Thank you all for such an incredible release. The turnout, the messages, charts performance and the flood of enthusiasm have launched a thousand Mod R squeees. It’s been wonderful to watch the story resonate with the people it was written for.
And we are being absolutely spoiled today in recognition of our formidable fluffiness!
A brand new character art reveal from Helena Elias, plus an entire bonus scene featuring reigning fan-favorite, Clover.
Spoiler safe after Page 130 Chapter 13, first scene
“So, explain your lady to me.” Shana wiped the table down with a wet rag. “Is she a noble or is she not? Because she’s confusing me.”
Clover sighed. It was a fair question.
They were sitting in the kitchen. The sun had barely risen, and the tea in her cup was hot and aromatic. She’d made a pot this morning, and it had turned out just right. Shana had taken over the kitchen, but they both agreed that Clover’s tea brewing skills were superior.
When Shana showed up in the chainmail and carrying a mace, Clover wasn’t sure they would get along. It took her less than 24 hours to realize that when it came to household staff, they couldn’t do better. Shana was experienced, practical, and capable and she was… solid, somehow. There was something about Shana that said “Mom” to her, although her mother and Shana looked nothing alike.
Back home, she and her mother butted heads. There was a time she couldn’t wait to get out. When the Maid Mother came with the offer to take her to the capital, Clover had jumped on that chance. She could still remember her mom crying when she was leaving, but her own eyes were dry. She’d been too excited and eager. Divine, she was such a stupid baby five years ago.
Now… There were times when she wanted her mom so intensely, she cried quietly into her pillow. Too much had happened, and most of it wasn’t good. There was a time in Derog’s basement when the loneliness tried to strangle her, and she thought her life was over. And then Lady Maggie came, and everything changed.
It was important that Shana understood that Lady Maggie was special.
“She is a lady,” Clover said. “Without a doubt. She looks you in the eye when she talks, and she keeps forgetting to bow her head, like she isn’t used to it. She is very educated. She knows things others don’t, and she can’t do her own hair. When she needs it put away, she makes a three-part plait like she is a child. She has great teeth, and her hands are soft.”
“But?” Shana asked.
“But she carries herself as if she isn’t.”
“Why?”
Clover sighed again. “I don’t know. When we took the house from the slavers, she cleaned the kitchen with me.”
Shana paused. “This kitchen?”
Clover nodded. “On her hands and knees with a rag. Like it was nothing. I tried to stop her, but she wouldn’t listen. I really tried. She just…”
Clover imitated holding a rag and scrubbed the invisible floor with it.
Shana stared at her.
“She washed the blood off and everything.”
“Are you serious?”
“It happened. There is more.”
Clover hesitated. This was a very sore point, but she’d been struggling with it for days now, and it was so nice to confide in someone.
She leaned forward and lowered her voice.
“I went to dump the dirty water. When I came back, she was in the bathroom. Scrubbing the toilets.”
Shana blinked. “Divine, preserve us.”
“She told me that we had to clean the house top to bottom to make it ours.”
Shana frowned. “I would have scrubbed the house too, just to get the stink of those fuckers out, but she is a lady. Toilets?”
Clover nodded slowly.
“If you don’t stop her, she will try to do things. Brew her own tea, cook, try to do the laundry…”
“Does she not understand it’s an insult to our skills?”
“I don’t think she does.” Clover gave her a slightly helpless smile. “I think she wants to help.”
Shana put her hands on her hips. “Oh no. This stops now. She is not cooking in my kitchen, I’ll tell you that. I have never needed a noble woman’s help to do my job, and I am not about to start now. Everyone has their duty. I’m the cook, you are the lady’s maid, and she is the lady. She needs to stay in her own carriage.”
Clover sighed. “If only.”
Shana reached over and patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. There are two of us now. We will steer her back on the road. If you have any trouble, come and get me. I will set her straight right quick.”
That was right. She was no longer alone. She had Maggie and Kaiden, and Reynald, who could kill anything, and now the Magnars. It felt like she’d been wandering in a dark forest for so long, she couldn’t even remember what the sun felt like and then stumbled out into a clearing with a fortress in it. The fortress wasn’t in perfect repair, but it was solid and strong, and there was sun shining on it, and everyone inside would defend it with their lives.
Clover smiled and sipped her tea.
P.S. Mod R: Now that we’ve had our goodies,
The US and UK editions of This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me are separate releases, from separate publishers. If your copy is arriving on the 2nd of April, that means you are expecting the UK edition. That timing is correct, not a publisher error or issue as I have seen confusion in the comments.
Thank you for the treats!
Whoa…first??
First cup of tea 🫖
Love your new avatar, Mod R! It’s perfect! 😍
+1
Lovely,
Thank you so much for the treat, I love Clover! I stayed up until midnight last night to finish the book, it is sooooo good – and now I want my own little Sushi….
I will take every little scrap of this world. Thank you. I pulled an all nighter last night. Choices were made, regrets are zero.
