Review – Iron and Magic

Title:

Iron and Magic

Series:

World of Kate Daniels #11

Author:

Ilona Andrews

Genre:

Urban Fantasy

Blurb:

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

5stars rating
INTRO:

I can’t believe this is already book nr 11! I have been reading this series on and off for a few years now (I started in 2017), and Hugh, for me, was always the villain you hate to like, but well, I’ve always been weird like that 😀
If you haven’t read any of the Kate Daniels series, stop reading this review, and read those first. While I guess it’s not mandatory, you will miss out on so much if you don’t.

Worldbuilding:

We’re taking a small break from Atlanta and Roland’s games and off to Kentucky. To Baile, to be precise (you pronounce it as “Balyeh”, and it means “Home”). Which is pretty damn fitting since we’re here for most of the book.
As always, scenes and environments are so well written *sigh*. Total immersion isn’t really a question, to be honest, it’s just obvious.

Character development:

Hugh… yep, I’m starting with the guy this time cause we’ve known (and loved and hated) him for a long time now. But he’s not in a good place at the moment. Drunk 24/7 and trying not to remember what he has lost. That is until some Iron Dogs come for him and wake him up to the reality that his long-time enemy Landon Nez is killing off his Iron Dogs one by one. But where to go with 300 men and women who have nothing? Well, glad you asked *points at Elara*. May I present to you Elara, our White Lady (but she hates being called that). She’s mysterious, powerful, and really doesn’t want to reveal anything that might actually help Hugh it seems. But she has a castle with food and plenty of space. All she wants in return is protection. And what way to cement such an alliance but with marriage… oh boy. Expect fireworks and lots of it!
Hugh and Elara are two very, very different people, but they have one important thing in common. They want to protect and take care of their people. This book is about finding the middle ground and moving from there.
Characters, both main and side characters, are very well written. You get to know them, care for them and, omg… the feels. Like seriously, you’ll get emotionally invested. Just saying.

Pacing & Flow:

A lot happens, and looking back, I can’t believe the book is only 392 pages. It felt like way over 500, but in a good way, I promise! Good balance between the action and all the conversation (and fighting and yelling :D). I’ve taken the time to read this book, but it was always on my mind.

The book itself:

The book was very well written with no (noticeable) errors. There is some sex described (if that is important to you).
As I’ve said, it has 392 pages, spread over 17 chapters and is told from both Hugh’s and Elara’s point of view.

Final Thoughts:

What’s not to love about this book?! We get to see a different side of Hugh, and I have to admit, I like him even more now 😀 Superb writing, absolutely engaging. I mean, just pick it up and read it!