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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
First of, this is not a book about Nevada and Rogan... they've had their fun, now it's time for a new heroine... Catalina. Yes, this will be very different than what we're used to reading (as in, the first three books), but trust me... keep this in mind and it will be no less awesome! Also, go and read Diamond Fire if you haven't already as in my opinion it gives a deeper insight into Catalina.
On with the review.
After 3 years and after some (very necessary) training (courtesy of Mrs Rogan) Catalina is putting on her badass shoes :D
3 years have passed since the trials and the grace period for House Baylor has come to an end, meaning they are now vulnerable and without protection. On top of all that good news, there is a case of a close friend that could really make or break their new House, but Catalina is the only one left to help. As Nevada and Mad Rogan are off and unavailable, she will have to step up and make it known that House Baylor is a force to reckon with and there to stay.
Character development was good. Catalina has matured a lot since we last read about her in Diamond Fire. Though that doesn't mean she doesn't struggle or flings around her magic willy-nilly. No, she still has a very tight lid on that actually. She is well written en believable. She's not perfect, she has hopes, fears, flaws like everyone. But she has some serious balls, I can tell you that :D
It was really nice to read how the family functions without Nevada, how everyone has come to grip with the reality of what is going on and what needs to be done. Great to read how they all work together. Throw in a boring Bug and you have a recipe for awesome.
And then we have our 'male of the series', Alessandro. Who really knows how to get in a girls way of doing her damn job! That said... wow, I mean, I really wouldn't mind, seriously... hahaha.
I'm looking forward to seeing a lot more of him and his interactions with Catalina.
Pacing and flow were very good, a lot happening but the authors achieved a great balance between conversation and action to keep the story moving forward. I pretty much read this in one go and never was I bored of got the feeling it was too much at once.
The book itself was well written with no (noticeable) errors.
All in all... bring on the next book, please! Can't wait to read more in this wonderful world with such great characters.
On with the review.
After 3 years and after some (very necessary) training (courtesy of Mrs Rogan) Catalina is putting on her badass shoes :D
3 years have passed since the trials and the grace period for House Baylor has come to an end, meaning they are now vulnerable and without protection. On top of all that good news, there is a case of a close friend that could really make or break their new House, but Catalina is the only one left to help. As Nevada and Mad Rogan are off and unavailable, she will have to step up and make it known that House Baylor is a force to reckon with and there to stay.
Character development was good. Catalina has matured a lot since we last read about her in Diamond Fire. Though that doesn't mean she doesn't struggle or flings around her magic willy-nilly. No, she still has a very tight lid on that actually. She is well written en believable. She's not perfect, she has hopes, fears, flaws like everyone. But she has some serious balls, I can tell you that :D
It was really nice to read how the family functions without Nevada, how everyone has come to grip with the reality of what is going on and what needs to be done. Great to read how they all work together. Throw in a boring Bug and you have a recipe for awesome.
And then we have our 'male of the series', Alessandro. Who really knows how to get in a girls way of doing her damn job! That said... wow, I mean, I really wouldn't mind, seriously... hahaha.
I'm looking forward to seeing a lot more of him and his interactions with Catalina.
Pacing and flow were very good, a lot happening but the authors achieved a great balance between conversation and action to keep the story moving forward. I pretty much read this in one go and never was I bored of got the feeling it was too much at once.
The book itself was well written with no (noticeable) errors.
All in all... bring on the next book, please! Can't wait to read more in this wonderful world with such great characters.
4.5 stars
Well, damn. Watch out world, Catalina Baylor is here! I love the Hidden Legacies series with Nevada at the helm, but in this story arc, Catalina, second-born daughter of the Baylor family, shines! We first meet Catalina in Nevada's story arc as a "shy" and timid wallflower. This could not be further from the truth. The nature of Catalina's power causes those around her to fall under compulsion and vulnerable to suggestion; but as the compulsion builds, their obsession with her grows to the point of madness. Then they would physically tear Catalina apart just to get a piece of her. *shudders* For those who read Diamond Fire, the novella, you can see the start of Catalina's transformation into the Head of House Baylor. Three years have passed since the events of Diamond Fire and "shy" Catalina is no more. As the Head of her House, Catalina has her polished Prime veneer, courtesy of Arrosa Rogan's training and mentor ship. Sapphire Flames starts with a dangerous case involving the fiery deaths of two Primes from House Etterson. With their three-year grace period ending in a few days, Catalina decides to take on the Etterson case. During the course of the investigation, nothing is as it seems. Of course, things become even more complicated when Alessandro Sagredo, an Antistati Prime and Catalina's teenage crush, gets involved in the investigation.
