Sapphire Flames is the 4th book in the Hidden Legacy series and the 1st book with Catalina Baylor being the main character of the series. Catalina is the head of House Baylor and they are in the final weeks of new house protection when Sapphire Flames begins. I feel like all of the Baylors have the same moral code when it comes to taking care of friends, family and those in need, and Catalina was everything I wanted in the new head of the house.

Catalina's style and magic is very different from Nevada's, and I liked she delegated more responsibilities to various family members. Even when there were issues along the way, she showed a strength I wasn't aware she had from the first 3 Hidden Legacy books. I felt like Catalina's strength was more internal and she was learning on the fly, and it was very refreshing for me. Her sense of right and wrong worked for me and I loved seeing her begin to come into her own as the story progressed.

Alessandro Sagredo gave me all the happy sighs when he was on the page. I loved the banter between him and Catalina. OMG the chemistry and attraction between these two gave me all the feels. I can't wait to see where they go as this series progresses, as I think I love them even more than I loved Nevada and Rogan...and I had mad love for those two.

Sapphire Flames was a great read. I loved getting to spend more time and learn more about each of the Baylor family members with each new installment. Ilona Andrews became an auto-buy/auto-read author for me as soon as I read the first Kate Daniels book, and I have to say my love for the Hidden Legacy series is every bit as strong. I can't wait to see where we are taken next in this wonderful Urban Fantasy series.

Rating: 5 Stars (A)

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Omar

I loved Sapphire’s Flame. It is not a secret that I am a fan of the writer couple Ilona Andrews, but their Hidden Legacy series with its magic styles and characters continues to be a favorite of mine. In this new book, the reader starts following Catalina Baylor as she takes the reins of the Head of House Baylor, while Nevada makes her new life with Rogan.

But after the events of Wildfire, not all was a happy ending for the Baylor Family. After 3 years the grace period of the house registration has ended, and the first case as full house has landed on Catalina’s lap. This is the make it or break it case that would show the other Houston Houses what they are made of.

Like any other elite society, poison and secrecy fills the air at every corner, and it’s up to Catalina and her family to help those in need and try to stop the new imbalance of power that’s brewing up.

I liked the continuation of the series with Catalina taking the lead. Her brand of magic and with a different personality than Nevada makes the story more interesting for the reader. Sure, we all like to continue seeing the relationship of Nevada and Rogan grow, but sometimes looking through the eyes of another character is more entertaining. Catalina was already a mature character in the previous books, but in these 3 years she has grown into her new skin and increased even more her magical abilities. In this new story, we are able to see the payoff to both elite house persona and magical training given to her by Mrs. Rogan.

In Sapphire Flame, we get new types of magic users and learn more about the origin of all the powers the people of using. While we have seen the Baylor family use their magic before, some time has passed and the younger members have learned to use their skills. I liked that we are able to see the Baylor family navigate the world of Elite Houses, and solve new issues as a registered house, their security force part was a storyline that I liked a lot. This book also brings back some creatures that we saw in the first book and enhance others. The villain has a very interesting power and the way the authors describe it makes it even more sinister and evil.

“My wings snapped open, every feather visible, glowing, radiant with power. Emerald fire danced across their width, flowing into dazzling gold at tips. My magic erupted and soared, free from being constrained for so long.”

Alessandro Sagredo. Everyone’s crush. We finally get to see Alessandro and we learn a lot and not many things about him. What we learned about him in the past books wasn’t all true and his magic is much more different than we thought we knew. He’s a handsome mystery with secrets for Catalina to learn. Alessandro had great scenes in this book, and like always the interaction between a suiter of the Baylor girls and the family is a great opportunity for laughs.

While there is a new villain in this story, I still feel that the treat of “Caesar” from the last book is still present and is moving the strings in the whole series. Catalina, in order to protect her family and the city, has to make the decision of doing bargains with power people, one which is family, even though the price might take away her happiness. I loved that we were able to get to see Grandma Tremaine again.

“My deal is this: I’ll give you information to trade to Augustine. And I’ll help you in the future with advice, knowledge, and influence. In return, you’ll dedicate yourself you House Baylor. You won’t dilute your bloodline…”

If you are a fan of Ilona Andrews and their work, then I recommend you, Sapphire Flame. In this new story, Catalina takes the mantle of the Head of House Baylor and her first big case that would break or make their name as a powerhouse in Houston, while trying to figure out who really is Alessandro Sagredo.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

There has not been one Ilona Andrews book that I haven't loved and SAPPHIRE FLAMES was no different.

