From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews comes an enthralling new trilogy set in the Hidden Legacy world, where magic means power, and family bloodlines are the new currency of society… Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery.
But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame.
To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House–and her heart.
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/5 /5
Here I was thinking I couldn’t possibly love Catalina and Alessandro more than I love Mad and Nevada. AND NOW HERE WE ARE MY FRIENDS, giving this series another 5 star rating because this was TOO MUCH FUN . It should be a CRIME to have this much fun and laugh this much while reading.
Mad and Nevada will always be number 1. Even though this didn’t hit me exactly the same way Nevada and Rogan’s relationship did, the vibe they created for Alessandro and Cat is immaculate. Some people said: “oh it’s just a copy from Nevada and Rogans relationship.”I beg to differ. Don’t fall for that one. I love them from a totally different level, vibe, intensity, it’s a different story.
Catalina tries her best to do things the way Nevada taught her. Of course there will be some similarities but I get a completely different feel of temperament from her. Catalina is more centered, more mellow but equally brave. She’s gracious, sweet, romantic, exactly how you’d expect a siren to be. I couldn’t put the book down. I can’t stop thinking about it and this might be my favorite one so far.
Please, let’s not even get started on Alessandro , every time he said something in Italian I died a little inside. He is way more laidback than Rogan ever was, funny, charming and with a very young heart and soul. I could read 20 books with these two as the main storyline. I can’t wait for more. I’m obsessed. Also, please, the ending???????? Omfg! They’re trying to KILL ME AND MY POOR HEART and I guarantee book 2 will be even worse. Can’t stop, won’t stop tho.
Awesome book!!!
Ilona Andrews is one of the few authors that I’ve read and enjoyed every book, and short story, they’ve written. Not only is each storyline great, but each series gets better and better. I like how, when it makes sense, characters from one series, shows up in another. Just excellent.
Enjoyed the book
All about Catalina!
Sapphire Flames starts with Catalina Baylor doing a favor for House Etterson saving Runa’s brother. But describing the book any further would take forever and the authors do a much better job than I ever could with so much happening so quickly. This book is all about Catalina coming into her own as head of House Baylor and it is very good!
Sapphire Flames answers so many questions but raises so many more that I can’t wait until the next book which we hopefully get more about Catalina and Alessandro Sagredo and it can’t come soon enough, but tomorrow would be really nice! I can reread the series until that happens whenever the author lords finish the book and it is scheduled for publication.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book both shocked and saddened me. I am shocked and saddened that I did not know about this author sooner and that this is the first book I read by her. If Mrs. Andrew’s other books are anything like this one, I feel bad for both my wallet and my social life because I will need to buy and read them all. I absolutely loved this story. I literally could not put it down; it was a one sit read for me. Catalina was the perfect blend of strength and vulnerability, from doing everything in her power to take care of her family to the guilt she felt for each kill she had to make for their safety. Alessandro gave the story humor and add to its suspense of wondering what lead him to the life he leads. I also loved the look into the wide variety of mage types and the suspense the author was able to build with them and what our characters would have to face now. All of this added to the possibility of a romance between Catalina and Alessandro kept the pages turning. I highly recommend this book, series and author to all readers.
Loved Catalina and Alassandro
House Baylor ‘s three years are almost up, and much has changed. Catalina now heads the house and they distanced themselves from House Rogan. They need be able to stand on their own. Rogan of course keep an eye on his new family. Nevada still works the family business.
Runa Etterson lost her mother and sister in a suspicious fire. She nearly lost her little brother to despair. She is now head of her small house and needs help. Runa saved their lives from poisoned cake at Rogan and Nevada’s wedding. Catalina takes her case. when things go sideways, she gets help from her crush, the man who tested her at the House Trials, Alassandro Sagredo.
Their is much more to the charming Italian playboy, and Catalina is falling fast. When her investigation leads to assassins and monster mages, she calls on Linus Duncan for help and finds her self a new Deputy Warden, charged with investigating serious offences in the magic community. Alassandro has been made her temporary body guard.
A fun fast paced urban fantasy romance. Ends with a broken heart and a cliffhanger. Looking forward to Emerald Blaze.
Going nuts waiting for the next one.
I now know this is one book in a series, however to me it was my first foray, and it worked great as just a freestanding book as well. The characters are great, and a bit unpredictable which makes the action innovative and fun. The story is well written, and makes logical sense which is such a delight. I really look forward to reading the rest of the series.
What a fun read with neat concepts and exciting characters. My only complaint is that it ended with unresolved non-HEA, but I suppose that means I’ll need to get the next book in the series.
Cataliina Baylor is the head of her House, and she risks it all to help a friend. She doesn’t know what she’s getting herself and her family into, but once started, they will see it to the end. Allesandro Sagredo is Catalina’s teenage crush and when he shows up trying to convince her to back off, they end up working together because he’s determined to keep her safe. There are lots of surprises, danger, and unknown risks, but Catalina is strong, determined, and loyal, and she won’t rest until she helps her friend resolve the murder of her mother and sister. I enjoyed the earlier Hidden Legacy books featuring Catalina’s sister Nevada, but Catalina is very different from her sister and it was great to see her grow more confident in both her magic and her leadership role. Since Allesandro’s actions are mysterious and his motives are unknown, Catalina is risking a lot by putting her trust in him, and falling for him might cause her untold heartache. I loved how the story ended, I felt bad for both of these characters, but I know they will see each other again, with more adventures and obstacles to overcome before they’re through.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first trilogy in this series and this continuation is proving to be just as exciting.
Catalina is now the head of Baylor’s House, and she is filling Nevada’s shoes tremendously well. Her talent isn’t the same as Nevada’s, but just as potent, and comes with its own risk. When her friend is in need, she doesn’t hesitate to step in. Only her security details are not as potent, and hard decisions have to be made.
When she unknowingly puts herself in grave danger, Alessandro is there to help. He seems to be there whenever she needs saving, but having been her childhood crush, she doesn’t want to accidentally snare him,and tries to put him off at every opportunity. All her comments seem to wash off his back, and he is always there when the need arises. Their banters are rather comical and they call a truce which brings them closer. However, Catalina being her considerate self is determined to keep him away. It’s interesting to see how that works.
Catalina has grown up to be a compassionate woman. Alessandro is a bit of an unknown. He reveals some of his talents and his reasons for being interested in her investigation, but things don’t quite add up. It’s rather mysterious, but his conversation with his sibling indicates that he has another mission. Maybe we’ll be enlightened in the next installment.
I was rather invested in this fast paced, dangerous, mysterious and magical world. Unfortunately, there is a while to go before the next installment is released. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
***3 Stars***
This is a total “It’s not you, it’s me” situation.
I liked the premise of the book, the richness of the world and there are some pretty amazing characters that I would love to spend a lot me time with, but (yeah, the dreaded ‘but’) I just couldn’t get lost in the story. I kept getting distracted by other things and had no issue putting the book down and do something else.
So, what I can say is that I really liked Catalina. Talk about going with your gut and doing the right thing. Alessandro is definitely an enigma and intriguing as all get out. Theur slow burn to romance is done well, though it does take a back seat to the mystery at hand ~ something I didn’t have any issue with ~ and I have a feeling things will get more intense between them as their story progresses.
This was my first read by the author, and regardless of everything, I can see why she is on so many people’s favs list. This world is vibrant and fascinating and the characters that inhabit it are all very unique. So, I will be looking to read more from her, maybe starting from the beginning this time instead of in the middle, and go from there.
~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~
This spin-off series is every bit as FANTASTIC as the first. Just mind-blowingly good.
I love this writing team. I read everything they write and to present I have not been disappointed. I do not like spoilers. If you want more read the book.
