Halloween is almost upon us, and we’re starting the celebrations early with a treat for the Book Devouring Horde!
One lucky US reader will win a hardcover copy of This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me, customised with gorgeous illustrated sprayed edges by Heirloom Books, together with a set of Maggie character vellum overlays.
The Heirloom edition features the original UK hardcover with custom artwork on the page edges. The interior is unchanged with no additional illustrations.
Trick or Treat?
You’re spending a weekend in a haunted house, and you can bring only ONE character from any Ilona Andrews book with you for defence (and company).
Who are you choosing? Let us know in the comments to enter the giveaway.
Giveaway Admin
This giveaway is open to US residents only. Unfortunately, this prize cannot be shipped internationally.
One entry per person, please. Only comments on this blog post count as entries; replies on social media or reader email do not. The comments are paginated, so please don’t worry if you don’t see yours when you check back.
The giveaway closes on Thursday, October 29. One winner will be selected at random from the eligible entries and announced on Friday, October 30th, just in time for Halloween.
If you’re reading this in the newsletter email, please visit the blog to enter.
Good luck, and keep an eye on the blog for more treats and surprises!
Kate Daniels. She’s daughter of an immortal wizard with god like powers, who’s already held more than one friends life well past when they would have died had she not been there. Magic and swords, I should be good in a blood ward or exploring rooms of terror. Can’t be any worse than Mishmar, and neither she nor I like to be bored. Bring on the ghosts, Gouls, or the occasional Upir.
I was so on board … til you reminded me of the upir whose sadism is still some of the worst stuff in the whole series imo.
Roman of course! We are talking about all things darkness related and how could you possibly go wrong with Roman?
No questions, I’d have to pick Kate. She’s a kick butt kinda gal, and the conversation the whole weekend would be hilarious.
Close second is Arabella, just because I think she’d be an excellent “runaway from ghosts” partner.
Roman
I’m defs bringing Kate!!
Ada and by extension, Bear, b/c they’re a package deal!
Maud- I think we’d get along well and she seems like she could take care of anything that goes bump in the night.
it would be Dali, she can return them to where they came from or destroy them with a curse 😉
happy Friday
I would definitely take The Sleepless Duke!
Gaston! He is kinda supernatural himself and is a terrific story teller.
I’ve got the ghosts covered but I’d love to have Orro with me and be plied with food all weekend. We can binge watch TV every night.
Kate, of course!
Kate Daniels for sure! Shes bad ass and interesting!
Clover and sushi 🙂
Kate!! All the way!
Ada. We have much in common, I’d feel safe, have fun talking, and I’ll get to PET THAT DAWG. 😂
Without a doubt the sleepless duke – a big wall of man to hide behind if anything gets a bit too spooky!
I think I’d pick Mercy. She’s strong, quick, clever and probably good company!!
Clover. Only Clover. She’s strong and clever and good company. We’d keep each other safe!
Hard choice between Ada and Kate, both women don’t back down and have faithful companion pups. I think I’d have to choose Kate in the end.
Alessandro for sure!
Absolutely Roman
i mean, my gut reaction is Orro. Because we’re gonna need snacks.
Has to be Kate. She kicks a$& with physical danger, magic, supernatural… need I go on?
So hard to choose!!! I think I would take the kids, they add up to an adult! Conlan , Helen, Tia and Noah. It will be fun.
I’d pick Ada, especially if she brought Bear! The book is beautiful! 😍
I would choose Kate Daniels to be my companion and defense.
Oooh such a hard question! I’m a huge Reynold fan but I might say Solentine. I just absolutely adore him so much and how blindingly loyal he is to his family. But I’m also so intrigued by Lord Bellen. I’m always giggling at his flirty remarks.
My final answer is…. All of them? But Reynald as number one
Definitely Kate as she’s my “oldest” IA friend. 🙂 Thanks for the opportunity!
I think I’d go with Caldenia. Nothing would dare mess with us and I would learn so much from her!
Solentine would be protective and keep things interesting in a fun but menacing way, totally his vibe.
Such a tough choice, but I gotta go with Kate.
Roman, of course! He’s evil enough to get us out of a haunted house safely.
I’m torn between George because he’s a necromancer, and Kate because she’s Kate – what CAN’T she handle?
I would bring Solentine. He’s my favorite and one of the deadliest characters. I would also try to get him to fall in love with me but would probably fail.
I am bringing Roman. He should be good with creepy undead things!
For defense and company, I would choose Ada and Bear! I feel like I would enjoy hanging with them!
Kate.
I’m bringing Roman! Of course! The haunts are his friends.
