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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
Ok this was good. I’m not quite as enamored as I was for the first trilogy but it’s so action packed and such a great world I couldn’t put it down.
4.5 stars. I love this series. In fact I love everything written by these two!
I love diving into an Andrews novel. I can always expect to feel a verity of emotions. To be sucked into the story and swept away.
When we start, Sapphire Flames, 3 years have passed since the Baylor family came out as a house. Their safety buffer is coming to an end.
We meet up with Runa who we’ve seen briefly in a another novel. Her mother and sister are found dead and Runa has deiced to hire the Baylor family to find the killer. This case becomes much more complex then expected and Catalina has to face many dangers and choices.
Catalina is now 21, a Prime, and head of the Baylor House since her sister’s nuptials. I enjoyed Catalina and her tack charge attitude. She has to manage a lot in Sapphire Flames. She’s strong, independent, selfless, determined and brave. She handled herself well and proved to be a worthy adversary. We see a significant growth with Catalina from when we first meet her as the shy quiet type to the head of a House.
Alessandro Sagredo swoops in when Catalina finds herself in danger. He appears to be one thing, but he’s something else. He plays the pretty boy, but there are so many layers to him that I cannot wait to peel each one away.
These two have a wonderful back-and-forth banter full of snark and sparks. Although there was a hint of romance, it was not an integral part of the plot. The focus was on solving a crime and putting an end to a network of assassins.
The story moves along quickly. The double-murder mysteries are intriguing and our ending leaves you wondering what will come next. The wording-building is extraordinary and the surprises will shock you. Their is much much more going on then we know.
I was hooked from the first word and couldn’t stop until the end. I can’t wait for the next novel. Sapphire Flames can be read as a standalone in that the Andrews Team provides sufficient background information, but I’d recommend reading the series in order.
Narration: Emily Rankin did a wonderful job. Her voices are comfortable and distinctive. I enjoyed her performance of Bug and Alessandro. I felt for Catalina; because Rankin vividly brings out her emotions and makes you feel for her. I’d recommend the audio.
Rated: 4.5 Stars
When we start, Sapphire Flames, 3 years have passed since the Baylor family came out as a house. Their safety buffer is coming to an end.
We meet up with Runa who we’ve seen briefly in a another novel. Her mother and sister are found dead and Runa has deiced to hire the Baylor family to find the killer. This case becomes much more complex then expected and Catalina has to face many dangers and choices.
Catalina is now 21, a Prime, and head of the Baylor House since her sister’s nuptials. I enjoyed Catalina and her tack charge attitude. She has to manage a lot in Sapphire Flames. She’s strong, independent, selfless, determined and brave. She handled herself well and proved to be a worthy adversary. We see a significant growth with Catalina from when we first meet her as the shy quiet type to the head of a House.
Alessandro Sagredo swoops in when Catalina finds herself in danger. He appears to be one thing, but he’s something else. He plays the pretty boy, but there are so many layers to him that I cannot wait to peel each one away.
These two have a wonderful back-and-forth banter full of snark and sparks. Although there was a hint of romance, it was not an integral part of the plot. The focus was on solving a crime and putting an end to a network of assassins.
The story moves along quickly. The double-murder mysteries are intriguing and our ending leaves you wondering what will come next. The wording-building is extraordinary and the surprises will shock you. Their is much much more going on then we know.
I was hooked from the first word and couldn’t stop until the end. I can’t wait for the next novel. Sapphire Flames can be read as a standalone in that the Andrews Team provides sufficient background information, but I’d recommend reading the series in order.
Narration: Emily Rankin did a wonderful job. Her voices are comfortable and distinctive. I enjoyed her performance of Bug and Alessandro. I felt for Catalina; because Rankin vividly brings out her emotions and makes you feel for her. I’d recommend the audio.
Rated: 4.5 Stars
It is fine. It is good, even. It isn't the same as Nevada/Rogan and I like that, but I wasn't as enthralled with Alessandro as I hoped to be. I do like Catalina more than Nevada.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Sapphire Flame is the first book of the Catalina Baylor trilogy and I thought it was pretty good. I especially liked the parts with the Baylor family.
I mostly liked Catalina, but she does have some annoying qualities. Alessandro seems alright, too, I just hate that he doesn't seem to think of Catalina as a capable adult.
I mostly liked Catalina, but she does have some annoying qualities. Alessandro seems alright, too, I just hate that he doesn't seem to think of Catalina as a capable adult.
