Andrews, Ilona--Iron and Magic informal buddy read starts June 26, 2018

[Antigoni]

Ora wrote: "Up to chapter 14
I am really trying not to look at spoilers for parts of the book I haven't read yet.

Hugh (view spoiler)...."

Ok, SPOILERS, don't read it if you haven't read Magic Binds and Iron and Magic.
(view spoiler)[I always wondered why Roland wanted Hugh, as well. He basically saw an orphan on the streets talented in healing and thought: "He'll make an excellent warlord!" I don't get it.
At this point I think he might be Erra's son. It would explain the blood magic. And it's going to be interesting since they'll both appear in Magic Triumphs.
I never seriously thought he could be Roland's son, because Roland has always been so reluctant to have kids. But then again maybe he is, and he did things different with Hugh (abandoning him instead of raising him) hoping that he'll turn up different than the others..? (hide spoiler)]

[Linda C]

ch 10-15

Jim (view spoiler)[I agree that Jim is no Curran and Dali no Kate, but I don't see any of the other characters having the Pack commitment of Curran either. That is the problem with all the strong leaders, they don't plan for a successor. And Roland kills his off! (hide spoiler)]

The banter (view spoiler)[ The banter is what holds Hugh and Elara together. They both love the challenge. But they can work together, each to his/her own strengths. I see them doing this forever even with a closer loving relationship (hide spoiler)]

Only the climax to go!

[Linda C]

ch 16 - end

Hugh and Elara (view spoiler)[ Glad to see that even though Hugh has seen the other Elara and she is terrifying to the point where he feels he needs to know enough about her that he could kill her if need be, he still needs the bantering, challenging Elara to feel complete. (hide spoiler)]

Roland(view spoiler)[ Glad to see Hugh make the break from Roland and throw his lot with Elara and Kate. Also, nice to see Roland fear Elara, obviously he knows exactly what she is. Looking forward to finding out more about her.

Looking forward to Magic Triumphs (hide spoiler)]

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Linda C wrote: "ch 16 - end

Hugh and Elara [spoilers removed]..."

Exactly!

[Natalie]

Antigoni wrote: "Ora wrote: "Up to chapter 14
I am really trying not to look at spoilers for parts of the book I haven't read yet.

Hugh (view spoiler)...."

Ok, SPOILERS, don't read it if you haven't read Magic Bi..."

(view spoiler)[
I don't think we have an updated Kate Daniels timeline. The best I ever found was this one which only went through Magic Mourns. But my memory of the books is that Erra wakes after the shift, I think only a few years max before she pops up in Magic Bleeds.

Roland wakes up sometime before the shift. I'm not sure when exactly he wakes and when he finds Hugh, but it seems like Hugh has been with him for a decent period of time. Long enough that he was fully trained by Voron before Voron left with Kate. So I doubt Erra is Hugh's mother. Also, when Roland took Hugh, he had a good warlord in Voron, so I doubt he was looking for a replacement. Just another soldier for his army. (hide spoiler)]

[Antigoni]

Natalie wrote: "Antigoni wrote: "Ora wrote: "Up to chapter 14
I am really trying not to look at spoilers for parts of the book I haven't read yet.

Hugh (view spoiler)...."

Ok, SPOILERS, don't read it if you have..."

Huh. Not ONCE did it occur to me that Roland might not have planned for Hugh (view spoiler)[to be his warlord from the very beginning. But now that you mention it, it does make sense. It's not like he knew Voron would run away with Kalina. But I don't think he wanted Hugh to be just another soldier in his army, either. If he did, why would he have Voron raise him and train him?

Regarding Erra, she woke up 6 years before Magic Bleeds (at least that's what she says.) I'm basing this whole thing on something Ilona said: that Roland lies all the time about everything, and we can't take anything he says at face value. I have no idea though, I'm just speculating. (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

Through chapter 6 - I'm liking this so far - I really wasn't sure about this book because I wasn't sure if I could get behind Hugh as a main character, but so far so good. Although I wasn't TOO worried because I love all of the Ilona Andrews books.

(view spoiler)[ I'm so curious about Elara's magic. I love that she stands up to Hugh - they seem like a good match. And I'm also loving the horse. They perhaps saw a horn like he is part unicorn?? (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Started this morning. I'm through Chapter 2. Not sure if it's just me, or if the authors are trying to give this impression, but I find I'm thinking of Hugh as a drug addict. He was hooked as a child, his drug was Roland, and drinking was his withdrawal. So viewing all his actions in the past through the filter of "addict", I find that I can maybe forgive him.

[Suzanne]

I like that comparison Laura.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

That's interesting Laura. It may have something to do with "filling the void" which is mentioned quite a few times.

[Laura]

About halfway through Hugh thinks something about being an addict looking for drugs.

