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A review by divapitbull
Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews
3.0
This review contains some spoilery bits about the Kate Daniels' magic series.
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!
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!