Gordon and I are so glad you are enjoying it.
A couple of quick answers.
When is this set?
A couple of years after the events of Silver Shark
Did you know that Aaron mispronounced your name?
Yes. I laughed. 90% of the time people do. It’s the holiday week, so I will wait until after Thanksgiving to see if they can recorded a correction, but they probably won’t. It seems like it might be an expensive fix.
First thought… I’m shocked that the author of the initial letter is Henri Davenport. What’s the deal there?
The reader here is referencing Honor Ranconteur series, which I recommended previously and whose protagonist is Henri Davenforth.
First, Henri DavenFORTH vs Henri DavenPORT.
Second, if you are shocked(!) by the minor naming coincidence, you may want to avert your eyes, because this might make your head explode. I can’t put a smiley face anymore, because it messes the newsletter up, so imaginary smiley face with fangs here.
You know who wasn’t shocked by this? Gordon and I. No, we did not sue Mari Hannah. No, we did not make a giant stink about it on social media.
Names can’t be copyrighted. They belong to actual people. There are only so many names, and people tend to like the same names, so unless you start making things up or the names are extremely unusual, you will repeat the names of other people’s characters.

When Gordon and I choose names, we often trawl Texas Census records. This is how Henri’s name was chosen. I entered Davenport as last name and clicked until I saw the one I liked.

Now, I remember really liking the name at the time, and I know now that I liked it because of the similarity to Henri Davenforth. Actually, yesterday someone else pointed out the similarity and I thought, “Oh, that’s where I remember the name from!” As I said in that email chain, where the poor reader had to suffer through my pandemic release brain, if we actually did accidentally use the same name, I would feel a bit sorry for Henri. Haider is the kind of son who does the exact opposite of what his father tells him and worries his parent endlessly. Henri Davenforth probably deserves better. Smiley face.
Will we get Karion’s story and will it be secret baby?
Oh boy. Um… You just got a book. Come on, Horde.
What about…
Oh goodness me, look at the time. I am going to go make pies.
Happy pie baking – over here it’s time for cuppa #2. Grateful for the escapes you provide through your stories – happy Thanksgiving!
I thought it was a cute nod to a character you liked and a pleasant series that you turned me on to. Why do we all have to be so critical? So few authors make themselves as available as you both do. I for one am so grateful, and only saddened that so few writers match your quality that I to soon run out of things to read. Thank you for all that you give us!
On one hand, I’m happy for the opportunity to bring up Honor Rancouter’s work again so more people would read it. On other hand, I was hurt by the immediate assumption that something unethical happened. Zero benefit of a doubt given.
I read Honor Rancouter’s work because of your recommendation and I enjoyed it thoroughly, all of her written work available, like the crazy reader I am. And did I notice? No, no I didn’t because how the poop would it be related and names are, as you noted, common. People are weird.
“how the poop” Hehehe.
Ignore me, I’m five.
I noticed, and thought it was a little homage to her. Obviously I had forgotten the exact name she used. Other authors do that from time to time with names, as little in-jokes or tributes.
If Honor Raconteur even notices the name similarity, maybe she will name one of her supporting characters after one of yours, as a little in-joke.
Or, oooh, the Henri Davenforth series involves multiple worlds, so maybe an Innkeeper/Henri Davenforth crossover short story?? Like the Jane Yellowrock/ Joanne Walker crossover!
Ok, maybe I’m getting just a *little* carried away.
Seconded!!!! You’ve blown my mind with that idea and I want that story ????
I’m sorry someone made that assumption. I suspect that person is in the minority. I just said “Huh?” and smiled. I thought the similar names was fun. And NEVER unethical.
+1
Love Honors books big thank you for introducing me to her work.
Ok Fated Blades question. What is up with the Vinogradovs? Escanas are only mentioned once, Carvannas not at all, but Vinogradovs come up a couple times. I don’t think they were in the other books tho. (I know, I know, spoilers and all that prolly) But I gotta ask cause it’s stirred my curiosity up ( more kinsman goodies, yes, pls??!)
