Baylor House Prime, Catalina Baylor has been afraid to use her unique powers, but she will risk her reputation and safety to help her friend unravel the mystery when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered. Powerful forces are at work behind the scenes including Alessandro, her teenage crush and his motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to flame. She will have to test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her house and her heart.

The Hidden Legacies continue in House Baylor as Catalina steps up to the plate and becomes the Head of the House and in this astonishingly powerful book, she shows readers that she is more than capable of being as ruthless as she needs to be. Readers loved Nevada and her die hard protection of her family and everything they had and they can’t help but smile in eager anticipation to discover if Catalina has what it takes. Well, the story starts off with excitement and continues to be a non-stop buffet of action, suspense, gripping emotions and snarky wit. And to spice things up even more, Catalina and Alessandro have a push- pull relationship full of sizzling chemistry and readers just know that they would be great together but this relationship has quite a few obstacles standing in its path, not the least of is just where Alessandro stands on the whole good or bad issue.

This fast paced plots keeps readers hanging on to every word with lots of thrilling suspense, adrenaline pumping action and extraordinary magical battles that has readers’ eyes flaring wide open and gasps escaping in amazement as Catalina asks one question to many and finds herself caught up in a whirlwind of danger and deadly assassins. There’s no way to put this powerful, heart-pounding read full life altering twists down once they have begun.

I was very excited to get this next installment in the Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews. I knew I was going to miss Nevada, but was interested to see how Catalina took on being the Head of House Baylor. Catalina is not only Head of the House, but also the one heading up the investigation office.

Sapphire Flames jumps right in with the introduction to the mystery. Catalina must save a young man from himself and because she knows his sister, she ends up taking on the case of who killed their mother and sister. As the story goes on, the more complicated things get. Including Allessandro Sagredo. He has been a teenage crush Catalina had, but he is definitely not who he appears to be on Instagram. Catalina also struggles with her feelings for him. She is so scared of her magic affecting his feelings toward her, she doesn't believe that his flirting is real. Catalina definitely lacks some confidence in her abilities.

The relationship between Catalina and Allessandro was fun and reminded me a lot of Rogan and Nevada. Those Baylor women are stubborn! Allessandro is quite the character and I really fell in love with him. He is great for Catalina and I can't wait to see how their relationship is going to progress.

Sapphire Flames was fast-paced and exciting. The Baylor's are hit with one thing after another and Catalina must really evolve to keep them above water. She does a lot of changing and ends up with obligations that I'm interested to see what affect they have later in the series. I was a bit disappointed with the ending. Now I'm even more anxious for the next book because I just can't see how the overall story arc is going to work out. Especially with Allessadro and Catalina's relationship!

We do get to see some of Nevada and she hits everyone with a surprise. I was excited to see that and so glad she wasn't left out of the story altogether!

If you haven't read the previous books in the Hidden Legacy series, I think you would be fine picking up here. This takes place over 3 years after Wildfire, and details of the world and family are filled in well. Sapphire Flames is a great start to the next story arc for the Hidden Legacy series!

I'm honestly not sure what I was expecting going into Sapphire Flames, but I quite enjoyed the shift from Nevada to Catalina and the extended world building that Ilona Andrews brought into the mix. I feared that because I had been engrossed in the world of Nevada and Mad Rogan that I would miss them now that their trilogy is complete. While I did wish we had actually "seen" Nevada and Connor, I understand completely why we didn't.

In the three year time jump, much has changed for House Baylor and Catalina has grown up a lot. During the short time period that took place during Sapphire Flames, Catalina had to make a few very tough decisions. Decisions that I don't believe Nevada would've been able to rationalize the way Catalina did. The Baylor sisters are very different and I don't just mean their unusual magics.

I look forward to seeing where the Hidden Legacy series is heading, what is going on with Alessandro, and if we'll also get a trilogy for Arabella. I'm going to need that in my life. Please and thank you.

*eARC provided by HarperCollins Publishers via NetGalley*

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2954406305

Ilona Andrews' Hidden Legacy series has grown a new branch with a new Prime. As she steps into the ruling slot left empty by her older sister's marriage, our new Prime must continue house tradition while making the job uniquely her own. She must face her fears and insecurities by herself, no one must know. As her skills and her leadership are challenged, she will learn quickly who to trust. An excellent next chapter in a wildly popular series.

