These titles are getting longer and longer.
Ahem. Drum roll, please!
Apple books thinks that This Kingdom is the Best Of the Year So Far. Here is the link, but I think it only works if you are signed into Apple Books.
“Explore a new world in this wickedly inventive portal fantasy.”
Woo!
But wait, there is more.
This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me audiobook has received a starred review from Library Journal. It appears in their June issue.
“VERDICT An excellent listen for fans of singNsong’s Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint or Sarah Rees Brennan’s Long Live Evil, which suggest that loving books may be the greatest power of all.“
Thank you so much to Apple Books and Library Journal. We think you are the best as well!
Also our deepest gratitude to Kristen Sieh for her incredible narration.
In celebration, here is a little bit more Solentine. But this is it. We can’t do anymore for a bit.
Blog Policy Reminder:
Please don’t point out the typos. They will happen in both first drafts and blog posts. We appreciate your help, but it tends to start fights and devolves into competitive typo spotting. Thank you!
The Purring Viper
By the time Sol reached the castle gates, the sun had slid halfway behind the mountain, and the evening light was almost lavender. An old man with skin like worn parchment sat on a bench by the gates, leaning his back against the stone wall. His right eye was closed. His other eye was long gone, and a narrow scar cleaved his tan cheek, crossed his forehead, and burrowed into his hairline.
He wore an old but clean linen tunic, brown pants, and a light vest. A straw hat sat on his head. A grass stalk jutted from his mouth. He looked like a farmer who sat down after a long day of work to catch his breath before heading home from the fields. Perfectly harmless.
Sol approached, making no sound as he crossed the road.
A slow smile stretched the old man’s lips. His eye was still closed.
“Young master.”
If vipers could purr, they would sound just like that.
“Vidan.”
The old man didn’t hear him, and he didn’t see him. Sol raised his arm and sniffed his sleeve. A faint whiff of a slightly spicy aroma tugged on him. He smelled like drezmur.
“Smells like the sky,” Vidan said.
“Smells like a greedy, insolent creature.”
“She gave you trouble?”
Sol grinned. “Always.”
Vidan opened his eye. It was dark and lively, almost twinkling. “I’m so glad to see you. It’s been too quiet around here.”
“Is the family in?”
“Your aunt and your cousin are out. There is a piebassa flock on the southern ridge, and the farmers have been crying about their stolen goats.”
His aunt was out hunting. This would make things easier.
“And the lord?” Sol asked.
“In his study.”
“Has he had any new visitors lately?”
Vidan sat up straighter. “An auldor called Brolen Grond has come around twice.”
As Maggie wrote. He was still holding on to a slim hope that she was wrong. Just because a man named Grond came to paid his respects to his uncle didn’t mean a mine was involved.
“What do you make of him?”
“Feels slippery, that one. I had him followed. The first time it was him and the bodyguard.”
“Is the bodyguard any good?”
The old man shrugged. “He might be interesting. The second time they came, Reg the Frog met them on the road and rode with them all the way back to town. Reg runs with Fador.”
Fador fancied himself a local crime lord. One could never eliminate crime. It would be going against human nature. One could, however, keep a lid on it. It was the approach his father and his aunt had adopted long ago. They drew a line in the sand and demonstrated what happened when someone crossed it. He had discussed the consequence of crossing that line with Fador at length three years ago. Unfortunately, the man was both greedy and stupid.
“Have there been any changes?”
Vidan sat straighter. “Fador’s been hiring. He brought in more muscle. They aren’t local.”
How curious.
Vidan’s gaze searched him. “Will we be going out?” His voice vibrated with cautious hope.
“Yes.” Another chat was clearly in order.
Vidan pushed himself off the bench, suddenly spry. “Should I bring the kids?”
“It wouldn’t hurt.”
Vidan smiled. “I’ll see to it then.”
First?
Thank you. 🙂
Congrats to House Andrews!!!
You are the best!! 😃 Glamour get the recognition you deserve 🥰
second 🙂 ?
Congratulations 🥳
and thanks for the snippets! It does make me feel a bit better after missing out again on that Owlcrate box.
