Old hatreds die hard. Old love dies harder. On Meli Galdes' home planet, the struggle for power is a bloody, full-contact sport-in business and on ...
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reviews
Jun 17, 2009
new_user
rated it: 
Cool characters, tone, world. I don't know why they don't write in this world. I would take this futuristic mafia/assassin/old flame/revenge story to magical "detectives" any day. The ene-ribbon fighting was very cool and unique. Couldn't help remembering some anime I've seen. :D
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Nov 30, 2011
Kmont
rated it:
Very good, especially considering the short length. Great worldbuilding, wonderful character development. I was emotionally invested, even shed a tear of two. Eager to read more of this authorial pair's short stories now. This is how a short story should be done.
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Feb 01, 2011
Amy or "Ames"
rated it:
My first thought upon finishing was "Wow, that was damn good!".
Silent Blade may fall into the romance category but it is far from soppy. It's futuristic revenge against a man who devastated a young girl and her family in the name of his "freedom".
For a short story the characters were remarkably complex and well fleshed out. The power plays and the tippings of the balance of power between Celino and Meli were brilliantly done. In a futuristic world of More...
Silent Blade may fall into the romance category but it is far from soppy. It's futuristic revenge against a man who devastated a young girl and her family in the name of his "freedom".
For a short story the characters were remarkably complex and well fleshed out. The power plays and the tippings of the balance of power between Celino and Meli were brilliantly done. In a futuristic world of More...
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(5 people liked it)
Sep 24, 2011
Cheryl
rated it:
Silent Blade by Ilona Andrews takes place in another world. The world is harsh, yet beautiful, and vividly described by Ilona Andrews. The world is dominated by Kinsmen, and clan/family are more important than individual. [return][return]Meli Galdes is betrothed at the age of 10 to Celino Carvanna, a man from another family, for the sole reason of consolidating power between the two families. While Meli accepts the engagement, Celino rebels and dumps Meli. Now considered untouchable, Meli
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Jan 29, 2012
Mimi
rated it:
4 stars
A very, very, very short book(a short story really), but a good one nonetheless.
This is the first book set in a world where microchips give people special powers....
The World
"In the course of space colonization, there arose a need for humans with enhanced abilities. Men and women who could survive harsh conditions, who were superb warriors, gifted hunters, and brilliant scientists.
Some enhancements were technological in nature: an ar More...
A very, very, very short book(a short story really), but a good one nonetheless.
This is the first book set in a world where microchips give people special powers....
The World
"In the course of space colonization, there arose a need for humans with enhanced abilities. Men and women who could survive harsh conditions, who were superb warriors, gifted hunters, and brilliant scientists.
Some enhancements were technological in nature: an ar More...
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Oct 05, 2011
Brie
rated it:
Originally posted at Romance Around the Corner
I first heard of this series a couple of weeks ago when book 2, Silver Shark, was released. Since I’m a huge fan of the On the Edge series I decided to read these novellas because they looked promising and most importantly, short.
These are sci-fi stories set in a distant future were different planets have been colonized and where the most influential people have several enhancements that can be either mechanical or psychic, which More...
I first heard of this series a couple of weeks ago when book 2, Silver Shark, was released. Since I’m a huge fan of the On the Edge series I decided to read these novellas because they looked promising and most importantly, short.
These are sci-fi stories set in a distant future were different planets have been colonized and where the most influential people have several enhancements that can be either mechanical or psychic, which More...
Sep 17, 2011
Melindeeloo
rated it: 
Assassin Meli, is given the chance to even the score when the man who cause her to be ostracized from Kinsmen society is presented to her as her final target.
I very rarely reread, since there's always something new and shiny calling my name, but after reading - the new and shiny - Silver Shark, which has a brief cameo with the leads here, I was inspired to do a reread. (Even though it meant repurchasing the story, since my old version is DRM'd to a computer I no longer own). Still i More...
I very rarely reread, since there's always something new and shiny calling my name, but after reading - the new and shiny - Silver Shark, which has a brief cameo with the leads here, I was inspired to do a reread. (Even though it meant repurchasing the story, since my old version is DRM'd to a computer I no longer own). Still i More...
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Apr 09, 2011
Kathryn
rated it:
Meli is an assassin for her family but she now longs for retirement. Her family arranges for one last mission to kill the man who rejected her 18 years before. Celino decided not to go through the arranged marriage to Meli and would rather become a business tycoon and gain his freedom.
Meli believes this last job is perfect revenge, she would use him and make him love her before destroying him. The last hing she expected was for her heart to fall inlove yet again to this man and for More...
Meli believes this last job is perfect revenge, she would use him and make him love her before destroying him. The last hing she expected was for her heart to fall inlove yet again to this man and for More...
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Mar 24, 2011
Amy
rated it:
I really enjoyed this short story (novella?) by Ilona Andrews. I love her Kate Daniels series and I'm always hesitant to read things outside of the series I love by authors because oftentimes I haven't liked them as much. This is not true of Ilona Andrews.
I really liked the world building. I really became emersed in the story even though it was not novel length. It was an interesting play on the world we live in. It didn't really seem too unheard of that some of the things in the st More...
I really liked the world building. I really became emersed in the story even though it was not novel length. It was an interesting play on the world we live in. It didn't really seem too unheard of that some of the things in the st More...
Aug 02, 2010
Angie
rated it:
I have been going through another bout of Kate & Curran withdrawals lately. Really, they're simply Ilona Andrews withdrawals because I just am ten different ways in love with the way they write a world. I know going in to expect to be amazed, delighted, and--above all and thank the high heavens--entertained. Whether its shapeshifters and magic waves, overlapping dimensions and backwoods feuds, or futuristic assassins and genetically enhanced mafiosi--it is guaranteed to get my bibliophilic heart
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Nov 15, 2009
Lexie
rated it:
Its honestly not an exaggeration when I say that this story made me tear up. Look I have read a lot of romance novels (and I do mean a lot) in my life. Everything from early Harlequin romances to yaoi and I can name on my one hand the amount of books that have made me so happy that HEA's exist in romances. Silent Blade made the list.
Meli and Celino were both defined and restrained by who their families were. What it meant to be kin, the sacrifices you had to make to keep the family s More...
Meli and Celino were both defined and restrained by who their families were. What it meant to be kin, the sacrifices you had to make to keep the family s More...
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(4 people liked it)
Aug 24, 2009
Janice (Janicu)
rated it:
http://janicu.livejournal.com/80345.html...
Despite the teetering TBR pile, I went ahead and bought Ilona Andrews' latest (a short story from Samhain) as soon as I thought I'd made a wee dent in my reading. The price is $2.50 at the Samhain website but a helpful commenter (_ocelott_ from genrereviews) let me know it was cheaper at Books on Board. As of this review, the price there is $1.74, and its $2.00 at Amazon.
This is a short story in a world that isn't the same as tha More...
Despite the teetering TBR pile, I went ahead and bought Ilona Andrews' latest (a short story from Samhain) as soon as I thought I'd made a wee dent in my reading. The price is $2.50 at the Samhain website but a helpful commenter (_ocelott_ from genrereviews) let me know it was cheaper at Books on Board. As of this review, the price there is $1.74, and its $2.00 at Amazon.
This is a short story in a world that isn't the same as tha More...
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Sep 18, 2011
Lauren
rated it: 
I love Ilona Andrews - both the Kate Daniels series and the Edge series. For that reason I always make it a point to read any anthology with their short stories. This series/short story was not at the usual high level I expect from their published work. There are a few editorial issues, but none so bad that it's unreadable and I realize the e-pub works don't get the same publishing and care as the others.
Some Spoilers here possibly:
The characters are okay. For an assassin More...
Some Spoilers here possibly:
The characters are okay. For an assassin More...
Aug 11, 2010
Chachic
rated it:
Originally posted here.
I didn't even know that there was a novella by Ilona Andrews until I saw Angie of Angieville's review. Thanks for the heads up, Angie! Silent Blade is a romantic science fiction story which can be purchased in e-book format from Samhain. Strong female protagonist determined to get her revenge on the man who ruined her life? I knew I was in for a treat.
This is the first time that I've ever read romantic science fiction and it looks like it won't be More...
I didn't even know that there was a novella by Ilona Andrews until I saw Angie of Angieville's review. Thanks for the heads up, Angie! Silent Blade is a romantic science fiction story which can be purchased in e-book format from Samhain. Strong female protagonist determined to get her revenge on the man who ruined her life? I knew I was in for a treat.
This is the first time that I've ever read romantic science fiction and it looks like it won't be More...
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Sep 05, 2010
Tracy
rated it:
While Silent Blade is novella-length, it's written with a surprising depth and emotion that I found appealing. I'm rather amazed that Ilona Andrews managed to combine such interesting world building and character development in such a short vehicle...though maybe I shouldn't be, as I'm a tremendous fan of her writing style. I am also surprised at how much I enjoyed this, as science fiction is by no means a preferred genre of mine. This was a pleasant little read that I enjoyed very much, and whi
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Sep 15, 2010
Lmb
rated it:
This is a short which is under Romance/Sci-Fi category.
What can I say - these 2 can write a really well done story. I was completely engaged from the start & although a mere 50 pages - the pacing was believable & well done.
Smart & sexy with likable characters, so far (I have read the Kate Daniels series - The Edge is next) these two can do no wrong in my book. They seem to really write with such assurance, that it translates to only to their plots but to their character More...
What can I say - these 2 can write a really well done story. I was completely engaged from the start & although a mere 50 pages - the pacing was believable & well done.
Smart & sexy with likable characters, so far (I have read the Kate Daniels series - The Edge is next) these two can do no wrong in my book. They seem to really write with such assurance, that it translates to only to their plots but to their character More...
Sep 22, 2011
Karen
rated it:
If you are a fan of Ilona Andrews Kate Daniels or The Edge series, you'll get a kick out of this one. It was a little shocking to read how bright & lush this world is. You'll know what I mean if you've read the other series by Andrews. Dark, gloomy and apocalyptic are the norm. Although there are flowers and yummy pastries, have no fear, you still get the authors trademark gritty writing style. I was stunned at how much emotion and world building was packed into this tiny book. There was also a
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Sep 16, 2011
Melanie
rated it:
Silent Blade is the first in the Kinsmen series. I am a huge fan of sci-fi movies and TV but never really got into the genre as far as books go. I've just always preferred books that are fantasy or paranormal. That being said, I really liked this novella and look forward to reading Silver Shark. Ilona Andrews has created an interesting world with great characters and honestly the only negative thing I can say is I wanted more; if that can even be considered negative. The story was short and I w
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Sep 29, 2011
Brenda
rated it:
I loved Silent Blade and wish I had read it much sooner, though reading it with Silver Shark (the second in the series) was cool because I loved the world the authors created so it was a double dose of Dahlia goodness. I loved the characters, and the descriptions of their fighting abilities were pretty cool as well. Meli, the heroine, uses a weapon that is rare, as is her talent to wield it. The story is a romance but it's also a tale of finding our true selves, despite being expected to do wha
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Nov 05, 2011
Chantal
rated it:
Some Ilona Andrews fan I am - I didn't even know this book existed. And to be honest even if I did I'm not sure I would have read it before. However after reading some works by new sci-fi writer, Pippa Jay, and finding they weren't too scary, I decided to bite the bullet. Ilona Andrews are my fave writers after all.
All I can say is thank goodness I did. This short was brilliant - not too techy for my virginal sci-fi senses and the heroine was up there with Ilona Andrews' usually sassy More...
All I can say is thank goodness I did. This short was brilliant - not too techy for my virginal sci-fi senses and the heroine was up there with Ilona Andrews' usually sassy More...
Sep 16, 2011
As I said, Silent Blade and Silver Shark are really quick reads, so I don't want to give too much away. So let me just say this, if you're looking for a new world to explore with a lot of hidden possibilities and characters that are not only intriguing in what they can do, but who they are, then you definitely want to pick up from Silent Blade and Silver Shark Ilona Andrews. Considering Silent Blade is only $2.5o and Silver Shark is $2.99, there's really no reason not to get them. They are worth
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Jan 04, 2012
Brandi
rated it: 
I paraphrase the whole thing so don't read it if you don't want to be a little spoiled. I can't even wrap my mind around the glowing reviews this got. The magic I expect from them is not present at all. This was just horrible.
What a let down! I expect a whole lot better from these two, and this book was not only a let down from a known-to-be-good "author", but it was a let down in the world of books as well. If that mad More...
What a let down! I expect a whole lot better from these two, and this book was not only a let down from a known-to-be-good "author", but it was a let down in the world of books as well. If that mad More...
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Jul 28, 2010
Lov'em
rated it:
This is by far one of my favorite romantic short stories. I am not sure that I can put my finger on exactly why other than to say that it made me feel so much in such a short time. I felt like I knew the main characters personally and I was totally intrigued by the world I discovered in this book. When I finished the story I immediately clicked on the first page and went back to re-read it. The main female lead, Meli, is amazing. She's a walking contradiction. She's strong but broken; vibrant bu
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Oct 22, 2009
Lisa
rated it:
This novella simply didn't capture my interest. I suppose I've come to expect Ilona Andews to fit an abundance of story into relatively few pages, wringing every ounce of action possible from each paragraph. I know that he/she/they are capable of creating a vast and vivid array of larger than life characters. That aggressive intensity and skillful creativity is mostly absent in Silent Blade. The male protagonist is intractable, the female protagonist is mediocre. The end of the story is quite co
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May 13, 2010
Samantha
rated it: 
In an attempt to wait patiently for Magic Bleeds I decided to read this short story from Andrews. I won't get into the synopsis, other than to say that I mistakenly thought that the guy in the story had killed her family (and I have no idea how I read that...), but he hadn't.
Anyway, I liked this story and what make it especially great was the ending. I felt like both characters really had changed and I liked that Meli had spine. Don't expect a Kate and Curran or even a Rose and Declan, More...
Anyway, I liked this story and what make it especially great was the ending. I felt like both characters really had changed and I liked that Meli had spine. Don't expect a Kate and Curran or even a Rose and Declan, More...
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Jan 29, 2012
Sunny
rated it:
I don't know if this is the right book to be introduced to the work of Ilona Andrews. I was completely taken with the characters, the story, and the world in which they lived. My biggest gripe is that it is not long enough and it feels almost like a first draft of a book. I know it is a novella, but the story was just revving up when it rushed to an end. The ending was wrapped up too nicely. We didn't get to feel the agony and angst of our characters. I would absolutely pay for this story a
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Dec 03, 2011
Lady Jaye
rated it:
4 stars.
5 stars for the story. I took one star off for the heroine. Silent blade is a sci-fi short story by Ilona Andrews, one of my favorite authors. As always with them, the narrative delivery is excellent, and I was intrigued by what I was reading.
I did not like Meli, the heroine. To be sure, her backstory is rather heartbreaking <spoiler>Due to the politics of her time/society, she’s basically left to become a spinster when her betrothed decides to break the engagemen More...
5 stars for the story. I took one star off for the heroine. Silent blade is a sci-fi short story by Ilona Andrews, one of my favorite authors. As always with them, the narrative delivery is excellent, and I was intrigued by what I was reading.
I did not like Meli, the heroine. To be sure, her backstory is rather heartbreaking <spoiler>Due to the politics of her time/society, she’s basically left to become a spinster when her betrothed decides to break the engagemen More...
Dec 02, 2011
Marsha
rated it:
I've said on many occasions that space travel/galactic adventure books are not my forte. When I saw the summary for Silent Blade, I did not put it in my "to read" file because I figured I would not care for it. I can be such an idiot sometimes (smile). I always love anything written by the husband and wife team Ilona Andrews and "Silent Blade" is not exception.
This is a story about broken hearts and how they can mend in time. Imelda Galdes was engaged at the age o More...
This is a story about broken hearts and how they can mend in time. Imelda Galdes was engaged at the age o More...
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Sep 14, 2011
Kindle-aholic
rated it:
A sci fi romance novella set in a beautiful world that is ruled by close-knit mafia-type families.
Meli is an assassin, a hidden resource for her family. Her last assignment is to kill the man who ruined her life years ago by breaking their engagement. Meli had been trained in Celino's likes and dislikes from a very young age in preparation for their eventual marriage. She uses this information to get close to Celino.
Celino, a financial genius, is drawn to the mysterious w More...
Meli is an assassin, a hidden resource for her family. Her last assignment is to kill the man who ruined her life years ago by breaking their engagement. Meli had been trained in Celino's likes and dislikes from a very young age in preparation for their eventual marriage. She uses this information to get close to Celino.
Celino, a financial genius, is drawn to the mysterious w More...
Oct 10, 2011
Estara
rated it:
Yesterday I just had to reread this short (42 pages) first Kinsmen book because I wanted a re-read that I knew I would love.
I'm still totally in awe how fast I drop into Meli's dilemma and past and Celino's comeuppance with such a delightful flavour. I like the denouement - the fact that both their families will just have to deal with losing their most successful members due to the atrocious way they have dealt with them (I'm sure if both mothers were still alive - from the little w More...
I'm still totally in awe how fast I drop into Meli's dilemma and past and Celino's comeuppance with such a delightful flavour. I like the denouement - the fact that both their families will just have to deal with losing their most successful members due to the atrocious way they have dealt with them (I'm sure if both mothers were still alive - from the little w More...
