Australian Availability
First, we are very sorry This Kingdom is still not currently available in Australia. This is happening because of the particular way the Australian book distribution works. A lot of Australian booksellers don’t use automated metadata feeds, which probably means nothing to anyone who is not in the publishing industry.
The important bit is that books distributed to Australia by Australian publishers usually pop up for pre-order 3-4 months before the release date. This Kingdom will follow this same pattern: you should see if for preorder around December 2025.
We apologize for this inconvenience. It is better in the long run, because the availability of the book in Australia will be much wider. Instead of shipping individual orders from US, the local bookstores will stock it, which hopefully will mean less frustration for everyone. We want to keep the local bookstores in business, whether they are in US or Australia.
Cover Thoughts and Questions
We are so glad so many of you are excited about Maggie. Some of you emailed us with questions, most of which we can’t answer due to spoilers. Here is what we can say:
The three circles on the cover stand for 3 moons of Rellas, and the bird is a magical creature. It’s not really a bird in the narrative, it’s a cross between a mammal and a feathered dinosaur, but that’s how the artist imagined it. The creature itself isn’t a major part of the book, so it’s more about what it symbolizes. Hopefully it will make sense once you read the book.
We both really love the cover, because it is at once very different from everything that’s out there now and oddly nostalgic. It looks like the kind of book you found in the library, took home on a whim, and discovered a different world between the covers.
To continue that point, just to clarify one more time: This Kingdom is an epic fantasy with a romantic subplot.
It’s not a grimdark where things are hopeless and everyone dies. It’s not a romance where we meet the hero on page 2, and he immediately goes after the heroine, and we have lots of spicy times with an occasional sword fight thrown in. It’s not a heroic fantasy like Kate Daniels where the protagonist is a genius swordswoman and often solves her problems by kicking people in the face while firing off hilarious oneliners.
It’s an epic fantasy with a romance woven through it. There is a lot of worldbuilding, intrigue, violence, a large cast, and several dangerous love interests. It deals in archetypes. We have a found family, a cute pet that doesn’t die, but we also see people murdered in gruesome ways. It’s the kind of book George would enjoy reading if he decided to abandon his obsession with managing the Galaxy for a couple of evenings.
Maggie is just an ordinary person. She isn’t a virtuoso fighter or an all-powerful mage. She doesn’t know how to kick people in the face. She does occasionally solve her problems with violence, but only as a last resort. She is a fan who ended up in her favorite book, so she is weaponizing her book knowledge.
It is still our voice and our style, but in an epic fantasy form. We will have excerpts and samples for you closer to release to hopefully help you decide if this is the kind of story you might be interested in reading.
Inheritance, etc
While This Kingdom is our current traditionally published project and takes precedence, we have other things we are working on.
Mod R sent us a list of many questions regarding the Inheritance.
Schedule?
Inheritance should come out this summer, then we are working on Maggie 2, then on a self-published project, then Maggie 3.
Sequel to Inheritance?
The inheritance will have a sequel. Mostly because the sequel was requested numerous times. The story grew unexpectedly, and it looks like Ada will need more time to flex her new powers and come to terms with Elias existing. So let’s say one more.
Crossover?
By now most of you have caught on to the Innkeeper elements, but this will not be a full crossover. Ada and Dina are unlikely to meet, which isn’t to say that Dina will never spot a human woman with a very large German Shepherd shopping at Baha-char in some distant future.
Signed copies of Inheritance anywhere? Do you want release events with anyone?
As of now, we are not planning a zoom or signed copies or any kind of release publicity, because we are behind on Maggie #2.
Shop opening for release?
Probably not. We have a lot on our plate. People have been asking for I Am Chalant items, so if we do something, the selection will be extremely limited. But right now the store is unlikely.
Let’s see what else is in this admin list, reminder for Candice, reminder for audio, copyedit arrangements, sign the contracts… Okay I think we mostly covered things.
Now the bad news: we will be skipping the Friday installment this week.
Guys, I’m exhausted. Like I’m so, so tired. We crash wrote the Inheritance very quickly, and we had to do copyedits and proofread on This Kingdom at the same time and juggle the artist and audio contracts. Real life also has been a little dense lately. I feel like Ada: A million moments and all of them taken.
