Early Review – Blood Heir (Aurelia Ryder, Book 1) by Ilona Andrews (5/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: 359 pages
Publisher: NYLA
Release Date: January 12, 2021
ASIN : B08D2215RG
Stand Alone or Series: 1st book in the Aurelia Ryder series
Source: eGalley from Publisher for Review
Rating: 5/5 stars
“Atlanta was always a dangerous city. Now, as waves of magic and technology compete for supremacy, it’s a place caught in a slow apocalypse, where monsters spawn among the crumbling skyscrapers and supernatural factions struggle for power and survival.
Eight years ago, Julie Lennart left Atlanta to find out who she was. Now she’s back with a new face, a new magic, and a new name—Aurelia Ryder—drawn by the urgent need to protect the family she left behind. An ancient power is stalking her adopted mother, Kate Daniels, an enemy unlike any other, and a string of horrifying murders is its opening gambit.
If Aurelia’s true identity is discovered, those closest to her will die. So her plan is simple: get in, solve the murders, prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled, and get out without being recognized. She expected danger, but she never anticipated that the only man she’d ever loved could threaten everything.
One small misstep could lead to disaster. But for Aurelia, facing disaster is easy; it’s relationships that are hard.”
Series Info/Source: This is the first book in the Aurelia Ryder series, it takes place some years after the Kate Daniels book end. It features Kate’s ward, Julie, as the main character. I got a copy of this book from the publishers through NetGalley to review.
Story (5/5): I kind of hate reviewing books I love because I feel like I can never do them justice. I will just start by saying this was so, so good. I have missed the Kate Daniels world so much and this book was everything I hoped it would be. This follows Julie’s story and is set some years after the events in the final Kate Daniels series. Julie/Aurelia has received a prophecy that an ancient child-devouring god will destroy the world and kill Kate if Aurelia doesn’t find a way to stop her first.
Characters (5/5): Julie/Aurelia is a total badass, she’s received extensive training from both Roland and Erra…so you can imagine what a powerhouse she is. You see a lot of cameos from old characters from the Kate Daniels series, as well as meet a lot of really wonderful new characters. The characters in this book are just awesome and so complex, definitely read the Kate Daniels series before this one.
Setting (5/5): Atlanta has changed some but is still just as awesome. I always love the way this world shifts between magic and tech; it’s just so well done and so well thought out. It was a pleasure to be back in this alternate Atlanta.
Writing Style (5/5): Every time I read an Andrews book I am reminded what an awesome urban fantasy should be. The world is unique and intricate, the pace is fast, the characters are phenomenal, and the plot just sucks you right in. There are a ton of amazing action scenes, the random dangerous monster, and a large new threat to Atlanta, Kate and the world as a whole. Everything is just so well balanced; there is danger but also humor and it’s soooo entertaining!
My Summary (5/5): Overall I absolutely loved this and can’t wait for the next book in the series. I pretty much devoured this!!! It was so much fun to be back in the Kate Daniels world, I am dying to read the next book already and fearful I might be waiting years before I get to read it 🙂 As mentioned above, I would definitely recommend reading the Kate Daniels series before you read this one. Although they do a cute Q&A type of thing at the end of the book to give you some background if you try to dive into this book without reading that series first.