I do feel that you need to have read the Hidden Legacy series before starting Catalina Baylor’s story. Based on the previous series, we know that Catalina is the new Prime of the Baylor house (her older sister Nevada has married and joined a new house). She has been classified as a Siren, which is a form of Truthseeking. Catalina is also the new head of the private investigation firm that the Baylor family owns. They have a new case – the death of a previous character’s (a friend who happens to be a modern day Poison Ivy) mother. With an old crush of hers, Alessandro, who is more than he seems they work together to solve the murder while building alliances and learning new things along the way.

Sapphire Flames was amazing. If I could give it more than 5 stars I totally would. Can't wait for the next book!!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The review for this book is part of a larger article linked below. The excerpt most relevant on Sapphire Flames follows:

While Nevada and Kate have plenty of similarities as narrators, the Andrews team establishes a unique voice for each of them, and as the “Hidden Legacy” progresses into its newest volume, Sapphire Flames, the narrator shifts to Nevada’s younger sister, Catalina, who is now head of the recently-formed House Baylor. Catalina is a Prime Siren: all who encounter her love her and despair—until she incites them into a frenzy that could lead them to tear her apart.

Catalina’s voice is strikingly different from the narrators the Andrews team has previously created, with none of their brash confidence in her voice. She’s unsure of herself, uncertain of her own powers (which she doesn’t trust), and doing her best to navigate the world despite this, hiding those worries so deeply that the outside world will never scent them as weaknesses. As one might suspect from a Prime Siren, she’s an utter delight to follow, perhaps because of those very insecurities, and because of her determination to do what is right, no matter what the odds.

The fact that the newest novel throws her into a chaotic, over-her-head situation with her teen crush, Alessandro Sagredo, a fellow Prime, whom she once rejected because she was so afraid her power would force him to love her. The chemistry between them is as strong as it ever was, despite the fact that Alessandro’s playboy image may be hiding the fact that he’s actually an assassin.

Introducing Catalina as a new narrator gives new readers an easy launch point into the series, which may inspire them to go back and reread the earlier trilogy—and a bridging novella—despite the misleading, romance-appearing covers. While there is plenty of romance to enjoy in the series, these are plot-based urban fantasy, where the underdogs are constantly at odds with—and triumphing over—more powerful forces.

It’s a joy to return a world that mashes up Instagram, Twitter, and celebrity magic families, especially with Catalina’s fresh new voice as a narrator. Readers who have enjoyed previous books by the Andrews team—and plenty of readers who’ve never read one of their novels—will find a world here well worth falling into for however many volumes this series holds.

Review:

The Hidden Legacy series continues, with a new narrator stepping into the spotlight – Catalina Baylor, the eldest of Nevada’s younger sisters. Now I’ll admit, I’m always a bit wary when it comes to narrator shifts, but in Ilona Andrews I trust – and as always, they delivered. It also helped that they released a novella, Diamond Fire, to serve as an introduction to Catalina’s POV, which helped ease me in. And while it’s not strictly necessary to read Diamond Fire before Sapphire Flames, I would highly recommend it, both just for a general primer on the characters/situation, and also so you can appreciate how far Catalina has come, over the three year gap between the end of that story and the start of this one, as she matures from an insecure teenager to powerful, self-aware adult (and frankly, given I was a tad, a hair, worried that Catalina’s insecurities would be a bit grating at novel-length, I was vastly reassured by that evolution). And Sapphire Flames rip-roars into action, with the signature Ilona Andrews blend of world-building, kinetic battles, and argumentative romance with a cocky Alpha male type – so really, what’s not to like? I was happy to return to this world, happy to see Catalina step up, and enjoyed reading this book very much.

Also, can I just say how much I loved that Catalina was a smart nerd – one of those people whose brain never stops going. I do so love a blatantly smart female protagonist.

But admittedly, with this book, I did have a few quibbles.

