For those of you who enjoyed the Graphic Audio adaptation of Clean Sweep, Sweep in Peace will be released by the same company on March 7. Here is the preorder link. Samples coming soon.
The sphinx approached, his movements unhurried, almost lazy, circled the two towers, and lowered himself to the ground by the one on the left, facing us. The huge gold hoops in his ears tinkled. His long tail stretched all the way to the right tower. He curled around the two spires like a cat clutching a toy to his belly.
Sean watched him. He wasn’t focusing on him the way he sometimes zeroed in on his opponent. Rather he was watching him with the detachment of a satiated wolf seeing a bunny hop around in a distant field, curious, but not enough to get up. It was a ruse. Sean was all in. The sphinx put himself between Sean and Wilmos, and Sean wouldn’t tolerate it.
The sphinx stretched. The sun slid over his isabelline fur, highlighting the paler belly and chest and drawing the eye to the rust brown bands on his limbs and tail. A thick line of darker fur ran from the inner corners of his brilliant violet-blue eyes over his upper lids to the outer corners and across his cheeks, a feature that once inspired centuries of kohl eyeliner.
“No wings?” Sean murmured.
“We don’t want to see the wings.”
“You came back,” the sphinx purred. His deep voice reverberated through me. “And you brought a friend.”
This was bad.
“Did he ask you any questions?” I whispered.
“I offered to answer his question if he solves my riddle.” The sphinx studied the claws of his right forepaw. “He declined.”
I exhaled.
“Would you like to solve my riddle?”
“No. Why are you here? Your kind is not permitted at Baha-char.”
The creature’s tanzanite eyes flashed with an angry fire. “Permitted? I go where I please.”
Only four dark rings on his tail, and the gold hoops in his ears were simple. This was a very young sphinx, an adolescent. Fully grown adults had seven rings and their jewelry was ornate and elaborate. This one couldn’t be more than 300 years old.
“It’s a simple bargain,” the sphinx said. “Solve my riddle, and I will tell you where the thing took the old werewolf. Is it your father, your grandfather, male human? Is he family? I would do anything for the sake of my family.”
“Don’t,” I warned Sean.
The sphinx inhaled, sucking the air in. A slight draft pulled on my hair and robe.
His eyes flashed again. “I smell fear. Scared little werewolf. Don’t be afraid. There is nothing to worry about. I promise to make your riddle very simple. Just hard enough for your little brain.”
“Don’t answer that,” I told Sean.
There had to be a way around it.
“I’ll do it!”
I turned. The female werewolf strode into the arena, her head held high. Oh no.
“You don’t know what you’re doing,” I started.
“Be quiet, human.” She marched forward, giving Sean a look of withering scorn. “Ask your riddle. I’ll answer.”
The sphinx pivoted toward her.
“You’re in danger. This is a terrible idea,” I told her. “He…”
“Unlike some people, I’m not a coward.” She faced the sphinx.
“Stop!” Sean snapped.
She ignored him. “Ask your riddle.”
Magic swirled around the sphinx. Two massive golden wings thrust from its back, unfolding, each synthetic feather sharp like a glossy metal blade. A shadow fell upon the Arena as they blocked the sunlight.
“The pact has been made,” the sphinx announced.
Thin tendrils of gold light wound about the werewolf woman, binding her in place.
“Say my name, and I will disappear. What am I?”
The werewolf woman opened her mouth. Uncertainty flared in her eyes.
“Not another word,” I said. “If you answer wrong, he will devour your mind.”
The sphinx’s feline lips stretched, revealing a row of four-foot fangs, white and sharp like swords.
The werewolf woman paled.
“This is why they’re banned from Baha-char,” I told her. “They trap beings with their riddles and when they don’t get the right answer, they absorb their minds. Your body will live on, but you will not. Don’t say anything. Don’t even cough. He can’t touch you until you make a sound.”
She clamped her lips shut.
I had to save her. I had to do something.
Sean had a familiar contemplative look on his face. There were many species Sean could kill with a knife, but a battle with the sphinx would be incredibly difficult. No, we needed to beat him on his own terms. We needed…
Wait.
“I’ll be right back. Sean, don’t do anything until I come back.”
I took off at a run. Behind me the low rumble of sphinx’s chuckle rolled through the Old Arena.
I dashed through the streets, veering left and right. Here’s hoping he hadn’t left yet.
The side street spat me out onto one of the main thruways. I crossed it and climbed the stone stairs on the side of the building leading up to the terrace above. The Tooth of Shver, a massive ivory fang twelve stories tall and carved into a terraced palace, rose to my left, and the sapphire glass tower was straight across. Okay, I knew where I was.
I jogged along the terraces, crisscrossing the streets on narrow bridges, turned right, jogged for another four blocks, turned right again, and finally emerged into a wide street.
A towering tree rose in front of me to a hundred and fifty feet, its bark hard and smooth, more stone than wood and swirling with deep red, gold, black, and creamy white as if it were made of brecciated jasper. Its thicker limbs were a full twenty feet in diameter, its thinner branches were about five feet across, and most of them were hollowed, punctured with windows and ornate doors. Balconies curved around the entrances, cushioned in the tree’s natural foliage, clumps of thin branches with triangular emerald-green leaves.
Here’s hoping he was still here. The last I heard he’d chosen to hold his classes here, but that was three months ago.
I headed to the entrance, a ten-foot-tall door in the thick trunk and knocked.
Twin cameras swiveled toward me from above, looking like two dandelions on thin stalks. A high-pitched voice emanated from a hidden speaker.
“What do you want?”
“I’m here to see the First Scholar.”
“The supplicant hours are not now. Come back tomorrow.”
“I have to see him. It’s an emergency.”
“The First Scholar is busy. He has no time for you now. Come back tomorrow.”
Oy. “The First Scholar knows me.”
The voice let out an exasperated chirp. “Human! The First Scholar is very important. Very busy. You are a not-important stupid human. Go away!”
If making a good impression wasn’t crucial, I’d be hopping up and down from sheer frustration. “Tell him Dina of Earth is here to see him.”
“Dina?” A voice asked from above.
I backed away from the door. Far above me the First Scholar emerged onto the balcony of one of the higher branches. He was about three feet tall, plump, and old, with feathers that had gone completely white except for the touch of scarlet on his bushy tail and the tips of his wings. Two dinosaurian arms thrust out from under his wings and gripped the balcony rail with clawed hands. His beak was yellow, and his eyes were round and bright like two brilliant zircon jewels.
The official name of the species was koo-ko. Sean called them space chickens and refused to keep to the proper name. They had held a philosophical debate at Gertrude Hunt last Christmas and since nobody died, it was considered a resounding success.
The First Scholar spread his wings. “Dina!”
“First Scholar!”
“We meet again!”
A smaller, younger male koo-ko with turquoise tips on his wings emerged from the doorway behind the First Scholar and plopped an elaborate headdress of golden wire and jewels onto his head.
“Your tree has many branches,” I told them. Flattery never hurt.
The First Scholar preened. “Yes, it is splendid, isn’t it? It can house all of our students, faculty, and staff. What brings you here?”
“I need your wisdom, Great Scholar.”
The First Scholar’s eyes sparkled. “What may I do for you?”
“Someone I know has been trapped by a sphinx.”
The First Scholar’s feathers stood on end. “Here? At Baha-char? They are banned from the Great Bazaar!”
“It’s a juvenile male. The riddle has been asked, and by the time the authorities catch on, it might be too late. Please help me, First Scholar. I will be in your debt.”
The First Scholar drew himself to his full height. His headdress listed to the left, threatening to fall off his head. “Not another word. I will take care of this.”
The koo-ko assistant pointed at the doorway and murmured something.
“It will be a teachable moment,” the First Scholar declared and waved his wing at the doorway. “Come!”
A flood of koo-ko of all sizes and colors erupted onto the balcony. They spilled over the rail, spread their wings, and glided to the ground around me. One, two, five… ten… I lost count. Their belts and harnesses differed but every single one came with a holder containing a fat scroll. It looked like they were carrying a personal roll of toilet paper with them. Normally it made me giggle in my head, because somewhere deep inside I was seven years old and potty humor was still funny, but right now any humor was in short supply.
The First Scholar pushed his headdress back onto his head. “Pay attention, young ones. This will be an experience you must commit to memory. Form a flock and bring me my teaching stick!”
If you guessed the answer to the riddle, please don’t post it. 🙂
I love the Innkeeper series
+1000
My favourite series … these loops back to characters is one of the things I love about this brilliant series
Me too.
Yep. Ensemble cast indeed. I know when Orro makes his real appearance, it’s going to be quite something.
+1
Yes! That’s one of my favourite things too, i hate books where past characters are simply forgotten.
Ditto.
Oh boy, the koo-ko are back! I love this.
That was my first thought and laugh out loud moment!!
Me too !!!
It looks like they might be permanent guest stars, lol. I will look forward to their appearances:)
What was the first book the koo-ko are in? I think I’m missing one now!
The first appearance of the koo-ko is in Sweep with Me https://ilona-andrews.com/innkeeper-chronicles-books/#withme
For a complete list of books by Ilona Andrews, which can ensure you’re not missing out on anything, please check https://ilona-andrews.com/release-schedule/#booklist
I hope this helps 🙂
Yes! (Dancing around) Gotta love the return of the space chickens! ^_^
Yay! The Space chickens!!
+1
+1
+1
Thank you!
Aaah – I am so curious… and space chicken… and a sphinx…
Gotta love teachable moments! 🙂
🙂
And the teaching stick!
+1
It is the hat that goes on crooked for me. I love that!
Thank you!!!! I hope your hands are feeling better with lighter work and the bread machine =)
Space Chickens!!!! And presented as funny but knowledgeable. The AL’s have rehabilitated them in my mind (but still make me laugh bc I am not a grown up)
Thank you, thank you
Yes!
This is brilliant. Way to bring in T.P. After the year we’ve had!
Space chickens with toilet paper
Getting a flashback of the meme for early in the pandemic, where the guys have elaborate toilet-paper roll headdresses to demonstrate their ability to provide for a mate. One of the guys looked remarkably like Bill Murray, and I think another one looked like someone familiar as well – Matt Damon maybe? Alas that I didn’t save that one.
My mother is all in on Christmas. At last count she had 14 trees in her house and they are all done by theme, with matching quilts on the beds, wall hangings, etc. So I got her an ornament that was a little plastic roll of toilet paper and the year on it as a memento of Covid. She didn’t share my sense of humor and informed me that it wasn’t even fit to throw away.
She kept the Santa with a face mask ornament.
+1
https://www.johnmcrae.com/exhibition-work/portraits/#gallery/ee65a51c2d82f375346eba8431c445b1/32
Thanks for the link!
Oh Fabulous!
Also a great vocabulary lesson- THANKS
Right? I had to look up 2 words.
Erika! Me too!
Glad that I’m not the only one 🙂
+1!
I learned at least three new adjectives!
Me too! This was a teachable moment 😉
I was hoping they’d add more installments and in particular I look forward to Orro’s portrayal.
It will be a full blog serial 🙂
Wonderful news! Thanks for telling us.
As an aside, I’m reminded of the old saying that ‘Some days you’re the pigeon, some days you’re the statue.’ Since this is to be intellectual ‘combat’ the young sphinx will surely play statue to the koo-ko’s chicken.
Love it. I’m all about the space chickens.
Love it!
Space Chickens to the rescue!
Yes!
That’s what I thought when I read the post. 😀
Great, now I have the super chicken theme song running through my head! 😹😹😹
Hee-hee! You too?
“Fred, if you’re afraid you’ll have to overlook it. Besides, you knew the job was dangerous when you took it.” Heh!
RUBY FEVER PREORDER IS UP?! I seen Ruby Fever is up for preorder on Apple Books, Amazon, & Audible for an 8/23 release date! Super excited! Will we be getting a countdown clock for the release like we did for Fated Blades? Thank you!
Thank you. This TOTALLY makes up for the cancellation of my Darynda Jones pre-order.
Same!!
Sorry to ask here but do you have any idea why the order was cancelled? Mine was as well.
Lora, if you have any questions, please direct them to Darynda. This post isn’t the best place to discuss it. 🙂
Just FYI, the Audible is up for pre-order, by itself, dropping march 29.
Hope this helps.
Oops, Sorry, Ilona, I didn’t read far enough to see your post, until after I had posted.
No worries. We try to steer you guys toward the author websites for all questions regarding release and availability, because there is a lot of misinformation and it’s always better to get your updates directly from the source.
On Barnes and Noble, it’s just the print version that’s for pre-order. No Nook book yet. *Waiting for Mod R to release the good news.*
A showdown between a sphinx and a bunch of space chickens to save a werewolf. It’s just so hilarious and wonderful. Thank you!
+1
+1
+1
+1
Oh yayyyyy! This should be interesting… The Koo-ko with their insatiable desire for debate. I can’t wait…
Migod! They could keep a sphinx tied in verbal knots forever.
Omg, you brought back the space chickens and made them run around holding their own toilet paper!!!! I love you guys, it was a spit out your coffee laughing moment. Thank you!!! Happy Friday!
Long ago, I was worried I was missing stuff and I put a reminder in my phone to check this blog daily. It often happens that I am busy or not in the mood right then. Right now was one of those times, and I went to get rid of the reminder when my brain smacked my hands and said “IDIOT! It’s FRIDAY!”
It’s Friday and for a little while Friday will be happy day.
You can sign up to get the newsletter delivered by email! I did that a while back so I wouldn’t miss the next innkeeper serial, and then got sucked in by the rest of the awesome posts!
I feel sorry for the Sphinx!! Love it!!
It might have only been in movies or TV shows where a nun would use a ruler to slap a student’s hand, but that’s the first thing that came to mind when he mentioned a teaching stick.
