Review: Iron and Magic

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Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a must read book. Buy it now. Ilona Andrews bursts into a new series with bloody savagery. Full disclosure, I was ambivalent about reading this book. I was not a fan of Hugh. He is this deadly weapon who just did what he was told. His constant attacks on Kate grew tiresome. To my surprise, Ilona Andrews wrote Hugh as the main character. Not only is he a main character, he finds a woman to possibly love. What is this tomfoolery? The fact that this book came from an April Fool's joke leaves me speechless. I digress. This book can be read as a standalone. However, it is best to read the Kate Daniel series to fully appreciate the character cameos and history of how Hugh fell so hard.

This book is amazing. Hugh is a villain. Or at least he is painted this way and he's known as a butcher. This story starts with Hugh at his lowest. He just wants to die. This is to be expected because Hugh's never been his own person for decades. As an ancillary to Roland, when Hugh's cut off, he is aimless. Some can claim he is lifeless. His life has no meaning since his god has not only abandoned him but completely shunned him. When the center of your universe is wiped out, how does a person survive? Not well.

Within the first chapter, I'm already switching sides and feeling badly for Hugh. As the second chapter progresses, I'm heartbroken. By the time Hugh comes to his realization about some harsh truths regarding his relationship with Kate, I'm tearing up. Hugh is an anti-hero on an epic journey of redemption. Make no mistakes, it has to be epic to overcome all the brutal destruction he has perpetrated. This first book is a good start. How does he start? He saves his remaining Iron Dogs and finds a home for them.

This is where Elara and her people come in. They are a resource rich settlement that needs a large military force to defend them. Both Elara and Hugh come into this partnership with baggage and demands. Neither one wants to share their secrets. I think Elara has more secrets than Hugh and I can not wait for hers to be revealed because what little has been shown has been mind blowing. I love Elara. She is a ruthlessly compassionate. This is perfectly matched with Hugh's effortless killing. They are so compatible with each other it is kind of awe inspiring. Their hostile mating dance is amusing because both of them are able to cut the other so deeply if they tried.

Romance and a rather graphic sexual scene aside, I loved the fortifying of defenses. There is something so appealing to me when I read a book focused on building defenses and working out offensive plans. My adrenaline starts pumping and I get all excited about how to out smart the enemy. Watching two very different groups coming together to defend their home as well as attack invaders is thrilling. Ilona Andrews excels in the vivid fighting scenes. I can visualize every fight and it is glorious. I even want to howl and join in the battle. What I liked about the fighting is that there is loss on the good side too. Whilst there is magic in the book, it does not mean everyone on the good side survives unscathed. This realism makes the story invokes more emotion and I feel more. I love when stories give me the feels. And all too soon, the story comes to an end. There are several subplots that are started in this book and will most likely continue or be completed in the next. I can not wait. So much happened in this story and yet I am still craving more. Like an addict, I'm hooked and antsy for my next hit.

There is one thing that kept catching my attention. I think my AP high school English teacher would be surprised that I remembered her teachings. There is a recurring motif tying throughout this story. It puzzles me and it is nudging me on the edge of my mind because it feels like it is something important. Yet I can't quite make sense of it yet. I feel like I'm missing the bigger picture because I can't decipher the recurring white theme. Is the white a symbolic representation that brutal monsters may not be evil and that they are a necessary evil? Something to think more about.

My final thoughts on this amazing story is that the dialogue is still sharp and cutting. I couldn't help myself with this slightly redacted monologue.

"You're replaceable. One day one of your helpers will kill you and take your place, and [redacted] won't blink an eye while [redacted] is one of a kind. Oh and his dick is bigger than yours"

This book is highly recommended for urban fantasy readers who love antiheroes finding meaning to life again.

*provided by NetGalley

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