Review – Sweep of the Blade (Innkeeper Chronicles, Book 4) by Ilona Andrews (5/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Independently published
Release Date: July 12, 2019
ISBN-13: 978-1080143986
Stand Alone or Series: 4th book in the Innkeeper Chronicles
Source: Bought for Kindle
Rating: 5/5 stars
“Maud Demille is a daughter of Innkeepers—a special group who provide ‘lodging’ to other-planetary visitors—so she knows that a simple life isn’t in the cards. But even Maud could never have anticipated what Fate would throw at her.
Once a wife to a powerful vampire knight, Maud and her young daughter, Helen, were exiled with him for his treachery to the desolate, savage planet of Karhari. Karhari killed her husband, and Maud—completely abandoned by his family—has spent over a year avenging his debts. Rescued by her sister Dina, she’s sworn off all things vampire.
Except… In helping Dina save the world, she met Arland, the Marshal of House Krahr, one of the most powerful vampire houses. One thing led to another and he asked for her hand in marriage. She declined. Arland is not used to hearing the word ‘no;’ and try as she might, Maud 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 extremely influential and Maud knows that a woman—a human, with a very questionable past—who’s turned down a proposal from its most beloved son won’t get a warm reception. Maybe she’s not sure about marrying Arland, but House Krahr isn’t going to decide for her. Maud Demille has never run from a fight, and House Krahr will soon discover that there’s a lot more to Maud than they’re expecting.”
This is the fourth book in the Innkeeper Chronicles and switches to Maud’s POV. I really really loved this. Although I missed Dina and her inn, I enjoyed getting to learn more about Maud and accompany her on her space adventures.
Maud has sworn off vampires and their politics but she is having trouble swearing off Arland who is a vampire and the Marshal of House Krahr. Maud decides to take a risk and try to make one last go at making it in vampire society. To this end, she and her daughter Helen journey with Arland to House Krahr and strive to win the approval of his family. However, while there she ends up embroiled in politics and games with other vampire houses as well.
This book has many more sci-fi elements than the rest of the Innkeeper Chronicles, I enjoyed this and thought it was really well done. I loved all the characters, especially Maud, Arland, and Helen. While I was a bit sceptical about switching characters at first, I ended up falling in love with these characters.
There is a ton of action in here and some really awesome fight scenes. As with most of the Andrews’ books, this one is an excellent balance of creative world-building, politics, action, amazing characters, and some romance.
Overall I continue to be a huge fan of this series and this book was an amazing addition to it. I love how well balanced and well done all the different elements of this story are. I would highly recommend to both urban fantasy and sci-fi fans.
