Blood Heir

Kate Daniels World, Book 1

By: Ilona Andrews

Narrated by: Suzanne Elise Freeman

Length: 11 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

From award-winning author Ilona Andrews comes an all-new novel set in the New York Times number-one best-selling Kate Daniels' world, 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.

©2021 Ilona Andrews (P)2021 Ilona Andrews, Inc.

My favorite world somewhat spoiled...

I wander if the narrator mispronounced all the names she could on purpose or just never listened to the previous stories of this world.... It took quite a bit of enjoyment out of my listening.

Note to Narrator

Loved the story and most of the narration but PLEASE make sure the narrator knows how to pronounce all of the names and creatures in the series before the next book comes out. This level of ignorance is just pure laziness on the part of the narrator and/or those who approve the audible book readings.

I loved it! :D

5 stars

I don't give many books a full 5 stars but I have to admit that this book was so good and so engaging that it has me wanting to go back and listen to it again. I actually did listen to the last chapter a second time so hear a particular conversation again and I'm still tempted to reread the whole thing. I really loved being back in the Kate Daniels world but Kate isn't in this story, although there are many characters that Kate worked with/dealt with that show up in this story. Yes, Derek is in the story. There's no relationship in this story but some things are revealed that makes me think one will come with time. *fingers crossed*

The interesting thing is, Julie/Aurilia has a new face/scent and hardly anyone recognizes her as Julie when she comes back to Atlanta. So some people that might normally help Julie/Aurilia, instead view her with suspicion and it makes her task harder. Unfortunately, Julie/Aurilia can't tell people who she is because if Kate and select others find out she's her, the prophecy will come true and Kate will die and the world will go to crap. The one thing I didn't like about this story is the fact that although Julie/Aurilia did succeed in her immediate task, the prophecy hasn't been thwarted and I'm impatient and don't want to wait for the next book to see what happens next! :P

Overall, this was a very engaging story and I'd highly recommend it. It would be best for readers of the Kate Daniels world, because they'd get more out of the story but, because it delves into a whole new storyline from Julie/Aurilia's PoV, I think it could work for anyone. :)

* note - The narrator did a good job but I will note that the narrator didn't bother to check the pronunciation of some words/names from previous audiobooks in this world, but it wasn't too bad. FYI...the last 32 minutes of the audiobook are not part of this story but actually 2 short stories (The Letter & King of Fire) that are prequel material to this story. So if you get this, listen to those 2 stories first and then the main story.

The story was over too soon but...

I sure wish this narrator had listened to the narrator of the Kate Daniel series. It was really disconcerting to hear familiar names pronounced completely differently. I still enjoyed the book!

Great new book in the Kate Daniel's world

Good book just got to get use to new reader pronouncing some names. Julie's story is well written and builds well for more book which I a very much looking forward to.

Took me some time, but I enjoyed it!

Took me some time, but I enjoyed it! At first, it's hard for me to connect with the children characters who are all grown up. I still see them as kids! So I am never eager to start these types of spinoffs. However, once I got into the story, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

And WTH happened to Darek?!

Loved Story, Narrator Lacking

My biggest complaint is when a new narrator fails to listen to the previously established narrator 's pronunciations. So many characters and terms are butchered. That affects the storytelling. Ex: Saiman, bouda, Barabbas. I wish they stayed with Renee Raudman.

I'm so glad the KD universe is being reinvented @

Pronunciations!!

I am so happy to be back in this world. Julie is one of my favorite characters and getting a peek into her adventures as an adult is very cool. My main problem with this installment is the new narrator. It's not Renee Raudman, and honestly, that's fine. Suzanne Elise Freeman has a perfectly lovely voice and narrates this engaging story well, but for god's sake, do some research on the pronunciation of the various names in this world, I mean, just listen to one of the other books! Those of us who have been listening to the Kate Daniels series have certain expectations about the various names and how they're pronounced. For example, hearing her pronounce "Bouda" like "Buddha" multiple times is beyond irritating.

I'll keep listening though. These stories are worth the irritation.

Narrator needs help

the narrator needs to learn how to pronounce some words and names. other than that another great book for the series

Beautiful

The masters are back at it again, as long as Illona Andrews keep writing books I will be there to read or in this case listen count me in