Such as how, at times, I found myself wondering if this series was getting just a tad over-powered. Frankly, Alessandro’s power set, while wildly original and visually very fun to imagine, felt at times, well, just a bit too much. Like, mecha-magical-anime-too-much, much. Now don’t get me wrong, I adore anime/manga, and yes, I fully realize that on some level it’s totally ridiculous, in a series chock full of people leveling buildings and summoning chains and creating killer storms and magically animating objects, to have this particular set of powers feel like it was stretching my credulity a bit, but, well, that was just how I felt. As I was reading, I would just kind of feel one of my eyebrows start to creep up. I also had a similar reaction to Linus’ power set, once it was revealed, which all in all makes me wonder if Team Andrews is feeling some kind of, level-up, bigger-badder-bolder, pressure, where they feel like they need to keep topping themselves with the power sets each book. But as a repeat reader, and one with very high mileage in comics/manga/the superhero genre, I found myself wishing everyone was a bit less powered up. Honestly, if Alessandro had shown up in this book packing no more magical heat than revealed in the last book, I would have been totally down with that. For me, the ride is more than enough fun. I don’t need the supreme razzle-dazzle.

As for my second big overall quibble, I did find I had a sense of, coming-back-around-again, with this story, that itched me a bit. Now admittedly, I’m a big re-reader, and die-hard Ilona Andrews fan, so it makes sense that I’d catch some echoes of familiarity across their oeuvre, but with this book, and particularly within the Hidden Legacy series itself, I just felt like we were passing some familiar mile markers. The friend with nowhere else to turn, the law enforcement run-in, the running-solo attack, the Cinderella moment to attend the big ole richy-rich shindig, the attack on the warehouse, the storming of a compound at the end – even the 90’s cop show jokes (which I do love, but…). And again, look, I do totally get the genre paradigms – I read romance and UF, I’m totally down with well-done tropes and well-loved patterns of stories, and I even enjoy a comfortable sense of familiarity, but it’s just that here, I noticed it more than I wanted to. And like I said, I did still enjoy the story very much, I just found it a bit, for lack of a better word, itchy.

But in the end, Ilona Andrews is Ilona Anrews, and you really can’t go wrong with their unique style of wild magical danger-adventure. And I am very much looking forward to the next book.

Byrt Grade: A-

There is something special about a new Ilona Andrews book. When I get one in my hands, I feel like a kid a Christmas. That kid has no idea what is under the tree but they know that it is going to be good. And it was good. So very good. This series is one that I treasure so my expectations were really high when I sat down to read this newest installment and every single one of those expectations were met. This story is a gift and I am very glad that the writing pair of Ilona Andrews were able to share it with their fans.

This is the fourth full-length book in the Hidden Legacy series which follows the Baylor family. The first three books were told from Nevada's point of view. Catalina took center stage in the novella, Diamond Fire, and kept the lead in this book. I loved Nevada but I am finding that I really like Catalina as well. Catalina is definitely her own person and often approaches things differently than Nevada might. I really enjoyed seeing this wonderful family from a different perspective.

I loved the characters in this book. I already loved the members of the Baylor family from the earlier books in the series but I always enjoy getting to know them just a little better. I really liked getting to know Catalina in detail. It was fun to see her use her powers and I have a feeling that we are going to get to see them develop quite a bit in future books. Alessandro was a bit of a mystery. I liked the fact that it was really hard to tell whose side he is on but he always seemed to show up exactly when he was needed. The chemistry between Catalina and Alessandro was pretty much off the charts so I am looking forward to seeing how things progress between the pair in future books.

This story was exciting and the mystery was very well done. There is no shortage of action in this story as I have come to expect from the series. The mystery was fairly complex and Catalina was forced to juggle many things while she worked to get to the bottom of things. I really liked that there were a few larger plot points that were left open and I look forward to seeing where things go in future books.

I would highly recommend this book to others. This book was everything that I had hoped that it would be and even just a little bit more. I can't wait to read this one again and again!

I received a digital review copy of this book from Avon Books via NetGalley / Edelweiss.

It's too soon to be sure, but after three or four reads I may bloody love this book. Which is really saying something, because going into this read, I did not like Catalina. And I can’t stand NA which this book is not advertised as, but absolutely is. So, I came into this with a lot of baggage.

