Who Would Like This Book:
Looking for a fresh spin on urban fantasy? "Clean Sweep" is your ticket! Ilona Andrews blends sci-fi and urban fantasy in a way that’s both quirky and inventive - think magical inns, alien werewolves, and vampires who hail from other planets. The main character, Dina, runs a magical B&B with personality, and there’s plenty of action, witty banter, and laugh-out-loud scenes (Costco aisle fight, anyone?). Fans of Andrews’ other series or anyone who enjoys clever world-building, light romance, and a heroine you can root for will have a blast.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you’re not a fan of genre mash-ups or get frustrated by first books that spend time laying down a lot of worldbuilding, this might not be your cup of tea. Some readers felt the sci-fi twist on classic supernatural creatures was a stretch, and a few wished for a meatier romance or found the love triangle hints distracting. If you’re looking for a pure sci-fi, fantasy, or romance read, the blending here might feel a little unfocused.
About:
"Clean Sweep" in the series 'Innkeeper Chronicles' by Ilona Andrews is a unique blend of science fiction and fantasy set in a world where Inns are neutral grounds for all kinds of beings, including aliens, vampires, werewolves, and more. The story follows Dina, an innkeeper with magical abilities, as she navigates through a world filled with fantastical creatures and mysteries. The fast-paced tempo, creative worldbuilding, and engaging characters make this book a fun and exciting read, offering a fresh take on the paranormal genre.
Dina's journey as an innkeeper at a run-down inn, her encounters with sexy werewolves and vampires from space, and her efforts to keep the inn running smoothly amidst various challenges form the core of the plot. is described as relaxed, different, and weird in a good way, offering a delightful mix of humor, action, and magical elements. The author's writing style seamlessly weaves together elements of magic, science, and mystery, creating a captivating story that keeps readers entertained and eager for more.
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Notes:
Has Romance?
While romance exists in the story through a love triangle, it is not the main focus and remains relatively light, mostly building over the series.
From The Publisher:
On the outside, Dina Demille is the epitome of normal. She runs a quaint Victorian Bed and Breakfast in a small Texas town, owns a Shih Tzu named Beast, and is a perfect neighbor, whose biggest problem should be what to serve her guests for breakfast. But Dina is...different: Her broom is a deadly weapon; her Inn is magic and thinks for itself. Meant to be a lodging for otherworldly visitors, the only permanent guest is a retired Galactic aristocrat who can't leave the grounds because she's responsible for the deaths of millions and someone might shoot her on sight. Under the circumstances, "normal" is a bit of a stretch for Dina.
And now, something with wicked claws and deepwater teeth has begun to hunt at night....Feeling responsible for her neighbors, Dina decides to get involved. Before long, she has to juggle dealing with the annoyingly attractive, ex-military, new neighbor, Sean Evans-an alpha-strain werewolf-and the equally arresting cosmic vampire soldier, Arland, while trying to keep her inn and its guests safe. But the enemy she's facing is unlike anything she's ever encountered before. It's smart, vicious, and lethal, and putting herself between this creature and her neighbors might just cost her everything.
"Andrews is an auto-buy no matter what the genre " -Romantic Times
"If there is one author that defines Urban Fantasy, it is Ilona Andrews." -Annie Tegelan, Fresh Fiction
"One of the brightest voices in urban fantasy and one of my favorite authors. Ilona Andrews delivers only the best." -New York Times bestselling author Jeaniene Frost.
Ratings (216)
Incredible (44) | |
Loved It (105) | |
Liked It (38) | |
It Was OK (17) | |
Did Not Like (10) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (420):
Read It (221) | |
Currently Reading (2) | |
Want To Read (129) | |
Did Not Finish (4) | |
Not Interested (64) |
8 comment(s)
I never really started this series for some reason, even though I've had it for a while. So yay for BSB for giving me the push... it feels like this is going to become one of my favourites! But then again, pretty much everything the author wrote/writes is :D
Worldbuilding:
I really liked how the stage was set and how the information came to us. It wasn't an information dump but rather a slow and steady information stream. We learned about the world, the inn, Dina's role as she came across issues that needed the info.
As always, the environments and scenes were well described and clear.
Character development:
You have to love Dina; I mean... she is intelligent, funny, kicks ass with the help of the inn and Beast :D and is just so much fun to read about! We've gotten to know a bit about her past, her family and what she wants: to find her parents.
Sean and Arland made me chuckle (and facepalm) pretty often. Put the two of them together in a room and just enjoy the show, I would say :D I really hope to see a lot more of them in the following instalments as they both bring a lot to the table (and to Dina *wink* *wink*)
I love how the characters feel so alive, so real and believable, and not only the main characters but also the few side characters that we encountered.
Pacing and flow:
You pick up the book, get the lay of the land and then it grabs you and doesn't let you go, like... at all! So, of course, I read this book in one sitting as I just couldn't put it down (who needs sleep anyway, right?).
Great flow and balance between the action and the conversation.
The book:
The book is well written with no (noticeable) errors. There is no sex described (if that is important to you).
It has 225 pages, spread over 16 chapters and is told from Dina's point of view.
Final thoughts:
I loved this first book of the series! The setting was great, the characters were awesome and overall... it just made me want to continue the next book immediately! :D
This has a hilarious campy setup but ends up being emotional and thrilling.
I ❤ Ilona Andrews! This wife/hubby pair should be on everyone's auto-buy list - not a bad book in the bunch.
(Listened to audiobook: ✮✮✮✮½)
* A fun
Innkeeper Chronicles Character Guide
Very good.
I love the works of Ilona Andrews it is simply amazing! In every form!
****4.0****
Dina Demille is an Inn Keeper. A special Inn which is a resting place for special creatures like Vampires, Werewolves, Aliens and many more unimaginable. Dina possesses incredible powers in order to keep her guests safe. And she will go to any length or extreme to save her guests even from each other. Apart from that she has only one other mission in her life, that is to find her missing parents.
I liked the whole setting, world building and the sci-fi touch in this. Very strong female characters and a new interesting plot/genre/narration (for me) which caught my attention.
Happy Reading!!
A quick little read and a pallet cleanser.
Ilona Andrews is one of my favourite authors, if not my absolute favourite. And they again blew me out of the water with the incredible imagination and world building behind this series.
Not only does it combine cozy innkeeper vibes with brilliant science fiction, but it also brings a whole level of complexity with the individual beliefs and requirements of each guest.
And let us not forget out fantastic protagonist, who is a badass in her own right. With just the right amount of romance, this is a series that I will always come back to.
Graphic Audio audiobook was better than than book, which was great.
What can you read after
Clean Sweep?
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