Tabs’ review of Iron and Magic (Iron Covenant, Book 1) by Ilona Andrews
Fantasy Romance published by Ilona Andrews 26 Jun 18
Ilona Andrews’ long running Kate Daniels series takes a turn with a spin-off series that started as an April Fool’s joke that became real. Hugh D’Ambray, Preceptor of the Iron Dogs and Warlord of the Builder of Towers, has lost everything – the favor of the man who’d been a father figure his whole life, the magic that came with that favor, and the command of his troops. When his men rouse their former leader from a drunken stupor because they are being picked off one by one, Hugh now has a mission. He has to find a home for his soldiers and keep them safe. A genuine transplanted castle in North Carolina, the mysterious woman who controls it, and a marriage of convenience may be just what the Iron Dogs need. Could it also be just what Hugh needs?
Whenever a villain in an established series becomes the hero or heroine of a later book or series, the question on everyone’s mind is always, “Is this character redeemed?” I’ve asked the question myself on numerous occasions, but I don’t think it’s what I really want to know. I want to know if the author is able to convince me that the character is capable of being a romantic partner and sharing in a HEA with their partner(s).
Hugh is Hugh. He’s an arrogant warlord who struts around looking like Conan the Barbarian. He’s kidnapped, tortured, and manipulated his way through numerous books in the Kate Daniels series, but I think Andrews does a good job of showing how he could be the right match for Elara, his wife of convenience. He has done bad things and he’ll likely do bad things again, but he does have moral lines and they ultimately seem to align with his love interest’s. Her people come first for her and she’d kill to protect them. Hugh is much the same.
In many ways, the central core of Iron and Magic is Hugh coming to realize himself that he’s a person of a value and a person who can exist outside of Roland’s influence. He also has caretaker traits that were present but not highlighted in his time as a villain. He cares deeply about his soldiers. He is also a healer with magical abilities. It’s clear that, if left to his own devices, he would have grown up a healer, not a warlord.
One aspect of the story that didn’t quite work is Elara. She’s mysterious and that mystery is frustrating. This is definitely “Hugh’s book” and Elara is mostly along for the ride this time. I’m sure we’ll get more of her in future books, but it was frustrating to only get pieces here. Why are her people so loyal to her? What caused the fraction between her group and their former allies? What’s her freaking deal?!?
So yes, I’m convinced. More please!
Grade: B+
Summary:
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.
No excerpt available.