I love the Baylor family. I wish we were neighbors. Not next-door neighbors, of course, because danger has a way of following them home and I'd need some distance when the bullets start flying. But when the inevitable fire broke out at Casa de Baylor, I’d be the first to show up with an extra-long garden hose. (Assuming I could make it past security.)

The first 3 Hidden Legacy books are possibly my all-time favorite para romance stories. I turn to them whenever I need a pick me up. For two reasons:
1) The Andrews are amazing writers.
2) The chemistry between Nevada and Rogan.
Watching them come together was like dropping an iceberg into an active volcano and watching steam shoot out.

Saying I resisted transitioning from Nevada’s lead to Catalina’s is like saying The Duke of Wellington resisted Napoleon (that’s The Battle of Waterloo for you millennials).

Suitcase #1: Catalina is my least favorite Baylor, last in line behind Romeo the tank. If they’d had a dog, she’d have ranked behind it too. Way back in book one when her homework was more important to her than helping Nevada with a critical issue she cemented her position in my mind as a self-centered, selfish snowflake.

Suitcase #2: Catalina is 21. You know what 21-year olds are? Young. And untried. And God love them, nowhere near as experienced as they think they are. I don’t read YA or NA for exactly this reason. I’m a cranky old broad. Young people make my teeth ache. They make rash emotional decisions and when things go pear shaped, they wonder what the hell went wrong? I get enough of that in my real life, I don’t want to read their stories until they’ve at least cracked the quarter century mark. Hit a few brick walls, got their heart broken at least once. Actually done a little living.

Suitcase #3: I’m allergic to YA and NA for all the reasons mentioned above, and so many more.

Suitcase #4: Head of House at 21. Yep, Legal to drink for about half a minute. And right before their 3-year House reprieve expires Nevada dumps the Head of House gig on her untried, unproven, young sister. “Love you. Bye!” (BITCH)

So I came into Sapphire Flames wanting to be won over and terrified it wouldn’t happen.

And was very pleasantly surprised.

As I made plain I avoid this type of story because YA/NA does not give me the kind of read I want. But this is an Ilona Andrews. Even when they don't give me the story I want, they always deliver a damn good read. Once I got over myself, the writing was so satisfying I was stunned to find myself invested in the story.

I guess the reason I put this down the way I did was for people (like me) who are hesitant to read Sapphire Flames because you aren’t sure Catalina can step into Nevada’s shoes. Take it from a reader who did not want the torch to pass to Catalina; she can. They may be a little lose just yet, but I have a feeling she'll grow into those shoes just fine.

Catalina has enough of Nevada's sass to satisfy my need for snark, and enough of her own personality to become a fine lead character. I really need to quit taking my frustrations out on her. It's the story structure that offends me, not her.

Alessandro is a great addition to the cast. Mysterious, a little dark, a lot charming (de rigueur for an Ilona Andrews hero). The perfect foil for the reserved inward looking Catalina. I look forward to seeing more of what he's made of, because I'm sure what we see in this book is just a sampling of what's to come. It's going to be fun watching their relationship develop.

Most of our favorite characters are back. Bug makes a short appearance, and is as entertaining as always. Runa Etterson (the poison mage from Diamond Fire) has a supporting role, and adds an interesting element to Catalina's defensive arsenal. And Fans of Linus will be delighted to get to know him a little better.

Don't go into this book looking for another Burn For Me, you won't find it.
What you will find is a smartly written story with heart and excitement and the beginnings of another great adventure. I, ME, the cranky never met a NA book I liked reader liked it

And I really want to get my hands on the next one.


I was given an ARC from netgalley. These are my honest thoughts. #sapphireflames#netgalley

I am so glad the Hidden Legacy series isn’t over. I love this world. I loved Nevada, Catalina is just ok to me. I don’t dislike her, but she’s not exactly fun to read. But that is ok. It’s great that her personality is totally different from Nevada because that means this series cannot be formulaic. Alessandro is also very different from Rogan. Him, I like. He’s wild but also is a man of mystery. I was also happy that the rest of the family and friends were as much a part of the story as the first three books. I am eagerly anticipating the next book in the series. Especially since Alessandro seemed to notice some other connection between Linus and Catalina. I need to know what it is, now.

It’s a well known fact that I stan Ilona Andrews. I. Love. Every. Word. They. Write.

But…. I’ll be honest. I wasn’t sure about them leaving Nevada and Connor behind and taking the Hidden Legacy series in a new direction.

That just goes to show that I’m dumb. They’re brilliant and so is this book. I can’t wait for their next one!

Ilona Andrews has done it again. The authors have written a wonderful addition to the Hidden Legacy world. We find out what Nevada and Rogan are doing, but the protagonists in this story are Catalina Baylor and Alessandro Sagredo. They had previously met during Catalina's trial to be qualified to be a Prime and to form House Baylor. Catalina is now the Head of House Baylor and is working on preserving her House and the safety of her family. Runa Etterson's mother and sister have been killed and Catalina is being asked to save Runa's brother. Once she does House Baylor is going to be drawn into a conflict that will test all of Catalina's abilities to survive and preserve House Baylor from outside forces. Catalina and Allessandro work together, but is it enough to defeat the forces that are challenging House Baylor and what are they going to do about their developing feelings for one an other? Highly recommended.

My Thoughts:

I am in love with the Hidden Legacy Series, and it's colorful, real, and unforgettable cast of characters. I loved the first three books in the trilogy, and was sad to say goodbye to Nevada and Rogan, but at the same time, oh so very excited to get Catalina and Alessandro's story!

After Nevada was working herself to sickness and exhaustion, running House Baylor, as well as being there for House Rogan, Catalina and Arabella stepped in to make sure that their sister could have all of that pressure alleviated. Catalina being the oldest Prime in House Baylor is now in charge, and overwhelmed with all of the responsibilities and duties that come with her new position.

When Catalina's friend comes to her, because her mother was murdered, and her sister kidnapped, Catalina can't possibly say "no" and be able to look at herself in the mirror everyday. However, Catalina quickly finds herself in over her head and targeted by lethal assassin mages, and horrific monsters illegally created by the misuse of the magical serum which gave people their magical abilities. Along the way she crosses paths with the crush she never got over, Alessandro Sagredo, a powerful Prime surrounded by mystery.

Sapphire Flames was an alluring, and exhilarating read! I loved Catalina's character. She reminded me of myself. Catalina was introverted, didn't really have many friends, kept to herself, but was extremely close to her family and would die for them. She was a beautiful and powerful Siren, who was very serious, lacked confidence in herself, but had the world at her fingertips.

Alessandro was her opposite. He was gorgeous, charming, flirtatious, confident, and fun loving. When the two of them were together, you could cut the romantic tension with a knife. I loved the way that Alessandro charmed, and flirted relentlessly with our heroine, and I loved how she put him in his place, (because he wasn't use to a woman telling him "no." On the other side of the coin, Alessandro was a powerful and deadly assassin. He had skills, and when he was in action, there was a serious side to him.

I loved the Baylor Family. Special love goes out to Grandma Frieda. She makes me laugh with her commentary and teasing. I love that she has an Instagram account, is tough, but also tempers it with how loving and nurturing she is. Grandma would die for her family, and being in her seventies, she is still a force to be reckoned with.

Since this is book one in the second trilogy, we get more foundational information, so the first part of the story was a little bit slower, than the second half, which just flew by. I would have liked to see more Nevada and Rogan in this book. I know that the focus was suppose to be on Catalina and Alessandro, but I missed them.

I would say Sapphire Flames was an epic success as the first story in Catalina and Alessandro's story. I'm suffering from a major book hangover, and don't want to wait for the next book. This husband and wife author team can write! I loved all of the mystery, magic, action, and the build-up to a romance that is sure to be both sweet and steamy!

Sapphire Flames was a riveting, action packed, adventure that has joined my favorite shelf and be an often re-read.

If you’ve been following the Hidden Legacy series, you know the Baylor family has decided to become an official “House” and now Catalina has taken the reigns as head of the house.

Catalina is called upon to answer a debt owned by her family. During this act, she discovers that the person she is helping is someone who had protected her family in the past and she isn’t about to let them fall fodder to House warfare.

