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Blood Heir

(Aurelia Ryder #1)

Ilona Andrews (Goodreads Author)

4.67 · Rating details · 3,734 ratings · 737 reviews

From Ilona Andrews, an all-new novel set in the Kate Daniels World and featuring Julie Lennart-Olsen, Kate and Curran's ward.

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 surv ...more

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ebook, 359 pages

Published January 12th 2021 by NYLA

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· 3,734 ratings · 737 reviews

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Start your review of Blood Heir (Aurelia Ryder, #1)

Apr 29, 2020 ✘✘ Sarah ✘✘ (former Nefarious Breeder of Murderous Crustaceans) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: welcome-to-the-zoo, cool-kids-r-us, ha-ha-ha, 2021, lickable-covers, urban-fantasy, poof-gone-harem, take-that-ye-of-little-faith, machalo-book-bingo-2021, the-awesome-bunch

Actual rating: 6.235985645458 stars.

And, just like that, IA magically managed to completely erase, wipe out, delete, eliminate and most thoroughly obliterate real life for a few blissful (if outrageously too short) hours. Which, in this pandemic day and age, is no small feat. And feels bloody shrimping amazing.

Yes, this is a decidedly deadly, most despicably cute gif, I am aware. Quite sorry about this I am, but avoided it could not be. (Blame IA for this you definitely should.)

And that is all t ...more

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Dec 07, 2020 Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, vampires-and-werewolves-oh-my, urban-fantasy

This review is part of the Blood Heir blog tour (#BloodHeirKD). Review first posted on FantasyLiterature.com:

Julie is returning home to Atlanta after a long eight-year absence. Kate Daniels’ adopted daughter is now twenty-six, and she’s been busy the past eight years: fighting with the Canaanite god Moloch, the Child Eater, stealing one of his eyes for herself after he ripped out one of hers, being remade inside and out by the magical eye, learning about ancient powers and civilizations from her ...more

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Apr 26, 2020 Aisling Zena rated it it was amazing

Shelves: paranormal-fantasy-urban-fantasy

4.5 stars

I was extremely happy to be back in the KD world and enjoyed reading about all the old favourites and making new favourites.(view spoiler) Julie has grown up and we get a bigger insight into her psyche. And we finally got to see Julie/Aurelia and Derek working together, in the same place, since Grey Wolf/Magic Stars! I need more! So much more!

I'm kinda short for words because, as always, IA delivered! The only complain I ...more

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Dec 05, 2020 Corina rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, strong-woman

4.5 stars

The feeling of visiting a favorite world is hard to beat!!

This was more than I could have hoped for. A perfect start to a new beginning, because we definitely need more books in this series.

All I say: Julie/Aurelia and Derek are my newest couple crush!

Also, I was smiling so hard whenever an old favorite character popped up! This world is one of my favorites, and that we are getting a chance of more is priceless!

FULL REVIEW

This book is a dream come true.

After I read the last book of Kate ...more

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Nov 15, 2020 Cece ❀Rants, Raves &Reviews❀ marked it as to-read

So I think we all knew this series was coming haha. But I gotta admit, I'm little disappointed the way that this series decided to break off ....

description

But I wanna read it because its ~~Julia~~ wait, Aurelia ?!!?

oh sure yup let's just cut the last of those ties with a new face... new name ... new magic wait what?!

description

Why not just make a whole new character within this world if you aren't going to keep all the things innate to Julie's character we all loved in the first place??

My Review Of Magic Triumphs tou ...more

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Dec 08, 2020 Emma rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasybookreview

OK, i’ll admit it, when I heard there was going to be another Julie story, I was less than enthused. Who wants to see more of her? Where’s my new Hugh instalment, dammit?! Come on! PRIORITIES Ilona. (My priorities being the most important, obviously). I certainly didn’t think a new name and some time away was going to change my mind about Julie or impress me much… Long story short, I was wrong. The switch from Julie Lennart to Aurelia Ryder is the least of the transformations. Her years away, sp OK, i’ll admit it, when I heard there was going to be another Julie story, I was less than enthused. Who wants to see more of her? Where’s my new Hugh instalment, dammit?! Come on! PRIORITIES Ilona. (My priorities being the most important, obviously). I certainly didn’t think a new name and some time away was going to change my mind about Julie or impress me much… Long story short, I was wrong. The switch from Julie Lennart to Aurelia Ryder is the least of the transformations. Her years away, spent with a dearly beloved Aunt, have taught her a great deal, so much that she feels more than ready for the big leagues. Except this might be a situation too hot for her to handle. And being back in Atlanta means that she’s going to have to face some issues (and people) from her past that she thought she’d put well and truly behind her. Such delicious conflict. I blasted through the online chapters with increasing excitement and when they were pulled in preparation for the book, I counted the days till the release date. Now, if you read what was on the website, you might wonder what’s new. Well, the original chapters were sharpened rather than hugely changed, but more importantly, there are an extra 5 that bring everything to a stunning conclusion. An ending which answers some questions, but leaves you longing for more…

