Clean Sweep

Dina Demille operates a bed and breakfast in Texas, but her inn is not what it seems. As an innkeeper, she possesses magic that allows her to maintain and control her sentient house, which serves as a sanctuary for interstellar visitors. A series of mysterious animal attacks in her neighborhood forces Dina to intervene, despite rules that prohibit innkeepers from interfering in local affairs. She must work with a werewolf and a vampire to investigate the threat while maintaining her inn's secrecy and protecting her guests. The novel combines elements of urban fantasy with science fiction, creating a universe where magic and advanced technology coexist. Through Dina's story, the book explores themes of duty, identity, and the complex nature of neutrality when faced with threats to one's community.

Readers highlight the distinctive magic system, fast-moving plot, and chemistry between the main characters. The protagonist Dina receives praise for being competent and level-headed without falling into common urban fantasy tropes. What readers liked: - Blend of science fiction and fantasy elements - World-building that reveals itself naturally through the story - Humor and banter between characters - Strong supporting cast - Complete story despite being part of a series What readers disliked: - Short length (some felt it read more like a novella) - Romance subplot moves too quickly - Some world-building concepts left unexplained Ratings: Goodreads: 4.13/5 (48,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (3,900+ ratings) BookBub: 4.4/5 (2,400+ ratings) Multiple reviews note this was their gateway into Ilona Andrews' other works. Several readers mentioned re-reading the book multiple times. Common comparison: "Doctor Who meets urban fantasy."

Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews A mercenary investigates supernatural murders in a magic-ravaged Atlanta while navigating shapeshifter politics and vampire territories.

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs A coyote shapeshifter mechanic becomes entangled in werewolf pack dynamics while solving paranormal crimes.

Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill A graduate student transforms into a vampire and must learn Chicago's supernatural politics while uncovering threats to her new community.

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris A telepathic waitress in Louisiana forms connections with vampires while investigating murders in her small town.

Storm Front by Jim Butcher A wizard private investigator in Chicago solves supernatural cases while dealing with paranormal politics and magical threats.

🌟 "Clean Sweep" was originally published as a free serial on Ilona Andrews' blog before being collected into a novel. 🌟 The authors (Ilona and Gordon Andrews) drew inspiration from both urban fantasy and science fiction genres, creating a unique blend they call "science fantasy." 🌟 The main character Dina's magical inn is sentient and can reshape itself, a concept that combines traditional haunted house tropes with living spacecraft ideas from science fiction. 🌟 The series incorporates mythological creatures from multiple cultures, but reimagines them as aliens from different planets rather than supernatural beings. 🌟 The innkeeper's role in the story is based on the historical concept of sanctuary, where traditional innkeepers were often responsible for protecting travelers under their roof.