Innkeeper Chronicles - Sweep of the Heart (December 2022/January 2023)

[Narilka]

I'll be starting this one after I finish my current read.

[Caroline]

I might have just finished it. But I'll stay around. (And for the next book, I won't be early birding. Promise!)

I expected it to be longer and wasn't sure I would be able to finish within two weeks - now I know they are very fast reads. :)

[Nyssa]

I added the link to the prequel hosted on Ilona Andrews's website to post #1.

I will probably read it after Clean Sweep.

[Nyssa]

Nirkatze wrote: "@Nyssa--I hope the remainder of your move goes smoothly!"

Thank you! We're getting there. :)

[Nyssa]

Nyssa wrote: "I added the link to the prequel hosted on Ilona Andrews's website to post #1.

I will probably read it after Clean Sweep."

I decided to pause where I was, yesterday and decided to read the prequel.

Not sure what to make of it, really.

[Nyssa]

Caroline wrote: "Chapter 7 [spoilers removed]
Chapter 8 [spoilers removed]"

The pace did pick up as you suggested.

As for chapter 8, I think she did what she did as an insurance policy of some sort, or in case they failed in their undertaking, which... well, you know.

I'm starting chapter 9 now.

[Caroline]

Nyssa wrote: "Nyssa wrote: "I added the link to the prequel hosted on Ilona Andrews's website to post #1.

Not sure what to make of it, really."

Thanks for adding the link! After reading this prequel, I don't know what to make of it, either... (view spoiler)[ I guess she saved him then, but why is the prequel cut short of their actual meeting and the saving situation. Hopefully it will become clearer after reading the rest of the series. (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Starting Clean Sweep tonight. Looking forward to it :)

[Choko]

Hmmm, just read Gerard Demille and Helen Meet. I have no idea what is going on, but I am intrigued for sure:)

[Nirkatze]

Just started Clean Sweep. I'll probably read the prequel story afterwards.

Literally cracked open the book to the start of Chapter 1 and have this to say: (view spoiler)[You killed a dog. How dare you. This sh*t is now personal. Prepare to die evil ones. (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

Nirkatze, did you just go all John Wick on a book? :)

[Narilka]

This is a series reread for me so I'll be commenting more about everyone else's comments than my own until the last book.

Through Ch 3. It's nice to be reading Ilona Andrews again. I've missed their writing and the Gertrude Hunt.

[Narilka]

Caroline wrote: "Haven't read the series before, but I started reading the Kate Daniels Series of Ilona Andrews in January (and savoring each book, because I enjoy them that much - I originally searched and found t..."

Ch 1 (view spoiler)[You are in for a treat with these two :D (hide spoiler)]
Ch 3 (view spoiler)[Their "pissing contest" is fun though! Sean really has no idea who and what Dina is... (hide spoiler)]

[Nyssa]

I'm almost finished, but something is bugging me... Is Dina's name pronounced with the long I or the long E?

I keep tripping over myself when I read her name. I want it to be pronounced Deenah. But then I pause and say to myself (or is it DInah?) I don't know why it is bothering me this time around. I don't remember there being an issue the first time I read it, but then again, I don't remember much from my first reading. It's almost a decade later (WHOA) - the story practically feels brand new.

[Choko]

I think it is Deenah, but I am not sure either. Now you got me questioning... I will check how the audio does it...

[Nyssa]

Choko wrote: "I think it is Deenah, but I am not sure either. Now you got me questioning... I will check how the audio does it..."

Thanks!

[Tonari no Emily]

Audio pronounces Deenah!

[Tonari no Emily]

Alright I'm through Chapter 11. Like this one a lot so far :)

Re Tracking devices (view spoiler)[ I think its because Dinah wants to be involved despite the traditional neutral Innkeeper stance. I have a feeling Dinah will not in fact remain neutral for the series haha. She seems to be protective over her town as well as her Inn and in some ways wants to stay in control? (hide spoiler)]

Nirkatze/Narilka re dog (view spoiler)[ LOL you did just go John Wick there for a bit (hide spoiler)]

Dinah/Sean (view spoiler)[ Handsome controlling werewolf I just can't help but to compare to Women of the Otherworld. They're obviously very different but I can't get Clay out of my head hahah

But the tension between these two I'm sure is gonna make some sort of romance. I'm here for it :D (hide spoiler)]

