I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
"Conlan’s Birthday Text"
by
Ilona Andrews
alternative history, arcanepunk fantasy in a PDF edition that was published by the author on July 21, 2019 and has 9 pages.
Other books by this author which I have reviewed include Must Love Hellhounds, Dark and Stormy Knights, Angels of Darkness, Hexed, Fate's Edge, Hex Appeal, An Apple for the Creature, "Magic Gifts", Gunmetal Magic, Innkeeper Chronicles, Steel's Edge, Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes, Magic Bleeds, Magic Slays, Magic Rises, Magic Bleeds, Burn For Me, Night Shift, Magic Shifts, Magic Binds, White Hot, Wildfire, Iron and Magic, Magic Triumphs, "Gerard Demille and Helen Meet", "Diamond Fire", "Sweep with Me", Clean Sweep, Sweep in Peace, "A Mere Formality", Blood Heir, "The King of Fire", Sapphire Flames, "A Misunderstanding", Emerald Blaze, "The Cool Aunt", One Fell Sweep, Sweep of the Blade, "Silent Blade", Fated Blades, On the Edge, Bayou Moon, "George and Jack in School", Sweep of the Heart , Magic Tides, Small Magics, "The Wilson Building", "Dabwaha", "Don't Fight with Fate", “A Bit More of Roman”, “Getting Distracted”, "Sgt Munoz Had to Go", Ruby Fever, "Regina", Magic Tides, "The King of Fire", Magic Claims, "Sandra", "No Heroes", "Purpose", "A Mere Formality", "I Will Explain Everything", "Sanctuary", "Kind Regards"
A very short free story, I think it’s 9.75, in the Kate Daniels arcanepunk fantasy series set in an apocalyptic Atlanta and revolving around a magical mercenary and her family.
If you’re interested, there is a chronological listing of the Kate Daniels books on my website.
My Take
It’s Conlan’s first birthday and a free story from Ilona Andrews.
It’s a conspiracy to drive Kate and Curran mad while Conlan will be thrilled to tears.
Using third person global subjective point-of-view, the perspective is from three separate couples. And they are “wicked”, lol. It’s a fear of all parents with a child, and the delight of everyone they know. Sneaky buggers. I can appreciate Derek’s and Julie’s gift, considering how many big dogs I know, *more laughter*.
It’s so Kate:
“Curran: Something always attacks the city.
Kate: Oh good. I need a me day.”
There’s a good bit of interaction between Raphael and Andrea, as he has a surprise for her.
It’s all talk, but the tweets spun my imagination up. My only regret about this story is that it doesn’t include the actual present opening!
The Story
An exchange of tweets reveal nefarious plans for Conlan’s first birthday.
The Characters
Curran and Kate have retired from the Pack and moved out into their own place. The curious Conlan is their almost one-year-old son. Julie Lennart-Olsen is their “adopted” daughter. Grendel is their attack poodle — and a Black Dog. The incredibly powerful Roland, a thousands of years old mage who created vampires, is Kate’s father and Conlan’s grandfather.
Shapeshifters and friends who left the Pack include Derek Gaunt
The Pack is . . .
. . . over 1,500 shapeshifters led by Jim Shrapshire, the new Beast Lord, and his mate, Dali. Raphael and his mate, Andrea, are the Alphas of Clan Bouda with Andrea, who is Kate’s best friend. Andrea and Raphael have a child, Baby B. Aunt B had been Raphael’s mother.
The Cover and Title
The cover has a central graphic of an unpeeled orange plunging into water — it’s the image on the Ilona Andrews website.
The title is not really “Conlan’s Birthday Text”, but texts about him.