Throw me a bone here?!
First…. that can’t be 🙂
Glad to get the timeline in……
finished it in 1 gulp and love it.
Thanks IA…
I managed to sign up for the Q&A sooo excited
What can’t Be, Jing? I can’t figure it out hehe.
First. Jing thought theirs was the first comment. We should come up with a badge or something.
Oh d’oh. I can’t even claim release brain 😀
New seasonal icon – cute ????
Thanks Ilona.
I really thought I was first commenter ????
Congratulations.
So glad it’s doing well. Congratulations!
Coming back to add that it’s now #5, lol. You all had a tough release day. Diana Gabaldon released her first Outlander book since 2014 and Nora Roberts had a new release yesterday too. Whew! #5 is pretty good!
I know, right? Hehehehe. We are thrilled with #5.
Damn straight!
A new Ilona Andrews book AND a new Outlander book?? Holy Bonanza, Batman! As soon as I finish Fated Blades…
Pies are awesome. My maternal grandmother baked when she wanted to feel happy. (We ate ourselves somnolent on baked goods at her house.)
I think that’s why I love Julie’s character so much, she took over the baking Post Keep. (I did the same for my mother during and after college.)(Still would but I live too far now.)
I never read the other books in the Kinsmen series. Fated Blades is my first, and I’m enjoying it very much. Have a restful Thanksgiving!
Oh my word @ Mary Beth. I’m hopeful you’ll grab a copy of Kinsmen Universe. How I envy you on the First read treat from those novellas. My favourite is Silver Shark.
Same, re: Silver Shark! Don’t get me wrong, Fated Blades is *amazing* and I devoured it in a single sitting, but Silver Shark is my comfort story. There’s something about it that I just love so much.
Mine too! I reread it all the time.
FATED BLADES was so much fun! Thank you for another stellar (hehe) reading experience.
Names, titles, and plot points seem to cycle through the universe with sporadic clustering at times. I’ve been reading for many many (Many.) years, and I can think of several titles that came out within a few months of each other – and therefore were independently arrived it – over the years. Or suddenly there will be a huge explosion of amnesiac doctors stuck in a blizzard with no outside communications … and not all of them are in the same genre. Not sure if a single event sparks multiple creative efforts, or what, but there it is.
PS Congratulations on a very successful release! #5 is extremely impressive, especially with the other big names coming out at the same time
Scrolling through Amazon once, I did a double take – two books, with different authors, with the same title and same cover illustration, right next to each other. (I only noticed because I had a book with the same basic cover and liked it very much.)
Alas, neither book was something I wanted to read.
Your book, however, is very deserving of its place on best seller lists!
Thank you again for a great book.
Loved ???? reading Fated Blades. I’m in chapter 7 of my reread…One thing I missed was Haider & Damien quipping about Matias being a good provider when Ramona said that he brought rations. Did that get cut in the editing process?
Yes, the Good Provider snippet was gone by the second draft if I remember correctly https://ilona-andrews.com/2021/a-good-provider/
I mourned it too, even though we got more Karion, who is my fave 😀
Wondered anout that too, and figured it might be Karions short appearance now – thank you for clarifying Moderator R.
Love your new Avatar as well.
‘Tis the season ????
Maybe Karion will notice your avatar change, and wonder who you are. ????
You’re a good provider, Mod-R – coming up with all the references! ???? … just behind HA for writing them in the first place ????????????❤
I really enjoyed Fated Blades, thank-you.
Also, I liked the length as well.
I would enjoy reading a POV of Matias negotiating with Gabriel’s family about non-compete and other contract clauses.
Congrats!!!
Quick question (sorry if this has already been asked and clarified) – does the Olivia Solis in the book have any relation to the de Solis clan from Silver Shark?
Love love love this book!
Thank you house Andrews!
I’m adding all of these to the Zoom chat, btw, they’re very good and not getting ignored ????
