This is a short novel, about 60,000 words. On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast. But Dina is…different: Her broom is a deadly weapon; her Inn is magic and thinks for itself. Meant to … itself. Meant to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a retired Galactic aristocrat who can’t leave the grounds because she’s responsible for the deaths of millions and someone might shoot her on sight. Under the circumstances, “normal” is a bit of a stretch for Dina.
And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night…Feeling responsible for her neighbors, Dina decides to get involved. Before long, she has to juggle dealing with the annoyingly attractive, ex-military, new neighbor, Sean Evans–an alpha-strain werewolf–and the equally arresting cosmic vampire soldier, Arland, while trying to keep her inn and its guests safe. But the enemy she’s facing is unlike anything she’s ever encountered before. It’s smart, vicious, and lethal, and putting herself between this creature and her neighbors might just cost her everything.
“Andrews is an auto-buy no matter what the genre!” –Romantic Times“If there is one author that defines Urban Fantasy, it is Ilona Andrews.” –Annie Tegelan, Fresh Fiction
“One of the brightest voices in urban fantasy and one of my favorite authors. Ilona Andrews delivers only the best.” –New York Times bestselling author Jeaniene Frost
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One of my fav books from my fav authors!
I’ve been looking for something fun, light, and magical to read, and my sister’s been trying to get me to pick up Ilona Andrews for a couple years now (side note: Ilona Andrews is actually the pen name for husband-and-wife writing duo Andrew Gordon and Ilona Gordon).
So I finally picked up Clean Sweep last weekend… and then the sequel Sweep in Peace, and now I’m all caught up on the blog where Ilona Andrews is publishing chapters of the third book, One Fell Sweep.
It’s pretty delightful! Dina Demille runs a B&B in a small town in Texas and lives with her shih tzu, Beast, and one permanent guest, Caldenia (who used to be a tyrant, it turns out, and has a price on her head) — but as an innkeeper, Dina’s actually part of a society that’s integral to keeping the peace between worlds, and she hosts all sorts of special guests and gets into trouble, and there are descriptions of food (especially in book two), and it’s a really nice, light read. Would recommend!
I love this series! It’s a wonderful urban fantasy with a sci-fi twist and plays with the usual vampire and werewolf tropes of the UF genre in fun ways.
This series is an urban fantasy mixed with science fiction… and it works. It is every bit as fun to read as the Kate Daniels one, but also very different. When I first began it, I thought it might not be very action-packed because of the main character being magically bound to an inn–yes, like a bed and breakfast inn. So glad I didn’t let that stop me from reading because this series is one of the most original reads I’ve come across. Innkeeper Dina is both feminine and powerful. Dina uses the female qualities which fuel her magic to battle and defeat all kinds of enemies. She’s a twenty-four-year-old heroine with the strongest sense of self I’ve read in a very long time. It was definitely her inn and her rules, but she maintains kindness and compassion. Kudos to the author for writing something I know I will return to again and again. I’ve read this series twice already.
I’ve loved all of Ilona Andrew’s series, and I thought this is a good series to start with if you haven’t read any of her books. It’s a great premise and the characters are quirky and fun. The other Ilona Andrews series are darker, but this one is for all lovers of magic and mahem, with a little sci-fi thrown in for good measure. And as always, her female characters kick butt. 🙂
Hope you enjoy it.
Dina Demille might look like a normal bed and breakfast owner but in actuality her inn is magic, her broom is a deadly weapon, and her pet Shih Tzu is no ordinary dog. Gertrude Hunt Inn is a lodging house for otherworldly visitors but currently has only one resident. But when something is attacking dogs and people in her neighborhood Dina has to team up with a werewolf and a vampire to bring it down.
This book was just what I needed right now! Dina was a very interesting and unique character. I loved how she was caring and kind, but wasn’t afraid to fight for her town or her inn. I love heroines who can be deadly if they need to be.
As with a lot of urban fantasies there was just a hint of romance in this one. Dina is attracted to both the local werewolf Sean Evans and the vampire soldier, Arland. Sean and Arland were both great characters and I found their versions of vampires and werewolves fascinating. I know both will probably show up in future books, which I am both excited and apprehensive about. I don’t like love triangles so I hope this doesn’t become one.
This was a fascinating and gripping world. I love the whole idea of an innkeeper with a magical bed and breakfast. The different worlds that were mentioned sound very unique and captivating and want to know more about them. I do wish we saw more of Baha-char because it seemed like a fascinating marketplace.
I couldn’t put this book down and I can’t wait to start the next book. I love reading series with unique worlds like this because I can’t get enough of them.
This was another fun book by Ilona Andrews. So far every book I read by them I loved, this book was no exception.
