Review – Clean Sweep (Innkeeper Chronicles, Book 1) by Ilona Andrews (4/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Size: 234 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Release Date: December 20, 2013
ISBN: 978-1494388584
Stand Alone or Series: 1st book in the Clean Sweep series
Source: Bought
Rating: 4/5 stars
This book was originally released as a series of installments on Ilona Andrews’ website. I have really loved both the Kate Daniels series and The Edge Chronicles and was excited to read another urban fantasy from this husband/wife writing team. This was a fun read and I enjoyed it. It introduces the readers to a unique new world and some fun characters.
Dina is an Innkeeper, who runs an inn that appears normal from the outside…but is actually a waypoint for aliens who travel to Earth. When people’s animals start going missing she suspects an unwanted visitor. That’s when Sean, a werewolf who’s recently moved to the neighborhood, gets involved. Sean and Dina (together with some alien vampires) are about to face one of the toughest and meanest creatures in the universe.
Well done story in a new world. This is an interesting blend of science fiction, aliens, werewolves, witches, and magic. It’s very creative and I enjoyed reading it.
I love how Dina’s Inn is a living thing and thrives based on the health and well-being of it’s guests. I also like how Dina is all powerful in her Inn, but outside of it her magic is weaker and she is more vulnerable.
Dina is a wonderful heroine. She is smart and funny and a bit snarky as well. She has a lot going on with her parents gone missing and with being given an Inn that has long been dormant. She has her work cut out for her just trying to get her Inn back into working order. Then something starts killing pets and Dina wants to help protect her neighborhood…only problem is the monster that is doing the killing is a seriously dangerous creature.
There is a bit of a love triangle in this book (not my favorite). Sean is Dina’s werewolf neighbor. He knows nothing about his alien origins. He’s a bit alpha at times, but also kind of funny. At one point he gets caught peeing on trees in Dina’s yard in an effort to mark territory. Overall I enjoyed him as a character.
The other part of the love triangle is Arland. Arland is an alien vampire that has a serious vendetta about the creature killing things in Dina’s neighborhood. Arland shows up from space to avenge his family and causes all sort of trouble between Sean and Dina.
Yes this is a werewolf, vampire, witch love triangle…wait…hold your sighs and eye-rolls…the book actually pokes fun at this and makes it pretty darn funny. Also don’t worry the romance definitely takes a backseat to the mystery and action…so it doesn’t drive the story but more enhances it a bit.
The adventure/mystery in this book is nicely tied up. I would love to read more adventures with Dina and her Inn. The way the story is set up it is clear that there could be many, many more adventures.
Overall this was a fun read, with lots of humor and great action scenes. I loved the idea of an Inn that was alive. Dina is an excellent heroine that was fun to read about. Sean and Arland were also engaging characters. I loved the world and enjoyed how all the science fiction and paranormal elements were blended together. I think fans of urban fantasy/light sci-fi will enjoy this book a lot. Ilona Andrews fans should be pleased as well. I can’t wait to read more in this series!
This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
– 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge
