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a_kira's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this glimpse into Hugh's character and his life transformation. Wish the series continued with the angles they hinted at within this story, but really enjoyed this alone.
cassandra67b07's review against another edition
5.0
5/24/20. Reread on audio during COVID daily walk. Steve West is an outstanding narrator and really captures Hugh. Enjoying this a second time around.
eARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review follows:
So, I raced through this book and have to say that I didn't really think it could be done. Could you turn an antagonist with a real streak of cruelty into a protagonist and a credible love interest? The answer in Iron and Magic is yes, yes, you can. As long as you give him something and someone to protect.
Mild spoilers follow:
In the Kate Daniels series, Hugh has been a "Big Bad" of sorts. Not the ultimate, "Big Bad-that distinction belongs to Roland-but a credible and intelligent opponent to Kate and her friends and allies. He's done some dreadful things to characters readers had come to care about and he seemed to do it without any sense of remorse or regret.
And in this book, we see where that has left him. We get into his head and discover what Roland meant and still means to him, we see what he really thinks about Kate and the Pack, and what it will take for him to live his life independent of Roland's magic. And he makes a choice. Well, more than one but there's one big one that made me catch my breath.
On top of Hugh's journey, there's also my favorite trope in fiction. All together now---the marriage of convenience! Elara has no interest in marrying Hugh, Hugh has no interest in marrying her but they must.
Oh no, whatever will they do?
Turns out, they will do quite a lot. Separately and together. They are both powerful and scary individuals and how they find common ground is one of the best parts of this book and I refuse to spoil it except to say that this is not a Beauty and the Beast story. They don't suddenly become less dread in the old sense of the word. But they are transformed.
This is a book with darker themes than Ilona Andrews' fans might be used to, but it suited these characters and situations perfectly. Oh, and the sex is pretty damn hot.
eARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review follows:
So, I raced through this book and have to say that I didn't really think it could be done. Could you turn an antagonist with a real streak of cruelty into a protagonist and a credible love interest? The answer in Iron and Magic is yes, yes, you can. As long as you give him something and someone to protect.
Mild spoilers follow:
In the Kate Daniels series, Hugh has been a "Big Bad" of sorts. Not the ultimate, "Big Bad-that distinction belongs to Roland-but a credible and intelligent opponent to Kate and her friends and allies. He's done some dreadful things to characters readers had come to care about and he seemed to do it without any sense of remorse or regret.
And in this book, we see where that has left him. We get into his head and discover what Roland meant and still means to him, we see what he really thinks about Kate and the Pack, and what it will take for him to live his life independent of Roland's magic. And he makes a choice. Well, more than one but there's one big one that made me catch my breath.
On top of Hugh's journey, there's also my favorite trope in fiction. All together now---the marriage of convenience! Elara has no interest in marrying Hugh, Hugh has no interest in marrying her but they must.
Oh no, whatever will they do?
Turns out, they will do quite a lot. Separately and together. They are both powerful and scary individuals and how they find common ground is one of the best parts of this book and I refuse to spoil it except to say that this is not a Beauty and the Beast story. They don't suddenly become less dread in the old sense of the word. But they are transformed.
This is a book with darker themes than Ilona Andrews' fans might be used to, but it suited these characters and situations perfectly. Oh, and the sex is pretty damn hot.
rusticreadingal's review against another edition
4.0
As with all of Ilona Andrews books, Iron and Magic was compelling and almost impossible to put down. I was completely pulled into this story and didn't want to be interrupted for anything. It's one of those books that even when I wasn't reading, it lingered in my mind. I couldn't stop thinking about it and what might happen next. It's extremely action-packed. There were many times when I felt like I couldn't catch my breath, the action was so intense and unrelenting.
I'm not gonna lie, this was a dark and violent book. Disturbing and gruesome things happened that made me a bit squeamish. But there was also a lot of humor that seemed to come along at just the right time when things started getting a little too dark. And there were many times that I found myself laughing out loud. There was a good balance.
A lot of bad could be said about Hugh, but one thing you can't fault him on is his loyalty. I had mixed feelings about him at the beginning, but by the end I found that I really liked him. He's well matched with Elara. She's fierce, protective, and full of sass. Their chemistry was off the charts and their banter was so much fun.
I think it'd be best to have at least some knowledge of the Kate Daniels series before diving into this one. I've read quite a few of the those books, but am sadly a little behind. I didn't find myself lost at all though while reading Iron and Magic. It just made me all that more eager to read the ones I haven't gotten to yet, to find out all the details of how things got to this point.
Iron and Magic is a must read for any fan of the Kate Daniels series. I'm anxious to find out what happens next!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
NOTE: This book contains graphic violence, strong language, and steamy scenes.
I'm not gonna lie, this was a dark and violent book. Disturbing and gruesome things happened that made me a bit squeamish. But there was also a lot of humor that seemed to come along at just the right time when things started getting a little too dark. And there were many times that I found myself laughing out loud. There was a good balance.
