2025 #ReadAlong #Audiobook Review: One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews

Audiobook review: One Fell Sweep [Dramatized Adaptation] by Ilona Andrews

The Innkeeper Chronicles is probably my favorite book series. This is the fourth time I’ve read One Fell Sweep. You can find my original ebook review here, as well as reviews of the original unabridged audiobook and the dramatized adaptation (both reviews on Goodreads). I found that my enjoyment of the book has only increased with each reading. I also found that I love the dramatized adaptation so much more this second time because I’ve since listened to the rest of the series in the same format.

One Fell Sweep is the third story in Ilona Andrews’ wonderfully original Innkeeper Chronicles. This series is a unique blend of outer space science fiction and paranormal, earthbound urban fantasy. Opening three days after the conclusion of the previous book and just days before Christmas, an unauthorized Ku alien makes a ruckus in Dina’s neighborhood, bringing word to Dina that her sister is in grave trouble and needs help. And that’s just the start of Dina’s troubles. Soon she finds herself in the middle of a holy war, with her guests the primary target.  

Knowing where the series is going and understanding the broader world of the Innkeeper allowed me to fully engage with the story, so much more than someone reading it for the first time. I was able to better appreciate the world and details, picking up on and appreciating subtle humor. There are a couple deeply emotional and moving scenes that gripped my heart. I loved having Sean and Arland return to the Inn, and was blown away by newcomers Maud and Helen.

Narration: Overall, I enjoyed the full cast production of Sweep in Peace. The production features Nora Achrati as the solitary narrator, Dina Demille. The story is shared via her first person POV, so the majority of the audiobook is performed by Ms. Achrati, who has a solid southern accent and adds a lot of emotion into her performance. She captures Dina’s sensitivity, hope, and frustration perfectly.

Each character’s dialogue is performed by a different cast member – just like a play or TV production. Other standouts are Scott McCormick as chef Orro and Karen Novack as Lady Caldenia ka ret Magren. Both do wonderful jobs breathing life into the characters, creating personas that match the written descriptions, nailing the subtle comic relief each provides. Overall, the characters are well cast and performances full of energy and emotion. Most of the sound effects and music add value, but I could do without the kissing and intimate scene noises.

In the end, I completely love The Innkeeper Chronicles and the unique world created by the Andrews. The mix of magic and science fiction is sublime. The humor is sly and witty. It’s such a joy to go back to the beginning.

My Ratings
Story: A+
Narration: A

Jen

About the Book:

Dina Demille may run the nicest Bed and Breakfast in Red Deer, Texas, but she caters to a very particular kind of guest… the kind that no one on Earth is supposed to know about. Guests like a former intergalactic tyrant with an impressive bounty on her head, the Lord Marshal of a powerful vampire clan, and a displaced-and-superhot werewolf; so don’t stand too close, or you may be collateral damage.

But what passes for Dina’s normal life is about to be thrown into chaos. First, she must rescue her long-distant older sister, Maud, who’s been exiled with her family to a planet that functions as the most lawless penal colony since Botany Bay. Then she agrees to help a guest whose last chance at saving his civilization could bring death and disaster to all Dina holds dear. Now Gertrude Hunt is under siege by a clan of assassins. To keep her guests safe and to find her missing parents, Dina will risk everything, even if she has to pay the ultimate price. Though Sean may have something to say about that!

Author: Ilona Andrews
Narrators: Karen Novack, Nick DePinto, Nora Achrati, Peter Holdway, Ryan Carlo Dalusung, Robb Moreira, Megan Dominy, David Cui Cui, Ryan Reid, Alex Hill-Knight, Samantha Turret
Series: Innkeeper Chronicles #3
Genre: Science Fiction, Paranormal Fiction, adventure
Audiobook Release Date: June 1, 2022
Publisher: GraphicAudio
Length: 8 hrs and 5 mins
Source: purchased
Audio Speed: 1.25x