Ilona Andrews wissen wie keine andere Charakteren tiefe und Komplexität zu geben. Der Fokus in diesem Buch ist neben des romantischen Handlungsstrang ebenfalls die politischen und gesellschaftlichen Konsequenzen mit denen die Protagonisten konfrontiert werden. Wie keine anderen schaffen die Autoren es wieder mal eine Welt zu bilden, die von der Qualität, Verständnis und Plausibilität ihres gleichen sucht.
Im Gegensatz zu den anderen Büchern der Reihe, ist die romantische Komponente geringer, jedoch der Action Gehalt um einiges größer.
Für jeden der sich in eine neue Welt stürzen möchte, nur zu empfehlen.

The kidsmen universe is one of my favorites from Ilona Andrews. This book did not disappoint, and it ranks right up there along with Silent Blade, and Silver Shark. You get introduced to two additional Kinsmen families in this book. Plus, there are easter eggs from the first two stories in it as well.

Ramona Adler and Matias Baena dance around each other from page one. I couldn't help but root for them through the whole book. It is so good. You need to read it for the chemistry between the two characters, the world-building, and the freaking awesome ending.

Bloody fantastic!! No, I'm not Brittish, but it was bloody and it was fantastic. I think this is my first book by Ilona Andrews and what a way to get introduced to an authors work. I really don't know how she got so much packed into this novella. And if you are wondering if you can read book 3 without reading book 1 & 2? I can easily answer yes to that.

The best way I can describe what I loved about this so much was..well, first the heroine. Ramona is a very powerful and deadly heroine. I love when a woman can be just as deadly if not more than a man. I cheered her on with glee. She also was compassionate. She didn't kill just to kill. She cared about people. She really was the best of both traits.

Matias is the second reason this was so good. For a hero, I like them just as powerful and deadly. He really seemed to be a cold, calculated character but he had some fluff deep down. To me, that's everything I like in a hero. Add in loyal and protective and that's it, I'm done.

Third reason is the how these two came together and what they did to right some wrongs. Both of them are enemies and to see them band together to eradicate a common evil made for a very exciting storyline.

I completely devoured this book and was pleasantly surprised that it didn't end on a cliffhanger. I'm not against series for a couple, but it's also nice to read a book and not have to wait to find out more. I loved it and I will re-read it... probably many times.

Loved this book. Like all other Ilona Andrews books, this one pulled me in from the beginning. I love how they write their Heroines as smart, efficient and equal in every right to the Hero. No stupid heroines in their stories, and that in itself gives me tmutmost respect for their work. Coming back to the story, it pulled me in, and while the end was predictable it didn't bore me or stop me from being completely immersed in the narrative and the MCs. Fast paced and smart, although I giggled a little at the dancing part. Sorry, I couldn't help imagining then actually dancing like in La La Land. All in all, I fell in love with the story and characters.

The Andrews couple stuns again with an incredibly tight plot that leaves you breathless and wanting more at the same time. I've been waiting for another adventure on the Dahlia planet because the previous one - Silver Shark- was one of my favorite books I read the year it was published (aka 2011 - it's been ten years? time isn't real).

The Romeo & Juliet twist made the couple dynamics very entertaining, what with both of the protagonists being the heads of their rival Houses and at the same time having cheating spouses who put them in the awkward position of working together, although they've been raised to despise & fear each other. I enjoyed the typical IA banter and the way their relationship went from enemies to begrudging allies to lovers, it felt very organic to me, although the novella was action packed and quite short.

*as a plus, I liked the subtle lgbtq inclusiveness the IA are known for, the Davenport House sounds like a riot and I, for one, would love to know more!

All in all, I hope they return to this universe because I find these powered- up Italian mob style families very exciting, and I would love to read books doing them justice.

I know there's plenty more to explore in this universe.

The world building in this book is superb. I love the writing of Ilona Andrews , they never disappoint.Great romance that was believable and the suspense and story was great and I loved it. I wish this was a series because I really loved Matias and.Ramona, I didn't want the book to end., best book I read this year.

