Since the Oscars are just around the corner, it seems only fair that the Book Devouring Horde hold their own awards ceremony.
Andrea donated some extra-long purple shag carpet and Steve said any machine is a smoke machine if he operates it, so the ceremony part is clearly handled.
We just need you to pick the most beloved winners. Polls will stay open until next Friday and I’ve tried (operative word) to enable multiple options. You should be able to choose two answers in these, the most impossible of choices. Mwahaha!
Loading ...Everything happened so much this week, why not pour your favourite drink and relax by thinking about your favourite among these capable, fierce men:
Best Male Lead in an Ilona Andrews Book or Series
- Curran Lennart - Kate Daniels World (25%, 3,213 Votes)
- Connor Rogan - Hidden Legacy (21%, 2,698 Votes)
- Hugh d'Ambray - Iron Covenant (15%, 1,878 Votes)
- Sean Evans - Innkeeper Chronicles (11%, 1,437 Votes)
- Roman Tihomirov - Sanctuary (10%, 1,242 Votes)
- Arland Krahr - Innkeeper Chronicles (9%, 1,169 Votes)
- Alessandro Sagredo - Hidden Legacy (7%, 912 Votes)
- William, Lord Sandine - Bayou Moon (2%, 296 Votes)
Total Voters: 8,961
Loading ...But Mod R, there’s only one leading man from the Edge! So much squandered hunkiness! Yes, he’s my favourite, I love him the best, and this is my poll *phhhrrrrbttt*.
Now it’s your turn to nominate:
Suppose you wake up in an Ilona Andrews world* the way Maggie does in This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me: cold, confused, and very much alone. The protagonists are busy saving the day, so they’re not available to help you. Which supporting character do you go looking for first?
*Because the Innkeeper world is our world, we’ll mix it up and have you waking up in Baha-char, with nothing on you, not even a sneaker to trade the muckrats.
And if you can’t wait to find out how Maggie handled the world of her favourite series, reminder that the first chapters of This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me are currently running as a serial over at Reactor Magazine and are available as an extended preview for readers served by the US edition.
Take care out there, BDH!
Love this
First award! 😉
If I landed in Baha-char, I would look for a space chicken to lead me to First Scholar Thek. I’d have to name-drop Dina to be seen, I’m sure but I expect the thought of his world be fiction in my world would intrigue the First Scholar enough to render aid.
With luck, I’d visit the Inn and have some of Orro’s donuts.
*being fiction. Oy
Wow! +1000. I’m really impressed with your answer.
That is an incredibly smart answer! I’d copy this idea. I doubt I could come up with a better one
This! Brilliant answer!
100%
If I woke up in Kate Daniels land, I think I would go to Dali. She’s empathetic and gets shit done. Don’t mess with the white tiger.
+1
👍
I like this answer.
I’d look for a certain Kuillonian with a Red Cleaver rating because first of all FOOD.
This was exactly my thought!
I’m also going to tag along with Kristen.
Same! And as we are now a horde (small “h”), we would likely be even more intriguing, and thus more likely to get help!
I would definitely go looking for the First Scholar of the Koo-ko, as going to see any of the Merchants would COST! And Wilmos is rather werewolf biased.
I love your answer and am tagging along as well since what my coffee fasting brain isnot functioning.
Brilliant answer!
Great answer! I am going to do what you said.
+1 Great reasoning!
Brilliant! I agree 100% and am tagging along. Especially for the donut
Wow. Great answer from an obviously brilliant BDH member. I, too, am compelled to bow to Kristen’s genius!
Fantastic idea!
Kirsten’s plan for the win!!
Yep. Only I’d want the lemon muffins.
I think Kirsten has it correct! First Scholar Thek would be the most likely to listen to you and give you initial help, then follow up by providing introductions to other supporting characters. BRAVO Kirsten!
LOVE THIS!
Dayum, what a great answer! I’ll tag along with Kirsten, in this case!
not only First, but I am tagging along with you to the scholar.
yeap, this was my first thought, find the first scholar, and go from there.
They probably won’t throw you out, at least not until they debate, so have a good debatable reason for them assisting you ready.
This is brilliant!! My vote goes to you
Hello! First?
Ah so close
Fun!
I think if I were dumped in the IA worlds, I would go find Barabas and Christopher Steed!
Good Choice !
Barabas was literally my first thought!! Though I’d stuck in Baja char the above answer would definitely be my go to as well! Happy book release March everyone!
+1
I think I would want to ask Caldenia for suggestions on what is going on and who is who…. Can she come to Baha-char? Maybe we could speak through the doorway… I am sure she would tell me which meat tastes the best.
For Kate Daniels – I would choose Luther
that was my thought, too!
Definitely agree. I’d choose Luther as well. As a strictly human, approaching the Pack with Jim in charge would get me nowhere, the People would be too dangerous and icky, the Order would lock me up in the vault or kill me, and the Guild would expect payment. Luther tends to believe odd things and he’d be intrigued. Then he’d take me to meet Kate!
Yes! This was my first thought!
Yes, that’s who I immediately thought of!
I was thinking Luther too! Especially since he can connect me to the secret stronghold, I’m also curious where he gets his wardrobe. He seems like he has the best connections for a poor lost reader.
I probably wouldn’t last very long because I have priorities, but Orro. I would absolutely, 100% seek out Orro. If I’m going to die (which would probably be inevitable on Baha Char) at least I’d be full of deliciousness.
Runner up would be Sophie, for a better chance of survival. But I still want one of those donuts.
Yes!! I’m with you on this one! Plus, I might get to see the magical inn.
100% agreement. Or priorities are perfectly fine!
In Baha Char I’d look for Cookie of course! He might not help me, but all the fluffy cuteness would definitely make me feel better about things.
Yes! He’s cute AND he can haggle with the best of them!
Ok if I’m waking up in Baha Char, and you didn’t say it but I have to stay in the IK world I would go straight to Cookie. It’s a good place to start.
If I could, from Baha Char go to other “earth” dimensions I would head over to KD and look for Derek.
If I wake up in Baha-char, I want to find Jovo!
Orro…ya know, priorities (feed me).
Facts lol
If I had nothing to trade in Baha Char but a good story and information knowing I needed protection, clothes and to feel safe? I would find Wilmos. There is a puppy for comfort… a father figure who is gruff but loyal? Yes. That is where I would go.
Same! We can name drop Dina and Sean if needed.
ditto
Wilmos for sure
Same here. Wilma’s is always helping people.
Yep, Wilmos and his shop would be my first stop!
If I’m in Baha-char, I’m looking for Cookie!
He’s an up and coming merchant, so he has the power to help me, but I think he’s still down to earth (not earth?) enough to have a small bit of compassion. He will trade me for a favor.
Wilmos!
Definitely Wilmos.
Mod R!!!! I think Ilona’s ways of leaving us with impossible-to-answer questions are rubbing off on you 😂 Loved the poll, and thank you for providing much-needed humor and cheer. My fellow BDH members, I’m counting on you to raise Sean Evans’ score!!!
If I wake up in Baha-char, I will find a way to Luther, because he will always arrive when he means to, never too early nor late 😉
Derek or Roman in Atlanta
In Houston…..probably Augustine….because with a sob story, he’d get me to Catalina!
I helped out with Sean Evan’s score (-;
Here’s my list – which came together very fast, which was kinda surprising. I must have already had this ready somewhere in my subconscious. Always prepared.
Caldenia
Arabella
Derek
Bug
Mod R – you are ALWAYS so much fun. Thank you!!!
Caldenia?!!? She eats people!
Love the character… not sure I’d want to meet her in person. At least without an appropriate bribe of yoo-hoo and funions!
If I landed in Baha- char I would look for Cookie or Wimos
+1 agree! We don’t know them as well as Kate and Curran or Nevada and Rogan, but Ada and Elias give me similar vibes and could become new favorite characters.
yay! what a great prelude to a weekend!
Pre-coffee, I nominate: Andea, Meemaw, Bern, and Conlan.
I also really loved Ada and Elias from The Inheritance.
I want to wake up at Gertrude Hunt and Couki will be my go to helper!
Although, if I wake up in Houston, Grandma Frieda is the GOAT!
Trying to wait patiently (oh who’s kidding who, I’m not waiting patiently I’m tapping fingers sitting on the edge of my seat…) for This World……and now there appear to be many beautiful choices coming…….
