Blood Heir
Author: Ilona Andrews
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: A-
What I’m Talking About:
Blood Heir is a whole new story set in a familiar and well-loved world. For those familiar with the Kate Daniels series, Blood Heir begins roughly eight years after the conclusion of Kate’s series. The story is shared from the point-of-view of Kate and Curran’s adopted daughter, Julie Olson, now known as Aurelia Ryder. When she left eight years ago to follow her great aunt (whom she calls grandmother), she didn’t intend to be gone for so long. Now she’s returned to her hometown of Atlanta, but so much has changed, including her looks and magic, and she cannot let her parents know she’s in town or they will die. She’s returned to investigate a gruesome murder that is tied to saving Kate and Curran and in turn, the world.
When I first started Blood Heir, I was heartbroken to learn that Julie has been gone for so much time. With that said, the time away, the things she’s learned, the experiences she’s endured, they’ve all shaped her (literally) into a new woman. She truly has become Kate’s daughter in so many ways, yet she is still her own person. Unlike Kate, Julie embraces the magic of Kate’s lineage. Yet, she is kind-hearted and always puts the needs of others before her own. I found the reasons for Julie’s transformation fascinating, and thoroughly enjoyed learning more about her experiences and the woman she’s become.
Blood Heir takes time to develop a new mythology and new big bad. There is also time dedicated to catching up readers on the happenings of favorite characters. Some have faired well, others not as much. The Pack is dealing with internal struggles and Atlanta is on the verge of an explosive melt down, creating the ideal setting for an exciting adventure. Even though things are different, at times the story feels a lot like Kate’s story. The location, the characters, the magic, they are all familiar. Julie is creating her own path; however, it’s in Kate’s shadow.
There is a reason the writing team of Ilona Andrews is probably my all-time favorite: they create magic with their words. They weave details together so tightly, creating amazing stories, and when the book is over, one sees the intricate patterns in the big picture. Their humor remains spot-on; I laughed out loud when Bishop Chao refers to Julie as “Knight Ryder.” Everything I love about Ilona Andrew’s storytelling is present in Blood Heir.
In the end, I really enjoyed my time back in Atlanta with Julie and the gang. While part of the enjoyment is certainly due to nostalgia, the larger part comes from the joy of following Julie as she pieces together the mystery, fights bad guys, and reconnects with old friends. I cannot wait for more stories in the Aurelia Ryder series.
My Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot
Note to readers: The book contains bonus material that summaries the Kate Daniels series as well as the short, “The King of Fire,” which is a prequel to Blood Heir. For those who are completely new to the Kate Daniels universe, I recommend starting with the bonus material first.
Jen
About the Book:
From Ilona Andrews, an all-new novel set in the Kate Daniels World and featuring Julie Lennart-Olsen, Kate and Curran’s ward.
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.
Release Date: January 12, 2021
Publisher: NYLA Publishing
Series: Aurelia Ryder #1
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): paperback (375 pages), e-book
Book Source: Author/Publicist
Purchase Info:
Amazon (affiliate link)
Reviews in the Series:
Kate Daniels series