Bring the whole family! it’s a family affair ^^
Oh my yes. I sense spicy shenanigans!
I agree with Nathalie, this is one of the best single narrator books I have listened to and I’ve listened to so many. Kristen Sieh is phenomenal! I’ve been binge listening to this book for several weeks now; I’ve stopped counting but I’m up to double digits now. HA’s writing soothes my soul and keeps me sane. I understand Maggie’s pain of waiting for the next book but rereads are keeping me happy.
A book for Solentine?! BEST AUTHORS EVER! The snippets have been wonderful so I’m w*iting quietly with anticipation. (No I’m not, I’m jumping up and squeeing quite loudly) This is so AWESOME!
Ahem! Chalantness back in place.
Thank you so much for your talent and your kindness! I have been blessed to know and read your work, it truly is a balm to my soul to have read your beautiful worlds. (the L does belong in the word)
Wonderful, Thank you. 😊Fabu
Third???
And thank you for the snippet!!
such a cool snippet!! So very glad this kingdom is getting the recognition it deserves
+1000
As always, sooooo good!!
Thank you for the snippets.
Sol is so fun to spend time with.
Thank you for snippet!
2 Sol snippets in 2 days: thank youuuu! 💙
Sees snippet. Makes happy whale noises.
Congrats!! Of course TKWNKM is the best!
thank you for more Solentine!
+100
SO, so good! ♥️
Doing a Sol Happy Dance
Love hearing about Sol
Thanks for the snippet and CONGRATS on the latest reviews! 💗
Thank you so much. I am grateful for the story to come.
As always. Great news aboout TKWNKM. ❤️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
TKWNKM is the first book about which I have feelings to the point that I wanted to post an indignant reply to each negative review on Goodreads or Amazon or whatnot. I did not do this, of course, because I would like to continue to appear as a mostly sane person. But it is good to know that enough people have good taste in books for TKWNKM to be successful!
Ha! Agree 100% on the indignant replies. I, too, face the same temptations.
Thank you for the snippet! I’m a bit like the drezmur and greedy for more – I really hope we get to eventually see this whole scene with SOL realizing that maggie was right and the talk with his aunt after- I’m eager to see our favorite assassin humbled a bit lol. But still so thankful for what we have graciously been gifted! <3
Congrats on the recognition! It’s well deserved!
Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah! Congratulations on yet MORE well deserved recognition for your creative soul gifts! May the Horde continue to expand far and wide!
Thank you for the snippet! Apparently Sol brings ‘excitement’ when he visits….
Sending peace, health and safety to all!
What!? Snippets again! We are so not worthy! Thank you, O generous HA. I can be chalant for a while longer. Thank you.
Congratulations! and thanks for the food! 🤣
Yay for snippets!
When kid life is crazy (my kid forgot her shoes and didn’t remember until she jumped out of the car to go to camp), having a snippet is better than than a cup of coffee!
When is kid life *not* crazy? Inquiring minds want to know.
Mine are in their 30s, so it’s crazy at some remove, but the past weekend’s visit still had its moments.
Love the snippets of Sol!
Oooh!! More Sol!! Thank you!! Wondering if “the kids” are people or creatures!!
Congratulations! And thank you so much for the Sol snippets. So much awesomeness. ^_^
CONGRATULATIONS! So glad your work is getting the broad(er) recognition it deserves! Not sure I agree I would want to LIVE inside the world of This Kingdom — I’d likely be a Red Shirt and meet my sad demise pretty quickly — but frequent re-reading and making of the recipes mentioned therein is do-able!
Big up my redshirt homie 🤣
Congratulations on the reviews! Well deserved.
As for the snippet, interesting imagery to sum up the old man in one sentence: I understand that when a viper is basking in the sun and so content it looks like it could purr, it very much does not want to be disturbed and reacts … negatively … to anyone who does. Quiet, content, and absolutely lethal…
Wonderful snippet. It’s a dull rainy day in Illinois. This brightened my day! I’m making preemie size stuff for an in-law’s niece who is having twin girls in the fall. If they aren’t needed then the little outfits can be put on dolls or teddy bears! I mainly collected the patterns for bitty baby doll clothes. I’ll also make a couple of quilts. I hope everyone is staying safe from the storms and the flooding they bring.
Oh, this is a LOVELY Wednesday treat.
Damn, another snippet. I feel so spoiled!!! Thank you for being the best authors ever <3
@ModR – so as not to disurb IA: Is it too early to ask when we will be able to purchase the book with all of Solentine's bonus stuff? As we are cut off from more snippets now, I need to figure out where to get my supply ^^*
Haha, you thought you were getting Mod R, but she is off today. Solentine’s short story is written. It is about 15,000 words. It will be included in mass market, I believe, but you can get it before then when we release the companion ebook and print. Right now we are writing like the wind to finish, and then we will immediately shift onto the companion book.
Thank you for the super quick answer – so excited!
Ooooo thanks for the heads up!
Woohoo, thank you!!! For snippets past and present and bonus stories future.
Wait — you wrote 15,000 words and STOPPED??
I had no idea you could do that, Ilana. I am seriously impressed at your discipline in the midst of finishing Maggie 2. Or at all, really. No complaints whatsoever — just treasuring the idea of the unexpected companion book, and really very, very spoilt. Thank you for all the words! 🙂
THANK YOU SO MUCH. You guys are the absolute best authors.
Not just the writing. Which is the best. But the way you spoil and interact with us. Appreciate all you do so much. I know I am a greedy insolent creature.
OH! Can we have the Drezmur be the official mascot of the Hoard? You have to admit, it fits us.
Yes! We must have the Drezmur as our mascot.
That or maybe the Barsa?
Oh my!! We continue to be sooo spoiled! 😍
Btw, I remember blog posts from the Maggie writing time that IA did not expect this story to be so impactful.
Something about not being a new anchor series to draw in more Horde members to devour the backlist….
Look how times have changed 🙂 best book love <3
Congratulations on all the accolades! Thank you for the extra Solentine snippet. Yum, yum!
🥳🥳🥳🥳🎉🎉🎉🎉📚📚📚
Congrats!!!! More well deserved awards! 🎉🎉
Thank you so much for feeding us so well 🥹❤️ I get so excited and happy from everything HA gives us. I love this blog.
🤩🤩🤩 thank you!
Thank you for the delicious snippet!!!
I got my husband into the innkeeper graphic audio and he loved them (although he still thinks of them as girl books)
I can’t wait for this kingdom to come out in graphic audio so I can share this book awesomeness with him too (a bit barsa yes)
Have you listened to the audio book for this one? It is really as good as any Graphic Audio production. The narrator is incredible.
I usually can’t listen to the “normal” audiobooks – my mind always drifts away. Graphic audio was my salvation, BUT this narrator is spectacular and I can listen to it (may be the narrator and the spectacular story combined, but I’m living it!)
We buy more books = more awards are won = more snippets are bestowed.
This sounds like an easy equation for the horde to get behind 😉
Congratulations on well deserved accolades.
I just finished the first listen of the audio book. WOW! I had read (devoured) the ebook the first two days, but the audio was even better! So much world building to savor! And now this! Thank you!
Snippets are such wonderful gifts. They are the verbal equivalent of a wonderful smell that gets your attention and makes you want more…
YAY! YAY! YAY!
I understand you can’t do more for a while. I really do. But pretty please can we get the whole visit at some point? I’d love to meet Maggie’s new parents.
AND THANK YOU.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! The secret lives of Solentine! I love it—and your kindness! We will wait patiently, with the utmost gratitude!
congratulations, ot is well deserved
and thank you for the little Sol snack, its timely with solstice approaching 😛
Amazing! Thanks so much!
This Kingdom is the gift that keeps on giving 🥰
Thank you so much!
I am loving these snippets!
Thank you so much!
Ooooooooooooo!!!! A Faithful Old Retainer!!!!!
And kids!!!!! I wanna meet the kids!!!
Well deserved guys, the book is fantastic. Thank you for sharing the snippet and for all that you do for us.
Congratulations 🍾🎉! So well deserved!
Another snippet?! So many néw characters to wonder about🤔💭,lol. I am already feeling withdrawal symptoms and i just finished this last snippet. I am so ready for Maggie 2!!
Spinnet almost everyday! Like Christmas! Thank you!
As a blog reader of only 3 or 4years, I was always kinda hesitant to recommend their new books since I felt you needed to read all the before books to really enjoy their new release. With tkwnkm, I feel no hesitation to suggest it to both male and female readers. And I have been shouting this recommendation everywhere. And since I have been posting you gotta read tkwnkm ,my Facebook newsfeed has exploded so I keep posting. Its so wonderful to have such a fantastic book to suggest. I am so happy others agree.
To quote Farhang “An embarrassment of riches.” Two snippets in a row. So happy! Thank you House Andrews! And congratulations!!
Spoiled rotten, we are!😁
Thank you for these delicious snippets! ❤️
ohohoh
I feel so lucky!
Came to reread the first Sol snippet and now this!!
Thank you!
And congratulations. I hope sales are smashing all projected numbers. You deserve all the awards.
Thank you for the wonderful snippet.
Congratulations and well deserved! Also, so not surprised! 👏
As someone else mentioned, a drezmur would indeed make a good BDH mascot, being “a greedy, insolent creature”. 😄
Congratulations. (I’m sure Apple Books will eventually drop the “…so far” part)
Thank you for the snippet.
I LOVE these Solentine snippets! I had wondered very much about the DeMarrs and the decision and feelings surrounding adopting Maggie. Thank you!
yes, THIS:)
thank you
I love snippets, but they also get me so excited and then I remember we still have to wait so long😩
Congrats!
And I enjoy the new blurb so much!
ahhhh, there’s probably YEARS to wait for Maggie 2 and i want it now. i don’t wanna be p*tient.
love the snippet!…. please sir may I have some more.
and congratulations, it’s a truly wonderful book and I’ve had so much fun rereading it.
Two snippets in two days, a real treat. 😉 Thank you. Wonderful news about the rankings.
omg a family of vipers aw how cute 😛
I am so happy this book is doing so well and people are finding you and your amazing worlds!
I can’t wait. I’m impatient.
I’ll have to read that amazing and captivating book yet again.
And again. And, yes, again.
Sol snippet on the family are the BEST – thank you!! I’m hopeful we get the full family drama backstory when HA is allowed (?) or willing and able! So curious! 🙏🙌🙌🙌
I think Booktok has found you. Maggie is all over Instagram right now.
Am I bad for wanting them to remain “ours,” as in only for those of us who’ve been here from the beginning? BookTok can go jump… 😆🤣 But so saying I gifted a copy to my 21-year-old niece, hoping she’ll soon join the Horde, I’m starting her off with Maggie, then siccing Curran on her…..
Are these Solentine snippets a part of Maggie 2, or are they Solentine POV extras?
I really enjoyed them, either way!
POV extras, Maggie 2 will remain as a first person POV 🙂
YES!!!! WE LOVELOVELOVELOVE SNIPPETS!!
Thank you !
I am logged in in apple books, but I am a German => it says something is wrong
I hate that apple books has no real possibility to exclude my native tongue, does not show English suggestions even as I have chosen English for the OS, and in the preferences, everywhere it can be picked.
All suggestions, bestseller, sale offers, free, whatever are for me not useable as they are all only for German language titles.
Very annoying
Congrats to the best of… (even if I do not know if it’s #1 or e.g. #5
I am shoving this whole snippet in my mouth. It is delicious, and i thank you for this treat!
Congrats on all the rave reviews y’all have been getting, you deserve it!
Omg, yes yes yes,another snippet. We are loved, thank you!