You guys are great. Thank you so much. Take good care of yourselves.
Unfortunately, I can’t participate from Europe, but good luck to everyone else.
Roman. A practical man, good conversationalist, bringing the right skill set for a ghost. Also, I want to meet his staff, please.
I’d absolutely take Sean with me.
I would bring Solentine!
I have to say George. He can deal with anything, especially those who are in an unliving state. And if nothing else works, he will charm them until they are no longer a threat
I would bring Derek!
My first thought was Kate! She’d protect me and be brave.
I would want Audrey Callahan with me. Her unique abilities would mean we could escape if things got too weird, lol. Plus I just want to spend time with her and Kaldar (cuz you know he would come along)
I would take Caldenia to any haunting…
Arabella, she has a can do attitude and I would feel safe with her!
Kate Daniels for sure! Though I guess she might feel a little like it’s body guard detail, which isn’t her favorite!
Dina. Gertrude Hunt would be decked out. There would be amazing homemade treats. And I’m sure there would be fascinating guests to party with.
Hard choice between them all but I would pick Roman.
Zeus, need to hug him.
Oh, Kate, for sure! She knows all about deadly creepy crawlies, packs a kick-butt magical whallop, and she is the perfect level of snarky to keep me from a fright-induced swoon.
I’d bring Roman because I think he’d make friends with any beasties we’d come across!
I’m bringing Nevada because she can handle it and if she can’t, she has a whole team of people that love her enough to get her back (and hopefully me too).
Hands down Kate!
Roman is the expert on spooky darkness and would be there to both keep me alive and crack jokes, perfect combination!
I would choose Roman, excellent company and pretty capable of handling what ever might come our way
Kate
Roman all the way! 😍
Definitely Sushi
I’m bringing Kate. I think she would be good company and with a sword and magic, she can handle just about anything!
Kate. I feel like we could talk and get along and there is nothing going to “get me” with her around
The Sleepless Duke!
Roman!! Although my first thought was Kate, I think Roman would be better company.
Roman, of course. He’s knowledgeable, strong, and kind.
Roman. He’s not going to be scared of any creepy Halloween antics. He’s seen it all. Brings brains, brawn, magic, and funny conversation skills. Oops, I meant PJs. 😉 Who doesn’t need a laugh amongst the chaos!
I would bring Roman.
At first, I though Rogan – but he’d scare me as much as the bugaboos. I think Roland. His very presence would keep them away, and he would probably redecorate the place while we waited out the night.
I gotta pick Kate! I feel like she’d be able to handle just about anything that could come up in a spooky, haunted house.
Kate is the obvious and correct choice because of the dual threat. A haunted house is going to have corporeal and non-corporeal beings, so you need someone who can handle both, while being good company when hanging around waiting to be attacked. George’s magic is too limited. Roman is a good second choice, but if his god comes calling he’s got no choice but to abandon you. Kate would never leave a poor defenseless mundane human in peril.
Kate….she would see and feel danger …she’s a badass
Hugh, reformed, understands doing what needs to be done in most situations
Definitely Kate Daniels!!!
Rose from the Edge series, because is anyone knows their way through a haunted anything, it’s her. 🙂
I’m thinking Dina because haunted house could be an abandoned inn. Hmmmm
Elara. I’m pretty sure she can kill anything, even ghosts. Plus, she’s practical and verrry interesting. Lots of other great choices, though! Tough to choose!
Connor “Mad” Rogan. Because he is just scary and awesome.
Julie! Think about how many people have contributed to her knowledge base!?! She is spectacular and choosing her means potentially having Conlan or Derrick tag along *in secret* until they are spotted….. Julie is a rockstar!!!
Caldenia. Mad skills, but also philosophical discussions over tea for the win.
Happy Halloween!!! and I vote for Julie!! she has really shown her toughness and could handle it quite well!
I honestly think there’s no wrong answers here, but I’m going with Ada! (and I hope she brings Bear)
Connor “Mad” Rogan. If ghosts are involved and they start flinging objects around. He can catch those objects and throw them away and throw objects back. If the house becomes too much pretty sure he can just destroy it. In terms of company….Nevada had a good time she first met him right? 😛
Kate all the way for me too, but Roman would be amazing, too!
The Sleepless Duke!
Maggie!
Kate Daniels! She’s worked as a body guard before and I trust her to be able to take anything on
Isadau because she is a great mage so should be able to handle the ghosts and anything else that we might find
I would pick Caldenia ka ret Magren. I would bring Funyuns and Mello Yello for her and tomatoes from my garden (so she would not think about chewing on me). She has such incisive wit and so many stories to tell. Pity the fool or ghoul who would dare cross her!
Happy Halloween! I’d bring Roman along for the haunted house — nothing says safety like the Black Volhv. Would love to win this gorgeous hardcover with the sprayed edges!
Definitely bringing Kate!
Connor “Mad” Rogan, the little brother I never had.
Sushi for me!
I would take Grendle, he would bark and puke on everything and then the ghosts would be so disgusted they would stay away
Kate, she would have the most knowledge and strength to protect us and she seems like good conversation in a relaxing kind of way.
It’s totally Kate!
I am in the USA. I vote for Julie the adopted daughter heir to all things Kate. She has been trained by Kate and the crazy Aunt. Can handle all thing magical and physical. She could see “dead people” with her magical sight
Dina…she would be a fascinating companion and she could protect us in a house if needed.
You all are the best! wishing you good health and all the blessings!
I would pick Kate of course! I feel like we’d have hilarious conversations, but she could also easily take care of anything that tries to get us
I would take Hugh!
Kate Daniels hands down, although Ada (with Bear) would be a close second!
I could bring really any of the House Andrew heros, but I think Kate would make me feel the most safe in a horror movie haunted house. She has all the magic and warrior skills, and she has experience going into nightmare situations and bodyguarding someone useless in a crisis (because I would be rather useless 😀 ).
I’d hate putting her in danger though. Can’t I take Kate to Gertrude Hunt for a nice meal of Orro’s divine cooking instead?
Maggie..I’d want her foresight of course before all the scary monsters jump out and scare me!
Absolutely Kate! I would totally cower behind her…bravely.
Kate for sure!
I would first say Curran for his sheer intimidating presence but Kate would have to be my choice. Her blade skills are unquestioned but her magic skills would be the best defense against paranormal beings. Plus we have yhe entertainment factor of her sparky comments. In for a good time with her ad your companion in a haunted house.
I’ll bring Everard!
Roman, ghosts would mess with him and I think he would be fun to talk to.
Andrea, retired knight and clan alpha. I would love to pick her brain about raising a strong-willed daughter while hiding behind her.
Arabella. The house wouldn’t be standing by the end of the weekend, but think of the sleepover fashion advice I’d get
Kate, of course!
I’d bring Everard! Unparalleled with a sword and stunning green eyes!
I’d have to say Kate! I love that she thinks quickly on her feet… probably the most needed at a haunted house!
Definitely Roman! 😻😻 I never would have thought a dark volvh would be my style but I love the stories where he is featured.
Roman would be able to subdue or negotiate with the house, and also be entertaining company. Plus he can cook and keep up with his share of chores.
Rogan! Total defense with his telekinetic power!!
Love your books!
The Sleepless Duke
I’m taking Kate. If we’re spending the weekend in a haunted house I want a kicka$$ companion who has experience with ghost. Kate did an excellent job of handling her grandmother Semiramis and while they had their moments she worked things out with her aunt Erra. Extra plus, Magic.
Since a formidable ladies maid is key to survival in both Rellas and a Haunted House, I would choose Clover!
I’m bringing Sushi. I may be scared but I’ll have an emotional support animal with me. (Animals count, right? lol)
Augustine, I’m easily scared. In college, I attempted to watch the Haunting in Connecticut, but after 5 minutes I went to another room with friends to watch Spice World because I can handle scary movies. I’m hoping he could use his illusions to help me survive the weekend.
Her Grace, Caldenia ka ret Magren, of course! Her conversation alone would make it totally worthwhile. Not to mention the treats….
I have to pick Kate! Combination of magic powers, athletic prowess and some attitude – covers all the bases.
I’d bring Clover and Sushi. Shes so smart and determined and i think i would enjoy her company.
While I think Dina might be a good choice–after all, the haunted house could be a mistreated (or malevolent) inn–I would go with Derek. He would be good company, a great fighter and most importantly gallant enough to throw himself in front of any danger that presented itself.
I am picking Curran
I’m bringing Roman. He’s going to be a good time, he seems to be friends with half of the things what will be a problem in a haunted house to begin with.
Has to be Kate for me. Are pets allowed, because Grendel can come too.
Definitely bringing Grandma Frida.
Kate Daniels. She’s smart, sensible, and an experienced fighter with an impressive arsenal and experience with the supernatural. Also,.when she says she’ll defend some, she means it absolutely and completely.
I think I have to go with Rogan.
Kate for sure! she has defense and offence and a great personality to hang around.
I would choose Ramond, of course.
Elara, she would glide through the house and take care of all the scary things!!