A lot of bad could be said about Hugh, but one thing you can't fault him on is his loyalty. I had mixed feelings about him at the beginning, but by the end I found that I really liked him. He's well matched with Elara. She's fierce, protective, and full of sass. Their chemistry was off the charts and their banter was so much fun.
I think it'd be best to have at least some knowledge of the Kate Daniels series before diving into this one. I've read quite a few of the those books, but am sadly a little behind. I didn't find myself lost at all though while reading Iron and Magic. It just made me all that more eager to read the ones I haven't gotten to yet, to find out all the details of how things got to this point.
Iron and Magic is a must read for any fan of the Kate Daniels series. I'm anxious to find out what happens next!
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
NOTE: This book contains graphic violence, strong language, and steamy scenes.
curls's review against another edition
5.0
What is my favorite trope? Enemies to lovers romance.
What could make that better? A marriage of convenience between said enemies with a slow burn romance between both characters.
This book has been on my radar for a while now and I was thrilled to get an arc for early review.
Hugh was always an interesting villain. He’s more of the dragon to Roland’s Big Bad villain, or Darth Vader to the Emperor. While Roland is playing the dad card with Kate, Hugh shows how ruthless Roland is simply by following orders. After Roland drops Hugh like it’s hot in the Kate Daniels series, Hugh finds himself nowhere. No where to go, nothing to do, no one to believe in. His soldiers he trained, the Iron Dogs, are being hunted and killed, and the few remaining are loyal to Hugh, not Roland.
Elara and her followers, the Departed, have been nomadic for a while but finally have a home, a castle in Kentucky. But while they are rich in resources, the Masters of the Dead are trying to force her and her people out of their home.
An arrangement is made for the Iron Dogs and the Departed to align. In order to make this believable, the two leaders are going to be married. Elara needs soldiers, Hugh’s soldiers need food, and Hugh needs a shower, but more importantly he really wants a chance to piss off Landon Nez, Master of the Dead.
It goes about as well as one would expect.
General thoughts without context:
Hugh’s idea of a fun reception is hilarious and about what you would expect.
Bucky is precious and must be protected at all costs.
Elara and Hugh exchanging insults is life.
I’m watching you Vanessa.
Wth is with Elara’s power???? Damn...
Stoyan is awesome.
This book is firmly set in the Kate Daniels universe. It would be possible to read and enjoy this book without reading any of the previous books. There are mentions and references made to previous plot lines, but these are new characters, well except for Hugh and Roland. So if you’re overwhelmed by how many books are already out but are interested in giving this series a try, this might be the book for you. Or if you want an enemies to lovers romance and have never read Ilona Andrews, this is a great read.
But for fans of the Kate Daniels series, you won’t want to miss this one!
Five stars!
What could make that better? A marriage of convenience between said enemies with a slow burn romance between both characters.
This book has been on my radar for a while now and I was thrilled to get an arc for early review.
Hugh was always an interesting villain. He’s more of the dragon to Roland’s Big Bad villain, or Darth Vader to the Emperor. While Roland is playing the dad card with Kate, Hugh shows how ruthless Roland is simply by following orders. After Roland drops Hugh like it’s hot in the Kate Daniels series, Hugh finds himself nowhere. No where to go, nothing to do, no one to believe in. His soldiers he trained, the Iron Dogs, are being hunted and killed, and the few remaining are loyal to Hugh, not Roland.
Elara and her followers, the Departed, have been nomadic for a while but finally have a home, a castle in Kentucky. But while they are rich in resources, the Masters of the Dead are trying to force her and her people out of their home.
An arrangement is made for the Iron Dogs and the Departed to align. In order to make this believable, the two leaders are going to be married. Elara needs soldiers, Hugh’s soldiers need food, and Hugh needs a shower, but more importantly he really wants a chance to piss off Landon Nez, Master of the Dead.
It goes about as well as one would expect.
General thoughts without context:
Hugh’s idea of a fun reception is hilarious and about what you would expect.
Bucky is precious and must be protected at all costs.
Elara and Hugh exchanging insults is life.
I’m watching you Vanessa.
Wth is with Elara’s power???? Damn...
Stoyan is awesome.
This book is firmly set in the Kate Daniels universe. It would be possible to read and enjoy this book without reading any of the previous books. There are mentions and references made to previous plot lines, but these are new characters, well except for Hugh and Roland. So if you’re overwhelmed by how many books are already out but are interested in giving this series a try, this might be the book for you. Or if you want an enemies to lovers romance and have never read Ilona Andrews, this is a great read.
But for fans of the Kate Daniels series, you won’t want to miss this one!
Five stars!
cacuin's review against another edition
4.0
Great side tale to the main world of Kate Daniels. I hope it keeps going. I don't mind a novel where I don't really like the main characters. If you have an issue with that this might not be the book for you. Both main characters at not good people in the general sense of the word. Both will be ruthlessly evil to protect their people.
jonkerkat's review against another edition
4.0
So even though I skipped all the other books I still really enjoyed this one. The world was refreshing and I enjoyed Hugh and Elara’s relationship. The banter was always witty and I was just waiting for them to do something! Anything!
