Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews – a Review

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Description:
Atlanta was always a dangerous city. Now, as waves of magic and technology compete for supremacy, it’s a place caught in a slow apocalypse, where monsters spawn among the crumbling skyscrapers and supernatural factions struggle for power and survival.

Eight years ago, Julie Lennart left Atlanta to find out who she was. Now she’s back with a new face, a new magic, and a new name—Aurelia Ryder—drawn by the urgent need to protect the family she left behind. An ancient power is stalking her adopted mother, Kate Daniels, an enemy unlike any other, and a string of horrifying murders is its opening gambit.

If Aurelia’s true identity is discovered, those closest to her will die. So her plan is simple: get in, solve the murders, prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled, and get out without being recognized. She expected danger, but she never anticipated that the only man she’d ever loved could threaten everything.

One small misstep could lead to disaster. But for Aurelia, facing disaster is easy; it’s relationships that are hard.

Review:

Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews is the 1^st book in her new Kate Daniels World series.  I have read every series by Ilona Andrews, and this illustrious duo (Ilona & Gordon) continue to amaze me how their stories are so great, always grabbing our attention from start to finish.  In Blood Heir, even though I had read some early chapters that Andrews so wonderfully gave us glimpses, I was totally blown away with this story, and our heroine; unable to put the book down until I finished it in the wee hours. Needless to say, Ilona Andrews has risen to the top of my list of favorite authors that I need to read.  If you have never read Ilona Andrews…..shame on you.  

Eight years ago, Julie Olson Lennart (Kate and Curran’s adopted daughter), left Atlanta for California and stay with her ultra-powerful aunt, who would help teach her how to learn about herself.   The mysterious death of a pastor, brings Julie back to Atlanta, but she is now very powerful, magical, with a new face and new name, Aurelia Ryder.  Aurelia arrives not revealing her identity (she is now the Princess of Shinar), but with the knowledge that she needs to stop an ancient ultra-powerful god, Moloch, who is determined to destroy the world and Kate Daniels; and if she reveals her identity or goes to see her mother, Kate and those she loves will die.  Aurelia is on her own to find the killer of the pastor, and magical creatures that are killing those touching a special artifact; once she does this the prophecy can be stopped. But can she defeat Moloch?

 As soon as Aurelia arrives, she is met by a wolf pack, stopping her from entering Atlanta, led by the Beta of Bouda pack, Ascanio; she manages to get past them, and not be recognized.  She takes over the case of the dead pastor, acting as a Knight.  Along the way, Aurelia meets evil almost at every step, and despite all the fire and heat, she manages to defeat the creatures sent to destroy her.  In a short time, Luther and then Feldman discover who she really is, and because of the potential of Kate’s death, they honor keeping her identity a secret.  But Aurelia is then blindsided by a huge werewolf, who also wants to know who killed the pastor, and wants to work with her, despite her refusal, he and his pack follow her every move.  The caveat: this werewolf is the Beta of Ice Fury (a major pack from Alaska); his name is Darren, but Aurelia recognizes who he is really is…..Derek.

What follows is an exciting, mind blowing, non stop action filled thriller from start to finish.  Aurelia Ryder is now a bad ass heroine, who manages to win her battles despite life threatening situations that had us holding our breaths.  I loved when she cared about a young street girl, who she takes under her wing, and her concern for the boy who was brutally beaten.  Most of all, I loved seeing so many characters from the Kate Daniels world, especially Conlan, who is close to his sister, and was fun to see him. Of course, both still visit their grandfather, and continue to learn more of the world of Shinar. 

Blood Heir was an amazing adventure that introduces us to the Princess of Shinar, who has totally changed over the 8 years she has been gone.  Having a powerful mother like Kate, allowed her to move forward and find her true self, being trained by her grandmother, who after all, was the Plague Maker, among other things.  I loved the new Julie, and pray the new Derek will there for her in the future.  I look forward to the next book in this series, as Blood Heir was totally mind boggling.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by NYLA