How to choose….Ada, Kate, Sleepless duke…Ada with Bear for the win with me! I would LOVE to win! Special editions of this book always sell out before I can get one!
Haunted House? Like an Inn? Dina, of course! She’d tame the house and open a door so we could sneak off to Baha-char for a shopping spree!
So many to choose from! Kate, Rogan, Everard, Roman, Sean and of course Orro, because we need to eat…
So many good options!! But my first reaction was Kate.
Clover. Together we’d have that house scrubbed and ready to be lived in. And by Sunday she’d probably have the ghosties assigned to chores too lol.
Dinah and her broom!
Erra. Cause I always wanted to do a case study on ghostly fear responses, i.e. can ghosts pee themselves in fear? And have a hilarious time in the interim. Also, Erra could be quite helpful in getting the resulting publication through the peer review process. Or would you like to tell her you don’t agree with her methodology or conclusions? (not US, more’s the pity)
Kate 100%
Maud and there would be ripper cushions for any critters getting out of line!!
Caldenia would make me feel safe.
Hard choice. As much as I love Everard, I don’t think I would be able to handle the tension inside a haunted house. I think I’m going to have to choose Arvel. His direct and aggressive flirting would definitely distract me.
The Sleepless Duke!
Roman … this falls right in his wheelhouse … plus I’d love a chance to chat with him!
Julie! She can handle anything, would be great to hang with, and Derek will show up at some point for sure.
absolutely Kate!! she would know all the lore of what is haunting the house and how to get rid of it.
If it weren’t for her age, I’d absolutely pick Matilda. She has the ability to ‘see’ clearly because of the variety of her pets and therefore control just about any situation.
However, I wouldn’t want to potentially traumatize a child, so I’d probably select Linus. He has been around a long time and has encountered or aware of most creatures, and I would have a much better time with him than Rogan.
Saimann, because he’s well protected. Not expecting any fun because I don’t care for horror stuff. Pretty much anyone else would be funner.
Arabella, if the ghost became real monsters she’d smash them, if not she would be a hoot to hang with.
Definitely Curran! Both for warmth (from his fur), protection, and his dry humor. 🦁
Caldenia ka ret Magren, as long as she had a solid reason not to eat me. We could sip tea and wait for the creatures to come play. She may have a lot of enemies, but I bet she has a lot of allies too. It would be so interesting to talk to her, and I’d be safe, probably.
I would bring Kate.
Bunny. I love dogs, and he would be a good companion for a dark and spooky night.
Rogan. I get super-duper scared in haunted houses- of something or someone touching me lol. I don’t know why this is the fear. I think Connor would be able to make sure nothing touched me.
Kate, for sure. She is adaptable, dedicated, and skilled enough to keep me alive too, and I’d enjoy spending time with her because she’s also hilarious.
Gaston jumped in my head first. Snarky defense and a food lover
Adaline Moore!
After much thought, I think that I would pick Roman. He could probably deal with anything already there. I would bring cookies and eggnog.
Gut answer is Kate, for all things protection and companionship and maybe a bonus doggo, but Roman could be an even stronger contender specifically for a haunted house. And then there is George, maybe Julie… too many great choices!! Thanks for the opportunity!
Dina, because any house is haunted if you have innkeeper who can wield her broom. We will dress up as witches from Kiki’s delivery service. Shaun can hang / babysit my kids. I think its a win win.
I would bring ORRO. He can cook and I would love to have meals made by him if only for a weekend. He is big (thinking scary) and he has great knife skills.
Grendel.
Fluffy✅
Scary✅
Non-judgy✅
Kate Daniels. Together we are getting through anything!
Derek! #TeamMetalRose I want to know what he was up to
I’m taking Dina with me. She has experience with all the things and I think k we’d have some great conversations too!
Dina because she is awesome, cool under pressure, creative and clever – she’s my absolute favorite.
How fun!! I have to go with Kate – she can kick butt in magic and physical fighting and has a wicked sense of humor that hopefully would make staying in the haunted house overnight fun.
Orro because we will needs lots of food.
I think I’d take Erra with me.
I think I would choose Kate. She kicks a$$ has lots of esoteric knowledge and used to defending non-combatants. Our snark would know no bounds and any of her friends or could tag along just for fun. I would be in charge of snacks. Back up choice for scary ghost is Roman. Priests are very useful for that sort of thing.
I’d be way too intimidated by most of the more forceful personalities out there, but I think could enjoy going with Adaline; outside of the superpowers, she’s a normal person with whom I could find common ground. Also, I think she could use a friend.
Mirabor! He can use his exultant call on the ghosts to keep them at bay! And we can talk about plotting revenge against the king all night!