I received an advance copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Ilona Andrews’ Hidden Legacy series started with a focus on Nevada Baylor and Mad Rogan for the first three books. Now, after an introductory novella, Nevada’s sister Catalina comes in for her own storyline, one I’ve been waiting for since we first learned about her power.
With Nevada and Mad Rogan off on their honeymoon, Catalina is the Head of House Baylor, carefully shepherding her new House into the byzantine power plays of the Houses. As she’s attempting to settle into her new role, a friend’s sister and mother are unexpectedly murdered, and Catalina is drawn to the case, intent on solving the mystery. As she digs into the power structures of the Houses, she must also contend with the unexpected attentions of the pinup star of the Houses, Alessandro Sagredo, as well as his gifts and why he’s suddenly with her in person, instead of just a staple on her Instagram. Now, Cat must face the gifts and hazards of her power and what it can do, especially in the face of a foe who’s willing to kill for their goals.
These books are such fun-- the Hidden Legacy world is well-developed, and the Baylor family is a family-- grudges, warts, fierce loyalties, and weirdoes, just like every other family… if every other family had preternatural sharpshooters and shape-shifters. Cat’s power (to make others love her) is fascinating, and one day I’d love to see a deep dive into how this ties into contemporary ideas of feminine behavior and expectations. I know that Alessandro is the love interest that’s being set up for her, but I took a star off my rating because honestly, Catalina is a complete badass and doesn’t need to waste her time with “oh my, why is this gloriously perfect man interested in me?” I liked Nevada and Mad Rogan, but after seeing Catalina through the previous 3.5 novels, this dude seemed unnecessary. That said, of course I’ll gleefully read the next book as soon as I can.
While I wholeheartedly recommend this, you really should start with Burn For Me, the first book in the series.
Ilona Andrews’ Hidden Legacy series started with a focus on Nevada Baylor and Mad Rogan for the first three books. Now, after an introductory novella, Nevada’s sister Catalina comes in for her own storyline, one I’ve been waiting for since we first learned about her power.
With Nevada and Mad Rogan off on their honeymoon, Catalina is the Head of House Baylor, carefully shepherding her new House into the byzantine power plays of the Houses. As she’s attempting to settle into her new role, a friend’s sister and mother are unexpectedly murdered, and Catalina is drawn to the case, intent on solving the mystery. As she digs into the power structures of the Houses, she must also contend with the unexpected attentions of the pinup star of the Houses, Alessandro Sagredo, as well as his gifts and why he’s suddenly with her in person, instead of just a staple on her Instagram. Now, Cat must face the gifts and hazards of her power and what it can do, especially in the face of a foe who’s willing to kill for their goals.
These books are such fun-- the Hidden Legacy world is well-developed, and the Baylor family is a family-- grudges, warts, fierce loyalties, and weirdoes, just like every other family… if every other family had preternatural sharpshooters and shape-shifters. Cat’s power (to make others love her) is fascinating, and one day I’d love to see a deep dive into how this ties into contemporary ideas of feminine behavior and expectations. I know that Alessandro is the love interest that’s being set up for her, but I took a star off my rating because honestly, Catalina is a complete badass and doesn’t need to waste her time with “oh my, why is this gloriously perfect man interested in me?” I liked Nevada and Mad Rogan, but after seeing Catalina through the previous 3.5 novels, this dude seemed unnecessary. That said, of course I’ll gleefully read the next book as soon as I can.
While I wholeheartedly recommend this, you really should start with Burn For Me, the first book in the series.
Maybe I’m just disappointed because I had such high hopes after the Hidden Legacy series. I didn’t see or understand the development of the romance between Alessandro and Catalina... and they both seem so much like children still.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my review or opinion of the book.
The Hidden Legacy series continues, albeit with a new narrator. I admit that I was a little wary of the shift from Nevada's story over to that of her younger sister, Catalina, who has become a power of her own over the course of the series. However, as a huge fan of the Ilona Andrew team, I was excited to dive back into this world and to see the Baylor family story continue. If you haven't read it yet, Diamond Fire is a good primer for Sapphire Flames. The novella gives you a good taste of some of the new players and introduces us to the world through Catalina's eyes.
Catalina has always had her her big sister look for her but she's now a Prime and the head of House Baylor. As the head of her House, she is now responsible for the health and happiness of her House and its members. All of the pressures and much of the danger of being a part of a powerful magical family now falls on her shoulders. She takes a case to investigate the murder of her friend's mother and sister and finds herself in the cross hairs of arcane magical forces and a sexy assassin whose motives are unknown. Catalina has her work cut out for her trying to solve the mystery while trying to keep her family, and her heart, safe.
