Review: Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews

Summary

I listened to this as an audio book. The narrator’s voice threw me off. I felt that she sounded much older than the 20-something character and the southern accent was distracting. It was harder to connect with the character due to this.

I enjoyed the backstory of the main character, Dina Demille. Dina is an innkeeper of a refuge for paranormal creatures. The inn is a safe place and Dina takes her job of protecting it seriously. Dina’s powers were extraordinary and her use of them painted a wonderful picture of power. I especially enjoyed the magical connection between Dina and her inn.

Clean Sweep is categorized as a romance with a love triangle. I would recommend reading it for the magic of the story and not for the romance. I didn’t feel much of a connection between Dina and the two men (Werewolf Sean Evans and Vampire Arland).

Sean Evans is a werewolf who is finding out more about himself in Dina’s company than he ever thought possible. Dina finds him attractive, but it stops there. Other than a few sexual innuendos from Sean, there is no building of a connection stronger than friendship.

Arland is an alien Vampire from a powerful family who has come to Earth in search of the same dangerous entity currently threatening the inn. I didn’t feel a connection between Dina and Arland, but the end of the book suggests that it was there. Arland wasn’t a big enough part of the story to make a lasting impression on me.

My favorite character in the book was Caldenia ka ret Magren. Caldenia, referred to as “Her Grace,” is a vampire and permanent resident of the inn. She is a supporting character and not prominent in most of the story. However, when she does make an entrance, she is extremely enjoyable. Caldenia’s personality had me laughing out loud.

Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews is the first in the Innkeeper Chronicles. I believe the love triangle will continue to grow as the series continues, but I don’t find myself interested enough to continue with the series.

Overall, this was a fun, quick read. I enjoyed the magic of the inn and the vivid scenes of Dina using her powers. I would recommend it to fans of the paranormal, but not to those looking for a romance.