Holy crap.
I’m shocked. Gordon is shocked. Our agent is being very cool about this. She is like, “Of course, it’s #1.”
No publicity. No marketing. No nothing.
BDH, you are so damn impressive. OMG.
OMG.
::fans self::
Okay, I will compose myself now.
Urgent things:
Print is in the works, should pop up in the next couple of weeks.
Audio: Hillary and James have the file and will record the book sometime in Early September, which means we will be seeing it maybe in October. We just finished pronunciation guides, and if you speak Japanese, we would love your help, because Gordon’s time in Utsunomiya was many years ago and he is a little rusty.
We just handed off the store support messages to our regular customer service specialist. She was not available before but she just finished her summer semester at college. She went through the customer issue emails at record speed, not realizing that I was still handling them on my end. (I feel like Ada – it’s good to be young.) So if you get a message from us after I already resolved your issue, please ignore it. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Some brief answers to Mod R’s urgent questions.
Sequel?
Yes. But not for a bit. This Kingdom sequel comes first.
Romance and spice in the sequel?
Yes. She threatened him and he liked it. Of course, there will be romance.
Credit to the artist?
Guys, Candice is credited in the usual place artists are credited in the ebook.
People who hire artists check the copyright page. Moving the link to her anywhere else will lessen her exposure.
What’s next?
Next we are working on Maggie 2. But, don’t go away, because we are going to try to have fun stuff available to you. We have a few deleted scenes and short fragments that we need to finish and develop into short stories and more inn-terviews at Gertrude Hunt.
Will this hit NYT?
Not a chance in hell. NYT is heavily weighted toward print books. USAT used to track ebooks, but they now changed the way they are compiling their list, so I wouldn’t expect us to hit there at all.
We don’t care. We are already happy as we can be.
This was an intense path to publication with sudden editing issues, which I won’t discuss here, and we worked so hard, and this is amazing.
Zoom Party
Also I’m supposed to remind you about the zoom release party. We’ve extended attendees numbers, so if you didn’t have a chance to register before, you can do so now.
Join Ilona and Gordon on Saturday, August 16 at 10 AM Central on Zoom – register here
And finally, can BDH name Elias’ cat?
Please suggest the names for the cat – trying to avoid spoilers here – in the comments. If you like the name, +1 it, and Mod R will sort through them and will have a poll for you on Friday.
::hug:: THANK YOU! You are truly the best.
How about “Cookie” as a funny tie-in name?
Monster for the cat
Gwen because she hung out with spider men.
Blizzard because it’s Cold Chaos.
+1 Gwen
Ahh! So happy for you guys! Inheritance (from the reader side of things) was tons of fun!!
Also: “She threatened him and he liked it. Of course there will be romance.” 💘 😍❤️😂 all the emoticons, lol.
I like Murphy. Their law is absolute.
+1
+1
I am not at all surprised about the popularity of this book. I don’t think our authors realize how very good they are at writing. the characters, the description of the setting, the plot and the pace are always marvelous. I bought my e-book and will buy the print book when it comes out.
For the cat, I like something delicate and soft–the exact opposite of the threat the cat actually presents.
Rosie, as in Rosie the Riveter, for the rosettes that appear and disappear and because “we can do it.”
+1 Rosie or Rosette
+1
We bought ours directly from https://ilona-andrews.com/ , zero problems. I am devouring it now, my wife already read it on the blog.
Sorry, that doesn’t help your ‘zon numbers. But I hope it helps your bank account 🙂
Love all your stuff.
Tiny! (Cat name).
Amazing book! Thank you.
+1
Henry V, or Henrietta V as the case may be, for the new cat. As in “Once more unto the breach.”
+1
+1
+1
+1
Henry could also be Hal or Harry for short, since King Henry V went by Prince Hal in the prequels and that speech ends with “Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!’” (It also contains the highly apropos line “when the blast of war blows in our ears,/Then imitate the action of the tiger”.)
Falstaff would also be on-theme, and would fit a giant goofball.
If it’s a hunter:
Kill mouski
If it’s constantly discovering:
Vanguard (van for short)
If it’s always sleeping:
Morpheus
Congratulations! I loved all the finishing touches you added to the book.
Congratulations!!!!!!
I really loved the book! And I’m so happy you guys got actual undeniable evidence (again) that you make people happy and that there are so many people who are truly invested in your writing. Considering how negative the world and internet can be, hopefully this will sustain you for a bit!
Also, I vote for Gummi. Because the idea of two monsterous pets being called Gummi and Bear cracks me up.
