Clean Sweep
by Ilona Andrews
Genres: Fantasy, Science FictionPages: 228
Series: Innkeeper Chronicles #1
Rating:
Synopsis:On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast. But Dina is...different: Her broom is a deadly weapon; her Inn is magic and thinks for itself. Meant to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a retired Galactic aristocrat who can’t leave the grounds because she’s responsible for the deaths of millions and someone might shoot her on sight. Under the circumstances, "normal" is a bit of a stretch for Dina.
And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night...Feeling responsible for her neighbors, Dina decides to get involved. Before long, she has to juggle dealing with the annoyingly attractive, ex-military, new neighbor, Sean Evans—an alpha-strain werewolf—and the equally arresting cosmic vampire soldier, Arland, while trying to keep her inn and its guests safe. But the enemy she’s facing is unlike anything she’s ever encountered before. It’s smart, vicious, and lethal, and putting herself between this creature and her neighbors might just cost her everything.
I read Ilona Andrews’Â Clean Sweep previously at some point, but honestly I could barely remember the plot… though I’d meant to follow up and read the others in the series. It’s not my favourite of Andrews’ work, but then, I didn’t know how much I’d love the Kate Daniels series just from the first book, so I want to read the ones I already own, at least, and see if it properly gets its hooks in.
For now, I’m kinda… irritated, more than anything, by the male posturing by both potential love interests, and the fact that there’s a love triangle. Neither of the potential male leads have particularly impressed me at this point, with the way they both behave to Dina (though she could stand to be a touch less reckless if she’s really planning to protect her inn alone and without allies).
That said, the innkeepers are a fun concept, and a few interesting potential plot threads and/or backgrounds for world-building are introduced. It’s a bit of a kitchen sink sort of world with apparent magic alongside sci-fi elements, and some of the stuff that Dina alludes to could definitely use some expansion to flesh things out — which I’m assuming happens in later books.
Enjoyable, overall, but I’m not 100% on board yet.
Rating: 3/5 (“liked it”)
I listened to this one some time ago – well that would be 2017! I listened to the audio and enjoyed it but never went on with the series. Felt softer than their usual series.
I think my first read was probably around then as well… I forgot everything else about it! It definitely wasn’t my favourite of their series, either time, but it’s fun enough.
I haven’t read this, but I’m not surprised by the male characters you described, since it sounds very familiar for paranormal romance.
I guess so! It feels a bit… clumsy, for Ilona Andrews’ work normally? I was surprised by how not-like-that Magic Bites etc felt. But I guess we’ll see how I feel when I read more!
I love Clean Sweep and this series in general but it’s the only Ilona Andrews I’ve read so far so If this isn’t your fav work of them then I’m super curious to read the rest! I fully understand how annoying the male posturing is, I have to give you that. The world-building in this series completely charmed me though. Curious to see how or if your opinion changes if you read on.
I might enjoy it more in context of the rest of the series, we’ll see! But I enjoy the Kate Daniels series a lot, especially as it develops in later books.
I liked the concept a lot too, but I got annoyed enough at the characters and posturing that I couldn’t even finish book one. I hope you enjoy the series more as it goes on!
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Yeah, the love triangle/posturing was a lot, and I didn’t find the love interests that compelling in exchange, you know?
It’s always so interesting to see someone get irritated with the male leads! Personally, I found their antics pretty fun. I completely agree with you on the love triangle, though—when I first read it, I wasn’t thrilled either, but thankfully that phase passes quickly. If this particular series doesn’t hit the spot, I highly recommend trying another one of theirs! I absolutely love the Innkeeper Chronicles and their other worlds. Their writing is so unique, and the world-building is always incredibly vast. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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As I said in the review, I like the Kate Daniels books a lot! Those are also by Ilona Andrews, you see.