Scan barcode
kzimm2024's review
5.0
Hilarious, I found myself compulsively explaining it to my husband even though he had no desire to hear it and he actually really liked the premise :) Good work!
mellhay's review
4.0
Deirdre is a member of the special crew mediating the treaty of two worlds. Deirdre is one who does all the research, with her fingers in the computer interface and mind flying through it. Now, Deirdre is on her way to the banquet for the treaty, when the Reigh enter and the tension of this dangerous group, even under sign of peace, is felt. One of the Reigh is bumped by Michel, but the Reigh could have avoided the happening and didn't, dropping his sign... on purpose? The four races in presence have a link to each other, a delicate link that could break causing a deadly war. And that happens here, but a deal can be made to save lives, a deal with Deirdre.
I Like! this "space" world creation here. This is something Ilona and Gordon are strong at. REAL strong! They have taken 4 different worldly races, and created them in a short story. Actions speak louder than words, and they use words to create it all! It was so easy to see the creatures and the personalities the reflected. Ilona and Gordon are wonderful at describing cultures with anticipation mixed in wanting to know what will happen.
Not only is there a whole world, or two, created here but a mystery is now underway. Who poisoned the man, and why? Wonderful blend! As can be expected by Ilona and Gordon.
There is definitely Adult content in this short story. Not actual sex, but definite talk about it.
I think Ilona and Gordon need to write a science fiction series! I would definitely pick it up! And this world could be a great start. :)
I Like! this "space" world creation here. This is something Ilona and Gordon are strong at. REAL strong! They have taken 4 different worldly races, and created them in a short story. Actions speak louder than words, and they use words to create it all! It was so easy to see the creatures and the personalities the reflected. Ilona and Gordon are wonderful at describing cultures with anticipation mixed in wanting to know what will happen.
Not only is there a whole world, or two, created here but a mystery is now underway. Who poisoned the man, and why? Wonderful blend! As can be expected by Ilona and Gordon.
There is definitely Adult content in this short story. Not actual sex, but definite talk about it.
I think Ilona and Gordon need to write a science fiction series! I would definitely pick it up! And this world could be a great start. :)
roadtripreader's review
challenging
dark
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
A 2.75 ⭐ not rounded up😥
Bit disappointed. - I came here for a continuation of the Sean Koslov story with Jennifer under the Koslov Universe but sadly nope.
I think this should have been a standalone novella but I can see why it was placed in Kinsmen, but Koslov? Sure sure, the Orbital Embassy links them but Koslov is literally the last name of the main character in book 1 which would stand to reason that he has to show up or at least set it in Numeria.
My Cover over Blurb russian roulette did not pay off this time. Next time.
Plot/Storyline/Themes:
I mean that's a whole lot of work to get a bride. The Reigh were doing way too much. It's a good plot device but I think I just could rise to the occasion to appreciate it.
Two Sentences, A Scene or less - Characters:
There's Diedre , Fatima, Robert, Timur, Lord Nagrad etcetera and honestly I forgot their character essence as soon as I shut of my Paperwhite. I'm not wired to forget so easily, so I'm kinda bummed they didn't make a lasting impression on me. Not even a "hate them" impression. More like "eh...who????".
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Scene: :
Lord Nagrad is something else 😯:
"The man is the trunk of a family, but the woman is its root. In our society, men own the children and the means of war. Everything else is owned by the woman. And too often a woman s first loyalty is to her mother instead of her husband. It tends to make matters complicated. A woman of the foreign blood has no one to turn to. She would exist solely at the mercy of her husband."
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
🖤 “We have been tested, and I'm not sure we've passed. Why do I have a feeling this isn't going to end well?” (Skulduggery and plotting is afoot)
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts:
■ Orbital Embassy
■ The Reigh & Vered
■ Vunta Aliens
■WTF is a "Proportion Scale" huh?
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Short Stories by 2025
Bit disappointed. - I came here for a continuation of the Sean Koslov story with Jennifer under the Koslov Universe but sadly nope.
