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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Good start to Catalina's arc. Everything continues to be interesting and I'm excited to see where things head from here. I really like Catalina and how she can stand on her own seperately from Nevada. Alessandro is also pretty likable and I can't wait to learn more about him in the next book. My one gripe is that I'm not a huge fan of how Catalina isn't on equal footing with Alessandro and it seems like she's constantly looking up at him but I'm hoping it'll be remedied later.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's always a pleasure to be back in an Ilona Andrews universe. These urban fantasy books are just such frivolous fun!
"Sapphire Flames" is the fourth book in the Hidden Legacy series, but it is the first one to focus exclusively on Catalina as a main character. I have to admit that I kind of missed Nevada, but little sister Catalina is a great character too, and her magic powers are really entertaining and involve a variety of ethical considerations that are interesting.
As the first book in the Catalina sub-trilogy, "Sapphire Flames" is setting the scene for a larger plot arc, so it wasn't as complete and satisfying as some books. You get just a taste of the romance and of the villainous plot that will be developed over the next two books. I am excited to learn more about Alessandro's past and who is pulling the strings behind the corrupted magic situation (could it be Caesar?!? Because that storyline was never really wrapped up, was it?!).
The world-building is incredibly creative; the plots are zippy and exciting, but my favorite part of the Hidden Legacy series is the family interactions and hilarious banter between sisters, grandma and granddaughters, cousins, family friends etc. They are such a lovable family group; it gives me warm fuzzies. Also, the tank-driving, Instagram-using, would-be-knitter Grandma Frida is one of the best characters ever; sassy grandmas ftw.
I recommend the "Hidden Legacy" series to readers who like fantasy and light romance and who need a frothy palate cleanser of a read. But you definitely have to start from the beginning of the series with "Burn For Me."
"Sapphire Flames" is the fourth book in the Hidden Legacy series, but it is the first one to focus exclusively on Catalina as a main character. I have to admit that I kind of missed Nevada, but little sister Catalina is a great character too, and her magic powers are really entertaining and involve a variety of ethical considerations that are interesting.
As the first book in the Catalina sub-trilogy, "Sapphire Flames" is setting the scene for a larger plot arc, so it wasn't as complete and satisfying as some books. You get just a taste of the romance and of the villainous plot that will be developed over the next two books. I am excited to learn more about Alessandro's past and who is pulling the strings behind the corrupted magic situation (could it be Caesar?!? Because that storyline was never really wrapped up, was it?!).
The world-building is incredibly creative; the plots are zippy and exciting, but my favorite part of the Hidden Legacy series is the family interactions and hilarious banter between sisters, grandma and granddaughters, cousins, family friends etc. They are such a lovable family group; it gives me warm fuzzies. Also, the tank-driving, Instagram-using, would-be-knitter Grandma Frida is one of the best characters ever; sassy grandmas ftw.
I recommend the "Hidden Legacy" series to readers who like fantasy and light romance and who need a frothy palate cleanser of a read. But you definitely have to start from the beginning of the series with "Burn For Me."
Re-read 14/4/2021 - whilst I love how distinct the sister are from eachother I had the same issue this time as I did last time where I miss Nevada and Rogan. Alessandro and Catalina are great in their own rights and Alessandro's powers are fun but the amount of secrets and question dodging he participates in is exhausting. Maybe it doesn't help on this reread that I dont know the end game of their relationship and motivations. Because as of this reread the 3rd and final book isn't out yet.
Sidenote I really want and hope there'll be a third trilogy for Arabella and also one for Leon and Bug... or like a novella. I think Buga and Burn (?Bern) would have made a good couple.
Sidenote I really want and hope there'll be a third trilogy for Arabella and also one for Leon and Bug... or like a novella. I think Buga and Burn (?Bern) would have made a good couple.
Here's the deal, three stars in my opinion is a perfectly good book. I liked it. I think there is a lot of good here. For example, Ilona Andrews' writing is always above average. Building off the original trilogy, the cast of characters are rich and they are fully formed. I love the Baylor family - I want to be part of this family and eat meals with them every evening. I also liked Catalina as a new narrator for this trilogy. Sure, I missed Nevada and Rogan but Catalina's voice worked for me.
So why only three stars? I wish the dynamic between Alessandro and Catalina was a bit different. I wanted more development of why they started to like one another rather than just being told it. While I am okay with Alessandro and accept their arc here, I feel like I still don't know who he is. Also, I thought the reasoning for Catalina being head of House Baylor was a little unbelievable given previous novels. It's the author's choice but it distracted me because it seemed out of character.
So yes, while it's only a three star book for me I still liked it. I'm also really looking forward to the next book in this series. Now that the transition is done and more character tracks have been laid, I'm hoping the next book is a little tighter and in line with the previous Hidden Legacy novels.
So why only three stars? I wish the dynamic between Alessandro and Catalina was a bit different. I wanted more development of why they started to like one another rather than just being told it. While I am okay with Alessandro and accept their arc here, I feel like I still don't know who he is. Also, I thought the reasoning for Catalina being head of House Baylor was a little unbelievable given previous novels. It's the author's choice but it distracted me because it seemed out of character.
So yes, while it's only a three star book for me I still liked it. I'm also really looking forward to the next book in this series. Now that the transition is done and more character tracks have been laid, I'm hoping the next book is a little tighter and in line with the previous Hidden Legacy novels.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Engaging story, but I agree with the one reviewer who said this was 'Nevada-and-Rouge Lite'.
Catalina was okay. I'm glad she's no longer that weak, easily intimated teenager she once was, but she's still fawning over a guy she had a crush on when she was young. I don't even understand what she sees in him other than his appearance. Alessandro was just boring and one-note. I don't get it!!! I ended up skimming all the parts with Catalina lusting over Alessandro. It was very cringy teenage love thoughts.
Catalina was okay. I'm glad she's no longer that weak, easily intimated teenager she once was, but she's still fawning over a guy she had a crush on when she was young. I don't even understand what she sees in him other than his appearance. Alessandro was just boring and one-note. I don't get it!!! I ended up skimming all the parts with Catalina lusting over Alessandro. It was very cringy teenage love thoughts.