Ah the life of House Andrews. You struggle heroically on a book,sweat it out, listen to Ms.Frost chuckle when you are at 100k words and say ‘ we are nearly done’, have the BDH saying ‘Feed Me!’ like Audrey 2 in Little Shop of Horrors, finish, edit it, worry it stinks , no one will like it…and when it comes out it.is well received but you don’t notice it because you are groaning through the next book,worrying about it …
I am so glad the book is doing well and getting accolades, and hopefully it is enough new readers, that you realize the BDH knows a good thing when they see it. But I guess we are like when you are married and your spouse gives you a compliment and there is the niggling feeling of ‘of course they said that, they have to, they are my s.o’ 🙂
The book is fantastic and I hope it is bringing in new members to the BDH. Raises an interesting question, has it raised book sales of your other books over the typical range? I really hope so, this book is that good it’s good.
Oh, thank you so much! And congratulations!
Massive congrats HA!!! it’s brilliant to see Maggie getting the praise and recognition it deserves!!!🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
Ooh and you spoil us again! I’m a “what happens next” girlie so after yesterday’s Sol snippet this was spot on perfect too – really enjoyed it!! yay!!! thank you thank you thank you!!!!!
🥰🥰🥰
Dear House Andrews, your long standing IA loving BDH is not surprised in the least, we know you and your ever evolving story lines are the best! That saying, we are ever so proud and pleased to be your ever loving horde.
so, The drezmur Sol rode is a specific creature well known to him and the family and the retainers… insolent, tries to surprise attack after being dismissed, greedy for the meat to go with her high energy potatoes… I suppose a burst of energy skyward would summon her. and I’m sure she could help with the pibasas(?) population.
but, I want to know if she flew down R and his two knights and all three horses at the beginning of TWWNKM (Which i keep pronouncing in my head as “twink ‘im” ), she is certainly strong enough, but I’m just trying to picture it. and how long has she been shared by R and the DeMarrs? she is a wild free creature, but obviously hangs around on the off chance that she can lure someone to feed her during a ride… she has developed a taste for them or their magic, why else wait on the small cliff??
TWWNKM (Which i keep pronouncing in my head as “twink ‘im” )
That’s awesome. I’ll be using that from now on lololol
I now personally think of TKWNKM as T’KnowKem 😆😆😆😆
+1
I was just wondering that as well. Another link between the two families sharing a connection over borders that flying creatures would not recognize.
Oops, my reply skipped a comment.
I don’t know how publishing works but I hope your extraordinary talents and hard work are being rewarded richly and by richly I mean money. Thank you for Maggie
I can’t wait for the day when we get Solentine’s whole story! I think I’m on my 8th listen to the audio book, and Solentine is one of my favorite characters. This snippet is awesome. Thanks for all you do!! I will be (chalantly) waiting for when you can release more.
congrats!
I read the blog post about Owlcrates just before this one (I usually save up the blog posts & read them all once a week) and I’m just picturing HA having A Very Serious Discussion when they’re approached about special editions now.
“Listen. We have a rabid fanbase. We’re not making this up. They proudly dubbed themselves The Book-Devouring Horde and *they mean it.” They will descend upon your website like locusts and be _very very_ upset if there is nothing left to devour. Are you sure youre ready for this?”
👀
Who us? 😇😉😂
OMG YOU GIVE THE BEST SNIPPETS!!!!!
Thank You. It was great.
TKWNKM deserves ALL of the awards, and it is so nice (but not surprising in the least!) to see it and HA getting the recognition that the BDH has known they deserve for so long now! Congrats!!!! (And thank you yet again for a great snippet….love it!) 🥰💕💕💕
This is amazing! So well deserved by House Andrews. I love these snippets of Sol. I can’t wait to see the full scene play out with his uncle and then him and his aunt discussing bringing Maggie into the family. Such a great world being built out.
Of course they are the best. Happy I am our amazing IA duo continues being honored (and so deserved). Their work adds so much positive vibe to our world. Thank you forever for your work.
Wonderful! thank you so much and many congratulations!
I didn’t know one of the BDH’s key skillset is competitive typo spotting 🤣
Oh dear. Sorry not sorry, I want Sol’s book.
So well deserved! Maggie’s is a truly outstanding novel. I’ve enjoyed all of your novels, but this one is sooo good.
That first paragraph! What a picture! You truly draw us into this world. Thank you for more Sol! I’m thinking there’s some family fun ahead! 😂
(A Solentine short story?! Squee!)