*raises hand* Excuse Me…excuse me… Where is Adaline Moore and The Inheritance?
I think I’d go and look for Helen, she’s got main character personality in a small, vicious yet still adorable supporting character body.
If I woke up in the Kate Daniel’s series, I’d go to Derek or Barabas for help. If it was innkeeper, I’d go to Caledonia. The Edge is Gaston for me 🙂 but he is kind of a main character too.
Oh and I can’t forget the space chicken scholar!
Wilmos,,,,, creator and savior of werewolves
Arabella Baylor is my pick.
I totally don’t understand why others don’t immediately go for Arabella. I mean, she can solve ALL the problems and keep it quiet, too. Clothes, food, entertainment, helpful pointers that don’t get in your face, all taken care of. Most importantly, safety is NOT an issue.
The is Adaline erasure and I will not stand for it! 😂
I’d go looking for Wilmos in Baha-Char, in the hopes that I could convince him to help me talk to Dina, because if I have a chance to be a guest at the Inn, I’m doing everything I can to make that happen.
I looooved this. I could be a nuisance to the poll and vote for everyone but I did pick only two each time, which was taxing.
To answer Mod R very compelling question, if I had the great pleasure to wake up in Post Shift Atlanta, I’d go to the Order and annoy Nick to immense lengths, probably avoid getting killed by a tiny hair after spewing all the facts I have on everyone he cares about. That or wander to the Oracle of the Witches but yeah, I doubt they’d see me THAT easily, where the Order is just what I would need.
In Kate Daniel’s – Doolittle because he’ll fix me right up, hide me from Jim and give me tea flavoured honey.
In Hidden Legacy – Lenora Jordan, because she’ll put things right and give me legal protection needed to get right
Yes! Doolittle in KD world.
Agree – Doolittle in Kate Daniel’s world. He’s seen stuff, he’s experienced stuff and he’s come out the other side with grounding wisdom. Plus the actor at Graphic Audio, for me, truly brings him to life.
ooh Doolittle is a great call!
I nominate Sophie Mar. I think she would help me, and protect me, and pull in George and Jack to assist.
Barabas to uphold Kate!
So fun, thank you.
I think, the first, had the best answer.
Kirsten, The First awardee.
I *was* going to say Cookie. But I realized that wasn’t quite right. I’m finding the great Nuan Cee because he’s the one with a heart for the lost. I’ll get better deals for my information from him.
This is what I was thinking. Nuan Cee would value our information and have many resources and some compassion to help. (We’d just need to be careful to not trade our intel too low and to hold lots in reserve).
Grandma Frieda. She is compassionate, no-nonsense, and would be willing to help another momma in need! She is also hilarious and I adore her.
if I woke up in Kate Daniels world – i would look for Roman.
this is the correct answer.
Absolutely
Leon, without a doubt.
Nevada Baylor. I could tell her the truth, and she’d both believe me and try to help. The space chicken would be a great backup plan though.
If I awoke up in Kate’s Atlanta, I’d go to the library. There’s information there, and they will help you find it.
I want to find Cornelius Harrison. He has all the pets, and I would need to snuggle them.
#priorities
+1
I am going to find Wilmos first. Trying to find Dina and Sean, please and thank you…. Oh my! Safety with the werewolves. Barring that gentleman, I want to find cookie.
Nuan Couki
If I woke up naked in Baha-char, it would have to be in the alley where Dina’s inn has its doorway. My supporting character would be Gertrude Hunt itself, because I don’t have the skill to steal a blanket or other rag to cover myself long enough to go hunting for someone else. I think Gertrude Hunt would take pity on me and let me in.
Excellent answer and definitely its own character!!!
Fabulous answer!
If I woke up in Atlanta, I’d seek out Luther. Consistent good guy with the best connections to make sense of this and help me / help me help the MCs.
In Hidden Legacy, I’d still go to the Baylor’s. Leon and Bern would appreciate the sheer outlandishness of the story / the very interesting data and (possibly after confirmation by Nevada that it’s true) would be 100% behind using this information to help their family.
Baha Char without means is difficult – possibly Wilmos, but I liked the suggestion of the first scholar a lot, that I read in one of the comments.