I was so excited when Ilona Andrews posted there were a limited read now copies of this book available and I was far from disappointed that I received one after I’d finished! I love this series because it has the perfect mix of gore and romance. Two sworn enemies whose families have been feuding for generations find out their spouses have ran off with each other after robbing them blind. They agree to team up as their goals are the same and of course they’re adorable together (as adorable as one can be as they cut their enemies in half). The writing was great which is no surprise, this husband and wife duo writes some of my favorite books.

Another Must Read Series from Ilona Andrews!

There is nothing like a common enemy to motivate two families feuding for generations, especially when that common enemy involves such a personal betrayal.

There is no love lost between the Addler and Baenas families. They are both Secore families which are known as powerful and deadly warriors. So of course Matias Baenas is surprised to find Ramona Addler waiting in his offices, and nothing would prepare him for the bomb she is about to drop.

Neither Matias nor Ramona are in a happy marriages but nothing points that out more than realizing that you now trust your mortal enemy at your back more than your spouse. Both the Addler and Baenas families have sunk their vast fortunes into being the first to develop Seco technology based off of some ancient databanks. The first family to crack the code and provide impenetrable shielding to spacecrafts would know unimaginable riches. The loser would fade to obscurity. And while Matias and Ramona were working endless hours, week after week, trying to save their families, their spouses got together to have an affair and then stab them both in the back on their way out the door.

To Kinsmen families, their enhanced powers and standing amongst their peers are all they have. Ramona and Matias need to deal with this matter before word gets out. Finding out that their spouses betrayed not only their marital vows but also managed to steal valuable confidential information that would ruin their respective families would make them fools on top of being patsies and Kinsmen don’t deal fairly with fools. The fact that they have both spent nearly all their family fortune creating their prototypes would be the final nail in the coffin for both the Addler and Baenas families. Neither are crying over their unfaithful spouse but the technology must be recovered before it is delivered to the buyer. And when they learn who wants their technology, it might not just be the end of respective families but for Rada as a whole and the end of free travel among the stars. Time is running out. Ramana and Matias need to find their wayward spouses before the drop off.

The first three stories from the Kinsmen Universe are very short and while we get a basic introduction to Rada and the Kinsmen series, this larger novel of Fated Blades allows us more time to get better acquainted with many things in this new world. There is more history of the planet and the families. We meet new characters. We learn of new abilities. As Matias and Ramona trek after their spouses, we even get a better view of the planet of Rada. As I wondered in my review of the Kinsman Universe, there is a literal world of difference in the fact that Fated Blades was a novel vs the prior short stories, as well as the fact that Ilona and Gordon have another 10 years of writing experience since Silent Blade was originally published. Fated Blades was a much richer story and while even the short stories were enjoyable, there is no question that this is the beginning of a Universe where we will want to immersed ourselves again and again.

Fated Blades could work as a stand alone and you would not be lost even without reading the prior short stories. Feel free to grab a copy of Fated Blades and then go back for the rest, because you know you will.

FATED BLADES is novella #3 in the well written and popular 'Kinsman Series' by Ilona Andrew. Good story in a great world; too bad the authors don't write more stories (and more often) in this series. Fated Blades demonstrates considerable joy in returning to this universe. Ramona Adler and Matias Baena are descendants of rival biomedically-enhanced families who have been sworn enemies for generations. And enemies is not metaphorical here as the kinsman families really are determined to wipe each other out. Their "secare" enhancements make them fighters at a superhuman level who could destroy each other, but a shared crisis leads them to turn to each other instead for a way out. In the process, they discover family secrets, political intrigue, and mutual enemies who could destroy them and their society. If only they don't kill each other first.

This short novel moves fast! The action is intense, the worldbuilding colorful and detailed, and the relationship between the two leads is sizzling hot. I sense that Ilona Andrews had tremendous fun returning to this sci-fi world reminiscent of their Hidden Legacy series and just cutting loose. But at the core of all the action is an emotional tug of war between Ramona and Matias which grounds the story in regret, betrayal, vulnerability, and passion.

loved reading this story. Been a long time since I've read a Kinsmen story, but this hit all the right spots. Makes me wish there were more in this universe, but I will happily read anything this author duo chooses to write.

This particular story has just the right amount of adventure, conflict between the two main characters, and a romantic plot line that acts as a great backbone for the story. Also, the cover art is droolworthy and I really hope they do up an annual calendar with that cover and others.