The edit for the Inheritance is substantial. The story won’t significantly change but there is a lot of clean-up. As always we will be streamlining and addressing inconsistencies that creep up in the first draft. And since we were tired, we underwrote the finale, and predictably, to no surprise at all, the editor pointed that out.
I’m sorry, I have got to touch grass for a couple of days before we dive back into the edit. We don’t want to give you a scene that might be completely recut in the final draft. So we will see you Monday.
This Inheritance will not kill you. I promise. But you should consider taking Monday too. Lack of Inheritance will not kill the BDH.
be well.
rest that delightful imagination and be renewed by nature, cuz…life.
All the best and inner peace to you!! But it seems Hugh 2 is getting shelved again!! ☹️
Rest up, touch the grass, do whatever you need to do to look after yourselves. I understand. Being a full-time carer IRL I know that burnout is very real and I’ve learnt the hard way that I need to look after myself.
I would rather wait as long as it takes for anything you publish than have you over do it. Take care.
Thank you for taking care of yourself!!! Your stories are a gift to us all, and we dearly want you to keep writing for years and years to come, so whatever it takes in the short term to make that happen in the long term is in our best interest! I will happily throw money at you to read anything and everything you feel like writing, but I am so excited that there will be a sequel to The Inheritance and that Hugh 2 is high on the list for the next self-published project. Then again, I’m excited about every single thing on that list, lol! As usual, I will just endlessly re-read the things you’ve already written while I wa*t for the next new thing you’re writing 🙂
P.S. Mod R, you are a saint, and we thank you for your service! The number of comments asking if there’s going to be a Hugh 2 after Ilona already said it’s on the list of future projects…. Spare our beloved Mod R and skim the existing comments, BDH!
❤️you
no worries! this friday is when the final episode in the Murderbot tv series drops so i’m set for entertainment that day. rest up, dig your toes into the grass, pet all the furkids, and let your brain recharge.
I am sad you have to miss Friday, but I’m glad you’re smart enough to realize you need a break. Enjoy your most deserved time off and recharge.
Take care of your physical & mental health. You books & world bring us all so much joy, we also want you to have joy while you are creating.
Hey, I am so happy with the news of a Maggie 2 AND 3 on top of an inheritance 2. We the BDH are powerful, we manifest what we NEED and it is granted!! We just have to w**t chalantly. ;o)
I wish you never felt it necessary to apologize for being human, but as someone who wants to make everyone happy who doesn’t have the weight of a ravenous fandom at their heels, I completely understand. I hope you are both able to have a relaxing weekend and hopefully tackle some of your chores, writing and mundane! Thank you for all you both do sharing you worlds with us!
As an Australian, I thank U for putting up with whatever wierd metadata procedures that our publishers/bookstores do, I would love to buy this book in-store so I’m happy to wait!
I didn’t grow up with pre-orders as a concept so it is baffling to me that U can list a book as ready for pre-order more than like a month in advance, I hope U get good numbers!
Get some rest, please! The Horde will be here.
As an overworked zombie, I completely understand and want to remind you to take time out for self-care and mental health. Tea and grass! Take care and enjoy the rest!
“to hopefully help you decide if this is the kind of story you might be interested in reading”.
Author is Ilona Andrews. decision made.
Every
Time
💯
*is just massively impressed and grateful for your writing talents*
I have been giddy for WEEKS with twice a week serials AND some of them are so long?!?!!! AND there were other book recs?? AND typical blog posts?! AND a Maggie cover reveal?!
I haven’t even had time to have my chalance be challenged…
My gosh. So lucky and I can’t say how much I appreciate all of House Andrews.
So may your upcoming days be filled with exactly what you need and may the grass be lush!
Enjoy your break
The cover for This Kingdom is beautifully rendered, I pre-ordered it yesterday. I am loving the Inheritance and can’t wait to order it, enjoying the installment chapters, thank you. Take care, rest and re-charge.
rest, recover, thank you both for the awesome stories. I’m so excited to read inheritance in full when it’s ready, and Maggie too.
I really love the cover and you are right, it has a nostalgic feel to it, exactly like the epic fantasy novels I found at the library, back when no one could imagine e-readers and there was neither an Amazon algorithm nor Goodreads to help you find more fantasy stories 😁🤓.
So whenever I saw a cover like this, I knew I had found another one of my preferred books and felt exhilarated to delve into a new world 🥹. Thank you! I love re-experiencing that feeling.
The bird reminds me of the wish dragon in the never ending story.
Luck dragon. sorry
Thank you, for all the fabulousness that is your writing.
Now, please rest your bodies (and, your brains). It would do the BDH no good to “kill the golden goose,” with incessant demands for more, More MORE!! 😉
Take care,
I know u said no store for now, but when you do eventually make one can we get Luther’s T- shirts? or mugs? I didnt see those last time. He has the best shirts.
Also how do you manage to not add in too much world building too fast? You all clearly build amazing worlds but I dont get lost I assume because of the pace you bring in new elements.
Lastly, Im a doctor- I work in Critical Care. You all saved me during COVID. whatever time you need to take care of yourselves please do so. We will wait.
thank you!!
Please take care of yourselves, not that you need our permission. 🙂
Touch grass, breathe, snuggle pets, all the things.
Hoping the details of life clear up and ease.
All I can think about is how we got a mention of Maggie 3!!!! And an Inheritance sequel!!!! So excited and grateful! Take care of yourself 💜
Go for the grass,naps, baking, knitting, whatever makes you feel rested or happy. And wow, you surely do plan ahead. All those stories to come. That’s amazing. And terrific. One thing that I think has to be extra difficult with multiple projects at the same time: how on earth do you keep the characters separate as you create and develop them?Maggie and Ada. Kate and Dina and Maud. I have read and re-read all the current books and can still immerse myself in each one. Weirdly, it’s the Inn and Orro and the Lees that keep popping into my mind. I’ve been an avid sci-fi reader since the 1940’s and the only other books that keep coming back to me that way are Zelazny’s tales of Amber. I do so want to visit the Forests of Arden.But I’d definitely stay at Dina’s Inn on the way.
Please rest ! We will w*it. We will be NONchalant. You’re not obligated to do the store, or any thing that just piles on stress onto you, because what *we* wish for, is books you enjoyed writing and we can devour. And then devour again. I can read the same book up to 10 times a year, I’m fine.
You touch that grass HA….go for a whole neighborhood of lawns (maybe even more!) You MORE than deserve it…and my vote (for whatever weight it doesn’t hold!😂) is that you not worry about Monday either. I know the BDH would rather have fully functioning (and NOT totally stressed out) favorite authors.
Please have a peaceful, relaxing, wonderful weekend (and however more time you need to recharge!) 🥰💕💕💕
so, even though I read this post mid week I still signed in today to see just in case there might have been something…greedy buggers we are right. happy weekend
I’m going to say something deeply unpopular. I think that any of the promised future serial blogs could be added to the finale and we (the BDH) could wait for the rest of the book to be delivered at your work pace. Dresden, Anita Blake, Kaylin Neya fan here and man waiting for their authors to churn out a book is like waiting forever with no updates from their authors to tell you when it shall be released. So HA, you do what’s good for you because it will never compare to those experiences. You are very, very kind to your BDH. I would appreciate having a little extra to read at the end when I go buy the book.
Deeply sorry for families that have lost loved ones in your state – this tragedy seems senseless in this day and age, although with flash flooding not all loss of life could be preventable. Still, I live in Alberta, and we have a Provincial warning system for all emergencies including wildfires, tornados, severe weather, advisories for wildfire smoke exposure. I guess I feel angry to know children died. Part of a grief and helplessness to prevent bad things happening to any person.
Anyways, must stop. Take the best care of yourselves! Enjoy the blue skies, the birds, the butterflies, definitely buy yarn and cup of tea Ilona. Gordon I don’t know what you consider as a treat (sorry); treat yourself! Snuggles with pets?