Was the Zoom chat kept some where? I signed up for it by managed to miss it.
Thx!
It hasn’t happened yet ????
I haven’t signed up yet! Is there still time and space??
Here is the link for you ???? https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Wk1l3hwsSZyc_LI-tnkcLA
If it doesn’t work, please try on the morning of, someone always drops out ????
Thank you!!! You’re quite truly the best 🙂
THANKS!!!!
Yes yes yes please to Karion and secret baby ????
Have a wonderful day of feasting.
Well, now I feel like a dunce for not catching onto the similarity of the names, even though I love Honor’s book and I recently noticed that there’s another Henri book in the works, so it should have been at the forefront of my brain.
Oh, well, can’t really blame pandemic brain for that (I went to work every day, so not much changed in my daily routine). Guess I’ll have to go with the old standby of getting old. Getting older has to count for something, right?
Really enjoyed Fated Blades – read it kind of fast the first time because started it kinda late and wanted to finish without losing too much sleep so I’m looking forward to listening to the audiobook/giving it a more leisurely paced reread.
My question, not sure if it’s been answered previously:
I think Silent Blade mentioned one of Celino’s bodyguards was ‘Ven’… would this Ven be Venturo Escana?
Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving! My pie effort yesterday fell short of my expectations so attempt 2 is in the oven. May the Baking Gods smile down on both of us.
This was my first preorder experience with Amazon. I always buy with Google Play Books and my books will arrive about half an hour or so after midnight.
So when I still hadn’t received mine by 12pm through Amazon, I got in touch with their customer service because I was worried my payment didn’t go through or something. Below was basically our conversation :
Me: I still haven’t received this book
CS: it will download automatically on 23 November.
Me: but today is 23 November.
CS: yes so it will download sometime today
Me: oh I thought I’d get it earlier
CS: well we only said the date and not a specific time
Me: oh
CS: is that all?
I did get the book like after lunchtime but I’m going to stick to Google unless I have no other choice. I think it’s just the time difference but it was so hard waiting for the book to appear in my kindle app lol.
They seem to operate on West Coast timezone for the US 🙂
Tey actually operate on east coast time. I get my books at 9:10pm the previous night always.
Another West Coaster here who also sees availability at ~ 9 pm. It might not show up on my e-ink kindle even with a manual sync at 9:01+ pm. Workaround: go to website/kindlestore on computer -> Manage Content & Devices. Select book and send to device.
Maybe auto-download time is slightly different for device like iOS phone app, android, iOS ipad app or possibly even account id hashing.
Yeah. I figured. One of the not so fun stuff about being a whole half day ahead of most fun things (like my favourite streamers streaming in the middle of the night in my timezone sob)
I never get stuff at midnight either. 🙁
Hmmm. I know when I have gotten downloads at 9pm on the previous day of the release, I thought it had something to do with it being 12 midnight on the east coast. Oh, well. (But I’m not really complaining too hard when that happens.)
3 AM seems to be the magic drop time. Works for Audible and Netflix.
I’ve been spoiled by Google I guess. I usually get my stuff within two to three hours after midnight, which has led to many sleep deprived days as well.
I almost always get my preorders from Amazon within the first couple minutes after midnight in the eastern US time zone. The only times that hasn’t happened for the last several years was when the release came out after I had deactivated the credit card that I used for the preorder. In those cases, I got the email saying that there was a problem a couple minutes after midnight (eastern US time).
For Melbourne, Australia which is way ahead, it seemed to become available at 01.10am local time which would have been one day too early for you guys.
I kept clicking refresh on my kindle from midnight thinking surely it’s the ‘correct date’ ????♀️????
And was super shocked when it was and it actually worked.
Mine come in between 11 and 12 almost every time. (Central time zone)
This time was closer to 11:30. I often get books right at 11.
That’s one good thing I’m looking forward when I move to Texas sometime next year — getting my Amazon releases an hour “earlier” than I do now.