The White Lady! I have so many questions for Elara and I am sure she can handle a haunted house. 🙂
Ada (or Bear) (or both) from the Inheritance. Either would be excellent protection and great company. I currently live with a German Shepherd who is great company and really wants to get to protect more.
Connor Rogan – because I want to survive and maybe not do too much talking.
Katr
This was a much harder question than I anticipated but then the answer was obvious. Roman. He is the perfect company in a haunted house. I might be terrified but I think he’d stay super chill.
This is wonderful. Thanks for the chance!
I would choose Aurelia/Julie whatever she wants me to call her. She has studied and trained for just about anything. She also seems like she would be fun company on a girl’s trip.
I’m taking Kate.
Curran, hands down.
I want to say Kate, but I think Roman would be the better choice for a haunted house.
Dina! It may not be her inn, but it’s still a house and we know she can use her magic outside of Gertrude Hunt. Plus she seems fun and might bring snacks from Orro! 😄
Also, those edges are gorgeous! 😍
Thank you! 🤗
Roman, because he has mad skills and doesn’t take himself too seriously
I think I would take Ada. I don’t think she would find it scary, and I could hope to provide entertainment. And it means maybe Bear would come with us too. 🙂
So many great characters to choose from, I’d be psyched to be in a haunted house with any HA character as they are all amazing. But if I have to choose one I’d pick Roman, he’d befriend every dark or spooky critter in the place, and he can make us stew and cookies while we’re trapped (but I wouldn’t call being alone in a house with Roman“trapped”). 😉
I’m bringing Dina Demille!
Kate Daniels!! She’d kick all the butt and show me how to fight even when I’m scared.
Kate Daniels hands down, she would be braver than me and keep us both safe
I was going to say Everard, but Helen would be a kick!
I would love to spend a weekend with Sean Evans in a haunted house. He is funny, driven, protective, and easy on the eyes. Plus he can definitely handle anything that comes his way with extreme consequences, lol!
I’d like to go against the grain here, but it’s gotta be Kate. Maybe we can bring Sushi too.
Arland, we wouldn’t even notice scary.
lol
The sleepless Duke, obviously. Ramondwould definitely do his best to protect you.
Hmm definitely Sean. Forbidding and protective but also could be fun
Leon. I think he will make spending a weekend in a haunted house less scary, he will make the weekend feel like we are solving a mystery in episode of Scooby Doo.
Absolutely I would pick Kate Daniels Lennart. Safety first!
Dina, I feel like as an innkeeper she would be invaluable in any house situation… especially haunted.
Probably Curran in beast form…a giant kitty cat would make me feel safe haha
Hmmmm, I’m conflicted because I like Maggie the most but I think Kate would be better able to keep me alive
Sushi! Good for emotional support and defense!
Kate Daniels. She’s done bodyguard jobs before. She has encyclopedic knowledge of all the mythological things, and if all else fails, Curran WILL come find her (and therefore me).
Kate
Conlon. He’s thoughtful, protective, can be deadly, and would be fun & great to get to know better.
And just how are we supposed to choose just one out of all the exceptional IL characters.
Hugh! He would do away with any scary hobgoblins with a sword and a snarky remark.
I would go with Ascanio. Protection and entertainment rolled into one:)
I would bring Curran, because watching the OG and forever Beast Lord alpha- stare half the scares into submission would be hilarious
Curran- OG Beast Lord stare- down for the win!
I am bringing Roman! All of the dark and scary things should be his friends. No worries at all. Happy Halloween!
Definitely a tough choice, but for things that go bump in the night I will have to go with Roman!
I’m bringing Ada as she knows how to survive!
Oh, so many good characters to pick from. In a really haunted, and not just spooky, house I’d have to go with Roman. If just spooky, Sean Evans.
I think Derek! Strong..✅. Dangerous..✅. Mysterious. ✅✅
Can’t decide who would be better for the weekend. Orro will keep me fed with the best food. But Julie has magic and fighting skills, plus so much sarcasm. Too many good characters to choose from.
I pick Roman!
Kate Daniels, she wouldn’t require me to do a lot of talking but she also would have cool stories and a wealth of knowledge if talking was required. And I feel like she would do her best and succeed at keeping me from joining the ghosts and becoming a permanent ghostly resident. And she probably knows some spells/wards that can protect me if I stay in a designated circle. 🤣🤣
This is tough because I would like to spend time with any of the main characters from these books. That said i would take Elara because I find her fascinating.
Solentine. His sarcastic commentary would be very entertaining. 😉
Kate Daniels, of course!