If you're a fan of Ilona Andrews, I don't think you'll be disappointed in Sapphire Flames. It has all of the signature world building, action, and snappy dialogue that you would expect out of an Ilona Andrews novel. I just love the Hidden Legacy world with all of its strange creatures, magical families, and intrigue. I didn't have much of an impression of Catalina in the first two books except that she had a very unique power that caused her to hide away most of the time. Over the course of the series, though, she came out of her shell more and Diamond Fire put her in the spotlight. Even though she's reluctant to be the center of attention, she never shies away from her duty or helping those in need. I loved how her character has grown over the series into an extremely capable and badass woman who still faces a lot of doubts and insecurity. She just felt very relatable in that way. She steps it up in this book though and really start to believe in her own power instead of being afraid of it.
Of course, I loved the sexy assassin thrown into the mix. Alessandro Sagredo is Catalina's teenage crush and is impossibly charming and dangerous. Catalina doesn't trust his feelings for her and tries to keep him at arm's length. I love their chemistry (Ilona Andrews is so good at love/hate relationships) and the will they or won't they pull that they have throughout the book. Ilona Andrews love to make their readers wait for a good HEA though so we may have to wait awhile for these two to get together.
One of my other favorite parts of this series is all of the amazing supporting. Grandma Frieda is a personal favorite but I also love Bern and Bug. Nevada and Rogan also make appearances throughout the book.
Sapphire Flames is a solid entry in the Hidden Legacy series. It may seem a bit familiar if you're a die hard fan of Ilona Andrews's writing but it's always so fun to dive into the worlds that they create. If you love amazing action and story, badass characters, smokin' romance, and magical monsters , then I think you'll love this series as much as I do. I'm excited to see where the duo take Catalina next (hopefully into Alessandro's arms)!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my review or opinion of the book.
The Hidden Legacy series continues, albeit with a new narrator. I admit that I was a little wary of the shift from Nevada's story over to that of her younger sister, Catalina, who has become a power of her own over the course of the series. However, as a huge fan of the Ilona Andrew team, I was excited to dive back into this world and to see the Baylor family story continue. If you haven't read it yet, Diamond Fire is a good primer for Sapphire Flames. The novella gives you a good taste of some of the new players and introduces us to the world through Catalina's eyes.
Catalina has always had her her big sister look for her but she's now a Prime and the head of House Baylor. As the head of her House, she is now responsible for the health and happiness of her House and its members. All of the pressures and much of the danger of being a part of a powerful magical family now falls on her shoulders. She takes a case to investigate the murder of her friend's mother and sister and finds herself in the cross hairs of arcane magical forces and a sexy assassin whose motives are unknown. Catalina has her work cut out for her trying to solve the mystery while trying to keep her family, and her heart, safe.
If you're a fan of Ilona Andrews, I don't think you'll be disappointed in Sapphire Flames. It has all of the signature world building, action, and snappy dialogue that you would expect out of an Ilona Andrews novel. I just love the Hidden Legacy world with all of its strange creatures, magical families, and intrigue. I didn't have much of an impression of Catalina in the first two books except that she had a very unique power that caused her to hide away most of the time. Over the course of the series, though, she came out of her shell more and Diamond Fire put her in the spotlight. Even though she's reluctant to be the center of attention, she never shies away from her duty or helping those in need. I loved how her character has grown over the series into an extremely capable and badass woman who still faces a lot of doubts and insecurity. She just felt very relatable in that way. She steps it up in this book though and really start to believe in her own power instead of being afraid of it.
Of course, I loved the sexy assassin thrown into the mix. Alessandro Sagredo is Catalina's teenage crush and is impossibly charming and dangerous. Catalina doesn't trust his feelings for her and tries to keep him at arm's length. I love their chemistry (Ilona Andrews is so good at love/hate relationships) and the will they or won't they pull that they have throughout the book. Ilona Andrews love to make their readers wait for a good HEA though so we may have to wait awhile for these two to get together.
One of my other favorite parts of this series is all of the amazing supporting. Grandma Frieda is a personal favorite but I also love Bern and Bug. Nevada and Rogan also make appearances throughout the book.
Sapphire Flames is a solid entry in the Hidden Legacy series. It may seem a bit familiar if you're a die hard fan of Ilona Andrews's writing but it's always so fun to dive into the worlds that they create. If you love amazing action and story, badass characters, smokin' romance, and magical monsters , then I think you'll love this series as much as I do. I'm excited to see where the duo take Catalina next (hopefully into Alessandro's arms)!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my review or opinion of the book.