I totally agree with everything you said about the blog serial and also about the comparison with other authors. Although, while I don’t know about the other two, to be fair to Michelle Sagara (Kaylin Neya), she does have an author website and does post updates on her book progress on the blog there. (Just not very often..) Mind you, compared to pre-internet days, even fans of authors who don’t have websites are still spoiled rotten when it comes to news about upcoming releases. (I used to buy copies of Locus magazine at the newsstand because that was the only way to find release schedules for the various SF/Fantasy publishers.)
But you are certainly right that HA spoils the BDH in an unbelievabel fashion.
Think about it: They actually hired a web blog moderator to control and direct the three-ring circus that is their fans! Really??? No offence, Mod R, you do a fantastic job at it and the HA blog is a lot of fun, partly because of your efforts. It’s just, when I really sit down and think about it, the job itself is nuts! You have been hired to keep HA’s fans entertained while HA writes! I honestly don’t know of any other author who has done that.
And then they actually feel they need to apologize for not providing us with a free story treat. Granted, they are using a pretty feeble excuse — they claim to be a bit overwhelmed right now merely because they are writing/editing/prepping for publication a couple novels under deadlines while dealing with health issues — all in a state that is literally swamped with horrible floods…
It occurs to me that Ilona could imitate Ada right now: practice meditation in a small free space while Keeper of the Portals Mod R blocks all entrance or exit in the face of the slavering monsters of the BDH…
Hi John,
I totally get where you’re coming from — it does sound a bit wild at first glance, right, especially if you don’t have much exposure to social media spaces, or “chronically online” 🙂 The reality is that forum and blog moderation is a widespread, well-established practice across the internet, and it serves a lot more functions than just “keeping fans entertained”.
Most thriving online spaces and subspaces (subreddits, Discord servers, Patreon, fan forums, fan groups or even more modern companies help desks etc) employ moderators, and we aren’t just there to clap and hand out virtual cookies 🙂 . We handle spam, filter out trolls, answer recurring questions, enforce community guidelines, and hopefully help keep conversations productive and respectful. The BDH is a very passionate, global fanbase – not a circus, but a family who is alive and diverse and has many interests and methods of contact (including emails and newsletter replies, issue forms, social media DMs etc). A lot of my interaction and work goes on behind-the-scenes and hopefully keeps the visible part running smoothly.
So while it might sound unusual in the context of a traditional author-fan relationship, it’s actually a very modern, practical decision. House Andrews recognized us as the vibrant community we are, and they invested in this space for us. I for one am, of course, very grateful, and was grateful to all the mods who did this job before me 🙂 (I believe I am the 3rd or 4th person to hold this position).
3rd or 4th? I did not know that, I thought you were the same person. So it’s a Turan Adin situation, people keep changing and we get new Mod Rs?
No, no 🙂 Just the one Mod R, I’ve been here since January 2021, closing on 5 years now – not that it feels like it, because time really does fly when you’re having fun! But I am not the first mod of the IA blog, it was moderated for years before I came on the scene 🙂
I always feel like most of the Horde thinks the comments are a good indicator of how many of us are here, and let me tell you…the comments never ever exceed 3% of the number of people who visit the blog. Usually more like 1%. I never know if I can give out actual website traffic data, but it would surprise a lot of people.
Thank you ModR for doing great work (including follow up)!
Takin a deep breath and so gratetful for the expanding IA universe and the sequels coming.
Sometimes it feels like I am clinging to the various IA worlds, and the fabulous BDH comments and kindnesses like a life raft.
We will (haha) be p*tient and w*it.
What is the line again? the General kneeling in the grass “I will not chase, I will not chase.”
Character building exercise to hang on until Monday.
Uggh typos… “taking” “grateful” whoops.
I am entertaining myself with what ifs.
What if Ada ends up bringing Jovo home with her, at least temporarily. In a month he would probably own the United States. After that he could resume his assasination career to the highest bidder.
I figure that once he is able to go home, it’s better to go home with epic treasure and honors than it is to come home naked, scarred and ears shredded.
Better to come back with the riches to guarantee his place in clan history.
