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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.
a_kira's review against another edition
5.0
cassandra67b07's review against another edition
5.0
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
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 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!