Fated Blades
Kinsmen #3
Ilona Andrews


She glanced at his supine form. He had an interesting face, all harsh angles, devoid of softness. Matias had a resting kill face. Even when he wasn’t trying to intimidate, he projected a natural grimness that promised swift and brutal retribution.
The cover and title caught my attention and led me to expect a fast-paced, action-packed sci-fi adventure. I haven’t read the authors before but have heard lots of great things about their writing so expected to either be wowed or to feel seriously underwhelmed when those high expectations were not met.
Well let me just tell you that I am now questioning myself as to why it has taken me so long to read an Ilona Andrews book. Oh my word, this book blew me away, delivering not only everything I wanted but so much more too. The story proved to be captivating from the very first page, weaving a high-energy tale of intrigue, peril and suspense. The world-building is top class with no unnecessary and frustrating info-dumps, instead we are introduced to information in a very natural way.
Ramona and Matias are both the heads of their family’s business, both are Secare, and both have been betrayed by somebody close to them. Their Kinsmen families have been enemies for many generations but they must put the enmity aside if they are to prevent financial catastrophe. Matias is an absolutely charming if ruthless, hero whilst Ramona is a strong, determined heroine who very much is allowed to have agency. The story was perhaps a little slow-burn for my personal taste but the sheer entertainment I derived from reading this book meant I didn’t really care.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that has made me desperate to buy the author’s entire back catalogue but this one made me feel exactly like that. There wasn’t a single part of this book that I didn’t enjoy. The book would be perfect for fans of Lindsay Buroker, Carol Van Natta and Pippa DaCosta.
“You were supposed to die. Why aren’t you dead?”
He nodded at the plaza below painted red with blood. “Because I killed everyone.”
Overall Rating
Plot ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
Characters ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
World Building ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
Writing ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
Heat Level 🔥 🔥 🔥


Alternate Reality Fantasy Romance
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59011438-fated-blades
Synopsis
An uneasy alliance between warring families gets heated in this otherworldly novella from bestselling author Ilona Andrews.
At first glance, the planet Rada seems like a lush paradise. But the ruling families, all boasting genetically enhanced abilities, are in constant competition for power—and none more so than the Adlers and the Baenas. For generations, the powerful families have pushed and pulled each other in a dance for dominance.
Until a catastrophic betrayal from within changes everything.
Now, deadly, disciplined, and solitary leaders Ramona Adler and Matias Baena must put aside their enmity and work together in secret to prevent sinister forces from exploiting universe-altering technology. Expecting to suffer through their uneasy alliance, Ramona and Matias instead discover that they understand each other as no one in their families can—and that their combined skills may eclipse the risks of their forbidden alliance.
As the two warriors risk their lives to save their families, they must decide whether to resist or embrace the passion simmering between them. For now, the dance between their families continues—but just one misstep could spell the end of them both.