People who have read the Kate Daniels series will know Hugh d'Ambray but this book sees him much changed. Roland has cast him aside taking away all of his certainty about his actions and leaving him broke and broken. His first response is the try to commit suicide by alcohol. But when his men come to find him and tell him that his Black Dogs are being hunted down and killed, he has to pull himself together and save the people who gave him their loyalty.

Hugh gathers just over 300 of his troops but now needs to find a way to feed, clothe and house them. When he is approached to marry Elara Harper, he is skeptical. But Elara has a castle, people to protect, a bad reputation, and needs a strong man to provide that protection.

Neither one of them are happy to marry the other but it is the best option for each of them. Two strong people are naturally going to butt heads and one of the best parts of the story is the banter between the two of them as they try to do the best they can for the people under their care.

Both have secrets and both have enemies. Landon Nez, who is the current leader of Roland's Golden Legion of Vampires, is an enemy to both of them. He wants Elara's castle and he wants something from Hugh but it isn't clear to either of them what it is. The Golden Legion is formidable but they aren't Elara and Hugh's only enemy. They also have to deal with an invasion of vampire-like creatures and the soldiers who command them who are gating in when the magic is up. They are apparently under the control of one of the magical beings who can't survive on Earth when the technology is up.

The story is filled with battles large and small. Through it all Hugh finds a new purpose for his life and begins to tentatively trust Elara and her people even after he learns her secrets. I loved the relationship between Hugh and Elara. I loved seeing the world Ilona Andrews has created through the eyes of another character and in another location. I can't wait to read more in this new series.

I knew the book will be awesome, I just never expected it to be so brilliant!

I've been fascinated by Hugh since the first time he walked on page. That doesn't mean I didn't want to kill him time and again and in the most excruciating ways possible. He is such a fucking asshole that he just owns the page when he shows up. He brings out all those primal feelings that I personally can't decide if I want to fuck him or slice him to tiny little pieces. So I could totally sympathise with his new wife Elara. I enjoyed his suffering, I enjoyed when he was beaten down and spend way too much time telling him "You're a moron! What did you expect to happen?". In fact about a third of my copy has notes attached (thank God for Kindles because if I had to get a post-it note to plaster all over a physical copy it would look monstrous) where I'm talking to Hugh and making fun of his life choices. You see I usually don't bother to actually write the things I'm saying to the characters in my head. It's just I'm lazy. I might highlight here and there and leave a couple of notes and that's it. I literally highlighted half the book. Every snappish conversation, every time Hugh got his nose rubbed in, every time I laughed out loud and made people look at me like I'm a raving lunatic. And there were a hell of a lot of those moments.

I know some people would find parts of this book objectionable. But to me those parts were perfect because it's Hugh and this is his nature. And if you've read the books so far you should be prepared for them. It doesn't mean you have to approve of his actions, in fact it's better if you don't. But to write it any other way, IA would have to break character and it would ruin both the book and the series. Hugh is the way he is and if you can't stomach that, please don't vent your annoyance at the authors. Staying true to character isn't easy and pulling off a stunt like this one, where by the end of the book you actually feel sorry and root for Hugh, is simply amazing. And it's one of the reasons why an IA book is an automatic pre-order for me.

This book has everything and more from Ilona Andrews, the husband/wife writing team of the Kate Daniels series. Iron and Magic is a separate but linked storyline to this series. First-time readers might be at a disadvantage reading this book as a stand alone, although there is enough back story to get the gist of who plays on what team. Hugh d'Ambray, Perceptor of the Iron Dogs, and overall bad-ass, bad guy is out-of-luck and out of a job but has somehow retained the loyalty of the remaining Iron Dogs. Hugh needs a home base and food for his men. Elara Harper, the White Lady needs additional protection for her people. Each can meet the other's needs but neither trusts the other. Solution: marriage! Join forces or face annilihation. Protection for food and shelter. Both have secrets and neither likes to share. The plot is clear, well crafted and so finely written that you feel for Hugh who has never been a sympathetic character, ever! Discover his back story and if you catch it, you might understand how Hugh's personality change can result. As for Elara and her people, we've been introduced, seen some unusual powers but we've barely scratched the surface. The authors leave you with a conclusion to this episode but you know there is a whole lot more to come. Can't wait!!!! Enjoy -

Full review to be published online near the end of June.