Thanks for all the hard work. However, is there an Iron Magic 2? In the next 3 years? I know you are writing wonderful things and are busy, busy busy but I&M2, Blood Heir 2, Arabella’s book, evwn a house Andrews every recipe ever mentioned spin off cookbook…Kate’s braised venison and lumpy apple pie, catalina’s pico de gallo…
There will be an Iron and Magic 2, the date isn’t yet settled, and House Andrews policy is to only announce it when release is set in stone 🙂
I will save your suggestions for recipes inclusion, I am trying to convince HA that we would love an anthology of all the free fiction with some culinary extras at the end…
Thanks for the very thoughtful updates. Please get some rest and recharge.
In the words of my two year old grandson, when he doesn’t get immediate gratification, “OH MANNNN!”
Enjoy your grass time!
I wholely support taking a break after all that you do.
No worries. Take care of yourself first.
Everyone has their limits and burnout is a very real thing. Your tales are amazing food for our minds and imaginations. I am so glad you’re both taking time for yourselves. Hopefully you’re so busy enjoying a little less screen time and don’t even see this until much later!
Ilona and Gordon,
Take time to rest, relax and breathe. We love you, your writing, and don’t want you stressed.
We of the BDH may BMW (Bitch, Moan, Whine), but we will wait, because we know the wait is always worthwhile.
Enjoy your weekend!!!
Yes we will wait. Even the most impatient of us will wait. (There is no other option.)
I myself am happy to wait ( yep, I can actually say wait and patient 🙂 ) I think the authors can benefit from a once weekly edition.
There are three very good reasons why a once weekly edition is beneficial.
1. Our favorite authors can breathe on Mondays.
2. We generally get to enjoy a fuller more relaxed segment of the story.
3. Most importantly, “I DON’T LOOK FORWARD TO MONDAYS” bwaahahaha. Ok, enough crazy. It slipped out. Oops.
Seriously though, HA should not have to be under undue pressure to provide us, the ominous, the scary, the rewarding BDH with our latest fix (whichever story that may be). Remember, these segments of wonder you are provided to us are without a charge, which you very well could do (I would certainly be willing to pay)
HA. Have a great weekend, and Monday too if you like. However much time you need to recharge. To not be worn out. We are looking forward to All the stories you have to share with us. Share them in good time. Don’t be rushed. The BDH will be here.
The best to you, your family and all your crew.
Take your time and just breathe and be. I am not sure about anyone else but I am a patient hoarde minion. If I can handle 4 yrs beyween books from one of my other faviorite authors I can wait a few more weeks or how ever long it takes for this book and the rest. My one request really, and as much as I am enjoying the new worlds and stories, is the next Aurelia Ryder Book. Derek and Julie are killing me here, LOL. Rest well and take care of yourzelf first and anyone who demands you forgo self care for their own reading pleasure needs to take a seat and simmer down and clam up.
No worries! Go rest your brains and bodies. I was away from the blog for a few months and I knew you had been posting The Inheritance and somehow had the self-restraint to not read it for 3 months or however long it was. I can certainly wait until Monday!
This Kingdom Will Not Kill me cover is beautiful and it does remind me of hardback covers from the 90s hunting around the teen section of the library.
Rest. Recharge. Drink some tea, eat good food, all that stuff. We will try to be chalant and w*it.
reread all the inheritance posts, its so very fun.
No Inheritance? 😱 Woe is me! Now, seriously, you guys are awesome and give us so much. It is greatly appreciated: each word, each character, each world you build. Take a breather, rest, live. We BDH will be here next week… 😘
Absolutely touch grass. We get it. Do what you need to do.
Exhausted? Pulled in too many directions at once? Whatever do you mean, Anansi? Just because you are in the middle on nowhere with 50K strings all pulling on you all at once you can’t handle a few (thousand) more? Where’s your sense of adventure? LOL!
Rest well & your BDH wants to read the next Inheritance instalment on Monday!
Wow, your schedule is crazy! But I love to hear there are so many releases coming!!! Take my money, please!
Also, I think my head snapped like a dog sighting a squirrel when you mentioned the possibility of merch! I’ve been wearing, of course, but also babying my current merch to make it last. It makes me so happy it’s ridiculous.