It wasn’t only in media. As someone who had her hand smacked by nuns, I can verify it’s in media because it happened.
not just nuns, it was a pre-80s, corporeal punishment on students is a teaching method thingy….I had nuns and dance teachers smacking me with rulers and “teaching sticks”…
growls “your plie is not deep enough” smack, “back leg higher” smack, and so on.
Peace,
Just to reiterate, the Scholar does not use the stick for corporal punishment 🙂
CHECK!
Not just nuns. When I was learning to write in public school back in the 70’s I had my hand smacked with a ruler more than once for being left handed and trying to write with my left hand.
+1
It is a pointing stick, not a hitting stick 🙂
I am glad to know this because my first thought went to my Russian ballet teacher who had a stick, mostly used to mark time but also used to mark shoulders and buttocks that were not where they were supposed to be. It definitely left an impression.
wow, I put my dance comment in just before reading this….not just the Russian teachers….
peace,
You’re no fun. Given the extremes the students went to at Dina’s inn, a hitting stick is probably called for.
Corporal punishment in schools is no fun.
Ok, I am ridiculously excited to watch a standoff between the koo-ko and a sphinx. First Scholar is already my hero.
Foolish, foolish young sphinx…ever see a cat being dive-bombed by an angry bird? I’m so enjoying my Fridays now!
The koo-kos specialise in intellectual dive-bombing hehe.
Yes, as Kate once said, “Birds are assholes”.
🤣
Yep. She has the hat to prove it. 😂
That was the best line.
Hahaha, I just read that scene again! And yes, they are…
The funniest thing I have seen was a 10 pound cat running from a ruby throat Hummingbird.
A guided missile with a very sharp beak.
I am not sure if this is further in the comments – if so just point me there, but I was wondering if the authorities found the sphinx first would they be able to do anything now that the bargain has been struck? Or would they be like – we will just wait until you loose your mind, banish the young male, then recommend/take to a facility for the now brain dead? I can see them have the power to do that but not brake the bargain – not with how magic works in this universe. Finally I just want to say I am Team Space Chicken all the way.
Dina tells the First Scholar: The riddle has been asked, and by the time the authorities catch on, it might be too late.
This suggests to me the authorities *could* do something about the sphinx and his Pact/Bargain provided they arrive in time.
It also suggests getting the authorities involved is not easy.
Ayuh; work through the levels of whatever the bureaucracy is, and finally get to the correct door. Then make the report, and wait on a response.
This place sounds close to an anarchy; whatever officialdom exists is likely to be very slow, even once it decides to act.
Actually, I have frequently seen cat birds dive bombing cats. I had a a stupid persian that would go under the tree they had their nest in and they really let her have it. Then I had an adolescent male kitten that the birds would attack. But he was much wilier (a Balinese mix, they are definately smarter than persians). Anyway, he lured them closer by acting helpless and afraid and they got too bold/close/cocky? Anyway, after his early ignominious routs, he turned the tables and brought me his trophies to show they weren’t beating him up any more.
So, flock of avians vs young male feline, could go either way.
Young male was in middle of street when birds would attack. Persian would be in middle of yard, run away from birds to the tree where the nest was and then cry for me to save her.
watching the barn swallows take their lives in their wings, as they dive bomb Peaches the mass murdering, barn cat is always an interesting time.
So exciting! Space chickens vs the Sphinx. I can’t wait to find out how this turns out. I love them all but especially Innkeeper! Thank you for sharing.
Hoooo. The scholar are back. This is great.
Ooooh. The space chickens are back! Hi Chickens!
A sphinx, a space chicken, and a werewolf walk into a bar….
Love it!
It’s like that riddle with the boat that only has room for one item, but you have to get all three across a river without leaving specific pairs unattended…
Starring the sphinx as Tom, the ko-ko as Jerry, and Sean as the Coyote with his ACME toolkit of alien toys.
Dina is the roadrunner
No, not the coyote – the coyote always gets caught in his own traps! Sean should be Bugs Bunny!
Yay! Return of the space chickens…. Love it. Thank you and have a lovely weekend!!!
Oooo!!!! Chickens and cat!!
I love innkeeper, dina and sean, and I love the space chickens 😀
I am not sure dina has to save the stupid werewolf who so only think on herself and can´t listen
The koo-koo? great!
The First Scholar of the koo-ko regards a highly dangerous creature like a sphinx as just another teaching opportunity. Should I feel sorry for the sphinx? Wow.
Don’t worry, the First Scholar has his ‘teaching stick’!
I’m not worried about the First Scholar. I’m worried about the sphinx
I have not read yet (thank you in advance) but i’m dying to know if round 2 on the bread machine was a success.
My attempt at milk bread wasn’t a completely disaster but I would not say it was successful.
It was indeed 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/100044564163704/posts/469233497905452/?d=n
Nice! I’m not on Facebook so thanks for letting me know. Mod R you rock!
I can’t say how DELIGHTED I am to see the space chickens again. And to get a match up with a Sphinx too?!
Will Sean start calling them koo-koo after this?
10 points for the use of isabelline. I had to look it up.
Oh, good. The space chickens are back. Love it!
Oh, just makes me want more! I loved the space chickens.
Can’t wait for the show down.
🐤🐤🐤
Koo-ko!
I’m afraid my brain agrees with Sean. Space chickens fit in my memory better. (Plus my husband keeps three hens in our backyard. He calls them Uno Pollo and the Two Fat Ladies.)
Thank you, this is much needed fun.
I like Ko-Ko Puffs, personally.
The First scholar always has John Cleese’s voice in my head for some reason. Thank you for this serial!
This is perfection! His voice acting is set now in my brain too!
+1000
Stop spoiling the answer please 😛
Spoilsporting Horde!
The answer isn’t the fun part (suspect Dina could have provided the usual answer if she considered a couple of minutes, unless the sphinx play dirty and change the answer/have multiple answers and pick a different one than given). It is how hard First Scholar tortures the sphinx during the teachable moment before giving the answer that is going to be highly entertaining. I had professors that were a bit too good in drawing out those teachable moments until every one was ready to hide in a hole – but usually fixed the lesson in the brain I suppose.
Ah, the return of the space chickens. I knew today was going to be a good day.
Hahaha
Space chicken and poo humor 🤣🤣🤣
Saved by space chickens, love it!!
Space chickens to the rescue! I feel like that imagery is something to expand a brute-force werewolf’s mind!
Thank you! TGIF = Thank Gordon & Ilona for Fiction!
Thank you for these moments of lightness in an already hard year. They are much appreciated.
I admit that the Innkeeper books are my favorite series – the humor is unrivaled as is the sheer imaginative audacity the AL’s display! There is also a tremendous emotional depth so it rises above space opera. Space chickens to the rescue 🙂 !!
The best start into the weekend! 🙂
This is fantastic – part 2 will be such fun. Looking forward to what happens next. Have a great weekend House Andrews
Ah … Space Chickens to the Rescue!! And Sean may have to learn their proper species name if they are able to rescue the female werewolf. Love it!!