Working together, the duo discover that the case of dead Primes is more complicated than either of them can fathom. Secret murder plots and old foes make an appearance. Forced into a position where her family's well-being hangs in the balance, Catalina holds her own and does everything necessary to keep her family safe. I liked her character development. She was a teenager in the first three Hidden Legacies book, but now she's grown and seen as a Prime and Head of House Baylor. Catalina is more comfortable in her skin and she wears it well. House Baylor is a small and relatively new House, but with the new connections Catalina forges, things are looking up. I just love the banter and tension between Catalina and Alessandro. Their relationship is heavy with sexual tension and playful jabs. The ending left me frustrated, but in a "give me more" way. During the events of the book, both Catalina and Alessandro are in their early 20s so I understand that there needs to be more character development before anything changes in their relationship. The attraction is mutual, but there's this unnamed issue in their way. Hopefully, Emerald Blaze, gives us more Alessandro goodness.
Well, damn. Watch out world, Catalina Baylor is here! I love the Hidden Legacies series with Nevada at the helm, but in this story arc, Catalina, second-born daughter of the Baylor family, shines! We first meet Catalina in Nevada's story arc as a "shy" and timid wallflower. This could not be further from the truth. The nature of Catalina's power causes those around her to fall under compulsion and vulnerable to suggestion; but as the compulsion builds, their obsession with her grows to the point of madness. Then they would physically tear Catalina apart just to get a piece of her. *shudders* For those who read Diamond Fire, the novella, you can see the start of Catalina's transformation into the Head of House Baylor. Three years have passed since the events of Diamond Fire and "shy" Catalina is no more. As the Head of her House, Catalina has her polished Prime veneer, courtesy of Arrosa Rogan's training and mentor ship. Sapphire Flames starts with a dangerous case involving the fiery deaths of two Primes from House Etterson. With their three-year grace period ending in a few days, Catalina decides to take on the Etterson case. During the course of the investigation, nothing is as it seems. Of course, things become even more complicated when Alessandro Sagredo, an Antistati Prime and Catalina's teenage crush, gets involved in the investigation.
Working together, the duo discover that the case of dead Primes is more complicated than either of them can fathom. Secret murder plots and old foes make an appearance. Forced into a position where her family's well-being hangs in the balance, Catalina holds her own and does everything necessary to keep her family safe. I liked her character development. She was a teenager in the first three Hidden Legacies book, but now she's grown and seen as a Prime and Head of House Baylor. Catalina is more comfortable in her skin and she wears it well. House Baylor is a small and relatively new House, but with the new connections Catalina forges, things are looking up. I just love the banter and tension between Catalina and Alessandro. Their relationship is heavy with sexual tension and playful jabs. The ending left me frustrated, but in a "give me more" way. During the events of the book, both Catalina and Alessandro are in their early 20s so I understand that there needs to be more character development before anything changes in their relationship. The attraction is mutual, but there's this unnamed issue in their way. Hopefully, Emerald Blaze, gives us more Alessandro goodness.
This was a fantastic start to the new series. Alessandro isn't a psycho, unlike Rogan. It was fun seeing how the new House manages without its previous head; I liked the new plotline, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
a little disappointing to be honest, the first battle was really great but the mystery kind of died out half way through and the rest of the action scenes were very meh and not ground breaking at all : / also i'm not a fan of alessandro and i hate how much catalina is obsessed with him and the plot wasn't that engaging at the end especially after they met with linus
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
5 Stars
I received an e-ARC copy of Sapphire Flames from the publisher and Edelweiss/Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I had some doubts. I will admit it. I also stand completely corrected because the authorlords have never let me down and they should get all the trophies because this book was amazing.
Catalina is head of House Baylor and their time of protection is almost out. Nevada and the Rogans are overseas for a funeral. And Augustine shows up at the Baylor's Compound in the middle of the night with a problem.
