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agirlandherlibrarian's review
4.0
My YouTube Review of the book can be found here: https://youtu.be/D7wKQ0R8nv4
After Being settled in with Nevada, I was worried I'd not like the switch to Catalina, her next youngest sister, but no, I loved it! I liked the way they put Nevada out of the picture for the book, she was off with Rogan doing stuff - so it gave Catalina a clear field in which to do her thing, without the feeling she could run to her sister if she needed to. To see her stand on her feet and pull things up the way
she does is brilliant. The series has lost none of it's pithy dialogue, it's humour and it's intensity.
After Being settled in with Nevada, I was worried I'd not like the switch to Catalina, her next youngest sister, but no, I loved it! I liked the way they put Nevada out of the picture for the book, she was off with Rogan doing stuff - so it gave Catalina a clear field in which to do her thing, without the feeling she could run to her sister if she needed to. To see her stand on her feet and pull things up the way
she does is brilliant. The series has lost none of it's pithy dialogue, it's humour and it's intensity.
rumpunchhh's review
4.0
When the influencer turned out to be an assassin he became much hotter to me and that’s not something I thought I’d have to ever unpack in therapy but here we are
magikspells's review against another edition
4.0
Damn it man, I think I might like this series better than any of their other ones, and I love Kate Daniels. Ugh. This one is of course about Catalina and is complex and rich and everything their stories are. I hope there will be many more.
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Second time reading:
I really don't know what I was going on about in my first review. The things that bothered me were so miniscule (or not even really there) on this second read. Alessandro called her a sexy beast one time, and then no other weird lines. Nevada's phone calls were fine. I was maybe just in a bad mood? I don't even know.
I do wonder if more time passing since reading the first three books (that focused on Nevada and Rogan) made this more enjoyable. I haven't re-read the first three at all, so it's been years. And I think the first time I read this was much closer to when I read and loved Nevada and Rogan's story. Anyway, I loved it the second time around.
First time reading:
I’m pretty disappointed in this. I love Ilona Andrews, but this book ranks down with the innkeeper series, as far as me not really feeling it. I hated how Nevada was treated in this book. The story of how Catalina became head of the house, the way it was almost a nuisance when Nevada called, etc. I get that they wanted to focus on different characters, but there has to be a better way to go about it.
I also didn’t feel the connection between Catalina and Alessandro. It seemed like a teenage crush, especially when she turned into a complete idiot around him. It didn’t make her endearing, it made me not like her. And some of the lines that Alessandro said, like “are you teasing me, you sexy beast”. That’s not cute banter, that is just cringeworthy. Unless he’s supposed to be channeling Austin Powers. But since he is constantly described as the sexiest man to ever walk the earth, I don’t think so.
I didn’t love the first book in this series, but then it really grew on me, so I’m still hoping this new character focus will also grow on me.
I really don't know what I was going on about in my first review. The things that bothered me were so miniscule (or not even really there) on this second read. Alessandro called her a sexy beast one time, and then no other weird lines. Nevada's phone calls were fine. I was maybe just in a bad mood? I don't even know.
I do wonder if more time passing since reading the first three books (that focused on Nevada and Rogan) made this more enjoyable. I haven't re-read the first three at all, so it's been years. And I think the first time I read this was much closer to when I read and loved Nevada and Rogan's story. Anyway, I loved it the second time around.
First time reading:
I’m pretty disappointed in this. I love Ilona Andrews, but this book ranks down with the innkeeper series, as far as me not really feeling it. I hated how Nevada was treated in this book. The story of how Catalina became head of the house, the way it was almost a nuisance when Nevada called, etc. I get that they wanted to focus on different characters, but there has to be a better way to go about it.
I also didn’t feel the connection between Catalina and Alessandro. It seemed like a teenage crush, especially when she turned into a complete idiot around him. It didn’t make her endearing, it made me not like her. And some of the lines that Alessandro said, like “are you teasing me, you sexy beast”. That’s not cute banter, that is just cringeworthy. Unless he’s supposed to be channeling Austin Powers. But since he is constantly described as the sexiest man to ever walk the earth, I don’t think so.
I didn’t love the first book in this series, but then it really grew on me, so I’m still hoping this new character focus will also grow on me.
gazeboreader's review
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Fun, action filled, beach reading for me. Ilona Andrews has not failed me yet ( in 5 books thus far).
kzimm2024's review against another edition
4.0
Another amazing story by IA.
Was it kind of predictable? Yes
But quality, absolutely.
The action, humor, the family is the best, but this was definitely a "pass thru" book where it is just moving the story along to the great epic finale that we hope is around the corner :)
The ending did make me sad
Was it kind of predictable? Yes
But quality, absolutely.
The action, humor, the family is the best, but this was definitely a "pass thru" book where it is just moving the story along to the great epic finale that we hope is around the corner :)
The ending did make me sad
kzimm2024's review
5.0
Re-read Jan 2024, just as good as ever since it is easier to shift to Catalina/Alessandro now :)
I love the banter and am happy to be reading these stories again! Now that I know who Caesar is and the mysterious grandfather, it's fun to see what I missed during the other re-reads.