Now, though, I’m feeling truly imp*tient for m*re!! I feel like a drezmur…greedy and insolent! 😉
Chalantness, chalantness….must remember.
Thank you HA!
*sighing with happiness *. The Authorlords feed their minions.
AAARRRGGHHH!!! This snippets are SO enticing that i actually groan when i get to the end.
Congratulations!
Thank you for spoiling us with these snippets. ❤️ They whet the appetite!
Congratulations are well deserved!
Thank you for the snippet!!
Congrats!
I’m so excited to read this book! Kind of like Maggie waiting for the last book in the series. I hope I don’t wake up in Kair Toren…
I’m not surprised Apple placed Maggie at #1.
After reading Maggie (more than once) I became curious at why it was #4 and #14 on various rankings so I read a sampling of the books higher on those lists.
I enjoyed several of them, everyone has different tastes so those not very enjoyable for me I marked up to peoples different mileage than mine as readers.
One thing stood out as an overall whole, Maggie’s comprehensive world building, pacing, the unfolding of the characters, and the vivid word sculpting were unmatched, and Maggie was going to climb to more than one top slot on a list and become the base for Maggie 2 to be a rocket when it’s released.
My fellow horde members who are currently lamenting not grabbing Owl Crate editions and other options, stay alert and grab early for Maggie 2, (and I bet Maggie 1 will have re-releases at that time), because the horde has truly expanded and though we are glad to share, the new members will be very happily hungry along with us.
Nooo! That was mean! What do you mean you can’t do any more! I really want to meet Griele…
OK, I read the comments and realized I will get to meet Griele … at some point in the future.
Thank you thank you thank you
(sanity and politeness reassert themselves over chalantness)
Congratulations on the Library Journal and Apple Books, well deserved! Thank you, as always, for the snippet. Your writing is incomparable, I cannot wait for book II!
congratulations on the accolades! well earned! ty ty for the snippet. love Sol’s POV!
Oh so very good! Thank you, thank you! These snippets made my week. And many congrats on the two new and absolutely well earned recommendations!
Congratulations! We know you are the best and the rest of the world is catching on. Thank you for the snippet. I’m starting to think that Sol is going to be my favorite.
Congrats! So glad reviewers are sharing the love and explaning your readership! Thank you for the Solentine snippets ❤️! If your schedule allows you to eventually get back to them, you could post them here like Innkeeper and then package them as a short (a true short, not like Augustine’s story which ballooned into a novella, lol!) on Amazon to generate xmas revenue or whatever. We would totally purchase it!
I read the book twice in a row. It’s magical! These snippets get me by! Hey, is there a book or novella on how Andrea and Raphael made up after the Erra incident? The next book has them engaged but they were broken up before then! How about a snippet on that? Lol jk jk…or
Is that not Gunmetal Magic? https://ilona-andrews.com/kd-novellas/#gunmetal
Pretty sure it is!
I thought it was so cool thatTKWNKM rated 4.8 on Apple. That was the 2nd highest rating. Only topped by a non-fiction and a social conscious character study. Heck it beat Michael Connelly
Oh so good. Hope this is a bonus story in the soon to be announced special edition
Firmly part of Team Solentine must not die
Thank you for the snippet!!! I’ll just be over here chalantly wa*ting to read about the rest of Solentine’s visit home at some point in the hopefully-not-too-distant future 😀
Ahhh man snippet are so good but so so short, thank you author lords!
Huzzah to the success of House Andrews! Thank you for the generous celebration that is this snippet!
I love this Sol Side Quest!!!! Keeps my hangover from TKWNKM to a bare minimum.
I did not know this would be a series and not a standalone fantasy book until I got closer to the end. I kept saying to myself “there are only so many pages left, how can it all be resolved in time?”
When I finally got to the point that there would be more books, I was both elated and sad at the same time. Elated because there was MORE. I could not put this amazing book down. Sad because I knew I would have to wait, lol. I am ready for the next book! And more!
Kudos are well deserved 🥰 Thanks very much for the snippet 😄