Ilona Andrews should be on EVERYONE’S auto-buy list. Because, even after countless books in the paranormal/urban fantasy genre, they always surprise, they always exceed expectations. They are truly the best. What did I love about this novel? EVERYTHING. Being back with the Baylor’s, riding along with them as they fight the good fight and go up against the most insidious of bad guys. The fun, the action, the inside jokes, Grandma, crazy cousins, how they consistently keep adding their customers on as part of the family. And… the romance… OMG, Ilona and Andrew Gordon really, truly know how to get hold of you by the feels and make you melt!
I loved the story, and want more I need to find the connection I felt was missing from this first book in Catilina’s story. I have read these authors enough to know they leave no stone unturned and will get to it. How long must I wait ? LOL
Don’t hate me but I didn’t love it as much as I expected. Why ? It was Catalina, and Alessandro the tension, the chemistry the tingling in my toes just didn’t happen. I never got the connection, yes she has a schoolgirl crush but we didn’t see enough of it to feel it. It was just there, without the sparks that would draw them together. In previous books I never doubted the lust/love levels, this one I would believe one could just walk away. Maybe I’m just expecting them to stay in a pattern, oh now that would be terrible. The unexpected is a good thing. Okay so I didn’t feel the lusty feeling, the rest I loved. I will wait with grabby hands for the next book.
What can I say? Ilona Andrews has done it again. So so good.
This is a first for me: I almost gave 3 stars for an Ilona Andrews book.
The ONLY reason this gets four stars instead of three is that this author can write an excellent book, with excellent lines and excellent dialogue. Their imaginative worlds are beyond amazing. The entire plot with the bad assassin group was great. If I don’t compare this book to previous novels by Ilona Andrews, it IS a 4-star book.
My problem is this:
Kate Daniels was the best, kickass heroine in any urban fantasy, ever. Slightly crazy, flawed, but immensely powerful with honor, but the willingness to do what’s best for her friends, even if it’s killing someone. She’s merciless, but loyal, loving and sarcastic, which was great. Her insecurities were normal female stuff without going crazy and overboard about her self-esteem issues, plus the abnormal stuff about her father and the like.
So Nevada at first wasn’t as great as Kate was to me, but still, she had the same kickass mentality and willingness to do whatever it took for her family. Conner was awesome, crazy, even if he didn’t live up to Curran for me in the awesomeness. Still, they stuck to the normal formula of Ilona Andrews urban fantasy couple and I loved the first three books of the series!
Then after Nevada marries Conner, you switch to Catalina. Which, okay, cool. Except… what the ever-loving-hell? She really IS a younger Nevada, scared and unsure and trying to fake it, so scared of her own power and a wall-flower, basically.
And Allessandro! Like, seriously? He’s a pretty boy celebrity crush who pretends to be vain and flirts all the time. That was hugely annoying to me. Then he tried to keep Catalina wrapped up in bubble wrap and just ‘forget about Halle and her job’ and not to ‘worry her pretty little head over it’. Did he REALLY think it’s okay? If he wanted to protect her, which would have been cool, he could have tried to watch over her or gave her information to help her be better prepared, not keep her in the dark and tell her to go home like a good little girl.
I could have overlooked some of this if one of the main characters were as kickass as in the first three books or the Kate Daniels series or something, but ALL of that together?
Their romance was…. okay, except I felt the love came too fast. Should have happened in book 2 or something. And that ridiculous promise by Grandma? Seriously? Of COURSE, she wouldn’t go into another House! I still canNOT believe that Nevada would even for a moment abandon the family, even with them pushing her out. She might be stubborn and headstrong, but no way would she cause her health to go THAT bad. It’s a stupid thing to do and Nevada is not stupid.
So while I did enjoy this book, it was entertaining at least. It was well-written. But the characters are not as likable (especially a pretty-boy, vain, flirty celebrity, so annoying and so hard to like).
Have been following these authors faithfully, each book has unfolded leaving me wanting to see what happens next