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Hidden Legacy #5
Emerald Blaze
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Romance (2020)As Prime magic users, Catalina Baylor and her sisters have extraordinary powers—powers their ruthless grandmother would love to control. Catalina can earn her family some protection working as deputy to the Warden of Texas, overseeing breaches of magic law in the state, but that has risks as well. When House Baylor is under attack and monsters haunt her every step, Catalina is forced to rely on handsome, dangerous Alessandro Sagredo, the Prime who crushed her heart.
The nightmare that Alessandro has fought since childhood has come roaring back to life, but now Catalina is under threat. Not even his lifelong quest for revenge will stop him from keeping her safe, even if every battle could be his last. Because Catalina won't rest until she stops the use of the illicit, power-granting serum that's tearing their world apart.
The nightmare that Alessandro has fought since childhood has come roaring back to life, but now Catalina is under threat. Not even his lifelong quest for revenge will stop him from keeping her safe, even if every battle could be his last. Because Catalina won't rest until she stops the use of the illicit, power-granting serum that's tearing their world apart.
392 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 25, 2020
About the author
Ilona Andrews
151 books31.9k 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 2,347 reviews
January 6, 2023
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Me before reading this book: ROGAN IS MY ONE AND ONLY, NO ONE WILL EVER REPLACE ROGAN IN MY HEART
Me after reading this book: ROGAN WHO
My first five star rating of 2023?? HECK YES. And well deserved. Oh my GOD. So EMERALD BLAZE kicks off where SAPPHIRE FLAMES ended, with Catalina fulfilling her new duties as Warden and boy are they tricky. Shady shenanigans are happening in a place called the Pit, a swampy sinkhole where a Prime has just been murdered. Catalina has been charged with finding out the culprit and playing Cluedo with the suspects, to see who did it, in the swamp, with the flamethrower-- all with Count Sagredo's help, of course.
I have so much envy for these authors. They churn out book after amazing book, creating a world that is addictive and compelling. As a young girl I loved superhero movies but I didn't love the lack of strong female characters that weren't just there to be eye candy. Nevada and, now, Catalina, are such amazing heroines. They're strong but a big part of both their arcs is learning how to grow and develop their powers as they grow and develop as people and grow and develop their relationships. ALSO, all the side characters are great: they have a big, lovable family, there are memorable and frightening villains, and the love interests are SO SWOONWORTHY.
I think I might love Alessandro even more than I loved Rogan-- although I loved Rogan a lot. There's just something about the icy playboy with a heart of gold that melts for only one woman that does it for me. He's perfect for Catalina, and she for him. Although that said, I loved the Rogan cameos in this, and how they reminded me that he and Nevada were perfect together, too. Also, I love that he just floats his coffee alongside him as he walks around. Laziness + power display? Classic Rogan. He'll make the perfect brother in law for Alessandro, hee hee. I want to say more about how great this book is, but I'll just be fangirling even more than I already have. That cliffhanger was WICKED and thank god I already own book three because otherwise I'd be pulling my hair out and crying.
5 stars
August 25, 2022
consistently impressed with this series!
i really loved mad rogan & nevada's story so i really didn't expect to love catalina & alessandro. but ilona andrews has done a fantastic job crafting a romance and a plot that feels familiar while being distinctly unique. i especially love how different catalina is from nevada. she makes a lot of choices that nevada wouldn't have, and it's interesting to see how that plays out in a world with magic.
also, something that i didn't fully appreciate in the first 3 books that has really shone in the most recent 2: how bad ass the women are. i mean i've come to expect levels of this in paranormal/urban fantasies, but i think these books take it to the next level. especially when it comes to age. i literally can't think of a single fantasy style book i've come across that values women in their 40s+ beyond mothering. both the mom & grandmothers in this book were KICK ASS and incredibly valuable players and i really fcking appreciate that.
i think that honestly just speaks to the level of detail and thought that is clearly going into this series. as a native houstonian, these books feel like home and i'm HYPED for the 6th installment.
i really loved mad rogan & nevada's story so i really didn't expect to love catalina & alessandro. but ilona andrews has done a fantastic job crafting a romance and a plot that feels familiar while being distinctly unique. i especially love how different catalina is from nevada. she makes a lot of choices that nevada wouldn't have, and it's interesting to see how that plays out in a world with magic.
also, something that i didn't fully appreciate in the first 3 books that has really shone in the most recent 2: how bad ass the women are. i mean i've come to expect levels of this in paranormal/urban fantasies, but i think these books take it to the next level. especially when it comes to age. i literally can't think of a single fantasy style book i've come across that values women in their 40s+ beyond mothering. both the mom & grandmothers in this book were KICK ASS and incredibly valuable players and i really fcking appreciate that.
i think that honestly just speaks to the level of detail and thought that is clearly going into this series. as a native houstonian, these books feel like home and i'm HYPED for the 6th installment.
September 6, 2023
Reading Update 2022: The BEST kind of entertainment ♡
4.5 stars
Of course I dropped everything, and of course I devoured it all, and there are just three things that I want to talk about.
1) Can I be adopted and change my last name to Baylor?
This family is everything! Supportive, loyal, and fun. From book one this family has been GOALS!! I love their connection, the way they all work towards a common goal, everyone has a place, something they are good at and are responsible for. And in the evening they all come together for a meal, as one, to talk, laugh, and raze each other. This family is the heart and soul of this series, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
2) The plot (besides Catalina and Alessandro, because they alone can fill an entire book), was phenomenal. I can only applaud the authors for bringing ideas to the table that are fascinating, captivating, and entertaining. The storyline was fast paced, explosive, intriguing and all in all unputdownable.
3) Catalina and Alessandro – wow!!
First of all, these two matured so much. I was so impressed by Catalina, the way she handled herself, BRAVO!! And Alessandro – swoon! Both kick ass and together they are GOALS! I’m loving this couple more and more with each book. Which is a signature skill known to this author couple. Ilona Andrews series become better and better with each book.
last thoughts
So, yes, this book was definitely a success for me. There was so much going on. The plot was entertaining from beginning to end, and made me want to read the next book RIGHT NOW!! The wait will be hard, but I love where the couple is at this moment. And I can already feel that the next book will be THE BEST yet.
___________________________________
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
4.5 stars
Of course I dropped everything, and of course I devoured it all, and there are just three things that I want to talk about.
1) Can I be adopted and change my last name to Baylor?
This family is everything! Supportive, loyal, and fun. From book one this family has been GOALS!! I love their connection, the way they all work towards a common goal, everyone has a place, something they are good at and are responsible for. And in the evening they all come together for a meal, as one, to talk, laugh, and raze each other. This family is the heart and soul of this series, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
2) The plot (besides Catalina and Alessandro, because they alone can fill an entire book), was phenomenal. I can only applaud the authors for bringing ideas to the table that are fascinating, captivating, and entertaining. The storyline was fast paced, explosive, intriguing and all in all unputdownable.
3) Catalina and Alessandro – wow!!
First of all, these two matured so much. I was so impressed by Catalina, the way she handled herself, BRAVO!! And Alessandro – swoon! Both kick ass and together they are GOALS! I’m loving this couple more and more with each book. Which is a signature skill known to this author couple. Ilona Andrews series become better and better with each book.
last thoughts
So, yes, this book was definitely a success for me. There was so much going on. The plot was entertaining from beginning to end, and made me want to read the next book RIGHT NOW!! The wait will be hard, but I love where the couple is at this moment. And I can already feel that the next book will be THE BEST yet.
___________________________________
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
July 26, 2020
Another amazing addition to the Hidden Legacy series with non-stop action, romance (!), magic, and powerful women. I couldn't put it down, and you won't be able to either.
I'm the biggest fan of Ilona Andrews, and their Hidden Legacy series never disappoints. Emerald Blaze was just as wonderful as I was anticipating.
Do you like your heroes and heroines trapped in deadly confrontations where they need to use every scrap of wit and power to figure their way out, and even then, when they are out of immediate danger, they are still caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse with enemies and allies alike? Do you like female leads so smart and so powerful that they can untangle themselves from sticky situations without breaking a sweat, but show their fragile vulnerability and humanity just pages later? If you like to be excited and challenged but with a side of swoon-worthy romance, then you will love Emerald Blaze.
Once again, I found Catalina Baylor to be an electrifying main character. Though the book is a romance with intense chemistry between Catalina and Alessandro, Catalina truly stands on her own and caries the book with her forethought and talent. I adored all that Catalina brought to the table, and the truly memorizing Baylor family was just icing on top of the cake. Every single one of them, including both grandmas, could have their own off-shoot story, that's how complex and interesting they all are. Excellent character development, as expected.
I would highly recommend that people read this series in order as it would be pretty confusing to jump in at this point in the series. So much builds on the previous books, especially on Sapphire Flames. However, if you are a little rusty on the plot-points of the previous books, never fear as Ilona Andrews does a seamless job at recapping and refreshing your memory, as always.
The plot is too complex to even begin to explain, but if you've read the previous books, you know what you are in for. In summary: Everyone will die and the world will collapse if this strong, female MC doesn't save the day! . But never fear, you know that everything will come together at the end, and the reunion with Alessandro will make it that much sweeter.
Another excellent book, which just let me wanting more. When does book 6 come out again??
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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I'm the biggest fan of Ilona Andrews, and their Hidden Legacy series never disappoints. Emerald Blaze was just as wonderful as I was anticipating.
Do you like your heroes and heroines trapped in deadly confrontations where they need to use every scrap of wit and power to figure their way out, and even then, when they are out of immediate danger, they are still caught in a deadly game of cat and mouse with enemies and allies alike? Do you like female leads so smart and so powerful that they can untangle themselves from sticky situations without breaking a sweat, but show their fragile vulnerability and humanity just pages later? If you like to be excited and challenged but with a side of swoon-worthy romance, then you will love Emerald Blaze.
Once again, I found Catalina Baylor to be an electrifying main character. Though the book is a romance with intense chemistry between Catalina and Alessandro, Catalina truly stands on her own and caries the book with her forethought and talent. I adored all that Catalina brought to the table, and the truly memorizing Baylor family was just icing on top of the cake. Every single one of them, including both grandmas, could have their own off-shoot story, that's how complex and interesting they all are. Excellent character development, as expected.
I would highly recommend that people read this series in order as it would be pretty confusing to jump in at this point in the series. So much builds on the previous books, especially on Sapphire Flames. However, if you are a little rusty on the plot-points of the previous books, never fear as Ilona Andrews does a seamless job at recapping and refreshing your memory, as always.
The plot is too complex to even begin to explain, but if you've read the previous books, you know what you are in for. In summary: Everyone will die and the world will collapse if this strong, female MC doesn't save the day! . But never fear, you know that everything will come together at the end, and the reunion with Alessandro will make it that much sweeter.
Another excellent book, which just let me wanting more. When does book 6 come out again??
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
goodreads|instagram|twitter|blog
July 2, 2024
Reread on July 2, 2024: A semi-cognizant swamp. Gross. I should be grateful that they've only done it for two books in their gigantic backlist. Read via audio (narrated by Emily Rankin).
***
First read on July 2, 2020:
2020 Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo: Cover has a large piece of jewelry on it
Content Notes:
I have no idea how to talk about this book without spoiling Nevada’s trilogy and Sapphire Flames, the first book in Catalina’s arc. You have been warned for spoilers of previous Hidden Legacy installments (and if you haven’t read those, you shouldn’t be reading this review anyway. These books don’t work as stand-alones. Go back and start Burn for Me).
Y’all... As Catalina would say, I can’t even. What to say? What to start with? I tried really hard to write an an organized long form review, but unfortunately the incoherent squeeing in my head still hasn’t died down (and never will), so we have to settle for bullet points with lots of emotion.
And now, some scattered and spoiler-free thoughts on Emerald Blaze.
1) Did I love this book? Let’s look at the first impressions I wrote right after finishing it:
WHY IS THIS SERIES SO GOOD HOW CAN IT END LIKE THAT I WANT TO DIE AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think that speaks for itself!
2) Re: the Nevada/Baylor familial conflict introduced in the last book. We get the full details of why the split happened and why Nevada stepped down as the head of the house. I’m super impressed by the logistics because I had not predicted this explanation, but it made a LOT of sense to me. But don’t worry, the Baylors are still on excellent terms and love each very much. Just because Nevada isn’t technically part of House Baylor doesn’t mean she isn’t part of the family.
3) It is embarrassing how attractive I find Alessandro. Like...legit shame-induced, head-hanging embarrassment. He’d say some Italian endearment and I was like “WHY IS THIS HOT, why am I shaking with awe?” At one point, I half burst into tears because he wanted to protect Catalina. As I said, embarrassing! This quarantine is bringing out facets of me that have been previously unexplored. 😭
I’m not the type of person who squee over a hero, so WHO AM I AND WHAT HAVE I BECOME??!!
In my defense, I can’t help it! The man is a mysterious assassin with unclear motives. He’s also smart enough to be in love with Catalina (which, hello, grants him a million points because Catalina is my favorite character in the entire series). Also, IA keeps describing him with wolfish attributes and I. Love. Wolves. Let’s just say that Alessandro is the perfect meld of my favorite hero characteristics. 😭
4) CATALINA. MY QUEEN. I LOVE YOU.
The interesting thing about Catalina is how different she is from the previous book. Here is what I wrote about her in my review for Sapphire Flames
“I'm really impressed with how different the three Baylor girls are. Before reading this book, I was nervous that Catalina would be just like Nevada (whom I love, but I don't want to read about the same type of heroine over and over again). My worries were for nothing. Catalina's voice is completely different than Nevada's voice. Catalina is introverted, pragmatic, and keeps her emotions tightly hidden because she's so vulnerable and scared to trust her heart with anyone. But she's so damn strong inside and willing to do anything for her family. She wants to be loved so badly (and she pines so badly for her teenage crush Alessandro), but she keeps all of those forbidden feelings locked inside because she's so scared of her own power. As a siren, everyone falls in love with her if she isn't careful to shield her magic.
But as different as the Baylor sisters are (and I haven't even gotten into Arabella, my favorite!), they have that core Baylor goodness inside them. They will always help people who come to them for aid, no matter how dire the circumstances. Nevada was never able to resist a client-in-need, and neither can Catalina. It's my favorite thing about the family.
I don't want to go into spoilers, but I was willing to die for Catalina by the end. My murderous, sweet, introverted, brave, and vulnerable Catalina. She easily goes into my list of favorite heroines ever (it's a very long list, I refuse to whittle it down as I love them all). And by the epilogue, I wanted to give her a big, big hug and a large tub of ice cream. She deserves all the happiness in the world and I love her so much.”
So all this is still true... but also different. Catalina isn’t the shy, anxious girl anymore. She’s still vulnerable inside. But her heartbreak with Alessandro and being Head of the House (plus that new spoilery job with Linus) have hardened her. She’s been meeting up with Victoria Tremaine and learning how to be a badass, manipulative Head (update: Victoria is still terrifying as hell!).
I don’t want to say that she’s a different person, because she’s not. But circumstances in the last six months have forced her to present a scarier, more confident exterior to others. She can’t show her insecurities to the world because it would eat her up. Despite all the changes, she’s still Catalina inside and watching her expose her vulnerabilities to Alessandro (and vice versa) made me shed loud, uncontrollable tears.
GAHHH! I just love her so much! Catalina is for sure my favorite Baylor and I want her to get an HEA so badly! But also I don’t, because that would mean her books are over. 😭
5) My theories re: Caesar and the biological paternal grandparent of the Baylor sisters. I had fairly good explanations for both before reading this book and Emerald Blaze neither confirmed nor denied them. Argh! On one hand, I feel confident. On the other hand, I have no idea when the narrative intends to explicitly reveal these secrets and it’s driving me up the wall. Could be the next book, could be five books from now!
Also, I have theories for Leon’s biological father, Arabella’s future hero, and Augustine’s potential love interest. I have a lot of theories, okay!? This is what happens when you reread the series and your brain expends endless energy in speculation.
6) Okay, y’all, I’m only point #6 and have barely touched all the things I loved about Emerald Blaze despite inching toward the GR maximum character count. And honestly, I don’t want to tell you all the things I loved because you should discover them for yourself
Will you love Emerald Blaze? It depends.
I’ve never read Hidden Legacy. Can I start here and enjoy it?: Nope. I do not recommend this series as a stand-alone. Go back and start with Nevada’s arc in Burn for Me.
I really loved Nevada’s arc but disliked/hated Catalina’s first book. Will I enjoy Emerald Blaze?: Honestly, probably not. I can see people who enjoyed Sapphire Flames enjoy Emerald Blaze even more (or vice versa). But both books would be at the minimum “I enjoyed it” levels in order for that to be true. If you flat-out hated Sapphire Flames, I’m not sure why you’d enjoy Catalina’s arc going forward. You can definitely try the book, but go in with lowered expectations.
I really loved Nevada’s arc AND I loved Catalina’s first book. Will I enjoy Emerald Blaze?: YES! YOU WILL! GO PREORDER IT AND THEN READ IT AT MIDNIGHT ON RELEASE DATE. THEN MESSAGE ME WITH ALL YOUR THOUGHTS BECAUSE I NEED MORE HIDDEN LEGACY FRIENDS.
Ahem. My mission to avoid review incoherency is failing miserably, so I think it’s time to stop now. 😂
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
***
First read on July 2, 2020:
2020 Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo: Cover has a large piece of jewelry on it
Content Notes:
I have no idea how to talk about this book without spoiling Nevada’s trilogy and Sapphire Flames, the first book in Catalina’s arc. You have been warned for spoilers of previous Hidden Legacy installments (and if you haven’t read those, you shouldn’t be reading this review anyway. These books don’t work as stand-alones. Go back and start Burn for Me).
Y’all... As Catalina would say, I can’t even. What to say? What to start with? I tried really hard to write an an organized long form review, but unfortunately the incoherent squeeing in my head still hasn’t died down (and never will), so we have to settle for bullet points with lots of emotion.
And now, some scattered and spoiler-free thoughts on Emerald Blaze.
1) Did I love this book? Let’s look at the first impressions I wrote right after finishing it:
WHY IS THIS SERIES SO GOOD HOW CAN IT END LIKE THAT I WANT TO DIE AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think that speaks for itself!
2) Re: the Nevada/Baylor familial conflict introduced in the last book. We get the full details of why the split happened and why Nevada stepped down as the head of the house. I’m super impressed by the logistics because I had not predicted this explanation, but it made a LOT of sense to me. But don’t worry, the Baylors are still on excellent terms and love each very much. Just because Nevada isn’t technically part of House Baylor doesn’t mean she isn’t part of the family.
3) It is embarrassing how attractive I find Alessandro. Like...legit shame-induced, head-hanging embarrassment. He’d say some Italian endearment and I was like “WHY IS THIS HOT, why am I shaking with awe?” At one point, I half burst into tears because he wanted to protect Catalina. As I said, embarrassing! This quarantine is bringing out facets of me that have been previously unexplored. 😭
I’m not the type of person who squee over a hero, so WHO AM I AND WHAT HAVE I BECOME??!!
In my defense, I can’t help it! The man is a mysterious assassin with unclear motives. He’s also smart enough to be in love with Catalina (which, hello, grants him a million points because Catalina is my favorite character in the entire series). Also, IA keeps describing him with wolfish attributes and I. Love. Wolves. Let’s just say that Alessandro is the perfect meld of my favorite hero characteristics. 😭
4) CATALINA. MY QUEEN. I LOVE YOU.
The interesting thing about Catalina is how different she is from the previous book. Here is what I wrote about her in my review for Sapphire Flames
“I'm really impressed with how different the three Baylor girls are. Before reading this book, I was nervous that Catalina would be just like Nevada (whom I love, but I don't want to read about the same type of heroine over and over again). My worries were for nothing. Catalina's voice is completely different than Nevada's voice. Catalina is introverted, pragmatic, and keeps her emotions tightly hidden because she's so vulnerable and scared to trust her heart with anyone. But she's so damn strong inside and willing to do anything for her family. She wants to be loved so badly (and she pines so badly for her teenage crush Alessandro), but she keeps all of those forbidden feelings locked inside because she's so scared of her own power. As a siren, everyone falls in love with her if she isn't careful to shield her magic.
But as different as the Baylor sisters are (and I haven't even gotten into Arabella, my favorite!), they have that core Baylor goodness inside them. They will always help people who come to them for aid, no matter how dire the circumstances. Nevada was never able to resist a client-in-need, and neither can Catalina. It's my favorite thing about the family.
I don't want to go into spoilers, but I was willing to die for Catalina by the end. My murderous, sweet, introverted, brave, and vulnerable Catalina. She easily goes into my list of favorite heroines ever (it's a very long list, I refuse to whittle it down as I love them all). And by the epilogue, I wanted to give her a big, big hug and a large tub of ice cream. She deserves all the happiness in the world and I love her so much.”
So all this is still true... but also different. Catalina isn’t the shy, anxious girl anymore. She’s still vulnerable inside. But her heartbreak with Alessandro and being Head of the House (plus that new spoilery job with Linus) have hardened her. She’s been meeting up with Victoria Tremaine and learning how to be a badass, manipulative Head (update: Victoria is still terrifying as hell!).
I don’t want to say that she’s a different person, because she’s not. But circumstances in the last six months have forced her to present a scarier, more confident exterior to others. She can’t show her insecurities to the world because it would eat her up. Despite all the changes, she’s still Catalina inside and watching her expose her vulnerabilities to Alessandro (and vice versa) made me shed loud, uncontrollable tears.
GAHHH! I just love her so much! Catalina is for sure my favorite Baylor and I want her to get an HEA so badly! But also I don’t, because that would mean her books are over. 😭
5) My theories re: Caesar and the biological paternal grandparent of the Baylor sisters. I had fairly good explanations for both before reading this book and Emerald Blaze neither confirmed nor denied them. Argh! On one hand, I feel confident. On the other hand, I have no idea when the narrative intends to explicitly reveal these secrets and it’s driving me up the wall. Could be the next book, could be five books from now!
Also, I have theories for Leon’s biological father, Arabella’s future hero, and Augustine’s potential love interest. I have a lot of theories, okay!? This is what happens when you reread the series and your brain expends endless energy in speculation.
6) Okay, y’all, I’m only point #6 and have barely touched all the things I loved about Emerald Blaze despite inching toward the GR maximum character count. And honestly, I don’t want to tell you all the things I loved because you should discover them for yourself
Will you love Emerald Blaze? It depends.
I’ve never read Hidden Legacy. Can I start here and enjoy it?: Nope. I do not recommend this series as a stand-alone. Go back and start with Nevada’s arc in Burn for Me.
I really loved Nevada’s arc but disliked/hated Catalina’s first book. Will I enjoy Emerald Blaze?: Honestly, probably not. I can see people who enjoyed Sapphire Flames enjoy Emerald Blaze even more (or vice versa). But both books would be at the minimum “I enjoyed it” levels in order for that to be true. If you flat-out hated Sapphire Flames, I’m not sure why you’d enjoy Catalina’s arc going forward. You can definitely try the book, but go in with lowered expectations.
I really loved Nevada’s arc AND I loved Catalina’s first book. Will I enjoy Emerald Blaze?: YES! YOU WILL! GO PREORDER IT AND THEN READ IT AT MIDNIGHT ON RELEASE DATE. THEN MESSAGE ME WITH ALL YOUR THOUGHTS BECAUSE I NEED MORE HIDDEN LEGACY FRIENDS.
Ahem. My mission to avoid review incoherency is failing miserably, so I think it’s time to stop now. 😂
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 11, 2020
4.5 stars. Loads of fun! Final review, first posted on FantasyLiterature.com:
The violence between Houston’s powerful magical families breaks out again when Felix Morton is mysteriously murdered. Felix was involved in a private contract project involving an alliance between five magical Houses who are attempting to reclaim the Jersey Village suburb of Houston, which has become a pit for wild arcane magical creatures. If the reclamation succeeds, the land is worth a fortune, but Felix’s murder at the site puts a definite damper on the project.
Catalina Baylor — still recuperating from her broken heart when Alessandro Sagredo abruptly left her at the end of Sapphire Flames, six months ago — is told by her boss Linus Duncan to take over the investigation into Felix Morton’s death. The primary suspects are the four Prime magic users who were Felix’s business partners in the reclamation project. Difficult enough for Catalina, but she’s stunned to find out that Felix’s father has hired Alessandro to take Felix’s place on the project … and, though the other Primes don’t know it, Alessandro has also been hired to take down and kill whoever murdered Felix.
Catalina wants to keep her heart walled off from Alessandro so he can’t hurt her again. Alessandro is determined to protect Catalina from a Russian assassin called Arkan who, Alessandro says, is targeting Catalina in order to disrupt Linus’s ongoing investigation into the theft of several vials of the Osiris serum, which can confer strong magical powers on — or kill — the person who takes it. As Catalina and others in her family are attacked in various ways, it’s not clear who’s behind it: Arkan, Felix’s unknown murderer, or someone (or something) else?
Emerald Blaze is lots of fun, a fast-paced urban fantasy with a compelling romantic subplot, guaranteed to please Ilona Andrews fans. The Baylor clan, from Grandma Frida down to Catalina’s younger sister Arabella (who is clearly waiting for her chance to take the spotlight in a later book), is as wild and lovable as ever. As usual with Andrews novels, there’s plenty of witty dialogue and humor along with the danger, magic and romance.
The mystery is an intriguing one. Alessandro has his own reasons for wanting to get involved in the case, and it’s not just an excuse to get close to Catalina again. Catalina has become a stronger woman, and she’s not willing to immediately trust Alessandro. But Alessandro’s been through some rough experiences in the past six months that have changed him as well, and led him to adjust his priorities. It need hardly be said that the romantic tension gets ratcheted way up here.
The other big selling point for me in Emerald Blaze is the disclosure of several facts that shed a whole new light on some key events in past books. Among them: why did Catalina’s sister Nevada abruptly resign as head of Baylor House a few years earlier, leaving the rest of the family in the lurch? It seemed out of character at the time. Catalina’s relationship with their other grandmother, Victoria Tremaine, and Victoria’s role in the Baylors’ lives, also are revealed to be more complex than readers may have guessed. Either the Andrews team was plotting some things out far in advance or the authors are engaging in a little retconning, but in either case it’s adding depth and believability to the series, so I’m completely on board with it. On the other hand, Linus Duncan’s role in the series has taken a sharp turn from where it appeared to be headed at the end of the third book, Wildfire. I’m confused about his underlying motives at this point, but I trust the final answer will be good.
Emerald Blaze is a strong entry in the HIDDEN LEGACY series. It’s got a somewhat different vibe than the KATE DANIELS series, but overall I’ve enjoyed this one just as much.
Initial post: I've been grumping around this whole month because my review request for this one got ignored.
The violence between Houston’s powerful magical families breaks out again when Felix Morton is mysteriously murdered. Felix was involved in a private contract project involving an alliance between five magical Houses who are attempting to reclaim the Jersey Village suburb of Houston, which has become a pit for wild arcane magical creatures. If the reclamation succeeds, the land is worth a fortune, but Felix’s murder at the site puts a definite damper on the project.
Catalina Baylor — still recuperating from her broken heart when Alessandro Sagredo abruptly left her at the end of Sapphire Flames, six months ago — is told by her boss Linus Duncan to take over the investigation into Felix Morton’s death. The primary suspects are the four Prime magic users who were Felix’s business partners in the reclamation project. Difficult enough for Catalina, but she’s stunned to find out that Felix’s father has hired Alessandro to take Felix’s place on the project … and, though the other Primes don’t know it, Alessandro has also been hired to take down and kill whoever murdered Felix.
Catalina wants to keep her heart walled off from Alessandro so he can’t hurt her again. Alessandro is determined to protect Catalina from a Russian assassin called Arkan who, Alessandro says, is targeting Catalina in order to disrupt Linus’s ongoing investigation into the theft of several vials of the Osiris serum, which can confer strong magical powers on — or kill — the person who takes it. As Catalina and others in her family are attacked in various ways, it’s not clear who’s behind it: Arkan, Felix’s unknown murderer, or someone (or something) else?
