Sweep with Me
Author: Ilona Andrews
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: A
What I’m Talking About:
Picking up immediately after the conclusion of One Fell Sweep (book 3), and running parallel in time with Maud’s book (Sweep of the Blade, book 4) Sweep with Me takes readers back to Gertrude Hunt, the magical Inn for space travelers, where werewolf Sean is now an Innkeeper at Dina’s side. Together they prepare for Treaty Stay, the oldest Innkeeper holiday, as well as an inquiry by the Assembly for a closer look at how they run their Inn.
Once again, the writing team of Ilona Andrews wows me with interesting, detailed storytelling, creating a giant story in the space of a novella. The story is involved and creative, punctuated with hilarious wit, heart-filled banter, and harried adventure. Dina and Sean must deal with three different groups of guests, one of which is the Drífen, the most magical beings in the universe, whose magic can interfere with Inns. Meanwhile, they are repairing the Inn from the previous adventure, dealing with their high-maintenance chef, Orro, and Dina feels a separation from the Inn after her near-death experience. Dina and Sean handle each situation, both minute and ginormous, with humor, grace, and love.
Sweep with Me is a wonderful novella and a gift to Innkeeper Chronicle fans. It’s a full and complete tale in a short space. It’s expert storytelling and plot development. Readers know many of the players, so the authors don’t spend time with character development, yet care is taken to introduce with vivid detail three new species, including their customs, background, and appearance. Dina continues to grow and come into her prime as an Innkeeper, with Sean at her side, loving her and the Inn. This is one of my absolute favorite series, and I look forward to more tales from Gertrude Hunt.
My Rating: A, Loved It
Jen
About the Book:
Thank you for joining us at Gertrude Hunt, the nicest Bed and Breakfast in Red Deer, Texas, during the Treaty Stay. As you know, we are honor-bound to accept all guests during this oldest of innkeeper holidays and we are expecting a dangerous guest. Or several. But have no fear. Your safety and comfort is our first priority. The inn and your hosts, Dina Demille and Sean Evans, will defend you at all costs. [But we hope we don’t have to.]
Every winter, Innkeepers look forward to celebrating their own special holiday, which commemorates the ancient treaty that united the very first Inns and established the rules that protect them, their intergalactic guests, and the very unaware/oblivious people of [planet] Earth. By tradition, the Innkeepers welcomed three guests: a warrior, a sage, and a pilgrim, but during the holiday, Innkeepers must open their doors to anyone who seeks lodging. Anyone.
All Dina hopes is that the guests and conduct themselves in a polite manner. But what’s a holiday without at least one disaster?
Release Date: January 14, 2020
Publisher: NYLA
Series: Innkeeper Chronicles #4.5
Genre: Science Fiction; Urban Fantasy, romantic elements, novella
Format(s): paperback, e-book, audiobook (coming soon)
Book Source: Purchased with my own funds
Purchase Info:
Amazon (affiliate link)
Reviews in the Series:
Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews (Innkeeper Chronicles #1)
Sweep in Peace by Ilona Andrews (Innkeeper Chronicles #2)
One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews (Innkeeper Chronicles #3)
Sweep of the Blade by Ilona Andrews (Innkeeper Chronicles #4) – Audiobook Review