So did I, Wendy! Sadly, had to wait until after work but I finished at around 2:30am this morning. Totally worth it!
And I will most definitely need to reread for the nuances.
so did I! once you get in it there’s no stopping.
Clover is so pretty! Helena did such a good job
This was beautiful! I am so happy for HA and their well deserved success. Had to share these rankings from Amazon:
Book 1 of 1 : Maggie the Undying
Best Sellers Rank: #35 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
#1 in Romantic Fantasy (Books)
#3 in Romantic Fantasy (Kindle Store)
#3 in Epic Fantasy (Kindle Store)
For the Horde
💯
The snippet is so good… Was it from when Maggie was written in the 3rd person ?Or am I remembering wrong ?
It’s a bonus scene, I think it was always planned as a bonus and wasn’t part of the book?
Oop ! Saw this on instagram and they said “deleted scene” in the description that’s why 🙂 thanks !
Have fixed now! It’s a bonus scene, I just had a brain fart when I wrote the caption because Facebook decided to not post blog links anymore and I was on with tech support at the same time 🙂
no worries ! thank you so much for your answer and sorry about all that haha
Thanks for the goodies:) though I have to point out that I don’t live in the UK, so amazon uk won’t sell kindle books to me. I’ve always bought my kindle books from amazon.com, but apparently they can tell when you don’t live in the US(credit card, phone number etc) so they charge us more (and I suspect they don’t give any extra money to the authors) and they make us wait for the international edition. I wish someone who works in publishing would explain to me what the point of those extra two days is- I live in a European country and I’m buying a book in English. Is it the same for the entire European Union or just Cyprus? I even tried cheating by changing my VPN- didn’t work:(
This is unfortunately an Amazon thing, and a Brexit thing and so many gordian knots of policies and geographical legal rights and Amazon platform practices.
Publishing people would dearly like it if it was all simpler, too. Hugs, I hope you get the books tomorrow!
Omg it IS an amazon thing, I just downloaded kobo and bought the book in five seconds, can’t find the person who recommended it, but thanks so much, have to go read now😘😘
I think that amazon.com charges extra to EU countries because it needs to pay the vat. Anyway, I got mine from Kobo – woke up at 4 a.m. CET on Tuesday and it was there on the app, waiting for me 🙂
Did I go back to sleep for the 2,5 hrs more that I was due? Lol, I think you know the answer…
Oh, here you are, right in front of me, thanks again, got to go!🥰
All you need is to change your billing address in Amazon to any USA address. Literally, find any store in USA and put it’s contact information. They will charge you correct amount and send the book out on time.
Also didn’t work and it’s a relative’s real address in the continental US. But they don’t seem to have a billing address anymore, they just ask you to pick a default one.
I just wanted to post to say how much I have loved “This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me.” I absolutely consumed the story yesterday (it was rainy and chilly in Boston and the absolute perfect day for this story!) and can’t wait to dive back in for a re-read at a slower pace. I loved the descriptions, the magic, the characters and Maggie’s growth. Waiting for the next two books to find out what’s next will be difficult but absolutely worth it. This story was delightful. Thank you for taking a risk in your writing and gifting us this.
Aaaah thank you so much! What a delightful scene and Clover is so gorgeous! Best lady’s maid ever!
Bonus content!!!!! I’m not finished with the book but I couldn’t help myself when I seen the post go up. I am super excited to she HA this weekend in WhiteMarsh BN!
Thank you for snippet. I love Clover
I love the bonus. This book was so wonderful. I sped through it so fast I’m going to have to go back and read it slower and many more times. There is so much going on that I know I missed things and I’m going to need something to do while waiting for the book 😁. I’m going to see the authors tonight in St. Paul and I’m so excited to hear what they have to share about the book and what’s to come!
I went to the signing in Austin last night. It was delightful to say the least. Interesting questions and answers and not just for Maggie. If the St Paul signing is also at B&N, go early and get your arm band, they are numbered. I was there at 4:30 and was way down the pack. Ilona and Gordon were still valiantly signing books when I left at 8:50. Still funny and so nice, talking to everyone. Just an fyi.
I’ll be there, too!!!!!!
Mod R,
I’m still reading for the first time, but was wondering. Is there any chance we could have all the portraits of the characters in one file? I absolutely loved today’s illustration of Clover! Now that I’ve met the main players, the early teasers from the blog make more sense. Oh well, we can only dream.
Yes, I’ve had many many requests, will get it done for Friday :*
Anything the Horde wants, the Horde gets this week! You’ve given me more wings than Red Bull
🥳🥂 thank you Mod R! You’re the best!
I was wondering about this very thing!! Thank you so much for putting all the beautiful art and all the amazing characters in one place!!
Thank you for this! The book is awesome and I’m loving the artwork!
Thank you! I also wanted that but did not want to be a menace as I assume you’re incredibly busy right now. Also I love the new profile pic and loved the Tolkien vibes in ‘4 sleeps til Maggie’ post :-D.
😍😍😍😍
Here’s another ask…I’m halfway through the book and am struggling to keep everyone straight. There are characters with similar names, powerful families with different talents and responsibilities, knights, guilds, factions…etc. It would be great if someday there was a list of characters, families, etc. to help readers keep everyone straight while reading.
Want more!
Oh my gosh this bonus scene gave me life, I was grinning the whole time while reading. And Clover is gorgeous!!!! Got one of my copies and now waiting for the other two, I’m so excited to reread!!
This Kingdom is amazing. Thank you so much
Thank you for the bonus and the art! I’ve loved seeing the character art and visualize them while reading.
I have the audio book too so that will be another couple days of yumminess!
Well that was fun! And I seriously like the art per usual. Thanks so much!
Absolutely loved so very much about the book.
Had that moment in chapter 23 😳, loved chapter 40 (I mean really, it’s kind of new since the Edge series, and just very beautifully crafted!), and there’s so much more coming at you, keeping you totally engaged!
Just left a review so hopefully the BDH grows as Maggie reaches a broader audience, who will then dive into the other worlds HA has created.
Left with that “what’s next” feeling, so time for a Maggie reread.
I has it.* However I am about 2/3 through This Inevitable Ruin from the Dungeon Crawler Carl series, and at this point I get really lost if I take even a short break from that world. So ~275 pages to blaze through AQAP before I can dive into Rellas. See you in a few!
*The newly opened, local B&N** had one – ONE!!! (1) copy. I told them they would be needing more very shortly.
**The local mall raised the rent a year or more ago, and the existing B&N had to close. Then that same mall couldn’t rent out one of its other vacancies, so several months later B&N moved into that vacancy. Took quite a while to fill the space B&N had previously vacated. *eyeroll*
Only one copy?! B&N won’t know what hit them if they get a run on the book. 🤦♀️
We just had a brand new B&N open near us, much closer than the prev closest. I also warned them to stock up.
Ha! I hear you… I was listening to The Eye of the Bedlam Bride and reading This Kingdom.. . my brain was having issues keeping track of all the different tracks and depths of each story.
Yay! Thank you for the extra goodie! I’m a little over halfway through and am trying to pace myself because I don’t want it to be over (and I have stupid adult things to do like work and feeding myself).
But I love this extra insight into Clover, as well as the amazing artwork of her. Thank you!!!!
Thank you so much for the bonus scene. Clover is such a smart young woman. Her image is perfect; young but you see the strength of the woman growing in her. All the artwork is amazing!
She really is a fan favourite, if you ask me <3 thank you so much for the treat. Love these two conspiring to make Maggie more ladylike. I noticed in the book that she used more and more phrases from the kingdom with time (Aspects preserve us instead of Oh my god), it is beautifully done
The artwork gets more beautiful everytime. I cannot wait to see the whole collection of all Characters! Please do a special blog post appreciation post with them all <3
Wonderful bonus with great character information, and cool artwork. Love the keys showing that Clover really is the chatelaine.
Oh, this makes me wonder if they originally envisioned the book from multiple POV third person perspectives. What a different experience that would have been!
I can confidently say, Maggie has been a 1st person POV since the first draft years ago.
This is a bonus for us, because we’re koo-ko for Clover puffs 😀
I’m loving getting to know Maggie and her crew.
Thank you, All Hail IA 🙌
The art is so beautiful! Loved this scene. It kind of reminded me of the most recent season of bridgerton…really delightful.
I am still struggling with Jet lag and kept falling asleep and having to re-read paragraphs.. so this member of the BDH will be in a slow setting for a while I guess! I love it so far!
So happy it’s been a great release so far!
This is awesome.
Thanks this made me smile 🙂
Yay! It’s so special to see what other characters think of our Maggie and her modern mentality.
Love this book! I’m 68% finished, but want to take my time (I’ve been w*iting so long I must savor my first read). Also love Sushi!! I’m new to crochet and I’m already trying to figure out a pattern to make myself a little Sushi. Thank you so much for the snippet today! I would welcome help cleaning my house ha ha ha!!
Ooo, if u figure out a Sushi pattern, pls share it! Maybe Mod.R can help?
Just finished, love it, now I gotta sleep and start my second go at it. I am sure there will be sooooo many things that I missed the first time, or will hit differently. I can’t wait!
Oh, and we BDHers do REALLY need all the artwork compiled so we can gaze lov—- ahem, fondly at all the thirst traps as they come up in the story. INCLUDING the MAP, please please please, Mod R???
I love to do the combined Kindle/Audible playback, so if I didn’t catch something, I can see on page how far I need to dial back to read/hear it again. And I kept wanting to find all the places they go on the map, but it’s a pain to keep jumping back to the first pages and then back to the storyline. Having it on a webpage will allow me to check it out while I still hear the audio playing, and yet still be on the right page for reading too. I think I’ve waaaay overexplained this. Time for a nap!