Congratulations – great book.
Hmm, so will the Vandals return with a Kinsmen reunion of characters from previous books (along with a some new characters) to repel the invasion/revenge force?
Baby trope? Well Karion WAS seen kissing a woman… ???? seriously though, Thank you for my mini vacation from reality! Just finished listening to it and it was awesome.
A blonde! All my IA men love blondes (see Roman), that’s their only fault ????
As a black haired (not slim) South Asian I couldn’t agree more! I love all my IA protagonists to bits, but I’ll be honest, it’s always the best when you can see yourself (in any little way) in your fav character or even better, in the love interest of a favorite character 🙂
I think that’s why I adore Kate. While I don’t look like her exactly, her middle Eastern-ish looks appeal to me. And her self aware, pragmatic no BS character is what truly seals the deal!
It’s definitely on me for choosing the unavailable men hehe.
From Dali and Kate to Catalina and Cerise, there is representation to chose from and men who adore them!
Absolutely!the diversity is brilliant!! Meli and her curviness was a joy for me to read 🙂
Meli just OWNED everything ????
Looooved it! You are my and everybody’s favorite authors for a reason. More please!????❤️ And Happy Thanksgiving!????????????
Congrats,not surprised it is doing so well, thing is as much as you guys agonize over your books, I have not read anything of yours I didn’t enjoy immensely. Besides hard work, I think it is your personalities coming forth on the books that makes them special. It is much like music, when the person who wrote it or performs it makes it personal it shines, and you can’t fake it. Your books are well crafted of course as well, but you guys coming through into the book makes it fly.
Thank you for this wonderful Thanksgiving gift. I want more! Have a wonderful holiday. Your books have kept me going through very tough times.
I’ve read some of the other Kate Daniels series and happy to recommend them. I think both series came out around the same time and it is a very ordinary name (certainly in the UK). Enjoy the ????
Congratulations on number 5 for Fated Blades! ????????
I’m not making pie. I made biscuits. Biscuits are the bane of my existence. However, today they came out perfectly. ????
Next it’s on to chocolate chip cookies, and orange sugar cookies after a little break.
I am happy your biscuits came out well. Biscuits and soft dinner rolls are my banes, too. But especially biscuits.
Lol thank you, love the book, always a win with you two, enjoy your pies.
I named my secondborn a highly unusual name and eventually discovered there is another one – with the same middle initial even.
Sometimes I go on Facebook and search character names from different books I like. The time I checked, there were six Derek Gaunts, but only one Luther Dillon (pity that – I like yours). I don’t check commoner names – I grew up with somebody whose teenage years were made more miserable than necessary by his having been named James Bond, and I’d just as soon not know how many others there are sharing names with famous fictional characters.
I’m starting my third read of Fated Blades – truly a fine story!
I had to do a double take at “commoner” :D. “More common”, you weren’t calling people plebs heh.
lol, me too.
Congrats on the release! Your stories are a balm. Every one that comes out is much appreciated.
Happy Thanksgiving!
“Oh boy. Um… You just got a book. Come on, Horde.” But I already read it and now I am ready for another one 🙂
That’s OK, I am re-reading Blood Heir (after finishing a re-read of the KD series).
I am truly amazed at the way you draw people into the worlds that you create and consume everything that you write. Even your blogs are LOL funny.
When I first saw the name Henri Davenport, I misread it and thought Henri doesn’t live in that world. Then I read it correctly. I wondered if it was just a tip of the hat to Honor Raconteur, whose next case file for Henri and Jamie comes out on 17 December
I am thoroughly enjoying Fated Blades. It is really good. Thank you so much for this book. I couldn’t just read yesterday, but I can today.
Me just now: “Oh, Fated Blades, fated mates” I see what they did with the sounds there.
TG there is a long weekend coming up.