Emerald Blaze is lots of fun, a fast-paced urban fantasy with a compelling romantic subplot, guaranteed to please Ilona Andrews fans. The Baylor clan, from Grandma Frida down to Catalina’s younger sister Arabella (who is clearly waiting for her chance to take the spotlight in a later book), is as wild and lovable as ever. As usual with Andrews novels, there’s plenty of witty dialogue and humor along with the danger, magic and romance.
The mystery is an intriguing one. Alessandro has his own reasons for wanting to get involved in the case, and it’s not just an excuse to get close to Catalina again. Catalina has become a stronger woman, and she’s not willing to immediately trust Alessandro. But Alessandro’s been through some rough experiences in the past six months that have changed him as well, and led him to adjust his priorities. It need hardly be said that the romantic tension gets ratcheted way up here.
The other big selling point for me in Emerald Blaze is the disclosure of several facts that shed a whole new light on some key events in past books. Among them: why did Catalina’s sister Nevada abruptly resign as head of Baylor House a few years earlier, leaving the rest of the family in the lurch? It seemed out of character at the time. Catalina’s relationship with their other grandmother, Victoria Tremaine, and Victoria’s role in the Baylors’ lives, also are revealed to be more complex than readers may have guessed. Either the Andrews team was plotting some things out far in advance or the authors are engaging in a little retconning, but in either case it’s adding depth and believability to the series, so I’m completely on board with it. On the other hand, Linus Duncan’s role in the series has taken a sharp turn from where it appeared to be headed at the end of the third book, Wildfire. I’m confused about his underlying motives at this point, but I trust the final answer will be good.
Emerald Blaze is a strong entry in the HIDDEN LEGACY series. It’s got a somewhat different vibe than the KATE DANIELS series, but overall I’ve enjoyed this one just as much.
Initial post: I've been grumping around this whole month because my review request for this one got ignored.
June 12, 2023
4.5 rounded up. Catalina is really coming into her own now. I’m so proud of her!
She’s softer and more empathetic than Nevada, but that means that she has to keep herself locked away all the more. So though the series is technically more new adult now with Catalina as narrator, it also has a sadder, deeper tone as she grows and becomes ever more disillusioned.
Alessandro returns in Emerald Blaze a new man. He’s quite different from his former smiley, charming, mass-murdering self. (There’s a plot reason which I won’t mention because spoiler, but do expect him to have changed from book 4.)
He’s still after Catalina in a major way, but now we understand what got in his way the last time he tried.
Replace “off crack” with “revenge” and you’ve got the gist of it.
The mystery of the stolen Osiris serum continues in this installment, stretching into new dimensions of magic in a really smart way. I’ve been wanting to learn more about the arcane realms and about the details of other Houses’ magic, and we get more info as the story progresses. I can’t think of the last time I was this invested in a fantasy series’ world-building mechanics.
On to book six! I’m the tiniest bit terrified of what the heck I’m going to do once I run out of Hidden Legacy books to devour. I sense some very serious withdrawal symptoms in my future.
She’s softer and more empathetic than Nevada, but that means that she has to keep herself locked away all the more. So though the series is technically more new adult now with Catalina as narrator, it also has a sadder, deeper tone as she grows and becomes ever more disillusioned.
Alessandro returns in Emerald Blaze a new man. He’s quite different from his former smiley, charming, mass-murdering self. (There’s a plot reason which I won’t mention because spoiler, but do expect him to have changed from book 4.)
He’s still after Catalina in a major way, but now we understand what got in his way the last time he tried.
Replace “off crack” with “revenge” and you’ve got the gist of it.
The mystery of the stolen Osiris serum continues in this installment, stretching into new dimensions of magic in a really smart way. I’ve been wanting to learn more about the arcane realms and about the details of other Houses’ magic, and we get more info as the story progresses. I can’t think of the last time I was this invested in a fantasy series’ world-building mechanics.
On to book six! I’m the tiniest bit terrified of what the heck I’m going to do once I run out of Hidden Legacy books to devour. I sense some very serious withdrawal symptoms in my future.
August 30, 2022
Re-read 27/8/21
14/9/20
And as promised the link for The Cool Aunt, a short bonus story that occurs at the end of this book. DO NOT READ unless you have finished this book!
https://ilona-andrews.com/the-cool-au...
4.5 stars
Review now posted 27/8/20
Contains some spoilers from book 4!
Ilona Andrews does not disappoint! Everything I wanted was wrapped in a pretty, magic bow and delivered to me. I read this one as fast as my poor eyes let me and now that I finished it, I want to go back and read it again.
I had some inklings at the end of the previous book and I was happy that almost all came true. We saw Catalina mature and leave behind her naivete but still dealing with the enormity and changes of becoming Head of her House entails. She now bears enormous responsibilities and feels each of them deeply while also trying to outwit their evil grandmother and assist Linus as well as her work as P.I.
When she is assigned to find the murderer of a Prime involved in the clearing of the Pit, Alessandro blows back into her life, after leaving her at the end of the previous book. Linus throws the both of them together to solve the case. Catalina still has feelings for him even though he left and she fights them. But Alessandro isn't the same guy anymore. Something has happened to him and Catalina can't help but worry for him.
Getting attacked at multiple fronts, fighting off dangerous, old and new foes, finally being honest with each other, brings them closer than ever. Will they manage to survive and stay together? Read and find out for yourselves. I wont spoil it for you, you should go in it blind and discover the magic that only IA can write. The only thing I will say is that I was left satisfied with everything that happened and that the ending of this book packs a punch. Cannot wait for the next one! And if we get novellas or entire books for the rest of the family I will read them with the same greediness I read this one.
Here's a link where you can discuss the book, after you read it, with all the spoilers: https://ilona-andrews.com/2020/emeral... . The authors also plan to release a short bonus story, that occurs at the end of this book, in a few days and I will link that also after they do.
26/4/20
Snippet!!
https://ilona-andrews.com/aha-i-am-aw...
8/4/20
Hidden Legacy: Quarantine Edition
https://ilona-andrews.com/hidden-lega...
Tiny Snippet! 4/2/20
https://ilona-andrews.com/tiny-snippe...
Snippet! 28/1/20
I thought I had added this one on my list and posted a snippet too.. So either I dreamed that or did it meticulously in my head and forgot to actually do it. Who knows?
Anyways, here's a missing snippet from the authors site:
https://ilona-andrews.com/missing-sni...
P.S. Apparently pickles with honey and smetana(sour cream) are an actual thing. Who knew???
14/9/20
And as promised the link for The Cool Aunt, a short bonus story that occurs at the end of this book. DO NOT READ unless you have finished this book!
https://ilona-andrews.com/the-cool-au...
4.5 stars
Review now posted 27/8/20
Contains some spoilers from book 4!
Ilona Andrews does not disappoint! Everything I wanted was wrapped in a pretty, magic bow and delivered to me. I read this one as fast as my poor eyes let me and now that I finished it, I want to go back and read it again.
I had some inklings at the end of the previous book and I was happy that almost all came true. We saw Catalina mature and leave behind her naivete but still dealing with the enormity and changes of becoming Head of her House entails. She now bears enormous responsibilities and feels each of them deeply while also trying to outwit their evil grandmother and assist Linus as well as her work as P.I.
When she is assigned to find the murderer of a Prime involved in the clearing of the Pit, Alessandro blows back into her life, after leaving her at the end of the previous book. Linus throws the both of them together to solve the case. Catalina still has feelings for him even though he left and she fights them. But Alessandro isn't the same guy anymore. Something has happened to him and Catalina can't help but worry for him.
Getting attacked at multiple fronts, fighting off dangerous, old and new foes, finally being honest with each other, brings them closer than ever. Will they manage to survive and stay together? Read and find out for yourselves. I wont spoil it for you, you should go in it blind and discover the magic that only IA can write. The only thing I will say is that I was left satisfied with everything that happened and that the ending of this book packs a punch. Cannot wait for the next one! And if we get novellas or entire books for the rest of the family I will read them with the same greediness I read this one.
Here's a link where you can discuss the book, after you read it, with all the spoilers: https://ilona-andrews.com/2020/emeral... . The authors also plan to release a short bonus story, that occurs at the end of this book, in a few days and I will link that also after they do.
26/4/20
Snippet!!
https://ilona-andrews.com/aha-i-am-aw...
8/4/20
Hidden Legacy: Quarantine Edition
https://ilona-andrews.com/hidden-lega...
Tiny Snippet! 4/2/20
https://ilona-andrews.com/tiny-snippe...
Snippet! 28/1/20
I thought I had added this one on my list and posted a snippet too.. So either I dreamed that or did it meticulously in my head and forgot to actually do it. Who knows?
Anyways, here's a missing snippet from the authors site:
https://ilona-andrews.com/missing-sni...
P.S. Apparently pickles with honey and smetana(sour cream) are an actual thing. Who knew???
November 29, 2024
“Be careful, Catalina. The night is dark, and the wolves have vicious teeth. Guard yourself.”
All I can say right now is O... M... G
I am stunned, awed, breathless and speechless.
For those of you who haven't read it yet:
This was a wild rollercoaster ride ...
and the end(ing) ....
Some tidbits & highlights:
- I absolutely love the character-arc of Alessandro and the changes he went through ever since he first appeared in Wildfire. His backstory almost broke my heart as much as Catalina's
- Catalina is my favourite non-kickass kickass heroine, who is more at home with math, charts and excel sheets. :)
- the scene between Cornelius and Tatiana Pierce
- the Baylors: my adopted literary family, love them all
- BUUUUUUUUG!
All I can say right now is O... M... G
I am stunned, awed, breathless and speechless.
For those of you who haven't read it yet:
This was a wild rollercoaster ride ...
and the end(ing) ....
Some tidbits & highlights:
- I absolutely love the character-arc of Alessandro and the changes he went through ever since he first appeared in Wildfire. His backstory almost broke my heart as much as Catalina's
- Catalina is my favourite non-kickass kickass heroine, who is more at home with math, charts and excel sheets. :)
- the scene between Cornelius and Tatiana Pierce
- the Baylors: my adopted literary family, love them all
- BUUUUUUUUG!
January 9, 2022
I'm afraid it's officially official, this series really is not working for me.
I can't bring myself to give a fish about Catalina. She's just there. She is now the head of House Baylor but there's no spark there, no enthusiasm. She does the job because she has to but I'm pretty sure that she'd rather be shepherding shrimps. (Which would be a more fitting job for her than leading this trilogy, if you ask me.)
I still don't like Alessandro. But hey, at least I no longer want to unleash my murderous crustaceans on him(not today anyway), so yay and stuff!
(Oh, and by the way, Catalina + Alessandro still = too much NA angst for this somewhat ancient, slightly decrepit soul, thank you very much.)
Unlike other IA books, this one feels surprisingly choppy. And clumsy. The story seems to be made of loosely connected sequences and because of that, there is no real sense of plot. (It probably doesn't help that the main mystery is resolved at the very beginning of the story, making the rest of the book pretty pointless.) There are inconsistencies and some plot points are so convoluted and far-fetched I nearly eye-rolled myself to death while reading. (You don't want to get me started on the reason why Nevada stepped down as head of House Baylor. No, you don't.)
Also, what the fish happened to the series arc? We still don't know who was behind the conspiracy in the original trilogy but the way Catalina talks about it in this book you would think it was resolved 🤔.
I never thought I'd ever say this about an IA book, but...💤💤💤. The info dump (countless descriptions of buildings and houses and constructs and arcane circles and...), the neverending interviews with potential culprits, the countless heart-to-hearts between Catalina and Alessandro, and the interminable fight scenes just about kill the pacing of the story.
One of the highlights of this series has always been the cast of characters, their quirks, and priceless interactions. This installment boded very well at first, with Leon and Cornelius working a case with Catalina, but the secondary characters took a back seat after that. And so did the humor, unfortunately. I wanted more Arabella shenanigans and more Bern and more Leon and more Bug and more hahahahaha and more Zeus and more Runa and more Pancakes and more Sergeant Teddy and more hahahahaha and more despicable Matilda cuteness and pretty much more of everyone and everythingexcept for Catalina and Alessandro. You would think that Nevada and Rogan making an appearance in the book would have made me slightly very happy, but it didn't. They kind of felt out of place here and their appearances felt forced, as if they didn't belong in this series anymore .
So, will I read Ruby Fever? I highly doubt it. (I might be masochistic but I'm not suicidal. Yet.)
So, will I read any other story/trilogy/blurb/novella/whatever the Andrews might write in this world? Oh you can bet your little selves I will 😬.
· Book 1: Burn for Me ★★★★★
· Book 2: White Hot ★★★★★
· Book 3: Wildfire ★★★★★
· Book 3.5: Diamond Fire ★★★★
· Book 4: Sapphire Flames ★★★
· Book 6: Ruby Fever - to be released
[August 31, 2019]
Bloody shrimping hell of the stinking shrimp, a NEVADA SIGHTING!!!!! Here!!!!!!!!
[August 29, 2019]
We got our little selves a spoilery snippet, my Little Barnacles!
I can't bring myself to give a fish about Catalina. She's just there. She is now the head of House Baylor but there's no spark there, no enthusiasm. She does the job because she has to but I'm pretty sure that she'd rather be shepherding shrimps. (Which would be a more fitting job for her than leading this trilogy, if you ask me.)
I still don't like Alessandro. But hey, at least I no longer want to unleash my murderous crustaceans on him
(Oh, and by the way, Catalina + Alessandro still = too much NA angst for this somewhat ancient, slightly decrepit soul, thank you very much.)
Unlike other IA books, this one feels surprisingly choppy. And clumsy. The story seems to be made of loosely connected sequences and because of that, there is no real sense of plot. (It probably doesn't help that the main mystery is resolved at the very beginning of the story, making the rest of the book pretty pointless.) There are inconsistencies and some plot points are so convoluted and far-fetched I nearly eye-rolled myself to death while reading. (You don't want to get me started on the reason why Nevada stepped down as head of House Baylor. No, you don't.)