If I wake up naked anywhere I’m just going to die of mortification.
No searching for a hero. No searching for donuts. I’m just going to lay there and die.
True, very true.
You and me both sister!
And this was a LAUGHED OUT LOUD, answer! thank you!
I’d try find Penelope and Grandma Frida! Parent power is a wonderful thing!
This is so interesting, with all the different perspectives! I would like more Luther, though.
Hmmmm. So many great answers. However, I think I’m going to have to go with my beloved Gaston. We can have all the adventures, hang at the Inn. Plus he seems to be up on ALLL the gossip. If anyone can traverse the mythical Ilonaverse, it would be Gaston. 🙂
However, knowing my luck it would end up being me and Steve chaotically careening from mishap to mishap.
I think I would go to Robert the wererat alpha. He knows all the good hiding places, he has connections and he’s brave and smart.
I would look for Gaston. Flair, contacts and capability. Plus he‘s on Orro‘s good side.
I’d look for the First Scholar. He would have all the answers!
Definitely Andrea if she’s available!
if I landed in Baha Char, I’ll look for Wilmos.
Happy Friday
I would look for Derek. At least I could see him before I died, which, in my case, would happen quickly!
If I woke up in Kate’s world, I would go looking for Martha. She has honey muffins. Also, she’s a terminator when people she knows are sitting up on a hospital roof with carnivorous unicorns are out to get you. If Martha wasn’t available, I would look for Andrea. Shooting dominoes at a 1000 yards…yep, I would want to get to know her. 🤣
If I woke up on Baha-Char, I would blame Steve for the smoking machine. 🤣 I would go looking for Chef Adri, or one of the Nuan clan. If none of them could help me, I would also go looking for a philosophical space chicken.
If I woke up in Houston (Hidden Legacy style), I would need a fan quick. It’s too hot and humid to wake up with no clothes. I would try to find Runa. She can poison people if needed.
I’d look for Andrea. First, she can protect me with her guns in times of tech and in her beast form in times of magic. Then she’d take me to Kate, who could use her magic to hopefully get me home. And if she couldn’t get me home, then she could introduce me to Luther who would recognize my snark and give me a job. And I wouldn’t mind Andrea introducing me to a nice, single, good-looking shifter of the non-bouda variety. Boudas are too high maintenance for me.
In the Kate Daniels world I would go looking for Andrea first
Lamar, for sure. A brilliant strategist is definitely what that type of situation calls for!
Hmmmm if I woke up in Baha- char, I’d try to find Koo-ko the space chicken 😁 I’m pretty sure they would help me and I could find their place more easily than the others ><
In Baha-Char, maybe Cookie would see my potential and help me?
Cornelius would save me!
Hidden Legacy – hands down I’m looking for Cornelius. Hidden Legacy could also describe our favourite Dashing Male Secretary/incognito Prime.
Kate Daniels – who wouldn’t like to get to know Roman better? I’m sure he could help, right Mod R?
Innkeeper – I’d go to First Scholar Thek. He’s the only one likely to accept my knowledge in trade for assistance.
Also, I just got an email from OwlCrate about their April Adult Fantasy book! It’s Maggie, it’s Maggie!! I’m so not chalant!
I first thought of Derek, but I think he must be cured of saving damsels in distress. So maybe Gaston instead? I did briefly think it’d be fun to contact Leon, but I’m not too sure about his judgment.
Which supporting character do I go looking for first?
I would say Leo Martinez, the Vice-Guildmaster of Cold Chaos. He seems to have a finger on all the pulses and the experience not to dismiss me as a crazy person.
That’s what I was thinking! In KD, Martha or Luther or Roman. Maybe Roman’s Mom?
I’m in Kates world, I think I go look for Roman, he is a big softie
If I wake up in Baha Char, I’ll look for Cookie… then when I find him, have to find a way to convince him that a future favor from me will be worth him helping me.
I’d go to Cookie, try to barter myself into getting to Getrude Hunt, and then from there (after tasting Orro’s cooking and trying to get some good recipes), ask for help getting home, because my cats need to be fed.
The feline overlords make no exceptions for isekai adventures. Dinner time is scared.