Backed by her family, Catalina does what she does best, she starts to obtain information. Information that will put her and her entire family in the crosshairs once again. Information that brings her teen crush crashing into the situation. The only problem is finding out whether Alessandro Sagredo is friend or foe. Catalina knows for certain he’s so hot he makes her knees weak and he is VERY, VERY dangerous.

I absolutely love the Hidden Legacy series. I would be THRILLED if the writing team of Ilona Andrews gave us novels for every member of the Baylor family so switching the focus from Nevada to Catalina just gave me more of what I love… amazing and relatable characters, fantastic humor, pulse intensifying action and chemistry you can’t wait to see play out!

I mentioned re-read, FYI, I finished Sapphire Flames and then started from the beginning and already re-read the entire series again from the start because I just can’t get enough of the Baylor Family.

Lets face it, if the writing team of Ilona Andrews writes it, I'm going to be reading it!

I received an ARC copy of Sapphire Flames from HarperCollins-Avon. This is my honest and voluntary review. Sapphire Flames is set for publication August 27, 2019.

My Rating: 5 stars

Written by: Ilona Andrews
Series: Hidden Legacy (Book 4)
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Avon (August 27, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0062878344
ISBN-13: 978-0062878342
11 likes

I love the writing team of Ilona Andrews, but I wasn’t sure this series would live up to Nevada’s part of the Hidden Legacy series. Boy, was I totally wrong. Catalina is a very controlled protagonist. She’s afraid of how her magic will destroy people by making them love her. Fear makes her calm, cool, and collected. However, when Alessandro bursts back into her world, he works hard at tearing down her walls. And, when he succeeds, whoa! Add to that a fascinating plot about monsters, assassins, and murder, this book adds up to a great time. Totally engrossing from start to finish, I did not want to put this book down. The ending was just the piece de resistance: I have to have it now. Unfortunately, I have to wait with my heart broken and torn to pieces. Why, you ask? Read this to find out. I highly recommend this book! I was provided the e-book which I voluntarily reviewed.

Sapphire Flames is a brand new trilogy set in the world of the Hidden Legacy series. Catalina Baylor, sister of Nevada Baylor, is a Prime, and after the marriage of her sister to Connor Rogan, Head of House Baylor. When a friend of the family needs House Baylor’s investigative services Catalina takes on the job. As the head of her house, every decision she makes could alter their future. When she starts investigating she puts her family’s welfare on the line, and when her teen crush Alessandro Sagredo becomes involved it’s not only their lives, but her heart that is also on the line.

If you read Diamond Fire, the novella set between Wildfire and Sapphire Flames, we were given a taste of who Catalina would become and in my opinion she surpassed all of my expectations in this novel! A few years have passed and Catalina is not the same girl we met in the previous novels. She has hidden depths and with each new reveal she became more interesting. When Alessandro Sagredo shows up he turns up the heat and that image of the younger Catalina disappears completely and we realize she is really all grown up.

I’ll admit that I was worried a little bit about Alessandro. Rogan is such a hard act to follow that the Italian Alessandro seemed a little smarmy in comparison. You know how I mentioned that Catalina has hidden depths? Well Alessandro is even more full of surprises! Smarmy? No! Yummy? Yes! He turns out to be one dangerous, yet sexy package and his interest in Catalina was en fuego!

Since this is a trilogy, we are given peeks at the depths of their feelings for each other. There are two more books in this series for all of their mysteries to be revealed and I will be one of the millions that is eagerly awaiting the next installment! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a free copy of this ARC through NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and it was honest!

Sapphire Flames is the fourth book in the Hidden Legacy series, yet the first full length book featuring Catalina Baylor as the main POV. Long time fans of this series are familiar with Catalina and have been waiting patiently for her to grow up and become head of the Baylor family now that Nevada and Rogan are starting their own family.

Catalina did not disappoint and right from the opening scene I knew that this series would only get better as we get to know her and follow along as she navigates the dangerous, powerful world of House politics and Baylor Investigations.

As with any book in this series, Sapphire Flames has a mystery and the Baylor family members are drawn in to help. This time they are aiding Runa Etterson, who we have met before in Diamond Fire, in discovering who murdered her family. Which means danger, villains with every sort of power, and the assistance of Alessandro Sagredo, one-time teenage crush of Catalina. And oh boy, the tension and chemistry between these two was blazing hot. I can not WAIT for them to be back together again on page.