4.5 Stars. Ah, but IRON AND MAGIC was so much fun to read. The storyline was great; and the snarking/verbal foreplay between Hugh and Elara was to die for. This is set in the same world as Kate Daniels, but in a different setting (rural Kentucky); yet still manages to be fresh and different. As great as they always are, the Ilona Andrews duo have outdone themselves here.

Now that the ‘Kate Daniels’ series is winding up, I’m hoping there will be some great crossover moments and plotlines involving Kate and Curran. If IRON AND MAGIC is anything to go by, this is going to be another fantastic series.

I’m a little blurry from staying up past midnight to finish this arc and then working today but it was worth it, totally worth it. I’m a longtime avid (rabid) fan of the Kate Daniels world so when it was announced that Hugh was getting a book, I squeed. Like everything else from these two, Iron and Magic was spectacular. I’m not going to let loose of any spoilers, just praise for another great, solid story. I’m looking forward to the official release, and more books in this series!

Could not put it down read it in one sitting.
As always Ilona and Gordon aka Ilona Andrews have crafted an engrossing tale follow Hugh from the depths of despair to his redemption.
Having crawled into a bottle after being rejected by his personal God Roland. Hugh learns that his Iron Dogs once numbering in the thousands are down to less than 400 they are being systematically hunted down buy the Golden Legion ( vampires). He takes command of his troops and tries to find a safe haven for them going so far as an arranged marriage to get them food and a defensible castle. Follow Hugh on his journey you won't be disappointed.

Ilona Andrews has done it again! This is a husband and wife writing team that has the perfect amount of snark and smart mouth with bad @$$ery in their female and male leads. They have managed to rise to the challenge readers wanted when they requested a book about Hugh d’Ambry, a villain of the first order in the Kate Daniels series. They have made Hugh the hero of his own story and made him human and show his struggles. To give him a truly memorable story there had to be a girl- someone strong enough to stand up to and hold her own to Roland’s Warlord. They found her in Elara, the leader of her people and the host to an ancient magic of her own. I would definitely recommend this book, or any book by this duo.

Ilona Andrews does it again! There’s blood and sex, regret and monsters, all the things that make an Andrews’ book a work of gritty paranormal perfection. What I love most about books that take place in Andrews’ post-shift world and center around an impossible love story is the time it takes. Though there’s heat, the build up to not just the bedroom stuff but to the actual relationship is wonderful. That slow burn, stubborn souls motif was done so well with Curran and Kate, Julie and Derek, and now Elara and Hugh. Reading Kate’s story, you’d never imagine yourself to align with Hugh in any way. Yet, the authors give us a Hugh that is still hard as steel, tough as nails, and guilty as hell. In this, Hugh feels real. He’ll never be a hero, thank goodness. But he makes a damn good anti-hero. He is the Deadpool to Kate’s Zatanna, and that’s a wonderful thing.

This was amazing. I was scepticle about this series but it blew my mind. Hugh is the perfect anti-hero, he is cruel and deadly to his enemies but gentle to those he protects. His relationship with Elara is hilarious reminds me of Kate and Currans in the beginning. What is Elara, this will keep me up until the next book. Hopefully the next book comes out soon.

From an Aprils Fools joke for their readers, to this sinfully bloody good read, is a testament to their giving us what we want. And boy howdy, did we get it. Hugh d'Ambray has been forsaken by Roland, and the Iron Dogs he led are being hunted down. In need of shelter and food, they search for a place to regroup. Elara has 4000 people in her village that needs protecting. And with this alliance, they both get what they need. Landon Nez is hunting them, and he wants Elara's castle. A truly epic battle will reveal a true self, and the darkness that resides in them both. The. Best. Snarky dialog. Cannot wait for book 2. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book for Netgalley.

Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews

Ilona Andrews is an exceedingly entertaining story teller consistent in drawing reader’s in with her energetic adventures and heated battle scenes with a slight peppering of romantic heat laden in.
That being said, Iron and Magic was a difficult read for me with the plethora of emotions I felt towards the villainous Hugh D’ambray.
I really struggled with the character’s in this premiere novel in Hugh’s current life. Having devoured the Kate Daniels’ series prior to Iron and Magic, I have seen Hugh’s lack of moral ethics when he was blood bound to Roland and was thoroughly repulsed. As this novel is only the first in the series, the world was not fully built, understandably so, and I still struggled with my repulsion with Hugh. (As this book kicks off the first of the redemption of Hugh, I know it will take several books into the series for me to forgive past evils and murders wrought by Hugh’s machinations— especially the beloved characters from the Kate Daniels world.)

It was very hard for me to see the progression of Elara and Hugh’s relationship. For about 80% of the novel, I did not want Hugh happy, I wanted him to suffer through depression and be completely dark. I am not ready for a Happy Hugh. He has decades of sin to answer for before he gets his happily ever after.
Hugh needs more time spent suffering from his conscience; he is only recently experiencing the guilt of his past nonsensical brutal slayings and because of this, as a reader, it was very very hard to feel sympathy for his plight. Andrews did reveal that Roland was the reason for Hugh’s abhorrent behavior, and that Roland would tamper with Hugh’s conscience to make him forget his evil misdeeds.
There are a lot of unanswered questions pertaining to Elara Harper and the new cast of characters in regard to origins, etc, to be addressed in preceding novels.

There was a lot of action scenes in this book as well as a lot of plot, so much so, that at times I felt that there was too much going on, and I didn’t know where to focus my mind. On the flip side, Andrews does a phenomenal job of detailing different magical heritages from around the world in all of her books, and Iron and Magic was not exempt from this benefit.

After reading Iron and Magic, I am looking forward to reading Hugh’s redemption series even though I still do not like Hugh, as Ilona Andrews is gifted with creating original stories, while keeping the reader surprised during the unfolding.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I admit I never have been a fan of Hugh, but I changed my mind!!
Ilona and Gordon did a great work with Hugh and Elara.
There wasn't anything that I didn't enjoyed and I couldn't put the book down.
I love this book and can't wait for the next one. Thank you Ilona and Gordon for this wonderful book.

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.

Iron and Magic is the newest book from one of my favorite authors, husband and wife writing team, Ilona Andrews. This is the first book in a new series, The Iron Covenant, set in the same world as the Kate Daniels series. I adore the Kate Daniels series so I was extremely excited to get the chance to read and review an advanced copy of Iron and Magic.

I was especially intrigued as the protagonist of this new series, Hugh d’Ambray was a villain in the Kate Daniels series. It takes a lot of skill to turn a character that readers have hated for so long into a character that we can root for. But Ilona Andrews make it seem easy. I was almost surprised at how quickly Hugh changed from villain to hero.

Iron and Magic is a fantastic new addition to the Kate Daniels world. While we see a few familiar characters, most of the story revolves around this new side of Hugh and a fresh new cast of characters. They have a range of interesting back stories and new magical skills.

The new main protagonist, Elara Harper is a the leader of a band of magic users. Their castle is under attack. They need an army. Hugh is still reeling from his break with Roland, and his people are dying. He needs a base, somewhere safe for him and his soldiers. And so a bargain is struck. To seal the deal Hugh and Elara must marry and learn to work together for their common goals.

Elara is a completely new character who is strong and amazing. She easily goes head to head with Hugh, and stands her ground. She is a powerful, strong, smart and caring woman who is fascinating and mysterious. I can’t wait to learn more about her.

As always Ilona Andrews presents a rich world filled with strong male and female characters. Their tremendous world building skills and fantastic characters transport the reader to an amazing world of fantastic characters, bloody fights, heady romance and intense interpersonal relationships.

I am so happy to have another fantastic series to read!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am... speechless. These authors have done it again.
Absolutely stunning. They were able to turn the worst villain in their books into a lovable, brooding, sexy anti-hero. Ugh. I cannot wait to read more about him.
But let's talk about Elara. The Andrews can write some mean, powerful, goddess-like bitch... I mean, heroine. I just love her. She's perfect. Now I want to see her gooey marshmallow center as she falls head over heels in love with Hugh. Please.

Great characters are great primarily when they are believable. It doesn't matter if they appear in a space opera or an urban fantasy novel with romantic undertones, if they are human or monsters, they need to be relatable and wear their humanity on their sleeve, so to speak.
This is what turns this novel into such a wonderful read. The main characters, despite their tremendous powers, are very human and that turns into emotional investment on behalf of the reader. They fight their issues the best way they can, sometimes stumble along the way, and are cautious because they know that their decisions have consequences. This is very rare in the urban fantasy genre: main characters who are reasonable, responsible individuals and I could fully appreciate it in this book. It you pile on that great fighting scenes, meticulous research of anything included (from various mythologies to metallurgy to ASL) a fascinating world and an interesting story, you end up with a great read. The story reads well by itself, though people who read the Kate Daniels books will appreciate the references. Also, the book closes with just enough loose ends for the sequel.

This book. Let me start by saying, I've been anticipating reading it since the authors put up a fake cover as an April Fool's joke. I'm apparently not the only one, since the overwhelming response from fans convinced them to write it. I am a huge anti-hero and villain fangirl, and Hugh was a pretty amazing villain. Part of my intrigue in this idea of giving him his own story was wondering how they were going to redeem him and bring him from villain to anti-hero. I was sure, if anyone could do it, it would be Ilona.

And I was not disappointed. This is not some watered down version of Hugh. This is still Hugh, the guy we all loved to hate in Kate's books, the guy twisted by Roland and trained by Voron. He is deadly. He is quick to violence, and he is not bothered by the worse examples of it. His redemption is done in small steps, and by the end of the book, he is not redeemed, exactly, but he is changed. He is no longer the same man who served Roland for so long. He has found something he cares about, and he's chosen his path. I don't want to say more because of spoilers, but it was done very well, and very believably.

Elara is a big part of Hugh's journey. At first, she is a means to an end. Then, a thorn in his side, albeit necessary. And finally, she becomes something more: his wife in truth. They are still finding each other, but this book makes it clear the path they are on, and that their marriage is no longer simply one of convenience and necessity by the end. Elara herself is a strong character (I expect no less from these authors). She would have to be, to stand with Hugh. What she is, is still a bit shrouded in mystery. But let's just say her power level is off the charts and she is VERY interesting in what she can do. I can't wait to see what happens when she and Kate inevitably meet.

As always in books by Andrews, the characters are all interesting and dynamic. The world building is top notch (as it should be, set in the very well established world of the Kate Daniels series). We do see some cameos by characters we know and love, but more than that I won't say. I try not to spoil people in my reviews. Overall, this book was every bit as amazing as I was expecting, and I can't wait for more.

Ah, Hugh... we first met him in the Kate Daniels series and let's just say he was a handful. During that time he ate, slept, and did everything for Roland but my boy made one mistake and was cast aside like old newspapers on the side of the road and everything he was, was no more. So we find him in Iron and Magic a hollow shell of his former self but the Iron Dogs remind him of his oath to them and he manages to move one step at a time for their sake and from there is a maelstrom of emotions.

