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World of Kate Daniels
Of Swine and Roses
A young adult short story about a girl, a pig, some magic, and the worst date ever.
Chad Thurman is a thug, who carries brass knuckles in both pockets and lays magic traps for intruders into “his” neighborhood. The last thing Alena Kornov wants to do is to go on the date with him. But when her family pressures her, she can’t say no. Now the ice-cream is absent, the pig is running for its life, and we won’t even mention the dead guy…
This story was included in Small Magics.
Chad Thurman is a thug, who carries brass knuckles in both pockets and lays magic traps for intruders into “his” neighborhood. The last thing Alena Kornov wants to do is to go on the date with him. But when her family pressures her, she can’t say no. Now the ice-cream is absent, the pig is running for its life, and we won’t even mention the dead guy…
This story was included in Small Magics.
21 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 13, 2009
115 people are currently reading
2098 people want to read
About the author
Ilona Andrews
145 books33.3k followersIlona 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 Oregon with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge.
Gordon and Ilona currently reside in Oregon with their two children, three dogs and a cat. They have co-authored two series, the bestselling urban fantasy of Kate Daniels and romantic urban fantasy of The Edge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
September 9, 2021
I've been overwhelmed with uni lately and I have some arcs I need to finish... not a good combo because I end up not reading at all in the little time I can. So I wanted something short but guaranteed to be good, so what's better than reading an IA novella?
This story was only 23 and I certainly wished it was longer! I just learned today that Hidden Legacy's world started from this novella... I can certainly see the similarities.
It's an enjoyable and very quick read, leans towards YA but that's okay. It has a touch of romance but it's very cute!! and features a very cute pig. The characters were certainly well written for such a short book and it's all about the small details like mother and father's interactions...
I certainly recommend it for anyone looking for a fun cute very short story and definitely, IA fans are going to like it. I have no idea why I haven't read it yet but I'm glad I waited, the timing for this story couldn't have been better. But now I feel like I need more IA books right away and sadly there are barely any left for me to read.
This story was only 23 and I certainly wished it was longer! I just learned today that Hidden Legacy's world started from this novella... I can certainly see the similarities.
It's an enjoyable and very quick read, leans towards YA but that's okay. It has a touch of romance but it's very cute!! and features a very cute pig. The characters were certainly well written for such a short book and it's all about the small details like mother and father's interactions...
I certainly recommend it for anyone looking for a fun cute very short story and definitely, IA fans are going to like it. I have no idea why I haven't read it yet but I'm glad I waited, the timing for this story couldn't have been better. But now I feel like I need more IA books right away and sadly there are barely any left for me to read.
October 24, 2015
So I mentioned in my reviews of
Silent Blade
and
Silver Shark
that I had been told the world-building in
Burn for Me
was similar to that of the worlds in the Kinsmen series and this novella . . .
So OF COURSE I had to reread them (b/c Burn for Me rocked my socks off).
Anyway, whoever told me that was RIGHT.
And this short is awesome on it's own merits, so if you are a die-hard Ilona fan, you should read it anyway.
Part of the reason I liked Of Swine and Roses is b/c most of my adolescent headbuttings with my mother could have been avoided if she had been more like Alena's mother.
Alena's mother is WISE. She understands that when you're dealing with teenagers, her husband's approach (which bares a close resemblance to my own mother's approach) of, "You'll do it, b/c I told you to do it. The end," isn't going to get you the results you desire.
My mother is wise too, but she allows her stubbornness to overwhelm that wisdom when she's irritated, and wouldn't you know that I was excellent at irritating her.
But I recognize the pitfalls of having a mother like Alena's as well--how irritating would it have been for me to have to listen to all the reasons why I should do something I absolutely do not want to do.
So six of one, half dozen of another . . .
Anyway, suffice it to say that Alena doesn't want to do something, Mother explains why it's important she does it anyway, and from there things get a little bit crazy, and a little bit adorable.
It's only 20(ish) pages long, so it won't take much of your time, and if you want a quick look into the mafia-type, magical families that make-up the world of the Andrews' latest endeavor, this is a quick a painless way to do it.
So OF COURSE I had to reread them (b/c Burn for Me rocked my socks off).
Anyway, whoever told me that was RIGHT.
And this short is awesome on it's own merits, so if you are a die-hard Ilona fan, you should read it anyway.
Part of the reason I liked Of Swine and Roses is b/c most of my adolescent headbuttings with my mother could have been avoided if she had been more like Alena's mother.
Alena's mother is WISE. She understands that when you're dealing with teenagers, her husband's approach (which bares a close resemblance to my own mother's approach) of, "You'll do it, b/c I told you to do it. The end," isn't going to get you the results you desire.
