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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
fast-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
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Does a good job of distinguishing the main character from her older sister, the protagonist of the first three books. Their stories and personalities don’t feel like carbon copies of each other.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
You can find my whole review for Sapphire Flames here.
*Received an ARC from publisher via Edelweiss. Thank you!*
The hardest thing for an author to do, in my opinion of the little writing I’ve done, is to follow the voices of different characters in a familiar world that has already been built and written. Nevada and Mad Rogan’s voices were well accepted, established and explored. Now, they have to write about two very different characters in the same world. Catalina is supposed to be nothing like Nevada, from what we’ve heard/seen of her. Unlike Nevada, Catalina is the shy one, the one that wants nothing to do with being in the limelight. The biggest impact her character left on the readers was when she deleted her Instagram account because Alessandro Sagredo followed her on it. The next biggest impact–after we find out what her power is–was during the trials; where both she and Alessandro were first shown together in the same scene.
The punch of her power against the Italian Count was felt all the way to the readers sitting in their homes. After that scene, we were already hooked. Then, we see a glimpse of them in Diamond Fire and that’s it, now the audience have an expectation that’s beyond normal.
It’s different writing a book about two completely unknown characters in an unknown world because the expectations aren’t very specific to them per se But writing about two characters that the readers are dying to know and read about in a very well known and appreciated world is harder.
Ilona Andrews pull this off like pros. I wondered if it were possible, because how can anyone trump Nevada and Mad Rogan? Would that even be possible? But Ilona Andrews did better. They made Catalina and Alessandro different. I was immediately able to see the difference between Catalina and Nevada; Alessandro and Mad Rogan. The authors managed to bring a different tenor and emotion to the narration and it was no less effective than the previous trilogy of the Hidden Legacy series.
There’s always a certain other expectation when it comes to Ilona Andrews’ books, which is the plot. Their plots are always fantastic, well-researched and with just the right amount of detail and mystery. Their books are also packed with action, humour and a mild drizzle of gore and violence. Just the way we like it! This book is no different. It reflects all the goodness of Ilona Andrews and carries its own tune that makes Catalina’s book stand apart. This book, like the trilogy before it, holds true to the familial bond that the characters share and never lets up on the feels or the fun. The plot is tight, the action perfectly executed and the humour is evident at all times that it is required. And the romance…(swooooon).
The surprises just keep coming with Ilona Andrews and their books just keep getting better. Catalina and Alessandro really had my heart from the very beginning and I feel for Catalina in a way I’ve never felt for Nevada simply because of her reclusive nature and her daily struggle and grit to uphold her role as the Head of the House and do a righteous and spectacular job of it. Alessandro was a perfect counterpart to her; though the depth of it is yet to be exposed to the readers. But the way he balances off her inherent shyness and reserved personality with his spark and mystery… The call to the Siren–that’s what he is.
A standing ovation to the authors! Fantastic work done. And having followed their updates on this book, I know they worked like crazy (not that they don’t otherwise) and had some real struggles through it (and after is went up for ARC review as well). Congratulations and I’m sure that this book will amount to the praise it more than deserves.
I enjoyed reading this book. It was amusing. At several points I face palmed and told Catalina to stop it. She is slightly silly and calls herself out on it when she notices. Her character and Nevada's character are very different while holding some of the same core values: helping others, etc. She didn't have to grow up as fast so there is more fluffiness to her. Which leads to some eye rolling and laughs.
There are also some blood and gore.
“I still like him.”
“Why?”
I spread my arms, “I don’t know. Half the time I’m with him, he makes me grind my teeth. But I know that if I were in danger, he wouldn’t stop until I was safe. He looks at me like I am beautiful. And he makes me laugh.”
Linus put his hand over his face. “God help us all.” What did I say now? He waved his hand. “Go. Go save Halley and help that young idiot.”
There are also some blood and gore.
Spoiler
The scene of her hiding in the abandoned mall and the chainsaw fight with against the metamorphosis mage were my favorite fight scenes.Spoiler
Catalina talking with Linus“I still like him.”
“Why?”
I spread my arms, “I don’t know. Half the time I’m with him, he makes me grind my teeth. But I know that if I were in danger, he wouldn’t stop until I was safe. He looks at me like I am beautiful. And he makes me laugh.”
Linus put his hand over his face. “God help us all.” What did I say now? He waved his hand. “Go. Go save Halley and help that young idiot.”
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes