'Blood Heir' by Ilona Andrews

 

From the BLURB: 

A KATE DANIELS WORLD NOVEL 

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.

Okay, so - thoughts on 'Blood Heir' ...

First of all, I am SO HAPPY we got Julie's continued story at all. I remember not too long ago (2019) Ilona Andrews wrote a blog-post answering the question of whether or not they'd ever expand the 'Kate Daniels' universe to tell Julie's story (and by extension, Derek's - since it was understood that they were, or would be, HEA end-goals). Well. Their answer kinda broke my heart, because they went on to detail the fact that they get Julie hate-mail. No joke, the post is still up: https://ilona-andrews.com/2019/braining-is-hard/ 

And I quote: "Long story short, we get Julie hatemail. Half want bad things to happen to Julie. They literally hate her and want her to die. The other variation of the hatemail is, “I am just not interested in Julie as a character and I don’t think she could carry a book.” Right, because despite writing 12 books set in this world, all of which succeeded in being entertaining, we will lose all of ability to tell a compelling story just because Julie is the main character."

So first of all - Julie and Derek (and yeah, Ascanio) are three of my *favourite* characters. I am actually overall very partial to any and all spin-offs within the Kate Daniels universe (I loved Andrea and Raphael in Gunmetal Magic and also loved Jim and Dali in Magic Dreams and OMG, I hope we get to see the four of them in future spin-off minor appearances). I do not understand people who are morally opposed to more spin-offs, let alone one that focuses on one of THE MOST FASCINATING female characters within a multi-layered and wonderful universe. Which Julie *is*. We've seen her at her most frightened, saved and beloved by Kate, I am already a total trope-fiend for anything unrequited love AND enemies-to-lovers so the *slight* triangle we get between Julie, Derek and Ascanio has always delighted me (even as I am Team Derek, all the way and especially because he has tortured hero coming out his ears.) But basically, I thought a Julie spin-off would be a slam-dunk guarantee after the end of KD. 

Not so. 

And actually - there's a beautiful note in the acknowledgements of 'Blood Heir' where Ilona Andrews basically says they decided to write this story (originally presented in installments on the blog, before they fully committed to an indie-print run) where they explain that they wrote it for a reader of theirs who is an ICU-nurse, and said reading them during her breaks at the height of the pandemic was the one thing bringing her a semblance of sanity. *tears* 

In many ways we only got Julie's story when we did, because of the absolute trash-fire year 2020 turned into. And no, that's not a worthwhile bargain ... but it has become a small delight that I am certainly holding close to my chest and am thankful for, as a fan. 

And 'Blood Heir' is bloody delightful. 

I don't want to overly spoil anything for anyone - save to say, Ilona Andrews have come up with an ingenious work-around that keeps Julie away from her family core for the most part (Kate and Curran mainly), raises the stakes, and lets us see the young woman she has become while away from Atlanta. 

There's lots of reward to this work-around, high-stakes plotting that has Julie needing to sneak into Atlanta with a new face, body, and persona as Aurelia Ryder ... interact with beloved characters who don't know she's Julie Olsen, and yes - eventually - she does interact with Ascanio and Derek too. 

The Derek interactions have a bittersweetness to them. Part of it is Julie's childhood longing and full-fledged romantic love for him that was never returned, the mystery of where he disappeared to not long after she left Atlanta. And the mystery of who they've both become while away from each other. 

I will say, part of the plot about Julie changing her entire appearance bugged me when it comes to Derek .... because Julie is, by all measurements, royally beautiful now. She's taken from Kate's blood-line so looks as otherworldly stunning as Kate and her family. And that's sad, to me. But to Ilona Andrew's credit, it's sad for Julie too. Derek and Ascanio both definitely seem to respond to her new radiance, and that gives her a twinge of sadness - for who she was as pixie-faced and sweet Julie, and there's but a *hint* of the inadequacy she felt as that orphan girl who Kate adopted and Roland mentored, despite for a time - not being blood. I like that Ilona Andrews didn't just make Julie magically stunning and have all these bros falling at her feet and she's delighted. She's actually quite hurt by Derek's seeming interest in this face - and the Julie she was is jealous that he's so moved by a new body and look. I am keen for Ilona Andrews to keep feeling this issue out, because it adds layers to Derek and Julie's past - and also their future. 