I kind of feel sorry for the sphinx when the koo-ko (aka space chickens) show up. I can hear Sean say “we’re going to be rescued by a group of space chickens holding toilet paper?! What if one of them gets eaten?”
The debate the chickens will make will make my eyes glaze over and my head hurt. Imagine what it will do for the sphinx!
Tune in next Friday for Sweep of the Heart!
I think I know the answer but I’ll have to wait to find out. 😀
Yes, please all, stop spoiling the answer 🙂
If someone wants to know it they can look it up, but most just wish to read the serial 🙂
I’m clearly a clod as I have no idea 🙄
I wanted to put my guess as a joke, but then I thought- what if I’m right? (I know I’m not… but what if??? Sigh) 🙂
I’m with you. And even reading the comments so far with one warning arise I’ve not caught on. So I’ll let it fly head as I delve into the definition of isabelline online.
One of which also is a bit pottyish in definition re state of unclean underwear
You are not alone!
Space chickens are back!
Koo-ko!
And now I’m stuck with ‘Spaaaaace Chickens’*. That’s gonna take forever to get outta my head.
(If you’re old enough and in the US, think Space Ghost introduction.)
For myself, I’m hearing Steve Miller: I’m a spaaaace chicken…
From another intro: Chickens in Spaaaaace
OMG! OMG! This is going to be fun
[Spoiler] Do spoiler blocks work here? [/spoiler] Don’t want to try four the riddle if spoiler blocks don’t work. 🙂
Please just stop spoiling it 🙂
The Innkeeper series has a wonderful lightheartedness that is so appreciated at this time on the planet. Thank you, House Andrews.
Ah! The space chickens 😀
Love them, this book just keeps getting better and better and we’re only on chapter 3!!
I know the answer! My Granddad Loved riddles and this one I remember the answer to!
Also yay for space chickens!
I feel so proud of myself for knowing the answer to the riddle, but I won’t spoil it!
Thanks for bringing back the space chickens 🐔! 😊
I love this kind of riddle. My lips are sealed, darn it! 😉
Oooh, this is a torturous teaser!
Ahhhhhh, this is soooo good! I love this series. I just read this on break at work. Does anybody else have to stop their adult self from doing a happy dance when a segment posts? Lol
Stop?What do mean by stop? Why would you stop? 🙂
Yes!!!! Thank you very much!!! That Sphinx is about to be out koo-koo’ed
Love this! Thank you!!
Aw that went by way too fast! Can’t wait for Part 2
This is awesome! I’d love to see a graphic of this chapter with the First Scholar and his teaching stick with his students around him.
I love this series and these niblets!! Thank you for posting these!!
Love seeing the Koo-Ko back – and the description of the tree!
Thank you for the new word – isabelline… will have to try and work that into a sentence next week!
YAY!! ALL WILL PREVAIL!!
So good, you wonderful House Andrews!! And the space chickens as a source of wisdom & knowledge. What a treat!
Oh my god I need this. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you!
😀 Space chickens to the rescue!
Space chickens!!! Gets me everytime… lmao
The “teaching stick” might be the equivalent of a GIANT spray bottle.
“Bad sphinx! BAD!”
It’s a pointing stick, not a boinking stick 😉
Even has a tassel hehe.
How about a tickling stick? The tassel can go under the sphinx’s nose and wiggle the stick until it tickles. At least no one said “here kitty, kitty”. 🤭🤣🤣🤣🤣
A laser pointer?
I get the impression that “boinking” means something slightly different in British slang than it does in American slang.
Yes, Think cartoon sound effect Boink. Not the British slang meaning 😉
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj9_Z4qWPVA
LOL
Isn’t the version you’re thinking of spelt with only one ‘I’ and not two?
Quite sure the answer will be different from the earth answer. Maybe a strange kind of plant-animals that vanish, when they are named. Because their name cannot exist in the same place as their bodies 😀
Schrondinger’s Sphinx?
Schrodinger’s Sphinx *would* be able to occupy two spaces at once due to quantum superposition 😉
Until you named it… I mean if it was existing both named and unnamed until you observed it by speaking…
Maybe that breaks down as a possibility! Maybe he’s Heisenberg Junior instead!
Something like that. Who knows? It’s a big universe. 😀
I’m super excited about both the 2nd graphic audio book and the new book! Space chickens for the win!!!!
Thank you for sharing this serial each Friday!
I rejoice at the return of the SPACE CHICKENS!!!… I mean, distinguished koo-ko scholars and philosophers. Heh heh.
Thank You. I never imagined seeing the Chickens again
There is a bit of karmic Justine in a werewolf (dog) being trapped by a Sphinx (cat) being rescued by a ko koo (bird) that I have to love! : D
This! YAY for the space chickens saving the day!
Plus 1
Hehe! Flying chickens to the rescue. Thanks!
I Hope House Andrew’s doing well. Moderator R, hope you are doing good and staying healthy too after the holidays. The Covid numbers are up, stay safe.
🥰
I had to look up a word (I love doing this) as isabelline was not one in my vocabulary yet. But hooray for space chickens!
I got stuck in my parking stall this morning. I spent 15 minutes rolling forward and backward, spinning my tires and debating the wisdom of asking my boyfriend to leave work and rescue me. Finally able to rescue myself and 20 minutes late for work I sat down for a breakfast of champions (chocolate bar). The Twitter notification hit my phone at that moment. I needed this today. Any post with space chickens makes everything better.
Space chickens! Oh, how I have missed you. Also House Andrews teachable moment: Isabelline Going to google right now! Thank you
Yay for the Space Chickens! (This is going to be epic). Thank you so much for the post.
FYI, Isabelline (or Isabella) is the palest color of Palomino in horses. Think the same color as the Cottonelle puppy in the commercials.
It’s also the most common color of a Fjord horse. 🙂
Oh no, the Space Chickens…..
Now I’ve been reduced to wishing my life away by living for the next Friday!
Me too
I love this❤️❤️❤️❤️ Space chickens … the Calvary arrives it the rescue!!
Old home week. Instead of the chickens coming to the coop. Dina goes to the chickens. Deeper it gets, as only an Andrew’s tale can lead us, willing and gleeful into that murk.
Oh, this is gonna be *awesome!*
? Orro’s portrayal??
What about Orro? 🙂
I was replying to an earlier comment above. I was wondering what the person was referring to.
If you use the “reply” button under each comment, it will be organised into a thread together 🙂
I’m guessing they just meant they’re looking forward to more Orro appearances. We try to approximate meaning because not everyone here speaks or writes in English as a primary language 🙂 . Myself included.
Oooh, would you mind sharing what your primary language is ModR? Your english is practically perfect! Just curious cuz you’re overall awesomesauce.
Hah! The space chickens are back. Can’t wait to see the showdown.
Oh, this story is so much fun! I love getting to see familiar characters again. And the koo-ko are so wonderful quirky.