If I woke up in Post-Shift Atlanta as a human in distress, I’d head for Barabas, however I could, and offer to be a research assistant for him. Is he still in charge of the books for the Mercs?
Helen, Maud’s daughter. The girl is brilliant, likely to be understanding of weird circumstances, knows a lot of about different worlds, knows about betrayal but also friendships. She is in good with the muckrats. She can fight. She is sneaky, clever and knows how to evaluate, think on her own and survive. She might be able to find clothing, but not care if I don’t have any either.
Since I landed in Baha Char with no clothes, etc. I have information to trade so:
First Scholar Shrek
Cookie (he needs to impress his uncle & clan with new info and he’d find it “fun” and he’s so fluffy and cute!)
And in my information trading, arrange to get assistance getting to:
Klaus — I have information & might get recruited
Gaston — adventures, travel, maybe get to go to the INN, and “skulduggery”
Oh this is a brilliant tactic! Information would be a very good trade item!
Andrea Nash from Kate’s world. She’ll help me and get word to Kate or Julie Lennart-Olsen (aka Aurelia Ryder). I’m sure to get help from these amazing women.
Love this, thank you for always preparing fun activities for us!
If I was stranded in an IA world, my immediate thought is to get help from an arbitrator. While George is extremely capable and kind, I think I’d like to seek out Claus, one – because he’s totally my type and two – I’m dying to know more about him!
Getting in touch with an arbitrator would be interesting though. I might have to journey my way to Casa Feliz somehow (since I can only interact with side characters…)
Mod R –
1st – pick only two???
so hard!
2nd – so wicked of you and fun
3rd – thank you this is brilliant
I would seek out Grandma Freda definitely.
Oh I love that question!
Ehm, first one to come to mind is Leon, for some reason. I know there are other heavy hitters out there that might seem like a more logical choice, but first of all, he’d make me laugh, which is priceless in such a situation; secondly, he would be utterly unfazed by finding himself in Baha Char, meaning he’d be up for joining in on a fun excursion while it lasts; and thirdly he’s a Baylor, so picking him would guarantee the whole clan would show up to rescue us, success guaranteed.
Andrea
KD world – Luthor Dillon – He’s got an office (easy to find) and I suspect we’d hit it off with a similar sense of humor. Besides, I want to work for Biohazzard when I grow up.
HL world – Matilda Harrison – she knows everybody.
Baha-char – Cookie, of course.
I had an immediate idea of who I’d look for and then I read the comments. Way too many good options!!
I’m going to look for Derek.
If I woke up in Kate’s world, I’d look for Barbaras and Christopher. If I woke up in Baha-char, I would look for Wilmos. If I woke up in Houston, I’d go for Grandma Frida or Sgt. Teddy.
Ooh this is a fun exercise in IA book knowledge! Here’s my immediate plans if I woke up in various IA worlds:
Kate Daniels (Shift Atlanta)- Straight to the Order of Merciful Aid and Nick. First, they would have to help me if I request protection, and I think Nick would have kittens over the idea that the faith of the BDH meant that I traveled to this universe (probably through some flare weirdness tbh).
Innkeeper Chronicles (Baha-Char)- I would seek out First Scholar Thek, impress him with my philosophy knowledge (gotta put that philosophy undergraduate degree to use somewhere) then politely ask to be put into contact with an ad-hal or innkeeper from Earth to a) get me home and b) figure out what physics-magic weirdness got me here in the first place. Hopefully cool adventures are abound and somebody needs an intergalactic lawyer.
Hidden Legacy (Houston)- I would go to Lenora Jordan or the Record Keepers to figure out which family’s powers could get me here. Also, selfishly, I would want to know what families would be Houses in my neck of the woods (and if they would be names I recognize a la the rubber band theory Nevada and Leon talk about).
I love this. it’s insightful, knowledgeable, and made me laugh.
Aww thank you! <3
What I would want to happen:
“Stories! Stories! I have many stories to tell”
“Come, nice naked lady and tell us your stories and we will pay you so much money that you can build your own business as a knowledge broker to rival all others!”
“As long as I make enough for some clothes, damn it!”
What would probably happen:
“Hey, look at that naked old lady!”