And there will be a future. 'Blood Heir' ends on about 3 cliffhangers, I'd say - and they're *good ones* too. It's evident that maybe 2 of them will be short-term goals reached, but there's an over-arching 'Big Bad' that will - it has been confirmed - take up the topic of at least two more books in the series (confirmed after Ilona Andrews revealed they've landed on Bestseller lists for ebooks and paperback; which is extraordinary considering 'Blood Heir' is a self-published title). 

Ilona Andrews is one of my favourite author/s - hands down - their books make me happy, and 'Kate Daniels' was a phenomenal favourite series I was happy-sad to read come to a satisfying finale. But, I wanted Julie and Derek's story *so badly* and by no means is it a worthwhile trade-off (Julie spin-off and all we had to endure was a wee pandemic ... NO.) but after 2020 I am grateful for what Ilona Andrews gave to fans during a spectacularly awful time. Maybe, just maybe, those who so despised Julie can better understand the hardening of a young woman during trying times ... and come to 'Blood Heir' and the 'Aurelia Ryder' series with slightly more opened hearts and minds. But even if they're still morally opposed to Julie being a complex character (egads! The horror!) I know they'll be happy to strap in for what is a truly compelling ride anyway!

5/5 

Interview with Brigid Kemmerer

 

It is my great pleasure to welcome US-author Brigid Kemmerer to the blog, to chat all things writing, 'Cursebreakers', COVID and what's next ... with many thanks to her Bloomsbury publisher for orchestrating this! 

☼☼☼

Q: Where do story ideas generally start for you? Do you first think of the character, theme, ending? Or is it just a free-fall? 

For me, it always starts with the characters. I would write about my characters going to the grocery store if I could. Before I start writing, I do need a general sense of the plot, so I’ll usually write a really loose outline so I know where I’m going. But a lot of subplots come up organically while I’m writing. 

Q: Vow is the third and final instalment in a trilogy - so I'm curious ... how long have you known that it was all going to end this way? Did you start writing book 1 knowing how book 3 would end, were there any surprises along the way...? 

Oh, I had no idea how the trilogy was going to end up. I just knew I wanted to do a “Beauty and the Beast” trope in my own way, and I was delighted when readers connected to my story so strongly. I didn’t even plan for Grey to take on as big a role as he did. It wasn’t until he showed up on the page that I realized he needed a bigger role. 

Q: Which character did fan-response make you feel the most pressure to deliver a 'Happily Ever After' for? Harper is totally beloved, Grey became a fan-favourite ... was there any one character you really got nervous wrapping it all up for? 

Grey’s story arc was definitely the most challenging, because readers have so many thoughts about him (which is amazing!!), and I never want to let anyone down. 

Q: This story may be completed, but - do you think you'll write more stories set in this realm? More fairytale adaptations, even? 

I would love to tell more stories in this universe! I fell in love with so many secondary characters that I feel like there’s a lot of room to continue the stories. 

Q: I have to ask; do you have any particular interest in trying to tackle a story of COVID-19 in the future ...? Which I also realise is strange to ask, because long before the pandemic; you were writing this story of a curse that locks somebody in their home (okay - castle, but still!) and Prince Rhen is determined to keep himself hidden away to save *other people*. Grey meanwhile, has magic that people are wary of trusting even though it can literally heal them ... do you think fairytales and fantasy can better communicate the trials of these strange times, more so than contemporary? 

What’s especially ironic about this question is that my book Defy the Night, which comes out in September of 2021, deals with a kingdom on the brink of revolution, partly due to a mysterious illness that’s afflicting a large portion of society, and there’s not enough medicine to go around. I finished the first draft in mid-2019, well before anyone had heard of COVID-19, so it’s amazing how much art can imitate life. I do think there’s something very powerful about fiction that makes overwhelming events more accessible … especially when you see characters overcoming insurmountable challenges. 

Q: You're a YA author who has switched genres rather seamlessly - writing paranormal romances, gothic fairytales, and compelling and heartbreaking contemporary YA stories too ... how was it when you first made that genre-transition? And is it a case now of - you're hoping to switch it up every book/series, or can you only follow where an idea leads you? 

This is a great question! I think because I always start with character that it’s been easy to switch genres, because I just love the people, and complex friendships and complicated families are going to fill the pages of any book I write. For authors who want to be able to write in multiple genres, I always recommend building a base in one genre (4-5 books), so that readers learn to trust what you write, and then they’ll be more willing to take a chance on something they’re not sure they’ll like. I’ve had so many people say they only tried my fantasy because they loved my contemporary, and vice versa. For the near future, I only have fantasy on tap, but I do love contemporary and paranormal romance, too! 

Q: What was your favourite bit of fairytale trivia you discovered while researching/getting inspired for your own writing? 

I’m not sure if favorite is the right word, but when I was reading up on “Beauty and the Beast,” I remember reading that it wasn’t really about falling in love with someone’s true spirit, and instead was supposed to be a story to comfort young brides who first met their husband on their wedding night, and they were afraid. Yikes. 

Q: What are you working on right now, and when can we expect it to hit bookshelves? 

Right now, I’m working on a secret project, so stay tuned for details! But readers can look forward to Defy the Night in September 2021. 

Q: Favourite author(s) and book(s) of all time? 

Oh my goodness, I could never answer this one. I will say that Christopher Pike is the first YA author I discovered as a child, and once I started reading his books, I thought, “I want to do this.” 

Q: What are you reading, loving and recommending right now? (I'll also take watching/listening if you've been on more of a TV and podcast binge!) 

I just finished watching Bridgerton, and I loved it! 

Q: No. 1 piece of advice for emerging writers? 

Read widely! Read books by people who don’t look like you, think like you, or write like you. Stay curious about experiences that you don’t expect.

'A Vow So Bold and Deadly' The Cursebreakers #3 by Brigid Kemmerer

Copy received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review 

From the BLURB: 

Face your fears, fight the battle. 

Emberfall is crumbling fast, torn between those who believe Rhen is the rightful prince and those who are eager to begin a new era under Grey, the true heir. Grey has agreed to wait two months before attacking Emberfall, and in that time, Rhen has turned away from everyone--even Harper, as she desperately tries to help him find a path to peace. 

Fight the battle, save the kingdom. 

Meanwhile, Lia Mara struggles to rule Syhl Shallow with a gentler hand than her mother. But after enjoying decades of peace once magic was driven out of their lands, some of her subjects are angry Lia Mara has an enchanted prince and a magical scraver by her side. As Grey's deadline draws nearer, Lia Mara questions if she can be the queen her country needs. 

As the two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and an old enemy resurfaces who could destroy them all, in this stunning conclusion to bestselling author Brigid Kemmerer's Cursebreaker series.

'A Vow So Bold and Deadly' is the third and final book in US author Brigid Kemmerer's fantasy 'The Cursebreaker Series' - following on from first book 'A Curse So Dark and Lonely' and second book,  'A Heart So Fierce and Broken'. 

Let me begin by saying; it's a real ~mood~ returning to my long-neglected book blog to review a book thats premise was based on a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast myth that involved a curse locking someone away in their house(/castle) for aeons ... *whoo boy*

Anyway. I absolutely adored the first two books of Kemmerer's 'Cursebreakers' and I have been anticipating and wanting 'Vow So Bold and Deadly' for what feels like the LONGEST time (but is really just a normal amount of waiting between releases). And I've got to say - it was all worth the wait. 

Second book 'Fierce and Broken' ended on a whopping cliff-hanger of a newly discovered heir, long-lost brother, impending war and a villain seemingly back from the dead. And as well as having to wrap up all those threads, Kemmerer had an even bigger task on her hand in this third and final book of needing to include roughy four protagonist's and their viewpoints - Harper and Rhen who were the focus of Book 1, and Grey and Lia Mara who took over the story in Book 2 ... they all converge in the narrative for 'Vow' and are split down the middle on opposite sides of the battle ahead. So there's effectively two story-steams happening concurrently, and POV split X4 ways. It's no small no feat, but Kemmerer does a brilliant job of interweaving them for high-stakes and adrenaline. 

The characters have all come so far from Book 1, and I think the main goal here in the third and final is to properly, once-and-for-all turn the world on its head and shake things up good and proper. And Kemmerer does that - leaving the finale on a real sense of renewal and rebirth, and in such a way that is a total twist and upheaval of the structures that existed pre-curse; and in that sense, it is made a modern-fairytale. 

I really, thoroughly enjoyed this finale. I tip my hat to Kemmerer for having steered this ship so masterfully, and my one abiding hope now is that we'll return to the world of 'Cursebreakers' in the form of some other modernised fairytale. 

5/5 

'Fleishman Is in Trouble' by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

 

So. I really enjoyed this, and I didn't think I would.