I love the kooko.
You had me at sphinx, but then philosopher chickens?! So fun to see the Koo-Kos again! Thanks for the Friday treat, you’ve made me very happy.
Am loving the Graphic Audio of Clean Sweep, and am so excited to hear that Sweep in Peace is coming out soon – have pre-ordered 🙂
This is fabulous! Thank you
Isabelline- there are bird species with that description. Isabelline Shrike and Isabelline Wheatear, both relatively duller members of sometimes spectacularly colorful genera. That’s where I learned the word.
OMG! This is so cool, I’m having so much fun!!!! Thank you for making a lousy lousy week so very much better.
Space chickens! Hurrah!
Space chickens to the rescue
Woohoo!!!!! Love you guys soooooo much. Love the Innkeepers series and so excited for another book. SQUEEEEE
I just got into the audio book world after years of loving your books on Kindle. I bought every single one of your audio books. I LOVE THEM!!! So much fun. Now I’m listening to the Graphic Audio book…so good. Rene did a great job of creating different voices for the characters but Graphic Audio takes you to a whole new world. It is like an old school radio drama. Can’t wait to hear more of your books on Graphic Audio…already preordered the next one. Hehehehe
SPACE CHICKENS!!!!
I love the KooKoo’s. Who better to duel with a Sphinx?
Oh course it had to be him! 🤣😂🤣😂. Sean will “love” it!
Ohh boy, this is gonna be fun!
OMG!!! I am so excited to be back at the inn. The way its starting out it is going to be the best one yet. I love how they are bringing in past visiters to Gertrude. And the chickens were too funny. I hope that this will be a lighter and less stressful book for than Ruby Fever.
Oy. A whole week to wait
I am so HAPPY!!! I LOVE the koo-ko. I am delighted to see them again.
Wow! I am happy to see the chickens of study again 🙂
This will be fun <3
I love this development!!!!
Will stop refreshing the page now and wait patiently until next weekend.
💕💕💕💕🎆🎆🌸🌸🌸thank you
You are so creative. Have the scholars appeared in other stories? Now want to see what happens next!
Hey David,
The First Scholar & Koo-Kos co are returning characters from Sweep with Me https://ilona-andrews.com/innkeeper-chronicles-books/#withme 🙂 , the previous Innkeeper Chronicles novella.
Well I didn’t see the participation of the koo-ko coming lol. I figured they were fun entertainment in the novella and we’d never see them again, that was a pleasant surprise. Excited for the philosophical/logic showdown between Sphinx and First Scholar.
MUST HAVE MORE!!!!!
(Please & Thank You!)
Absolutely loved it!!
I’m sooooo going to pre-order, the Space Chickens clinched it lol!😃
So much fun. The space chickens are back!
The Space Chickens! Also I think involving the Koo-ko is a double bonus: 1) answers riddle, and 2) annoys both the sphinx and the werewolf suitor!
Okay and 3) means Sean can see how the connections forged is important. And Lol, Sean is going to have to explain why he talked to the sphinx in the first place! I’m so excited to see how this turns out!
Oh, oh, oh! I have a theory about the riddle answer! Argh! I have to be good and not post and wait till next week to see if I’m right….
Yay! Space chickens! AND comeuppance to the female werewolf. Ha! Fantastic!
*on the edge of my seat*
The Innkeeper world brings me such joy. Thank you!
I can not wait! I adore this series. I have to admit went watching Encanto with my daughter and husband, my husband piped up with – I think Mirabel is a Timelord. and I said, “Nope – she is totally an Innkeeper and Casita is an Inn.” The sheer imagination in the Innkeeper series floors me every time.
Thank you for the new chapter!
So excited to pre-order the next one!
YOU MADE A BAD DAY BETTER!!
I’d like to think with less panic Dina would have figured this one out…
I love the First Scholar!!! Oh, this is like getting two Twinkies in a package!
Wolves, cat and birds, oh my!!! 😁
Poor Mod R! Can’t imagine how many posts you’ve had to delete to keep the spoilers at bay but thanks as I’m just going to wait until next week. 😘
How will the female werewolf ever live it down. Rescued by a human and a flock of space chickens!
the word woman was supposed to be the word human.
fixed it for you 🙂
I have preordered the next Graphic Audio book because the the first was so awesome. I know the answer to this one but will not reveal. Love seeing the Koo-koo again. Teachable moment….heh.
I love this series so much and can’t wait for more Dina/Sean stories! I just want to see so many more domestic or developing relationship scenes with them. They’re my favorite!
I love this so much. I need to incoherently yell and scare all the neighborhood cats with my joy. Sigh.
I’ve missed the space chickens!
‘If making a good impression wasn’t crucial, I’d be hopping up and down from sheer frustration.’
I often feel this way.
SPACE CHICKENS! HUZZAH!
Oh, the embarrassment-I had to Google the meaning of the riddle… waiting for next Friday is going to test my non-existent patience… Thank you 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤣🤣🤣
Oh gosh, the space chickens are back, I love it! (And I learned a new color- isabelline… thanks!) 🙂
Why did the space chicken cross the road?
To rescue the fair maiden from the Sphinx.
Best Comment LOL
Guessed the answer to the riddle?!?!
How?!
The sphynx was really truthful and merciful 😄 This is indeed an easy one, I’m surprised they didn’t try to think about it themselves. Dina could have done a Google search back at the inn, but it could be too far and too late 😄😄
The Koo-ko are always a pleasure to see 😄
😊 what a hot-headed were-she-wolf ! Always listen to those who know better 😂
Thank you for the chapter ❤️ Take care of yourselves ❤️
I know the answer! I went down a rabbit hole trying to figure out the “if yes is once and no is never” riddle from Inheritance Games. I still don’t understand that one.
Yay, for pink poultry to the rescue!
“Isabelline”…what a lovely word! New vocabulary AND Space Chickens all in one post. The day is looking up!
Thank you for the usual wonderful installment.
I even remembered to check for it this morning (Too early, alas.)
The plot is thickening nicely – so very interesting!
Thank you so much!
I can already tell that this will be one of those chapters over which I will chortle with glee every time I read it.
Seriously, this is fabulous.
You guys. You Guuuuyyyys are. killing. me! U are so good. Surely in former lives you were globally famous bards back during the Renaissance, traveling Europe and the East, telling tales, great epics, to those who would pay, entertain in the most famous and infamous of 18th century salons. Ur imagination knows no bounds.
I know, I believe it, finding ways to sneak into the salons of the privileged just to listen
The thing that took the werewolf…..sounds like a corrupted ad hal alright
Will whatever functions as peacekeepers at Baha Char arrive and interrupt the First Scholar?
Will the female werewolf retain her mind?
Will Sean’s patience hold until Dina can return with help?
Will the gossip grapevine cause a drastic uptick in creatures who just have to watch? How big will the audience grow?
Who encouraged the sphinx to set up at the gateway?
Will these and other questions be answered next week?