I would like a real paper map. I can see shit in this little map. If HA can sell in his Page????
SO good. Thank you! ♥️
So…I read the e-book yesterday, and this morning I started the audiobook. Yes, I’m reinforcing my memory of the book and correcting some pronunciation errors I made. But I’m also just enjoying the story again! I love it so much,
I’m hopeful that it will be picked up for Graphic Audio so I can enjoy it that way, too.
ohhhh yes!!!! Imagine who would do all the voices? Graphic Audio always does a good job. one problem, they usually abrige, don’t they? What could we leave out?
They only abridge things like sounds or laughs, I believe. So instead of saying someone heard footsteps, the listener just hears footsteps in the background.
This is my strategy as well, read the book on day 1, had the next day to rest and now I got my audiobook just in time for Easter prep. Nothing beats good story in your ears when it comes to distraction from the pesky cleaning and cooking.
Would love Graphic Audio version too.
So excited to FINALLY read this!
Thanks for the bonus scene and portrait Mod R (love your new avatar, by the way).
Now I want to learn to “fancy braid” my hair…
Thank you. I realized they had come to common ground but didn’t know how
Great art and great snippet!
I’ve been trying to read slowly and savor, but I think it may be a lost cause! I’m fighting a cold and was awake at 5 am because of my sore throat and read for a couple of hours!
I’m skipping back and forth between my ebook and my hardback. I love the real book, but reading on the ebook doesn’t wake my husband up.
I really love the book. Even when I read the preview chapters, I have a hard time taking a break. I love the characters. Such integrity, especially Maggie. And the storyline is so complex and interesting. What a world!
So grateful to Ilona and Gordon for this great book and to ModR for taking such good care of us!
Love the new avatar! if only I could figure out how to make one!
I use Bitmoji for my avatars and then upload them on Gravatar, which pulls them as my profile pic when I post on WordPress 🙂
https://gravatar.com/
https://www.bitmoji.com/
Loved it! I am staying in my own carriage!
Heaven help them if she figures out a way to make fajitas and tacos! 🌮
There needs to be a provision for ladies enjoying cooking as an occasional hobby.
Quote of the day : “She needs to stay in her own carriage.” LOL. This books is amazing. I finished reading it and now I’m listening to the audiobook. So good!!!
That conversation is hilarious. The scandal! The bewilderment! A lady cleaning not only the floor, but the toilets?! The horror! The horror! 😁🤪🤣🤣🤣🤣
Keeping Maggie in her own carriage is like trying to keep the Horde from storming the castle. Good luck Clover and Shana.
Thanks Mod R for this delicious snippet.
It’s all House Andrews ☺️
I forgot to mention earlier. I had to go to a department meeting in person earlier today. My department has a new person. My boss asked us to introduce ourselves and say one thing no in our group knows. When it came to my turn, I told the group I have over 500 books on my e-reader. One of my colleagues asked what was I currently reading. I told them ” This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews”. I did a very short explanation of the book’s background. I also said that the authors were from Texas. Nice plug for the book! 😁
The Horde is going corporate 😀
Not just corporate, but healthcare corporate. 😁🩺🩻💉
The Horde is everywhere!
For some reason, when I read the very first snippet with Clover in it, I associated the character with Orro’s assistant Tomato from Sweep of the Heart. Now the two are indelibly linked in my mind.
I love the painting of Clover! And I really enjoyed the snippet of Clover and Shauna. I’m just starting my second read of this fabulous book! Even starting out (again) I can immediately feel Maggie’s cold, frozen feet and fingers and it’s 80 degrees here! 🥶
thank you!!!! this was the little extra I needed after finishing the epic. I loved it so much. I’ll be restarting tkwnkm as soon as I finish work.
Awesome, so awesome.
I’m exhausted today since I have a full day of errands and I stayed up until 1:30am reading, then my mind kept racing over the whole book and wondering about the next one. It’s a wonderful exhaustion.
My sister laughed at me and said that she hopes she finds someone who speaks about her the way I speak about Ilona Andrews and all their books.
Sigh, my mind has been in Kair Toren all day and I should be focusing on driving in slushy snow ❤️
Thank you for the treat! That was a joy!
love the snippet! I did come to the blog expecting an April Fools day joke, but this is all very real!!! I’m about halfway through This Kingdom and can’t wait to finish it 🥳
Love, love the depiction of Clover! And yay extra scene!!!!
Authors are really cruel. That was some cliffhanger ending. I’m from the immediate gratification generation, and this will just eat me up.
I did not devour this story. I savored this story. I let it roll around in my mouth and in my head and in my heart. Thank you for this gift.
I just got back from the library where I was picking up the April edition of BookPage.
Imagine my surprise when I saw TKWNKM as one of the books on the cover! And there is a full page q&a article inside.
