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![Read-Along 2025 Series by Ilona Andrews – Graphic Audiobook Review: Sweep of the Blade (Innkeeper Chronicles [Dramatized Adaptation] #4) by Ilona Andrews](https://i0.wp.com/angelsbooknook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Sweep-of-the-Blade-GraphicAudio.jpg?fit=400%2C400&ssl=1 "Read-Along 2025 Series by Ilona Andrews – Graphic Audiobook Review: Sweep of the Blade (Innkeeper Chronicles [Dramatized Adaptation] #4) by Ilona Andrews")
Sweep of the Blade by Ilona Andrews Series: Innkeeper Chronicles [Dramatized Adaptation] #4
Published by GraphicAudio on August 1, 2022
Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy
Length: 7 hours and 51 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Bought
Purchase Links: Amazon*Chirp*Graphic Audio*B&N
Goodreads
Maud Demille is a daughter of Innkeepers—a special group who provide ‘lodging’ to other-planetary visitors—so she knows that a simple life isn't in the cards. But even Maud could never have anticipated what Fate would throw at her.
Once a wife to a powerful vampire knight, Maud and her young daughter, Helen, were exiled with him for his treachery to the desolate, savage planet of Karhari. Karhari killed her husband, and Maud—completely abandoned by his family—has spent over a year avenging his debts. Rescued by her sister Dina, she's sworn off all things vampire.
Except... In helping Dina save the world, she met Arland, the Marshal of House Krahr, one of the most powerful vampire houses. One thing led to another and he asked for her hand in marriage. She declined. Arland is not used to hearing the word ‘no;’ and try as she might, Maud can't just walk away from Arland. It doesn't help that being human is a lot harder for Maud than being a vampire.
To sort it all out, she accepts his invitation to visit his home planet. House Krahr is extremely influential and Maud knows that a woman—a human, with a very questionable past—who's turned down a proposal from its most beloved son won't get a warm reception. Maybe she’s not sure about marrying Arland, but House Krahr isn’t going to decide for her. Maud Demille has never run from a fight, and House Krahr will soon discover that there's a lot more to Maud than they’re expecting.
Performed by Megan Dominy, Alex Hill-Knight, Julie-Ann Elliott, Elena Anderson, Samantha Turret, Alyssa Keegan, Peter Holdway, Christopher Walker, Lucy Symons, Peter Stray, Andrew James Spooner, Zeke Alton, Debi Tinsley, Hannah Curtis, Khaya Fraites, Samantha Cooper, Bradley Foster Smith, Amanda Forstrom, Keval Shah, Wyn Delano, Yasmin Tuazon, Henry W. Kramer, Lise Bruneau, Troy Allan, Shawn K. Jain, Kevin Couto, Mike Carnes, Michael John Casey, Nora Achrati, Nanette Savard, Christopher Graybill, Jon Vertullo, Ryan H. Reid, and Chris Genebach.
Also in this series: Clean Sweep, Sweep in Peace, One Fell Sweep, Sweep with Me, Sweep of the Heart
I’m taking part in the 2025 Read-Along for The Edge series & Innkeeper Chronicles by Ilona Andrews hosted by Books of My Heart.
I’ve listened to the Innkeeper Chronicles many times. This is my second time listening to the GraphicAudio. The GA brings the story to life and I feel like I’m in the world. The full cast, sound effects, and cinematic music are marvelous. Well worth reading/listening to the Innkeeper Chronicles series.
Check out my full review below:
Original 2019: Sweep of the Blade is book four in the Innkeeper Chronicles series by Ilona Andrews. We are treated to Vampire politics, a wedding, a double cross, and battles that are very bloody.
OMG I loved the audio. I actually had the book and eBook on release day, but I was waiting for the audio to come out. I LOVE the audios for the previous books and felt this book would be so much better to listen too. I wasn’t disappointed.
In Sweep of the Blade we focus on Maud and her daughter. If you haven’t read the series I suggest starting at the beginning or at least read/listen to One Fell Sweep before picking up Sweep of the Blade. That is where we meet Dina’s sister Maud.
When the book starts it starts with Maud’s exile on a lawless Vampire plant where all the criminals are sent and then moves onto present day.
Maud was married to a Vampire and had a daughter. It was perfect at first, but then things went wrong. She doesn’t want to open her heart up, nor does she want her daughter to get emotionally hurt, again. It’s a tough road to let someone in and hope they won’t hurt you like her previous husband and his family. Maud doesn’t give up easily. She ends up coming to terms with her past, who she is, and what she wants in life. It felt like a rebirth and self discover story.
I loved that we get to visit the Vampires, learning more about them, and traveling to one of their home worlds.
As for the romance; well I didn’t feel any romance between Maud and Arland. Like is their, but the romance was lacking for me. They are just so formal with each other; even in private. Their guard comes down some of the time, but not enough. Mainly we are focusing on Maud and her issues; instead of the romance.
Narration: We switch narrators from Renee Raudman to Natalie Naudus. This is my first time with this narrator. She was amazing and wonderful. Her voices are smooth and easy to listen too. The battles are vivid and Maud’s inner issues are brought out. I really enjoyed the audiobook and recommend listening.
Rated: 4 Stars
Graphic Audio Aug. 2022: I’ve listened to the regular audio version several times now and read the book. But, I have to say the Graphic Audio’s for The Innkeeper Chronicles are SUPERBER and UNFORGETTABLE. It truly is a movie for the mind. I learned so much more and found things I’ve missed. The full cast, sound effects, and cinematic music made Sweep of the Blade MEMORABLE.
Graphic Audio Rated: 5 Stars
Story Rated: 4 Stars
Was this review helpful? If so, please consider liking it on Goodreads (Angela)!
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 several bestselling series, including the #1 NYT bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels, rustic fantasy of the Edge, paranormal romance of Hidden Legacy, and Innkeeper Chronicles, which they post as a free weekly serial. For complete list of their books, fun extras, and Innkeeper installments, please visit their website at Ilona-andrews.com.
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Yes, the romance is a bit on the weak side, but I still love them together. Although Helen is my favorite!!
I agree on the romance. Thanks Jen for visiting!
I loved getting Maud’s side of the story and so much about the vampire homeworld. She definitely had to work through the pain of her past with the other vampire clan and what her husband did. Loved the audio version, too.
The first time I read I wasn’t won over, but still enjoyed. But, after listening I got more out of the story and found I enjoyed the Vampires and going off world. This novel got better the more I listened and revisited. Thanks for commenting and visiting.
I loved this more than you and also have all the versions except print. Thanks so much for joining us on the Read-along and sharing your review. I loved having you on the chat last month and hope you will be able to join us again.
The first time I read I wasn’t found of novel, but after my first listen I got more out of the story and the more I listened the better it got. I like this novel more now. It was nice to join the chat. Not sure if I’ll make this one. Thanks for committing and visiting.