I'm not going to lie, I really love Nevada and Rogan. I was scared that I wouldn't like Catalina and Allessandro as much. Thankfully, they proved me wrong really quickly. I enjoyed getting to know Catalina and her abilities more. I also liked seeing her step up for her family now that Nevada and Rogan have other responsibilities. She has a lot of work ahead of her, but I think she is willing to learn so that her family stays safe. Allesandro is still a big mystery, but we learn that there is more to him than the playboy persona he allows the world to see.

There isn't a lot of romance in SAPPHIRE FLAMES. Catalina is fighting tooth and nail to avoid him for most of the book, but she is totally into him. Allesandro has a LOT of secrets and I don't see anything of substance happening between the two until some of his secrets come out. Hopefully that will be quick as I really like them together and want to see them just as strong as Nevada and Rogan.

I loved the fast pace and action in SAPPHIRE FLAMES. The car chase was pretty epic. I absolutely love how Ilona Andrews brings their world alive through their words. I felt like I was right there in the car with her characters and I was on the edge of my seat through the whole ordeal.

I will continue to read everything this writing pair puts in front of me and I'm excited to see what Catalina and Alessandro do next.

* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. 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.
I have seen this authors name for years and I think I might have maybe read some of her stories in anthologies but never really got a chance to try a full book of hers. I’m really regretting not reading her sooner. I absolutely LOVED this book. I have already looked up the books that are before this as well as other series’ of hers and to say my TBR has significantly increased would be an understatement. I loved Catalina. I loved following her in this story as she begins her journey as head of her house. I can’t wait until the next book in this series! I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

I joined this series, already in progress, based on the description of this book. It sounded like everything I wanted and more! I wasn't disappointed in the storyline, or the writing. I'm going to warn you, though, I had a really hard time with the ending. Are all of these books like this? If so, I may rethink my plan to go back and start at book 1.

We join this book, with Catalina stepping into the role as head of the house. It’s kind of like Harry Potter, except with way more murder, betrayal, and sexy chemistry. Catalina has siren powers, which is good when she gets the chance to save a young boy from a ledge, but bad in that she can’t exactly have normal relationships. Her family is filled to the brim with quirky characters, all of which were a wonderful joy to meet. As a PI firm (kind of?), she ends up being tasked with tracking down an evil doer that conspired to murder a young woman’s mother and sister in a supposed house fire. Things get much worse and more confusing from there.

There’s also the other bright spot in the story – Alessandro. He’s someone that Catalina has a serious crush on, who also happens to have crazy super powers. Their paths cross and there’s oodles of sparks. I mentioned the cliffhanger, right? Well this falls under that heading, too. Sigh. Overall, the story sort of wraps up, but I still wanted to chuck my Kindle at the wall to vent my frustrations. I’m angry, but not angry enough not to read the next book.

It starts off slow and kind of dense, but once the action begins, it's hard to resist the story as it drives forward. It reads as a true epic, one that makes you feel the world really has been reshaped as you read it. Would recommend.

Fans of Ilona Andrews’ Hidden Legacy trilogy have been waiting for this, the latest entry in the series, and it does not disappoint. Sapphire Flames picks up a few years after the novella Diamond Fire, which ended with Hidden Legacy’s OG couple, Nevada Baylor and Connor Rogan, tying the knot. Nevada’s 21-year-old sister (and the POV for this book), Catalina Baylor, struggles with the challenges and death threats that entail becoming the head of House Baylor. If you’ve read Wildfire, you’ll recognize a familiar romantic interest and some returning baddies. The heat level is fairly low, but the banter and chemistry between the two love interests builds a lovely tension that readers can expect to be rewarded in the next books. This entry ends in a cliffhanger (no HEA), similar to Nevada’s story in Burn for Me.

Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews is a fabulous 5-star read. This continuation of the Hidden Legacy series was excellent, as everything Andrews writes is, but this team has truly shined in this volume. As every great story does, this book leaves you longing to know more, read more, experience more. And so we await the next volume and highly recommend you read this now.

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.

It's always a little scary when a series you really like changes direction and focuses on an entirely different character, especially when they become the main character. But, this was a fantastic switch and the story of Catalina (Nevada's younger sister) was as good as the original storyline! I will say that in this case, it would be to your benefit to read the novella, [book:Diamond Fire|43378484], prior to reading, this book. It wraps up Nevada and Rogan's story and lays the ground work for this one.

This book takes place 3 years after the end of [book:Diamond Fire|43378484]. Catalina is now 21 and finds herself as the head of House Baylor. The three year safety net that was given to House Baylor to become established and to prove their worth has expired and Catalina must step up and figure out the challenge of surviving among the other houses.