Magic/technology (view spoiler)[ I honestly love when magic and technology are intertwined in fantasy. Werewolves/vampires that are actually aliens is great.
The Inn magic really reminds me of Encanto (new Disney movie). Fun to imagine. (hide spoiler)]

Grocery store scene (view spoiler)[ Okay but being trapped in your own body while dying from Texas heat in your own car sounds like an AWFUL way to go. I don't know if I would have thought to take a picture of my surroundings if I was in the same situation... (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Narilka wrote: "Nirkatze, did you just go all John Wick on a book? :)"

I.... might have. LOL

[Tonari no Emily]

Yay finished this! Good start to a series, intrigued to know more about magic, technology and the other worlds

Sean (view spoiler)[I think/hope we see him again in a future book. I'm not sure if his parents did him a favor keeping things from him... But I can understand why they did I suppose. But then he doesn't understand where he comes from or truly understands what his parents went through... He's got some soul searching to do perhaps...

Also are they gonna try to love triangle Dinah Sean and Arden (was that the vampire's name? Why am I so bad at names hahah)? Cuz I really don't think the vamp has a chance... (hide spoiler)]

Gerard Demille and Helen Meet (view spoiler)[ Correct me if I'm wrong, but are these Dinah's parents? So Gerard isn't the biological father of two of the children? Is Dinah or Maude the youngest? (Was this explicitly stated in the book, if so I totally glossed that over LOL)
I was wondering what they meant when her father wasn't born when cars were around.. had me questioning what time the book was set, but if he was in some sort of stasis for decades until Helen helped him out then that would make sense... (hide spoiler)]

[Nyssa]

Emily wrote: "Gerard Demille and Helen Meet (view spoiler)"

I think Maude is older; she left first and got married.

Emily wrote: "Audio pronounces Deenah!"

Excellent! thank you.

[Narilka]

Nyssa wrote: "I'm almost finished, but something is bugging me... Is Dina's name pronounced with the long I or the long E?

I keep tripping over myself when I read her name. I want it to be pronounced Deenah. B..."

FWIW I pronounce it in my head with the long I as DInah.

[Narilka]

Caroline wrote: "Chapter 7 [spoilers removed] ..."

Ch 9 (view spoiler)[I think the dahaka might have been more wary of the inn and its keeper than the werewolf. Dinah is pretty darn powerful in her own domain. (hide spoiler)]

[Narilka]

In Ch 11... not really a spoiler but tagging in case (view spoiler)[Did anyone else think that a mostly empty Costco sounds like heaven and now kind of want to try getting there right as they open one day to test the theory? :) Assuming Costco exists in your geographic region. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I started, and totally understand the John Wick reaction about the dog!!!

The lifetime member is a very interesting lady:))) "How was his equipment? It's a natural curiosity"... Haha! So true! But the marking of territory is just... precious:)))

[Caroline]

Choko wrote: "I started, and totally understand the John Wick reaction about the dog!!!

The lifetime member is a very interesting lady:))) "How was his equipment? It's a natural curiosity"... Haha! So true! But..."

@lifetime-member: Yeeees, she's quite a character, I hope we will get to know all her juicy secrets, although, Dinah doesn't seem to wildly interested in them :D

Narilka wrote: " Caroline wrote: "Chapter 7 [spoilers removed] ..."

Ch 9 [spoilers removed]"

That makes sense :)

Nyssa wrote: "I'm almost finished, but something is bugging me... Is Dina's name pronounced with the long I or the long E?

I keep tripping over myself when I read her name. I want it to be pronounced Deenah. B..."

I'm not so sure what the difference is haha I tried pronouncing it differently due to this question, but it sounds so similar, when I do it. I guess, if we were talking about it verbally, I might hear what you're saying.

Would a the i-version sound like "dinner"? Because then I'm definitely for the eeee-version xD

[Nyssa]

Long “I” would be “Ice”, “Bite”.

Long “E” would be “Seen”, “Green”

[Caroline]

Nyssa wrote: "Long “I” would be “Ice”, “Bite”.

Long “E” would be “Seen”, “Green”"

I see, then the long "i" is similar to "ei" in German, while the long "e" is more similar to the German "i" - so I kind of am more at the long "e" version, although, I think I imagined something down the line of the first i in "discussion".