There is also an extended version of the q&a on BookPage.com
I am savoring the book and am only halfway through.
Sooooo good!!!
Clover! Beloved Clover. Beloved everyone. I would read a trilogy about Clover. She could take over the kingdom and I’d gladly be her standard bearer.
When every character in the book is so badass it hurts…. You’d think we would learn that it would suck to fall into your favorite book, but with characters like these? In a heartbeat.
LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!
Just past halfway mark. Tricksy, twisty plot twists!!! Wheee!!
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
I know the second book is in progress. I must say that I would be very disappointed if, like Adrian Latour, you disappear into the mists and leave us hanging…. please ensure you have drafted notes for book 3 and they are available to a writer or 2 of your choice to finish the third book or we might…rebel. 🤪 or go get a rock and plan a stelka raid….
😂 I’m going to have to start a click-count for how many times this was brought up.
I here you. It’s just put in our head by the very story itself. plus at 51 I have had it happen a few times. once in a series by Mercedes Lackey and Andre Norton ( Andre died and Mercedes refused to continue the series without her for years) and Wheel of Time ( of course that was a way multiple book series) again the author died, but the wife found a way to finish. I have every belief that no matter what there will be a book 3!!!! Challance people.
Yes!!! WoT almost killed me. I was given the first 3 books as a gift and was, like, WTF!! when I realized it was NOT a complete arc. And then it became HOW MANY BOOKS???!!!
Compared to that, I have complete faith in House Andrews.
I will be fluffy and chalant while w*iting for Maggie 2&3 to be released (like I have been for Hugh2…hint hint).
Thanks for the bonus scene and artwork! I am about half way through (taking my time and savoring the experience) and this just adds to the overall joy! It is already clear that I am going to have to re-read the book as soon as I finish.
Dear Horde,
I don’t think HA will pull a George RR Martin on us. Let’s give Mod R a break from all that speculation on the other two Maggie books. They will come. I know, I know the wait is torture. We must stay as fluffy as possible.
I mean they did give us Hugh even though that story was a long ago April Fools joke.
Thank you. I am recruiting for the Horde with this
Thanks for the extra scene. The gifts just keep coming and it’s not even *insert favorite gift giving holiday here*
Omg – I’m still reading! This book is dense. I love it!
OMG, this is so… I’m speechless! I’m so happy Maggie’s found these people and they, in turn, have found each other.
And the art is exactly how I pictured Clover.
love the glimpse into Clover and Shauna. Also I always love the belowstairs view of MC and the world itself. plus I am going to have to use Stay in your own carriage on someone just to see their face.
Woo Hoo
Edition
by Ilona Andrews (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars (92)
Book 1 of 1: Maggie the Undying
#1 Best Seller
in Romantic Fantasy
Best Sellers Rank: #25 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
#1 in Romantic Fantasy (Books)
#3 in Romantic Fantasy (Kindle Store)
#3 in Epic Fantasy (Kindle Store)
That’s it, I give up!🏳️🤷♀️
I tried to exert will power and hold off reading This Kingdom till I go on vacation in a few weeks (6 hour plane ride, you know).
But I read the extended preview (soooo good) and now the Clover bonus, and I’m sunk.
Book devouring to begin in 3-2-1….
Oh my stars!!! This is better than frosted brownies! Better than champagne at sunset! This snippet is up there with great-grandbaby hugs!!!!! THANK YOU Mod R and our Author Lords!!!!!
Thank you for this! Clover is my favorite side character as side from Sushi! It was a great experience to meet Ilona and Gordon yesterday in Austin!
Gods, I love these characters. I love this book. I’m on my second read and I’m taking my time now. So so SO dang good!!
Thank you so much for the bonus scene! loved getting to see a few of our new friends on their own.
Woot! Thank you! Loved the book <3
Thank you 😊
I love Clover so much…I actually hope she ends up with Arvel!!!! That’s my (side) ship!
The Discord has already jumped on Clover and Arvel too. She’s still a bit young, IMHO, but it may be a long story.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I wonder if in the next book Maggie meets Clover’s former ‘Lady’ and fiancé and gets to totally stuff up their lives somehow.
I’d really like that. No one who deserves it more.
+1!!!
Thank you thank you thank you!!
Thank you for all of these pics.
Question, how do I get the book that has all of the beautiful pictures in it.
I usually do most of my reading via Kindle as I like to read at night in bed, (as well, the Kindle doesn’t wake my hubby).
I went to Barnes and Noble today to buy the hardback book and when I scrolled through the book, there were no pictures in it.
Are the pictures in a special edition and if so, how do I get it.
Thanks
There will be printed vellum inserts that you can slide into your hardback 🙂
And Ilona is planning on a companion book with all the art, bonus scenes and extras 🙂
Oooh! Precioussss! We wants! Yes, we does!!!
Companion book?Yes please WANT! 😍
yes, it’s already bought in my head, don’t need a date or to know how much moneys!