We see Catalina's struggle with changing her image from the girl that wasn't to be noticed to a strong woman proving she can lead House Baylor. And she does a grand job of it! She still has some confidence issues, but it wouldn't be realistic if she dropped all her old traits without having to work through them. Now, there is the emergence of Alessandro, who inserts himself into the Baylor's life with flair! I didn't care for him in the previous books as I thought him to be the typical playboy without any real character. But, now, I am totally team Alessandro now!! I can't wait for that mystery to unravel! (Poor Catalina - she reverts to her shy/no confidence side when it comes to Alessandro....and she believes the worst, of course. Can't help but wonder how that will play out!)

Great book, great series, great characters and great narrators on the audio books! (The only thing I don't really care for are the book covers. My favorite cover was Diamond Fire's!) Looking forward to the remaining books!!

**Received from NetGalley for my honest review.**

Four and a half stars: More action, some romance and lots of intrigue in a favorite series.

It has been three years since Catalina Baylor thwarted an assassin who attempted to use poison at her sister’s wedding. Now that Nevada is married, Catalina is the head of House Baylor. The grace period for House Baylor is about to run out and things could get even more difficult. The last thing House Baylor should be doing is taking on a dangerous case, but when Ruana, a poison mage, loses her mother and sister under mysterious circumstances, Catalina decides to help because Ruana was the one who helped her stop the assassin three years ago. What follows is a dangerous mystery that puts Catalina in terrible trouble. Will Catalina and House Baylor survive?
What I Liked:
*Ilona Andrews. Enough said. Read the book. I wish I could write that and be done. I will say that the Ilona Andrews duo can hardly do any wrong. There stories are fantastic, their romances sizzling, plus add in plenty of suspense, lots of actions and a few twists and turns and you have the makings for another fantastic novel.
*This book once again follows Catalina Baylor, the younger sister of Nevada. The book picks up three years after the end of its predecessor, Diamond Fire. Catalina has grown and matured. She has a better understanding of her powers and how to wield them. Catalina is now the head of House Baylor, so she is forced to make the difficult decisions. She is becoming more formidable day by day. I loved seeing her growth, and I enjoy watching her wield her siren powers. I thought I would miss Nevada’s voice, but I am finding I love Catalina just as much.
*This book has a terrific mystery. I liked with each new lead, more treacherous revelations were around every corner. There is never a dull moment in this one. Prepare for lots of suspense and a solid mystery.
*The romance is the slow burn type. The foundation was laid in the last book, and in this novel it takes off. I loved watching Catalina try and hide her crush/ infatuation. Even better were the jabs her family threw out at her regarding her crush. I loved seeing the two of them together, and I especially loved Alessandro’s devotion to Catalina.
*As always, I adore the rest of the Baylor family from Grandma Frieda with all of her weapons, to Burn in the Hut of Evil as well as Arabella. I can’t get enough of the Baylor family.
*The end draws to a satisfying end, for the most part, but there is a tiny bit of a cliffhanger as well. I am more than eager for the next book after finishing this one!
And The Not So Much:
*I was disappointed in the note the romance ended on. I was left with so many questions. I need answers.
*I said this the last time, but I will say this again, I miss Nevada and Mad Rogan. I hope they are more present in the next book, especially with Nevada’s news.

Sapphire Flames is another thrilling and satisfying installment in the Andrews’ wildly popular Hidden Legacy Series. If you want a exciting UF series, look no further. This one has magic, mayhem, treachery, betrayals, romance and more. My only complaint was that there wasn’t more, and that the book ended with a small cliffhanger. Start at the beginning and devour this series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

Ilona Andrews heats things up with SAPPHIRE FLAMES (Hidden Legacy #4). In this story, Head of her House/Prime Catalina Baylor investigates the murder of a friend’s mother and sister. Concurrently, she is trying to figure out the motives of her teenage crush Italian Prime Alessandro Sagredo. This contemporary urban fantasy is suitable for adults.

Catalina and Alessandro first met when the Baylors were applying to become a house. Alessandro was Catalina’s judge. The two have sizzling chemistry. We discover more about Alessandro. He is not what you would expect. I love how much Catalina has grown since the series started. The once shy girl is becoming a worthy leader. I like that she is coming into her own. She is developing into a strong heroine with good values.