Also, what the fish happened to the series arc? We still don't know who was behind the conspiracy in the original trilogy but the way Catalina talks about it in this book you would think it was resolved 🤔.
I never thought I'd ever say this about an IA book, but...💤💤💤. The info dump (countless descriptions of buildings and houses and constructs and arcane circles and...), the neverending interviews with potential culprits, the countless heart-to-hearts between Catalina and Alessandro, and the interminable fight scenes just about kill the pacing of the story.
One of the highlights of this series has always been the cast of characters, their quirks, and priceless interactions. This installment boded very well at first, with Leon and Cornelius working a case with Catalina, but the secondary characters took a back seat after that. And so did the humor, unfortunately. I wanted more Arabella shenanigans and more Bern and more Leon and more Bug and more hahahahaha and more Zeus and more Runa and more Pancakes and more Sergeant Teddy and more hahahahaha and more despicable Matilda cuteness and pretty much more of everyone and everything
So, will I read Ruby Fever? I highly doubt it. (I might be masochistic but I'm not suicidal. Yet.)
So, will I read any other story/trilogy/blurb/novella/whatever the Andrews might write in this world? Oh you can bet your little selves I will 😬.
· Book 1: Burn for Me ★★★★★
· Book 2: White Hot ★★★★★
· Book 3: Wildfire ★★★★★
· Book 3.5: Diamond Fire ★★★★
· Book 4: Sapphire Flames ★★★
· Book 6: Ruby Fever - to be released
[August 31, 2019]
Bloody shrimping hell of the stinking shrimp, a NEVADA SIGHTING!!!!! Here!!!!!!!!
[August 29, 2019]
We got our little selves a spoilery snippet, my Little Barnacles!
November 7, 2020
Kate will always be the gold standard but these Baylors are slowly winning me over.
And I'm definitely digging Catalina and Alejandro a lot more than Nevada & Rogan - though I did love the cameo appearance they made! <--and a big Nevada secret gets revealed!
Catalina's position as warden requires her to take on a dangerous job that involves mechanical swamp monsters that are potentially eating construction workers. Also, Alejandro comes back and takes a parallel job to kill the person responsible for the death of his client's son. <--and a big Alejandro secret gets revealed!
In fact, quite a few secrets get the Big Reveal treatment in this one!
One of the things I like about these authors is that the characters tend to act in what feels like a realistic way, even though the settings are completely unrealistic. The stuff at the end between Alejandro and Catalina was organic. I hate it when problems that are (in real life) easily fixable get turned into oddly insurmountable issues because the characters need tension between them. <--you know what I mean? If Ilona Andrews gives their characters an issue, it doesn't feel stupid. And if they come across an issue that can be fixed, they fix it.
So, do these two finally get together?
Well, read it and find out.
This was another great installment in another really good series.
Recommended for fans of IA!
And I'm definitely digging Catalina and Alejandro a lot more than Nevada & Rogan - though I did love the cameo appearance they made! <--and a big Nevada secret gets revealed!
Catalina's position as warden requires her to take on a dangerous job that involves mechanical swamp monsters that are potentially eating construction workers. Also, Alejandro comes back and takes a parallel job to kill the person responsible for the death of his client's son. <--and a big Alejandro secret gets revealed!
In fact, quite a few secrets get the Big Reveal treatment in this one!
One of the things I like about these authors is that the characters tend to act in what feels like a realistic way, even though the settings are completely unrealistic. The stuff at the end between Alejandro and Catalina was organic. I hate it when problems that are (in real life) easily fixable get turned into oddly insurmountable issues because the characters need tension between them. <--you know what I mean? If Ilona Andrews gives their characters an issue, it doesn't feel stupid. And if they come across an issue that can be fixed, they fix it.
So, do these two finally get together?
Well, read it and find out.
This was another great installment in another really good series.
Recommended for fans of IA!
August 28, 2020
There was a lot of action in this one, but the best part was to have Nevada and Conner make an appearance. I hope we get a lot more of them in the next book, and if we judge by the ending of this.... we might. I could see an awesome double date with Cataline & Alessandro and Nevada & Conner kicking some magical ass.
Almost as magical as this double date must have been.
In this one we have a guy who was killed by someone as the main mystery, but it also involves a bunch of monster-type things that are biomechanicalish. I know that's not a word, autocorrect. Gah, it's like you don't even know me! We finally get you to understand that I never actually mean "duck" and yet you still insist on correcting my creative grammar?
So these monster things are basically made of material that was thrown into a swamp.... so, yeah, trash monsters. I know, swamp monster seems more appropriate, but have you ever seen how much crap people throw into swampy areas? There is definitely more trash than swamp there.
Anyway, the trash monsters seemed a little obsessed with Catalina. Now, I'm not making accusations or anything, but I'm just thinking that maybe she is a huge litterbug and they are just like Lassie trying to get home or something. Just a theory.
Littering is no laughing matter, Karen.
There is a bunch of relationship angst between her and Alessandro, and again, not really feeling it, but whatever.
The only critique I have for the book is that it had a habit of cutting away from action to give overly long descriptions of places. Like, they would storm into an office to confront someone and I was on the edge of my seat, but then there is a five page long description of the person's office. Look, I want the conversation that will take place, not the color schemes, flooring, window placement, each individual knick-knack, and the make and model of each piece of furniture. I'm not reading this for home office decor ideas. I'm reading it for the trash monster!
Sometimes less is more.
Still, I loved the book. I love the series. I can't wait for the next one.
Almost as magical as this double date must have been.
In this one we have a guy who was killed by someone as the main mystery, but it also involves a bunch of monster-type things that are biomechanicalish. I know that's not a word, autocorrect. Gah, it's like you don't even know me! We finally get you to understand that I never actually mean "duck" and yet you still insist on correcting my creative grammar?
So these monster things are basically made of material that was thrown into a swamp.... so, yeah, trash monsters. I know, swamp monster seems more appropriate, but have you ever seen how much crap people throw into swampy areas? There is definitely more trash than swamp there.
Anyway, the trash monsters seemed a little obsessed with Catalina. Now, I'm not making accusations or anything, but I'm just thinking that maybe she is a huge litterbug and they are just like Lassie trying to get home or something. Just a theory.
Littering is no laughing matter, Karen.
There is a bunch of relationship angst between her and Alessandro, and again, not really feeling it, but whatever.
The only critique I have for the book is that it had a habit of cutting away from action to give overly long descriptions of places. Like, they would storm into an office to confront someone and I was on the edge of my seat, but then there is a five page long description of the person's office. Look, I want the conversation that will take place, not the color schemes, flooring, window placement, each individual knick-knack, and the make and model of each piece of furniture. I'm not reading this for home office decor ideas. I'm reading it for the trash monster!
Sometimes less is more.
Still, I loved the book. I love the series. I can't wait for the next one.
August 28, 2022
3.5*.
I am kinds surprised that I liked it more than I expected to. Catalina has come cout of Nevada's shadows and Alessandro is decent too. Threats were bigger and stakes were higher, all was sorted in timely manner. Though I wanted the climax fight to be little longer and more fleshed out.
It was good. Now I am more invested in Catalina and Alessandro. Hoping they'll wrap up their story with a bang.
I am kinds surprised that I liked it more than I expected to. Catalina has come cout of Nevada's shadows and Alessandro is decent too. Threats were bigger and stakes were higher, all was sorted in timely manner. Though I wanted the climax fight to be little longer and more fleshed out.
It was good. Now I am more invested in Catalina and Alessandro. Hoping they'll wrap up their story with a bang.
August 30, 2020
So THAT is what happened! "That" being the real reason why Nevada stepped away and Catalina is now the head of household. I was very unsatisfied by the vague explanation in the previous book, but it seems it was all building up to this. That reveal alone made this book a 4 star read for me. I will admit I honestly wasn't too invested in the rest of the book's storyline, beyond the romance subplot with Alessandro. Not that I was unhappy with it by any means. This is still an Ilona Andrews book through and through and I was enjoying it the whole time I was reading it. Oh, and I have no recollection of who the bad guy was that showed up at the very end - probably should have done a series reread before picking this up, whoops.
February 24, 2024
“Your ego would survive an apocalypse.”
“Thank you.”
“It wasn’t a compliment.”
“It was to me.”
After a 16-month break following Sapphire Flames, I was worried I’d be completely lost here, but I’m happy to say, IA gave enough information on previous events and characters in general that I was quickly caught up.
While the case to be solved didn’t wow me, I really enjoyed seeing Catalina and Alessandro’s romance make progress. After the painful ending of the previous book, which I still recall despite my break so you know it made an impression, this book was really satisfying in terms of the relationship arc.
Let’s talk magic. I loved Nevada, Catalina’s sister and the viewpoint character of the first trilogy/arc in the Hidden Legacy series, essentially being a human lie detector and brain manipulator; seeing her work her magic was just cool, as were her love interest Rogan’s telekinetic powers. And now seeing Alessandro’s powers of nullifying magic at work was also impressive. Catalina’s magic, however, is just not my favorite.
All in all, an immersive, fast-paced, fun read just as we’re used to from IA. We’ll see if the next book will make me love Catalina more than Nevada. So far the first trilogy, featuring Nevada and Rogan, is in second place on my IA favorites list, after Kate Daniels. Not sure about the second arc of Hidden Legacy yet! Catalina and Alessandro will have to up their game!
PS: If you want to know what's going on in the epilogue, read the very short story "The Cool Aunt" here: https://ilona-andrews.com/the-cool-aunt/
“Thank you.”
“It wasn’t a compliment.”
“It was to me.”
After a 16-month break following Sapphire Flames, I was worried I’d be completely lost here, but I’m happy to say, IA gave enough information on previous events and characters in general that I was quickly caught up.
While the case to be solved didn’t wow me, I really enjoyed seeing Catalina and Alessandro’s romance make progress. After the painful ending of the previous book, which I still recall despite my break so you know it made an impression, this book was really satisfying in terms of the relationship arc.
Let’s talk magic. I loved Nevada, Catalina’s sister and the viewpoint character of the first trilogy/arc in the Hidden Legacy series, essentially being a human lie detector and brain manipulator; seeing her work her magic was just cool, as were her love interest Rogan’s telekinetic powers. And now seeing Alessandro’s powers of nullifying magic at work was also impressive. Catalina’s magic, however, is just not my favorite.
All in all, an immersive, fast-paced, fun read just as we’re used to from IA. We’ll see if the next book will make me love Catalina more than Nevada. So far the first trilogy, featuring Nevada and Rogan, is in second place on my IA favorites list, after Kate Daniels. Not sure about the second arc of Hidden Legacy yet! Catalina and Alessandro will have to up their game!
PS: If you want to know what's going on in the epilogue, read the very short story "The Cool Aunt" here: https://ilona-andrews.com/the-cool-aunt/
September 11, 2024
It is the 2nd volume from Catalina Baylor trilogy. It is Ilona Andrews so it's good but not their best. Fun, fast and sexy.
July 17, 2020
4.5 stars!!! I LOVE CATALINA AND ALESSANDRO SO MUCH. Their second book was probably my most anticipated read of 2020 (especially after that ending from Sapphire Flames) and I’m so happy it didn’t disappoint. I could read about these two forever. Emerald Blaze was epic, as usual from Ilona Andrews, and I already can’t wait for the next book!
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
September 2, 2020
3.8 NULL-SPACE SWORDS
Updated review posted Sept 1st 2020
THE CASE FOR ALBERT, OR WHY I THINK ALESSANDRO SHOULD DIE.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved this book. The story is great and it’s well-written as usual. But Alessandro is a colossal douche and he needs to tragically perish ASAP for the many reasons listed below.
*Warning: Spoilers for book #4 Sapphire Flames. Spoilers for Emerald Blaze are hidden.
This is the supercharged 5th full-length instalment of the Hidden Legacy series and once again, it’s a classic detective with a magic twist. When Felix Morton is found gruesomely murdered and his 4 business-partners are the prime suspects, Catalina is ordered by the Warden of Texas to figure out whodunnit. Before the investigation is even underway, ex-fling Alessandro forces himself back into Catalina’s life and claims that she is in danger. It’s a promising start to a novel that, as a romance from Avon, ultimately disappoints.
This book is hard to rate. Why? Because the main weakness is the romance and that’s pretty freaking extraordinary in the world of romance novels. Usually, if the main couple feels off, the writing is also shaky and the plot feels thin as the air on top of Mount Everest. That’s not the case here. Emerald Blaze is exceptionally written, the plot is intricate and solid, most characters are fully developed and there are a few masterful twists. Had this novel been Urban Fantasy with romantic elements, the problem that is Alessandro could have been overlooked. But in its current format where the story leans quite heavily on the romance plotline, it’s a somewhat mediocre NA romance wrapped in a shell of brilliant UF.
Action: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
Heroine-development: ★★★★★
Universe: ★★★★★
Cliffhanger: ★★★★★
'The Cool Aunt' chapter: ★★★★★★★★★★★★
Romance: ★★
THE GOOD
It’s great to be back in the world of Hidden Legacy and bask in the sunny Baylor family dynamic. Nevada was missing in Catalina’s first full novel ‘Sapphire Flames’ but now she’s back and fully recognizable. I loved Leon in this book and I laughed almost every time he said something. When he had some rough growing up to do because he got targeted, I felt every second of his anguish. Runa, Bug, Arabella and Bern are also on point. And then there’s Rogan. He appears in a few scenes and it’s so good that even if nothing else about the book worked, his sightings would easily make the book worth buying. At $4.55 for the Kindle version, it’s a freaking steal.
I loved to watch Catalina improve her magic and I expect her to be even more powerful in the next book . It's interesting to get a feel for Catalina's development as Head of House. This episode progresses the bigger storyline about the theft of the Osiris serum to a clear finale in which she's going to fight the ultimate and most dangerous of human monsters.
THE BAD
Alessandro.
