Iron and Magic

Iron Covenant, Book 1

By: Ilona Andrews

Narrated by: Steve West

No day is ordinary in a world where technology and magic compete for supremacy.... But no matter which force is winning, in the apocalypse, a sword will always work.

Hugh d'Ambray, Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Warlord of the Builder of Towers, served only one man. Now his immortal, nearly omnipotent master has cast him aside. Hugh is a shadow of the warrior he was, but when he learns that the Iron Dogs, soldiers who would follow him anywhere, are being hunted down and murdered, he must make a choice: to fade away or to be the leader he was born to be. Hugh knows he must carve a new place for himself and his people, but they have no money, no shelter, and no food, and the necromancers are coming. Fast.

Elara Harper is a creature who should not exist. Her enemies call her Abomination; her people call her White Lady. Tasked with their protection, she's trapped between the magical heavyweights about to collide and plunge the state of Kentucky into a war that humans have no power to stop. Desperate to shield her people and their simple way of life, she would accept help from the devil himself - and Hugh d'Ambray might qualify.

Hugh needs a base; Elara needs soldiers. Both are infamous for betraying their allies, so how can they create a believable alliance to meet the challenge of their enemies?

As the prophet says, "It is better to marry than to burn".

Hugh and Elara may do both.

©2018 Ilona Andrews, Inc. (P)2018 Ilona Andrews, Inc.

Amazing ending! Wonderful narration!

Audiobook: Narrator - Steve West

I really enjoyed this narrators performance of these characters and the diversity he delivered within the story. For such a lengthy audio, my ear never got tired of listening and each character was individualized and distinctive. Would gladly listen to him again.

Oh my gosh! I always knew this writing duo were amazing, so to actually make me fall in love with Hugh d’Ambray shouldn’t come as a surprise. I expected they could do it, and they did!

I think I loved this book more than any of the others. The fact that we have both Hugh and Elara’s points of view went a long way. I crave a story where I can get both, and this fed my greedy heart.

I have to admit, my heart hurt for Hugh as he’s being tormented by a void left from Roland’s purge. As the story progresses, we realize so many of Hugh’s actions were brought about by his relationship with Roland and his desperate need for acceptance. I think it’s safe to say there was a lot of brain-washing that went into that relationship. But I truly fell in love with him when he began to take a stand for what the man within him wanted, not the boy that had been raised by Roland’s hand.

”This new life, it was just his. Hugh didn’t owe it to anyone. He was building it himself, brick by brick, one shovel of cement at a time, the same way he had built that [dang] moat.”

Elara is quite a mystery. She’s so different from Kate, which I appreciated because we already have Kate, we don’t need another. And yet, she has a fear of something that resides within her and she battles against it. There are definitely secrets being withheld and when they finally are revealed I was absolutely glued to my Kindle.

This couple begin in a hate/hate relationship, but one that each of them needs. Hugh makes a real jerk hole decision that had me seething and lost him points in my estimation. I prefer my heroes, even anti-heroes, to uphold a certain criteria and he failed when he made that one decision. Elara seemed to overlook it and good for her but I was still a bit put out about it.

However, the issue is quickly dealt with and the story moves forward and soon all the hate turns into a banter of wits against each other. It felt very realistic, avoiding over the top reactions with no insta-anything to interfere. And soon the title of Harpy is almost an endearment.

The action within this story is just as intense as previous books, but it is so nicely leveled with the struggle of two groups of people coming together, learning how to co-exist. I enjoyed the build up to the conflicts and the resulting responses each character had within them.

Definitely a winning read in my opinion and I’m all team d’Ambray at this point. I haven’t read Magic Triumphs yet, but I kinda hope Hugh gets an invite to the final showdown.

Sloppy work by the publisher.

I'm a huge Ilona Andrews fan, and the Kate Daniels series is my favorite Urban Fantasy series. I've listened to all of them. I LOVE Renee Raudman. She is a fantastic narrator. While Steve West is a very good narrator his pronunciation of Hugh d’Ambray, and other familiar names from the Kate Daniels series was very sloppy. I have no idea what the publisher was thinking. For fans of the Kate Daniels series, this is a huge faux pas and was a huge distraction while listening to the book. With as much as audiobooks cost you'd think that the publisher could quality check their product better. Very disappointed.

Narrator should have listened to Kate Daniels

Really loved the story and the narration was good. The only problem I had was with the way he pronounced the names of several of the characters and Andrea's voice.
Can't wait for the next book.

Great bsckstory

It took awhile for a different voice actor to feel familiar, but once it did, this audio book was great! It's the same rich storytelling we've come to expect from Illona Andrews with the small twist that two perspectives are told rather than one. Definitely worth the read!

What a fantastic story

Clashes of steel, magic and guns....werewolves, vamps, magic, military tactics and a push/pull passionate relationship..... holy buckets Batman this was a great book! The Iron Dog Team was accompanied by an enthralling, attractive, so very masculine voice of Steve West. His narration was a delight to listen too! I enjoyed the sarcastic, witty and slow burn love you find in the unfolding relationship between Hugh & Elara. Can’t wait for more stories about The Iron Dogs!!!

A Side of Hugh We Never Knew

For those who’ve read the Kate Daniels series, you’ll understand this. Hugh was a brute, a bully and someone you loved to detest.

In this book, we learn more about why Hugh is who he is and, as in real life, things are never black and white. He’s still a brute and a bully but you come to appreciate the nan inside and begin to cheer for him. He’s not the total monster we knew him to be.

The narrator did a good job though I wished he’d done his homework. Andrea, head of the Boudas, is short, blonde and very American. Why he gave her an Hispanic accent is beyond me.

So outside of that, it was a great story of growth and redemption.

new voice guy takes some time getting used to

new voice guy takes some time getting used to; great story though and can't wait for the next!

Looks like the start of another grand adventure

This was a terrific story! IlLona Andrews has once again brought us another traffic tale featuring a here to for side character, finally given his own story. Hugh and The Iron Dogs finally have a place that they can call their own. But the price for this new den for the dogs requires fighting a new and ancient file as well as an old enemy. I would have given this five stars for performance, but the reader gave Andrea an Italian accent, which she doesn’t have In any of the cake Daniels box. Also he missed pronounced Bouda, otherwise this was terrific tale! I do hope she comes out with another book in the series!

Does not disappoint

I’ve read/listened to this book three times now. It’s one of my favorites and is well worth the credit/money! Steve West makes Hugh sound so sexy! You will love it!

Loved it!!

Iilona Andrew keeps a great story alive. I enjoyed being taken in another part of the Journey.