I will say kindly you don’t owe BDH. If you never publish another word BDH is okay.
If you want to keep working, that is fine. If not, everyone should respect that.
Tea.
We can send you tea.
Oh wait. you said “do not show up on my doorstep” I’m sure you did…prob’ly a lot….creepy may also have been mentioned.
Und Zo…
We (the perhaps overly affectionate Book Devouring Horde) will RECOMMEND tea!
I will start…
formethisisaLOTlikestickingmyheadupinanartillarybarrage.
my favorite tea is Good Earth brand … Sweet & Spicy Original.
it is very very good, and I have been known to make a trip from Pendleton to Tri-Cities, just to get to Freddie’s to stock up.
I hope you like it!
Thanks for the information! Better to take care of yourselves… life is too short and grass is good for the feet and soul.
Thanks for the updates. I’m happy that Inheritance has turned into a 5 book Mini series (joking but there is a chance and we love it).
Please relax and become rejuvenated. Touch all the grass so you can write more for us to devour.
glad you’re taking time for yourselves
Thanks for the heads up.
Breath. Wiggle your toes in grass.
(Not sure about the state of grass in Texas – maybe it requires sowing and watering a square yard of grass just for this purpose? Even if it was meant metaphorically, real grass provides amazing stress relief.)
Feel the avalanche of understanding, admiration and appreciation from the BDH.
Also, kudos to ModR for patiently and politely repeating „there will be a Hugh 2“ 1001 times in these blog comments!
While my inner book devouring child will whine, you totally deserve time to regroup, reset and rest!
At least we know you’ll come back. (I’m still pining for Lorna Freeman and any info why the next Borderlands book was yanked from Amazon pre-order. 😱😢😭😥
Will you write Arabella’s story anytime soon? Love those books.
The Hidden Legacy series is finished for now 🙂 A sequel is not planned t the moment, but the authors have ideas about it and hope to be able to tell it someday.
Thanks for the update. I am beyond grateful for the magic you spin in words and all magic requires a price….right now the price might be sleep, or saying no to something (it’s hard, I suck at this myself) I hope you find time to do something that restores you!
HUGS!!!!
You are superstars, thank you for all the answers and words in book form that you write. I hope the time prior to diving back in is rejuvenating
Thank you so much for all you do for your readers. Your body of work is incredible and deeply meaningful to me. I will re-read some Kate Daniels tonight and feel grateful. 🙂
Does this mean we won’t be seeing anything more from the Kate Daniels World, i.e. Hugh’s second book/Julie’s second book for a couple of years?
Ok I’m seriously doubting that I’m the only BDH member who believes that the twice weekly release is awesome. However! If you need to cut it to once a week to keep Sane and Whole then so be it! We need you guys to feel good and have your mental health breaks too! Yes, times stink occasionally but your worlds help us cope so PLEASE be kind to yourselves like you are with us.
We CAN learn to be Pat**nt and mellow even if we need to apply a wooden mallet to ourselves like shock therapy😂😂
Thanks for all you do for us! 💖💖
Pls remember to enjoy the summer! You work really hard and deserve to just be. It’s important! Hugs and- awesome job well done again on creating excellent worlds for us to explore 🌸🌸🌸
Thanks for the Greatest Game recommendation! My kiddo lives for the rpg lit genre; we’re now reading the series together and I’m getting a rare moment of being “cool mom”. 🤪
It’s hot outside in the northern hemisphere; a good time for a rest.
Another US author I like (Ursula Vernon) and several other folks with fans use Topatoco to outsource their merch shop. Not affiliated with them, just like their t-shirts and have heard good things about them from the author’s end. Of course, you don’t have to give in to the BDH’s merch wishes at all, of course.
Snort. “…if this is the kind of story you might be interested in reading.”
BDH would buy and read your grocery list if you published it.
Be well, and all the self care and tea (yes tea is self care but critical enough to get it’s own category)
❤️ thank you for giving us so much access to your brains. We ask so many questions, information sharing is a kindness when you are so busy