Coffee Pot Reviews are short reviews that I write in the length of time it takes my coffee pot to brew. I needed an Ilona Andrews fix and devoured the Kinsmen series. Grab a cup of coffee and check out my thoughts on Silent Blade & Silver Shark.
Set on the planet Rada in a distant future, Kinsmen are gifted men and women who have used their biologically enhanced powers to secure territory for themselves and their families and exist in a perpetual state of competition.
by Ilona Andrews
Series: Kinsmen #1
Genres: Science Fiction, Romance
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
The World of Kinsmen
Family is everything. Talent is power. And revenge is sweet.
In a distant, future world Kinsmen—small powerful groups of genetically and technologically advanced families—control vast financial empires. They are their own country, their own rulers, and their only limits are other Kinsmen. The struggle for power is a bloody, full-contact sport: in business, on the battlefield...and sometimes in the bedroom.
Old hatreds die hard. Old love dies harder.
On the planet Rada, Meli Galdes’ family is of minor rank, and were relying on her marriage to Celino, the razor-smart, ruthless leader of the powerful Carvanna empire. When he abruptly breaks their engagement, he ruins her family and guarantees that Meli will never marry, as no suitor will oppose the rich and influential Carvannas.
But Meli has a rare, secret, lethal—and valuable—talent. As a melder of energy, she’s capable of severing anything in her path. So she ‘leaves’ her family and trains to become one of the best and most lethal of assassins, all the while covertly guarding her family’s interests. Now she’s ready to quit; but she has one more assignment.
To kill the man who ruined her life.
I wasn’t sure what to expect as I began Silent Blade but within the first few pages I was hooked. While this is a novella, I wasn’t at all worried the Andrews gave us a full story filled with history, a grasp of the world they are living in and a haters to lovers romance with plenty of twists. The Kinsmen and their clans with enhanced abilities was a fascinating one. The kingdoms are ruthless in their pursuits of power and stability and we are given a brief intro into their hierarchy and governing. We meet Meli who was exiled from the family in order to be their assassin. She is a unique and known as a melder. Her gift is lethal making her the perfect killer. After her last kill she informed the family she was retired but alas he tempts her with one last assignment. The man who ruined her; Celino, the powerful leader of Carvanna Kinsmen Empire. The story that unfolds has snark, passion, foodie chats and twists as Meli’s plots Celino’s demise. The story wrapped up nicely. I love that while set in this world, it looks like each book will focus on one couple. Fans of Ilona Andrews Hidden Legacy series will enjoy the Kinsmen series.
Series: Kinsmen #2
Genres: Science Fiction, Romance
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
The World of Kinsmen
Family is everything. Talent is power. And revenge is sweet.
In a distant, future world Kinsmen—small powerful groups of genetically and technologically advanced families—control vast financial empires. They are their own country, their own rulers, and their only limits are other Kinsmen. The struggle for power is a bloody, full-contact sport: in business, on the battlefield...and sometimes in the bedroom.
Claire Shannon is a killer…and her weapon is her mind.Born on a planet torn by war for over 300 years, Claire is a soldier: a psycher, with the ability to read, control, and destroy the minds of enemy psychers and to infiltrate the biological network where they battle to death.
When Claire’s faction loses the war, she barely escapes extermination from both sides, as her talent brands her as too dangerous to society. By so-deeply burying her ability that she avoids detection, Claire is instead deported to Rada as a refugee, where she must find work to remain. She finds a job as personal assistant to Venturo Escana, a premiere kinsman; one of Rada’s most wealthy entrepreneurs—and most powerful psychers.
She thought she had left war behind, but now she must hide her skills and her growing feelings from Venturo…and this battle might just cost her everything…
Our story begins on a mining planet that has been at war. Here we meet Claire, a talented psycher who was ripped from her mother at a tender age to train and battle in the bionet. When her faction loses the war she escapes by assuming the identity of her deceased mother. She is deported to Rada and manages to suppress her skill set despite probes. Things get interesting when she obtains a job as a personal assistant to Venturo, a kinsman leader and powerful psycher.
Andrews adds in some suspense when Claire agrees to help a young boy escape deportation.Time in the bionet was fascinating to how each psycher perceives it to deadly encounters. The story was intense but also had a nice build up from chemistry to secrets. We get an update on characters from the first book and while this story wrapped up, I find myself eager for more of this world.
I actually had these on my Kindle and was reminded of them when the books received new covers. I am hoping the Andrews add more books to this series. Currently there are only two. These are science fiction off-planet, served with a romance. Have you read them?