Taffy Brodesser-Akner's debut 'Fleishman Is in Trouble' came out last year to much fanfare, it was *the* book to read and I was skeptical of its bandwagon. Especially when it was a National Book Award Nominee and I have this weird personal deficit that anything so lauded by Literary Critics is something I won't enjoy.

But I was kindly gifted this book, and after nearly 18-months of people talking coyly about this book's "twist" and how incredible it was; I caved.

My first shock was that it was readable (no, I know I know - but I assume something beloved of the hoity-toity Lit Critics Crowd is going to be like shovelling snow of prose) but this was a book I instantly fell into, and the story of a bitter Manhattan divorce.

I knew there was a twist, and for anyone panicking about a 'Gone Girl' level of upturn, rest-assured; it's all to do with the narration and it's probably the closest I've come to thinking an author has effectively written an ode to seeing through The Matrix. It's also that I started reading this the same week that Ruth Bader Ginsburg sadly passed away; and I kept thinking of her brilliant strategy for gender-equality arguments, whereby she'd represent male plaintiffs to get her point across and turn-tables. That's brilliantly at play here too in 'Fleishman Is in Trouble' with a Trojan Horse narration device that's so subtly brilliant, it about took my breath away.

I will say that I wearied of this story by about the last 50-100 pages... but that's also the genius of Brodesser-Akner, mirroring the very weariness the protagonist first talks about with stories of wronged-parties and divorce. There's a tedium here that weaves so beautifully to the themes overall that I can't even be mad at how frustrating and tiring I found it all by the end, because THAT WAS THE POINT!

Yep. I loved this. Serves me right for coming off a little snobby in not picking it up sooner, just because I thought literary snobs loving it meant I wouldn't ... I was wrong. The masses were right.

5/5

'How to Walk Away' by Katherine Center

 

From the BLURB: 

Margaret Jacobsen has a bright future ahead of her: a fiancé she adores, her dream job, and the promise of a picture-perfect life just around the corner. Then, suddenly, on what should have been one of the happiest days of her life, everything she worked for is taken away in one tumultuous moment. 

In the hospital and forced to face the possibility that nothing will ever be the same again, Margaret must figure out how to move forward on her own terms while facing long-held family secrets, devastating heartbreak, and the idea that love might find her in the last place she would ever expect. 

Having just finished Center's 2019 book 'Things You Save in a Fire' - I went back to this 2018 title because they're *kind of* linked.

In 'Fire' the firefighter protagonist Cassie references one particular call out that stayed with her; a woman badly burned and with a spinal injury after being involved in a light aircraft accident. An accident that happened within a few hours of her boyfriend proposing - the boyfriend who was the pilot and walked away from the crash without a scratch. Cassie in 'Fire' wonders what became of that woman, that she can't quite fathom the ways her life was altered from that moment on. This pinged for me, because I thought it sounded like one of Center's previous books and - lo! - it was indeed.

'How to Walk Away' details that very woman whose life was so utterly altered by one accident - Margaret Jacobsen who has to have skin-graft surgery and may have paraplegia below the knee forever. The book is very concentrated on the six weeks that Margaret 'Maggie' begins physical and occupational therapy, once she's well enough to grasp her new situation and start working towards rebuilding her life.

Six-weeks is all that her insurance company will cover, so that's why it's such a tight timeline and very focused on her rehabilitation (which rings true for American healthcare systems, and I found quite moving in and of itself). She's not only trying to get her altered body to cooperate, but she's juggling a fiancee (maybe?) who's gone off the rails, a pushy mother, understanding father, and her estranged sister Kitty who has flown home from New York to nag her sister into healing, apparently.

There's also physical therapist Iain - a Scottish giant of a man who wears crankypants constantly and pushes Maggie and her belief in herself. The two of them develop a special bond, that also feels very fragile for the circumstances in which they've met ...

I really enjoyed this novel (and I'm glad I followed my instincts to keep reading Center's backlist - particularly this one that harmonises so well with 'Things You Save in a Fire' the two of them acting as a sort of duology). I was also glad that the same way Center did such a marvellous job in 'Fire' of telling a true and fascinating story about firefighting, she did the same here about the challenges of spinal injuries, reality of PT (physical therapy) and existing in a world unfairly designed for the able-bodied. I did worry when a lot of Maggie's internal story seemed to be around "fixing" herself and recovering fully ... but that's actually Center being very honest about the stages of grief a person goes through for their own health and body after an accident.

I also thought the end-point that Maggie got to with her career ambitions was a little twee and cliche, and as with 'Fire' I did wish we got to exist a little longer in the happily ever after and how her life looked down the line.

But overall I loved this story too, and it has further clarified for me how much I love Center's writing!

4/5

'Things You Save in a Fire' by Katherine Center

 

From the BLURB: 

Cassie Hanwell was born for emergencies. As one of the only female firefighters in her Texas firehouse, she’s seen her fair share of them, and she’s a total pro at other people’s tragedies. But when her estranged and ailing mother asks her to give up her whole life and move to Boston, Cassie suddenly has an emergency of her own. 

The tough, old-school Boston firehouse is as different from Cassie’s old job as it could possibly be. Hazing, a lack of funding, and poor facilities mean that the firemen aren’t exactly thrilled to have a “lady” on the crew—even one as competent and smart as Cassie. Except for the infatuation-inspiring rookie, who doesn’t seem to mind having Cassie around. But she can’t think about that. Because love is girly, and it’s not her thing. And don’t forget the advice her old captain gave her: Never date firefighters. Cassie can feel her resolve slipping . . . and it means risking everything—the only job she’s ever loved and the hero she’s worked like hell to become.

'Things You Save in the Fire' is the 2019 novel from Katherin Center, and it was my first time reading her, but it won't be my last!

This is the story of a female Texas firefighter who lands in hot-water when she gives a politician from her past their comeuppance ... but her career is somewhat saved when she's offered a move to Boston, to let the controversy blow over - that also coincides with her estranged mother begging her to come stay, and help her out post eye-surgery.

There's a lot of tension and fault-lines established early; our heroine Cassie hasn't been close to her mother, ever since she walked out on the family on Cassie's 16th birthday to be with the man she'd been having an affair with. Cassie is also moving to an old-school (and rundown) Boston firehouse full of old-guard firefighters who don't like the idea of a woman on their turf.

To add to the complications is Cassie starting her new job alongside an Irish-legacy firefighter rookie who is the first person to make Cassie's heart beat fast and even consider knocking down some of the walls she's put up over the years to protect herself.

I loved this book - I wasn't surprised at the acknowledgements to find that Center's partner was once a medic and is still a volunteer firefighter, because the insights she gives to the culture of camaraderie (tinged with misogyny) and the patterns of fires was really fascinating and clearly came from a place of deep respect to understanding. I also really loved the romance between Cassie and 'The Rookie' - Owen. It was a slow-burn (ha!) that really paid off.

I cried buckets reading this, and my only criticism was that the last two-thirds or so of the novel felt extremely rushed and like a fast-forwarded montage I would have appreciated living inside of a little more as reader.

But overall I'm glad I've finally given this author a try, and I look forward to delving into her backlist!

4/5

'Flyaway' by Kathleen Jennings

Received from the publisher 

From the BLURB:

Strange what chooses to flourish here. Which plants. Which stories. 

Bettina Scott lives a tidy, quiet life in Runagate, tending to her delicate mother and their well-kept garden after her father and brothers disappear - until a note arrives that sends Bettina into the scrublands beyond, searching for answers about what really happened to this town, and to her family. For this is a land where superstitions hunt and folk tales dream - and power is there for the taking, for those willing to look.

***

Not sure this is the *cheeriest* lockdown reading but by golly, did I love it anyway! 

‘Flyaway’ by Kathleen Jennings is a novella of interconnected, fantastical Australiana fairytales that a young woman is unravelling to find and understand her family ... it’s had a simultaneous release in the US, and I recently saw that one of my fave review sites - Smart Bitches, Trashy Books - gave it a stellar A- rating and a *wonderful* write-up! “I call this a feminist story because so much of it involves people who are destroyed or silenced by patriarchal systems of capitalism, colonialism, and marriage – that is to say, by greed or by possessiveness.” 

Like SMTB, I was also pleasantly relieved to find that this isn’t a book of fairytales and folklore that relies on sexual abuse of women ... that doesn’t mean it’s not violent, or there isn’t psychological torture - but to not rely on women’s bodies being torn down in the “typical” ways was a relief of the tallest order. 

This is a must-read novella from an Australian talent who many of us have been anticipating would absolutely break-out, and I’m so thrilled this book has done exactly that. I can see a groundswell starting around Jennings, and anticipation growing for *whatever* she does next. ‘Flyaway’ is outstanding Gothic Australian fantastical fiction and one that imprints on the reader.

5/5