Fun; brief but it packs a punch at the end. This one is for those who've already read the other Innkeeper Chronicle books, though there's enough 'tell' sprinkled throughout that a first-timer wouldn't be totally confused. They would be totally spoiled for the others though, as there are spoilers to previous plots in the text.
A lot of the secondary cast are 'away' for this story, so Orro gets a bit more attention, and it appears Dina is making new friends. Not sure if we'll see them again, as this novella has a pretty tidy HEA ending, but they'll be welcome additions to any future Innkeeper books.
This was a novella and I wish that it had been fleshed out more to make it a longer story. I think that Dina's quickness of reconnecting with Gertrude Stein was way too fast considering how much of the story had her full of angst because she can tell that she and the inn were not synched up like they were before her sacrifice in "One Fell Sweep." I loved the story-line though with a whole new powerful entity out there. I hope we get to see the new characters introduced in this one again in future stories.
"Sweep With Me" takes place during the same time period of "Sweep of the Blade." Dina is still recovering with her sacrifice when she connected with a seed before it would become an inn. She also feels afraid that Sean, her boyfriend, and werewolf, may get hurt and she will be left alone again. I loved that we get to see a tradition of the inn's on Earth during "Treaty Day" where they have to allow anyone who wants to stay at the inn, to stay as a visitor. Due to this, Dina has agreed to host three special people/groups who may cause her trouble with the Assembly.
I loved that we get to see a new species in this one called the Drifen. They sound like superheroes or gods practically. I would love a new spin-off focusing on them and the leader that we get to meet in this one who had shades of Kate Daniels, though sadder somehow.
We also get Dina and Sean hosting galactic chickens. I maybe died at the illustration that was included.
And lastly we have Dina and Sean hosting a Medamoth. Sean's adventure with the Medamoth and Orro was the freaking best and I laughed for a long time. I wouldn't mind a POV.
I definitely cannot wait for a longer novel.
A charming, short novella in the Innkeeper Chronicles, from #1 New York Times bestselling author, Ilona Andrews.
Thank you for joining us at Gertrude Hunt, the nicest Bed and Breakfast in Red Deer, Texas, during the Treaty Stay. As you know, we are honor-bound to accept all guests during this oldest of innkeeper holidays and we are expecting a dangerous guest. Or several. But have no fear. Your safety and comfort is our first priority. The inn and your hosts, Dina Demille and Sean Evans, will defend you at all costs. [But we hope we don’t have to.]
Every winter, Innkeepers look forward to celebrating their own special holiday, which commemorates the ancient treaty that united the very first Inns and established the rules that protect them, their intergalactic guests, and the very unaware/oblivious people of [planet] Earth. By tradition, the Innkeepers welcomed three guests: a warrior, a sage, and a pilgrim, but during the holiday, Innkeepers must open their doors to anyone who seeks lodging. Anyone.
All Dina hopes is that the guests and conduct themselves in a polite manner. But what’s a holiday without at least one disaster?
Sweep with Me is a novella in the Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews
This was a fun novella. The Andrews team packed, so much into this short story.
I loved seeing Diana and Sean again. Dina is upset, sad, and worried about something big, but the Inn is never quiet and some big things happened that take her mind off of all those worries. In the end Diana takes care of all her guests in true Innkeeper fashion and solidifies her standing with the Innkeeper Assembly.
Sweep with Me packs a punch. There is no shortage of creativity, action, emotions, and fun!
Rated: 4.5 Stars
Was this review helpful? If so, please consider liking it on Goodreads (Angela)!
Challenge:
I was born and raised in Northern Indiana. I’m an outdoor sun loving reader living near San Fransisco. I’m a mother, wife, dog owner, animal, and book lover. I’m the owner, reviewer, and mind behind Angel’s Guilty Pleasures. My favorite animals are horses & dogs. As for reading I love all things paranormal & urban fantasy. My favorite shifters are dragons!
Listening Length: 8 hours and 53 minutes
Maud Demille was a daughter of Innkeepers. She knew that a simple life wasn't in the cards, but she never anticipated what Fate would throw at her.
Once a wife to a powerful vampire knight, Maud and her daughter, Helen, had been exiled for the sins of her husband to the desolate planet of Karhari. Karhari killed her husband, and Maud had spent a year and a half avenging his debts. But now all the debts are paid. Rescued by her sister Dina, Maud had swore off all things vampire. Except she met Arland, the Marshal of House Krahr. One thing led to another and he asked for her hand in marriage. She declined.
Try as she might, she can't just walk away from Arland. It doesn't help that being human is a lot harder for Maud than being a vampire.
To sort it all out, she accepts his invitation to visit his home planet. House Krahr is a powerful vampire House, and Maud knows that a woman who turned down the proposal from its most beloved son wouldn't get a warm reception. But Maud Demille never shied from a fight and House Krahr may soon discover that there is more to this human woman than they ever thought possible.
Published as an online free serial before the book is compiled and self-published shortly after completion.
Sweep of the Blade is book four in the Innkeeper Chronicles series by Ilona Andrews. We are treated to Vampire politics, a wedding, a double cross, and battles that are very bloody.
OMG I loved the audio. I actually had the book and eBook on release day, but I was waiting for the audio to come out. I LOVE the audios for the previous books and felt this book would be so much better to listen too. I wasn’t disappointed.
In Sweep of the Blade we focus on Maud and her daughter. If you haven’t read the series I suggest starting at the beginning or at least read/listen to One Fell Sweep before picking up Sweep of the Blade. That is where we meet Dina’s sister Maud.
When the book starts it starts with Maud’s exile on a lawless Vampire plant where all the criminals are sent and then moves onto present day.
Maud was married to a Vampire and had a daughter. It was perfect at first, but then things went wrong. She doesn’t want to open her heart up, nor does she want her daughter to get emotionally hurt, again. It’s a tough road to let someone in and hope they won’t hurt you like her previous husband and his family. Maud doesn’t give up easily. She ends up coming to terms with her past, who she is, and what she wants in life. It felt like a rebirth and self discover story.
I loved that we get to visit the Vampires, learning more about them, and traveling to one of their home worlds.
As for the romance; well I didn’t feel any romance between Maud and Arland. Like is their, but the romance was lacking for me. They are just so formal with each other; even in private. Their guard comes down some of the time, but not enough. Mainly we are focusing on Maud and her issues; instead of the romance.
Narration: We switch narrators from Renee Raudman to Natalie Naudus. This is my first time with this narrator. She was amazing and wonderful. Her voices are smooth and easy to listen too. The battles are vivid and Maud’s inner issues are brought out. I really enjoyed the audiobook and recommend listening.
Rated: 4 Stars
Was this review helpful? If so, please consider liking it on Goodreads (Angela)!
Challenge(s):
I was born and raised in Northern Indiana. I’m an outdoor sun loving reader living near San Fransisco. I’m a mother, wife, dog owner, animal, and book lover. I’m the owner, reviewer, and mind behind Angel’s Guilty Pleasures. My favorite animals are horses & dogs. As for reading I love all things paranormal & urban fantasy. My favorite shifters are dragons!
Log in with Facebook 