I have the special paperback edition so it also has some Black and White original illustrations, which I believe were fan art, but I could be wrong, either way it was a nice touch and I really enjoyed them.
I really liked the story and the spin they put on magic and the creatures, like Vampires and Werewolves and so on. It was something different and it makes me curious to see where it still will go from here on.
I also really enjoyed the idea of the Inn and the innkeepers and the history of them but also her Family. Another thing I really enjoyed was that we get to see the Inn grow with her throughout but also still learning about it. It was nicely done and was easy to read and enjoy.
I loved Dina, and I cant wait to learn more about her but also her family. I loved that she was strong and stood n her own two feet and stood her ground, oh Beast was just too awesome all together.
I also really enjoyed Sean, and I think we will of course see much more about him, I’m also curious to learn more about him but also the shifters in this universe and to see what all he learned on his travels.
Arland, is another one I think we will see much more of, I liked him but he was not my favorite and I really hope we are not getting a love triangle here but we shall see.
Overall I really, really liked this book and I think I might start book tonight.
I rate it 4
One of my fave authors ever.
Love this entire series of three so far. I’m waiting for her to write more!
Outstanding ! In every area that you can think of. It says in the book information that it’s a short novel but hey, wow! It’s one FULL story. It’s action packed with great world building, so imaginative and also well detailed “creatures”. The battles are epic with unpredictable things happening even when it’s not a battle. The Inn itself was something that I never knew how it could or would react.
Even Dina’s cute, little”pet”dog, Beast is way more than I expected.
The two “men” in the story present plenty of drama all on their own. Made for some interesting reading. There is a surprise twist when it comes to the two of them.
And the local human policeman is keeping a suspicious eye on Dina and her little Inn. He causes some minor disruptions in her life in this book. But I bet he’s not done yet when it comes to future books.
It has quite a stunning ending..for now.
This book was chosen for our library book club and I think I can speak for everyone when I say we loved it. The story is funny, action-packed, and there is just enough mystery to keep you guessing what is going to happen next. Would recommend 100%.
“…Something isn’t right with you and this property. Strange things happen around it. I don’t know what is going on, but I will find out. You could make it easier on yourself by coming clean.”
“Sure. This is a magic bed-and-breakfast and the two guys in my kitchen are aliens from outer space.”
I absolutely loved this book! When I read the blurb, I felt like it was made for me. I mean a Innkeeper who has witch type powers, a murderous permanent guest and it is in Texas. I mean hello??? YES PLEASE!!
Not much of a love story although, there was some chemistry between Dina and Sean. I can’t wait to read more of this series and see what else Dina and her magical band of misfits can get into!!
A Great fan of Ilona Andrews this story has a newness and refreshing take in sci fi fantasy genre. The heroine is strong willed and resourceful the side aspects that support her as she moves through her story just add to make it a great read.
I love this author, so anything by this writing team I’ll read. I’m never disappointed. This one isn’t a favorite like the Kate Daniels series, but I still really enjoyed it.
This is the first book I’ve read by these authors. I can’t wait to read their other works.
Urban Science Fiction?
One of the things I love about Urban Fantasy is that it can be blended with other genres, such as Western, Thriller, Horror, Mystery, Superhero and many more. The one genre though I didn’t think it could overlap with was Science Fiction, and yet, the author has managed to aptly pull this off. Vampires and Werewolves are aliens and not magical creatures like in tradition urban fantasy. Technology plays a big a role in the story as magic.
The main character Dina is an innkeeper who runs a small bed and breakfast. The inn though is no ordinary inn and serves as a rest stop for intergalactic travelers. The Inn is also the center of Dina’s magic powers, away from its confines her power is significantly diminished. This limitation to her powers is a fantastic source of tension to the story.
The characters in the story are wonderfully unique, each has their own set of goals and desires which is another source of conflict that keeps you turning the page to find out what happens. The only issue I had with this book is that I started later in the evening and it cut into my sleep schedule as I was unable to put it down. I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
You’ve all been holding out on me, but I suppose I’ll have to forgive you for not insisting I read Ilona Andrews until now. Take this review as a blanket five-star for the entire Innkeeper series, which I gobbled up in one fell sweeping-swoop (pun intended). The books are romantic, but not your typical romances, with action and quirky characters–just a total delight.
I read this in one day. It was complicated and confusing at times, and be warned about violence to animals at the start. It was also fast paced, compelling, and sometimes funny. I see why the series is so popular.
There is some cool world building in this! I gotta say when our leading lady was suddenly in a love triangle with a vampire and a werewolf, I did want to groan and yell timeout. But the resemblance to Twilight was superficial (and clearly an inside joke at the end). Another cool universe for me to explore. Well done Team Andrews! lol! Happy Reading!
A fast, entertaining read and an excellent escape.