The action is fast-paced and only gets better the more chapters you read... not only are his men being threated something else is coming out of the shadows and kill people but we have no idea why. I'm def looking forward to finding out in the next book. We see some new magical beings and some old faces that I wasn't expecting to see... Reading Iron and Magic was a great way to pass the time as we await the next book in the Kate Daniels series and I'm def looking forward to the next Hugh book. Elara is a welcome character and the banter between her and Hugh reminded me of the early relationship between Curran and Kate.

Def recommend!

The book is a new storyline in the world of Kate Daniels. Hugh D'Ambray, the main character, is one of the villains in Kates stories. If you love her stories you will love this new series.

Hugh is a cast out and no longer connected with Roland, his former master, who gave him life, purpose and absolution for every action he made. He is forced out of drinking himself to oblivion by his men – the Iron Dogs – to get his act together and be the leader they need.
Elara is a leader of a group of magical people who are in need of excellent warriors as she is expecting an attack by Roland. A match made in (personal) hell. Both do not like and trust each other but need each other.

It is a promising story and well and enthralling written. There are several unanswered questions but this does not take away from the story. It just leaves you "interested" in more to come. I really enjoyed reading the story and look forward to the next instalment.

I received an ARC of Ilona Andrews Iron and Magic, in exchange for an unbiased review. I love the Ilona Andrews series about Kate Daniels, and think that is one of the best Urban Fantasy series around. This new book is about Hugh D’Ambray, one of this series most awful characters. Hugh has tried to kill Curran, had Aunt B killed, and kidnapped Kate and almost starved her to death! How can he get his own book, since almost everybody in the series hates him, and Roland has thrown him out and he needs to find another way to live. So when I read that Hugh was getting his own book, I was worried, how can there be a book about such an unlikable character. But Ilona Andrews did it, and during the reading of this book, one learns enough about Hugh to feel sorry for him, and actually start to root for him. Amazing!!

The plot is that when Roland threw Hugh out, Hugh quickly hit bottom, drinking his way through several months, which is when this book starts. Hugh’s soldiers find him, tell him that Roland and Landon Nez (his head necromancer) have killed most of Hugh’s Iron Dogs (Roland’s elite troops). There are only a few hundred left, and Hugh has to save them. They have no money, no food, no shelter, and are being hunted and killed by Nez and his vampires. And Hugh has betrayed anyone he had ever dealt with before, so no one trusts him.

Elara and her coven have a castle and money from selling herbs and medicines, but she and her followers have also betrayed people, and have been run out of many towns for being witches. Landon Nez wants her castle, and will kill everyone inside to get it. They need protection.

So Elara and Hugh meet, get married, and are all living in the castle, trying to keep it from their enemies. And there are lots of enemies coming (including the fact that they hate each other as well).

By half way through the book, I started to like Hugh, and was rooting for the Iron Dogs and Elara’s people to win. That Hugh could be that likable was an amazing feat.

I highly recommend this book to everyone who likes Urban Fantasy, certainly everyone who loves the Kate Daniels books (and several characters from those books show up), but also to those new to this world. The book stands alone in the Kate Daniels world and you don’t need to have read them to enjoy this book. Happy Reading.

Wow. Wow. Wow. Did not want it to end. Can't wait for the next installment of The Iron Covenant Series!

I loved it so much. The chemistry, the banter, the craziness, the character development - it was all so wonderfully done.

I was so happy to hear they were writing Hugh's story, and am ever so glad they're turning it into a series! Ever since he was introduced, I had a feeling there was a lot more to him than being Roland's butcher. We get to understand him - the tortured, flawed soul he is - and we see his redemption play out realistically and, oh so, beautifully with the help of his people and kickass Elara.
Elara was a delight! She's powerful, interesting, and owns who she is. Everything I love about a leading lady. Though we don't really get to find out what that is exactly. Though I have a feeling the next installment will shed light on that and give us more insight into her background.

The ending is a HFN. There's no HEA yet. Their story will and must go on.

I highly recommend it. It's 'Kate Daniels' level good.
I expected no less from Ilona Andrews. Everything they write is absolutely awesome.