How Absolutely Wonderfully Delicious!
You’re Just Too Awesome!!
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR GENIUS WITH US!
I just finished the book. And I’m very sorry to all the books in the “Hidden Legacy” series, but this is my new favorite. Tomorrow I will start reading it again, this time savoring it rather than devouring.
Haha same!! 🙌
Thank you! I read the book in one day and while I definitely plan to reread soon, this bonus scene has helped with my book hangover. A little hair of the dog so to speak.
AAKAKSJBDNJDKWOJY!!!- …I mean, yay.
Maggie 1 is fantastic! I read the whole thing yesterday, then decided I’d just look at a few scenes a second time and lo and behold I’d read the whole thing again. I am so sleep deprived, but wow am I happy with the world of Kair Toren. HA, I worship at your feet!
Mod R, you are so fabulous as a Horde wrangler! The art is wonderful. Who needs the real world!
Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, for this!! Clover is one of my favourte characters.. Nerves of steel and so resilient!
Spoiler*** I hope the f*cker who did this atrocity to her gets his due!
Also can someone explain the relation with Hreban? The mother of the lady she served, is married to Ulmar Herban’s brother?
No, it’s the young lady she served who is now married to Ulmar Hreban’s brother.
And to be *slightly* fair to the Hreban family, Clover was beaten up and then sold to a slaver by her former lady after the lady was engaged to the Hreban but before the marriage. The Hreban family wasn’t actively involved in Clover’s beating and enslavement.
On the other hand, it happened because Hreban’s brother raped his new fiancee’s maid during the engagement party — and then the fiancee chose to blame and punish the maid for “tempting him and leading him astray” instead of blaming him for being a vicious criminal a**hole. So Clover’s former lady definitely fits right in to the Hreban family milieu…
So, Earl Sunner is not the r*pist? Is the father of the young lady???
Thank you for clearing things!!
Hmmm. Actually, I am not entirely sure. The young lady was engaged to the son of an earl. But the rank of her own parents might also have been “earl”.
So I suppose Earl Sunner could either be her own father or the father of the person she married.
Other than being the head of one of the eight Great Families, is Ulmar Hreban’s actual aristocratic title ever mentioned anywhere in the book?
Clover’s former mistress is the daughter of Earl Sunner and current wife to Ulmar Hreban’s brother.
Hreban’s brother raped Clover, and her former mistress beat and sold Clover into slavery as punishment.
Clearly, the former mistress will fit right in with the family she married into.
We do not know how Earl Sunner was involved in all of this, other than raising a despicable daughter and marrying her off into a family of monsters.
Thanks for the clarification about the relationships.
As for Earl Sunner’s involvement in Clover’s mistreatment, “somebody” in the Sunner household had to know all about Derog’s true business for Clover to be sold to him. And I rather doubt it was the “gently raised” teenaged daughter of the household.
I also doubt the daughter’s expensive lady’s maid could have been disposed of without Daddy’s approval. Viciously beaten almost to death, yes. Sold into slavery or dumped in a shallow grave somewhere, no. And in the end, as the head of the household, Earl Sunner would set its moral tone.
Ugh, why HA? Why must you be so good? I had wanted to not like it. I said, “They’ve had so many that you enjoy, it can’t last. This trope is so over-done, I’m already reading others in this genre it will surely come up short.” And no. HA is like that bakery I love in Lyon, where I go and buy a new patisserie that is too expensive and going to do bad things to my hips, hoping that this time I won’t be amazed so I can finally stop going there ALL THE TIME. Hélas, I am still stuck, eagerly checking in on this website everyday, and pre-ordering everything that comes… I’m just going to set an automatic wire transfer. Life-time subscription to HA.
Absolutely love TKWNKM!!!
Need a cast of characters, please include list in V2.
I wonder what Orro would think of Shana’s pastries? Thank you for the Snippet, I’m on my second read now.
Having obtained an ARC of TKWNKM, Orro has already created his own version of sambocades, which he will probably serve if Shana ever comes to one of the Inn’s Frinnday interview sessions.
If she does, one trusts she will leave her mace at home. Cooks get touchy about other cooks stealing their secret recipes…
It doesn’t fail to amaze me. Every time. There are some HA books I like more than others but there are not any that I don’t like.
TKWNKM is outstanding even for HA. I just get wrapped up in it and lose track of time and then it ends. Although I think it would be polite to disclose this type of ending.
Even if it were only a few months it would be a looong time until the sequel comes out. As Einstein said time is relative 😉
Thank you for saying when it’s spoiler free from. I downloaded the ebook and matched it to where is gotten in the hard back. nope the hardback is safe and I’m past that point so can read the bonus 🎉🎉
such a great story. you know the horde cry is already going up as we reach get to the end of the story…Mooooooorrrrrrreeeeeee Boooookkkkkkkkkk 2222222 😂
I’ve been wondering how or why Maggie ended up in Kair Toren. How a book could be a real world. I still don’t have a decent idea.
