The first installment of Maggie’s adventure is a Library Reads Hall of Fame book.
Click here for shameless bragging.
There are many awards a writer can get, but getting one from the librarians is special. We are very grateful.
To celebrate, we bring you Hall of the Hireling, one of the temples from This Kingdom courtesy of Candice Slater.
There are many Aspects of the Divine, but few are as as divisive as the Hireling. Those who worship the Warrior go to war for duty, honor, or glory, but those who worship the Hireling do it for coin. They are soldiers for hire. To them, war is a family trade.
The Hall of the Hireling in the capital of Rellas is as ancient as the city itself. The temple makes its home in a fortress with thick walls and small windows. It is a place where the mercenaries gather to hire out to new campaigns ran by the brokers and to collect their pay. Fledglings, who are on their first year of mercenary work; Blades, who are in their prime; and Old Dogs, who are looking for the short and easy campaigns, all mingle here.
Within the temple courtyard, the Hireling strides atop a simple pedestal set in the middle of a fountain. Before leaving on a job, the mercenaries toss a coin into the water, their contribution to the Aspect. It is said that the fountain burrows deep into the hill under the fortress, and it is half full of copper and silver.
This is where kids of the mercenaries get their first taste of the life and learn the hard truth: money is earned with blood. They watch their parents drop their coins into the fountain, and years later, they will make their own offerings, hoping the Hireling will look kindly on them and let them come back alive.
“Let me tell you a secret that everyone knows. Mercenaries like to talk about rules and traditions, but they are soldiers for hire. They serve the coin and pray to the Hireling. The very Aspect they worship sells his services for money. If they were truly fond of rules
and traditions, they would choose a lord or a city and swear their allegiance. Instead, they work for the highest bidder. Do you know what a dead mercenary is worth?”
“Two boots and a sword?”
“Their boots are garbage, but yes. You can take his sword so you will have a
spare. That’s it.”
Congratulations! This is fabulous
Oops, my finger double clicked ferociously due to not seeing previous comments. *sheepish*
Congratulations. I’m so looking forward to getting my hands on this book.
Congrats on the award!! I read the long chapters we got free from Tor and am truly impressed by all of it. It’s amazing. I hope you enjoy every success from this.
Congratulations!!!!
Hope there are more awards to come!
To get an award from the group of people who know everything about everything (judgment based on personal experience), and cherish the books is truly magnificent!
HA truly is worthy of all the praise they can possibly get. *does a happy dance*
Congratulations! That’s high praise indeed from librarians.
Why does the Hireling remind me of the Mercenary Guild in Atlanta?
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations!!!
Pretty sure more would be coming up release time 🙂
Congratulations, Ilona and Gordon, on more recognition of your creative spirits!
May this result in more Hordelings!
Sending peace, health and safety to all!
The art is so fabulous and atmospheric! Candice is knocking it out of all parks <3
So exciting – congratulations! But FYI, the “shameless bragging” link is broken (at least for me).
I’ve updated it with what I *think* it was supposed to be 🙂 So should work now!
This is amazing! Congrats House Andrews!! 💃💃💃💃
We all know that the Librarians rule 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻
That’s awesome! I’m w**ting p*tiently for the book, haven’t even read the long snippet. That way, I can dive in fresh. Thanks for little snippet. You guys are the best!!
Congratulations! Can’t wait for release day!
This art is gorgeous. Will it be in the book? Or at least one of the editions of the book?
More on special edition art soon 🤐
Sooooon….. p*tiently w*iting for Special Edition Info…
The Horde will try to be fluffy, Mod R. Don’t know if it will work, but we try. 😁
Snippet, snippet, snippet!
I can’t believe we’re getting close to the release date (other than that’s how time works, but it feels like it’s taking forever). As much as I adore all your other series, I think this is the one I’ve been the most excited about.
Congratulations!👏👏👏
W*ting p*tiently and somewhat chalantly…
After looking at shameless bragging, my first thought was “only 5?”
LOUD CHEERS AND GREAT REJOICING!!!
Congratulations, House Andrews! The BDH loves seeing you get the recognition you so richly deserve
Congratulations!! I’ve had the pleasure of reading an ARC and it’s well-deserved. I commend my fellow librarians for their good taste. 🙂 🙂 🙂
CONGRATULATIONS!! I can’t wait to get my copy! Snoopy Dance!
CONGRATULATIONS HA
May we have many more awards, while still knowing that BDH rules over all (with much love).
P*tiently W*iting for all things Maggie (special editions, mugs, mats and more!).
Congrats again
I’m suddenly scared and excited that this series is going to form another group in the hord. we have the Kate “blood blood blood makes the grass grow” Daniels, we have Ripped Cushions, and we have Hidden “Cozy Shipping” Legacy. With all of the Lore dumps I think we are going to have more Lore Nerds for this one. Cool but the Page references at the bottom of posts is going to explode
I am looking forward to getting my autographed copy. have you posted who you’re teaming with yet? I’m sorry if I missed it and am asking for the hundredth time.
I’m so looking forward to this book!! 🙂 I havent read any spoilers so excited to dive into a new world
Congrats on the award!
oohh congratulations, and because i saw the Instagram post notification, I’m in the top 40 just 🙂
Off topic.
My cups came. Well packed, heavy, quality graphics, as described and as ordered.
There was a minor kerflufle that I caused with the address but Mod R fixed it right up.
I’m a happy camper.