+10
+2 Who knew they will be so well matched and squishable cuddly
Sekhmet for the kitty… they are all goddess and deserve the utmost respect!
Love love love the serial and not surprised at all by the reception!
I am new to the BDH but I must let you know,
I am DYING for the next Ryder.. I am completely invested in KD and I just gotta know where it goes!!!!
Congrats and can’t wait for what’s next!
There has to be a Wilmington 3 before Ryder 2, so we need to exercise that much-maligned tool from our traditional Horde skillset: p*tience 😉
ITS SOOOOOO HAAAARRRDDD!!!
::sigh::
Ok… I can do this…😰
Yay for a Wilmington 3! ❤️
+1
Congratulations!!
I stopped reading this on the blog because it was soooooo good and I knew I needed to devour it all in one go.
Purchased it yesterday and cleared my afternoon so I could settle in and read it today.
And now I’m GUTTED it’s finished. It’s brilliant!
Ugh! What to read now to follow on from this?!
Huge congratulations guys it absolutely deserves to top ALLLL the bestseller lists!
+1 for reaper/ripper
My first thought was also “Of course!”
I would name her Patience for her long ordeal and because cats can be very very scary with their focussed patience.
+1 – because we the BDH have so much Patience.
Also my cat’s name is Senora as an option too.
Cat name – Kitty, because she’d just a youngster still.
Thank you again for taking such care over your writing, I’ve mentioned it before, but your writing is good enough to take me completely out of myself so I don’t notice my chronic pain – truly an incredible gift.
Well well well deserved. The BDH is pleased that we are a force for good!
The cat’s name should be Ripper, as in ripper cushions! 🤣
Congrats on the book! Loved it!
I looked through the comments but didn’t see this one
Cat name – Chaos, after the guild name Cold Chaos
+1 Chaos!
Elias seems like the kind of person who would refuse to name the cat or give it a really bland name, like “Cat” or “Lucy” or something deceptively harmless like “Daisy”.
Although it would be really funny if he names it “Ada”.
Elias cat name with backstory.
LIGHTFOOT
circa 1969 a Navaho man lived in my town with his cat, Lightfoot. Lightfoot was white and black long haired cat. One night I woke up around 2 or 3 pm. Hot night, go,sit by 2nd floor window and see Lightfoot walk onto our small quiet street and sit in middle of street. A number of cats join him. 6 plus. They sit in a true circle, and make No noise. 1/4 + hr or so, the get up one at a time and walk into the night alone. Lightfoot leaves when all gone.
Are we disturbed by this or pleased that The Lightfoot Council had everything covered? Pretty sure I would have given him extra snacks every time I saw him afterwards!
Cat name: Chicken
Congrats to House Andrews!! So well deserved. 🙂 They are so kind and generous to their devoted Horde with all the free serials, the easter eggs, the answering of our questions, peeks into the world of writers, and just everything.
And…laughed out loud when I read “…She threatened him and he liked it. Of course, there will be romance.” I want to put that on a shirt or something.
Put it on a mug, a sticker, a tote bag….
I love my tote bags. The Book Devouring Horde one is currently full of library books. Congratulations, you’re evil enough tote is full of my own books.
I had an almost 11 hour non- stop flight from London yesterday. Read the whole thing. It was wonderful! I can’t wait for more!
Yay!! Congratulation and jubilation!!! HA and BDH for the WIN!
So Happy!!
Suggested name for the cat:
1. Anasazi
2. Cattus Felinus
3.Ozmandias
Perhaps Ozmandius with nickname Oz.
We should name the kitty Dushegub.
I have the precious waiting for me at home on my kindle. I just need my workday to finish.
Behold the power of the horde. Jinjin for the kitty. Jin means benevolence and she was so sweet holding up her little paw asking for help.
someone on the Discord suggested Ferocious, as a contrast to Ada’s cat Mellow, and I really liked it!
+1
Congratulations! The book is a great read. Purchased the ebook and looking forward to buying the print.
Cat name = Fluffy
+1
+1
+1
I’m going to suggest Cache or Serendipity due to the circumstances behind getting the cat.
+Serendipity – Dippy? Dipity? Sere?
Please name the cat Patience – for all that the BDH sincerely lacks. 🤣 I suppose if Elias or…others name the cat, Fluffy? 🐈⬛
+1 Patience
+1 Patience
for that which the BDH struggles with, and which i can see Elias will struggle with, having a giant cat, as we all know, cats go their own way!
+1 for Patience the Cat
I wonder how many others have elected to move from Amazon to the HA store as I did? And it still went straight to Amazon #1! Woo Hoo!!!