“Who you calling old, dumb alien? I am a mature woman knowing many things. Take me to your knowledge brokers. Even if they are UFO Chickens. Or furball-turning weapons dealers. Or even cute foxy killers.”
“Hey, look at that naked old crazy lady!
Then they’d take me to the Baha-Char Loony Bin.
Hm. Missed some of my favorite IA leads from the Kinsman Universe in the polls. So …
I‘d have to go for waking up – naked, but probably not cold – in the city of New Delphi, in Dahlia Province, on the Planet Rada.
It’s savage, but also a lush and vibrant world. I would want (eventually) to ogle the fantastical architecture, dive into the bionet, visit the Terraces for passion cones and pink wine and the provinces for the dahlias, and to grill, eat orange cherries, chase purple fireflies, and witness the star flowers blooming in the light of the moons.
Of course, to do all that, I‘d have to survive. So I‘d look up Nadira Baena, Matias‘ aunt. She‘s quick to help, brilliant, decisive and smiles like a silver shark. Who could ask for a better ally?
p.s. Anyoneelse finding it hard to pick best male or female character? I find that it all depends one which series I am stuck on at the time. I love everybody. Sigh
Yep!
Agree! Hence I couldn’t bring myself to vote.
In Baha-char I would seek Wilmos, hoping not to sent me to the greater beyond ,in some suicide mission, but to return me home!!
In KD universe, I would choose between Luther and Barabas, whomever I could find first!!!
I agree with the Scholar Thek group as a first choice and then I would have to go with Leo and Cold Chaos.
I’d go looking for Andrea. Girl has all the guns lol
I think I would look for Roman or Jack. They would probably not bother with a normal distressed person, but I would definitely like to believe my not normal story would get either of them curious enough to chase down the thread until they solved the puzzle.
I would look for Orro mentor to lead me to Orro so I can get into the inn. I guess worse case there is Cookie. In general if I was in Kate Daniels I want Andrea on my side
Well, now that Roman has his own story, I can’t choose him. 🙁
Maybe Teddy Jo
I would go find Cookie Cee. He’s young and hungry to prove himself and has already show he’s resourceful. And I feel like I would be less indebted to him than Nuan Cee since he’s not the head honcho.
Dina, the carebear 😉
I think I’d go looking for Beau Clayton, he’s an helpful fella!
Or Grandma Frida, armed with huge puppy eyes
In Baha-char I would want First Scholar Thek. In any other realm I would want Maud or Leon.
Office Marais & his wife: because they can cope with anything!
yes!!!
At first I thought Gaston, but then I decided Officer Marais because he’s a cop and “protect & serve” is on the job description.
plus he could take me to Gertrude Hunt and I’d get to eat Orro’s awesome food. 😋
Duh – I’m looking for Her Grace, Caldenia (and hoping for some snacks and other goodies from Orro!!) As one other side character mentioned, I wanna sit by her side and be her apprentice!!
I’m going to look for Arabella. She’s capable and seems to be able to roll with chaos.
What a fun question! If I’m waking up in Kate Daniels’ world? At first I thought Luther. I think he’d definitely be helpful, but I think the better choice is Roman.
Arabella – she isn’t a main character – yet. Only a full novel counts, yes?
She’s compassionate, can argue like lawyer, packs a punch and her face gets her anywhere. If she was once to the Inn no one could stop her from shopping at Baha-char where I could find her sipping bubble tea with the drifan of Green mountain. They met at the yarn store where she got some very special yarn for Grandma Frida – it doesn’t tangle – ever! That was after brokering a weapon’s deal between Wilmos and Duncan.
I’d be looking for Bern! Thinking practically, I’m going to need a realistic identity and paperwork, and Bern is good at hacking, so I imagine he could make that happen. Plus, he has all the PI skills and connections to high powered people.
Thank you for so much goodness! The first answer is the smartest move but I worry I wouldn’t be able to keep a straight face if his hat wasn’t on straight so I hope he isn’t rushed when I get to see The First Scholar.
Brian Rodriguez of Casa Feliz, of course!
I’d find Roman. he’s a priest. he a grumpy one to be sure but he has connections and I bet would be willing to help. there is also a big chance that wayOd be able to meet a lot of my favorite people as well! and you never know my intuitionatbe built on a little magic.