I don’t deal with the store 🙂 , so thanks go to Ilona and Kid 1, who do a fantastic job 🙂
Thank you so much for the snippet. It is very much appreciated. How do I access the merch store?
The store link is https://ilonaandrewsstore.com/ 🙂
YEAH! You deserve it! All the awards! Can’t wait for March!
Yay! Congrats!
Congratulations! Well deserved.
Congratulations 🎉👏🏻
Congratulations!! Well deserved!
This world feels so well-planned and interesting. I read the generous preview and am so, so excited for more. I will be on spring break for its release. That means I get to read it twice!
Congrats on the award!
Congratulations!! That wonderful!
Thanks for the snippet! Candace is an amazing artist!
Please let us know when we can order from the store again – excited to get some new mugs
Maybe I’m the only confused one but the store page still says “ We are pausing mugs sales until we can process the large volume of orders that came in over the weekend. Please check later in the week.”
Hi AP, what’s the confusion 🙂?
Hi Mod R! From earlier comments, I got the impression the store was open and I can browse and add items to my cart so can I go ahead and check out or will I get denied because of the notice?
The store is open in the US. It is open semi-permanently, meaning sometimes there will be a few days where the store team catches up with orders.
Currently, you can order deskmats. The mugs will be back after a few pricing adjustments, according to yesterday’s update 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/blog/clean-desk-clean-shelves/
Thank you!!
I’m still holding out for a “I like home…” latte mug! 🤞
Congratulations on the librarians award. That’s fabulous, and well deserved.
Candice’s artwork for Maggie is stunning. Will any of it be included in the ebook?
I picture this Librarians Award as a bunch of Wan Shi Tongs from Avatar the Last Airbender, all gathered around discussing This Kingdom!
Congratulations, I am really looking forward to March 31!
Congrats! What a special award!
Almost there!
Congratulations, House Andrews! The BDH loves seeing you get the recognition you so richly deserve
This is fantastic and well-earned news. Congratulations!
Congratulations!
Librarians are the absolute best! Honestly, they should rule the world. In my bookseller life, I was privileged to deal with librarians from all the schools around us. Every one of them was well educated, well spoken, and sharp as tacks.I was lucky enough to have two part-time helpers who were daytime librarians, and they were the best employees and friends ever. In my next life, I want to be a librarian. Congratulations on a well deserved honor, HA! May the Horde continue to grow.
congratulations! can’t wait for release day.
and Candice is SO talented. Her artwork is breathtaking.
Congratulations on the award! Those librarians are great folk and know what they’re doing!
The artwork is gorgeous! Especially love the multicolored lighting on the 2 blonde’s hair.
This pretty pretty artwork is hinting at a special edition and that makes me doubly excited!
Congratulations! I am sure we have many librarians in the horde!
There are awesome librarians in the Horde!
Congratulations!
This is the perfect post for me to pass on something I found out about my own public library in my city: Some authors are “auto-buy”.
When I recommended ‘This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me’ a little message popped up to say the library automatically purchases all books by this author!
Outstanding!
😍
So basically, the library has an institutional membership in the BDH.
Lol, right?
I bet they have cool uniforms too! 😂
I’m kinda surprised there aren’t more comments speculating the snippet…
Who is talking to who?
I think it’s Maggie and Reynald. And I think it’s also them in the picture.
Why are they there?
I think they are heading there to hire some caravan guards for a journey (just a guess, no clues or knowledge).
Starting to feel real. So happy for you both.
Congratulations !
Congratulations on the award! Well deserved. And the artwork is beautiful!
I don’t normally buy special editions. But if that’s what it takes to get this artwork, I will. Thank you for another tasty crumb, I mean snippet!
This Librarian heartily agrees!
Congratulations! Can’t wait to read the book!
Congratulations! This is a wonderful honor and well deserved. I can’t wait to read the entire story. Love love love your books.
Congratulations!!!
This Kingdom Will not Kill Me, is a great read! Congratulations on recognition for this wonderful book
Congratulations! This is so awesome but totally not unexpected…everything HA writes should be in the Library Reads Hall of Fame! I can hardly w*it for Maggie to officially debut! 😁
P.S. Gorgeous artwork!
Congratulations on the award and thank you for the snippet!
Congratulations x Thrilled you both deserve this and much more for the thrills, excitement and laughs you give us all.
WOW Congratulations! I cant wait to read it!
Shiny!
Congratulations on the award!
All of your books are deserving.
Whoop! Well deserved and many congrats! I hadn’t realized you had so many librarian awards. Doesn’t surprise me that Catalina’s trilogy is so completely represented. I reread or listen to that set often.
Yay! I nominated it (one of many who did)
Thank you so much, Rachelle!
Congratulations! Looking forward to reading!
🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️, I am so overjoyed! The book , the audio, 🙅🏽♀️lots of hugs!!
I cannot wa*t for the rampant TFBDs speculation among us(BDH). The #Team this or all the shipping😊
You are too good to us, lol!
Re: Store
Any chance the Sky Dream cup, currently 12oz latte only, could also be offered as a 20oz mug? I would buy one, regardless of price.
I got the Sky Dream sweatshirt, & a “here kitty kitty” 20oz mug from the previous store.
And, I received my 2 new “Trust” & “Secret” 20 oz mugs yesterday!
Congratulations!! Can’t wait to get my hands on it
Yes for librarians!! this book is being processed in our library system as I write and I am 2nd on the list of 2 books! woo hoo! I cannot buy but enjoy what I can get through our library system! thank you!