Blood Heir

oh my god it's been a while. i'm not ready to see the life of julie but i have to and so far.. she's a badass huh... i loved it. i loved this!!

*WARNING: This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning upon reading this review* Blood Heir is a story that showcases the second chance romance of a pairing we have all been waiting on since the beginning of the Kate Daniels series. I was joined in reading this with "Angie Elle" my buddy reader for this one. I honestly didn't know what to expect from this one here, and to be honest Julie isn't a character I have always loved. I always suspected she and Derek would have their story written and was pleased to see that they are the romantic focus in the story although the book isn't focused solely on their connection, the romance is slow building and does take a bit of a back seat to the story line (which is the norm for the book connected to this series) I was delighted to be able to grab this one in audio format, I just adore the narrator that this author duo team chooses, she is perfection is portraying the characters so well. We are blessed in seeing so many of our old favorites and even though the circumstances aren't the best with Julie having a new identity and hiding herself from all those that she considers family, we still get to see some of the characters we have missed since the ending of the Kate Daniels series. I really like the progression of the time frame that we find ourselves in. We have skipped ahead and I loved seeing Julie being so much more mature. She is similar to Kate in some respects, but she is definitely her own unique individual. I really loved seeing her growth and magic and her drive to save Kate. The romance that we see between Derek and Julie (which is what I was looking forward to the most) was VERY SLOW but the chemistry was powerful. We see such a beautiful bond between these two. We don't get a ton of interaction in their romance, because there is the world building plot that is the primary focus of the story. But we do see how much these two have a magical connection to each other. And in Derek we see many changes as well, I would love to see his story unfold in future books and see what brought about those changes in him. When we get the unveiling of secrets at the end there, WHEW, was I ever caught up in the moment there. Especially in realizing that Derek knew ALL along who she really was. But I wasn't too surprised by it to be honest, I was so disappointed in Derek in not knowing who she truly was so it made me happy to see that he would stand by her even when she hurts him. All I will say is these two (just like Kate and Curran) seriously need to learn to honestly and openly communicate. Maybe they will learn faster than K&C. I am very curious to see where this series will go and seeing the danger that Julie is in here, but also fascinated in the danger set up and the world building that this author team has done such a supreme job with. Overall I found this book to be a stunning display of magical urban fantasy, a friends to lovers reconnecting after years of separation and a powerhouse of a read that will stun the reader with sensations of thrills and angst.

No one does books you feel glued to quite like Ilona Andrews

I was hesitant about going into this book. I loved the Kate Daniels series, despite all its faults, because the world is so rich and interesting. But taking a character who is a minor at the end of the 10-book series and aging them up to fit into a relationship with their childhood crush who's five years older than her? Yeah, I was a little hesitant. So here's what I liked: I love the world. GOD, do I love the world. I love the concepts, the political structures, the characters and the type of people that have survived in this magical apocalypse. I probably will never stop loving it. I am also very glad I don't live in it, because unless I became a shifter or a wizard or something to augment my strength, this world would hand me my ass and I am VERY aware of it. I actually thought the Derek/Julie stuff was well handled. Like I said, I was kind of concerned about it and I was actually pretty glad that they didn't just magically make up and get together. I'm much happier getting to see them work it out as adults. The plot was great. I actually really enjoyed the concept of Julie facing off against a prophecy and a god-made-flesh. The writing was fun and it was so great to see old characters living their best life. Here's what I didn't like: Why. Why the fuck did you have to make her magically, perfectly beautiful? Literally what purpose does it serve? I hate it. It underscores the whole, "You have to be traditionally beautiful to be loved!" thing and it's one of my big complaints that I have with Ilona Andrews's books. You do not have to be perfect and skinny to be loved or bad ass or attractive. It also serves absolutely no purpose in the plot aside from making the character look different - which easily could have been done without making her look like a god damn model. Ilona Andrews, my dudes, it is okay to have heroines who are just normal looking people. The way Ascanio Ferara is used as a political intrigue point in this book is criminal. He goes from a teenage heartthrob to... a politically motivated douchebag who has a loose grasp of acceptable morality because he wants to jump the queue and become Beast Lord? Really? I always kind of liked the thought of Ascanio maturing and becoming a more decent person who might be worthy of Julie, so I feel like his transformation in the other way is supposed to underscore that Derek is the only man for Julie. Even if he wasn't gonna get together with Julie, which I'm fine with, I would have liked to get more introspection into him aside from his becoming a minor villain. (I'm predicting that Derek's gonna become Beast Lord anyway in future books, so I'm expecting this to continue. Not thrilled about that either.) The recapping was a little annoying. And consistent. I get that this is to help new readers to be able to get into the books easier without them having to read the original 10 books, but it was pretty regular that they had to go fix things. Would I recommend it? Sure. Is it the best book in the series? Absolutely not.

