Sweep of the Blade

Innkeeper Chronicles, Book 4

By: Ilona Andrews

Narrated by: Natalie Naudus

Maud Demille is a daughter of Innkeepers - a special group who provide "lodging" to other-planetary visitors - so she knows that a simple life isn't in the cards. But even Maud could never have anticipated what Fate would throw at her.

Once a wife to a powerful vampire knight, Maud and her young daughter, Helen, were exiled with him for his treachery to the desolate, savage planet of Karhari. Karhari killed her husband, and Maud - completely abandoned by his family - has spent over a year avenging his debts. Rescued by her sister Dina, she's sworn off all things vampire.

Except...in helping Dina save the world, she met Arland, the Marshal of House Krahr, one of the most powerful vampire houses. One thing led to another and he asked for her hand in marriage. She declined. Arland is not used to hearing the word "no"; and try as she might, Maud can't just walk away from Arland. It doesn't help that being human is a lot harder for Maud than being a vampire.

To sort it all out, she accepts his invitation to visit his home planet. House Krahr is extremely influential and Maud knows that a woman - a human, with a very questionable past - who's turned down a proposal from its most beloved son won't get a warm reception. Maybe she’s not sure about marrying Arland, but House Krahr isn’t going to decide for her. Maud Demille has never run from a fight, and House Krahr will soon discover that there's a lot more to Maud than they’re expecting.

©2019 Ilona Andrews, Inc. (P)2019 Ilona Andrews, Inc.

GREAT!

I had been waiting for this audiobook to come out, and I cannot believe I missed the release date! Oh well, better late than never! :)

A highly recommended story. I had read the novella several times, and the audiobook didn’t disappoint.

This is my first time listening to this narrator, and I enjoyed her performance very much.

Always love the fight scenes in all Ilona Andrews’ stories, so much so that I can’t pick a favorite.

Again, highly recommended book!

OK but...

overall, I enjoyed this installment to the Innkeeper series. I hope the next book brings everyone together to search for the DeMille's parents and their inn. The narrator was good, but had big shoes to fill with Renee Raudman having read the earlier books. I had to slow the narration down since it sounded rushed. I preferred Raudman's version of Maude because she made her sound more mature, which adds to the character having been through so much. I hated the way the vampires were read. I agree with another reviewer who said they sounded pompous and she really made Dina sound weird at the beginning of the book. Helen sounded much cuter via Raudman's reading, including the merchant's voice. I suppose it will take getting used to, but I could only listen to it once. Prefer to read it again and imagine the original voices from the earlier Innkeeper audios.

I loved this Innkeeper

I think Natalie did a fabulous job at narration,especially Maud and Helen. I have always like Arland and the vampire pomp and circumstance. Wish there was more than what was on the blog but loved the audio version.

Good Story

I liked the story and the performance. I would recommend it to any sci-fiction fan.

Best book ever

Love how one character is a bystanders in one book, and main character in the next

Solid Installment

I highly enjoyed this addition to the the "Clean Sweep" series. I always thought that Maude was cool and Helen was the most adorable button. But most of all, Arland is by far one of my most favorite Ilona Andrews characters to date. I was overjoyed to hear that Maud and Arland would have their own book focusing on their budding romance.....

*I think the thing that held me up the most was a sudden POV change. We went from a solid three books from 1st person to Maud's 3rd person. I suppose nothing entirely changes with the shift. We still get a decent view behind Maud's thought processes, but that's the thing. This was still entirely Maud, so why not 1st person? There always room for Arland's 3rd person perspective if we are committed to going that route *hint hint.* ....

* I think that what I really wanted more of was that rag tag charm of Dina's Inn where we get all manner of different species. Here was are on House Crar (spelling is wrong because I mainly listen to these books) for 95% of the time. We do get to see more vampire culture and meet Arland's family. I just had a wave of nostalgia is all!....

* Anyway, wonderful, solid installment. Had a great time, and if you're this far in the series as I am, I'm plenty certain you will, too.

Love, love

Sweep of the Blade was an exciting addition to the Innkeeper books. The adventure was a nonstop roller coaster ride.

Go Maud!

This a great addition to the series. I can not wait for the next installment.

👍🏾👍🏾

I absolutely adore Maud, Arland and Helen!!! I’ve read complaints about the narrator and believe it to be unwarranted. The narrator for Dina’s story should be looked at as her consciousness. In order to tell Maud’s story in her “voice” a new narrator was needed. Natalie Naudus performed excellently and I enjoyed her voice for these characters very much. Ilona Andrews are a great team and always come up with unique perspectives on vampires, and werewolves. I’ve read several of their books from diverse worlds and while they are very different the stories are all told well. I could read an entire series based on Maud and Co. rife with vampire politics, love, and family. 👍🏾👍🏾

Can be read alone or part of series

This is a great stand alone and or addition to inn keep chronicles. I don’t know what happened to the previous narrator cuz I miss her. A lot. I wish the new narrator could have similar accents for the characters - the new accents is a bit hard to get used to.