I just was blown away by this book. Catalina is amazing. I liked her in Nevada's books but I really adored Nevada. The transition from Nevada to Catlaina was handled in the novella [b:Diamond Fire|39320167|Diamond Fire (Hidden Legacy, #3.5)|Ilona Andrews|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1530446207l/39320167._SY75_.jpg|60933021] and there I got to see the potential in Catalina. And this book delivered.
I don't know how to talk about this book without spoilers. So lets just say. Catalina makes hard choices, knowing the consequences and takes the punches. Alessandro is a mystery wrapped in pretty packaging that just might shoot you. Leon and Arabella need supervision all the time because they break stuff. Grandmother Tremain reminds me of Lady Tremain in all the best ways. (Cinderella's stepmother to all the not Disney nerds.) And Linus just might the most complicated conflicting character I've had the chance to meet.
I loved it. Go read it!
I received an e-ARC copy of Sapphire Flames from the publisher and Edelweiss/Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I had some doubts. I will admit it. I also stand completely corrected because the authorlords have never let me down and they should get all the trophies because this book was amazing.
Catalina is head of House Baylor and their time of protection is almost out. Nevada and the Rogans are overseas for a funeral. And Augustine shows up at the Baylor's Compound in the middle of the night with a problem.
I just was blown away by this book. Catalina is amazing. I liked her in Nevada's books but I really adored Nevada. The transition from Nevada to Catlaina was handled in the novella [b:Diamond Fire|39320167|Diamond Fire (Hidden Legacy, #3.5)|Ilona Andrews|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1530446207l/39320167._SY75_.jpg|60933021] and there I got to see the potential in Catalina. And this book delivered.
I don't know how to talk about this book without spoilers. So lets just say. Catalina makes hard choices, knowing the consequences and takes the punches. Alessandro is a mystery wrapped in pretty packaging that just might shoot you. Leon and Arabella need supervision all the time because they break stuff. Grandmother Tremain reminds me of Lady Tremain in all the best ways. (Cinderella's stepmother to all the not Disney nerds.) And Linus just might the most complicated conflicting character I've had the chance to meet.
I loved it. Go read it!
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
They can't all be winners, and this one isn't.
The good: I mostly liked Catalina. There was on bizarre scene where she cries that her "life is over!" because she can't marry the guy she barely knows, which seemed out of character for her and just generally annoying. But mostly, I found her to be relatable and interesting.
What didn't work: the "romance." Like, it didn't work AT ALL. Apparently, she likes Alessandro because she had a crush on him when she was younger and... nope, that's it. It's just the childhood crush. That she never outgrew. And the fact that she doesn't know this guy, literally at all, doesn't matter.
There is zero chemistry in the scenes Catalina & Alessandro share. I started shipping Catalina/Bug like a third of the way in. (You remember Bug from previous books in the series? Yeah, *he* and Catalina had more of a connection than Catalina & the hero did.)
Fingers crossed that the next book is better.
Narrator note: Emily Rankin does a fine job with the audiobook. I think I like her better than Renée Raudman who was never *quite* my cup of tea, but whom I tolerated because I (mostly) love Ilona Andrews' stories.
The good: I mostly liked Catalina. There was on bizarre scene where she cries that her "life is over!" because she can't marry the guy she barely knows, which seemed out of character for her and just generally annoying. But mostly, I found her to be relatable and interesting.
What didn't work: the "romance." Like, it didn't work AT ALL. Apparently, she likes Alessandro because she had a crush on him when she was younger and... nope, that's it. It's just the childhood crush. That she never outgrew. And the fact that she doesn't know this guy, literally at all, doesn't matter.
There is zero chemistry in the scenes Catalina & Alessandro share. I started shipping Catalina/Bug like a third of the way in. (You remember Bug from previous books in the series? Yeah, *he* and Catalina had more of a connection than Catalina & the hero did.)
Fingers crossed that the next book is better.
Narrator note: Emily Rankin does a fine job with the audiobook. I think I like her better than Renée Raudman who was never *quite* my cup of tea, but whom I tolerated because I (mostly) love Ilona Andrews' stories.
I love Ilona Andrews books, but this series has less and less of that characteristic gritty feeling that was prevalent in the Kate and Edge series - wrong demographic? This whole forbidden love theme is nice for humorous purposes but treat it seriously and it starts to feel like upper quality teen lit.