The long "i" version sounds like "diner" (the restaurant) to me haha but when I googled it, it seems to be the popular pronunciation

Did you know the name has a meaning, the african origin (apparently Simbabwe) of the name means "beautiful safe place". I could imagine, that's why the authors chose the name. :D There's also a hebraic (judge, rightous), jewish (verdict, law) and arabic (religion) meaning. At least in the German wikipedia entry. :)

So I need to stop using google, but:
https://www.baby-vornamen.de/Maedchen... (it's a german name finding page) - when you scroll down to "Aussprache von Dinah" you can listen to the pronounciation in different languages - Deutsch=German, and it's what I had in my head reading it

[Choko]

All this information about the name is awesome! Thank you:)

Up to Ch. 8... (view spoiler)[ We just got to meet the Vampire delegation. Haha! Trying to be inconspicuous with long trenchcoats, weapons underneath, and Hummers:))) And quietly bringing out their battle flag from a tube:) Intimidating in a "whisper"... I laughed out loud on that scene!

Another scene that had me laughing was when Shawn was building her the patio for the smoker, and Dinah and the Inn were screwing with him by moving the space and he was acting like a scaredy cat:)))

Another precious moment, when the lifetime guest came down and saw Sean being tied up by the broom, and was like, ooooohhhh, a kinky night, hmm? And when Dinah said that she is just restraining him, she was totally cool with that too, as long as she could eat his liver later, sauteed in butter:)))) Haha! Love her!

Boiling the body and disguising the smell with a huge BBQ was genius! It is disturbing that the old lady knew what to do to get the trackers out, and that a 170 pound man would feed her for 3 months .. I would try real hard to stay on her good side...

I think that Sean's parents hadn't told him about their history was kind of funny, but if I put myself in his position, I would be kind of pissed if I found all that out from a stranger when I was 27... I would have to tell them off a bit... (hide spoiler)]

Emily, this is exactly how I read the prequel too, especially after her family history she gave in Ch. 3-4 of this book. Her description of how her dad behaved during a car ride was hilarious:)))

[Choko]

Ch. 10... Coffee and Vampires! Hahaha!!!

[Nirkatze]

Ended up breezing through this. Going to type up more thoughts and reactions tomorrow but for now am heading to bed. Just one ranty thought:

(view spoiler)[ I feel like I'm drowning in Alpha Male testosterone. Why? Why are folks attracted to assholes? Why do people want to read about folks being attracted to assholes? I just want to PUNCH them and break their noses. Both of them. NOSES. Maybe that makes me an asshole. (hide spoiler)]

That said, I enjoyed the book much. Laughed a lot. Just feel the need to PUNCH NOSES.

[Nyssa]

Nirkatze wrote: "Ended up breezing through this. Going to type up more thoughts and reactions tomorrow but for now am heading to bed. Just one ranty thought:

[spoilers removed]

That said, I enjoyed the book much...."

*Snort*

[Choko]

Haha! Yeah, there is that... Alpha males and all... I personally prefer the "nerds", but that is me. I am cool with alphas for other people:))

I also enjoyed this one. Boy, I didn't realize it was so short! Maybe because I have been reading those long Epic Fantasy ones, but comparatively, the first Innkeeper Chronicles was a pamphlet:)

I enjoy IA's style of writing and find it imaginative and light, so it filled that need in my life right now:). I hope we see what Sean is going to be doing with his new nano armor - I don't trust it not to influence him in some negative way. And the vampire, now his explanations of how some of the believes about his kind were born, were very fascinating.

Loved Beast! She deserves a book of her own. And Dinah seems to be a pretty sensible young lady. We just have to figure out what is happening with her parents.

I like the magic of the Inn and the symbiotic relationship it has with the innkeeper and the guests. Want more!!!

[Narilka]

Choko wrote: "Haha! Yeah, there is that... Alpha males and all... I personally prefer the "nerds", but that is me. I am cool with alphas for other people:))

I also enjoyed this one. Boy, I didn't realize it was..."

I'm with you in general on preferring "nerds" though do have a beef with current pop culture in why they can't also make nerds the eye candy that alphas are...

Really enjoying this reread :) I'm still shopping in Baha Char. I suspect I'll finish up the book later today.

[Nirkatze]

Choko wrote: "Haha! Yeah, there is that... Alpha males and all... I personally prefer the "nerds", but that is me. I am cool with alphas for other people:))

I also enjoyed this one. Boy, I didn't realize it was..."