My mother is wise too, but she allows her stubbornness to overwhelm that wisdom when she's irritated, and wouldn't you know that I was excellent at irritating her.
But I recognize the pitfalls of having a mother like Alena's as well--how irritating would it have been for me to have to listen to all the reasons why I should do something I absolutely do not want to do.
So six of one, half dozen of another . . .
Anyway, suffice it to say that Alena doesn't want to do something, Mother explains why it's important she does it anyway, and from there things get a little bit crazy, and a little bit adorable.
It's only 20(ish) pages long, so it won't take much of your time, and if you want a quick look into the mafia-type, magical families that make-up the world of the Andrews' latest endeavor, this is a quick a painless way to do it.
March 8, 2016
Actual rating: 3.5
Yeah I hear you this YA. Yeah I hear you but this is IA.
Cute little story about magic, flowers, dates from hell and little piggies. A world similar to the one in Burn for Me (magical families, some more powerful than others), great characters and lots of wit. Typical Andrews.
Edited Feb. 13, 2005: just found out that this short story was actually the foundation for the Hidden Legacy series. No wonder I thought both worlds were similar! {insert eyeroll here}
I don't have much time to write a review here (because Burned) so why don't you check out Jessica's ? She's as addicted to IA as I am and wrote a lovely review for this story. Come on, off you go!
Spread the love people, we all deserve to be famous!
Awesome badge courtesy of awesome Kat!
Yeah I hear you this YA. Yeah I hear you but this is IA.
Cute little story about magic, flowers, dates from hell and little piggies. A world similar to the one in Burn for Me (magical families, some more powerful than others), great characters and lots of wit. Typical Andrews.
Edited Feb. 13, 2005: just found out that this short story was actually the foundation for the Hidden Legacy series. No wonder I thought both worlds were similar! {insert eyeroll here}
I don't have much time to write a review here (because Burned) so why don't you check out Jessica's ? She's as addicted to IA as I am and wrote a lovely review for this story. Come on, off you go!
Spread the love people, we all deserve to be famous!
Awesome badge courtesy of awesome Kat!
December 7, 2017
3.5 stars for this slight but enjoyable story from the Ilona Andrews team, about a world where magic powers run in a few select families, occasionally with a whiff of Magical Mafia about them. It made me smile so I'm rounding up. Apparently I'm on an Ilona Andrews short fiction binge, and I've recently read a couple of their novellas set in this world, so I decided to pay my 99 cents and read this cute short story.
Seventeen year old Alena Kornov has recently come back from a year at boarding school and decided to impress her old sorta/kinda boyfriend by dressing up and showing off her more mature appearance. He was impressed enough to ask her on a date, but then stood her up. While Alena was waiting for her no-show date, she had the bad luck to be spotted by Chad Thurman, who used to bully her when she was younger. Chad asks her out and Alena badly wants to refuse ("He's a thug!"), but her family pressures her into going out with him because of the Thurman family's influence and clout.
How many ways can a date go south? Read it and see. :) Where magic is involved, you're never entirely sure what's going to happen.
Content note: One or two F-bombs.
Seventeen year old Alena Kornov has recently come back from a year at boarding school and decided to impress her old sorta/kinda boyfriend by dressing up and showing off her more mature appearance. He was impressed enough to ask her on a date, but then stood her up. While Alena was waiting for her no-show date, she had the bad luck to be spotted by Chad Thurman, who used to bully her when she was younger. Chad asks her out and Alena badly wants to refuse ("He's a thug!"), but her family pressures her into going out with him because of the Thurman family's influence and clout.
How many ways can a date go south? Read it and see. :) Where magic is involved, you're never entirely sure what's going to happen.
Content note: One or two F-bombs.
June 9, 2015
This is a really short story but if you are obsessed with Ilona Andrews like I am then it is must read. Why???? Well it’s only about 20 pages long and in that you can see some of the ideas that are the building blocks for the Family Dynamics of Burn For Me. I am a sucker for stuff like that, plus it is all about a bad date and those are fun to watch.
When the town bully is from a good family and decides to set his sights on you beware….Normally you can just turn him down and move along with your life, but in this world family and power means everything. Alienating the wrong family can be disastrous so Alena has been maneuvered into accepting a date.
Oh the things we do for family. Maybe he’s changed, maybe he isn’t that boy anymore….OR maybe he is still that big bully. It appears to be more the latter and it is the worst first date Alena could possibly have. Chad seems to be a breath away from just trying to grope at her and then the pig shows up.