➽ And the moral of this reread is: not sure what it is with bathtubs and post-shift Atlanta, but something super fishy is going on there, if you ask me. This obviously calls for a very in-depth, personal investigation. That's not exactly the type of, um, investigation I had in mind but yeah, sure. Whatever floats your boat and stuff. P.S. I still haven't figured out what the whole Shepherd of the Wolves Meets Mint Green Magic Meets Silver Fur Enigma (SotWMMGMMSFE™) is about but I will find out. Oh yes, I WILL find out. Even it means sacrificing a bunch of newborn babies in honor of Moloch the Ever Cheerful. January 2021 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 the miserably pathetic review you will get from me. Because if you are not completely clueless and vaguely know what's good for your mental health, you will read this book without needing to be told how Slightly Very Scrumptious (SVS™) it is. The end and stuff. Oh, and by the way, Blood Heir kinda sorta made me feel a little like this: Oh, and also: Oh, and also also: 👋 To be continued and stuff. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] ➽ Oct. 5, 2020: we have a cover!!!!!!!! ➽ Sept. 4, 2020: chapter 13 is up and stuff. ➽ August 20, 2020: oh look, chapter 12 is here! ➽ August 18, 2020: deleted scene time! ➽ August 5, 2020: a Snippety Snippet is here. ➽ July 31, 2020: no more Ryder on the blog. I repeat: NO. MORE. RYDER. ON. THE. BLOG. (Read about it here.) Oh, and also: ➽ July 29, 2020: Chapter 11 is up! Immutable law of the universe IAverse: of bathtubs and hot tubs thou shalt beware. And stay the fish away from (then again maybe not). For they tend to attract furry pets with delicious mischievous intentions and stuff. There's a very slight chance it possibly might. Maybe. ➽ July 23, 2020: Chapter 10, part 2 is up! ➽ July 17, 2020: Chapter 10, part 1 is up! ➽ July 17, 2020: we have a release date and the book is available for pre-order and stuff!! ➽ July 16, 2020: Chapter 9, part 3 is up! ➽ July 10, 2020: Chapter 9, part 2 is up! The Biohazard Song, HAHAHAHAHAHA. “Do you remember the song I taught you last time you interfered with one of my crime scenes?” Stella looked like she swallowed spoiled milk. “Yes.” “Splendid. Let’s sing it together. I’ll start. Biohazard is a law enforcement agency, yes, yes, yes. Your turn.” Stella unlocked her teeth. “The Order is not a law enforcement agency, no, no, no.” “All the crime scenes in Atlanta Metro are mine, mine, mine.” “All the crime scenes in Atlanta Metro are yours, yours, yours,” Stella intoned. “When are you allowed into one of my crime scenes?” Spoiler Spoiler Spoiler continued. “When I’m personally invited, invited, invited.” Oh, and also: you are SO busted, Ms Ryder. Muahahahahaha. ➽ July 8, 2020: Chapter 9, part 1 is up! ➽ July 1, 2020: Chapter 8, part 3 is up! ➽ June 30, 2020: Chapter 8 is up! I think this might possibly be a metal rose. Maybe. And I'm not excited in the least. Nope nope nope. Not me. Absolutely not. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] ➽ June 24, 2020: Chapter 7, part 2 is up! ➽ June 19, 2020: Chapter 7, part 1 is up! ➽ June 16, 2020: Chapter 6, part 2 is up! ⚠️ The story was edited last week and the updated chapters can be found on the website, under the Ryder tag (see direct links below). The edits aren't major, but you might want to reread chapter 5 because extra stuff and stuff. Updated chapters: · King of Fire · Chapter 1 · Chapter 2 · Chapter 3 · Chapter 4 · Chapter 5 · Chapter 6, part 1 ➽ June 1, 2020: Part 12 is up! ➽ May 20, 2020: Part 11 is up! ➽ May 14, 2020: Part 10 is up! Aaaaannnnnddddd, Ilona just posted a Ryder Q&A on the blog and stuff! ➽ May 7, 2020: Part 9 is up! ➽ May 6, 2020: Part 8 is up! [April 2020] Did you know this was currently happening on IA’s blog right now as we speak and stuff? Well, YES, bloody shrimping hell of the stinking fish, it is INDEED currently happening on IA’s blog right now as we speak and stuff! Oh yes, puny humans are slightly very excited about this, too. So what the bloody squid are you waiting for?! Get reading and stuff! P.S. The second entitled idiots people start bitching and making nasty comments about this very free serial, I’m gleefully unleashing my murderous kids on them. (This is obviously not a threat, simply a friendly reminder.) (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]. If you’re not happy with this story, then go buy another one and read it. You’re welcome and stuff.