I enjoyed the plot. It was mysterious with numerous twists. The politics involved with the houses are interesting. SAPPHIRE FLAMES is a thought-provoking addition to the Hidden Legacy series. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. I recommend this book to fans of crime mystery urban fantasy. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the ARC!

While technically book four in the Hidden Legacy series, this is the start of a new story arc following a new heroine/hero couple. Catalina, younger sister to Nevada, the series’ first protagonist, is the new head of Baylor House after Nevada stepped down. The three years of protection granted to any new magic House is about to expire and Catalina must contend with the dangers that come from that. Rather than sit back and play defense, Catalina decides to assist another House under threat and repay them for helping the Baylors out when someone tried to poison the food at Nevada and Rogan’s wedding. Complicating matters, Alessandro, the Italian heartthrob that Catalina not-so-secretly adores, is back in town and is not what he seems.

While this is a new story arc, I feel like new readers to the series would have some difficulty following along because of the amount of world-building done in the previous books. While some basic concepts and story references are briefly explained, enough of them are not that this may be difficult to pick up as a first-time reader. In all, I am a big fan of Ilona Andrews’ writing and the way they combine fantasy, humor, and action. This book is no exception.

Returning readers should note that Andrews handles the character change by having Nevada be primarily absent (except for a few phone calls) so that you can connect better with Catalina. I thought it worked fairly well, but readers may miss seeing a favorite character. Thanks again for the ARC!

When I first started Sapphire Flames, I was a little nervous about the narrator switch from Nevada to Catalina. But I ended up absolutely loving that we got a new perspective. Catalina is a very similar to Nevada but it was fascinating to see how their shared experiences shaped them differently. Plus her power was so much fun to learn more about.

The incredible family dynamics were still there and there was way more political drama than previously (because of the time jump, this novel takes place right after House Baylor's grace period runs out). And the romance!! I can't wait until we get more of Catalina and Alessandro, I just love the two of them together. There isn't much I can say about their romance without spoilers but I can't wait to find out what happens next.

Sapphire Flames is a fantastic new addition to one of my favorite series. I'm so glad that we're getting more in this world and I can't wait for the next installment.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

What do I expect when I pick up a book in the Ilona Andrews Hidden Legacy series? Impeccable world building, complex characters who engage my mind and capture my heart, story lines that achieve a perfect balance of action, intrigue, and emotion, and a thrilling romance that plays out over the course of each trilogy. Sapphire Flames, the first book in Andrews' new Hidden Legacy trilogy provides all that and more. I couldn't put it down the first time I read it. Ditto for the second. The fact that I'll read it again before book two releases is a given.

I'm fascinated with both Catalina Baylor and her entire family. Andrews draws them with such clarity and creates a family dynamic so lifelike that I could easily convince myself they really exist. I admire Catalina's strength in stepping up to fill her sister's position within the family while also understanding her fear and misgivings along the way. It's a pleasure to watch her grow into her new role after watching her grow up in the first trilogy.

Alessandro is a delicious man of mystery. He's a bit of a James Bond type character but glimpses into his thoughts and motivations during this book show readers that there is likely to be much more depth to this man that we realize. And much more depth to his feelings for Catalina as well. I'm eager to watch Andrews unravel his character - and build their relationship - as the series moves forward.

If you were sad to see Rogan and Nevada's romance reach its conclusion, mourn no longer. It's time for Catalina and Alessandro to step into the spotlight and they are going to rock your world. I can't wait to find out what happens next!

While Sapphire Flames can be read as a standalone, for a more complete understanding of the Baylor family and the magical world in which they live I recommend starting at the beginning, or at the very least, reading Diamond Fire, the novella that transitions readers from the first trilogy (Nevada and Rogan) to the second (Catalina and Alessandro). The books, in order, are: Burn for Me, White Hot, Wildfire, Diamond Fire, and Sapphire Flames.

It's been a while since I read an Ilona Andrews book, but I enjoyed this one as well as I did the others. You're reeled in from the very beginning and the mystery and action keep you engaged throughout. I love the characters and their interactions. Catalina is faced with some tough decisions but she keeps her head and does what needs to be done. I highly recommend this book and I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series.

Sapphire Flames is the fourth Hidden Legacy novel by Ilona Andrews and the first in a new trilogy. So completionists, be warned: the main plot of this book is solved, but neither the romance nor the overarching plot will reach a conclusion until the end of the current trilogy.

I have not read the previous three Hidden Legacy books. While I was a bit overwhelmed by the various unique terminology at first, everything was explained well enough, and naturally enough, throughout the course of Sapphire Flames that someone new to the series would feel just as welcome as a returning reader.