I always find it weird that you never encounter people with the same names in books especially in families where names get repeated. I understand why it doesn’t happen in printed text, but it is probably the least realistic thing ever. I literally had a meeting with two Heathers yesterday. I’ve had projects with multiple Kristens. Common names are well common. The weird thing is never meeting another Kate.
That’s what I say whenever someone starts recitations from the epic ballad “Why are there 2 Michaels in Hidden Legacy” 😀
I know approx 7 Michael, Mike, Mihai etc in real life!
At one point I knew ten Pauls. I now know only one, but I married him so I’ve no intention of losing this one!
I once worked someplace where all three of us technical writers were named Lisa. I’m White, one was Black, and the other one was Asian.
On the flip side, I’ve known 5 women named Sherrie and they all spelled it differently. Sherrie, Sherry, Cherry, Cheri, Cherie.
My son is John. My son-in-law is John. (Luckily, my daughter is Susan and my daughter in law is Meg…)
I also worked at a store where there were 4 ladies named Nancy – out of about 20 employees.
At the same time, we also had a Donna, a Diane, a Dora and a Dawn.
Names are fun…
I would actually deliberately never do this, because it’s so easy to get confused. In fact, when I write or create characters/cities/countries etc I deliberately try to use different initials for every name and make the names as distinctive as possible. For example, if I had a character called Barry, I wouldn’t create one called, for example, Bart or Parry (unless some kind of phonetic mix up was required for the plot).
I think the Game of Thrones books have a few characters with similar names, in a fairly authentic way. It’s okay for minor side characters that only get mentioned once, but otherwise I would deliberately avoid this. I have read book previously with two characters who had coincidentally very similar names and it was annoying.
On a separate note, what got pronounced incorrectly? Was it “Ilona”? How do you pronounced it?
I always assumed i-LOW-nuh ( with the i as in pip, and low like the bow in bow tie), but is that wrong.
Oh sorry, just to be clear this was a reply to a much earlier comment by Rose on
November 24, 2021 at 12:16 pm.
I am a big fan of Honor Ranconteur in general and the case files series in particular. The fact that someone got exercised about the name is… special.
Enjoyed Fated Blades. Hope you get a lot of sustained sales so as to justify writing in the world more.
Have to agree, the Henri Davenforth case files are just plain fun. Like an IA book, I am trying to wait patiently for the next one. Fortunately, the third will be out in audiobook format soon. Yea! Maybe it will be available about the time I’m tired of repeating Fated Blades (hope springs eternal).
A couple of years ago, I was taking an online course for MySQL databases. We had to create a database with 500 users and were directed to a tool called Faker which could randomly generate names, addresses, emails, phone numbers, dates (mm:hh; dd/mm/yyyy), etc. We (obviously) needed My SQL and a package.json file. The address we were given is : https://github.com/marak/Faker.js/. I have no clue if anything else is needed, but it seemed like a good tool for authors to generate names, etc. I often think about it when I see authors discuss creating characters for their books. Have you had any experience with this? Thanks! (and if I was out of line, I apologize)
Thank you for the recommendation Diane!
#5 is awesome! Congratulations!
The #5 spot is more than deserved, and it is really such a wonderful book you gave us it would have deserved #1 too.
So many details about Rada and
Dahlia, it feels more like an epic movie as I can see all the flowers and buildings you describe so vividly. Noticed that even more during the re-reading.
The Dances of the Secare are a brilliant concept- it was so vivid to picture them moving on the terrace and then later at the Plaza.
Actually that is a question for the Release Party: Did you see a specific dance in you mind that fit the choreography you wanted?
That’s such a good question hehe, I can’t wait for you all to find out the answer ????.
When I think of dances (secare or not) this one always comes to mind. I know it’s not a duet, but the intensity and theatre of it along with the music is incredible! https://youtu.be/KHw7gdJ14uQ
And like you, Megha, Flamenco is a dance I could totally see as one of the secare dances. It is incredibly intense and so graceful. I can still recall the beauty of a live Performance I saw as a child.
I think the flamenco could be the capa? It also dances to fast guitar!
Would love to find out, and now even more so to see what secret you’re guarding ????
Why am I getting a strictly vibe from you Mod R?
I thought it’s maybe a Paso Doble. It’s a stylizes bull fight with a lot of impressive poses…knee bends ..,
Oh yes, Paso Doble could really live further as one of the secare dances:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xReOQA17fIc
This could be an interesting selection of secare dances, couldn’t it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P14Wyirwns4
Congratulations on being #5! I wasn’t able to keep my evening free on release date so I said I’ll just read a tiny bit before bed, and was up until 5am to finish the book. Such a good read! I loved it and will reread it as much as I have both Silent Blade and Silver Shark. Thanks for going back into this world and writing more in it, I’m amazed at how you continue to expand the worldbuilding.
Woooo Hooooo, just finished the audible version and absolutely loved every minute of it.
Thank you both soooooo much
Now I’m going to read it on Kindle just on case I missed anything ????
Congrats on being #5, omg sure it will be top in no time ????
Yummy delicious pies for your wonderful holiday meal.
This is a seriously good book. Thank you.
So, I ravaged through the book in a day because it was just that good. I love the kinsmen books so much, and am so happy you put this out!! It gives me warm fuzzies to visit the Dalia Provinces again, and the last little tidbit about passion cones made me smile with delight. Thank you thank you thank you for your writing and stories, I cannot tell you how much they’re appreciated.
BDH on release days:
We put the “Devouring” in Book Devouring Horde!
We have one job and we do it well. ???? Got the book. Read the book. Loved the book. Want more books. (Sorry, not sorry.) We might be spoiled greedy babies at times, but we’re YOUR spoiled greedy babies. ????
Thank you for putting up with us. And for feeding the hungry monster that is the BDH. We really do love you!! ????????????
::no lies detected gif::
Perfectly put! Dibbs on Chief Greedy Baby!
Ooh, good one! Calling it for Major Greedy Baby then.
Amen! I’ll just be the really, really greedy baby. Yum, yum, yum. ????????????
Well put! Can’t argue with any of that! ????
As always, the book was excellent and I was sad when it was all done but happy that I could start over from the beginning.
One of the things that I appreciate from the series is the slow expansion of perspective. The first was a couple families and, blast it, I can’t really make my point without spoilers. But it’s almost like meta character growth (cultural), if that makes any sense. I guess it would be progressive world building. But it’s something, for me, that I really appreciate in your series – that not only the characters grow, but that the worlds become more complex and interesting. Thank you!
Yes. I got more out of Silent Blade when I started it again after having finished Fated Blades the first time
Thank you for the delightful beginning to the holiday season. I hope your pies are wonderful! For the record; I have a friend with the same name as one of the characters in one of the books. -smiley
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Baking Pie and listening to first Kinsmen novella, again. I am a multitasking type of woman and now an thinking about making up a recipe for passion cones.
Ok, the audiobook was really nicely done. Kudos to the narrator and to y’all for picking him. I also noticed he mispronounced the name, but oh well. Stuff happens.
Thanks again for the nice book! I will undoubtedly read it again this coming weekend. And the audiobook will no doubt be listened to several times while working in the yard since it’s my newest one.
See, you really shouldn’t have put that secret baby idea in our head ????
Loved Fated Blades, there is a question but will leave it for later as it would be a spoiler. Loved the video with Charlie.
Thank you for making my days a little brighter with this blog, the snippets and of course the books!
here for the spoiler thread https://ilona-andrews.com/2021/happy-book-birthday-to-fated-blades/ ????
I’m collecting questions for the Q&A!
Hi Mod R — For the Q&A, how does the world in “A Mere Formality” fit in with the Kinsmen Universe.
The 23rd was a huge book drop night. I had three I’ve been waiting for and, of course, read “Fated Blades” first.
Then went back for the re-read.
I will get to the others sometime soon.
Thank you for another great story!