I completely see some of the seeds of ideas in this that played into the Burn For Me world and it was a cute and fun story with a nice twist to the end. Well worth the short time it will take to read.
When the town bully is from a good family and decides to set his sights on you beware….Normally you can just turn him down and move along with your life, but in this world family and power means everything. Alienating the wrong family can be disastrous so Alena has been maneuvered into accepting a date.
"You grew up together," Mother said.
"That's exactly the problem! You're making me go out with a guy I've known since he was seven and I was four. I've seen him wipe his snot on a smaller kid's hair. When I was five, he broke my sleigh going down the stone staircase on Butcher Street and I hit him over the head with it."
Oh the things we do for family. Maybe he’s changed, maybe he isn’t that boy anymore….OR maybe he is still that big bully. It appears to be more the latter and it is the worst first date Alena could possibly have. Chad seems to be a breath away from just trying to grope at her and then the pig shows up.
I completely see some of the seeds of ideas in this that played into the Burn For Me world and it was a cute and fun story with a nice twist to the end. Well worth the short time it will take to read.
February 3, 2021
1st read - July 2015
2nd read - December 2020
3rd read - February 2021
I've read nearly all of Ilona and Gordon Andrews' books over the last couple of years but there are still a few short stories that I needed to get around to and Of Swine and Roses was one of them. Then I found out that this was actually the first story set in the Hidden Legacy world so since I loved Burn for Me I knew I had to pick this up ASAP.
This short story introduces us to teenager Alena Kornov who is under pressure from her family to date Chad Thurman, a boy from one of the local families who they need a favour from. Alena has absolutely no interest in Chad but her mother is a master of guilt manipulation and Alena ends up agreeing to her demands. What follows is an absolutely hilarious first date from hell. I'm not going to say any more than that so you'll just have to read it for yourself but it was definitely a fun read.
It's official, team Andrews can do no wrong! Even in a 23 page short story they manage to hook me completely in and get me fully invested in the characters they've created. I actually would have loved to see this turned into a full length novel but it was surprisingly satisfying for such a short read. I do kind of hope that we might get a glimpse at these characters in one of the Hidden Legacy books though so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that they'll make an appearance.
2nd read - December 2020
3rd read - February 2021
I've read nearly all of Ilona and Gordon Andrews' books over the last couple of years but there are still a few short stories that I needed to get around to and Of Swine and Roses was one of them. Then I found out that this was actually the first story set in the Hidden Legacy world so since I loved Burn for Me I knew I had to pick this up ASAP.
This short story introduces us to teenager Alena Kornov who is under pressure from her family to date Chad Thurman, a boy from one of the local families who they need a favour from. Alena has absolutely no interest in Chad but her mother is a master of guilt manipulation and Alena ends up agreeing to her demands. What follows is an absolutely hilarious first date from hell. I'm not going to say any more than that so you'll just have to read it for yourself but it was definitely a fun read.
It's official, team Andrews can do no wrong! Even in a 23 page short story they manage to hook me completely in and get me fully invested in the characters they've created. I actually would have loved to see this turned into a full length novel but it was surprisingly satisfying for such a short read. I do kind of hope that we might get a glimpse at these characters in one of the Hidden Legacy books though so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that they'll make an appearance.
May 8, 2019
http://bookslifewine.com/r-of-swine-a...
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars!
*sigh*
This was so good. Just...so short. :-( I'm a greedy reader when it comes to Ilona Andrews and I always want MOAR. :-D
This is a super short-short that *could* be tied into the new Hidden Legacy series. I say "could" because this story was the catalyst for both the Kinsmen series and Hidden Legacy. Each of these stories/series are very similar but very different. The magic systems + family is the tie that binds them but after that...the sky is the limit.
Of Swine and Roses is the adorable short story of a teenage girl, Alena, who is pressured by her family to go out on a date with a boy she truly does not like. She goes on the date which starts as a comedy of errors...and then things REALLY get hairy.
The story culminates with Alena walking into her family home: she's covered in dirt and mud, her clothes have been ruined, she's scratched and scraped...and she's holding a pig. O_O
Any more plot details would be a pure spoiler.
I really enjoyed this short and I would love to learn what happens with Alena and her family.
Of Swine and Roses is also a great story to read if you have book hangover from reading Burn for Me.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars!
*sigh*
This was so good. Just...so short. :-( I'm a greedy reader when it comes to Ilona Andrews and I always want MOAR. :-D
This is a super short-short that *could* be tied into the new Hidden Legacy series. I say "could" because this story was the catalyst for both the Kinsmen series and Hidden Legacy. Each of these stories/series are very similar but very different. The magic systems + family is the tie that binds them but after that...the sky is the limit.
