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inirac's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
The writing is not good, but the story is semi-interesting, which is why I finished it. I have since learned more about how this series came to be, and it does feel way more blogg-y than novel so I can forgive some of its weirdness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Abandonment
Moderate: Gore, Violence, and Grief
mari1532's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I first learned about this series and graphic audio from @reads_romance on Instagram. Given that it received a high recommendation it seemed like a good place to begin my reading for the new year as I wasn't sure which audiobook I wanted to listen to first. It also helped that this was included with my Audible membership. I'm glad that I did because this was an entertaining read.
It took me a bit to get into the story even with the performative audio. The beginning of the book is chaotic. We start with the horrid tragedy of a dog being killed. Although it becomes apparent Andrews decided to start here as the story unfolds, it is a very heartwrenching place to begin. Also, the attempt at comedic relief with Seth's behaviour immediately following Dena's confronting him about the death seemed in poor taste in addition to being stupid.
I also had a problem with how the police officer's relationship with Dina is addressed. Dina tries to explain that he has magical abilities that have manifested in a strong sense of intuition, but he is harassing Dina. He has no evidence to suspect her yet continues arriving at her home. However, she continues to reiterate that he is a nice man.
Overall, this was an interesting book with an interesting take on supernatural characters. The romance angle is not highly detailed in this book and in many ways, it appears that Dina and Seth hate each other, but not in an enemies-to-lovers kind of way, rather as siblings fighting way.
This is a fun read, but if you want a detailed, romantic, supernatural drama this is not for you. This is book is for you more if you love supernatural intrigue with a dash of romance and chaotic attempts to control political dynamics while hiding from humans.
It took me a bit to get into the story even with the performative audio. The beginning of the book is chaotic. We start with the horrid tragedy of a dog being killed. Although it becomes apparent Andrews decided to start here as the story unfolds, it is a very heartwrenching place to begin. Also, the attempt at comedic relief with Seth's behaviour immediately following Dena's confronting him about the death seemed in poor taste in addition to being stupid.
I also had a problem with how the police officer's relationship with Dina is addressed. Dina tries to explain that he has magical abilities that have manifested in a strong sense of intuition, but he is harassing Dina. He has no evidence to suspect her yet continues arriving at her home. However, she continues to reiterate that he is a nice man.
Overall, this was an interesting book with an interesting take on supernatural characters. The romance angle is not highly detailed in this book and in many ways, it appears that Dina and Seth hate each other, but not in an enemies-to-lovers kind of way, rather as siblings fighting way.
This is a fun read, but if you want a detailed, romantic, supernatural drama this is not for you. This is book is for you more if you love supernatural intrigue with a dash of romance and chaotic attempts to control political dynamics while hiding from humans.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, War, and Injury/Injury detail
geekmom's review
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
This was fun, light, and clever. Great vacation reading!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Sexism
rivercat0338's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Violence
kathis_wonderland's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Dina: Hüterin der Tore von Ilona Andrews ist der erste Teil der Innkeeper Chronicles. Dina besitzt ein Gasthaus, in welchem magische Wesen Schutz und eine Unterkunft bekommen. Als ihr Ort und damit ihr Gasthaus in unmittelbare Gefahr geraten, gibt sie ihre Neutralität auf und kämpft für ihre Nachbarschaft und ihr Gasthaus.
Ich habe dieses Buch vor sieben Jahren zum ersten Mal gelesen und war damals hin und weg vom Buch. Über die Jahre, habe ich mir auch die anderen Teile der Reihe gekauft und gewartet, bis alle übersetzt werden. Da jedoch anscheinend nicht alle übersetzt werden, habe ich mich jetzt wieder an die Reihe gewagt und den ersten Band noch einmal gelesen. Leider muss ich sagen, dass er mir nicht mehr so gut gefällt, wie vor sieben Jahren. Das Buch war nicht schlecht, aber auch nicht besonders gut.
Das Buch hat auch eine kleine Dreiecksbeziehung, was ich mittlerweile gar nicht mehr mag. Die ist aber in diesem Buch wirklich minimal. Dina ist sich bewusst, dass zwei Männer an ihr interessiert sind, aber eigentlich ist es ihr recht egal. Ich wüsste nicht einmal, welches "Team" ich in diesem Buch wäre. Der Werwolf Sean ist arrogant und der Vampir Arland komisch. Schön ist aber, dass die beiden Männer im Ernstfall zusammenhalten. Eine wirkliche Liebesbeziehung kommt in diesem Band aber nicht vor.
Ich finde die Idee mit dem magischen Gasthaus sehr kreativ und toll. Man kann es sich richtig gut bildlich vorstellen, wie sich das Gasthaus bewegen kann und reagiert. Spannend sind auch die vielen verschiedenen Kreaturen. Mich fasziniert es immer wieder aufs Neue, dass man noch immer Kreaturen und Wesen erfinden kann, die man noch nicht kennt.
Leider war das Buch nicht so gut, wie ich es in Erinnerung hatte. Dennoch war es nicht schlecht. Ich freue mich schon auf die nächsten Teile.
Ich habe dieses Buch vor sieben Jahren zum ersten Mal gelesen und war damals hin und weg vom Buch. Über die Jahre, habe ich mir auch die anderen Teile der Reihe gekauft und gewartet, bis alle übersetzt werden. Da jedoch anscheinend nicht alle übersetzt werden, habe ich mich jetzt wieder an die Reihe gewagt und den ersten Band noch einmal gelesen. Leider muss ich sagen, dass er mir nicht mehr so gut gefällt, wie vor sieben Jahren. Das Buch war nicht schlecht, aber auch nicht besonders gut.
Das Buch hat auch eine kleine Dreiecksbeziehung, was ich mittlerweile gar nicht mehr mag. Die ist aber in diesem Buch wirklich minimal. Dina ist sich bewusst, dass zwei Männer an ihr interessiert sind, aber eigentlich ist es ihr recht egal. Ich wüsste nicht einmal, welches "Team" ich in diesem Buch wäre. Der Werwolf Sean ist arrogant und der Vampir Arland komisch. Schön ist aber, dass die beiden Männer im Ernstfall zusammenhalten. Eine wirkliche Liebesbeziehung kommt in diesem Band aber nicht vor.
Ich finde die Idee mit dem magischen Gasthaus sehr kreativ und toll. Man kann es sich richtig gut bildlich vorstellen, wie sich das Gasthaus bewegen kann und reagiert. Spannend sind auch die vielen verschiedenen Kreaturen. Mich fasziniert es immer wieder aufs Neue, dass man noch immer Kreaturen und Wesen erfinden kann, die man noch nicht kennt.
Leider war das Buch nicht so gut, wie ich es in Erinnerung hatte. Dennoch war es nicht schlecht. Ich freue mich schon auf die nächsten Teile.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Grief and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Cannibalism, Colonisation, and War
readsbymoonlight's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
lorienkittybooks's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Gore, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
linzvee's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Gore, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Cannibalism and War
smuttymcbookface's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
As with all Ilona Andrews' books, the world building and plot in this are wonderful. They've done an amazing job of pairing the cosiness of a quiet B&B with their typical urban fantasies.
The characters are well thought out and nuanced. I appreciate that all their romances are slow burn, with an early focus on plot over romantic progression.
My only gripe is that this felt so short, but that could definitely have just been because I zoomed through it.
The characters are well thought out and nuanced. I appreciate that all their romances are slow burn, with an early focus on plot over romantic progression.
My only gripe is that this felt so short, but that could definitely have just been because I zoomed through it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, and Medical content
Minor: War
ruthannejoy's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Minor: War