Thank you so much for revisiting this world, I read it in one gulp. Will need to reread at a slower pace because I’m sure I missed some sub-context at 3 am. Had to be at work at 7 am so not a fun day-but worth it. wonderful news on the list placing as well.
I mean it really is #3 since the first 3 are just different formats of the same book and the 4th and 5th are also just 2 versions of the same release. So I say it is #3. Now if I just worked for Amazon and could tell them how they are wrong. LOL
Thank you for the book, I enjoyed it immensely. Happy Thanksgiving!
It’s funny how names can sneak up on you. Once, a couple of years ago, I edited a book about a couple on a date in Maui. They were going on a bike tour at oh dark thirty, to watch the sunrise at the top of a mountain before riding back down. Their tour guides were named Bill and Fleur, and it didn’t occur to any of us who worked on the book that these are two names from the Harry Potter series. They were just names that happened to fit the scene, which was in no way something you would expect from the HP universe.
But I’ve finished the book……
OK I will wait patiently, just so Gordon doesn’t yell at us.
Have a great holiday.
I haven’t read Fated Blades yet. I did pre-order but have had a busy week workwise. Looking forward to weekend reading.
Congratulations and may the book continue to be a success 🙂
Love the book, and I enjoy the Henri Davenforth stories of Ms. Raconteur as well. The title of her first one really cracked me up!
Congratulations on #5. I’m looking forward to reading it tomorrow.
Fated Blades is making me the happiest. This member of the BDH is satiated and slumbering for now, but just the words “Ruby Fever” still make me leap ten feet in the air and giggle. It’s a Pavlovian reaction– sue me.
Thanks so much HA (and Mod R for helping this amazing operation run!)
I like the Social Security Death Index for names too :).
One of the women in my writing group has a wide range of ethnicity in her names. Some “just came to her” and some she went looking for because she wanted them to mean something specific. (We had a long discussion about the Finnish word “Sisu”, for instance, because it’s a hard word to translate the whole of it into English.)
We picked out an offspring name from a “Book of [your last name here]” mailer. We liked the sound and the Euro spelling. The offspring in question has never forgiven us because that name is never available in keychains or door lables.
I loved it!!! The best Kinsmen story! I got it yesterday as an ebook from Amazon I had pre-ordered, started reading after supper at 6 pm, finished at 11 pm. Couldn’t put it down. As always, Ilona and Gordon’s books are awesome. I love every one of your books and some I enjoy re-reading (some of the Kate books). Thanks so much for your hard work to entertain us all. Have a wonderful holiday season!!
davenport = couch = sofa ????
(I know, I prolly missed the whole point of the discussion…????)
Also, birth last name – Hughes
Married last name – Fitzpatrick
(How many of both per square inch in the British Isles, the U.S., Canada, and Australia?? LOL ????????????????)
Just let that Karion and secret baby plot marinate for a while. You know they like a challenge (see Hugh and A Mere Formality). It’s not like we need it soon or anything. ☺️
Love the last bit…. We have such a voracious appetite. Thank you for your wonderful books!
Happy pie baking! And I also love the Shinigami Detective series, which I got hooked into because your recommendation. Dr. Henri Davenforth will be pleased to know that there is a hero with a name similar (but not identical) to him.
I am so enjoying this novella!
Is there going to be a Barnes & Noble ebook release? That’s my preferred platform, I don’t have Kindle stuff set up (and I really don’t want to…).
FATED BLADES is an Amazon only release, through their publishing house. It will not be available from other retailers. It’s available in ebook, on KU, in audio, and print formats. For more on this, please see here https://ilona-andrews.com/featured-release/
I’m now going to have to reread all the kinsmen stories as my brain kept thinking, is that a link to a previous story at points- I think the only one imight be right about is the new Passion cones place.
I too read the whole book in one day- brilliant.
Thank you.
Thank you for another great book.
Years ago I emailed you and said that I loved your work and hoped that you would do a book tour of the UK soon.