It was nice to know the common goal and that was basically to survive the Nez attack. It was interesting to see the plot and how they worked together as a team. The ending did feel a little rushed and lackluster? Like all that work and they are right back to where they were before?
It was nice to know the common goal and that was basically to survive the Nez attack. It was interesting to see the plot and how they worked together as a team. The ending did feel a little rushed and lackluster? Like all that work and they are right back to where they were before?
angels_gp17's review against another edition
4.0
Before you beginning. You need to read the Kate Daniels series first. The Iron Covenant is a spin-off with Hugh d’Ambray, Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, & Warlord of the Builder of Towers from the Kate Daniels series. Once you do read Kate Daniels; Iron and Magic is best read after Magic Binds and before the final installment in the series, Magic Triumphs.
Now onto Iron and Magic.
I had fun with this novel. Hugh is such an interesting character. Here we see him down in the dumps. His Iron Dogs are being hunted like dogs. He’s at his lowest. If you’ve read Kate Daniels, you know that Hugh was Roland’s Warlord, until Roland took away his power and position. I loved and hated Hugh, but here I got to see deeper into the man. Here we get to see him come to terms with what he did and find out who he is. It’s self-discovery. Something he never had a chance to do when in Roland’s power.
"This new life, it was just his. Hugh didn’t owe it to anyone. He was building it himself, brick by brick, one shovel of cement at a time, the same way he had built that damn moat. He was building his own castle, and for better or worse, the harpy wormed her way into his world and became its tower."
Elara Harper the White Lady. She’s powerful in her own right, but it’s a power that can consume her if she is not carful. Many fear her and what she is. When we meet her it's during a time when she needs a buffer; between her people and those seeking to take the land, the home, they have claimed.
"There were two monsters in this hallway, he was one and she was the other, both of them horrible in their own ways."
Elara and Hugh form an alliance with old traditions; a marriage, not of love, but of convince and necessity. The romance/love is not their yet, but you can see they are building and working towards that. They have a way's to go and I like the direction it is taking. I’m not totally sold on the romance, but I can see it coming. They have a lot to over come, work on, and it will take time. I feel it’s good for both of them.
"And yet they clashed against each other like fire and ice."
What pulled me in was digging deeper into the Iron Dogs, Hugh, and Elara. I love the character building and see who these people are and what makes them tick. I also had a lot of fun with the banter; between Elara and Hugh. As always their is no shortage of action, amazing battle scenes and battle strategies. We get conflict on so many different fronts and more then one enemy to battle.
The Andrews team does a famous job of pulling you in and making their scenes and world come alive. Iron and Magic is a treat, especially for fans of the Kate Daniels series. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Rated: 4 Stars
Audio 2020: OMG! This was my first listen to Hugh's story. It was so good. I picked up things I missed the first time around. I loved the voices. Steve West was perfect for this book.
Now onto Iron and Magic.
I had fun with this novel. Hugh is such an interesting character. Here we see him down in the dumps. His Iron Dogs are being hunted like dogs. He’s at his lowest. If you’ve read Kate Daniels, you know that Hugh was Roland’s Warlord, until Roland took away his power and position. I loved and hated Hugh, but here I got to see deeper into the man. Here we get to see him come to terms with what he did and find out who he is. It’s self-discovery. Something he never had a chance to do when in Roland’s power.
"This new life, it was just his. Hugh didn’t owe it to anyone. He was building it himself, brick by brick, one shovel of cement at a time, the same way he had built that damn moat. He was building his own castle, and for better or worse, the harpy wormed her way into his world and became its tower."
Elara Harper the White Lady. She’s powerful in her own right, but it’s a power that can consume her if she is not carful. Many fear her and what she is. When we meet her it's during a time when she needs a buffer; between her people and those seeking to take the land, the home, they have claimed.
"There were two monsters in this hallway, he was one and she was the other, both of them horrible in their own ways."
Elara and Hugh form an alliance with old traditions; a marriage, not of love, but of convince and necessity. The romance/love is not their yet, but you can see they are building and working towards that. They have a way's to go and I like the direction it is taking. I’m not totally sold on the romance, but I can see it coming. They have a lot to over come, work on, and it will take time. I feel it’s good for both of them.
"And yet they clashed against each other like fire and ice."
What pulled me in was digging deeper into the Iron Dogs, Hugh, and Elara. I love the character building and see who these people are and what makes them tick. I also had a lot of fun with the banter; between Elara and Hugh. As always their is no shortage of action, amazing battle scenes and battle strategies. We get conflict on so many different fronts and more then one enemy to battle.
The Andrews team does a famous job of pulling you in and making their scenes and world come alive. Iron and Magic is a treat, especially for fans of the Kate Daniels series. I can’t wait to see what comes next.
Rated: 4 Stars
Audio 2020: OMG! This was my first listen to Hugh's story. It was so good. I picked up things I missed the first time around. I loved the voices. Steve West was perfect for this book.
bponsford's review against another edition
4.0
Not sure I buy some of the re-visiting of Hugh - feeding Christopher in his cage on the sly - but the story was fun.