Catalina was an interesting character who is aware of her responsibilities to her House. She is guided by her morals and struggles with rationalizing putting her family in danger and doing the right thing by helping a friend. She could do with a bit less of letting “Victoria Tremaine’s granddaughter rise to the surface,” but I do like Catalina’s strength and goals. However, soon she’s in too deep, and that’s where Alessandro enters the picture.

Alessandro is still a mystery to me—and not in a good way. My urban fantasy reading experience is minimal compared to other genres I read, but it’s obvious that Sapphire Flames falls into a trap that I’ve noticed in this genre: a single first-person point-of-view narration in a book/series that introduces a romance. In comparison, Annie Bellet’s Twenty-Sided Sorceress series was one that started the same way but eventually gave side characters that were important to the plot or to the main character an occasional third-person point-of-view chapter, which has kept the series strong and the characters engaging.

The reason I pick on this writing style, especially when there’s a romance involved, is because all the information and insight and emotions involved is completely one-sided. By shutting out that other character’s point of view, the reader is disconnected from a part of the story and a part of the main character’s life.

Which brings me back to Alessandro. His background is still too much of a mystery, and while that’s fine for it to be a mystery to Catalina, it’s not fine to leave the readers that much in the dark. I don’t know if he’s genuine. I don’t know who he is. I don’t understand why he was hired. I don’t understand his motivations. There’s too much I don’t know, and because of this, I don’t care about him.

Maybe by the end of this trilogy, I’ll feel like Alessandro is finally a person deserving of Catalina’s affection. However, he has a long way to go to get there.

The actual plot—uncovering a murderer and discovering the reasons and atrocities that led to that death—is exciting and action-packed. I enjoyed learning about this world and its problems. Discovering how the magical society lives with the mundane, and when magical crimes cross the line. If you set the romance aside, Sapphire Flames is a lot of fun and a great lead-in to the trilogy.

Having married off the heroine of the first three books in the Hidden Legacy series, Andrews gives us a new female protagonist: 21-year-old Catalina Baylor, who is slowing starting to gain more control over her powers as a Siren, someone whose magic compels others to love her. Other houses are starting to circle around the house of Baylor, now that its three-year grace period is just about up; as the new head of her house (since older sister Nevada has married and thus become a part of her husband's house), Catalina must negotiate alliances with other houses, as well as manage the family's detective business. A new case that every0one advises her against taking proves the catalyst for her meeting with Alessandro Sagredo, who seems to be only a teen heartthrob and playboy scion of one of the oldest magical families in Italy, but who may in fact be a secret assassin. Or maybe even something more dangerous...

Not a lot of surprises here, just consistent delivery of what has made the Andrews team a perpetual best-seller. Those who have read the previous books in the series, and/or Andrews' Kate Daniels books, will find all the familiar goodness: hero toeing the line between appealingly and alpha-hole-y aggressive; snarky joking between our heterosexual protagonist love interests; family in-jokes and hijinks; non-stop action; supernatural powers pitted against ugly evil; secret agendas galore. There's a bit more emotional angst than in the Rogan/Nevada relationship, which makes it even more appealing to me.

Cliffhanger ending, at least as far as the romance is concerned; will have to wait for book #5 (or perhaps even 6) before seeing how Catalina and Alessandro manage to maneuver their way around the restrictions their families and magical society have placed on their relationship.

You're gonna love Catalina, and Alessandro is definitely your new book-boyfriend. Catalina is new to being Head of House Baylor. Her sister, Nevada, was Head of House but she married and went to her husband's family. Catalina is unsure of herself but gives us a forceful performance of her magic powers in defense of her family and friend, Runa. Alessandro insinuates himself into Catalina's investigation of a murder. He saved her life and insists on being part of the team. Catalina is reluctant to have him but can't seem to resist his magnetism.

I enjoyed this action packed novel with sexual tension that burns up the pages. It is a page turner that kept me up all night. The magical world of the Hidden Legacy series is both terror and horror filled with monsters and evil. But our heroes are truly smart and resourceful. This is a fun read. The side characters are well drawn. The ending was a bit frustrating so only a 4-star rating. But I do recommend this book to Fantasy and Paranormal Romance fans.
I received this book free for review from the Publisher.

Loved this book & love this series. Catalina is now the head of House Baylor and she has grown into her role quite well. Alessandro's character is much more complex than previously indicated & I can't wait to see where these 2 go from here. The story-line is complex & riveting and I cannot wait to see where the authors take it.

Note: I would recommend you read the previous 3 books before reading this book, as the books build on each other.