Given how wonderful your books have continued to be I am still hoping that you will one day do a British or European tour and I will get to thank you in person for all the joy your work has given me but in the meantime I will just say thank you and happy Thanksgiving.
I’m so guilty! More books please!
But enjoy your Holidays and the #5!
Hi – loved the book, read it in one sitting. Haven’t had time to re-read it more slowly yet, so I may have missed this and, if so, I apologize, but… How did Karion lose his arm? Is it in Fated Blades, or mentioned elsewhere in the KU? (or, will it be covered in the next book? Hehehe). 🙂
I am wondering about Fated Blades, in this super modern society where status is everything. And the man and the woman in this book are of same rank. WHY would the children have the man’s surname and not hers?
Hey Desdemona,
I think you’re misreading the scene a little bit 🙂 .
Firstly, it is not made clear which name the kids will have 🙂
“Your children will have his name” is shouted during the family fight scene, as a disincentive. Together with “he’s a renegade!” and ” Have you two lost your mind”, the family hopes the wedding can be outdone if they present enough counter points. It’s Karion’s outrage, not Ramona or Matias’ decision made clear or facts about Kinsmen society mores.
It is not so much a feminist statement of keeping her name, as it is the weight of the name Baena in secare history context.
” Every secare knows these names, and they make sure their children learn them as well, so the treachery will never be forgotten. The five traitors are Whitney May, Hee Granados, Katia Parnell Karion, Leland Dunlap-Whitaker, and Angelo Baena. Their hands are stained with the blood of their battle brothers and sisters”
Andrews, Ilona. Fated Blades, Kinsmen Universe 3. Montlake Publishing, 2021. Kindle edition, page 141.
Karion is making the point that the name Baena is tainted, one of the 5 traitor names all the secare remember, and Ramona and Matias’ children will be known as descendants of that heritage (no matter whoever’s literal surname they take).
Ramona may chose to assume that in order to show the generational conflict being resolved and full acceptance of Matias. Or they may decide to start fresh, or double up. We simply do not know.
I hope this helps 🙂
ModR for the win!
Dear Mod R
What is this other author/series/books Ilona is speaking about? Maybe other non-US BDHers do not get what this was referring to in any context except the name of KD ?
Just asking for a friend….. and Happy Thanksgiving to BDHers wherever in the 4 corners of the world you may be celebrating.
Hey RJ,
The series referred to is DCI Kate Daniels by Mari Hannah. A picture is provided in the article ????.
The context is accusations of copyright infringement because of similar character names being used in 2 books.
The point of the blog article is that this does not constitute a copyright matter, names cannot be copyrighted (nor can book titles for that matter), and multiple series that use the same name occur often- e.g. other series using Kate Daniels.
I hope this helps ????
You are right about awful 2 years. Thank you for cheering us(your readers) up. sending you love and best wishes xxx
Congrats! fantastic position.
Devoured it. So good!!
Speaking of names and possible coincidences… I recently read that Hugh Jackman made crepes suzette for Deborra-lee Furness when they first started seeing each other. “Hugh” and “crepes suzette” in the same sentence immediately through my exhausted brain for a loop and I wondered how I’d switched to an article about “Iron and Magic”. Is this a coincidence, or was Elara making crepes for Hugh D’Ambray a play on Hugh Jackman’s dating story?
As a side note, I can no longer read the name “Hugh” without mentally hearing it in Steve West’s voice- not a bad thing at all!
We are always hungry, for books. ❤️????
*geek moment* I’ve been a fan.. forever… this series is just another example of unexpected and awesome character development. I’m NEVER disappointed reading your stories and wishing I could live there
I loved this book as I have all your books. Please never ever retire.
I’m so ashamed…I just bought and read/listened to all 4 Kinsmen stories and my first reaction was “But I want more!” Please take it as a compliment. You are such great authors that I got ducked into each story (even the shorts) and wasn’t ready to give them up.