Silent Blade by Ilona Andrews
Series: Kinsmen #1
Published by Samhain Publishing
Published on: June 2 2009
Genres: Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy
Pages: 50
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
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Old hatreds die hard. Old love dies harder.
On Meli Galdes' home planet, the struggle for power is a bloody, full-contact sport--in business and on the battlefield. For years her lethal skills have been a valuable asset in advancing her family's interests. She's more than earned her right to retire, but her kinsmen have one last favor to ask.
Kill the man who ruined her life.
Celino Carvanna's razor-sharp business acumen--and skills with a blade--won him the freedom to do as he pleases. There's only one thing he can't seem to control--his reaction to the mysterious woman who tantalizes his senses. Her eyes alone set his blood simmering, stirring ridiculous adolescent fantasies about breasts and honey. With a few words she dissects his soul. Who is she? And how does she slide so easily under his well-guarded skin?
It's almost too easy to draw Celino within the kill zone. Meli plans to revel in him. Drink him in. Wring every drop of pleasure out of every moment.
And when she's sure he belongs to her, she will finally repay a decade's worth of pain--in a single, brutal dose of reality.
So after I finished reading Burn for Me, the first book in Ilona Andrews’ new and AMAZING Hidden Legacy series, I got to talking with another Ilona fan who had been told that the world-building in Burn for Me was similar to the worlds in the Kinsmen series and the novella, Of Swine and Roses.
And I was like, “Huh. I can see that.” But it’d been years since my early OMG-I-LOVE-Ilona binge, so I decided a reread was in order.
And here we are.
Some time in the indeterminate future, when space colonization was the new Big Thing, humans began to genetically enhance themselves. They needed to be stronger, faster, heartier, more versatile. Some of these enhancements were tech-based, effecting only the individual, and some were biological, being inherited by offspring.
It was quickly realized that the advantage of these biological enhancements lay in their exclusivity. Thus, the biologically enhanced united and shut down all further biological modification.
And consolidated their power. They were called the Kinsmen, and to maintain both the potency and exclusivity of their enhanced blood, the families arranged marriages for their children based on bloodlines and business alliances.
This is why Meli Galdes was betrothed to Celino Carvanna when she was 10 years old and he was 16.
While neither of them was happy with the arrangement, Meli accepted it, but Celino did NOT. He worked the next 6 years to make himself indispensable to his family, and worth more as an individual than the alliance with the Galdes family.
And he succeeded.
But where did that leave Meli?
An excellent question. And one you will only get the answer to by . . . wait for it . . . yes, that’s right—READING the book. *winsome face*
Verdict: a quick, fun, and SEXY read. Yes, I know it’s Ilona Andrews, and yes, I know that fabulous as she is, she’s not particularly well known for sexy times, but there’s a first for everything, right? Highly recommended.
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Silver Shark
Series: Kinsmen #2
Author: Ilona Andrews
Publisher: indie
Published on: September 14 2011
Genre: Science Fiction
Format: 106 pages, eBook
Provided by: Purchased
Amazon GoodReads
Claire Shannon is a killer. She uses no weapons, only her mind.
Born on a planet locked in a long war, Claire is a psycher, a woman with the ability to attack minds and infiltrate a biological computer network where psychers battle to the death. But when the war abruptly ends, Claire must hide her psycher’s ability to survive. She is deported to a new planet, a vivid beautiful place, where she meets Venturo Escana, a powerful psycher, whose presence overwhelms both her mind and her body.
She thought she had left war and death behind, but now she must fight for her new life and this battle might just cost her everything…
Oh, look! There are TWO kick-asses! Whoopsie. Must’ve been a mistake, right?
NOPE.
Silver Shark is just that awesome.
We’re back in the world of the Kinsmen, only this time we aren’t dealing with two rival families.
The blurb (YAY, I actually read one this time) does an excellent job of summarizing the position Claire Shannon finds herself in on a new planet—she’s hiding her ability, she has a tenuous grasp on a new start, and she has 3 months to successfully find and keep gainful employment, or she’ll be sent back to her home planet, and presumably, KILLED.
So no pressure.
And the employment process is kind of like that of a temp agency. You only get so many opportunities, and refusing an interview is mightily frowned upon. Which puts Claire in a tight spot when her first interview is with a company that specializes in the very talent she is trying to keep hidden.
And it gets even better—bossman is HOT. And brilliant. And surly. And all good things. And HOT.
Yeah . . . this short story was a lot of fun. The sci-fi parts are way cool without being overly technical. Claire and Ven are great together, b/c once again, Andrews effortlessly creates immediately likable characters (which is good b/c short story). My only issue was that the ending was slightly abrupt, but then again, that could just be me not liking that it was ending at all. Even more highly recommended.