Totally agree on Beast! She stole the show! And agree on nerdy-types. And with @Narilka on nerds can be eye candy too. I mean, there are polite, nerdy, physically fit specimens of mankind out there, I'm sure. It's not like fast food, where my dad always told me "cheap, good, fast--pick two"--this is fantasy darnit!

@Narilka--enjoy how you said "still shopping in Baha Char"--totally sounded for a minute like you were there shopping for reals and that was why you hadn't finished the book yet--you were busy shopping. :)

Just like Choko, I'm curious to see more of the Inn! I really want her to get some new guests. Hopefully of the sweet & nerdy eye-candy type.

I really enjoyed Caldenia, and her bloodthirsty helpfulness. It's a fun paradox to see a character so accustomed to violence (and unapologetic about it--nay--proud of it!) willingly living a peaceful life. Also, the story of how the book was written--published online chapter by chapter, like the magazine serials of old--had me paying more attention to the plot structure by chapter. I just listened to a youtube video of a panel of fantasy authors talking at some convention yesterday, and the topic was brought up of how to ensure continuity when writing a series, and how to deal with it when contradictions pop up. I imagine that issue is confounded a hundredfold when you are writing a series chapter by chapter. By like IA said in--I think the Acknowledgments at the front?--by publishing that way, they also had unparalleled access to immediate reader feedback, which is a very different way to develop a story as well.

My feedback is "we need more sexy geeks!"

[Choko]

Haha! Great take-away Nirkatze:))) I totally know sexy geeks and am all for them, but occasionally, there is a place for a bit of alpha male, as long as they are also smart, kind and honorable, right? I actually have much bigger problem accepting the "sexy" thief trope... Doesn't matter male or female. I have an issue with thieves as protagonists, unless they only steal from big corporations or really rich nobles. I see how devastating thievery is to regular people, and I just can't get any enjoyment from such protagonists... That is one of my pet peeves...

I am sure continuity is an issue most authors have when writing on a larger scope. This series is somewhat contained, but I wonder how epic series authors handle it... It would be too tempting to get on a tangent explaining stuff, and it could get out of hand. I think this is the biggest issue the author of "The Highlander" series, Diana Gibaldon I think she was, has. I would have edited half out of each of her books...

[Narilka]

Nirkatze wrote: "@Narilka--enjoy how you said "still shopping in Baha Char"--totally sounded for a minute like you were there shopping for reals and that was why you hadn't finished the book yet--you were busy shopping. :) ..."

OMG that would be so awesome!!!

[Narilka]

And finished! That was highly enjoyable :)

It is a touch sad how everyone always leaves but such is the life of an innkeeper.

I've not read that short story prequel. I'll get that done before we start on book 2.

[Choko]

Awesome! Yeah, I hate good-byes too... Hopefully not for ever...

Then, we will be back here on the 20th, right?:)

[Narilka]

20th or there abouts ;)

[Nirkatze]

Caroline wrote: "Haven't read the series before, but I started reading the Kate Daniels Series of Ilona Andrews in January (and savoring each book, because I enjoy them that much - I originally searched and found t..."

re: Chapters 1-3

Urination--(view spoiler)[the marking territory bit was pretty funny. Especially when it gives opportunities for snark.

Though it did make me wonder--I've heard alternating information about whether urine is good or bad for plants. One thing I've read suggests that the extra nitrogen is good for them. But I've also heard that dogs peeing on the lawn is a cause of yellow spots and kills grass. So which is it? Was Sean's "contribution" potentially damaging or helping the apple tree? (hide spoiler)]

re: Broom--my brain totally didn't go down that path for some reason--(view spoiler)[I wasn't even thinking of traditional witches and brooms! That is a cool interpretation. I was so focused on the broom as a cleaning implement and brain was just fried. (hide spoiler)]

@Narilka, re: "pissing contest" Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[I really did find this dynamic interesting--he's powerful, but ignorant. She's an expert, and powerful, but locally limited. Still, he needs a big punch in the nose. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Caroline wrote: "Chapter 7 [spoilers removed]

re: Barbeque (view spoiler)[I really liked that little scene. Is this something that happens in some parts of the country? Folks just have a spontaneous barbeque and wandering neighbors drop by for a chat? It feels kinda Southern to me, but I have no experiences to back that up. (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Emily wrote: "Alright I'm through Chapter 11. Like this one a lot so far :)"

re: Trackers--I like Emily's reasoning here. (view spoiler)[Why not give the vampire both? I mean, he only needed one. She had two. Why not keep the other?

Also, as for Dina's neutrality--I keep thinking about what the other Innkeeper said, about how some Inns are in high traffic areas, and some become well known for providing a specific service. What if this is they type of services that Dina's Inn will become known for? Come stay with us and we'll help solve your problems! As long as you can convince the Innkeeper your cause is just and you promise to protect her neighborhood. (hide spoiler)]

re: Magic & Tech--I totally agree Emily! I feel like I haven't come across very many stories that go both high tech and high magic or high fantasy. Even Urban Fantasy tends to be limited to modern tech. (view spoiler)[Loving the inclusion of other worlds here, and straddling the line between tech and magic, the explanation for Vampires and Werewolves--all really fun! (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Narilka wrote: "In Ch 11... not really a spoiler but tagging in case"

re: Costco--I loved that scene! (view spoiler)[I'm guessing the Costcos in my region are less crowded in general, but yes, totally! Empty Costcos are awesome.

I also loved how the other woman didn't run away screaming. She was like "Don't mess with Texas!" I feel bad that Dina left her to face explanations by herself though. She seems like she would've been a cool new side character.

@Emily--the end bit in that scene in the car... that was pretty scary. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

Nirkatze, are you enjoying it? Does it seem like it is something you would like to continue with?

[Nyssa]

I'm so glad everyone has enjoyed Clean Sweep! I love Ilona Andrew's take on vampires and werewolves - and I look forward to meeting all of the other fantastical beings yet to come in the series. I also like how well-written all of the characters have been so far.

The Costco scene was incredible-it might be my favorite in the book; there was just the right amount of humor throughout the story; it was just a great introduction to the series (and to IA the first time I read it).

Book 2 and on will all be new to me.

[Caroline]

Nirkatze wrote: " Caroline wrote: "Chapter 7 [spoilers removed]

re: Barbeque [spoilers removed]"

I don't know how it is in Texas, but (view spoiler)[ in Austria (and in my family) at least relatives (far away related) - sometimes even friends - are joining, if they see you in the garden to greet you and then get invited to join whatever the family is doing (coffee, dinner, ...). - that is in the country of course and not in the big city centers. (hide spoiler)]

[Caroline]

Nirkatze wrote: " Caroline wrote: "Haven't read the series before, but I started reading the Kate Daniels Series of Ilona Andrews in January (and savoring each book, because I enjoy them that much - I originally se..."

@Urination (view spoiler)[ It depends on how sour the urine is, I guess ^^ Our dog wasn't allowed to pee in the garden in the morning because of the yellow spots it left. We had to take her to the park. But I don't know if it does anything good for the plants, too... (hide spoiler)]

[Nirkatze]

Yes, I enjoyed the book! Not as much as the Mercy Thompson or Dresden books, but I don't think I liked the first ones as much as the later ones either--often it takes a couple books for me to really warm up to UF series. So totally continuing!

Thank you for the insight, Caroline!

And re: urination (view spoiler)[so I ended up doing some research! The internet seems to agree that human urine (if diluted) is good fertilizer for plants, but that dog urine is much much stronger and basically overdoses plants to death.

So where on the spectrum does Sean fall? (hide spoiler)]

[Timelord Iain, Tech Support]

I've definitely been neglecting my BRs, lately... needed a breather... but planning to catch up in the next couple days...

This one is an easy one... kind of the book equivalent of a favorite movie you've watched so many times you can quote it from beginning to end, almost...

I've lost track of how many times I've re-read this book, but so many of the details stick with me, from (view spoiler)[first meeting the characters and neighbors, to late night hijinks and randy parents in the pool, to Getrude Hunt shenanigans, the desert/Dune planet, Baha-Char, space vampires & werewolves, a battle at Costco/Sam's Club, and the quick conclusion when all is said and done... (hide spoiler)]

The second book, and some later books I think, have connections to the Edge series of PNRs, but you can probably do fine without reading them...

I'll be reading through and commenting a ton, soon... I definitely like the later entries in this series more than this first entry, which isn't bad...