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

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

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..."

Hope you enjoy it, Cathy. I agree that Elara becomes fascinating.

[Suzanne]

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..."

(view spoiler)[ Hugh even on a white horse is pretty funny/ironic. But on something that even just might be a unicorn - lovely. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Suzanne wrote: "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*,..."

Yes it is! Love how Bucky prances around :D Seems way to "happy" to be a tough horse.

[Cathy M.]

Laura wrote: "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*,..."

Yes, I've seen that more & more as the story has progressed and (view spoiler)[I do actually see him a little differently. It didn't really hit me at 1st, but Hugh was just like Julie, in that Roland mixed his blood with Hugh's so Hugh had no choice but to obey. I get that. But I still don't think he's a great/good guy. Just more tolerable. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Erin ☕ *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "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*,..."

Thanks Erin! So far so good :)

[Cathy M.]

I'm now thru Chpt 8 (I WILL finish this tonight even though I'm really tired & want to go to bed now...) -

(view spoiler)[I wasn't expecting to see the Pack in this so it was a pleasant surprise. Love how mature Ascanio was with that situation rather than attacking Hugh to get back at him. Though for a minute, I did think Hugh was going to attack the shapeshifters. REALLY hoping he doesn't betray the Pack because I will be seriously pissed off!

Hugh carving that merc O.O That was beyond gruesome. Did enjoy how playful he was acting prior to that (in front of the senator), but damn! I don't think anyone will underestimate him, if they ever did.

Totally loving Elara! She's quick & I'm enjoying the banter with Hugh. But what exactly is she? Her magic is something very unique. At least, don't think we've ever seen her kind before. Entering dreams, the holograms, all the power she has.

Hoping by the end of this that Hugh allies himself with Kate & crew because wouldn't that just be a kick to Roland! Though he needs to get over Roland. It's like a bad breakup where he knows Roland is an asshole but he can't help but miss him. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

I'm not usually a snob on this but I HATE this book cover. I picture Hugh as being much better looking than that picture...

[Erin *Proud Book Hoarder*]

Their books are great but they do have bad luck with their covers in general

[Cathy M.]

Erin ☕ *Proud Book Hoarder* wrote: "Their books are great but they do have bad luck with their covers in general"

Very true!!!

[Suzanne]

Cathy M. wrote: "I'm not usually a snob on this but I HATE this book cover. I picture Hugh as being much better looking than that picture..."

Aaargh - yes - I really hate some of their covers. Like the whole Hidden Legacy series :)

They should have put Bucky on the cover!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Cathy M. wrote: "I'm not usually a snob on this but I HATE this book cover. I picture Hugh as being much better looking than that picture..."

Yeah, it looks like a bad historical romance cover from the 80s. Ugh!

[Teddie]

I completely agree - this cover in particular - makes Hugh look like an off the strip casino Vegas magician.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Teddie wrote: "I completely agree - this cover in particular - makes Hugh look like a off the strip casino Vegas magician."

That is the perfect description! This cover would have really hurt sales if their name wasn't so well known.


I think it even overtakes this (which used to be their worst cover).

[Cathy M.]

Finished last night!

(view spoiler)[So Hugh. He WAS a better hero than I thought he would be. He definitely was a badass. Still ruthless, still cunning, still incredibly smart. I didn't entirely believe the guilt that plagued him from his past but wanted to believe that he wanted to be a better man. Not only for himself, but for his people.

Elara - such an interesting character! She has to be like a god - she did mention earlier about praying to gods & that she wouldn't allow it (or something to that effect). And then when Alex was running thru the woods, he was praying to her to save him & Deidre. And the things she could do! Roland even seemed afraid of her. Now they HAVE to join in Kate's quest to rid the world of Roland! (That's also why it is suggested that this book is read before Magic Triumphs so we get the introduction to her & her powers.)

The storyline felt somewhat incomplete though. Expected the Nez storyline to continue throughout the series, but the mrogs? Wondering if we'll see them again. It was just like, that's it with them?

Overall I did really like this story & will definitely continue on. Of course it being an Ilona Andrews novel don't really have a choice :) (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Ora 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..."

(view spoiler)[I think you're onto something there! That would make total sense for Kate to do that to Julie. (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "I'm not usually a snob on this but I HATE this book cover. I picture Hugh as being much better looking than that picture..."

Yeah, it looks like a bad historical romance cover fro..."

That's it EXACTLY!!

[Cathy M.]

Also kept thinking about -

(view spoiler)[Johanna is a wailing banshee?!?!?! Holy crap, did not expect that! And the druids! I think all of her people have extraordinary powers... can't wait to see more of it! (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

Cathy M. wrote: "Also kept thinking about -

[spoilers removed]"

I agree! (view spoiler)[ It is such an interesting group. And it feels like we have barely scratched the surface. The banshee part was interesting. And I still think about that elephant :) (hide spoiler)]

[Cathy M.]

Suzanne wrote: "Cathy M. wrote: "Also kept thinking about -

[spoilers removed]"

I agree! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I kept hoping the elephant would turn around & start stomping the vamps & mrogs! I'm still feeling bloodlusty after reading The Others series :D (hide spoiler)]