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My name is Jessica and I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m trying my hand at writing, but mostly I read. My favorite genres are Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and the YA versions of those genres, but if there is a book of a different color getting lots of buzz, I’ll read it too, just to be informed. If I’m not reading or writing, I’m probably on Goodreads or Pinterest or baking blueberry pies because I love them.
I read these two books a long time ago. It proves once again, that I could read anything this writing team puts out. I love these stories. I would love more stories from this series. Great reviews.
Melanie Simmons recently posted…My Favorite Audiobook Series Giveaway #audiobookmonth #JIAM2014
I would love more stories from this world too. I had forgotten how great these two were. Thanks, Melanie!
I didn’t even know this series existed. Thank for the heads up!
Anytime, Krista! N-E-time 😉
Pretty cover on the first one, awful one on the second. What is up with that? I have read one book in the Kate Daniels series, and while I loved the main character the plotting was a complete mess. This an author that improves with time or stays real consistent?
Nathan ( recently posted…Steampunk Review: ‘Three Parts Dead’ by Max Gladstone
When I first read them they were both independently published. Apparently, Samhain picked up the first one since then, but not the second. SO Silent Blade got a pretty new cover, and Silver Shark . . . didn’t . . .
Kate Daniels is probably the most improved series I’ve ever read. Book 1’s world-building was a bit of a mess, and the Andrews both acknowledge in hindsight that they should have developed it a bit more. I liked Kate enough to read book 2, which was twice as good as book 1, and then book 3 . . . book 3 is my favorite UF series installment EVER. If you give the series another shot, I don’t think you’ll regret it.
I LOVE ILONA ANDREWS! I’m listening to Clean Sweep on audio right now and it also deserves two “Kick-Ass” buttons. I’ve never heard of either of these shorts – apparently I’ve been a lax fangirl. Ya better believe that I’m going to snatch these up for my ereader. I do love a good sweet-revenge-but-wait-I-can’t-kill-you-I-love-you! plot line.
Danya recently posted…Review: Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
I LOVE ILONA ANDREWS TOO! Clean Sweep is my favorite after Kate Daniels, and yeah, there are a LOT of Andrews books that deserve two “Kick-Ass” buttons. And LOL—have you read many of those? I think this was my first, but it was fun, so if there are more of that kind of plot line . . . 😉
My library has these. I need to squeeze them into my reading schedule.
Jennifer recently posted…What Amanda Thought of Beauty Awakened by Gena Showalter
YES. And BONUS—they’re both short stories, so they won’t be as hard to fit in 😉
So I feel like an epic fail because even though I love the Andrews, I had no idea they had this other series. I am not a huge sci fi fan but these do sound awesome.
kindlemom1 recently posted…The Sunday Post
I think that even people who aren’t huge sci-fi fans will like these short stories. They’re sci-fi in that they take place in the future, but it’s mostly about genetic modifications (superhero powers) and that’s the only thing that keeps this from being straight-up PNR.
Oh I have to admit I hadn’t heard of these books before but i do love my sci fi so i’m debating fitting them in my reading schedule!
Lily recently posted…Our Next Read {5}
Excellent! I hope you like them, Lily. IMO anything the Andrews do is made of awesome.
Okay, I really want to try this author(s) but I don’t know where to begin! Is there a standalone that’s best for first time readers? 🙂 I keep seeing her books everywhere and I feel like I’m really missing out since you love it so much!
Amir recently posted…Review: Picture Perfect by Elisabeth Grace
Kate Daniels is the best that Andrews has to offer, but it’s an UF series. There are only 6 books so far, so it’s not as daunting as some of my other UF series if you’re just getting started, AND the Kate books run the 300-350ish page range, not 500 like The Hollows by Kim Harrison that I’m reading right now. Clean Sweep isn’t a standalone, but only the first installment is out, and it’s my second favorite.
If you do decide to read Kate, make sure you check out my Goodreads review b/c the world-building is a bit confusing in the first book. Kate and Curran make it worth it though 😉
You have actually read Burn for me? Ok I hate you! definitely! I want want it! I haven’t tried this series but maybe I should I love all the books I’m reading by them.
YES. And it. Is. AWESOME. I can’t wait for you to read it, and yes, you should definitely check these out too. This sci-fi is more superpowers sci-fi than space opera/weird alien sci-fi 😉
I haven’t read Silent Blade but I loooooved Silver Shark. I wanted it to be much, much longer.
Cat recently posted…Giveaway – Unwept (The Nightbirds #1) by Tracy & Laura Hickman (US)
Me too. That is my only complaint, and that’s for purely selfish reasons, not b/c the story was lacking due to the short length.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. How have I missed these?!!! I’m with KindleMom. Total reader girl failure here. lol
anna recently posted…The Bucket List…a la herding cats!
Well, now you know. Better late than never, right? 😉
I haven’t read any IAndrews book! Obviously I have to remedy that but I think I’ll start with another series. Sci-fi doesn’t fascinate me as much.
Braine Talk Supe recently posted…Suped Up: The Saint by Tiffany Reisz
Kate Daniels! Kate Daniels is the BEST!
You are absolutely correct, it has been entirely too long since I read these stories. I read the first one after discovering the fantastic writing team of Ilona Andrews, and then reread it when the second book came out. It is probably time to do a reread. I am so jealous that you have gotten your hands on Burn for Me. But I did get Magic Breaks early so I need to not be completely greedy. Great reviews.
judy recently posted…Audiobook Review: The Phoenix Pack Series by Suzanne Wright
LUCKY. Burn for Me was great, but nothing compares to Kate 😉 And yeah, you should definitely reread. Ilona rereads are ALWAYS a good thing, and the world in the Kinsmen series really is very similar to the world in Hidden Legacy. Just with magic instead of genetic modifications.
Aww, Jessica! You’re making me regret that I didn’t read Silent Blade first…still haven’t. I read Silver Shark and LOVED it! So I agree with your review and recommendation. 😉 But now I’m going to have to one-click Silent Blade – don’t know why I didn’t in the first place…*runs to check nook* Oh, I actually DID grab this one. I just didn’t read it first. *smacks forehead* Guess what I’ll be reading this week?? 😉
Love your reviews, girl. My review of Silent Blade will be up soon! 🙂
YAY! Can’t wait to hear what you think about it. I did like Silver Shark better, but that’s probably b/c there was more to love, and really—you can NEVER go wrong with Ilona 😉
It’s Ilona Andrews day! It’s shameful and terrible of me, but I have to admit I haven’t read any of her books yet. Where should I start? And what a lovely cover on that first book.
Mogsy recently posted…YA Weekend: Half A King by Joe Abercrombie
That may be the ONLY Ilona book with a lovely cover, LOL. I think I had the first three books of the Kate Daniels series for TWO YEARS before I actually read them, b/c the covers are TERRIBLE. But that’s definitely where you should start. Kate Daniels is the best UF series I’ve ever read.
More books by Ilona Andrews?? I’m sold…I will read ANYTHING this woman writes because even if the story has flaws…it’s still really damn good. You’ve made me an Ilona fangirl!!! *claps wildly* 🙂
Cristina recently posted…Meet the Reviewers
*fangirling*
YAY! And exactly—even a less awesome Ilona book is still MORE awesome than most other things 😉
This cover is bad-a! And a POC!!! Me approves 🙂 So glad you enjoyed this, dollface! I think the concept sounds really good + alpha males? Um. Yeah. I may say I’m a tad over them and tired, but duuuuude. Alpha males *drools* I love these type of relationships where the couple isn’t planning on falling in love but they probably will. BRING IT ON!!!! As for Silver Shark, Yay! I’m glad you liked this one too 😉 HAha. and lol at 2 kick-a’s. That speaks volume. A boss who’s whot? Do I spy a romance? 😀 YES PLEASE. Great reviews, lovely!
Siiri @ Little Pieces of Imagination
I will never be over alphas 😉 And Ilona writes a damn fine alpha. Thanks, Siiri! And yeah, these are mostly PNR, but the sci-fi-ness keeps them from being solidly in that category.
I have to read these!
blodeuedd recently posted…Book Blog Walkers: Weekly Check-in June 27 2014
I concur!
Great mini reviews Jessica! I am a big fan of Ilona Andrew’s Kate Daniel’s series and do you believe I had no idea this series even existed :-0 I must give them a go.
Sharon – Obsession with Books recently posted…Blue Sky Days by Marie Landry Relaunch Blitz
Yeah, Kate Daniels is my FAVORITE! This series is definitely great too, and pretty short, so it’s easy to fit in—I know this 😉
I love the cover for SILENT BLADE and I’d take a lickable book any day 😉
I’m not so much a fan of the second one, but the synopsis sounds awesome. And I’m glad to hear it was fun!
Hafsah recently posted…To Die Would be an Awfully Big Adventure: A Review of ALIAS HOOK by Lisa Jensen
They were both SUPER fun, and the second books’s cover isn’t as great b/c it’s still indie 😉
Sold Sold and SOLD.
I want… no I NEED this book in my life.
I love KICK ASS and I get the feeling the romance is right up my alley. In fact I am getting all giddy imagining how much I am going to like it.
AND it’s short (GR says 50 pages on kindle). That leaves me with no outs! I am reading this as soon as possible!
Fantastic mini-reviews, Cupcake! 😀
and THANK YOU for bringing this series to my attention!
Rashika recently posted…ARC Review: Tower Lord by Anthony Ryan (+ PICTURES of me FANGIRLING)
KICK ASS is awesome. So are ASSASSINS. And it is super short, which means super easy to fit into an already jam packed TBR.
