish that one or some of Elara’s or Hugh’s team would have stood out for me.
Even with these issues, I will read it again and look forward to the next installment. I want to learn more about Elara’s magic, her people, and their history. The snippets that we got were enough to intrigue me and make me want more. And yes, I do want to see Hugh become the hero. I’m rooting for him.
divapitbull's review against another edition
3.0
Iron and Magic is the first book in a spin-off trilogy set in the Kate Daniels’ Magic universe. I would not recommend reading it as a standalone. It ties back into the Magic series (where it ranks book 9.5, right before book 10 Magic Triumphs) enough that if you’re not familiar with the series, even with the summaries and background information provided – you’re still going to miss a lot. Also, you’re going to miss some of the best bits, and I’m not sure why you’ll care all the much about the rest.
The first part of the book started out as a solid 2 stars for me. I felt like the book was having an identity crisis and wasn’t sure if it wanted to be a mediocre paranormal romance or a mediocre paranormal-fantasy action- adventure story. Neither was really ringing my bell. If you don’t know the character of Hugh d’Ambrey and you’re looking for traditional romance, you’re going to be sorely disappointed. The romance between Hugh and Elara, the White Witch – or whatever she is – is however perfect for Hugh and totally in character. Despite their constant sniping at each other and declarations of hate; you can still see the growing affection on both sides.
The initial adventure story with the Mrogs didn’t keep my interest; and it was towards the middle of the book I figured out that the purpose of Iron and Magic was meant to accomplish 2 things. It needed to make Hugh d’Ambrey a sympathetic character (anyone who can’t see that, hasn’t read the Magic series; because this is a kinder, gentler Hugh). Plus, there is the caveat that while he was bound to Roland, Roland more or less took his free will and suffused him with a sense of well being and the inherent rightness of any atrocity Roland wanted him to perpetrate. Also, Hugh loves animals; and animals love him – it was really that simple for me. Team Hugh, now.
The second thing Magic and Iron needed to accomplish was presenting a compelling case to explain why Hugh when given the opportunity rejected Roland and why he is – in future books in the Magic series – going to ally himself with his arch-nemesis Kate. Hugh is now free to throw himself into his relationship with Elara over the next 2 books in the trilogy because he figured out his fascination/attraction to Kate and has finally seen the sibling vibe. He also finally gets that he and Kate and her unborn son are all nothing but pawns and tools for Roland to use as he sees fit.
Magic and Iron picks up towards the very end with the final battle scene and it seems that almost everything significant gets crammed into the last 10% of the story. If you are following the Magic series, you definitely WANT to read this book. Also we get a nice Ascanio cameo (still a wise ass but growing into a sage young man) and Raphael and Andrea make a brief appearance. The last 10% had me riveted, so 4 stars in the end and balancing out to a solid 3. Also Elara is badass and very cool!
indecisivesailorscout's review against another edition
5.0
christinevellis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
iskanderjonesiv's review against another edition
4.0
The Iron Covenant Book 1
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.
**
Review
Praise for the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of the Kate Daniels sereis Ilona Andrews
“Ilona Andrews's books are guaranteed good reads.”—Patricia Briggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“One of the brightest voices in urban fantasy...Ilona Andrews delivers only the best.”—Jeaniene Frost, New York Times bestselling author
About the Author
“Ilona Andrews” is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.) Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Texas with their two children and many dogs and cats. They have co-authored several NYT and USAT bestselling series. They are currently working on urban fantasy of Kate Daniels, the paranormal romance of Hidden Legacy, and thjeir independently published series, Innkeeper Chronicles. You can read more about their work on their website: http://www.ilona-andrews.com
truequeenofchaos's review against another edition
5.0
papidoc's review against another edition
3.0
lectorliber04's review
4.0
Hugh d'Ambray was scary, ruthless and without heart so to have a book which will be part of a series dedicated to him and the Iron Dogs picked my interest. I didn't think there was any way Hugh could be redeemed in my eyes but Ilona Andrews did just that and more. There are glimpses of his past history, before he became Roland's warlord. A little child with powers he didn't understand and at the mercy of a ruthless man finds himself being 'rescued' by another man he called God: Roland. But Roland cast Hugh out and turned his back on him.
The Iron Dogs are without a leader and they need him back. Reluctantly Hugh sobers up and takes back the leadership he doesn't want. Hugh's journey from killer and servant to protector and master of his own destiny was fun to read. A forced marriage to Elara (witch, sorcerer, goddess, something else?) in exchange for room and board for his soldiers was his salvation although at the start he didn't think it was so. The banter, the fights, the half lies to get what they wanted, and the attraction they both couldn't understand was wonderful to read. Of course, the book wasn't just about Elara's and Hugh's romance but about Roland's involvement in the killings of the Iron Dogs. So there were battles, monsters, vampires, witches, dealings with the Atlanta Pack and a promise that while the final battle was won, there's more to come. Can't wait for the next book.