Silent Blade & Silver Shark by Ilona Andrews delivered an off planet adventure and romances that left me hoping for more Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Olivia Roach
I was surprised when I saw these because I know most of Ilona Andrews’ novels by cover so I when I didn’t recognise these I was a bit shocked. But then it makes sense if they are novellas. It sounds like these are still good despite them being short novels and like the romance is good in them too. Glad you enjoyed them both x
Kimberly
Thanks, yeah I actually had the original covers, but shared the newer ones.
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
I totally love these coffee pot reviews. Awesome idea and you know not every book is a total winner and a short and sweet review is nice to clean up the loose ends so to speak. I like the sound of the series I am always game for a sci-fi romance. I will have to add these to my list too! =)
Mary
Kimberly
It works really well for novellas and series where I am 4 or 5 books in and you can’t reveal too much.
Angela @ Simply Angela
I completely missed this series. I really need to have more Ilona Andrews in my life!
Kimberly
I wish that could work magic and put a book out every month..lol
Melanie Simmons
I read these books books years ago. I really loved them. I hope they get put on audio one day. I would love to revisit on audio. I will probably re-read one day either way.
Kimberly
Oh yeah, I would listen. i am dying for the next Innkeeper on audio. I refuse to read the story on their blog. LOL
blodeuedd
I feel like I have read one, but I guess not
Kimberly
I was surprised when I saw them on my kindle..lol
Teresa Mary Rose
These covers are stunning! I feel like this is one of those authors that I know I am going to love and just need to read sooner rather than later. Great reviews!
Kimberly
Yep, and then you kick yourself and go on a binge to read everything they have ever written. Been there?
Debbie Haupt
This author team is high on my want to read list Thanks Kim for putting this on my radar.
Oh btw I did by my first Dannika Dark novel that was a Kindle deal a week or so ago.
Kimberly
Ooo, I am excited!
Stephanie Jane (Literary Flits)
The Ilona Andrews name is everywhere this year and somehow I had managed to overlook that they’re a duo. Impressive to be able to write so seamlessly in a partnership 🙂
Kimberly
Yes. Best writing team ever?
Tyler H. Jolley
I’m always impressed at how prolific Ilona Andrews are. The rate at which they can draft, outline, write, and edit a book is impressive to say the least. Such a great duo. I hope you have a great weekend, Kimba. I also hope your mom is doing better.
Kimberly
Thanks Tyler. She is doing better. Life has been a little cray-cray, and not something I handle very well. I agree, this writing duo continues to amaze me.
Ethan
I haven’t read them, but I like the idea of binging through some of the books on your kindle! I just finished Winter Street by Elin Hilderbrand. I hope to read the other three in the series soon. Also, you get a little shout out in my review!
Kimberly
I listened to Winter Street and loved it Ethan.
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
I love everything Ilona Andrews writes but I didn’t know about this series. Love Hidden Legacy so I’m definitely getting a copy of these books! 🙂
Kimberly
I am glad I shared it then 🙂 I have officially read all of their works now. *taps fingers and waits for next release*
Angela Adams
Awesome writing team. Thanks for the post, and have a great weekend!
Kimberly
They truly are. Thanks Angela. Have a lovely weekend.
Angie Elle
I have to laugh, because if anyone else had written these books, I probably wouldn’t have given them a second look. But this is Ilona Andrews, so it’s a safe bet to say I’ll be getting to them! I am interested to see what they do with a pairing in just one book, and a short one at that. They’re very good with the slow burn. Though I’m betting they’re good at quickies, too. LOL
Great reviews. I do love this concept!
Kimberly
Right. I will read anything they write. LOL, even their blog posts are funny and interesting.
Angela
Wonderful reviews!
Kimberly
Thanks Angela!
Reese
I LOVE this writing team, they have a knack for very engaging worldbuilding (sometimes in an incredibly short ‘space’, like in their novellas) and for great chemistry between characters, romantic and otherwise!
Kimberly
I completely agree Reese.
Anne
I read these quite awhile ago, I think from the library and enjoyed them. I do remember the feeling of wanting more. That’s how they always make me feel. Anne – Books of My Heart
Kimberly
Bwahaha..that is so true Anne. I always want more from all of their series/books
Sophia Rose
You remind me. I’ve got the first of the two when it was on sale. I do need to read these. I love that they ventured into sci-fi for these.
Kimberly
I do too, and I truly hope they explore this series more.
Tracy Terry
Not an author I have ever read but my sister in law and several friends are big fans so you never know I may well get to read her books some day.
I love these covers.
Kimberly
This writing team is among my top ten favorites.
kindlemom1
I love all that these two have written but I’m so behind. I definitely need to try these and still finish some of their series I’ve started.
Kimberly
Happy reading. I am left waiting for their next release. Boo.
Ailyn Koay
i never knew Ilona Andrews did space killer romance? Sounds really fun to be in
Kimberly
Yeah these two could write anything?