Waiting patiently for their next book, and rereading old favorites while I wait.

I was so excited when I manged to snag this arc. I love everything Ilona Andrews writes and knew this would be no different. I hadn't read the others books in the kinsmen universe so to catch up on those first. I think you could probably read this without the other 2 but you would definitely be missing a lot politically in the background.

This story started out at a sprint and left you running to catch up. 2 rival families in business have their research data stolen to be sold for a lot of money and would ruin their respective businesses. The culprits are the cheating spouses of each head of the family. Ramona and Matias have to team up to catch their spouses and recover the data before it's too late, ruining their families and businesses.

The 2 are objective focused but slowly learn about each other. They each posses the very rare ability to fight with weapons that live in their arms and both excel at it. They unravel the trail of Gabriel and Cassida and their deceit while learning about each other along the way. Neither is quite what the other expected and through a couple of fights learn what each is capable of and understand one another.

In typical IA fashion the characters are great and unique and leave you rooting for them. This is more sci-fi than anything else I've read from them but still loved it. It had that amazing world building that I used to with them without it ever being too much. Definitely reccomend

This novella by the husband/wife team pen named Ilona Andrews was just the right size for me. The story was fast paced and fun, with interesting characters and a plot that developed quickly.
A quick read worth four stars to me. My thanks to Montlake via Netgalley.

So wonderful to be back in the Kinsman universe with this intense and fast-paced sci-fi romance. Review to come when I get my breath back!

And review!

11/7/21

This is still a five-star read, but I'm returning after my rather breathless read of the eARC to give a more detailed and hopefully calmer review (sorry, but ARCs make me happy and not always coherent).

I checked the copyright date for the last Kinsman story and it was in 2011. Ten years! That's a long time for authors to leave a world fallow but Fated Blades demonstrates considerable joy in returning to this universe. Ramona Adler and Matias Baena are descendants of rival biomedically-enhanced families who have been sworn enemies for generations. And enemies is not metaphorical here as the kinsman families really are determined to wipe each other out. Their "secare" enhancements make them fighters at a superhuman level who could destroy each other, but a shared crisis leads them to turn to each other instead for a way out. In the process, they discover family secrets, political intrigue, and mutual enemies who could destroy them and their society. If only they don't kill each other first.

This short novel moves fast! The action is intense, the worldbuilding colorful and detailed, and the relationship between the two leads is sizzling hot. I sense that Ilona Andrews had tremendous fun returning to this sci-fi world reminiscent of their Hidden Legacy series and just cutting loose. But at the core of all the action is an emotional tug of war between Ramona and Matias which grounds the story in regret, betrayal, vulnerability, and passion. I also appreciate that the authors write highly ethical characters and they don't let the reader down here. Read it! Releases 11/23/2021

One final word--that gorgeous cover!! Swoon...

Thank you to Ilona Andrews and Netgalley for a review copy.

It was glorious. GLORIOUS! My dear Ramona, my lady spider, was badass yet relatable, and I loved Matias. I always tell myself that I am NOT going to stay up all night reading new Ilona Andrews books. That would be irresponsible and I am an adult with self control...who stayed up until 3 a.m. reading this book. Going to work the next morning was not fun, but it was worth it. So so worth it! Five stars because Ilona Andrews always delivers. Silver Shark is still my favorite comfort read from that universe, but Fated Blades is a close second. It was such a pleasure to see the Kinsmen again. I hope to see more from this world in the future.

Somehow I got an ARC and cranked through it. It was a wonderful read, 5⭐. If you want leads that are ruthless and competent but compassionate, you have to read this book. Matias and Ramona are the heads of fierce rival houses that have hated each other for centuries, a Romeo and Juliet situation if you will. When their spouses steal their work and run off with each other, they team up to recover their work or risk their families ruin. It's a compelling story that will instantly become an Ilona Andrews classic. I'll be rereading this forever.

Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book for free, I did not receive any monetary compensation in return for this review.

While I have read and enjoyed Ilona Andrews’ two largest series, the Kate Daniels world and Hidden Legacy, I haven’t explored their other series. When I got Fated Blades from NetGalley, I worried a bit because I haven’t read any of the other Kinsman Universe stories, but I knew I would enjoy it because it’s Ilona Andrews. It was no problem. The world explains itself well enough and I don’t think the other Kinsman Universe stories impact it too much.