Blood Heir is AMAZING... I would definitely recommend reading the Kate Daniels series before this one, other wise you get a whole bunch of spoilers. I loved seeing Julie all grown up, and see what she has been up to and what she has learned since we last saw her.. I also loved seeing and hearing about all of my favorite characters from the Kate Daniels series. and Derek? OMG I just need more especially after the way it ended.. I don't want to give any spoilers but this book was my most anticipated read of the whole year, and it did not dissapoint.

3,5 stars When I came around this book, a couple of months ago, I had no idea that it was a sequel to the Kate Daniels series, which I have not read. So when I saw some reviews here, before I started reading, I thought I couldn't follow the story and almost gave up on the book. Honestly, it was a little difficult to follow every single character in the book and from what I gather most of them were in the other series. There is bonus material at the end of the book , written as an interview, which I think would help you follow some major key moments and characters. Now, as for this book as a start of a new series. Personally, I think it was ok. It was certainly interesting enough, but there were a lot of questions regarding the world building and you could understand that you had to read the previous books.It wasn't that I couldn't follow the story, but the constant appearances of old characters meant that the writers would either spend the entirety of the book explaining past events or the reader would feel a little confused. The main plot was that Aurelia had to save her mother and to do that she would have to solve a series of murders. In the end, she very easily solves the murders, even though she spent very little time doing it. The majority of the book was about her thinking how nobody would or could know who she really is, while everyone did. It was kind of funny. She is a very interesting character and I want to read the rest of her story, but the book's main focus was to reintroduce past characters and set the story for the rest of the series. I am pretty sure if you are a fan of the Kate Daniels series, you would love this book a lot!

Does Ilona Andrews ever disappoint??? That would be a no. I LOVED Blood Heir! As bittersweet as the ending of the Kate Daniels series was, I'm sooo happy we're getting more of this UF world, this time with Julie/Aurelia's story. I'm praying to the gods that she and Derek are end goals – sadly there is barely any romance in this first book but I was giddy over every scene that had them together. Basically it was me projecting and obsessing over every little thing said and done between them. BH has IA's signature humor, excitement, and action, but I love that Julie has her own distinct voice, even though it is reflective of Kate (she is her daughter, after all). I cannot wait to see where the rest of the series will go! (view spoiler)[That scene of Derek's future he saw better be of Julie!!!!!!!! (hide spoiler)] *** 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!