The Iron Covenant Book 1No 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 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.
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Loved this spin-off from the Kate Daniels series. Hugh de Ambry has served Roland with unquestioning devotion his entire life, and done some really terrible things. But now he has been exiled and cut off from Roland’s magic. He wants to die, but must rally to save the men and women of the Iron Dogs who are being assasinated one by one by Rolands thugs. He must find a base of operations that he can defend and food for his army. As a result he finds a new purpose, a home and people to protect, and a mysterious, magical and powerful new wife. What a power couple they make! It’s a good thing too, because big trouble is on the horizon. Loved Hugh and Elara and this new storyline by Illona Andrews.
I didn’t think Hugh could be the hero after his appearances in prior KD books. But I totally loved him in this role
Oh my… how can Ilona Andrews take one of her nastiest, cruelest monsters and turn him into a romantic hero? When I saw the April Fool’s post a few years ago I thought such a thing was impossible. Well, years later, here it is… and not only did they succeed in making Hugh the hero of his own story, and a romantic lead, but they wrote on hell of a story. Ilona Andrews is my favorite author, and this novel is ample proof of why. Fun, exciting, full of amazing details and a world that is as original as I’ve ever seen.
Wow. It’s late, way late and I just had to finish this before bed. Therefore, mind blown. I think I love Hugh now. How’d THAT happen?!
As usual with any Ilona Andrews book. Great story, great characters, great world building. If I see a book by Ilona Andrews, I will buy it sight unseen, knowing I’m in for a wonderful adventure.
My new favorite anti hero!
Great beginning to new series. Read after last Kate Daniel’s book
Ilona Andrews never seems to write a bad book. This one is especially interesting.
It is a book about a villain…well, you can’t say he changes his ways or reforms but you might say he changes his focus. I enjoyed it a great deal.
Leave it to Ilona Andrews to turn Hugh D’Ambray, a rather despicably, yet likable villain into a…dare I say…hero! Even better, pairing him with the snarkiest, secretive person they could find.
What can I say? I enjoyed this book a lot! I not only got a kick out of Elara and Hugh’s sarcastically charged exchanges, but found myself laughing my head off! (There’s plenty of seriousness too, but the banter is what really stood out for me.) They’re also equally matched in stubbornness and secrets, and their unwanted attraction…just wow.
The Iron Dogs have their own quirky personalities and Elara and her crew are keeping my curiosity spiked. Toss in magic, crazy enemies, battles, and a few surprises on Hugh’s part-yeah, I’m hooked!
This whole series is great….love the book.
Love, love, love!!
Good spinoff entry interesting characters
Great read. Set in the world of the Kate Daniels series it shows a side of Hugh that is becoming more himself without the influence of Roland. This is not particularly a stand alone novel as the background and history of the protagonists relationships with others is, in part, what makes it so good. These are my favorite authors and they never let me down.
I loved it. Didn’t expect to but was very surprised!
A must for any Kate Daniels/ Ilona Andrews mega fan.
Another aspect of Kate Daniels world.
The chemistry between Hugh and Elara was electric. Watching Hugh change from Roland’s Preceptor to being his own person was believable and moving. I loved Hugh’s irreverence, even when he thought for sure that he’d die. Every character was well-drawn and the evil villains were memorably evil. A great read!
Great new spin off. Ready to see what happens next!
I am really enjoying this book. I have read the other books in the Kate Daniels series, so it like visiting family after being away a long time.
Diving in…can’t wait!