When it opens, it might feel a little weird. Not quite right maybe, like something is missing. That thing being Kate and all the others we have come to love. But honestly, that’s soon overcome. Because what this book offers is a perfect blend of old and new. While it does include old favourites, who make their own mark in the story, it also brings readers so much more: the joy of series youngsters all grown up. It is SO MUCH FUN. I can’t even tell you. It brought such a smile to my face. The book gives you an experience we’re all missing right now- the warm feeling of a family gathering, sharing stories, laughing at the exploits of young relatives finding their way in the world- and making a mess of it. But it’s not all fun and games, there’s heat too. The young’uns aren’t the only ones who have… grown. Some character upgrades had the power to put my jaw on the floor. Perhaps some reading this are unaware of just who shows up full of new flavour, so I won’t say the name. But, by all the Gods, it’s a MOMENT. Which leads to some serious revelations (note that I don’t say resolutions). Of course, on top of all that, there’s the usual kick-ass action, creepily imaginative monsters, and terrible magics that IA does so well. I don’t know what else I expected really, this writing team is the best there is. Which is why this book feels like home AND like a world of new possibilities.

I read the whole thing straight through and finished with a cry of disbelief. It couldn’t be the end… But it was. And so now begins the time of waiting. There is absolutely no way that Ilona Andrews can leave us here. It would be cruel torture. Since I have absolutely no doubt any fan reading this book will feel the same, I’m somewhat reassured that our collective pleas will bring us a positive result. We got Hugh, we can get more Julie/Aurelia. Right??!! So read and enjoy, then come join me in my torment.

This review is part of a blog tour and I highly recommend you read what my fellow readers have had to say. Catch up with what Lynn had to say at https://lynns-books.com/ and tomorrow look out for Carole’s thoughts at https://carolesrandomlife.blogspot.com/

Happy reading! ...more

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Oct 09, 2020 Nicole rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, 2021

(Apologies for the caps in advance.)

PLEASE DON’T EVEN THINK OF READING THIS BOOK IF YOU HAVEN’T READ ALL OF THE KATE DANIELS BOOKS. THANKS.

This review contains spoilers for the Kate Daniels series (HUGE SPOILERS, ENDING KIND OF SPOILERS) so please don’t read it if you haven’t finished reading the 10 books yet. If you haven’t yet and enjoy Urban Fantasy with a smart kickass female lead, you NEED these books in your life. You don’t need to read Kate Daniels to read this one but you’ll be missing o ...more

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Oct 17, 2020 Nenia ✨️ Socially Awkward Trash Panda ✨️ Campbell marked it as wishlist

OH HELLO YOU BEAUTIFUL THING YOU

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Dec 10, 2020 Carole (Carole's Random Life in Books) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: net-galley, series, paranormal, 2020, 2020-netgalley-challenge, reviewed, urban-fantasy

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

I loved this book! I have to admit that when I found out that the Kate Daniels series would end with the tenth book, I was heartbroken. These were characters that I loved and a world that I enjoyed visiting (even if it is dangerous most of the time) and I just did not want to see it end. This book brought me back to that world that I love so much. We get to see some familiar characters in this story but it is from a fresh, new perspe ...more

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Apr 09, 2020 ♥Rachel♥ marked it as to-read

Shelves: novella, favorites, romance, urban-fantasy

6/13/20 Read through chapter 12. Waiting for the next one.

Eight years into the future from the last Kate Daniels book.

Loved seeing a few of my favorite characters from the KD universe, and now I'm eager for more. ...more

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Sep 03, 2020 Lacey (laceybooklovers) marked it as to-read

Shelves: tbr-2021, adult, urban-fantasy, cant-wait-to-read

God bless Ilona Andrews for giving us Julie’s (and possibly Derek’s???) full book!! And it’s the first in a new series, so YAY!

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Nov 20, 2020 Rossana Sasso rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

It's 3:15 am and I received the ARC from Ilona Andrews (a blessing upon their House) at midnight.

"I read it fast" doesn't really apply. I think the word we're looking at is ENGULF. Move right past inhale and commit osmosis upon the book. Did I mention it's my birthday tomorrow and this was the best present I have EVER received?

I hope you're into pain for pleasure because this book hurts so good. 'Tis a consummation devoutly to be wish'd, as Hamlet puts it.

We're instantly sucked by the portal i It's 3:15 am and I received the ARC from Ilona Andrews (a blessing upon their House) at midnight.

"I read it fast" doesn't really apply. I think the word we're looking at is ENGULF. Move right past inhale and commit osmosis upon the book. Did I mention it's my birthday tomorrow and this was the best present I have EVER received?

I hope you're into pain for pleasure because this book hurts so good. 'Tis a consummation devoutly to be wish'd, as Hamlet puts it.

We're instantly sucked by the portal into Kate's Atlanta. That's all IA's magic, and they do it like no other. We find ourselves right there next to Julie (under her new persona of Aurelia Ryder) trying to save Kate, her family and everyone we love. And if you are like me, your reader soul bleeds and weeps and laughs right along with her and you're happy to add your emotional offering to her sacrifice. The book walks the tightrope boundary between fulfilling desires that readers held in their hearts for years and years* and the sweet kind of agony that makes us yearn for more.

There is the old cast of favourites and the new cast of stellar debuts and a lot of trauma breakdown. Things get *said* on all sides and I know there will still be people who won't get it because the hatred for Julie blinds them, but frankly we wasted enough energy on them. He who has ears, let him hear.

If you're BDH you know the immediate reaction to finishing an IA book is a loud, keening "MORE!". This is not the exception. Hopefully it will become a series- the main Moloch arc has not concluded, but Julie and Derek have solved the mysterious murders and have bought time for our beloveds. A feral future is sighted and a wolfish smile is the reaction it elicits.

In #KissyFace news, let's just saw the wholesome "As you wish" is now kinked up into "Careful what you wish for" (no, there's no BDSM scene...well, maybe emotional BDSM :D). The air is cleared but things are by no means resolved (unnngh MORE!)

description

I know you will ask how it compares to the chapters that were posted online. Firstly, it has the ending added- a further 5 chapters to the 13 we had online (and I died at least 3 times during the last 2 chapters, thank you for asking. I'm fine, I knew the local Thanatos, he is a sweetheart, he sorted me out.) The rest is somewhat changed too, but more in tone and sharpness adjustments than dramatic strokes.

Whether you've been #TeamMetalRose since the beginning, you miss getting lost in the one postapocalypse that you love or you are a new fan- step through the portal. It's escape like no other.

*and there are a few DOOZIES. You *will* poop yourself. Sorry. Just give into it. ...more

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Nov 15, 2020 Jessica ❁ ➳ Silverbow ➳ ❁ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: vampires, urban-fantasy, kickass-heroines, from-author, weres-shapeshifters, not-your-ordinary-creatures, some-kinda-magic

It’s everything you’ve been hoping for.

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Dec 28, 2020 Shelley rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, received-for-review, 2021-release

*Source* NYLA
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0

*Thoughts*

Blood Heir is the first installment in authors Ilona Andrews Aurelia Ryder series. This is obviously a spin-off of the Kate Daniels series which ended with Magic Triumphs. This story takes place 8 years after Julie Olsen-Lennart left Atlanta to make her own way in the world and to gain insight into her sensate magic. For years, she's been training with Roland, who she calls her grandfather, and Erra, her great-aunt who named her heir of Shi ...more

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May 20, 2020 Francesca ❆ marked it as to-read

UPDATE:WE HAVE AN OFFICIAL TITLE! And it’s beautiful and meaningful and perfect!
It doesn’t seem like the tags on the blog have changed tho...at least for now.

§§§

OMG thank you to all the deities (aka Ilona Andrews) for making this book happen...I still can’t believe we’re finally getting a whole Julie book (and maybe Derek is there too?) and that we get to see it unravel piece by piece.
You can read it on IA’s blog under the tag Ryder at this link: https://ilona-andrews.com/category/ka...
Also, ma ...more

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Sep 03, 2020 Kate rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-stars, series-to-be-continued, broody-alphas, dystopian-and-post-apoclayptic, kick-ass-heroine, pnr-uf-fantasy-steampunk, wounded-warriors, ebooks, guys-be-a-steaming, 2021-read

Blood Heir started out as a newsletter read and a way to give people something entertaining in a very bleak time especially for those essential workers. Thank you for all of you out there!

I have no words for that kind of ending well actually I do the first word that came to mind and I screamed in my head was Nooooooooooooooo, and the next words were seriously what in the actual fcuk? This is the ending and depending on how well the book does, we may or may not receive a second installment. I me Blood Heir started out as a newsletter read and a way to give people something entertaining in a very bleak time especially for those essential workers. Thank you for all of you out there!

I have no words for that kind of ending well actually I do the first word that came to mind and I screamed in my head was Nooooooooooooooo, and the next words were seriously what in the actual fcuk? This is the ending and depending on how well the book does, we may or may not receive a second installment. I mean kill me. Now. Why don't you!

We are back in the Kate Daniels World and it is eight years later after the battle of Atlanta. Julie, Kate's adopted daughter is back but unrecognisable.

Minor rant here from my original review.

Remember how everyone was like I hate Julie, ah she is awful, I hope she dies yada, yada, ya. These are only a few to mention. The authors went through a hard time with this kind of committment to such hate and utter dislike. And now everyone can't wait to get their hands on this book. You all cray cray there peeps. I never had a problem with Julie, she was a kid for crickey's sake and kids do stupid stuff. I mean adults do stupid stuff.
Rant over.

