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A review by fafabookcorner
Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews
3.5
Review posted on Fafa's Book Corner!
Beware spoilers ahead!
Trigger warning: Gruesome animal murders, descriptions of murders (fantasy creatures), and abusive behaviour.
Ilona Andrews is an author pair that I have been hearing about for years now. The duo are well received within the paranormal and adult community. I was in the mood for a strong female character book, so I found Clean Sweep. I am happy to say that I enjoyed it!
One of Dina's neighbors dogs has been murdered yet again. Although this time the body is nearby her Bed and Breakfast. The neighbors leave Dina to talk to said neighbor. In the process Dina confronts new neighbor Sean Evans about the murders. The conversation doesn't go well with Sean calling her crazy. That night Dina sees an unknown monster. Presuming this is the monster attacking the dogs, she attacks and kills it. Dina then finds herself facing something that she may not be prepared for. And she can't do it alone.
I had so much fun reading Clean Sweep! The book is written in first person whilst in Dina's point of view. There are chapter numbers as well as pictures. The pictures are in color. I really liked how the authors added that. You don't really see many adult books with pictures in color.
The world building was incredible! It was a perfect blend of paranormal romance, fantasy, and sci-fi. There are actual planets that Dina has traveled through. The vampires and werewolves have their own residing planet. I have never read a book as such. The magic system was unique! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Dina's role as an innkeeper and the rules behind the world. I even enjoyed reading about the broom, the house, and Dina's dog Beast.
Dina was such a breath of fresh air! She had a no-nonsense attitude, was highly intelligent, hilarious, and very relatable! And she read like a 24 year old. There is a bit of mystery surrounding the disappearance of her parents. It's only barely touched upon in this book. While Dina wasn't aware of everything that was happening, she knew enough about her the magic system. Breaks the stereotypical females in fantasy.
Sean was previously in the army and has recently retired. He moved to Dina's neighborhood for a peaceful life. Of course this gets disturbed when the attacks start happening. Sean really grated on my nerves in the beginning. A majority of his behaviour was abusive. He did get significantly better as the story went on and apologized for his behaviour.
Sean's interactions with Dina do cause him to grow. Dina is the one to explain the world his people comes from and the magic system. I have to admit that he did grow on me. Also his military knowledge was useful whenever they needed to plan anything.
There isn't much to say about Arland (the vampire). He has a very esteemed position in the army. The plot actually does revolve on him and some of his connections. He was smart and a charmer. That's all I can think off. Arland is introduced towards the end of the book. Not much was revealed about him.
Caldenia is the only guest at Dina's Bed and Breakfast. Holding a high position of sorts, she is a wanted murderer. Caldenia has killed thousands and for her own safety she is sent to Dina's inn with the orders off never leaving. She actually paid Dina a lifetime worth of stay. In her own right she is also mysterious. Not that much is known about her. Caldenia knows quite a bit and was able to piece everything together before anyone else. Some of the best lines come from her. She was seriously funny.
The highlight off Clean Sweep is how well Dina managed to handle everything. She never resorts to anger. While she does get angry here and there, she is able to maintain a level head. She handled both Arland and Sean excellently. I just really love and appreciate Dina!
I had two problems with this book. I felt that the love triangle bogged everything down. Arland and Sean actually have fights over her. Usually which way is best to protect her. Although I appreciated that it was because of her lack of combat skills. Not her good looks. I also felt that Sean's feelings for Dina were rushed. I felt no chemistry between them. While I would prefer for Sean to be end game, I mostly felt mutual respect and friendship between them. Not a crush. Had it not been for these points I probably would've rated it 5 stars otherwise.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed Clean Sweep! I am looking forward to the next book. I highly recommend this series.
Beware spoilers ahead!
Trigger warning: Gruesome animal murders, descriptions of murders (fantasy creatures), and abusive behaviour.
Ilona Andrews is an author pair that I have been hearing about for years now. The duo are well received within the paranormal and adult community. I was in the mood for a strong female character book, so I found Clean Sweep. I am happy to say that I enjoyed it!
One of Dina's neighbors dogs has been murdered yet again. Although this time the body is nearby her Bed and Breakfast. The neighbors leave Dina to talk to said neighbor. In the process Dina confronts new neighbor Sean Evans about the murders. The conversation doesn't go well with Sean calling her crazy. That night Dina sees an unknown monster. Presuming this is the monster attacking the dogs, she attacks and kills it. Dina then finds herself facing something that she may not be prepared for. And she can't do it alone.
I had so much fun reading Clean Sweep! The book is written in first person whilst in Dina's point of view. There are chapter numbers as well as pictures. The pictures are in color. I really liked how the authors added that. You don't really see many adult books with pictures in color.
The world building was incredible! It was a perfect blend of paranormal romance, fantasy, and sci-fi. There are actual planets that Dina has traveled through. The vampires and werewolves have their own residing planet. I have never read a book as such. The magic system was unique! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Dina's role as an innkeeper and the rules behind the world. I even enjoyed reading about the broom, the house, and Dina's dog Beast.
Dina was such a breath of fresh air! She had a no-nonsense attitude, was highly intelligent, hilarious, and very relatable! And she read like a 24 year old. There is a bit of mystery surrounding the disappearance of her parents. It's only barely touched upon in this book. While Dina wasn't aware of everything that was happening, she knew enough about her the magic system. Breaks the stereotypical females in fantasy.
Sean was previously in the army and has recently retired. He moved to Dina's neighborhood for a peaceful life. Of course this gets disturbed when the attacks start happening. Sean really grated on my nerves in the beginning. A majority of his behaviour was abusive. He did get significantly better as the story went on and apologized for his behaviour.
Sean's interactions with Dina do cause him to grow. Dina is the one to explain the world his people comes from and the magic system. I have to admit that he did grow on me. Also his military knowledge was useful whenever they needed to plan anything.
There isn't much to say about Arland (the vampire). He has a very esteemed position in the army. The plot actually does revolve on him and some of his connections. He was smart and a charmer. That's all I can think off. Arland is introduced towards the end of the book. Not much was revealed about him.
Caldenia is the only guest at Dina's Bed and Breakfast. Holding a high position of sorts, she is a wanted murderer. Caldenia has killed thousands and for her own safety she is sent to Dina's inn with the orders off never leaving. She actually paid Dina a lifetime worth of stay. In her own right she is also mysterious. Not that much is known about her. Caldenia knows quite a bit and was able to piece everything together before anyone else. Some of the best lines come from her. She was seriously funny.
The highlight off Clean Sweep is how well Dina managed to handle everything. She never resorts to anger. While she does get angry here and there, she is able to maintain a level head. She handled both Arland and Sean excellently. I just really love and appreciate Dina!
I had two problems with this book. I felt that the love triangle bogged everything down. Arland and Sean actually have fights over her. Usually which way is best to protect her. Although I appreciated that it was because of her lack of combat skills. Not her good looks. I also felt that Sean's feelings for Dina were rushed. I felt no chemistry between them. While I would prefer for Sean to be end game, I mostly felt mutual respect and friendship between them. Not a crush. Had it not been for these points I probably would've rated it 5 stars otherwise.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed Clean Sweep! I am looking forward to the next book. I highly recommend this series.