Thanks, Rashika! And you are welcome 😉 I hope you like it!
Well, its gotta be something to get two kick asses
Exactly 😉
Great mini-reviews, Jessica! I’m so excited to check these out, they’re new to me and I love Ilona Andrewa- so, Yes, please! Sci-fi, kick-ass heroine, hint of romance…what’s not to love 😉
kim { Book Swoon } recently posted…Book Review: Better Homes and Hauntings by Molly Harper
Thanks, Kim! And yes, these are MUST reads for any die-hard Ilona fan 😉
Ok, yeah, Ilona Andrews is really an original author. I mean, the books she writes look all interesting + different! Nice mini-reviews, Jess! 😀
Lola recently posted…Review of Cracked (AKA new favorite book of 2014) by Eliza Crewe
Thanks, Lola! And yeah, that’s one of my favorite things about Ilona too 😉
Okay…how is it possible that I KEEP missing Ilona Andrews books? How?!?! I read Silver Shark recently…and loved ‘natch…but now I find out that there’s Silent Blade that I haven’t read? This is unacceptable! Gotta go grab it now…talk to you soon Jessica.
Great reviews as always!
Traci recently posted…Coffee Shop Talks, #60
Thanks, Traci! And EXCELLENT! I hope you LOVE it, and can’t wait to hear what you think. And the upside to missing Ilona books, is that you get an Ilona-hit you weren’t expecting 😉 Eh? EHHH??!
I still haven’t read that well famous series by Ilona and you’re already making this one sound so amazing. I love that it’s interesting and above all sexy. You cannot go wrong with that. So glad you enjoyed both of these. Great reviews, Jessica 🙂
Tanja recently posted…ARC: Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne
Thanks, Tanja! And you are correct—you can’t go wrong with that AND you can’t go wrong with Ilona 😉 I hope you check her out some time.
I’m kind of envious of your reread binges. LOL – Knowing this is not just kick ass, but twice the kick-ass book, makes me want to read the series. I’ve already made it a mission read SOMETHING by Andrews this year.
Christy recently posted…Midyear Top Ten Favorite Reads of 2014
KATE! Go with KATE, Christy! Kate Daniels is the BEST. I support this mission 😉
I went and checked out the price on the first novella and I just wasn’t quite enthused enough to pay that much for 50 or so pages. I know I know silly.
Tabitha (Not Yet Read) recently posted…Review: Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne
Well, if it goes on sale, I’ll be sure to let you know 😉
I’m kind of a sucker for that “betrothed from a young age” trope–I mean, as long as they don’t ACTUALLY get married then, of course–so this definitely intrigues me! I haven’t read any Ilona Andrews books aside from the Kate Daniels yet, and I really need to sometime. This series sounds great.
Wendy Darling recently posted…Foodie Tour of NYC + All Four Stars giveaway
NOPE. They don’t. And not only do they not get married, but he totally SPURNS her. This is definitely a great, fast read, and if you’re already an Ilona fan, I say go for it 😉
I’ve GOT to read something by Ilona Andrews!!! You & Cristina (Cristinasbookreviews.com) keep singing her praises, I’ve got to try some of her books!!! I will, I promise!! 🙂
You really do 😉 She is FABULOUS.
AH! I keep meaning to get these! They look sooo good and your reviews are rather motivating. Need to get these….
Jessica Cooley recently posted…Salvage: A Review
Yay! I hope you love them 😉 And someone mentioned earlier that their library had them, so maybe ours does too . . .
Yes, kick ass. Double kick ass. You totally made me want to re-read these, Jessica, and what a tease you are about Burn for Me! *grinning* I can’t wait to read it! Brilliant, brilliant reviews! They do create intensely hot characters, these Andrewses…
kara-karina recently posted…The Postman Knock #86
YES. The Andrews are made of awesome, and you will LOVE Burn for Me, I can FEEL it. Thank you! And you should definitely reread these, b/c AWESOME, and they’re short stories, so they won’t even take up that much time 😉
Wahaha, you saucy little vixen: “But where did that leave Meli?
An excellent question. And one you will only get the answer to by . . . wait for it . . . yes, that’s right—READING the book.” And I HAVE TO KNOW because I CAN’T NOT KNOW. You’re killing my tbr pile… but keep it up… I likes it. And the second book gets TWO kick-asses. How can I not read these? Fantastic reviews, you book pusher, you.
Michele recently posted…Review: Until We Fly (Beautifully Broken #4) by Courtney Cole
You make me sound like dealer . . . a BOOK dealer . . . I like it. #sorryimnotsorry And both of these little lovelies are short stories, so even if you dropped everything and read them immediately, they wouldn’t put you too far behind. How’s that for the upsale? Hmmm?? 😀