I am trying to be patient. It is not me strong suit….
Oops! Not “me” but “my”.
Aaaaaahhh, space chickens to the rescue. thank you for the snippet…
I am full of joy having read this installment. Full of joy.
Bugger haven’t worked this one out!
I’m too much an Earthling. The song on repeat in my head is from the Rolling Stones.
“Won’t you guess my name?”
The Space Chicken Cometh!
I’ve never liked theses kind of riddles because they’re quite ableist. There are plenty of people who live in the answer and can “say” the name without causing a disappearance.
I would definitely lose against a sphinx and would probably die arguing about the inaccuracies of the answers.
Hoping the space chickens educate everyone with the answer!
Thank you for posting link for the next book on Graphic Audio! Woo hoo!
More ‘a movie in your mind’ excitement.
Space Chickens! Love them! They always make me think of the muppets “Pigs In Space” sketches.
👍
Isabelline is my new favourite word! I had never heard it before so looked it up & the actual meaning is quite pedestrian. I plan to use it as a synonym of sparkling and beautiful!
#makingupmyownlanguage
Omg. I can’t wait to watch this flock of space chickens make the Sphinx’s head explode w their relentless debate! 😂😂😂
I am so hoping
🤣
I learned a new word, I had never heard of Isabelline before. I can’t believe that some people were upset to have a Sphinx in Innkeeper. You’ve got Vampires, alien creatures and werewolves what’s so strange about having a Sphinx. And I’m so glad the space chickens are back, they are so earnestly academic that they’re perfect for helping answer a riddle, and comedic besides.
Oh, yay!!! I love First Scholar Thek!! This is going to be fun!!!
Koo-kos! Joy joy lol!
I needed this Chapter today thank you!
Surprisingly in my exhausted state of mind I managed to come up with two potential answers to the riddle! I will be interested in seeing if either are actually correct or just sound good in my half coherent state. The Space Chickens are definitely a more reliable source of knowledge. All hail space chickens and their teaching sticks!
Though, if I’m completely honest, the female werewolf may be more tolerable with her mind devoured. *cue internal philosophical debate on whether wishing harm on this fictional character makes me a bad person or not*
Teenager sphinxes!! In trouble now, the koo-ko to the rescue with philosophical teachings/lectures!
“I go where I please” Heh.
Nothing as fun as a teachable moment. So glad the space chicken are back!!! I didn’t see that twist coming! 😊
tease!!
Hoo boy! The koo kosare back! This is great!
Oyyyyy ……. that poor dumb kitten is going to die of embarassment!!!!!
The Rabbis light a candle in a teachable moment, the space chickens get their sticks.
But the answer has already been given.
Agggggggg! Thank you 😊
I love how Dina makes friends, and useful allies, whenever she has the opportunity. And I also love encountering new words so very much! Your books are so much fun, thank you!
I love this series, and always have enjoyed all of your stories.
Perfect. Just perfect.
I love everything about this chapter, but for me the absolute highlight was this:
“I offered to answer his question if he solves my riddle.” The sphinx studied the claws of his right forepaw. “He declined.”
I could just see that big cat study his claw, pretending to be casual about the whole riddle asking.
My cat was lying next to me while reading and did the same move O.o I might have a sphinx riddle on my hand soon 😀
First Scholar and the Koo-Koo are back! Their cuteness and sharp wit will be ab asset, I am sure 🙂
I love this series, everything is always a bit different and still so great!
Love it!
Return Of The Space Chickens!!!!! Film at 11:00!!!! LOL
My stars and garters, but this is lovely! Thank you!
Seeing the sphinx’s response to the First Scholar and Flock will be interesting.
Thank you. I always miss the release time on the Friday when I check so no chance of first comment 😁 but I get the hot of starting my weekend with an installment. So much fun.
A cat a wolf and a chicken walk into a bar…
OMG I truly hope you have as much fun writing this as it’s fun to read. It’s just joyful! Even though I know at some point you’ll break my heart.
Soooo excited about more GA adaptations! And March is close! Pre-ordering right meow!
Hooray! Space chickens to the rescue!
Meant to add that this brought almost as big a smile as when Dina had to give up her shoe!
No, not the teaching stick!
Will we have to Read And Find Out or can you tell us the Innkeeper lore as to how sphinxes ended up in ancient Egypt?
I was so busy yesterday I didn’t see this until this morning. Loved it! I never read about a male sphinx before, so I’m really interested to see how his encounter with the First Scholar goes.
Young, male, and a lion? Yeah, this is going to be so good!
I still think Sean should of sent that crazy werewolf to Kolinda.
Space chickens to the rescue. I love it. Can’t wait until part 2 of this chapter.
Thank you very much for these weekly chapters. I love that you’ve were able to drag the space chickens out for another run around the block. They were much too much fun to just use once.
This book is already a delight. Thank you for bringing back the space chickens . I can’t wait to read Sean’s reaction to the fist scholar and flock coming to the rescue.
I’m having a flashback to the sphinx scene in Pyramids! pyramids! (Terry Pratchett). I can only hope the resolution is half as clever.
Here’s a great big thank you to our authors for bringing laughs into my day.
Yassss! Already purchased the next installment of the graphic audio production. Can’t wait!
I have no (koo )
I could be devoured
I’m glad to see the koi-ko again. They are hilarious! Also happy that the sphinx didn’t ask the riddle I seem to always stumble into when reading books that feature them; what stands on four legs in the morning, two legs in the afternoon, and three legs in the evening?
These are not answers to the riddle:
– teenage child (because if you say their full name, they know they’re in trouble)
– my cat (same reason)
You make friday an EVEN BETTER day. 🤗
Yay! I l0ve The First Scholar!
A teachable moment …
UG … Gahhh
I know better , I just got finished saying I’m gonna wait, I KNOW better than to look at a single word. Cause one sentence & you’re sucked in
Resist the temptation, Do not tell them they are evil demon children enthralling the willing with their entertaining & evocative prose.
Do not I say do not return and read from the beginning. Stand by your plan, resist, resist the temptation …
Anyway I was looking for the link where SotH is all posted in one place, how do I get there from the blog?
Space Chickens & the Sphinx, this is why I become compulsive & obsessive about what you write. You grab the mind heart intellect & humor … I can see the debate & I know whatever I see Envision , think, anticipate … off you’ll go somewhere I never ,,, Ahhh
You can either click on the Sweep of the Heart tag under the Chapter title or use the link on the first page of the website.
They will both bring you to https://ilona-andrews.com/sweep-of-the-heart/
Aha! I finally figured it out. It slowed me down because I was so focused on the teaching stick but I’m all better now.
Oh my goodness, squee! You brought in the space chickens. It’s a great day.
Oohh, I had forgotten the pain of finding a new chapter, reading ist and then… right in the middle of my flow… whoosshhh, “until next week” *lol*
Thank you so much for this series, I love it!
As for the riddle, I knew this one already so it was easy for me, but I’m sure you will give it a totally unique and worthy twist.
