I actually read this a few weeks ago, but since then I’ve found myself so consumed by Game of Thrones that I’ve neglected pretty much everything else in my life. Let’s get caught up, shall we?
In the midst of some heavy duty non-fiction reading, I found myself jonesing for some nice and easy brain candy, so when Clean Sweep came up on offer on my kindle, I jumped at it. I’ve already read and enjoyed two Ilona Andrews series (Kate Daniels and Hidden Legacy), but whilst I enjoyed the ideas behind Clean Sweep, and it whiled the football that was being watch in our house, I must admit that I found it ever so slightly lacking.
Dina runs a normal looking B&B in a small town, but it’s one with a difference. For Dina comes from a long line of Innkeepers, somewhat mystical beings whose establishments operate as sanctuaries for supernatural entities. Dina only has one guest, so when dogs start showing up dead around the neighbourhood she has enough time on her hands to investigate, even if her irritating alpha werewolf neighbour keeps posturing while she does.
I did really enjoy the idea behind the Innkeepers and their inns, but I found the mixing of magic and alien technology that apparently underpins this world a little jarring and not always that easily explained…for example, Dina no other way of looking up demon traits than in an ancient book, but the wall of her house also transforms into a screen showing her footage from far distant planets. Werewolves and vampires hail from distant worlds…and yet still find themselves in love triangles on earth. They also feel like very watered down versions of characters we’ve already met in Andrews’ better works.
I think if I’d been reading this as it was originally released – in instalments via Andrews’ website – I might have enjoyed it more, but as a book it definitely felt like it needed a lot more meat on its bones.