Matias Baena and Ramona Adler don’t hate each other personally, but their families are longtime enemies and business rivals. So when Matias finds out Ramona is waiting in a conference room to talk to him privately, he knows his day is about to get bad. And then it gets worse. It gets even worse after that. Ramona and Matias have to team up to stop an invasion and probably a slaughter.

As they work together, cut off from their usual resources, they have to trust each other. They quickly learn the other is competent, smart and deadly. They have far more in common with each other than they do with most other people. As is shown on the cover, they can manifest blades and shields. The story moves fast with betrayals, corruption, chicanery and a couple of really good fight scenes.

I really enjoyed going into this knowing almost nothing. It’s short, it’s fun, I stayed up much too late finishing it. Having read the third book in the series, I plan to read every bit of the Kinsman Universe I can get my hands on. And then I’ll probable do yet another reread of Kate Daniels.

I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGally and Montlake publishing. My opinions are my own.

Fated Blades was yet another highly enjoyable story from Ilona Andrews. My only complaint, one I have with most of their books, is that I want more.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! The protagonists were badasses, but also had many traits that made it easy for the reader to identify with them. It was an interesting twist for the story to begin with both of them married to different people, but this was handled well.

Before I get into this review I just have to say bravo to the cover artist for this beautiful cover and how well matched it is to a certain pivotal scene.

Fated Blades is part of the Kinsmen universe, one of this author duo’s lesser-known series. Which is a shame because it, like all of their work, is beyond awesome. Who doesn’t love warring space families with special powers and all the sci-fi tech their heart desires? If you haven’t dived into the first two books in this series yet, Silent Blade and Silver Shark, I urge you to do so as soon as possible. Fated Blades can be read as a stand-alone, but the overall worldbuilding is better understood when read as a set in my opinion.

Set in the family corporate world of the Kinsmen, this book introduces Matias Baena and Ramona Adler, mortal enemies, heads of their families, and secare, able to form seco blades and shields with their bodies. When Ramona discovers that their spouses are having an affair and have stolen each of their family’s research into seco technology before running away together she knows only she and Matias can track them down and get it back. This means these two lifelong enemies are going to have to figure out real quick how to work together.

Y’all, I don’t want to gush all over this review, but I just not be able to help myself. The angst! The action scenes! The “we hate each other, but we really don’t, oh no!”! This whole book is nothing but competence porn at its finest. I couldn’t stop reading. Whenever I recommend this author duo to someone looking for recs I always say they write the best action scenes in a fantasy setting and that is absolutely true again with Fated Blades. The scenes of these two fighting side by side, back to back, taking on dozens of enemies all while using their blades, shields, and smarts was absolutely glorious. As you can tell from the title, there is a touch of fated soulmates to this pairing, as they get to know and like each other, they also form what in the secare world is called synchronization, able to fight in harmony which makes them even more formidable. And oh my goodness are they formidable.

I don’t want to get too much more into the plot, lots of corporate and political conspiracies and betrayal, but suffice it to say this book hit all my book-loving buttons. I can’t wait to read it again (which I do all the time with this author duo’s backlist). Highly recommend.

Final grade- A

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of FATED BLADES (Novella 3 of the Kinsman Futuristic Romance Series), by Ilona Andrews, in exchange for an honest review. In the Kinsman reality, some people have psychic abilities. Some of those people, usually warriors or the ruling class, have very dangerous abilities. On one planet, the two most dangerous families are the Adlers and the Baenas, and they’ve been in a cold war for generations. When both families are simultaneously betrayed from within, the family heads, Ramona Adler and Matias Baena, must work together to recover data stolen through two separate audacious acts of corporate espionage. As they spend more and more time together, they find themselves drawn to each other through their common familial roles, abilities, training, and betrayal. However, their families are at war. Can they save their family’s futures and forge a common future for themselves?

I enjoyed this novella as well as the others in the series. The Ilona Andrews writing duo is responsible for some of my favorite books. I recommend all of their books.

#FatedBlades #NetGalley