The date, 3044, has me wondering if she’s in our changed world in the future. She has strong magic. Maybe she didn’t get it from the place she’s at, maybe it took her there.
I look forward to seeing what HA has in store for us.
I can confirm that the kingdom of Rellas is another world, not ours in a different timeline 🙂 . That is the entire isekai concept.
For all the rest, we’ll have to w*it for the sequels.
Thank you Mod R
I’ll just have to wonder how it works until the rest comes out. My deductive skills are not Sherlock Holmes level🤔
This world has three moons instead of just one like our Earth. For Maggie, that would be a pretty big clue that she wasn’t on our planet in any time past or future.
oh a question re e publishers. I got my hardback (the Waterstones special) on Tuesday the 30th, but it’s definitely there UK cover. is that just a quirk of the physical copies possibly getting sent earlier, compared to the e-books, which only came out on the 2nd in the uk?
Yes, some early physical copies could be found 🙂
I ordered my hardcover from Blackwell’s and received it on March 23. Was I surprised and so happy!
BTW, I’m in the US and the book was published and printed in the UK. It’s a mystery to me that I received it early.
They sent orders early, especially oversees ones that could caught in customs/tarrifs/shipping delay nightmares.
Everyone lives in fear of making the Horde w*it! 😀
What a wonderful Easter egg you have given us. Thank you.
I am soooooo mad. Scary mad for abaut ten minutes yesterday when finished the book. I don’t know how say in english “eso no se hace” . Now only w*it ennnnnddeesssllyyy.
Yes it was definitely upsetting. I really wish books wouldn’t end this way. It always reminds me of TV shows that end the season dramatically to keep fans waiting for the next season. There’s no need. The extraordinary writing and story keep me hear.
I can’t imagine not grabbing any new release HA puts out
I have a stupid question: will This Kingdom not be available to shop on the store here? Only through third-parties?
Thank you so much for the snippet as well!
Hi Lea, you would need to specify where “here” is for you before I can answer 🙂
It is available at most international retailers – here are some useful links https://ilona-andrews.com/maggie-the-undying-2/#synopsis
I am having a crisis…. I am in the middle of the Nyx Fortuna series that I’m really enjoying but now have TKWNKM…. I did read the extended pre-release so maybe that will tide me over until I at least finish the current book (nail biting commences). If I delay gratification long enough, though, maybe the second book will be out (because, like a good horder, I HATE waiting for the next series book). Decisions, decisions…
Hey Mod R, you said earlier in this string that the paperback is available in the UK. What store(s) in the UK? Amazon UK doesn’t show it. Neither does Waterstones. I’ll be in the UK in late April.
I was very wrong and I’m sorry to confuse everyone.
The lovely people at Tor UK sent me a paperback with the UK cover, so I thought it would be available at release. Turns out I was just a limited run promo copy, what they sent to influencers (of which I am decidedly not one). I didn’t realise I was special enough to derve one of those, so I assumed it was the store version 😅
After finishing “This Kingdom…” I got to thinking that something better not happen any further to Clover. The Horde would be all over the person in a heartbeat since she is a fan favorite.
**Cough, cough. Looking at you Silveren.** 👀
Good thing they’re there to steer Maggie right. Thanks for the bonus chapter.
So, I have an important question: Will there be a book published in Serbo- Croatian language? At any point in time?
“Things had to be fair. Karma was a b*tch, she was sharpening her scythe, and there would be a harvest.” (Need this on my next super large mug)
Loved listening to book, now reading ebook because I couldn’t wait for hardcover to arrive.
Thank you for allowing us to ‘reside in someone else’s head for a bit.’
The book is beyond amazing. I don’t know how you do it but, I am grateful that you share your stories with us. Thank you for the treat. Clover is a fierce friend.
It is glorious. Finished it in a day and am now sad that I must w*it and have p*tience to see what happens next. Here is hoping the non BDH world realizes what a masterpiece they have on their hands. Go Team Andrews!
Damn phone Team Andrews not Tram
Fixed 🙂
Thank you for the bonus scene!! The BDH is blessed!!
I agree, Clover is one of my favorites!
I’m on my second slow read and finding so many wonderful tidbits.
Thank you HA and Mod R for all that you do!!
Hi
Desperately need character list and some basic info on each.
Great narrator! Enjoying the story but struggling with names and keeping track of characters while listening to the audiobook Great narrator
Thanks for another great book
I am so chalantly waiting for my copy. My local bookstore says it should be here by Friday or Saturday. It will be so hard to interact with family on Easter. But one must make sacrifices.
Lovely!! Thank you
Lovely Art, I see that Clover has risen to Chatalaine! at least in the Art. (if we’re being Medieval) Love the Art
Well, in the first discussion after they “acquired” the house, Clover did pronounce that Maggie was going to be the head of the household, Reynald was going to be the head of the household guard, and she was going to be the “steward maid”.
I assume “steward maid” means “head boss servant” … whatever that translates to in local parlance.
I believe in medieval times, “chatelaine” originally meant the actual female head of the household — “mistress of the chateau” — i.e. the Lady and not the top female servant.
The meaning evolved to be “keeper of the castle”, as in the origin for “constable” (castellan) in English 🙂 . We can agree that Clover is definitely that.
But the primary use of chatelaine nowadays is the object we can see at Clover’s belt, for carrying keys and other functional items.
In Canada, Chatelaine is primarily known as the name of a “women’s housekeeping” type magazine. At least, that is what it started as in the 1920s. I think it has now evolved somewhat…
Thankyou! Love this scene it fits beautifully and explains much! The unfortunate help with the noble woman that isn’t!
Maggie’s here in my hands. My post-person delivered her just a couple hours ago. Eek!
I need to finish up all responsabilities now, and settle down for a nice long reading interlude.
thank you!!!!
I love Clover!!!
Love it. Thank you. Trying to limit myself to less than 100 pages a day … but what am I going to read Saturday? I guess I start the first re-read?
Absolutely lovely, but WHY was it removed??? It would have been great in the book!
It wasn’t removed 🙂 It’s a bonus scene, written for us.
This is like those “Curran POV” or “Mad Rogan POV” scenes HA occasionally posted for us with the Kate Daniels and Hidden Legacy series, isn’t it?
Never a part of the original novel but showing some of the same events from other characters’ perspectives.
Yes, exactly 🙂
And there is more to come 😉
Squee! Although we did already have Sushi’s POV about various locations in Kair Toren posted on the blog. That was fun.
Thank you! Squee! I can understand why the scene was originally cut. But it really adds to the character development
It’s not a cut scene.
It’s a bonus extra scene House Andrews wrote just for us, because everyone loves Clover 🙂
… and because Ilona loves us, her favorite horde.
awwww…
I’m so glad Clover loves Maggie and Shana and also feels safe now.
Women need each other so much.
I love Clover. She just warms my heart. She is brave and loyal.
I liked the novel, it was a good read but, it was too short. 😉
What rankled me a bit was how easy the magical nature of Maggie was accepted. Her detailed knowledge of the past was not enough reason to blithely accept her foretelling capabilities, in my opinion.
I know she’s in a magical realm, but still…
No door-stopper will stop the horde 😂
Oh, this is so SHINY! and Fluffy, and delicious. I love it!
Can it be on the back of the vellum of Clover’s portrait?
How do HA always come up with so much Rich Awesomeness?
Thank you, thank you, Mod R and Ilona and Gordon for sharing your genius with us. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES.
Thank you so much for this extra!
This whole book has been such an amazing treat to read. I cannot wait to see how the story unfolds.
But also I am enjoying this situation where I DO NOT yet know how things get solved. It is a true pleasure to be in the middle of one of HA series for the first time. 💗💗💗
mmmmm delicious. ❤️
thank you!
love it!
OMG we are driving through Italy and I am savoring every moment of Maggie! I’m on my 2 read and can’t wait for the next one!
So glad that I’ve finally read enough that I can read this!
Yea! Cheers!
I really love Clover, best of all maybe.
And yay for Kobo, often have to w*it here in Australia, but not this time.
I love Clover and Shana so much! What a treat to get their POV. Thank you!
“Decimate” used properly! Of course.
Thank you for the bonus scenes.
They are greatly appreciated!
Be ever blessed.
Danny
I LOVED this. so subtle. things that Maggie herself would never think of, yet mark her as off to everyone else immediately. If this is what the girls/ house staff/ servants see, makes me wonder what odd things the guys noticed. that conversation between reynard and sol right after she figures out he’s the Duke? where sol openly asks to kill her and he’s calls her his? did they stage that? after all both of them are strategists who understand the big picture. they both have to wonder where she came from. later the Duke does the same with tillmar. could they have hoped she would trust the Duke more if he stood between her and sol’s knives? and silveren knows hreban is dirty, and sees her watching him in the garden. of course he’s going to wonder. and bellen/arvel said “but you’re not just any woman” after getting her away from the city guard. trixy trixy
Wonderful
thank you
I love Clover! I hope we have a scene in one of the next books where she gets retribution for what happened to her. I am a new fan and have read and reread it multiple times already and I can’t wait for the next one!
Welcome, Tally! 🙂
Clover is the early fan-favourite, and Ilona Andrews do just desserts very well – I don’t think we’ll be disappointed.
What a lovely snippet. It was wonderful. Thanks so much.
I ordered the Waterstone’s edition (Lovely!!) and had to wait to read it. (Ugh – work responsibilities) I need time to read straight through – this means that I haven’t read any posts since the release. This was my first and I’m definitely adopting “she needs to stay in her own carriage”!
All amazing and the ending….now I’m frothing with the rest of the BDH.
I bow to you both I & G.