I’ll still be buying any and all Ilona Andrews novels, novellas, short stories etc. as soon as they become available, but THANK YOU for allowing me to do that outside of Amazon and their increasingly restrictive licensing.
Congrats, not at all surprised!!!
🙂
Something ironically harmless sounding and referencing the color perhaps. And I thought the cat was female?How about Marigold?
Great finish to the book. Worth waiting for.
I liked Kitty.
I liked Jim and Steve but I think she is a girl.
I loved Tuna.
But the name I have been saving if a kitty finds me is
Kit-Kat.
not that Elias will have known that chocolate was the last good thing Ada got to eat before stalker meat.
Man, I zoomed thru this (again) .. the ending was perfect and hints at Thing to Come..
And of course Elias’ cat should be called Hobbes..🤓
L
Name for the feline. R&D
Pronounced. R and D
Or Ardi.
Role: mascot for Cold Chaos (Secret Mascot).
Wow. Excellent book 1. So many questions. I hope it turns into a serial abet a short one. Don’t want the war to be long. Need to keep Earth safe.
Congratulations!
It’s so gratifying that the BDH can exceed the author duo‘s expectations with sales as much as you exceed ours with your writing!
Name suggestions for Elias‘ kitty:
Nyx – in Greek mythology „night“, a child of Chaos
Ember – based on the red to black color of the coat, like a glowing coal
Meek – a misnomer to match Mellow
Mars, if male.
Red color, battle skills and the phonetic humor of putting “Mars” and “Mellow” together
Nyx +1
Nyx +1
+1
cat’s name;
Red Velvet
as in red velvet cake. Can be shortened to
Red or Velvet.
Congrats!!! hmm, cat name would say Janus: the Roman god of beginnings, endings, doorways, and transitions.
feels fitting!
+1
+1
Congratulations!!
All we do is devour the words! You do the hard part, and so well!
How about if the cat was named Tulip?
Or we could call the cat “Patience”..
Of course it’s number 1. None of your readers are surprised by that. Good job and congrats. I was up all night reading it.As always it was over too soon time to reread the Innkeeper books!
I did not have the p**nce to wait (as soon as I found the book funnel mail in my spam a day later!)
For the cat, wouldn’t Elias like to pay back Ada for threatening him? So what about Lovelace, Lovey for short?
Inheritance was already flagged “best seller” when I bought it at 10:30am EDT on 8/12 (release day?)
BDH probably had a go at crashing Amazon servers trying to get this book 😆 (cliffhangers are evil!)
Also, I heroically refrained from falling on this book like Bear in a stalker carcass, and also from skipping to the end for the Meeting. Alas, I only managed to make it last for 24 hours….although I did read the last chapter twice – really enjoyed seeing Ada from Elias’ PoV
Loved the book! I think a good name for Elias’ cat would be Khan, after Shere Khan in The Jungle Book.
Then at some point you can have someone throw back their head and scream “Khaaaaannnn!” just for fun.
What a great idea, Mitch!
Or Baloo, then the kitty is also a bear 😉
lol, my orange Manx is a Khan. Named for Shere Khan, and for Genghis Khan, and for Khan Noonian Singh of Star Trek fame-for exactly the reason given! He is a shrewd hunter, demands attention, but can be affectionate to his humble human servants.
You doubted the BDH? Your agent’s reaction is the correct one, LOL.
Loving this for y’all.
Totally awesome! Congrats🌠!
You guys have yet to disappoint! Love all your work!
As for the cat, I like Moshi. It’s Japanese, kinda means “hello”.
Currently #1 on Apple Books in Canada too. Cheers!
This makes me so happy! Yesterday I was going to buy from store…(I had practiced with a duplicate silver shark download) and then I thought….hmmm….if I’m buying on release day…..then the Amazon rating is probably more impactful to overall IA success than an extra couple of dollars….so I bought from Amazon ….and it was obviously my one purchase that pushed you to #1! Congratulations!
I’m also waiting on the print book with bated breath. Can’t wait!!!
Since you mentioned you’re interested in Japanese, you could name the cat Neko. Maybe the healer guy who got stuck in Japan named it?
I think the cat should either have a person name, so Elias and others can legit talk about it in company (Kevin, Steve, Jim) like a member of the Guild.
Or I think the cat should be named HQ. Similar to the joke about the guy who has the boat named “Business” so he can legit say he’s “out on business”. Elias could say he needs to check on HQ.
i like Androcles due to the injured paw but now i love the idea of a regular name to avoid questions and interest. im a +1 on R&D too
+1 for Androcles or Steve (because…of course Steve).
Also….
Yes, glad to be able to buy them straight from you, both for you getting a larger cut of the profits, and also avoiding Amazon’s “you’re not buying the book you’re buying the license to read the book” (or whatever).
Also…
+1 Androcles
Amazing release!!
Got my book from Amazon, because couldn’t get it from the store (Portugal)
For the cat, my first tough was Fred, he is suppose to be kept underwraps, so a plain, simple name was my ideia.
Well deserved #1!! Congratulations!!
Cat name : Mystic
Thanks! Hugs! 🥰 Yipee!
Breathe. Rest. Congrats.
Six months to Maggie… I will have p@tience.
You guys are awesome.
p.s. That no way in hell on NYT? Famous last words! WooHaHaHa…(evil laughter)
Congratulations! It couldn’t have happened to 2 more deserving people. You sent out goodness into the world & it came back to you. Look forward to you selling lots more.
Figment seems like a good name. When you have to convince people they didn’t see a kitten the size of a hippopotamus, it’s just a Figment…
+1
House Andrews -“The End”
BDH – “That is a lie. just like 1 out of 1 books. lies”
Thank you so much. Please bring the factory simulator/farming simulator slice of life next. Or some foodie thing. Next time an agent says something won’t sell please point out how a Gate Fantasy hit #1.
Edit: Kitty Name – Sir/Madam Fluffy McFluff Face. This will be the written on name after someone scratches out whatever name Leo put on the cage/crate for it. There is a none zero chance the BDH ships this with Mellow.
🤣 The End.
That’s a lie, just like 1 out of. 1 books.
😂(so far)
Cat Names:
Ruby Chaos (red and black fur plus Cold Chaos)
or
Sophie (short for sophont and her collar was the data storage for the witness camera)
Additional
+1 for both Sophie and Ruby Chaos
Number 1 so wonderful!!
Of course it’s not at all surprising.
Well deserved, of course it is number one!!! I truly loved this story and having it to read made my day, gave me reasons to smile and it was a great comfort to curl up with this book and immerse myself in a whole new world with terrific, lovable characters. I’m very much looking forward to the next one. Thanks so much for writing it and going to the effort to get it out there so we can all read it. I loved it!
It’s an amazing story, told incredibly – a well deserved #1!!!
Congrats!!! Love the story! I was thinking the cat could be named Artemis after the Greek goddess of the hunt. And then be called Missy for short.
“She threatened him and he liked it. Of course there will be a romance.” — Is perfect quote for mug or shirt 😆 Congrats on the record, happy to contribute my part! ❤️❤️❤️
Elias’ cat
“Fluffy”
Baby
the cat should be called Baby
something thats sooooo cute for it
How about naming the kitty ‘CC’ (as in Cici) for Cold Chaos? Seems like a very Elias thing to do!
Congratulations! ::dance of joy:: 🎉
Congratulations!! I’m surprised that you are surprised!
Don’t you know by now to never go in against the BDH when an IA book is on the line? 😍
Also, after reading all the name suggestions, I’m a fan of Tiny or Steve. 😂
blessed be the Ilona Andrews team. the Inheritance was AMAZING!!!!!! kate & Curran have always been my favorites but Ada’s story…..wow. also, thank you for Bear. I’m an animal person & while shape shifters are fun, Beast is a hoot, I definitely needed a heroine with a giant GSD.
thank you both so much.
Prince or Saint for the Little Prince/Antoine de Saint-Exupéry reference *waves hands* you-know-when.
Or a cliché housecat name like Fluffy or Mittens for the absurdity 😁
I am happy for the Andrews that The Inheritance is number one on Amazon.
I have really enjoyed your serial postings of this book. I guess because I have sorely missed the Innkeeper yearly serial postings. they were such a joy to look forward to and yes, there was frustration involved as well(patience must practice patience)(yes I know there have been other books, but the Innkeeper series was my favorite 🤩).
And may I say, the absolute joy of biweekly postings of The Inheritance was fantastic.🥰
Congratulations House Andrews on being number one on Amazon‘s best seller list 🎊🎉
PS
I loved the ending and the added scenes to the book🥰
I’m looking forward to the sequel.
Not planning to attend the zoom but will wait and catch the results later on your website.
How about Novella?
because much like Inheritance, kitty is bigger than expected and we are all here for it. 😁
+1
+1
Whoops, wrong spot. This was supposed to go under the first posting that congratulated House Andrews.
oh I didn’t even know this came out! I will go buy it
Also #1 in Kindle Fantasy!
