The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews is the first in the Breach Wars series, narrated by Hilary Huber and James Konicek. An addictive tale from start to finish as we follow Ada and her team’s dog deep into the portal. A fantastic listen!
by Ilona Andrews
Series: Breach Wars #1
Narrator: Hillary Huber, James Konicek
Length: 8 hours and 14 minutes
Genres: Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.4x
We are at war. The interdimensional invasion brought us unimaginable suffering, but it also awoke talents slumbering deep within us, a means to repel and destroy our enemy. Every day new gates open, leading to breaches filled with monsters and valuable resources. If you are a Talent, your country needs you. The world needs you. Be the hero you were born to be.
Adaline is a Talent. Ten years ago, she had a happy marriage and a job she loved. The invasion shattered both. Now she works for the government, searching the breaches for magic metals and medicine to help Earth repel an interdimensional enemy. Two kids, one cat, bills, benefits, mortgage and school tuition...Risking her life became routine.
She had gone into the dimensional gates hundreds of times. She was always well protected. This time everything goes wrong. Now Ada is trapped in the labyrinth of alien caves unlike any other. Her only companion is a scared German Shepherd named Bear. Together they must uncover the breach's secrets and escape, because Ada promised her children that she will come home.
The future of humanity depends on it.
A decade ago, Earth changed when portals to other worlds began appearing. With them, some humans received powers and are now known as talents. Together they close these portals and strip them of their valuable minerals and rare items. In The Inhertiance we follow Ada and her team into a recently opened portal.
The authors did a splendid job of introducing us to this world, and their open letter at the beginning had me giggling as I appreciated them even more. Ada shows up at the breach, and we meet her fellow teammates and their German Shepherd, Bear.
From the start of the mission, Ada feels off. She has worked dimensional gates hundreds of times, but this time things go terribly wrong and she finds herself trapped. Her only companion is Bear. I really liked Ada, a divorced mother who is respected by her teammates and cannot wait to see how she further develops.
While the story is mostly told from Ada’s point of view, we also get a simultaneous point of view from Elias, team commander on the outside. This was clever as it provided reports from those on Ada’s team who made it out, as he puts together a rescue plan. Both POVs held me captive as Ada traversed the gate filled with danger and some surprises.
If you are a die-hard Andrews fan like me, you’ll love the little crossovers and Easter eggs. Breach Wars is a blend of fantasy and science fiction. As one expects from this writing duo, the story was masterfully done. Listeners will want to devour this in a single sitting, thanks to the blend of snark and building suspense. I am excited for more of this world.
While I bought the ebook during release week, I held off for the audiobook. Narrated by Hilary Huber and James Konicek, I can tell you it was worth the wait. From the voices provided to the tone, both enhanced my experience and brought these characters and world to life.
About Ilona Andrews
“Ilona Andrews” is the pseudonym for a husband-and-wife writing team. Ilona is a native-born Russian and Gordon is a former communications sergeant in the U.S. Army. Contrary to popular belief, Gordon was never an intelligence officer with a license to kill, and Ilona was never the mysterious Russian spy who seduced him. They met in college, in English Composition 101, where Ilona got a better grade. (Gordon is still sore about that.) Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Texas with their two children and many dogs and cats. They have co-authored four NYT and USAT bestselling series, the urban fantasy of Kate Daniels, rustic fantasy of the Edge, paranormal romance of Hidden Legacy, and Innkeeper Chronicles,
About Hillary Huber
Hillary Huber is a multiple Audie Award finalist, an AudioFile Earphones Award winner, and an AudioFile Best Voice. She has recorded over 550 titles, spanning many genres. A huge fan of audiobooks, when she's not narrating one, she's listening to one!
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2025 Audiobook Challenge
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
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?
I’ve been trying to decide if I want to listen to the audiobook or read my physical copy, and I think you sold me on the audiobook! I absolutely love this author duo and can’t wait to dive in.
Jen Twimom
Oh, good to know about the audiobook. Like you, I got the ebook right away (and read it about a month ago). I’ll have to check out the audiobook. Thanks.
Rachel @Waves of Fiction
I read this back when it was released but also purchased the audio when it came out. I need to listen to it with my husband. The Easter eggs were fun! I hope we get more stories with this, but they’re so busy so who knows when that’ll be.
Sophie
Well that one seems incredible!
Barbara Strickland
On my TBR list
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
I’ve seen the reviews for this and it sounds like a winner. I do love the cover too. I might have to give this author another try. Great review!
ailyn koay
realistic person aside. I think it’s gonna be more like a Breach Universe rather than Breach Wars …
Lux
I’ve been reading a lot of war fantasy lately. I’ll definitely add this to my list.
Katherine
I really enjoyed the first book in the Hidden Legacy series and now I need to read this one! It sounds really good!
Angela (Angel's Book Nook)
I adore Andrews. I will be listening to this one this year. Great review.
Sophia Rose
I definitely need to do a revisit before the next one comes out so I can experience the audio version, too.
Anne - Books of My Heart
You know I am truly behind when I haven’t read something Ilona Andrews the second it was available. And now Beast Business! I always buy and pre-order if available but I’m falling down on the reading right now.