Re: RI January 2025

On 5/03/25 09:54, Tony Nance wrote:

On 2/23/25 1:00 AM, Ted Nolan <tednolan> wrote:

Sanctuary (Roman's Chronicles Book 1)
by Ilona Andrews
https://amzn.to/4hP6Bsn
>
Roman is a Russian Black Volhv, part of the improbably large Atlanta
area Russian magical community in Andrews' "Kate Daniel" setting.
As you would expect, being the servant of a dark god (not the same
thing, exactly, as an evil god) is no bed of roses, and thus Roman
finds himself, unsurprisingly, alone in his remote cottage for the
holidays once more.  Furthermore, said god is on the outs with his
wife and Roman finds himself (literally) roped into his efforts to
make amends, something that is making his sleep as restive as his
holidays are less than festive...
>
To some extent Roman is used to all that and it's his status quo.
What is *not* usual is a teenaged boy showing up on his doorstep
and asking for "Sanctuary", a Christian concept that is not exactly
part of Roman's Volhv tradition.  Nearly dead when Roman takes him
in, the kid is unwilling to say more than his sister is coming
for him.  Who she is, exactly, is a (another) mystery, as is the
identity of the powerful magical posse who come to take the boy.
However, if Sanctuary is not part of Roman's tradition, it is
something that, as he notes, he is very good at, and they aren't
getting the kid without a fight.
>
Do I need to say that an Ilona Andrews book is good?  OK, this
book (or novella really) is very good.  We have seen Roman before
(he officiated Kate's wedding), but this is the first really
in-depth look at him we have had, and how he stays a good person
in the complicated life he leads.  And the sister?  That's as
mortifying as anything we could have hoped for.
>
At least in the ebook there is also a very short sequel story
developing the same themes as Roman's story, and that is also
good.

 
Thanks for this - I forgot it was out, and I'm very much looking forward
to reading it. On to one more...
 

I managed to get to about halfway. I disliked the murderous magic, bone
hands rising out of the earth, the verbose descriptions of people and
things being dismembered. I had no interest in the fake mythology.
Not my cup of tea.