I had a German Shepherd collie mix named Sargent Pepper. yes after that ridiculous but fun movie. I know it’s for the kitty kitty not a dog, but I suggest that. So, Sargent Pepper is my suggestion.
I speak Japanese 🙋🏻♀️! Assuming all you need is pronunciation, I’ve got it covered. They treat me like a native until I run out of vocabulary to keep up 😅 Would love to help!
Yes. She threatened him and he liked it. Of course, there will be romance.
This make my day… and night.
Thank you.
Yay!! I really enjoyed the serial and the book!
Also, resident of Japan and Japanese speaker here. Pronunciation is one of my specialties!
This is a great story! I’m anxiously awaiting where it integrated in the Innkeeper series.
The gender of the cat wasn’t revealed, but I propose Koshka for its name.
+1
That’s a great cat name. In general.
Congrats! So well deserved, what a lovely much needed treat this book has been. Excited for the next, as any self-respecting member of the BDH would be!
Cat name: Gruff
There’s something oddly charming about considering a name that might have been chosen by Elias when thinking about his recent experience with Mellow. I could see Elias being amused at the thought that he at least picked a name that fit the personality of the big cat, unlike a certain so-called Mellow, and rubbing that good naturedly into Ada’s face if there was ever an opportunity. Entirely possible that he’d offer the chance to name the cat to one of her kiddos though at some point in the story as a way to bond a bit or soften any horror they might feel over potentially learning some of what their mother survived during her time in the breech. Who knows, all well beyond me, but fun to think about! Excited to see what options pop up in the survey!
My Mellow cat claimed me at my mailbox. I had unlocked my apartment mail slot and was looking through envelopes when this piercing wail came from my feet. There was an orange tabby kitten. It was so mellow in the car ride to the vet and home, I named it Mellow. That turned out to be a misnomer after it got well and ruled over the other cats.
I had another cat who did not take to a name and I got tired of calling “here kitty, kitty”, so I shortened it to Kiki.
I think Kiki would fit Elias’s new feline companion.
I also liked the Duchess and Princess suggestions.
Kiki
Mm…. Short for murder. mittens!
Is there someone in Elias’s life whose name would fit the cat, or who the cat be named for, for emotional reasons?
Should
“or who the cat should be named for”
loved the book! congratulations on hitting #1.
I think the cat should be named Snitches because it is a big old tattletale for ratting out Ada😉
Cat names – Had an orange ginger cat growing up – he cared about nothing except for food, belly rubs, being brushed and pampered and long naps on down filled comforters.
Official name Sir Fredrick – Colloquially known as Fat Fred.
Congratulations!
Obviously we spread the word as you were posting it and then reminded people that it was available for sale.
We are enthusiastic marketers because you keep feeding us yummy books 📚
I enjoyed reading the reviews. I can’t remember seeing stats in the 90s and the one star was obviously accidental because the review was positive.
You both did this, you created this horde from scratch over years of hard work. You hosted this community and attracted people who care.
It’s fun to see your reaction. 🎆
Since I don‘t do Amazon anymore, I didn‘t help with the 1st Place. But congratulations to you guys, you really deserve it.
I have to thank you also for introducing me to bookfunnel. Since quitting Amazon (and therefore kindle) I looked around for alternatives, but it was really hard. I am german and I found a great distributor for e-books called book7, that does social projects for every book bought, but it is not always up-to-date on english books, so for projects like this you miss out. But they have Maggie!
So I am very glad for option bookfunnel offers. Now the only thing I have to decide is the Point in time I will buy all your books again: Now or Later. Decisions, decisions….
Oh and for the cat name: I support Princess, but I also have a name nobody else is going to like, but I want to throw it out there: Birdy 😃
Hera, to match Hidden Legacy’s “Zeus”.
Cat name: Cuddles
Congratulations!
+1 for Cuddles. A cat the size of a cow, with fangs the size of Elias’ fingers that gives headbumps of thanks needs a name like ‘Cuddles’.
+1
Loved the book, this news is icing on the cake.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!
Why did you EVER doubt yourselves & the Horde??????
I have yet to read in full. I need a few quiet hours which is not possible at this time but shortly🙏🏻.
Name for the cat- Sweet Pea😺
Cat name Bast. What more appropriate name than that of the cat goddess herself?
Clifford the big red ..cat 🙂
That is a great one!
No 1 in Germany as well…
https://amzn.eu/d/0bZSJlF