Aurelia Ryder (formerly known as Julie) is in Atlanta to save Kate and it isn't to be an easy task. Atlanta is even more dangerous than it was before. Unicorn Lane is expanding, the Honey Gap is even more warped than it was before. She isn't that little kid anymore, she has power, a lot of power and she knows how to use it. She has been taught by the best, her mother Kate, Curran, her Grandfather Roland, her Grandmother Erra. The princess of Shinar.

Straight off the bat I can say that the authors have done an outstanding job, they have delivered. Kate Daniels is one of my favourite series but for those of you who think it is the same old same old it isn't and I had a lot of adjusting to do. I am very undecided about this book. Which means I will have to do a complete reread from Kate Daniels to Julie's book. I found it hard to get a real feel for the book. There were times where I was struggling with the book but I had the adjustment issues in the Hidden Legacy so this is totally me.

Aurelia has a murder to solve, a Christian artifact to track down and somehow stop an avatar from taking over. We meet old and new characters. Ascanio who I have never liked and Derren/Derek who I have always had a soft spot for. And what has happened to Derek? I need more.

Aurelia still has feelings for Derren/Derek and well these two mesh it out and I was at least hoping for a kiss, gah. We will probably have to wait a long time for this book and it is okay, quality over quantity and all that but the wait is real.
...more

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Apr 30, 2020 ȷαεlα rated it liked it

3.5 stars
Hot N' Cold.
I don't know what was the problem. Maybe it was me (definitely me, so I'll re-read it when I feel better). The book was written exceptionally well, as every IA book. This is the best cover yet, Julie looks beautiful. I liked her a lot, I liked how we can feel that she's not Kate, she has her own personality. When I read the book, I could tell that it was another character. Characters can feel similar when a book is written in first person, glad it wasn't the case.
I would ha ...more

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Sep 22, 2020 Yodamom marked it as to-read

Shelves: did-not-finish

Well the preview chapter online deal was cancelled for a better version to come in Jan. I can't wait I loved where this was going ...more

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Dec 03, 2020 Harriet rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I read it three times before I dared to write a review. One of the problem is, the first two times I rushed through so much I kept missing details.

Coming back to a city she left 8 years ago. Is Atlanta the same? What is new? What hasn’t changed? If you’ve read the first 13 chapters posted online, you know that all the major players are still in Atlanta, the Pack structure hasn’t changed, the Witch Coven, the Mercenary Guild, Luther from Biohazard, Nick from the Order, and the the street kids fr I read it three times before I dared to write a review. One of the problem is, the first two times I rushed through so much I kept missing details.

Coming back to a city she left 8 years ago. Is Atlanta the same? What is new? What hasn’t changed? If you’ve read the first 13 chapters posted online, you know that all the major players are still in Atlanta, the Pack structure hasn’t changed, the Witch Coven, the Mercenary Guild, Luther from Biohazard, Nick from the Order, and the the street kids from the Warren. The only potentially substantial new recurring character so far is Knight Davis, and the looming Moloch.

The whole plot comes from trying to solve Pastor Haywood’s murder. From the mystery unraveling, we see the new dynamics in the pack. But most of all, we find out a lot more about Julie’s powers. OMG, she’s so kickass. We only knew she was a sensate who learned how to fight from Kate. She’s been visiting Roland since he came into the scene in the KD books, and she spent the last 7 years with Erra. She’s now a power into her own right. Every time she fights, it’s so beautifully calculated, even though she does get quite battered throughout the book, it feels different than Kate’s at-all-cost style.

Ok, now to address the elephant in Atlanta. Now that Derek is back in Atlanta, is there kissy face? I’m just going to say it, the book address so much of the build up of Julie’s build-up angst of unrequited teenage love, but at the same time, it does not give nearly enough kissy face to satisfy. #teammetalrose is still in the best position to win. Derek pairing up with Julie to solve the case, it had a familiar feel to it, but jerk Derek is new. He was always so protective of Julie.

At the end of this book, I’m still at the end of my seat, when is the next book out? This book isn’t even out yet. I’m already waiting impatiently for the next book.

As with all IA books, it’s super well-written, the fight scenes are tight. But one of the best part of IA books are the characters. With a smirk or a seemingly harmless flirt, you can fall in love or become immensely annoyed with the characters. Even Pastor Haywood that I didn’t get to meet, I wish there was someone like that in my life. Someone so wholly good.

IA weaves pure magic. From Magic Strikes, Julie jumped into Kate’s world, she was the quintessential teenage brat, I thought she suffered an seriously case of entitlement. Towards the end of the series, she really lost most of the teenage brattiness. But I felt she still betrayed Kate by talking to Roland. I LOVE Julie now. There’s little she won’t do for Kate, Erra, and the fam.