[Laura]

“Bring the cows”? Lol :)

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

I've been really busy so have read little over the past week or so. Just started this today and am 13% in. So far it's okay. The prologue of how they met was interesting (Roland), right now so much is still setting up. I just met the "girl", already I'm forgetting her name and (view spoiler)[just saw her magic. She and Hugh have not met yet but he was told about the marriage. (hide spoiler)]

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Team Sprout. I'm iffy about Hugh being redeemed, but if anyone could do it, Ilona Andrews can.

Almost done with re-read of Gunmetal Magic (and about to start re-reading book 9) and I forgot how mu..."

He seems like a very different character through this book.

[Laura]

Finished! Can I just say I love this book? And I think I love it a little bit more knowing it all started as an April Fools Day joke by the authors. :)

[Laura]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 1 -2

I want to say poor Hugh, but I still think of him as a villain. I wonder how long before that perspective changes? I am interested in his new horse, Bucky, since he was glowing.
"

Could he be a unicorn in disguise?

[Laura]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "ch 4 - 6 ..."

I don't think we can take anything Hugh did/said in previous books at face value. Everything we know has come through the filter of Kate's POV. (view spoiler)[Like Hugh said about what really happened when he was torturing Ascanio, it wasn't really what it looked like. Not that he wouldn't have tortured him, but in that instance he didn't. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Ora wrote: "Up to chapter 14
I am really trying not to look at spoilers for parts of the book I haven't read yet.

Hugh It must have been wonderful to have Roland ease his mind with the things he did for him...."

I hadn't thought about that with Hugh. Maybe a nephew?

[Suzanne]

I finished tonight - it was such a good book. I never would have guessed that I'd like Hugh as a main character. I loved the banter between him and Elara.

(view spoiler)[ The elephant was fantastic, the last fight was neat, as was the scene between Hugh and Roland. And I loved all the tie-ins with Kate Daniels. It was cool to see the dramatic scenes at the castle from Hugh's point of view, and cool to see him realize that he should have done the sibling angle. (hide spoiler)]

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

30% in. I'm fascinated by Elara's powers and wonder what secrets she may have. I like the character and the book has thankfully gotten better.

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Finished! It got much better and I love the pair. So happy to hear there will be two more books.

I liked

(view spoiler)[how the authors changed the feelings to be more of a sibling thing that what seemed to be romance on Hugh's part sometimes. He still feels a bit out of character but how else could they have done a book with him? (hide spoiler)]

About the connection to the Kate Daniels world and Atlanta

(view spoiler)[Thrilled about the alliance and curious on that future (hide spoiler)]

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Suzanne wrote: "I finished tonight - it was such a good book. I never would have guessed that I'd like Hugh as a main character. I loved the banter between him and Elara.

[spoilers removed]"

I agree with you that I loved

(view spoiler)[the elephant scene too! That was touching. Wonder how it ties with Elara and the cows? I have a feeling she is a sort of god (hide spoiler)]

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Laura wrote: "“Bring the cows”? Lol :)"

Yeah that was funny, can't wait for the next book.

Poor cows though!

[Lexi]

Anyone still reading? I just got my copy today.

[Suzanne]

I'm done but would love to see/respond to your comments

[Lexi]

Laura wrote: "Started this morning. I'm through Chapter 2. Not sure if it's just me, or if the authors are trying to give this impression, but I find I'm thinking of Hugh as a drug addict. He was hooked as a chi..."

That makes a lot of sense to me. I was thinking how much brainwashing had an effect, especially when the conditioning started as a child that even when Hugh disagreed, he never voiced it.

I am Chapter 7 and I think it is interesting so far. I like the banter but so far the plot is only now really starting with the (view spoiler)[ man in the scaled armor and the creatures. I guess also the unknown about Elara's power and past. (hide spoiler)].

[Lexi]

Karishma wrote: "Finished.

I really liked the book and am less conflicted about Hugh now. But sheesh Elara is super super scary.

I mean when she was crawling towards Hugh and the way it was described with the ha..."

They also messed with the Kentucky geography on top of moving the castle.

[Lexi]

Finished. That was lots of fun. Still, light on the plot but had to introduce lots of characters. it will be interesting to see where it goes from here. (view spoiler)[ Neither introduced creature Elara or the soldiers had an attempt to put a mythology with them which I would have preferred. Still, overall a long day so a fun end to the day for me. (hide spoiler)]

[Steven]

Starting this! hope some peeps are around! :) SO EXCITED!

[Suzanne]

Enjoy it - totally worth reading in my opinion!

[Ora]

Suzanne wrote: "I finished tonight - it was such a good book. I never would have guessed that I'd like Hugh as a main character. I loved the banter between him and Elara.

