Sweep of the Blade by Ilona Andrews – a Review

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Description:
Maud Demille was a daughter of Innkeepers. She knew that a simple life wasn’t in the cards, but she never anticipated what Fate would throw at her.

Once a wife to a powerful vampire knight, Maud and her daughter, Helen, had been exiled for the sins of her husband to the desolate planet of Karhari. Karhari killed her husband, and Maud had spent a year and a half avenging his debts. But now all the debts are paid. Rescued by her sister Dina, Maud had swore off all things vampire. Except she met Arland, the Marshal of House Krahr. One thing led to another and he asked for her hand in marriage. She declined.

Try as she might, she can’t just walk away from Arland. It doesn’t help that being human is a lot harder for Maud than being a vampire.

To sort it all out, she accepts his invitation to visit his home planet. House Krahr is a powerful vampire House, and Maud knows that a woman who turned down the proposal from its most beloved son wouldn’t get a warm reception. But Maud Demille never shied from a fight and House Krahr may soon discover that there is more to this human woman than they ever thought possible.

Review:

Sweep of the Blade by Ilona Andrews is the 4^th book in their wonderful Innkeeper Chronicles.  I love this series, and this book is no exception; it was great.  But then again, I love every single book by our illustrious duo (Ilona & Gordon Andrews).  Andrews gave their fans, online chapters of the entire series over many months, and I couldn’t wait for the next chapter.  But when Sweep of the Blade was released as a full version, I purchased it to be able to enjoy reading this again as a full read.

Maud Demille, Dina’s (previous book heroine) sister, was such a fantastic heroine; I just marveled how amazing she was, as well as her love for her daughter and to the extreme she would go to protect her.   Helen was not only adorable, but a budding power in herself. We did meet them both in the last book.  I absolutely loved Arland, as we met him in previous books with Dina, and he is some hot and sexy hunk.

Arland, is the Marshall of House Krahr, which is the most powerful Vampire house among the planets.  Arland has expressed his love to Maud, and though she knows she has fallen for him, she is hesitant to commit, having lost her deceased husband, and survived a horrific time with Helen being outcast; she does accept to go with him to his home planet. 

This is where the fun begins, as Maud will need to meet Arland’s family, and knows that they probably are against her, but trust me, Maud is someone to reckon with, and in time she will win over the family.  She will also prove how smart and savvy she is in dealing with the enemy that is threatening House Krahr.  In many intense and dangerous battles, Maud will surprise us with her tenacity, and eventually becomes a valuable member of House Krahr when she manages to be a step ahead of the enemies.  Arland and Maud’s romance was sweet, but it will be closer to the end when she finally gives in to her feelings.  As much as I loved Arland, and knew he was the perfect man for her; it was Maud who was everything in this story; a fabulous heroine.

Sweep of the Blade is a fun exciting nonstop action-packed story that will pit House Krahr against two other houses teaming up to take over and destroy their house.  Of course, House Krahr is far more powerful then the other houses, and the battles were violent, intense and bloody. Arland and Maud together were unstoppable, as well as the entire Krahr family.  I loved how Maud knew how to get other species to align with them, knowing all their customs, to help House Krahr, but most of all I loved how she knew what the enemy was planning, especially since she knew their language and pretended not to understand. 

I can’t wait to see where Andrews will take us next in this fantastic series. The ending gives us a hint, but not sure if we will return to Dina and her Innkeeper responsibilities, or more with Maud, Arlen and Helen.  Thank you, Ilona and Gordon Andrews, for this wonderful series.

Reviewed by Barb

Owned a copy