What you really want for a girl with zero romantic experience who was painfully abandoned by some celebrity douchebag 6 months before is something normal. Something nice. Something like a handsome guy noticing her in the corner at a party and walking over to talk to her. Someone who doesn’t care about his family's approval. Someone who’d jump at the chance to go on a date with her, any time she liked. Someone like Albert Ravenscroft.
Maybe it doesn’t have to be precisely Albert. But does it have to be the douchebag who left her like she meant nothing? I mean, let's rewind to Sapphire Flames. The romance with Alessandro wasn’t exactly stellar.
Halfway though Sapphire Flames,Abraham Bug is comforting a crying Catalina and I don’t care one bit about Alessandro. (I was wondering how old Bug was and if they could maybe rescue another dog and live happily ever after.) The first time I’m finally rooting for Alessandro is in the final moments of chapter 10, where he saves Lina’s life and holds her to him, trying to soothe the magic-induced panic away. But he mostly made me cringe. Him parking on her property, him stalking her, him lounging on her bed Edward Cullen style and being so arrogant as to insinuate that there’s a picture of him on her nightstand to help her masturbate. The second time he situates himself on her bed, she’s actually in the shower. I don’t know what’s creepier; watching Bella sleep or waiting on Lina’s bed for her to walk out of the shower, completely unsuspecting and naked. All the while, he’s such an overt flirt. He’s full-on seducing her, like the player he only 'pretends' to be. By the time they go to the opera, Catalina mostly seems to like ‘her prince’ because he’s so handsome. Then seemingly out of the blue, she starts ranting to him about his redeemable qualities (or rather the ‘you’re SO not an assassin, I don’t GET you’-speech) so he kisses her and starts devouring her... breastage.
Three minutes later, she’s selling her soul to Victoria Tremaine for a chance to save Alessandro, claiming she loves him. When she does save him, he kisses her again. And then he abandons her, plunging her into depression.
The ending to SF was brutal. While I understood Lina’s infatuation, as a reader, I wasn’t really ‘with’ her until her heart got broken. That posed a new problem. I never liked Alessandro much, and by the end of Sapphire Flames I actively despised him. This guy is what, 26? He knows all the while what his life consists of and that he will probably leave her. So why did he aggressively pursue this 21-year-old virgin head of a fledgling house who’s inexperienced in the worst way because of her magic? He knew she liked him. From his picture on her nightstand to the way her phone chimed when there was a new picture of Alessandro on Instagram; he had all the power. There was nothing she could do. And when he leaves, he crushes her harder than he needs to.
Emerald Blaze takes place 6 months after the ending of SF (during which time Catalina and Alessandro had no contact). I’d hoped that Catalina would have shaken her teenage infatuation and when Alessandro deigned to return to Houston, she’d finally be immune to him. I wanted him to have to work to win her back, him to behave in a way that shows an awareness that he hurt her. I felt a genuine pang of disappointment reading Emerald Blaze and it had everything to do with respect, self-esteem and healthy relationships. I’m going to hide my thoughts on the relationship-revival behind a spoiler-button, but suffice it to say, I didn’t think it was healthy.
Alessandro is first introduced when Catalina and Leon are driving into the city and a silver Alfa Romeo Spider speeds by. Leon tells her that it wasn’t Alessandro in the car.
I'd much prefer someone for Catalina who respects her, and seeing as how she can't shake the prison sentence that is Alessandro, I really wouldn't mind his untimely demise.
4 FIXED ISSUES FROM BOOK 4
1.) The money problem is solved, YUS.
2.) House Baylor is no longer trying to act like a House without ties. In Book 4, Catalina was going for the ‘Rogan who?’ approach, so House Baylor wouldn’t appear like a vassal house and inherit Rogan’s friends and enemies (as if Mad Rogan wouldn’t drop a house on top of anyone hurting his in-laws anyway). She’s adjusted this notion for intelligent reasons.
3.) The question of Nevada and why she seemingly left House Baylor in a huff receives a beautiful answer.
4.) The ‘threat’ Victoria issued for Catalina to always remain Head of House Baylor is obviously necessary to keep House Baylor alive. Leon and Bern can’t take over the House, so if all 3 girls marry into other houses, the other Baylors lose protection. In this book,
BITS & PIECES
- We would be treated to Prime Sagredo today. He wore expensive Italian loafers. Yuk. Is there anything more douchey than men wearing loafers? It’s like a neon sign blinking: ‘I have a yacht and socks are for plebeians.’
- On the book cover, the dress is the same one as on Sapphire Flames, it’s just been photoshopped.
- He raised his hand. His magic flashed. His fingers were holding . I have so many questions. Like who owns the original and could this magical copy dissolve if Alessandro weren’t paying attention?
- BABY ROGAN! A big reason to read the Catalina books is the question about Connor & Nevada’s offspring and whether or not they’ll be duds. The answer is mostly in this book. We still don’t know .
- Catalina has Her family thinks it's hilarious.
- No news on the grandfather mystery except a repeat in something Alessandro says: “Oh this sword? It was a gift from your... supervisor.”
- Nothing on Caesar or New Rome yet.
- Still no clue why the weird Greek siren clan aborts female offspring. Nothing about Catalina’s current expression of power makes me think; yup, must abort that. But a lot is still unclear about Catalina’s magic and this might be a good nugget for the final book.
- Wouldn’t sound carry on a roof?
- Why is Linus afraid that Catalina one day won’t stop singing? A new mystery.
- The Baylors don’t seem to have their intercom system anymore because people are running around in the compound to find others in a crisis.
- Catalina’s promise to Victoria has become completely mystifying.
- The one-man angst brigade came way out of left field for me.
- That cliffhanger though. Can’t wait for the ultimate warfare in book 6!
QUOTES
“Catalina, step away from the dickhead!”
“I don’t think dr. Daniella can do anything for my kind of fever.”
“You’re crazy and I’m stupid. Take your shirt off.”
Thanks for reading
Updated review posted Sept 1st 2020
THE CASE FOR ALBERT, OR WHY I THINK ALESSANDRO SHOULD DIE.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved this book. The story is great and it’s well-written as usual. But Alessandro is a colossal douche and he needs to tragically perish ASAP for the many reasons listed below.
*Warning: Spoilers for book #4 Sapphire Flames. Spoilers for Emerald Blaze are hidden.
This is the supercharged 5th full-length instalment of the Hidden Legacy series and once again, it’s a classic detective with a magic twist. When Felix Morton is found gruesomely murdered and his 4 business-partners are the prime suspects, Catalina is ordered by the Warden of Texas to figure out whodunnit. Before the investigation is even underway, ex-fling Alessandro forces himself back into Catalina’s life and claims that she is in danger. It’s a promising start to a novel that, as a romance from Avon, ultimately disappoints.
This book is hard to rate. Why? Because the main weakness is the romance and that’s pretty freaking extraordinary in the world of romance novels. Usually, if the main couple feels off, the writing is also shaky and the plot feels thin as the air on top of Mount Everest. That’s not the case here. Emerald Blaze is exceptionally written, the plot is intricate and solid, most characters are fully developed and there are a few masterful twists. Had this novel been Urban Fantasy with romantic elements, the problem that is Alessandro could have been overlooked. But in its current format where the story leans quite heavily on the romance plotline, it’s a somewhat mediocre NA romance wrapped in a shell of brilliant UF.
Action: ★★★★★
Characters: ★★★★★
Heroine-development: ★★★★★
Universe: ★★★★★
Cliffhanger: ★★★★★
'The Cool Aunt' chapter: ★★★★★★★★★★★★
Romance: ★★
THE GOOD
It’s great to be back in the world of Hidden Legacy and bask in the sunny Baylor family dynamic. Nevada was missing in Catalina’s first full novel ‘Sapphire Flames’ but now she’s back and fully recognizable. I loved Leon in this book and I laughed almost every time he said something. When he had some rough growing up to do because he got targeted, I felt every second of his anguish. Runa, Bug, Arabella and Bern are also on point. And then there’s Rogan. He appears in a few scenes and it’s so good that even if nothing else about the book worked, his sightings would easily make the book worth buying. At $4.55 for the Kindle version, it’s a freaking steal.
I loved to watch Catalina improve her magic and I expect her to be even more powerful in the next book . It's interesting to get a feel for Catalina's development as Head of House. This episode progresses the bigger storyline about the theft of the Osiris serum to a clear finale in which she's going to fight the ultimate and most dangerous of human monsters.
THE BAD
Alessandro.
What you really want for a girl with zero romantic experience who was painfully abandoned by some celebrity douchebag 6 months before is something normal. Something nice. Something like a handsome guy noticing her in the corner at a party and walking over to talk to her. Someone who doesn’t care about his family's approval. Someone who’d jump at the chance to go on a date with her, any time she liked. Someone like Albert Ravenscroft.
Maybe it doesn’t have to be precisely Albert. But does it have to be the douchebag who left her like she meant nothing? I mean, let's rewind to Sapphire Flames. The romance with Alessandro wasn’t exactly stellar.
Halfway though Sapphire Flames,
Three minutes later, she’s selling her soul to Victoria Tremaine for a chance to save Alessandro, claiming she loves him. When she does save him, he kisses her again. And then he abandons her, plunging her into depression.
The ending to SF was brutal. While I understood Lina’s infatuation, as a reader, I wasn’t really ‘with’ her until her heart got broken. That posed a new problem. I never liked Alessandro much, and by the end of Sapphire Flames I actively despised him. This guy is what, 26? He knows all the while what his life consists of and that he will probably leave her. So why did he aggressively pursue this 21-year-old virgin head of a fledgling house who’s inexperienced in the worst way because of her magic? He knew she liked him. From his picture on her nightstand to the way her phone chimed when there was a new picture of Alessandro on Instagram; he had all the power. There was nothing she could do. And when he leaves, he crushes her harder than he needs to.
Emerald Blaze takes place 6 months after the ending of SF (during which time Catalina and Alessandro had no contact). I’d hoped that Catalina would have shaken her teenage infatuation and when Alessandro deigned to return to Houston, she’d finally be immune to him. I wanted him to have to work to win her back, him to behave in a way that shows an awareness that he hurt her. I felt a genuine pang of disappointment reading Emerald Blaze and it had everything to do with respect, self-esteem and healthy relationships. I’m going to hide my thoughts on the relationship-revival behind a spoiler-button, but suffice it to say, I didn’t think it was healthy.
Alessandro is first introduced when Catalina and Leon are driving into the city and a silver Alfa Romeo Spider speeds by. Leon tells her that it wasn’t Alessandro in the car.
I'd much prefer someone for Catalina who respects her, and seeing as how she can't shake the prison sentence that is Alessandro, I really wouldn't mind his untimely demise.
4 FIXED ISSUES FROM BOOK 4
1.) The money problem is solved, YUS.
2.) House Baylor is no longer trying to act like a House without ties. In Book 4, Catalina was going for the ‘Rogan who?’ approach, so House Baylor wouldn’t appear like a vassal house and inherit Rogan’s friends and enemies (as if Mad Rogan wouldn’t drop a house on top of anyone hurting his in-laws anyway). She’s adjusted this notion for intelligent reasons.
3.) The question of Nevada and why she seemingly left House Baylor in a huff receives a beautiful answer.
4.) The ‘threat’ Victoria issued for Catalina to always remain Head of House Baylor is obviously necessary to keep House Baylor alive. Leon and Bern can’t take over the House, so if all 3 girls marry into other houses, the other Baylors lose protection. In this book,
BITS & PIECES
- We would be treated to Prime Sagredo today. He wore expensive Italian loafers. Yuk. Is there anything more douchey than men wearing loafers? It’s like a neon sign blinking: ‘I have a yacht and socks are for plebeians.’
- On the book cover, the dress is the same one as on Sapphire Flames, it’s just been photoshopped.
- He raised his hand. His magic flashed. His fingers were holding . I have so many questions. Like who owns the original and could this magical copy dissolve if Alessandro weren’t paying attention?
- BABY ROGAN! A big reason to read the Catalina books is the question about Connor & Nevada’s offspring and whether or not they’ll be duds. The answer is mostly in this book. We still don’t know .
- Catalina has Her family thinks it's hilarious.
- No news on the grandfather mystery except a repeat in something Alessandro says: “Oh this sword? It was a gift from your... supervisor.”
- Nothing on Caesar or New Rome yet.
- Still no clue why the weird Greek siren clan aborts female offspring. Nothing about Catalina’s current expression of power makes me think; yup, must abort that. But a lot is still unclear about Catalina’s magic and this might be a good nugget for the final book.
- Wouldn’t sound carry on a roof?
- Why is Linus afraid that Catalina one day won’t stop singing? A new mystery.
- The Baylors don’t seem to have their intercom system anymore because people are running around in the compound to find others in a crisis.
- Catalina’s promise to Victoria has become completely mystifying.
- The one-man angst brigade came way out of left field for me.
- That cliffhanger though. Can’t wait for the ultimate warfare in book 6!
QUOTES
“Catalina, step away from the dickhead!”
“I don’t think dr. Daniella can do anything for my kind of fever.”
“You’re crazy and I’m stupid. Take your shirt off.”
Thanks for reading
September 30, 2020
Solid 5-stars - I loved this book! Complex plot, amazing characters, tons of action… one of the best they’ve done so far. And that’s sayin’ something!
If you’ve been following my reviews for any length of time, you’ll no doubt have noticed I’m a Ilona Andrews fangirl. Snatching the top spot as my favorite urban fantasy writers, these two continue to dazzle me at every turn. And they’re only getting stronger.
The concept for the magic system in this world is rad. It has origins in basic superhero development, where there are those among us born with special abilities, but its presentation is highly original. And a lot of that can be attributed to the structure of the society and the many house politics included in the world building. I love that after five books in the series there are still things I’m learning about the different magical abilities. The concept is so expansive that they can afford to spread it out over multiple books, creating a lot of interesting moments within each one.
My favorite thing about Emerald Blaze specifically was all the moving parts. Far from a lazy plot, there’s a murder mystery to solve and magical shenanigans afoot. Between all of that, Catalina also had to deal with a certain handsome Italian who keeps insisting on complicating her life. The book really immersed in house politics. It also provided a strong sense of which conflicts are going to make up the finale of the series, and I can’t wait.