Its like we get to see a new set of characters, and the bloom of Bern and Runa!
Bug is hilarious:
Bug turned to me. “I have been chasing that shit monkey all over the fucking city. He destroyed three of my drones. He mocked me.”
Alessandro:
“What part of ‘drop it’ don’t you understand?”
“The part where you keep interfering with my investigation and shooting people I need to interrogate.”
“Interrogate? I must not understand the meaning of that word, because from where I’m sitting, you blunder around asking people questions until they try to kill you.”
Grandma Frida:
I turned and looked at her. Grandma flexed her arm. “Ride or die.”
I squinted at her. “I’m still mad at you for ratting me out.”
“You looked like death warmed over,” Grandma said. “You may be the Head of House Baylor, but you’re still my granddaughter and I won’t be taking any of your bullshit.”
“How is my sweater coming along, Grandma? Have you knitted more than two inches yet?”
Grandma Frida gave me the Look of Death.
This was priceless:
He turned the frame, so I could see his picture in it. “Smoochie poo?”
“It’s Italian for ass clown. What are you doing in my room?”
“Admiring your taste in arts and crafts?” He tilted the frame. “The application of glitter could use some work.”
----------
“Have you ever tried making a mess, Catalina?”
“I don’t make messes, I clean them up.”
And now I was sounding like a renegade detective from some edgy cop drama.
Alessandro shuddered. “Ooh, so hardcore.”
I like that they reviewed their history with honesty:
“Back then I just wanted to get to know you better. After I received the invitation to your trials, I looked you up on Instagram. I thought you were cute.
I followed you and you deleted your account. I was intrigued.
Then I came to invite you for a drive, and you called the cops on me.”
and Linus:
“Follow me,” Linus ordered. “And cheer up. We’re about to embark on a killing spree accompanied by massive property damage. Try to have fun.”
*
*
Re-Read 11-2021. I see how this one was harder to get in to, Catalina is not Nevada and we were in Nevada's life for 3 books. Catalina is having to go thru life experiences to break her down before she can have a real relationship with Alessandro. Yes, it breaks our hearts and yes, Alessandro is harder to relate to than Rogan was, but this next book should open things up, right??
Catalina has made a friend, Runa, and is obligated to find her friends murderer. It opens up a whole new world of assassins and now Catalina will be deputized?? This is all deep plots.
2nd read Aug 2020.
Great story, love the banter, what's there to say other than I sped thru it on my way to the next book.
I do love the world building and all the action.
I love the banter and am happy to be reading these stories again! Now that I know who Caesar is and the mysterious grandfather, it's fun to see what I missed during the other re-reads.
Its like we get to see a new set of characters, and the bloom of Bern and Runa!
Bug is hilarious:
Bug turned to me. “I have been chasing that shit monkey all over the fucking city. He destroyed three of my drones. He mocked me.”
Alessandro:
“What part of ‘drop it’ don’t you understand?”
“The part where you keep interfering with my investigation and shooting people I need to interrogate.”
“Interrogate? I must not understand the meaning of that word, because from where I’m sitting, you blunder around asking people questions until they try to kill you.”
Grandma Frida:
I turned and looked at her. Grandma flexed her arm. “Ride or die.”
I squinted at her. “I’m still mad at you for ratting me out.”
“You looked like death warmed over,” Grandma said. “You may be the Head of House Baylor, but you’re still my granddaughter and I won’t be taking any of your bullshit.”
“How is my sweater coming along, Grandma? Have you knitted more than two inches yet?”
Grandma Frida gave me the Look of Death.
This was priceless:
He turned the frame, so I could see his picture in it. “Smoochie poo?”
“It’s Italian for ass clown. What are you doing in my room?”
“Admiring your taste in arts and crafts?” He tilted the frame. “The application of glitter could use some work.”
----------
“Have you ever tried making a mess, Catalina?”
“I don’t make messes, I clean them up.”
And now I was sounding like a renegade detective from some edgy cop drama.
Alessandro shuddered. “Ooh, so hardcore.”
I like that they reviewed their history with honesty:
“Back then I just wanted to get to know you better. After I received the invitation to your trials, I looked you up on Instagram. I thought you were cute.
I followed you and you deleted your account. I was intrigued.
Then I came to invite you for a drive, and you called the cops on me.”
and Linus:
“Follow me,” Linus ordered. “And cheer up. We’re about to embark on a killing spree accompanied by massive property damage. Try to have fun.”
*
*
Re-Read 11-2021. I see how this one was harder to get in to, Catalina is not Nevada and we were in Nevada's life for 3 books. Catalina is having to go thru life experiences to break her down before she can have a real relationship with Alessandro. Yes, it breaks our hearts and yes, Alessandro is harder to relate to than Rogan was, but this next book should open things up, right??
Catalina has made a friend, Runa, and is obligated to find her friends murderer. It opens up a whole new world of assassins and now Catalina will be deputized?? This is all deep plots.
2nd read Aug 2020.
Great story, love the banter, what's there to say other than I sped thru it on my way to the next book.
I do love the world building and all the action.
jlanewalker's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0