Does it feel like Kate 2.0? Yes, but only because the city is the same, the crime solving element is the same, and the insurmountable big boss she has to fight. But Julie is not Kate. I’m never confused about that.

This is a book that needs to be reread immediately. When the big #teammetalrose mystery is revealed, read it again and you’ll have a new perspective of the whole story. ...more

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Dec 25, 2020 Wanda rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2020, urban-fantasy, werewolves-shifters, new-books, fantasy

If you are a Kate Daniels fan (as I am) this book is just what you've been wishing and hoping for. It started as a serial publication on the Andrews' website, the same as they have done with their Innkeeper series, but at some point they determined that it needed a severe overhaul. They removed the installments from the site and assured the fans that they would receive a superior product when it was done.

I bought my copy online in mid-December as a Christmas present to myself and I have admired ...more

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Dec 07, 2020 Liz (Quirky Cat) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2020-reads, favorites

I received a copy of Blood Heir in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Blood Heir is the first novel in the Aurelia Ryder series, a branching off series from the world of Kate Daniels. That and the fact that it's written by Ilona Andrews was really all it took to get me all sorts of hyped for this read.

It's been eight years since Kate's series ended. Now it's time for her ward, Julie Lennart, to take the reigns. She left Atlanta shortly after the battle, and has come into power of her own. A I received a copy of Blood Heir in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Blood Heir is the first novel in the Aurelia Ryder series, a branching off series from the world of Kate Daniels. That and the fact that it's written by Ilona Andrews was really all it took to get me all sorts of hyped for this read.

It's been eight years since Kate's series ended. Now it's time for her ward, Julie Lennart, to take the reigns. She left Atlanta shortly after the battle, and has come into power of her own. All thanks to her grandmother, and the power she took from an enemy.

An enemy that is threatening everything that Julie, now known as Aurelia, loves. Aurelia is willing to do anything to protect the people she cares for, and even those she doesn't know. That's why she's found her way back to Atlanta, this time in a disguise (of sorts). For she knows that if certain people recognize her, everything she's worked for will fall apart, and those she loves most will die.

“This is your last chance to stop it. Meet me by Saiman's grave before sunrise.”

I've had access to Blood Heir for two days now. In that time, I've read it twice, and am seriously contemplating a third reading as well. (EDIT: I caved and read it for a third time over the weekend. No regrets). It has been a hot minute since a book got this under my skin, and yet it's true. I just can't get Julie/Aurelia and her journey out of my head.

So it's safe to say that I adored Blood Heir. Going back to the world (and city) that I've come to love so much was a delight, as was seeing the next generation of characters grow up and come into their own.

This novel was a whirlwind, right from the start. Or maybe that's just how I'm justifying staying up so late in order to finish it all in one go (no regrets – 10/10 would do it again). It sucked me in right from that introduction, and it never let go.

I'm not kidding either – the book hangover is real for Blood Heir guys. Consider yourself warned. It's worth that torture, trust me, but it will make you eager for any and all news about a continuation (or do what I did, which is dive right back in for a second, and perhaps, third, time around).

As with any novel written by Ilona Andrews, it's intelligent, fun, sassy, and knows how to force an emotional investment out of its readers. Especially those die-hard fans that have followed Kate's series from the start. That is why I can't recommend Blood Heir enough, and I'm so happy that the release date is getting ever nearer (not that much longer to wait!). I can't wait to geek out with all of my friends, and pore over theories surrounding Aurelia and the little hints dropped here and there.

Long story short: Blood Heir is amazing. It's going to gobble up your mind and refuse to let go. The pain from finishing it will be real, but it will also be completely worth it. I promise.

Check out more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks ...more

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Jul 25, 2020 Lisazj1 rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite-author, friends-and-family, urban-fantasy, cover-love, magic, shifter, vampires, 2021-real-books, romance, kickass-heroine

I read another review that said "this is everything you've been hoping for". That's actually bloody perfect, because it was indeed everything I've been hoping for since the release of Magic Stars and the end of Magic Triumphs.

This is a story that none of Kate Daniels fans thought we would ever be getting, and that it is so exactly everything I could have wanted just makes it all the more perfect.

The best thing about this? The absolute best thing? Is that there's going to be MORE !!! 😍😍😍 ...more

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Jul 17, 2020 Mariah marked it as to-read

Shelves: tbr-2021-releases

Honestly concerned by the noise I just made.

I <3 Kate 4 Ever ...more

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Dec 06, 2020 Ahana M Rao (Heart’s Content) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, one-of-my-most-awaited, paranormal, cant-wait, paranormal-romance, romance, tbr-arcs, arcs, beautiful-cover, favourite-author

You can find this review of Send Me Their Souls on Nerd Daily, here!