There were so many specific scenes within this book that struck me to my core, I briefly considered doing a spoiler review just so I could geek out about all of them. Suffice to say, there were plenty of moments that will surely make all my fellow IA fans swoon as much as I did for this fantastic story.
Speaking of swooning – the marketing and covers would have you believe that the romance is the main draw to this series, but that is so not the case. I really enjoy the romantic component – the authors are amazing at providing slow-burn love story that grows organically through the series (truly, the only type I like reading about). But as good as they are at that, all of the other elements are so strong (especially in Emerald Blaze) that romance is almost secondary. It would be a totally kickass series without the romance, but its inclusion definitely gives the books better character motivations and a more rounded feel (i.e. it’s the total package).
I love Catalina. She’s vulnerable and compassionate and sincere, but she also has this fierce, almost frightening desire to keep those she loves safe. Much more so than her sister Nevada, this girl is willing to do whatever it takes and she has the cold, calculated ability to see it through. She’s patient and shrewd, yet the reader still gets to see how charmingly human she is by contrast. Uncertain of herself most of the time, she’s somehow able to put all of that aside to get the job done. Most of the heroines I read about (especially in this genre) also have many of these attributes. The difference with Catalina is that the authors makes you feel alongside her and really come to a visceral understanding of what she’s going through. I’m always one or two levels more deeply connected to Catalina, and that’s something I don’t experience often.
Recommendations: highly recommended! Don’t let the covers fool you – Hidden Legacy is one of the most robust, entertaining urban fantasy series I’ve ever read. Kate Daniels starts out a little slow then gains momentum. Hidden Legacy sweeps you up for a wild ride right from the start and only gets better from there. There’s a reason these authors are at the top of my UF list. I can’t recommend them enough!
I want to thank Harpercollins Publishers, Ilona Andrews, and Netgalley for the chance to read and review an early copy of Emerald Blaze – you made my year! :D
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
Other books you might like:
If you’ve been following my reviews for any length of time, you’ll no doubt have noticed I’m a Ilona Andrews fangirl. Snatching the top spot as my favorite urban fantasy writers, these two continue to dazzle me at every turn. And they’re only getting stronger.
The concept for the magic system in this world is rad. It has origins in basic superhero development, where there are those among us born with special abilities, but its presentation is highly original. And a lot of that can be attributed to the structure of the society and the many house politics included in the world building. I love that after five books in the series there are still things I’m learning about the different magical abilities. The concept is so expansive that they can afford to spread it out over multiple books, creating a lot of interesting moments within each one.
My favorite thing about Emerald Blaze specifically was all the moving parts. Far from a lazy plot, there’s a murder mystery to solve and magical shenanigans afoot. Between all of that, Catalina also had to deal with a certain handsome Italian who keeps insisting on complicating her life. The book really immersed in house politics. It also provided a strong sense of which conflicts are going to make up the finale of the series, and I can’t wait.
There were so many specific scenes within this book that struck me to my core, I briefly considered doing a spoiler review just so I could geek out about all of them. Suffice to say, there were plenty of moments that will surely make all my fellow IA fans swoon as much as I did for this fantastic story.
Speaking of swooning – the marketing and covers would have you believe that the romance is the main draw to this series, but that is so not the case. I really enjoy the romantic component – the authors are amazing at providing slow-burn love story that grows organically through the series (truly, the only type I like reading about). But as good as they are at that, all of the other elements are so strong (especially in Emerald Blaze) that romance is almost secondary. It would be a totally kickass series without the romance, but its inclusion definitely gives the books better character motivations and a more rounded feel (i.e. it’s the total package).
I love Catalina. She’s vulnerable and compassionate and sincere, but she also has this fierce, almost frightening desire to keep those she loves safe. Much more so than her sister Nevada, this girl is willing to do whatever it takes and she has the cold, calculated ability to see it through. She’s patient and shrewd, yet the reader still gets to see how charmingly human she is by contrast. Uncertain of herself most of the time, she’s somehow able to put all of that aside to get the job done. Most of the heroines I read about (especially in this genre) also have many of these attributes. The difference with Catalina is that the authors makes you feel alongside her and really come to a visceral understanding of what she’s going through. I’m always one or two levels more deeply connected to Catalina, and that’s something I don’t experience often.
Recommendations: highly recommended! Don’t let the covers fool you – Hidden Legacy is one of the most robust, entertaining urban fantasy series I’ve ever read. Kate Daniels starts out a little slow then gains momentum. Hidden Legacy sweeps you up for a wild ride right from the start and only gets better from there. There’s a reason these authors are at the top of my UF list. I can’t recommend them enough!
I want to thank Harpercollins Publishers, Ilona Andrews, and Netgalley for the chance to read and review an early copy of Emerald Blaze – you made my year! :D
Via The Obsessive Bookseller at www.NikiHawkes.com
Other books you might like:
August 26, 2020
Good endings are killer. Until that ending, this was a two-star book: a mess of incoherent violence and dead-obvious character beats. All of that is boring. I have a whole bunch of scattered thoughts on those (coming up - not even the ending can distract me) but that concluding scene is so open-endedly terrifying that I can’t help but be impressed. (Side note: impressed as I am, is it possible? Can you say “Fort Knox” and still carve out a fifteen minute window?)
Anyway. In chronological order:
1. There’s another reference to the “family’s magic” about aim when under threat. Still no clear explanation of what Rogan meant when he said “dual” a whole bunch of books back.
2.
2b. This applies to Bug, too. He got some sort of personality transplant, and now he screams through drones.
3. Since when does Augustine call Rogan “Connor”?
4. What is “Victoria Tremaine’s insurance”, and why does Catalina have to do things as favors as a result? Did I miss this?
5. I am noting Linus’s organometallic compound.
6. I am also noting continuity errors, like this one:
7. This is actually a big issue for me: “Three years ago, Arabella would have exploded. She would have changed shape...” ARE YOU KIDDING ME? She spent years - years! - throwing teenage temper tantrums and never once transforming into this thing that would cause her to be locked up for life, and now it’s being deployed as a way to measure her growth, as if she did transform all the time?
7b. And speaking of things that would put covers at risk: Alessandro isn’t shy about using his powers, is he? How on earth does no one know he’s an assassin if he doesn’t even try to only use his powers out of sight of, you know, bystanders who will survive?
8. I counted way, way too many mentions of the “Russian Imperium”.
9. “SUMMERSAULTS” WHY WHY WHY
10. Why are there so many big bads in this series? I can’t decide if the expansion of magic (and threat) and the arcane realm stuff is necessary to extend the world - or if it extends too far and becomes so outrageous that it’s just not something I can swallow anymore. I’m leaning toward the latter.
10b. Relatedly: why are the new big bads even necessary? Why has everyone forgotten about the conspiracy? Did they drop it when the trail dried up? Is it a Nevada project and Nevada isn’t the focus here?
11. The parallel plots are deliberate, right?
11b. Oh look, it’s an explanation for Nevada’s out-of-character behavior. It’s... a good one, actually. I dislike this sort of after-the-fact revising on principle, but maybe this is a feature of series-based writing and I should let it go.
12. YAY BABY! Why are my favorite parts of this book the Nevada and Rogan parts?
13. I liked almost all the minor characters in this book, especially Tatyana. Can’t believe she is related to Adam, and it’s cool to see that not all Primes are evil.
14. Victoria Tremaine or no,
14b.
Those are the points I bookmarked while I was reading - but overall, I think the reasons I’m not connecting with these books are because I have no sense of Catalina as a character (too similar to Nevada now in function, and maybe in personality, and with powers too nonspecific and undefined, which lets them be used any which way), no sense of the plot as part of an overarching series (too slapdash and casually violent; not distinctive enough in terms of its being built around newer characters; not touching enough on open questions), and the writing is sloppy (Catalina as a point-of-view character still withholds; grammar and continuity errors; too much shorthand masquerading as characterization; too much incoherence to the violence).
And I hate sloppy writing. To me that’s worst of all.
Anyway. In chronological order:
1. There’s another reference to the “family’s magic” about aim when under threat. Still no clear explanation of what Rogan meant when he said “dual” a whole bunch of books back.
2.
My phone chimed, announcing a new email. I clicked my inbox. A message from Linus with a video file attached. The file was huge. Linus didn’t optimize the video. I tapped it to download. This would take a while.I guess Bern secures their email, so I shouldn’t be worried about that. But... how large could the video be? Don’t most providers have a 20-25 MB limit? Those videos don’t take that long to download. Does everyone have some sort of custom whatever (this is not my field) so they can send giant video files via email, and do they also make it hack-proof to boot? The tech in this book is not at all satisfying.
2b. This applies to Bug, too. He got some sort of personality transplant, and now he screams through drones.
3. Since when does Augustine call Rogan “Connor”?
4. What is “Victoria Tremaine’s insurance”, and why does Catalina have to do things as favors as a result? Did I miss this?
5. I am noting Linus’s organometallic compound.
6. I am also noting continuity errors, like this one:
I plugged the address into my phone. Same neighborhood as Linus, but it would take several minutes to get there. “Make a left out of the driveway.” The Spider glided forward and we were off. I pulled out my phone and texted Bern....Your phone was already out, because you were using it as a GPS, remember?
7. This is actually a big issue for me: “Three years ago, Arabella would have exploded. She would have changed shape...” ARE YOU KIDDING ME? She spent years - years! - throwing teenage temper tantrums and never once transforming into this thing that would cause her to be locked up for life, and now it’s being deployed as a way to measure her growth, as if she did transform all the time?
7b. And speaking of things that would put covers at risk: Alessandro isn’t shy about using his powers, is he? How on earth does no one know he’s an assassin if he doesn’t even try to only use his powers out of sight of, you know, bystanders who will survive?
8. I counted way, way too many mentions of the “Russian Imperium”.
9. “SUMMERSAULTS” WHY WHY WHY
10. Why are there so many big bads in this series? I can’t decide if the expansion of magic (and threat) and the arcane realm stuff is necessary to extend the world - or if it extends too far and becomes so outrageous that it’s just not something I can swallow anymore. I’m leaning toward the latter.
10b. Relatedly: why are the new big bads even necessary? Why has everyone forgotten about the conspiracy? Did they drop it when the trail dried up? Is it a Nevada project and Nevada isn’t the focus here?
11. The parallel plots are deliberate, right?
11b. Oh look, it’s an explanation for Nevada’s out-of-character behavior. It’s... a good one, actually. I dislike this sort of after-the-fact revising on principle, but maybe this is a feature of series-based writing and I should let it go.
12. YAY BABY! Why are my favorite parts of this book the Nevada and Rogan parts?
13. I liked almost all the minor characters in this book, especially Tatyana. Can’t believe she is related to Adam, and it’s cool to see that not all Primes are evil.
14. Victoria Tremaine or no,
14b.
Those are the points I bookmarked while I was reading - but overall, I think the reasons I’m not connecting with these books are because I have no sense of Catalina as a character (too similar to Nevada now in function, and maybe in personality, and with powers too nonspecific and undefined, which lets them be used any which way), no sense of the plot as part of an overarching series (too slapdash and casually violent; not distinctive enough in terms of its being built around newer characters; not touching enough on open questions), and the writing is sloppy (Catalina as a point-of-view character still withholds; grammar and continuity errors; too much shorthand masquerading as characterization; too much incoherence to the violence).
And I hate sloppy writing. To me that’s worst of all.
November 22, 2024
Thank you so much Avon (HarperCollins) for providing me a free copy through Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review.
IN SHORT:
Buy this book.
Then refresh Sapphire Flames.
Then read Emerald Blaze.
Then go back and reread Sapphire Flames.
P.S.: if you love to listen to music while reading, go ahead and listen to “We Are Gods” by Audiomachine while reading the second half of chapter 16.
Also, put on “Unashamed” by Confidential Music (“Elevate” by Twelve Titan Music is also a good choice) during chapter 14 when the background shifts from the kitchen to the roof.
You’re welcome. (´꒳`)
CHARACTERS:
I love Catalina and Alessandro.
They’re my favorite couple in this series and I’m amazed but what they accomplished both separately and together in this book.
Six months have passed since the end of Sapphire Flames, Catalina has settled in her role of Deputy Warden, a job that is often brutal but gives her a huge sense of accomplishment, protecting Houston from those that wish to use the Osiris Serum to do harm, learning everything she can about this position from her boss Linus Duncan, one of the most respected citizen of Houston; all the while being trained by her grandmother Victoria Tremaine, one of the scariest Prime in circulation, who gives her the tools to own and defeat whoever comes in her way, making her the biggest shark in the pond.
I loved Catalina’s character development: we met her in the first trilogy as an insecure teenager burned by a dangerous kind of magic, then in Diamond Fire we saw her starting to find her feet as Prime and thanks to the help of Arrosa Rogan, in Sapphire Flames we meet the new Catalina: she has the tools to smoothly navigate Prime circles and she’s sure of herself, she’s the Head of House Baylor, she has a successful business and supporting family at her back.
Emerald Blaze Catalina is another beast: her new position and training have tempered her into a shark that not only is able to swim in Primes infested waters, but is sure that she can cower all of them in a corner at the slightest moment.
The new Catalina is cunning, full of secrets and a master at crafting webs that will catch her enemies at the slightest wrongdoing, and her emotions are well guarded after what she went through with Alessandro in SF.
I loved how her story arc is all about Evolution and what that means for her character: growing into the role of Head of the House, developing the skills to live in a nuanced society made of people that have secrets upon secrets.
Alessandro also goes through a huge character development arc.
We met him in Wildfire as one of the many young Primes belonging to an established House: he’s cocky, self assured, full of possibilities; we see him again in Sapphire Flames and we discover that it’s a charade...the true Alessandro is an accomplished assassin full of secrets, he’s still self assured, cocky and his habit of withholding informations and brushing off Catalina made him a bit of an infuriating character.
Emerald Blaze’s Alessandro is full on Artisan: his assassin true persona is in the driver seat and the playboy has become an occasional mask, something has happened to him during those six months that completely shifted his focus.
The new Alessandro doesn’t hold back on anything, he admits his own faults and shortcomings, he brings Catalina into his plans...he’s done with being what the world sees in him.
He strolls into Catalina’s plans and tags along for the ride.
His backstory made me cry and the revelations in the end made my blood boil with rage. I loved everything about his character.
The romance between these two is something else: in SF we feel a bit of disparity between them because she’s an open book and he isn’t telling her everything about himself, they’re each other’s secret desire but external forces are keeping them apart, despite their chemistry and how they affect one another.
The shift both characters go through greatly affects their feelings in EB: Catalina is keeping her wounded heart behind carefully constructed walls, she is reluctant about trusting Alessandro after what she went through; Alessandro’s new focus gives him liberty literally pour his own heart out, he wants and needs to be near her, he’ll do anything to make sure she’s safe, no matter the cost.
Their chemistry is as strong as ever: they understand each other’s point immediately, they operate as a well seasoned unit and together, they can conquer the world.
It’s a sort of camaraderie that adds something else to the relationship.
The cast of secondary characters is as colorful and interesting as always: Arabella is the star amongst the supporting cast, Leon deals with some heavy situations in this book, I loved the friendship between Runa and Catalina (and her relationship withredacted), Cornelius is the epitome of cinnamon roll and I still get goosebumps thinking about a particular scene (codename “glitter cat ears”) with him and redacted, Grandma Frida and Penelope are the heart of House Baylor and need to be protected at all cost (still get goosebumps thinking about the scene codenamed “spider”), Linus retains the “most sketchiest character of the series” title, and Victoria is the retaining champion of the “characters you love and hate in equal measures” title, Augustine needs to get his ducks in a row, and the villain of the day is once again the messed up mentality in a Prime society, with its twisted pressures, maintenance of the status quo, and pursue of power.
As for Nevada and Rogan, we are treated with a lot of Nevada cameos and we are also treated to top quality interaction between her and Catalina (scene codename “beer”) which made me realize how much these two people love each other and their family,y and what they will do to protect it...in their own ways. Nevada is very much the crisis first responder: her MO is about hitting the ground running in the middle of chaos and using whatever tools she has at the moment to fix it; while Catalina is a crisis planner: she knows exactly how she’s gonna respond to each situation because she has made plans upon plans for multiple kind of scenarios.
Each mentality comes from the kind of people they are and the traumas they went through and each has their pros and cons.
The Baylors are an incredible family, each of its member powerful in their own way...and a force to be reckoned with.
It’s a joy to hang out with them and I’m so excited for what the future might reserve for them and the new additions to both House Rogan and House Baylor.
WORLD-BUILDING AND PLOT:
The world building is as well crafted as always: we keep learning about the geo-political situation in the rest of the world, but also a close look about the elite Prime society of Houston: its weaknesses, desires, secrets, dreams, hopes.
It’s a vibrant world full of dangers and social inequalities, full of hunters and preys, full of goodness and evil.
The plot is rich of twists and revelations: Catalina and Alessandro are tasked with the recovery of the lost doses of Osiris Serum (which is what gave humans the ability of using magic) which, if not recovered, could cause huge amounts of spilled blood and disaster.
Our heroes are faced with many challenges: dealing with people that don’t like to be ordered around, dangerous enemies (with the biggest twist and blast from the past happening at some point, which left me completely speechless and stupefied), wounded feelings and looming betrayals.
Just another day at the office!
WRITING:
The writing is as masterful as always.
It amazed me how this book is so tied to Sapphire Flames: there are so many plot points from it that are addressed in EB, tidbits that might have caused some pause and confusion are explained in way that makes you realize how well baited SF is....the authors masterfully laid down a bunch of traps in SF, and we as readers blissfully walked into them and only now we get to see them unravel and show us what they were hiding...and the reveal is so incredible, you can’t even get feel mad about not predicting it in the first place.
IA is the Pied Piper and we are the mice.
And the baiting certainly isn’t over! Oh no, no, no.
I’ve learned from my oversights, and I’m keeping a close watch on a couple of things that made me pause.
The writing style remains impeccable with detailed descriptions of situations, backgrounds and people, the dialogues are as well done as always, and the internal monologues being as entertaining as the dialogue between characters.
FINAL NOTE
All the stars in the galaxy for this AMAZING book.
I can’t wait to see what the next one will bring.
IN SHORT:
Buy this book.
Then refresh Sapphire Flames.
Then read Emerald Blaze.
Then go back and reread Sapphire Flames.
P.S.: if you love to listen to music while reading, go ahead and listen to “We Are Gods” by Audiomachine while reading the second half of chapter 16.
Also, put on “Unashamed” by Confidential Music (“Elevate” by Twelve Titan Music is also a good choice) during chapter 14 when the background shifts from the kitchen to the roof.
You’re welcome. (´꒳`)
CHARACTERS:
I love Catalina and Alessandro.
They’re my favorite couple in this series and I’m amazed but what they accomplished both separately and together in this book.
Six months have passed since the end of Sapphire Flames, Catalina has settled in her role of Deputy Warden, a job that is often brutal but gives her a huge sense of accomplishment, protecting Houston from those that wish to use the Osiris Serum to do harm, learning everything she can about this position from her boss Linus Duncan, one of the most respected citizen of Houston; all the while being trained by her grandmother Victoria Tremaine, one of the scariest Prime in circulation, who gives her the tools to own and defeat whoever comes in her way, making her the biggest shark in the pond.
I loved Catalina’s character development: we met her in the first trilogy as an insecure teenager burned by a dangerous kind of magic, then in Diamond Fire we saw her starting to find her feet as Prime and thanks to the help of Arrosa Rogan, in Sapphire Flames we meet the new Catalina: she has the tools to smoothly navigate Prime circles and she’s sure of herself, she’s the Head of House Baylor, she has a successful business and supporting family at her back.
Emerald Blaze Catalina is another beast: her new position and training have tempered her into a shark that not only is able to swim in Primes infested waters, but is sure that she can cower all of them in a corner at the slightest moment.
The new Catalina is cunning, full of secrets and a master at crafting webs that will catch her enemies at the slightest wrongdoing, and her emotions are well guarded after what she went through with Alessandro in SF.
I loved how her story arc is all about Evolution and what that means for her character: growing into the role of Head of the House, developing the skills to live in a nuanced society made of people that have secrets upon secrets.
Alessandro also goes through a huge character development arc.
We met him in Wildfire as one of the many young Primes belonging to an established House: he’s cocky, self assured, full of possibilities; we see him again in Sapphire Flames and we discover that it’s a charade...the true Alessandro is an accomplished assassin full of secrets, he’s still self assured, cocky and his habit of withholding informations and brushing off Catalina made him a bit of an infuriating character.
Emerald Blaze’s Alessandro is full on Artisan: his assassin true persona is in the driver seat and the playboy has become an occasional mask, something has happened to him during those six months that completely shifted his focus.
The new Alessandro doesn’t hold back on anything, he admits his own faults and shortcomings, he brings Catalina into his plans...he’s done with being what the world sees in him.
He strolls into Catalina’s plans and tags along for the ride.
His backstory made me cry and the revelations in the end made my blood boil with rage. I loved everything about his character.
The romance between these two is something else: in SF we feel a bit of disparity between them because she’s an open book and he isn’t telling her everything about himself, they’re each other’s secret desire but external forces are keeping them apart, despite their chemistry and how they affect one another.
The shift both characters go through greatly affects their feelings in EB: Catalina is keeping her wounded heart behind carefully constructed walls, she is reluctant about trusting Alessandro after what she went through; Alessandro’s new focus gives him liberty literally pour his own heart out, he wants and needs to be near her, he’ll do anything to make sure she’s safe, no matter the cost.
Their chemistry is as strong as ever: they understand each other’s point immediately, they operate as a well seasoned unit and together, they can conquer the world.
It’s a sort of camaraderie that adds something else to the relationship.
The cast of secondary characters is as colorful and interesting as always: Arabella is the star amongst the supporting cast, Leon deals with some heavy situations in this book, I loved the friendship between Runa and Catalina (and her relationship with
As for Nevada and Rogan, we are treated with a lot of Nevada cameos and we are also treated to top quality interaction between her and Catalina (scene codename “beer”) which made me realize how much these two people love each other and their family,y and what they will do to protect it...in their own ways. Nevada is very much the crisis first responder: her MO is about hitting the ground running in the middle of chaos and using whatever tools she has at the moment to fix it; while Catalina is a crisis planner: she knows exactly how she’s gonna respond to each situation because she has made plans upon plans for multiple kind of scenarios.
Each mentality comes from the kind of people they are and the traumas they went through and each has their pros and cons.
The Baylors are an incredible family, each of its member powerful in their own way...and a force to be reckoned with.
It’s a joy to hang out with them and I’m so excited for what the future might reserve for them and the new additions to both House Rogan and House Baylor.
WORLD-BUILDING AND PLOT:
The world building is as well crafted as always: we keep learning about the geo-political situation in the rest of the world, but also a close look about the elite Prime society of Houston: its weaknesses, desires, secrets, dreams, hopes.
It’s a vibrant world full of dangers and social inequalities, full of hunters and preys, full of goodness and evil.
The plot is rich of twists and revelations: Catalina and Alessandro are tasked with the recovery of the lost doses of Osiris Serum (which is what gave humans the ability of using magic) which, if not recovered, could cause huge amounts of spilled blood and disaster.
Our heroes are faced with many challenges: dealing with people that don’t like to be ordered around, dangerous enemies (with the biggest twist and blast from the past happening at some point, which left me completely speechless and stupefied), wounded feelings and looming betrayals.
Just another day at the office!
WRITING:
The writing is as masterful as always.
It amazed me how this book is so tied to Sapphire Flames: there are so many plot points from it that are addressed in EB, tidbits that might have caused some pause and confusion are explained in way that makes you realize how well baited SF is....the authors masterfully laid down a bunch of traps in SF, and we as readers blissfully walked into them and only now we get to see them unravel and show us what they were hiding...and the reveal is so incredible, you can’t even get feel mad about not predicting it in the first place.
IA is the Pied Piper and we are the mice.
And the baiting certainly isn’t over! Oh no, no, no.
I’ve learned from my oversights, and I’m keeping a close watch on a couple of things that made me pause.
The writing style remains impeccable with detailed descriptions of situations, backgrounds and people, the dialogues are as well done as always, and the internal monologues being as entertaining as the dialogue between characters.
FINAL NOTE
All the stars in the galaxy for this AMAZING book.
I can’t wait to see what the next one will bring.
August 28, 2020
Ahhh, Catalina and Alessandro. After a few rocky starts, a slow-burning romance, and a major reversal in the previous book, we finally get... more reversals.
There are some really cool magical bits, a nice and nasty antagonist, and enough familial angst and reveals to throw a kitchen sink at, but in the end, this novel IS pretty much a HEA romance through and through.
We THOUGHT we'd get that HEA in the previous one before the rug was pulled out from under us and the rocky start in this one seemed destined to keep that HEA out of our grasp with all the "I'm spurned so, therefore, I'll spurn" standard trope, but this is just a trick.
The novel delivers. In beautiful paranormal romance style.
What? You miss Nevada and Connor?
***psssst. They're here***
There are some really cool magical bits, a nice and nasty antagonist, and enough familial angst and reveals to throw a kitchen sink at, but in the end, this novel IS pretty much a HEA romance through and through.
We THOUGHT we'd get that HEA in the previous one before the rug was pulled out from under us and the rocky start in this one seemed destined to keep that HEA out of our grasp with all the "I'm spurned so, therefore, I'll spurn" standard trope, but this is just a trick.
The novel delivers. In beautiful paranormal romance style.
What? You miss Nevada and Connor?
***psssst. They're here***
March 28, 2022
Reread so I can start my ARC of Ruby Fever - I might have liked it even more the second time around.
4.5 I Finished This in a Day But Couldn't Think of What To Put in a Review for a Month Stars.
I’m a huge fan of Ilona Andrews and I have loved almost everything they have released so I was not worried at all when Nevada and Rogan’s story ended and we took up a new set of adventures with Catalina as the focus of the story. Some are not going to love it since it isn’t Nevada, but if you take it for what it IS I think that it is a new and fantastic chapter in the Andrew’s catalogue of stories.
In Sapphire Flames Catalina was a little young and naïve about life, love and people. She is becoming stronger all of the time and after a few setbacks she has really grown up a lot coming into this book. Catalina has accepted what happened between her and Alessandro from the prior book, she owns it and even thought her family might hate Alessandro she doesn’t.
So we have a heartbroken but recovering Catalina, sent by Linus Duncan in her Deputy capacity to take a case away from Augustine. Catalina is a professional, she is posed and ready to take the case on, she is not ready for the man she was going to give her heart to walk through the door as part of the case.
Then we are off on our adventure trying to figure out what is growing in the Pit and how it might be tied to the Osiris serum that was stolen. There are crazy weird creatures, confounding new magic and danger around every corner. Catalina will have to tap into all of her resources in order to come out the other side of this in one piece.
The Andrews always tell a great story. I loved how they were able to expand on all the details as to why Nevada eventually stepped down as head of house and Catalina took over. Cornelius’s childhood made me cry. Catalina also showed her backbone in Emerald Blaze, she has been hanging out with Grandma dearest and has still come out almost unscathed from it. I enjoyed the plot and the love story, I don’t care what any of you haters out there think Alessandro is a good match for her and I appreciate how much he has grown up since the previous book.
The Baylor Family is always a big draw for me. I love all the siblings. Grandma Frida is the best and even Penelope has some moments she really shines in this. Darkhorse Leon will be a force to be reckoned with and Bern, oh Bern I’m totally shipping him and Runa together.
This had everything I wanted in it. Action, Magical Plot, Cool Creatures and build up for something else down the road. Let’s just say that I hope all of Catalina’s plans against Victoria go well, especially after learning how Victoria was going to hurt Nevada and Conner.
Another Winner in this readers opinion.
4.5 I Finished This in a Day But Couldn't Think of What To Put in a Review for a Month Stars.
I’m a huge fan of Ilona Andrews and I have loved almost everything they have released so I was not worried at all when Nevada and Rogan’s story ended and we took up a new set of adventures with Catalina as the focus of the story. Some are not going to love it since it isn’t Nevada, but if you take it for what it IS I think that it is a new and fantastic chapter in the Andrew’s catalogue of stories.
In Sapphire Flames Catalina was a little young and naïve about life, love and people. She is becoming stronger all of the time and after a few setbacks she has really grown up a lot coming into this book. Catalina has accepted what happened between her and Alessandro from the prior book, she owns it and even thought her family might hate Alessandro she doesn’t.
“Why would you want to shoot him?”
“He broke your heart. You were miserable for weeks.”
“I broke my own heart, Leon. He was just the hammer I hit it with.
So we have a heartbroken but recovering Catalina, sent by Linus Duncan in her Deputy capacity to take a case away from Augustine. Catalina is a professional, she is posed and ready to take the case on, she is not ready for the man she was going to give her heart to walk through the door as part of the case.
“Any words of wisdom?” I asked. Augustine enjoyed a mentor role.
“Life is full of surprises,” he said. “Try to cope with grace.”
Then we are off on our adventure trying to figure out what is growing in the Pit and how it might be tied to the Osiris serum that was stolen. There are crazy weird creatures, confounding new magic and danger around every corner. Catalina will have to tap into all of her resources in order to come out the other side of this in one piece.
The Andrews always tell a great story. I loved how they were able to expand on all the details as to why Nevada eventually stepped down as head of house and Catalina took over. Cornelius’s childhood made me cry. Catalina also showed her backbone in Emerald Blaze, she has been hanging out with Grandma dearest and has still come out almost unscathed from it. I enjoyed the plot and the love story, I don’t care what any of you haters out there think Alessandro is a good match for her and I appreciate how much he has grown up since the previous book.
“There are men in this world who would stop at nothing to be with you. You’re beautiful, you’re brilliant, and if they knew how dangerous you were, you would get buried in proposals. There isn’t a House out there that wouldn’t want to add you to their arsenal. And when the wings come out, it’s all over. I’m the best antistasi on record, anywhere, and when I saw you, I stared like an idiot. I could’ve stood there, listening to you talk for a year.”
The Baylor Family is always a big draw for me. I love all the siblings. Grandma Frida is the best and even Penelope has some moments she really shines in this. Darkhorse Leon will be a force to be reckoned with and Bern, oh Bern I’m totally shipping him and Runa together.
This had everything I wanted in it. Action, Magical Plot, Cool Creatures and build up for something else down the road. Let’s just say that I hope all of Catalina’s plans against Victoria go well, especially after learning how Victoria was going to hurt Nevada and Conner.
Another Winner in this readers opinion.
March 31, 2023
First reread 2023
Please check my ramblings of my first time reading this book;2 review is below.
Idk why but Catalina is not my favorite Andrews character nor the heroine by a long shot..it reminds me of my dislike of Julie, ugh
I am still confused where is the Cesare mystery from previous books????!!!!
-------------------------
Hidden Legacy series is simply amazing!!
First, if you are reading this and haven't read none of the books..stop and go read the series from the beginning!! Can't be read out of order!!
Second, if you have read them all, except this one, there are spoilers..so what are you doing..GO AND READ THE BOOK!! Then come back and tell me your theories!!
Random ramblings;
* This was a much darker than the usual storyline.
* I love Catalina's distinct voice as a matter of fact, I love how different every sister is
* what's up with Cesare's storyline, nothing happens are we supposed to believe Linus is a good little Warden now and he is saving Texas
* love the newly added mystery of Regina's cousin and I always wanted more of Latimer in the series
* ending; I think that Victoria only wanted to see the baby and not kidnap him
* I missed Matilda in this book
* this book is too short!!!
* did we just get an idea about Arabella's love interest
* can you smell the possibility of Leon's books
* Bug didn't figure out that Alessandro is broke, come on don't serve me slacking Bug I won't have it
* I love that part about why Nevada stepped down
* Grandma Frida L.O.V.E her
* I like Alessandro & Catalina but I do not love them, they are a solid couple and an okay lead but nothing more
* now on the other hand I love Bern & Runa
Please check my ramblings of my first time reading this book;2 review is below.
Idk why but Catalina is not my favorite Andrews character nor the heroine by a long shot..it reminds me of my dislike of Julie, ugh
I am still confused where is the Cesare mystery from previous books????!!!!
-------------------------
Hidden Legacy series is simply amazing!!
First, if you are reading this and haven't read none of the books..stop and go read the series from the beginning!! Can't be read out of order!!
Second, if you have read them all, except this one, there are spoilers..so what are you doing..GO AND READ THE BOOK!! Then come back and tell me your theories!!
Random ramblings;
* This was a much darker than the usual storyline.
* I love Catalina's distinct voice as a matter of fact, I love how different every sister is
* what's up with Cesare's storyline, nothing happens are we supposed to believe Linus is a good little Warden now and he is saving Texas
* love the newly added mystery of Regina's cousin and I always wanted more of Latimer in the series
* ending; I think that Victoria only wanted to see the baby and not kidnap him
* I missed Matilda in this book
* this book is too short!!!
* did we just get an idea about Arabella's love interest
* can you smell the possibility of Leon's books
* Bug didn't figure out that Alessandro is broke, come on don't serve me slacking Bug I won't have it
* I love that part about why Nevada stepped down
* Grandma Frida L.O.V.E her
* I like Alessandro & Catalina but I do not love them, they are a solid couple and an okay lead but nothing more
* now on the other hand I love Bern & Runa
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2024
Whew! Blaze is right. Catalina and Alessandro are back and someone call the fire department. I’m always impressed by the way Ilona Andrews manages to carry sizzling sexual tension with the same couple through multiple books before things “happen” and once again they carry it off here, with the previous book, where they worked together, having ended with Alessandro having abruptly left. Catalina is pissed. But when she gets an important assignment involving a murder with multiple prime magic users as suspects, and her family is threatened, he is assigned to guard her. Also, the person suspected of threatening her is So you could say it’s personal.
As always with this author team, the world building is superb. The details are vivid and the battle scenes are some of the best in fantasy writing. I particularly love the way they can be talking shop about the current monster problem and break off into a rant about Houston traffic or Mom’s no guns at the table rule. Their sense of humor is what makes the book hilarious.
As always with this author team, the world building is superb. The details are vivid and the battle scenes are some of the best in fantasy writing. I particularly love the way they can be talking shop about the current monster problem and break off into a rant about Houston traffic or Mom’s no guns at the table rule. Their sense of humor is what makes the book hilarious.
July 14, 2021
Update 2: We have a title Emerald Blaze and a release date 25th August 2020 AND it's now available to preorder on Amazon (so yes I have preordered both the paperback and kindle editions LOL)
September 10, 2020
Another totally excellent book from these clever authors and even the cover is better than usual.
The most amazing aspect of Emerald Blaze was the magic especially during the final battle when both Alessandro and Catalina summoned up every ability they had. It was an epic ending to a really exciting read. It was nice to have Nevada and Connor featuring along the way and, judging by the content of the cliff hanger, we will see more of them in the next book too.
These authors seem never to put a foot wrong and I cannot wait for the next book! (There is still room for improvement in the covers though).
The most amazing aspect of Emerald Blaze was the magic especially during the final battle when both Alessandro and Catalina summoned up every ability they had. It was an epic ending to a really exciting read. It was nice to have Nevada and Connor featuring along the way and, judging by the content of the cliff hanger, we will see more of them in the next book too.
These authors seem never to put a foot wrong and I cannot wait for the next book! (There is still room for improvement in the covers though).
July 30, 2020
holy fuck. HOLY FUCK. i thought this was just yet another amazing book by ilona andrews until the 90% mark, but that last 10% really blew it out of the park. and THAT ENDING. the wait for their next book just gets more and more painful with each release and my need to be adopted by the baylor family grows with it simultaneously.
catalina and alessandro are the crime fighting bad bitch dynamic duo the world didn’t know it needed but was blessed with. they might not know it but they are now unofficially my parents. sorry biological family, it’s been real. but all jokes aside, they are truly the perfect pair. dare i say, even more perfect for each other than nevada and rogan, and that’s a statement that can’t be made lightly. the way they work together and understand each other….UGH….soulmate behavior only. if i can’t find what they have at some part of my life, WHAT IS THE POINT. cause god….i see what you’ve done for others.
i’m also going to require ilona andrews to give us a book/series for both arabella and leon cause i won’t settle for any less. maybe a prequel for their mom. and a prequel for the mom’s prequel for grandma. and maybe….....ok i’ll stop there.
p.s. a little something about the conflict/plot in this book. it was definitely…..the darkest out of all of books so far. i found myself repulsed by how gruesome it got...so just be prepared. if you’ve watched the movie ‘annihilation’…..think something along the terms of that. shit’s wild bro.
catalina and alessandro are the crime fighting bad bitch dynamic duo the world didn’t know it needed but was blessed with. they might not know it but they are now unofficially my parents. sorry biological family, it’s been real. but all jokes aside, they are truly the perfect pair. dare i say, even more perfect for each other than nevada and rogan, and that’s a statement that can’t be made lightly. the way they work together and understand each other….UGH….soulmate behavior only. if i can’t find what they have at some part of my life, WHAT IS THE POINT. cause god….i see what you’ve done for others.
i’m also going to require ilona andrews to give us a book/series for both arabella and leon cause i won’t settle for any less. maybe a prequel for their mom. and a prequel for the mom’s prequel for grandma. and maybe….....ok i’ll stop there.
p.s. a little something about the conflict/plot in this book. it was definitely…..the darkest out of all of books so far. i found myself repulsed by how gruesome it got...so just be prepared. if you’ve watched the movie ‘annihilation’…..think something along the terms of that. shit’s wild bro.
September 14, 2020
A huge improvement from the last book although too many past events took place off screen and we were told about them instead of witnessing them firsthand (which affected their authenticity?) especially concerning how Catalina learned all of her skills whether mental or physical. Alessandro and Catalina grew on me considerably but I still find their relationship rushed considering the amount of time they spent together. Other than that, this book was so much fun, we got an explanation for a weird event in the readers’ eyes which is a plus. Overall, I loved it.
Also, seeing Nevada and Connor *swoons*
Also, seeing Nevada and Connor *swoons*
March 17, 2024
I can always count on Ilona Andrews to give me a mood lift!
Original review
I got my hands on this book a little early, by ordering through the website of a big chain store. I noticed that their “buy" button no longer said “preorder" so I took chance and ordered it along with a couple of other items that I've been wanting for a while. It arrived yesterday and I've read it twice.
Ilona Andrews never fails to deliver a story that makes me happy. The Andrews provide imaginative, complex fantasy settings, excellent action, characters that I love, and just the right amount of romance. The romantic elements do not overwhelm the adventure. I don't know how long they can keep this story line going, but I will enjoy every scrap that they dish out! This will never be “classic" literature, so something in me refuses to give these books 5 stars, but they are 5 stars in my heart.
In this installment, Catalina is settling into her new semi-secret role as Deputy Warden of Texas and into being Head of House Baylor. She is learning to play Prime games by spending time with the evil grandmother, Victoria Tremaine, and her efforts are paying off. Just as she is consolidating her position and recovering from giving up Alessandro Sagredo, he is thrown back into her life, complicating an already intricate problem.
Watching a grown up & calculating Catalina is a treat. She can swim with the sharks and cope with the Prime magic users like a pro. Plots are revealed, weaknesses exposed, and secrets are blabbed! Is that sufficiently non-spoiler like? One of the major joys of this series is that it doesn't focus exclusively on Catalina's relationships (or lack thereof); the secondary characters get to evolve in their relationships too. If I had one request, I'd love more detail on those pairings, but I realize that the authors can't overwhelm us with detail. They edit things down to just the elements that move the plot along (because not everyone will be the glutton for details that I am).
When my life gets complicated, I always turn to Ilona Andrews books for comfort and now I have another volume to cuddle with during those times. Covid is making a mess of the publishing industry, but I shall anticipate future offerings by House Andrews with excitement nevertheless. Thank you, authors, for the capital entertainment.
Cross posted at my blog:
https://wanda-thenextfifty.blogspot.c...
Original review
I got my hands on this book a little early, by ordering through the website of a big chain store. I noticed that their “buy" button no longer said “preorder" so I took chance and ordered it along with a couple of other items that I've been wanting for a while. It arrived yesterday and I've read it twice.
Ilona Andrews never fails to deliver a story that makes me happy. The Andrews provide imaginative, complex fantasy settings, excellent action, characters that I love, and just the right amount of romance. The romantic elements do not overwhelm the adventure. I don't know how long they can keep this story line going, but I will enjoy every scrap that they dish out! This will never be “classic" literature, so something in me refuses to give these books 5 stars, but they are 5 stars in my heart.
In this installment, Catalina is settling into her new semi-secret role as Deputy Warden of Texas and into being Head of House Baylor. She is learning to play Prime games by spending time with the evil grandmother, Victoria Tremaine, and her efforts are paying off. Just as she is consolidating her position and recovering from giving up Alessandro Sagredo, he is thrown back into her life, complicating an already intricate problem.
Watching a grown up & calculating Catalina is a treat. She can swim with the sharks and cope with the Prime magic users like a pro. Plots are revealed, weaknesses exposed, and secrets are blabbed! Is that sufficiently non-spoiler like? One of the major joys of this series is that it doesn't focus exclusively on Catalina's relationships (or lack thereof); the secondary characters get to evolve in their relationships too. If I had one request, I'd love more detail on those pairings, but I realize that the authors can't overwhelm us with detail. They edit things down to just the elements that move the plot along (because not everyone will be the glutton for details that I am).
When my life gets complicated, I always turn to Ilona Andrews books for comfort and now I have another volume to cuddle with during those times. Covid is making a mess of the publishing industry, but I shall anticipate future offerings by House Andrews with excitement nevertheless. Thank you, authors, for the capital entertainment.
Cross posted at my blog:
https://wanda-thenextfifty.blogspot.c...
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