Of Swine and Roses is the adorable short story of a teenage girl, Alena, who is pressured by her family to go out on a date with a boy she truly does not like. She goes on the date which starts as a comedy of errors...and then things REALLY get hairy.
The story culminates with Alena walking into her family home: she's covered in dirt and mud, her clothes have been ruined, she's scratched and scraped...and she's holding a pig. O_O
Any more plot details would be a pure spoiler.
I really enjoyed this short and I would love to learn what happens with Alena and her family.
Of Swine and Roses is also a great story to read if you have book hangover from reading Burn for Me.
May 2, 2023
Eh. There was something there, but not much. It wasn't bad, just not for me.
September 9, 2015
This was cute, but very very very short! WANT MORE!
December 25, 2015
Of course I had to read this, it's Ilona Andrews. It was original, sweet, and cute.
June 21, 2016
For a YA book, this is so much fun without the annoying part that usually comes with YA novels.
January 23, 2020
That was really fun! Especially the chase for the piglet...
November 26, 2020
This a “...this is a short story” three star rating. Nothing wrong with it! But it didn’t transcend the format.
Owned ebook 2/2 for the month
Overall owned book 2/5 for the month
Owned ebook 2/2 for the month
Overall owned book 2/5 for the month
January 12, 2020
I think this was set in the Hidden Legacy world!
October 16, 2022
Cute, but way too short so there really isn't much I can say about this. I can say I would love a full story here.
March 8, 2011
Originally posted here.
Of Swine and Rose by Ilona Andrews is now available in Amazon. I read it back when it was available as free fiction on their site as Days of Swine and Roses. Now that it has a new cover and is available for purchase, I thought I'd spread the word by sharing my thoughts about this short story.
I love the cover for this one - I like how the reds stand out against the black background. I don't have much experience reviewing short stories because I'm afraid of saying too much that I give away the story. Also, I feel like I'm a bit biased when it comes to Ilona and Gordon's writing because I'd read anything that they come up with. I'm continually amazed at how they can create (and keep track of) different fiction worlds. In Of Swine and Roses, magical families claim certain territories as their own and they also go into business ventures that utilize their magical abilities. Alena Koronov doesn't want to go on a date with Chad Thurman, who she believes is a thug. Her family was never rich to begin with and they need to be in good terms with the Thurmans for their business so she's persuaded to go out with him. So Alena reluctantly says yes and a disaster of a date takes place. Based on the title, you know that there are roses and a pig in this one. I really enjoyed reading this one and would gladly read more stories from this world. I even have a favorite quote from Alena's mother:
If you're an Ilona Andrews fan, then I know it won't take more convincing for you to read this. If you've never read their work, I think it would be a good idea to start with their short fiction to get an idea of whether you'd like the books in their series. I'm not much of an urban fantasy fan but I love both the Kate Daniels and the Edge series.
Of Swine and Rose by Ilona Andrews is now available in Amazon. I read it back when it was available as free fiction on their site as Days of Swine and Roses. Now that it has a new cover and is available for purchase, I thought I'd spread the word by sharing my thoughts about this short story.
I love the cover for this one - I like how the reds stand out against the black background. I don't have much experience reviewing short stories because I'm afraid of saying too much that I give away the story. Also, I feel like I'm a bit biased when it comes to Ilona and Gordon's writing because I'd read anything that they come up with. I'm continually amazed at how they can create (and keep track of) different fiction worlds. In Of Swine and Roses, magical families claim certain territories as their own and they also go into business ventures that utilize their magical abilities. Alena Koronov doesn't want to go on a date with Chad Thurman, who she believes is a thug. Her family was never rich to begin with and they need to be in good terms with the Thurmans for their business so she's persuaded to go out with him. So Alena reluctantly says yes and a disaster of a date takes place. Based on the title, you know that there are roses and a pig in this one. I really enjoyed reading this one and would gladly read more stories from this world. I even have a favorite quote from Alena's mother:
Do you know what separates adults from children? Self-discipline. We don’t want to go to work, we don’t want to do our chores, and we don’t want to make unpleasant decisions, but we do all those things because we’re aware of the consequences which will follow if we don’t.
If you're an Ilona Andrews fan, then I know it won't take more convincing for you to read this. If you've never read their work, I think it would be a good idea to start with their short fiction to get an idea of whether you'd like the books in their series. I'm not much of an urban fantasy fan but I love both the Kate Daniels and the Edge series.