Received an Advanced Reader’s Copy from publisher via Nerd Daily in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Blood Heir is a long awaited book for all Kate Daniels series fans. If you've ever read anything by Ilona Andrews, then you know just how fantastic their writing is and how you can never not return for more and most times never want the series to end. So, yes, even after 10 books from the Kate Daniels series that was del You can find this review of Send Me Their Souls on Nerd Daily, here!

Received an Advanced Reader’s Copy from publisher via Nerd Daily in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Blood Heir is a long awaited book for all Kate Daniels series fans. If you've ever read anything by Ilona Andrews, then you know just how fantastic their writing is and how you can never not return for more and most times never want the series to end. So, yes, even after 10 books from the Kate Daniels series that was delivered flawlessly with just enough for the readers to hope for more, we absolutely cannot get over our anticipation and excitement for a spin-off series based on two of our most beloved (and most often shipped together) characters. It wasn’t even funny the amount of love, support and expectation that surrounded Derek and Julie… especially after having read the short story that featured the two of them: Magic Stars.

As soon as I read the first word in Blood Heir, it sent me straight into town Good Mood for the rest of the month. Reading about all the familiar settings with our beloved characters from the previous series and finally being able to see what their future looked like felt like a real gift. Additionally, diving into the fantastically complex plot-line that is typical of Ilona Andrews, was even more exciting because their writing style is one of the most attractive aspects of their work.

Julie, who we see many years later, now has a narrative voice that sounds that much older. However, it is an age that comes with the gruelling experience of being witness and victim to hardship and having clawed her way out of dark pain and nightmares and having survived it with her sanity intact. Staying true to her journey, she also sounds like Kate a little bit but also retains her own personality at the same time. The meld of who she is inherently and who she inspires to be like and loves the most, is absolutely lovely and very believable.

So there are many things that we need to be caught on up on because the years that Julie has been away from home have been both pivotal and gone to further establish her as close to her family in her heart. Everything she does is almost always linked to or rooted in her love for her family and the experiences of her past. There are many other characters—both new and familiar—who appear and have a rather prominent presence in this book and I’m curious to see where Ilona Andrews are leading us. No matter where it is, I’m very ready, even if I were to be lead blind folded with cotton stuffed in my ears.

Derek was never really "young". He was always much older than his age after having faced harder and more debilitating situations than those decades older than him. However, he has always survived. He survived the most cruel torture emotionally and then did it again, but with a brutal addition of physical torture the second time around. I wasn't sure how he succeeded and did so beautifully later, but he did. He still does. I'm not sure why I expected Derek to have stayed who he was many years ago when Julie had changed so much. But seeing him was such a shock that even after everything I already knew about Ilona Andrews' work I took a step back and paused because good gracious! Everyone, make room! There's a new badass-extraordinaire book-boyfriend in the house and he could probably take down anyone you may have crushed on before.

The writing was perfect, with a tenor of its own but still fitting of the KD world. There was neither a single dull moment nor a predictable situation and as all Ilona Andrews’ books are, there was lots of action, whip-smart dialogues that were paired with a well fleshed out plot-line and layered with heart-wrenchingly real characters. Blood Heir is an easy ten for me without even having to think about it. It could be read as a standalone perhaps, but coming to Julie’s story after having been through Kate’s life brings a lot of meaning and a deeper connect to the characters as a whole. ...more

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Dec 10, 2020 Haïfa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs_review_copies

Blood Heir is out today!

ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
You can find this review and more at Novel Notions.

This review is part of the Blood Heir Blog Tour, kindly organized by Mihir (Fantasy Book Critic). #BloodHeirKD

Back to Atlanta.
Back among old friends.

"To the fans of Kate Daniels World who refuse to let it go."

Aww look, I just got my first and very apt book dedication!

Joking apart, Kate Daniels’s crazy wor ...more

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Oct 04, 2020 Cathy marked it as owned-unread · review of another edition

Starting point for the online version is here: https://ilona-andrews.com/2020/ryder-...

However, I am not so keen anymore to read online and too lazy to copy, re-format, etc, etc... plus: https://ilona-andrews.com/2020/clarif...

So, I just bought the Kindle version that will be published in January 2021. Just a little patience needed... ...more

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Dec 10, 2020 Paige ♠ marked it as to-read

PS: Finally, a book cover that actually fits their genre and I'm not embarrassed to read in public!! 😍

PPS: Although I'm not sure why Julie was given a new name, a new face and new magic... seems a little overkill to me. But nonetheless, I'm still excited to read this! ...more

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Apr 17, 2020 Tammie rated it really liked it

Shelves: urban-fantasy, adult, adult-fantasy, fantasy, novellas-and-short-stories, indies

This was a short snippet of a story that left me dying for more! I really hope Ilona Andrews will eventually write more about Julie.

Update- This has been renamed Ryder on Ilona Andrew's blog and there are now 5 parts to it. I'm not sure how many there will be, but I will keep reading them as they write them. The first two parts are about the confrontation at the bridge, which is where the original title, The Bridge came from.

Update- This is renamed again to Blood Heir. It's going to eventually b ...more

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Jul 16, 2020 aarya rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction-genre-sff-urban-fantasy, rating-4, owned-in-arc-ebook, theme-c-dragon-unicorn-phoenix-etc, owned-in-ebook-kindle, s-usa, theme-c-witch-wizard-sorcerer, theme-c-shifters, year-2020, trope-mistaken-false-identity

Look, I love the Kate Daniels world with my whole heart and always will. BLOOD HEIR is a typical first book in an urban fantasy series. Lots of worldbuilding strings and mysteries introduced, very little payoff in anticipation of future books. I would not recommend BLOOD HEIR to a new-to-Kate-Daniels reader. Sure, technically everything is explained, but you'll feel very lost and miss out on emotional beats. The best parts occur when Julie talks to someone from the past; the nostalgic resonance Look, I love the Kate Daniels world with my whole heart and always will. BLOOD HEIR is a typical first book in an urban fantasy series. Lots of worldbuilding strings and mysteries introduced, very little payoff in anticipation of future books. I would not recommend BLOOD HEIR to a new-to-Kate-Daniels reader. Sure, technically everything is explained, but you'll feel very lost and miss out on emotional beats. The best parts occur when Julie talks to someone from the past; the nostalgic resonance of those conversations is crucial and I'm unsure if a new reader would appreciate the nuances. It's a large, complex world and even I (a mega-fan who has reread the series dozens of times) struggled with keeping worldbuilding facts in order. This is not the place to begin your journey in dystopian Atlanta.

On one hand, BLOOD HEIR is too info-dumpy and the ratio of description: dialogue is skewed. I understand why: new readers need backstory/explanation to the world. But whew, it was a lot of setup and not enough dialogue, which is where the story really shines. On the other hand, I would read a hundred pages of Kate Daniels description and be ridiculously happy because this world is my comfort zone. If I attempted to write a longform review, it would be a string of "TEAM METAL ROSE!!!!!" squeals. I have been shipping Julie and Derek for ten years and I cannot believe that this series is finally happening. I'm excited for the audiobook to come out so I can reread and catch details I missed.

Spoilery discussion: (view spoiler)

A note re: something that niggled at me: Julie buys an “antebellum mansion” (built during the turn of the 20th century) in the middle of Atlanta. First, that makes zero sense because 1900 isn't antebellum (I assume the typo is supposed to say 19th century). Second, I am so fucking relieved Julie hired someone to wreck the property into ruins and make the former architecture unrecognizable. I am not interested in watching Julie live in an antebellum property that used to house slaves. That would be terrible on multiple levels. However, Julie DOES convert the space into another livable structure that deceptively looks like ruins from the outside. She chose this area because it's close to Unicorn Lane (important for magic reasons), but tbh the antebellum mansion detail is pointless and could've easily been excluded. There was even a descriptive paragraph of what the house USED to look like, fancy columns and wide porches and all. Like, why? WHY?!?

Ugh. Just ugh. I honestly can't figure out how to feel about this. I feel like I'm super sensitive about antebellum/plantation living spaces; contemporary fiction often glamorizes antebellum architecture (majestic columns! Lovely porch! Gross!) while conveniently erasing slavery from the discussion. This book isn't that. The old antebellum house is literally in ruins and wrecked beyond belief. The new living space has a different architectural style. None of this feels like glamorizing antebellum culture. Honestly, I don't think it's a huge deal but the description might trip you up if you're sensitive like me. Every time the property is featured in the book, I think "ex-antebellum area with slaves!" and it's not a positive aside. I so wish this detail didn't exist because now my brain will latch on to it and cringe every single time. Ugh. Just wanted to give readers a head's up.

Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I ended up reading my purchased kindle copy as I only read it after the publication date. ...more

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Dec 02, 2020 Mihir rated it it was amazing

I’ve been a huge fan of Ilona Andrews’ writing and especially the Kate Daniels series. The series ended on a rather big note and while it ended satisfyingly. The world and characters were just so tantalizing, that at the back of my mind, I always wondered about the possibility of a sequel or a spinoff. Considering how horrid 2020 was going, the authors decided to start a small story for a healthcare worker as a way of saying thank you. That story thanks to all the fans has blossomed into this ne I’ve been a huge fan of Ilona Andrews’ writing and especially the Kate Daniels series. The series ended on a rather big note and while it ended satisfyingly. The world and characters were just so tantalizing, that at the back of my mind, I always wondered about the possibility of a sequel or a spinoff. Considering how horrid 2020 was going, the authors decided to start a small story for a healthcare worker as a way of saying thank you. That story thanks to all the fans has blossomed into this new standalone story and here we are.

