The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews
Ten years ago, Adaline had a happy marriage and a job she loved. The invasion shattered both. Now she works for the government as a Talent, searching the breaches for magic metals and medicine to help Earth repel an interdimensional enemy.
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 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.
Our (unofficial) Ilona Andrews Appreciation Week is not quite over yet. This time, our colleagues Lília, Naomi, and Damla share their enthusiasm over another title by the husband-and-wife writing duo, this time a high-stakes urban sci-fi.
Naomi
While this book didn’t initially appeal to me (besides the fact that it’s from one of my favorite authors), I picked it up because Lília was very enthusiastic about it.
Hoo boy, what a great book! I realized early on that I needed to finish this book more than I needed to sleep (no regrets there). Ada is stuck in a gate to another dimension, and she is extremely determined to get back to her kids. Everything in the gate is trying to kill her, though, but with Bear (the best dog ever) by her side, she might just be able to. I read this compulsively, because I just had to know what happened, what is going on with the gates, and will Ada make it out?[Don’t worry, Bear is fine!]
Damla
Fast-paced, charming characters, a fascinating world, and skillful writing! I think I have found a new favorite author.
This is the second time I have read an Ilona Andrews book, and it is the second time I wished the book went on for another 1000 pages. Not because things are not wrapped up well (they always are), but I just can’t get enough of the story and the characters. I am yet again left grieving that the story is ending, while the pages fly by. The authors really have a way of weaving a highly gripping story with plenty of mysteries that will leave you wanting more while delivering a very satisfying ending all the same.
This time, we have a portal sci-fi, where we get to discover a terrifying, deadly alien world with Ada and Bear (one of the bestest dogs that ever best-ed). It was so refreshing to see a main character who wasn’t a “chosen one” just out their teen years full of hormones, bad decisions, and insecurities, but instead a grown woman with 2 children with dedication, experience, and power. I left myself to the very capable hands of the main character, and had a hell of a ride. It was so, so good.
Lília
This is a science fiction/urban fantasy tale of resilience and devotion. Ada finds herself lost in an alien world, without the knowledge to fight. If she wants to go back to her kids, she’ll need to learn fast how to survive and how to use the inheritance the alien being gave her…
I started reading this book on the authors’ blog, where they often tease their audience with interesting new stories and keep you invested in their work. I remember having fun when Ilona mentioned the idea of a short fiction to Gordon, and, according to her, he laughed, because he knew they’d have a lot more work to do than simply telling a story. At the back of the book you have a whole description of talents, who they are, and what they do. They had to develop a whole different world, magic, and creatures. While reading it, you can feel they take their world-building seriously. They do it beautifully, and it’s a joy to read!