[spoilers removed]"

I loved the elephant scene too. I'm currently rereading the series. Not sure if I should have waited to read this one until I finished all prior books. I loved it!!! (view spoiler)[I really want to know what Roland will do if he sees Elara again. I think it's great that there is something that he is afraid of. (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

I agree (view spoiler)[ that it is great there is something that scares Roland. I didn't think that could happen! (hide spoiler)]

[Steven]

Up through end of Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[ Hmm, Sam is interesting, for a socio/psychopath... Wonder what role he is going to play in this.

The horse glows? Wonder what that is all about!

Now THAT was a wedding. lol!! (hide spoiler)]

[Steven]

Chapters 5 & 6

(view spoiler)[ Wow, Elara is powerful! I don't like Vanessa, and I'm sure she will come back to bite them somehow. I love the banter between Elara and Hugh -- eventually those barbs will become flirting :P The man in the snake-like armor seems creepy!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

Steven wrote: "Chapters 5 & 6

[spoilers removed]"
I agree (view spoiler)[ at this point - and maybe later (but I won't say), Elara's power seemed quite strong - although still quite unknown. I was also curious about her reluctance to use it. (hide spoiler)]

[Steven]

Yes, the reluctance piqued my interest as well!

[Steven]

Chapter 7 -- (view spoiler)[ hmmm, Hugh has gone from against the Pack to married to an ally of the Pack. Wonder how this is going to play out. (hide spoiler)]

[Steven]

Chapters 8 and 9 (view spoiler)[ I'm starting to see little hints of begrudging respect forming.... :)
Also Hugh seems to have the penchant for protecting kids... which is helping redeem him a little in my eyes.
(hide spoiler)]

[Ora]

Suzanne wrote: "Steven wrote: "Chapters 5 & 6

[spoilers removed]"
I agree [spoilers removed]"

The only thing I can think of is the amount of energy it needs for her to use it.

[Steven]

Chapter 10 (view spoiler)[ Uh, oh... a tender moment... it's beginning!!! (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

So, Steven and Ora... did you think Hugh had to be redeemed or did you already have a soft spot for his bada**ness, like I did?

[Steven]

Umm, i have a thing for bad boys, so I already liked his character, but I still wanted/needed to see some redemption for sure.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

Yeah, the Andrews did a good job explaining some of his previous actions without toning down the edginess.

It's going to be really explosive when Kate and Curran confront the new look Hugh in Magic Triumphs. Can't wait!

[Steven]

I got an ARC (squeeeee!!!) and can’t wait to start tomorrow

[Ora]

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "So, Steven and Ora... did you think Hugh had to be redeemed or did you already have a soft spot for his bada**ness, like I did?"

I have always had a soft spot for Hugh, so no he didn't need to redeem himself.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

Steven wrote: "I got an ARC (squeeeee!!!) and can’t wait to start tomorrow"

Ooh, lucky duck. I've pre-ordered but it's expensive on kindle.

[Ora]

Antigoni wrote: "Ora wrote: "Up to chapter 14
I am really trying not to look at spoilers for parts of the book I haven't read yet.

Hugh (view spoiler)...."

Ok, SPOILERS, don't read it if you haven't read Magic Bi..."

I'm rereading to Magic Binds. (view spoiler)[I forgot that Roland explained to Kate what purging Hugh meant. He severed the bond, but his blood still flows through Hugh. I am curious if Kate may consider doing that to Julie so she can have her free will back. (hide spoiler)]

[Teddie]

Steven wrote: "Yes, the reluctance piqued my interest as well!"

(view spoiler)[It seems like she has to do something (sacrifices?) that she's ashamed of, but I still don't have a real vision of what her magic is. I expect they are going to develop her backstory more in coming books, replete with mythological touch points and dire ramifications *rubs hands together gleefully* (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Started this last night - so far thru Chpt 3 -

(view spoiler)[I have HATED Hugh so much it's hard to let go of my prejudices of him. BUT must say I feel some sympathy for him. Okay *grumbling*, so far I'm not hating him as much. Did really enjoy that Prologue when Hugh was a child & he met Voron & Roland.

Bucky - awww, is it part unicorn??? That is hilarious to picture big tough Hugh on a unicorn hahahaha!!

Elara - I'm totally intrigued by her. What type of magic does she have exactly? What did she do to that vampire - swallowed it's magic? Luckily she's a tough heroine so can stand her own against Hugh. Gonna need it being married to him! (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Cathy M. wrote: "Started this last night - so far thru Chpt 3 -

I have HATED Hugh so much it's hard to let go of my prejudices of him. BUT must say I feel some sympathy for him. Okay *grumbling*, so far I'm not h..."

I saw him as an addict. He's going through series withdrawals in the beginning.