I work two jobs on Fridays, so I enjoy Innkeeper Saturday morning over cocoa. I’m excited that I’ve thought of an answer for the riddle (I’m usually bad at those) and thrilled by the Return of the Space Chickens!!
Love it
I am so bad at riddles. I have to count the days to next week. Thank you for this it was such an enjoyable series. I love your writing. I can’t wait till this book is available for purchase
I was in the dark until I reread the riddle. I thought the Sphinx was being literal in stating that he/she would disappear if the werewolf could name him/her. Cue forehead slap!).
Such joy – I’ve introduced three family members to HA and I’m delighted they’re all full fledged members of the BDH now. Such a gift to live in this space. I learned a new word this week that applies perfectly ‘bibliotherapy’. That’s what HA & ModR give us!
I also understood so in the beginning. But when i re red it i could catch the meaning. May be its because my English isnt native…
My experience was very similar, though in my case I first didn’t consider it an answerable (by a human) riddle, that it would be some deep in-world fantasy response, until poor ModR & HA corrected so many people away from posting answers to the riddle! So then I had to read it again & think about it. (Not a bad result!)
OMG, thank you for giving us more time with the Space Chickens!!!! You are a gift in our lives! Starting my day with a huge grin, thank you SO much!
Yup, when this comes out for kindle, I’m definiately getting it. On audible too if it becomes available
It will be released on Audible indeed 🙂
Forgot to mention. I got too curious, I had to google it. *lol*
I did so too😜
Wonderful! I just caught up today with the new Innkeeper. Wow, amazing as always. Can’t wait for the next chapter. Love the audio books BTW.
I love riddles. I have posted it on our family Signal account. Youngest son says he knows it but we will wait a bit until everyone has an opportunity.
This is great.
Thanks
I always start a story thinking it is going to go one way, but these stories go in five different directions at once…its so awesome! Never a dull moment and always something to look forward to.
PS I’d be dead, I so suck at riddles!
I hate These teasing preliminary short Stories….and cant Stop wait Tor Them every week. ITS so sad when you see the Last words comming and you have to wait the next week…its really torture!!
Please please hurry dear family, we all are waiting for you❤️❤️❤️
Firstly i thought that the great scholar and his pupils will be so confusing and crazy and making you mad(as usual) that the sphinx will choose to fly away by his own will but now i am not so sure… Wow, what could it be😊😊 i am waiting impatiently😊
Love this.
Also, I never listen to audiobooks for whatever reason… after listening to the sample of the graphic audio I bought it immediately and pre-ordered the second one. Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention! Simply fantastic!! Truly! I cannot wait for the second book as that is the best treatise I have ever read on the absolute futility of war. I reread it often and look forward to this audio version!I just know it is going to be amazing!!
Yes, I think about it often and how we thy to pigeon-hole people in our daily lives so that we can dismiss them. I wish this book were required reading in high schools. We need some wisdom to bring us all together again.
“Isabelline” — Fabulous! I’m loving this story and I’m loving Story Time Fridays ❣️
Oh! I know the answer! 🤓 It starts with a …
No, She said don’t tell.
But …
K.😒
I love your books. Your style of writing brings every word to life. Thank you.
The space chickens are back! Wonderful!
OMG the koo-kos are back!!! Thank you!!!!! My 40th birthday was on Wednesday and Covid has made it suck, but reading a new chapter has seriously made my year better.
I enjoyed SO MUCH that First Scholar and his koo-ko students are stepping up to the plate! Even more so, because that female werewolf will be indebted not only to Dina, but to “space chickens”. 😁
Hah! I didn’t even think of that! Lolzzzz
I’m excited for the second Graphic Audio book. I’m slowly making my way through the first book and there are lots of details that I had forgotten. Question now:
1) Will Arland regret saying that when he gets married he will pass all the planning to someone else?
2) Will we meet Arland’s sister? He mentions her to Dina so casually.
I love space chickens!
Who wants to bet it ends with the Sphinx as another permanent resident at the Inn
Yay! The interstellar poultry are back! Thanks for the chapter!
Another question because I have a terrible memory. Does Dina ever realize George is the man in Baharchar that she slightly followed because he moved like her father?
Yes when she met George at her inn she realized that he looked familiar.
She recognized both George and Jack as looking familiar but I don’t think she remembered them from Bahachar. It’s a minor detail (I think) but interesting to me that they’ve encountered each other directly or indirectly in the three main books.
Thanks so much for this! Long dark week for many people, I think, so lovely that y’all are able to bring light to us. We needed space chickens!
The more I think ‘teachable moment’, the more I realize this will be that for so many of the characters, albeit in different ways. Imagine the level of humiliation for the werewolf in being rescued from her own arrogance and stupidity by a human woman she has treated with nothing but contempt, assisted by Space Chickens. The obvious arrogance of the teenage sphinx, who thinks rules do not apply to him. Sean will learn that he really should have told Dina what the guardian was, which would have avoided putting a life at risk. (Plus illustrate why even space chickens deserve respect.)
I’m sure that Dina knows the answer to the riddle, but she wants to solve the longer term problem of having a sphinx here. I’m wondering what Dina will learn from this moment? Don’t leave the inn when a new branch is about to open?
I’m looking forward to reading the next part! Hope everyone has a better week!😺
Sean didn’t purposefully hold information from Dina on the guardian Sphinx 🙂
Great Chapter! Can’t wait for the Koo-koo vs Sphinx debate next week!
Many thanks!
Fear?
Omg; you said NOT to post! I am such a bimbo. So very sorry, I’m sick and didn’t read it properly.
ModR could you please delete my comments please?
It’s ok, it wasn’t the right answer so no harm done 🙂
There is something about the First Scholar’s hat — I can’t get the mental picture out of my mind.
And, Happy Birthday, Vanessa!!! Hoping the best for you.
Space chickens return!! And a riddle to boot 😁 yay!!!!
Woo hoo – love it!
Thank you, Ilona Andrews for the post.
My crew (bovine, canine and feline) played in snow until it started sleeting this am. Now they are all in shelters and I am drinking hot cocoa and cackling over the snippet. A perfect day —until power goes out which it will. No one can drive on ice. You skate right into nearest tree, ditch, power pole…..😹
The Koo-Ko are back….and a teachable moment to boot – this gunna be good 🙂
The space chickens are back! The space chickens are back! And there was much rejoicing!!!
Chicken dance anyone? Is a space chicken dance adding a moon walk into it? 🐓
Y’all and your funny comments got to me. Was just playing totally unrelated (beyond tame) war game & was going to attack an enemy, for some reason, in my head I’m shouting “Space Chicken “ (like that cartoon character Space Ghost) before I attacked 🙃
Who is that female werewolf? Just rambling around awaiting Sean?