July 31, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Short escape from reality *spoilers*, March 29, 2011
First let me say I am not familiar with this author. However, Ilona Andrews' books kept coming up as recommendations and I thought this short (and cheap .99) story may prove fruitful. I am so pleased I purchased this. Be warned this is a VERY SHORT story. I personally read it at the nail shop. An estimated 30 min later my toes needed drying and I was completed with the story.
This was a SHORT piece about a young lady whose family has fallen on difficult times due to a recent death and is in need of a financial loan. As a result she is asked to go on an outing with a fellow whose family can determine if the loan is approved. The young man is not to her liking. She describes him as a childhood relation whose become a thug. She eventually agrees to the sacrifice after some arm twisting by her mother in particular. The date consisted of a movie, an attempt at ice cream, and a pig. Hence the title "Of swine and roses". Anyway the movie she believed was a historical film was in fact some awful action flick. The ice cream shop was closed. The conversation was dead in the water. Then there is the matter of the pig. He turns out to be a victim of Chad's under a spell whom after many difficulties she saves from being slaughtered. The pig later returns in his human form and sets up a fishing date. Hopefully they have good conversation. =-P
I would recommend this "book" to anyone considering Ilona Andrew's series as a possible addition to their library.
First let me say I am not familiar with this author. However, Ilona Andrews' books kept coming up as recommendations and I thought this short (and cheap .99) story may prove fruitful. I am so pleased I purchased this. Be warned this is a VERY SHORT story. I personally read it at the nail shop. An estimated 30 min later my toes needed drying and I was completed with the story.
This was a SHORT piece about a young lady whose family has fallen on difficult times due to a recent death and is in need of a financial loan. As a result she is asked to go on an outing with a fellow whose family can determine if the loan is approved. The young man is not to her liking. She describes him as a childhood relation whose become a thug. She eventually agrees to the sacrifice after some arm twisting by her mother in particular. The date consisted of a movie, an attempt at ice cream, and a pig. Hence the title "Of swine and roses". Anyway the movie she believed was a historical film was in fact some awful action flick. The ice cream shop was closed. The conversation was dead in the water. Then there is the matter of the pig. He turns out to be a victim of Chad's under a spell whom after many difficulties she saves from being slaughtered. The pig later returns in his human form and sets up a fishing date. Hopefully they have good conversation. =-P
I would recommend this "book" to anyone considering Ilona Andrew's series as a possible addition to their library.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2020
Found In
A Fun Fairy Tale Reimagining Of The Princess And The Frog
If The Frog Was A Pig
March 7, 2011
I heartily enjoyed this and was sad when it ended. I wanted more. More, more, more! This feels as if it's set in the same world as Andrews' Edge series so if you liked that, you'll most likely enjoy this little story too. It's not a romance exactly but romance is a theme.
Kindle cheapie called "Of Swine and Roses". Currently $0.99 / £0.70.
Kindle cheapie called "Of Swine and Roses". Currently $0.99 / £0.70.
March 5, 2024
5 stars
Very good short story. Thought it was funny. Hope Duncan and Alena have a very good date.
Hope we will be able to read more stories set in this world. :-).
Can't wait to read White Hot!!!
Very good short story. Thought it was funny. Hope Duncan and Alena have a very good date.
Hope we will be able to read more stories set in this world. :-).
Can't wait to read White Hot!!!
February 9, 2015
Çok tatlıydıııı. :D
April 17, 2016
4 to 4 1/2 stars
February 16, 2022
3.5 stars
November 28, 2016
I am reading this as part of the anthology Small Magics
Cute story about a girl who is kind of forced into a horrible date, saves a pig and changes her life. 4 stars.
Cute story about a girl who is kind of forced into a horrible date, saves a pig and changes her life. 4 stars.
July 20, 2015
Very short, about 20 pages. Set in the world of 'Burn for Me' (Hidden Legacy), but unrelated to those characters. Young adult, but as it is Ilona Andrews, I don't care.
Lively, colourful, vibrant. Have I mentioned, that it is very short?
Lively, colourful, vibrant. Have I mentioned, that it is very short?
April 27, 2015
Short story from team Ilona Andrews. It was a nice fast read.
August 10, 2017
A young adult short story set in a world that evolved into the Hidden Legacy series we know and love. Awesome little story by one of my favorite pair of authors.
January 9, 2019
Very short yet IA manages to make it engaging. It's a sweet YA romance about the worst date ever, with a little magic thrown in.
November 11, 2019
For a short read, this is so Ilona Andrews.
A brave little pig indeed.
A brave little pig indeed.
March 19, 2011
YA) A short (very short) sweet story,I would love to see a full book. I liked the characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews