Sweep of the Blade (Innkeeper Chronicles, #4)

by Ilona Andrews

[kimbacaffeinate]

This is the fourth audiobook in the Innkeeper Chronicles and I love this series! Love it. The authors release this series first as a serial for free online to fans. Which I avoid like the Black Plague. Seriously, I want my wine glass filled to the brim and I want to enjoy it in one sitting until I am pleasantly buzzed. Usually the novel and audio release close together, but there was a delay. I bought the ebook to support the authors but held out because like red wine, audiobook is my drug of choice when it comes to this pair. It was so freakin’ worth it. I LOVE MAUD!! I mean seriously love her!

While I suppose one could jump in here and begin since this is Maud’s story, don’t do it. I think it would be ill advised. Listen to them in the order of their release.

Maud Demille, daughter of Innkeepers, sister of Dina married an ambitious vampire knight and bore a daughter named Helen. All was well until Her husband plotted for a new position and was killed. Maud and her daughter were exiled and sent to the desolate planet of Karhari. Rescued by her sister Dina, Maud had swore off all things vampire. And in walks, Arland, the Marshal of House Krahr. The tale the unfolds takes place on the planet of Krahr as Arland woos Maud. And Maud tries to decide if she and Helen can find a place to call home.

Maud is an innkeeper’s daughter, and that knowledge is an asset. You can see similarities to her sister Dina, but she is very much her own person. There is a stillness to Maud. Even as she is freaking out on the inside. I loved that strength and poise. She is fearless and can be ruthless when protecting those she loves. Maud is fierce with her sword and wise with her tongue. She commands respect, only the vampires haven’t learned that yet. After all she has been through, I respected her for giving Arland and House Krahr a chance.

Snark, battles, danger and wit await you. The story is richly detailed. Krahr and the galaxies came to life in vivid 3-D. The Andrews have a unique gift for providing history without info dumps. House Krahr and its visitors kept things interesting, particularly Arland’s mother. We meet several species, learn some about Maud’s childhood and those of Arland’s own family.

Arland is swoon-worthy. I love an alpha who respects his woman enough not to claim her until she is ready.

With this fourth book came a narrator change. It worked perfectly since this is Maud’s story. This was my first listen to Natalie Naudus, and I felt she did an excellent job capturing all the essence of Maud, the curiosity and youthfulness of Helen and providing unique voices for Arland and secondary characters. I found she narrates fast and listened at 1.1x instead of my normal 1.3x to 1.5x range. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer