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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The only thing interesting about this book is the magic. I find the powers fascinating.
However, the characters aren't very interesting or developed. The plot is a bit messy and requires a lot of suspension of disbelief.
I also feel like Nevada was done dirty (again) so that Catalina could be Head of the house.
I'm not sure if I'll read the next one?
However, the characters aren't very interesting or developed. The plot is a bit messy and requires a lot of suspension of disbelief.
I also feel like Nevada was done dirty (again) so that Catalina could be Head of the house.
I'm not sure if I'll read the next one?
What to expect:
✅ Paranormal romance (magic)
✅ Fated mates
✅ Single perspective
✅ Slooooooooooow burn
✅ Is it all as it seems?
✅ 1/2 🫑
Cons (continued throughout the series)
- Written as if standalone books instead of a continuous series.
- Goes into too much detail on things we learn in the previous book(s). So much so that any of book on the series could be read standalone.
- Multiple scenes that give too much detail on things that don’t matter (for example, super descriptive on a prime’s house or business that has 0 bearing on the story line in any of the books) and action scenes that drag on.
- Only available as mass market paperback and kindle. Please rerelease to match the size of books 1-3!
✅ Paranormal romance (magic)
✅ Fated mates
✅ Single perspective
✅ Slooooooooooow burn
✅ Is it all as it seems?
✅ 1/2 🫑
Cons (continued throughout the series)
- Written as if standalone books instead of a continuous series.
- Goes into too much detail on things we learn in the previous book(s). So much so that any of book on the series could be read standalone.
- Multiple scenes that give too much detail on things that don’t matter (for example, super descriptive on a prime’s house or business that has 0 bearing on the story line in any of the books) and action scenes that drag on.
- Only available as mass market paperback and kindle. Please rerelease to match the size of books 1-3!
An excellent series, and a great start to a new trilogy featuring the second sister.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
Let me start by saying I absolutely LOVE this series. I have read the first book (Burn For Me) 4 times in 3 years. Yes, you read that right. This series is one I now seem to read once a year.
That being said, I went into this one with high expectations and huge dreams-- yet still remembered that Catalina is NOT Nevada and Alessandro is NOT Rogan. Remembering this is really important because while the feel of the book is still the same, the characters act so different than the original couple--- which they should. I'm taking it as a good thing and a sign of great writing.
Okay, okay to the book. Catalina won me over in Diamond Fire, so I've been looking forward to this book. I wanted to see how she would learn to use her powers. What totally slipped my mind is that of course she would be the Head of her House now that Nevada is married. Catalina is still growing and coming into herself, but I loved reading about her experience and her growth. She is trying and building her own morals and code.
Seeing the other characters after the 3 year jump after book 3 was fun. Everyone is still there, everyone is amazing. Can I just throw in real quick that I'm so, SO excited for Leon's book. I mean, Bern too (I suspect who he might be with...), but Leon is such a fun character.
Also, I really want to talk about Alessandro, but I don't want to spoil anything. I was curious about how he would work in the series, how he would fit in, but WOW there was a twist and I loved it. Alessandro is fantastic and I have so many questions-- especially considering how this book ended.
Honestly, there are quite a few potential hints for things that will come out later and I am all here for it. Waiting for the next book is going to be so difficult, but I'm willing to wait as long as necessary.
If you have yet to read the rest of the series, please read that before this book, but DO read this series. It is amazing and one of my favorites.
Let me start by saying I absolutely LOVE this series. I have read the first book (Burn For Me) 4 times in 3 years. Yes, you read that right. This series is one I now seem to read once a year.
That being said, I went into this one with high expectations and huge dreams-- yet still remembered that Catalina is NOT Nevada and Alessandro is NOT Rogan. Remembering this is really important because while the feel of the book is still the same, the characters act so different than the original couple--- which they should. I'm taking it as a good thing and a sign of great writing.
Okay, okay to the book. Catalina won me over in Diamond Fire, so I've been looking forward to this book. I wanted to see how she would learn to use her powers. What totally slipped my mind is that of course she would be the Head of her House now that Nevada is married. Catalina is still growing and coming into herself, but I loved reading about her experience and her growth. She is trying and building her own morals and code.
Seeing the other characters after the 3 year jump after book 3 was fun. Everyone is still there, everyone is amazing. Can I just throw in real quick that I'm so, SO excited for Leon's book. I mean, Bern too (I suspect who he might be with...), but Leon is such a fun character.
Also, I really want to talk about Alessandro, but I don't want to spoil anything. I was curious about how he would work in the series, how he would fit in, but WOW there was a twist and I loved it. Alessandro is fantastic and I have so many questions-- especially considering how this book ended.
Honestly, there are quite a few potential hints for things that will come out later and I am all here for it. Waiting for the next book is going to be so difficult, but I'm willing to wait as long as necessary.
If you have yet to read the rest of the series, please read that before this book, but DO read this series. It is amazing and one of my favorites.
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
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:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ilona Andrews has one again done it. This book was nothing short of exactly what you are wanting from an Andrews book.
Let me back up a little though-
Catalina is a strong female lead that has taken over for House of Baylor. (You do not necessarily need to read the first series to understand this one, but it would be in your best interest.) Catalina struggles with some of the same issues that many characters do: finding your purpose, staying true to yourself and your family morals, and mostly just kicking a** and taking names.
There wasn't a whole lot of steam in the first installation of this series. If I had to rate steam alone I would give it two flames, extreme slow slow slow burn with no resolution in sight. It was very interesting to see Alessandro's POV at the end though. It definitely makes you want to follow through with the rest of the series.
I truly enjoyed that this spinoff was just that, a spinoff. You got to see a little of the cross over characters but the storyline was it's own and stood as such. The romance was new with its own quirks and trials. If you pick up this book expecting a retelling of Nevada and Rogan, you will be disappointed. However, if you're looking for a new story based in a known world with crazy and amazing- look no further.
Thank you Netgalley for an earc in exchange for an honest review.
Let me back up a little though-
Catalina is a strong female lead that has taken over for House of Baylor. (You do not necessarily need to read the first series to understand this one, but it would be in your best interest.) Catalina struggles with some of the same issues that many characters do: finding your purpose, staying true to yourself and your family morals, and mostly just kicking a** and taking names.
There wasn't a whole lot of steam in the first installation of this series. If I had to rate steam alone I would give it two flames, extreme slow slow slow burn with no resolution in sight. It was very interesting to see Alessandro's POV at the end though. It definitely makes you want to follow through with the rest of the series.
I truly enjoyed that this spinoff was just that, a spinoff. You got to see a little of the cross over characters but the storyline was it's own and stood as such. The romance was new with its own quirks and trials. If you pick up this book expecting a retelling of Nevada and Rogan, you will be disappointed. However, if you're looking for a new story based in a known world with crazy and amazing- look no further.
Thank you Netgalley for an earc in exchange for an honest review.
I'm not sure if there's anyone doing Paranormal Romance better than Illona Andrews. I could not put this story down and i'm BEGGING everyone to pick up this series. This is a series that I will read over and over again, and fall deeper into these characters with every read.
Catalina is an incredibly smart strong heroine that will have you rooting for her with every decision she makes. Plus, Catalina and Alessandro are a match made in heaven, even if they dont realize it yet.
If you like reading complex heroine's with grumpy but dependable hero's this is the story for you. I can write/ talk about this book without spoiling all the good parts so I'll just say this: read the book, its so so worth it.
Catalina is an incredibly smart strong heroine that will have you rooting for her with every decision she makes. Plus, Catalina and Alessandro are a match made in heaven, even if they dont realize it yet.
If you like reading complex heroine's with grumpy but dependable hero's this is the story for you. I can write/ talk about this book without spoiling all the good parts so I'll just say this: read the book, its so so worth it.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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:
Complicated