Iron and Magic

I really loved Hugh's character in the main series even though he was evil, so I was looking forward to reading him as the protagonist here, but this one fell a bit flat for me. The relationship between him and Elara was a typical fantasy novel enemies to lovers situation and didn't have anything extra special to it. I also felt like Hugh lost a bit of his prior characterisation and just fell into a standard antagonistic lover role. Too heavy on the antagonism too between them, not enough actual buildup of their relationship. 

I liked the story of Hugh and Elara. I didn't like that they sniped at each other constantly. It's not my idea of how a couple should work. I understand why they act this way. But I think if they are to become a couple they need to open up to each other and become vulnerable. I don't know that I want to read the next one. I would love to know more of the story, but not if they keep at each other like this.

Resumen del libro: The moat.

Todo lo que tiene que ver con el universo de Kate Daniels me parece entretenido. Si me interesa saber más sobre Hugh D'Ambray y conocer otras partes y otros personajes. Pero si extraño a los shapeshifters.

Iron and Magic is a spin-off from the Kate Daniels series set between the ninth and tenth books in that series. Although this used to be a favorite, the most recent books have not been as good and I was leaning toward skipping this one. But I was somewhat curious about Hugh's story and I kept hearing that it should be read before the final Kate Daniels book, so I purchased a copy to read first.

I regret this.

Although it was nice to be in the loop when reading Magic Triumphs, it was not absolutely necessary to read this one first and I found it nowhere near as polished as even the later Kate Daniels books. The characters and story were uninteresting and rushed, the dialogue tried to be clever but failed miserably, and there were many typographical errors. There were a couple of minor things I liked (like the divine elephant!), but there was not enough I enjoyed to be worth reading this entire book.

Full Review on My Website

4.5 solid stars.

You will want to read this book before Kate 10. I read that somewhere.

Hey! Its been a while, between being a human cafeteria for a newborn, and all the dirty diapers, its really hard to make time to read, let alone write a review. The little guy doesnt like to sleep for more than 30 minutes during the day.

HUGH! I have been waiting with bated breath since they announced they were writing a Hugh book. And I was not disappointed. There was action, Hugh is super sexy, there was drama. What more can you ask for? Hugh's Iron Dogs come get him and stop him from drinking himself into an early grave. See, Roland took away his love and magic, so poor Hugh is having a hard time coping. Thats alright, because it made a good read. So Hugh has 300 ish soldiers to keep safe, and keep fed, clothed, and sheltered. Did I not mention that hes broke? Well, hes broke. His Centurions found a way to keep the Iron Dogs sheathed in luxury. OK, not really, it was just a deal to keep them fed, clothed, and sheltered. It however, comes at the cost of marriage. To Hugh! Lucky lucky girl.

So blah blah, Hugh marries Elara, the leader of the settlement that has agreed to take in the Iron Dogs for protection. The outside world is supposed to think its a real marriage, so when they have guests they put on a front. Which I loved. Their back and forth snipping really reminded me of the back and forth teasing my Husband and I have. (I promise its a loving back and forth)

Through unknown enemies, and known enemies, Elara and Hugh need to show each other that they can be trusted not to back out of their deal. Can they do it?

Youll have to read the book to find out! Hint: Its a pretty good book, and it was only book 1. :)

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

–Potential Spoilers if you haven't read the Kate Daniels series–

I cannot express enough how excited I was to get my hands on this ARC. Like... I saw that it was up on Netgalley and almost broke my computer trying to get my request in. And then I went and gave it a super late review because I was moving sigh For this one, I feel bad about. It is strange how I got to this point too since I started out disliking this series. I read Magic Bites and wasn't impressed. All the praise got to me, so I tried the audiobook and liked it more and after the 3rd book I found myself hopelessly enthralled.

Much like how the main series took me a while to get into, this book felt somewhat the same to me. This is probably because it has been so long since I've read the main series, so I had to try remembering what happened. Once I got into it though? I was loving it.

I love how we see Hugh as flawed– a leader, an amazing fighter, but dealing with some major issues and having to come to terms with real life and consequences. He grows and adapts to being a better person. Elara is also a strong leader, compassionate, and all around great person. She doesn't really have issues... just her secret power making it so she can't let people get too close to her.

Besides our main characters we've got some good side characters, a few which stick out, but I will admit that I mixed some of them up. There is a mute/deaf character though, which is some cool rep.

I liked the story, again it took me awhile to get a hang of the world again and it is much more difficult than the main story since they live in a castle.

Now, the romance... I wasn't completely sold. The sex scene really threw me. I don't quite get them.. I do I guess, but mostly their relationship is so complicated. Definitely growing on me, and I cannot wait until the next books to see how it progresses. Still thinking the sex was way too soon, but I'm thinking they put it in their since people are expecting a sex scene??? Maybe??? I honestly think a slow-burn drawn out romance can be nice too cough like Kate & Curran cough

All in all, this book has increased my desire to read Magic Triumphs when it comes out. At this point I will read anything and everything by this couple.

I'm a huge fan of the Kate Daniels series and the Innkeeper books, so I was really happy to see this.

Hugh d'Ambray has been shunned by his master. Obeying Roland is all he's ever known. As the Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Hugh has fought and killed at Roland's command. Since he was cast out, Hugh has nothing. Nothing but the desire to drink himself to death. He knows he needs to pull himself together. His Dogs need him. Now that he is no longer in Roland's good graces, he knows that Landon Nez will come for them.

Elara Harper (aka The White Lady) needs protection. She must protect her people from any threats. Someone wants her land and will stop at nothing to get it.

Hugh and his Dogs are starving badasses. Elara has plenty of food and needs protection. Sounds like a match made in heaven. Or hell.

I really liked this book. I love the characters and the magic is great. My only complaint is that I wish I would've finished all of the Kate books first. I will still read them, but now I know more than I should going into the rest of the series.

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.