I think this should have been a standalone novella but I can see why it was placed in Kinsmen, but Koslov? Sure sure, the Orbital Embassy links them but Koslov is literally the last name of the main character in book 1 which would stand to reason that he has to show up or at least set it in Numeria.
My Cover over Blurb russian roulette did not pay off this time. Next time.
Plot/Storyline/Themes:
I mean that's a whole lot of work to get a bride. The Reigh were doing way too much. It's a good plot device but I think I just could rise to the occasion to appreciate it.
Two Sentences, A Scene or less - Characters:
There's Diedre , Fatima, Robert, Timur, Lord Nagrad etcetera and honestly I forgot their character essence as soon as I shut of my Paperwhite. I'm not wired to forget so easily, so I'm kinda bummed they didn't make a lasting impression on me. Not even a "hate them" impression. More like "eh...who????".
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Scene: :
Lord Nagrad is something else 😯:
"The man is the trunk of a family, but the woman is its root. In our society, men own the children and the means of war. Everything else is owned by the woman. And too often a woman s first loyalty is to her mother instead of her husband. It tends to make matters complicated. A woman of the foreign blood has no one to turn to. She would exist solely at the mercy of her husband."
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
🖤 “We have been tested, and I'm not sure we've passed. Why do I have a feeling this isn't going to end well?” (Skulduggery and plotting is afoot)
Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts:
■ Orbital Embassy
■ The Reigh & Vered
■ Vunta Aliens
■WTF is a "Proportion Scale" huh?
StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Short Stories by 2025
angels_gp17's review
3.0
**Note: Listened as part of The Kinsmen Universe bundle.
I’m a HUGE fan of the Andrews team and I’ve been doing a re-read of their works. I’ve actually never read or listened to the Kinsmen series until now.
A Mere Formality is a short story written on a dare and given away for free. It’s a silly and quirky story. It’s got no sex, but lots of dirty talk of smutty things in a very vanilla way. Those parts made me laugh. The plot is weak and the romance doesn’t really come through. There are some nice details and I liked smutty talk moments, but I’d have liked more for this story.
You can read it for free here or read it in the bundle.
Rated: 3 Stars
Audio: Samantha Cook narrates The Kinsmen Universe. It took me a bit to get into the narration, but when I did, I liked. The author changes up her voices well for each character and story.
I’m a HUGE fan of the Andrews team and I’ve been doing a re-read of their works. I’ve actually never read or listened to the Kinsmen series until now.
A Mere Formality is a short story written on a dare and given away for free. It’s a silly and quirky story. It’s got no sex, but lots of dirty talk of smutty things in a very vanilla way. Those parts made me laugh. The plot is weak and the romance doesn’t really come through. There are some nice details and I liked smutty talk moments, but I’d have liked more for this story.
You can read it for free here or read it in the bundle.
Rated: 3 Stars
Audio: Samantha Cook narrates The Kinsmen Universe. It took me a bit to get into the narration, but when I did, I liked. The author changes up her voices well for each character and story.
tessisreading2's review
5.0
Super cute, light on the romance but very comedy-of-manners science fiction.
claire_loves_books's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this, it's a short read but a fun one and it didn't feel rushed. Ilona Andrews does short stories really well and I love that they're free- what's not to like?
leabookjoy's review
5.0
A world completly different from Kate Daniels one but so funny and characters with whom you feel in love at first sight !!
xvicesx's review
4.0
Lots of laughs. Starting from the ambition and tea kettle moment. :D I think I'm almost tempted to see what a full book with these characters would be like, or maybe with an expansion of this particular episode. You have to love Gordon and Ilona, they're absolutely brilliant!
canadianbookaddict's review
2.0
This was free on the author's website .
Someone recommended this author and told me about this free novella so I just had to give it a try. Seriously it is well written but not my cup of tea and actually got bored with it but forced myself to read it all.
Someone recommended this author and told me about this free novella so I just had to give it a try. Seriously it is well written but not my cup of tea and actually got bored with it but forced myself to read it all.