The story is set eight years after the events of Magic Triumphs, we start with Aurelia Ryder who is returning for the first time to Atlanta. She’s someone whom the readers of the Kate Daniels series have met and know quite well. For the new readers, she goes by some of the following: “Dananu Edes-Shinar”, “Aurelia Ryder” “Dahanu”, etc. For the returning readers, we know her as Julie or Julia Olsen. She’s the adopted daughter of Kate Daniels and Curran Lennart and she’s been in the thick of things as we all know.

The story opens with her return to Atlanta as a prophecy forces her to come back. An ancient evil from Caananite mythology has arisen and threatens Aurelia’s loved ones. The threat is so severe and insidious that she has several limitations placed on what she can reveal and who she can reveal it to. Her arrival coincides with a brutal murder of a priest that has put the city’s legal bureaucracy in a tizzy. Told by an oracle that the murder and the prophecy might be connected. Aurelia races head first into a post-Kate Daniels Atlanta where everything old is new again.

I must say I was super-duper excited for this new book and more than a bit worried because of the following:
- How would it stack up against the Kate Daniels saga which I love so much?
- I liked Julie but was worried whether she would be able to carry a book solely on her own shoulders?
- Would the authors be able to replicate their magic in this sequel and not make it derivative?

All of these questions and more swirled around in my head and I can gladly proclaim that all of them and more were deftly and resolutely handled. The main reason why I believe this book (and series, more on this later) will be a big hit is because of our protagonist. Aurelia Ryder (or Julie) is back and she has been transformed in more ways than one. As seen on the cover & an in an interior illustration (masterfully illustrated by Luisa Preissler), Aurelia Ryder “Dananu Edes-Shinar” is the princess of New Shinar and a badass who can hold her own both on the martial and magical fronts. While in her mind, she’s Julie of the old, but on a magical and physical level, she’s levelled up (read and find out how).

Her narrative voice is distinct from Kate’s snarky one but still has enough bite to keep the readers chuckling along. With her being the main protagonist, the reader is given a lot of background into previous events and characters (whom she meets as Aurelia) organically without it feeling like an infodump over and over again. This I want to highlight for the new readers who might be hesitant to start this book, without having read the previous ten book long Kate Daniels saga. There’s enough information provided in this story, for it to be a perfect starting point for new readers. Whereas for us returning readers, it’s a veritable gold mine as we get to see what has happened within the past 8 years in an abbreviated manner. I also want to know more about whether what Julie currently feels and thinks is entirely of her own mind or if she’s being subconsciously brainwashed.

The book reminded me a lot of Magic Burns with its mix of mystery procedural and epic fantasy event simmering in the background. The plot focusses on the murder mystery primarily as Aurelia/Julie is trying to find out the how and why of it discreetly. But her main goal is to prevent the prophecy as told by the witch’s oracle and that is her Everest. All of her actions and her energy are spent to prevent its fruition. I’m sure new readers will love this plot as well as the kinetic action sequences that we have known and come to love. Blood Heir also has its full of magical action so the readers looking for those components get their hearts content and for those looking for a little bit of romance, will find that there’s something of that persuasion too. Previous readers know who Julie was besotted with and here we find out what happened next. In this book, we get a solid inkling of the road ahead. Hashtag #MetalRose.

This book has two solid shockers within and even to hint at them will be spoilerific, so I won’t. Also another thing which I loved within this volume was how the city and characters have progressed after the events over a decade ago. The Pack politics is even more complicated and now some of our favourite side characters might be even more entangled. There’s also new characters who are soon to become fan favourites. Lastly I want to highlight that the authors introduced a very minor but utmost heroic character and I desperately want to see more of him in the potential sequels.

Lastly I’ve to say while this is a standalone story and the authors have said that they aren’t sure of whether this can be a series or not. I sincerely hope that they make this a four/six book series. There’s just too many interesting threads, characters and situations introduced that us readers (both old and new) will want to read more about. The book’s ending while giving us a complete resolution to the mystery plot, leaves us with a solid appetizing taste on the epic fantasy one. There’s just no way I’m not coming back.

With regards to this book, for me there were no drawbacks. It was solidly written, had a great protagonist, the dialogue was snappy. The action was cinematic and fun to read about and the magic and mythology are exploding from everywhere.

CONCLUSION: As the New Year begins, Blood Heir is just what the doctor ordered,. Welcome to a magical Atlanta where the welcome sign says “Welcome..... & get the fireballs ready”. Ilona Andrews have assembled a near perfect opening for a new saga, and are welcoming you to come along for a crazy, unpredictable ride. I’m in, what say you….
...more

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About Ilona Andrews

Ilona Andrews

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Ilona Andrews is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade ...more

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Quotes from Blood Heir

“My patience is an infinite lake. Feel free to drown yourself.” — 7 likes

“How did Curran’s son get hurt?” “Well, there was this woman…” “And what possessed you to detain a human woman in the middle of the night? Also, why is Bob missing an arm?” — 1 likes

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