Thank you for the Friday read, which was read late Saturday (work)
Stay safe all
Hey Maria,
The werewolvina (werewolvette?) first appears in Chapter 1, as a suitor for Sean 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/2021/happy-holidays-4/
So if this is only a teenage sized sphinx, what’s a fully grown sphinx size? Also their power is ‘mind eating’ I guess or absorbing knowledge. How might that impact their um, moral development? I mean if they absorb knowledge of a lot of really evil people, do they also absorb the essence, not just the facts of the person? Seems like it could make for a really warped kind of being after awhile. Or by their very nature are they amoral beings? Oh, and why are they Banned from the market? There’s probably a really good story there! It will be interesting to see if the teenage sphinx has been warned about the Space Chickens by his parents before taking off on a wandering spree, lol.
I think they ate too many minds, although there are a few I can think of that I wouldn’t mind if a sphinx targeted them. They might even be better off for it.
Oooo! I like this question!!!
Woot!! This is awesome so far! Love Dina and Sean
Lol. Space chickens to the rescue of werewolves
Yes! All the best characters lol Thank you- you guys rock ❤️
Do you think the teaching stick actually works? If so I gotta get one.
Love it, as I do everything you write.
It works for pointing, which is what it’s for 🙂
I want the space chickens to kick that sphinx’s ass. That’s what I want.
Koo-ko’s are my favorite.. what awesome imagination to create them..
Love your descriptions, awesome as are the characters. Love this series!
I simply love the series. I did read it for the second time now, and the description of the sphinx or Baha-Char literally screams to be transferred in a comic book. I´m convinced it would be astoning. Thank you for this visually stunning chapter.
Between the GraphicAudio listen and a re-read of Sweep in Peace, I’m finally thinking up more questions.
Is Gerard DeMille originally from the Weird?
No Gerard is a human from Earth, Dina’s Earth, our Earth.
The Edge/Weird world is a different planet in a parallel dimensional reality.
Lol, I like how you clarified multiple times to make it clear he was from Earth A. =) Thank you.
Another question. Is the judgment robe from “Sweep in Peace” something all Innkeepers have? It sounds like the ad-hal outfit but it’s pretty clear that she put it on and didn’t magically poof it on.
Ahhh the Koo-ko. Can’t go wrong with a good space chicken.
I have almost every book of all your series, love them. Your characters come to life on the pages. I like the way you interweave prior books into your plots, thus enrichening the series while still able to read as stand alones, but why would you right? I can not wait to read this book when it, hopefully, is published. I also can not wait for more of Hugh and Elara in your Iron Covenant series. Have a great day!
The Innkeeper series only comes in second to the KD universe in my ❤️. This is such a treat. This couldn’t have come at better time.
How much do I love House Andrews?
They make to go to the dictionary (isabelline, brecciated)
They make me LOL (space chickens with personal rolls of toilet paper)
They educate me (male Sphinx vs. female Sphinx search)
They share recipes(apple cake!)
Never stop. Whatever you write, I’m there for it!
Laughing at how exasperated the sphinx will be with Koo-Koo debate!
Thank you! this made my day.
Love this series, but that’s a given I love the innkeeper stories. Keep the chapter coming, I want more more….
Live for this series. I can listen to it over and over🥰. I can’t wait for more. Maybe I should stop reading these and wait for the full book🤔 this feels like torture. I want to listen to the whole thing now 😭. I love the audio. I hope she uses the same narrator 😌
Awesome, what a great chapter, you really know how to do a cliffhanger.
I have been waiting on this series!!!
I love riddles. This one is easy but interesting it takes thinking outside the box. I hope i got it right.
Teenage monsters and space chickens. How perfect.
I am very late but, thank you!
oh boy, you guys do realize, that I have now 3 versions of the innkeepers? well, I had 4, but honestly, I didn’t warm up with the german translations.
so it’s kindle in english, audible (that version I don’t like much, because of the dialect or so… it’s difficult for me) and now graphic audio. which i absolutely love!
and graphic audio has also devon monks ordinary series. and played a pub that after innkeeper… that was borderline mean. *lol*
I have a random innkeeper general Qs not specific to this awesome chapter, which I has me gleefully waiting for Friday.
So in general I understand that the inn needs guest to provide magical energy for the inn. So after the treaty was signed and everyone left at the end of “Sweep in Peace” the Inn got a boost of power/energy. I was rereading the entire Innkeeper series again and I was wondering if when Dina was protecting/containing the battle between the Difran in “Sweep with Me” did the Inn loose more energy or did they get any of the energy. I was not sure due to the extremely concentrated magic the Difran’s people have would it cost more for the Inn to protect itself and therefore they did not gain any energy during the battle or the time the Difran stayed in the Inn? I was thinking about how the Inn is requiring more wood because it is making a door and wondered if the Inn gained a net energy due to the stay of the Difran and this allowed for the Inn to start making a new door since it had surplus of energy? I have been reviewing my physics for my upcoming exam and this led to wonderful rabbit hole about how it would effect the Inn. I am satisfied with it simply being “magic” but was curious about how Inns can use and thrive due to magical guests.
I was thinking along these lines as well, all that energy expended during the Drifan battle needed to be absorbed somewhere, but then was it used up in protecting the inn 🏨 in the first place?
I do love this series thank you House Andrews for your amazing hard work and spectacular imagination, we are lucky to have you in our universe.😍
Love it!
Thank you for all your hard work.
So I think I know the answer to the riddle but then I had a another thought, do synonyms work?
Like if I thought the answer was “Big” would “large” work? Or does it have to be the exact right word rather than the concept?
I love this series. I am anxiously waiting for the next Maud and Arland book and if Maud and Dina ever find their parents
A fascinating story. More!
Love this series! Your imaginative stories are the escape I need after a tough day. Thank you!
Can’t wait for the rest 🤩🤩
I have read the Kate Daniels series again and I was so happy to go back to that world, the characters, the humor, the stories everything
Now new Innkeeper in writing so excited 🤩 I’m so happy to read about Dina and Sean again 😍
And that young werewolf woman gets a little bit on my nerves but I guess we’ll see 🤭🤭 I love discovering new characters héhé
You’ve made my day! my week! my month!! Thank you, House Andrew. I really do not know how I would make it through this pandemic without your posts and your books. I reread your books on a regular basis. You are truly lifesavers
Yay! The koo-ko are back!
Thank you for countless hours of absorbing new worlds!
Just finished re-reading the Innkeeper books so very much looking forward to “Sweep of the Heart”
Looking forward to seeing if I have the right answer to the riddle in the next post.
Also – yay space chickens!
I love the space chickens
Uh oh Space chickens vs mythical cat
I love these stories! Great riddle!
I’m not reading the serial because I don’t like waiting. It’s just not for me, for various reasons. I wanted to leave a supportive comment anyway, and say thank you for writing this – I’m sure I’ll love it once I read it!
Wishing you lots of deep flow while working and lots of deep relaxation afterwards! 🙂
This is so darn good and very intense!
Eeeee! I loved this koo-ko smackdown. Cat meet canary… and be humbled ^_^. May we all be so humbled when we get too cocky. Delightful. Thank you!