Sapphire Flames was probably my most anticipated book this year and it did not disappoint. I missed this family so much and was so happy to be back in alternate Houston, Texas in the middle of sophisticated, yet deadly House politics.

Final Grade- A

The tl;dr is we both loved Sapphire Flames. But we also had a great time talking about it. So here are some of our thoughts. (The ones that aren't too spoilery.) We hope that you'll add your thoughts to the discussion too.

Gretl: I'm writing this after my second read of Sapphire Flames and this time I re-read Diamond Fire first. That novella transitions Catalina from the teen she is in Nevada's books to the adult Head of House she's become by the beginning of this book. It also shows her accepting the fact that she'll have to use her magic and discovering some powers she didn't realize she had.

Now we see a much more confident Catalina with more magic knowledge. I felt like she was more prepared than Nevada was at the beginning of her first book, despite being only 21. She's also less of a one woman show than Nevada was, which gives me hope that we'll see more of the other Baylors. I love cousins Bern and Leon and wished they'd had more to do here.

Rose Red: I had the benefit of reading Diamond Fire for the first time before starting this one and it helped to see how far Catalina had come in the space of time between that novella and this book. It was interesting to learn why Catalina ended up the Head of House and not Nevada. I also loved how much knowledge Catalina had. She knew so much about so many different things. I loved how much of the whole Baylor clan we got in this one. I’m here for more Grandma Frida!

G: This is one of those times when it's hard to write an actual review and not just a list of things I want to squee about. So here are a couple of those things: I loved the enigmatic Alessandro! And Linus! And Augustine! And their magics! (Squee!) The previous book, Wildfire, set a high bar for car chase shenanigans, but this one is a worthy successor. And that's just one of the incredible action scenes. (Squee!)

RR: Also, how the mystery was set up was awesome! I loved the introduction to the Wardens and I can’t wait to learn more of how that affects Catalina! And learning more about the House Government system was intriguing. And OMG! Alessandro! I loved him so much! It is so hard to review this book without being spoilery. It's just so good!

G: I nearly started the series over right after I finished my first read of Sapphire Flames. I love the Hidden Legacy world and didn't want to leave it. Only Ilona Andrews has ever made me do that - it used to happen every year with Kate Daniels. And it's possible this series is even better.

RR: I totally started rereading Sapphire Flames as soon as I finished it the first time but I'm also itching to start a reread of the whole series. The writing team of Ilona Andrews are definitely masters of their craft. Their books are always so amazing and unputdownable!

This review will go live on The Blogger Girls on August 29th, 2019.

4 stars

The last time we read about Catalina in Diamond Fire, a novella celebrating Nevada and Rogan’s wedding, we had a glimpse that Catalina would be in training, that she would have to beat her fear and shyness. She has been put into record as a Prime, and there will be spotlight on her, whether Catalina wants it or not. 

In Sapphire Flames, after Catalina officially turns twenty-one, she is now the Head of House Baylor. She’s responsible of her relatively-brand-new-and-small House. When Catalina decides to take a case to investigate why her friend’s mother and sister are killed, Catalina discovers a whole lot more sinister plan is playing behind it. Catalina wonders if she bites more than she can chew. It doesn’t help that her teenage crush, Antistasi Prime Alessandro Sagardo, is inserting himself into her investigation and her life.

One thing for sure … Catalina has grown up. Yes, she must, Catalina has a huge responsibility now. This Catalina is no longer the shy and quiet Catalina from the original Hidden Legacy series. But she is still kind – she still thinks with her heart as well. Catalina doesn’t have that sarcasm Nevada owns like the back of her hand. Catalina also doesn’t have the devil-may-care her younger sister, Arabella, has. And clearly, Alessandro can still short-circuit her brain *laugh*.

As always, Ilona and Gordon Andrews skillfully create an intricate web of reasons and possible plan behind the murder. They also create brand new villains who are awesome and scary as hell. It’s wonderful to read how Catalina and Alessandro work things out, without Nevada or Rogan even lend a hand. Which is fantastic because this is Catalina’s book and not Nevada’s … it’s her time to shine.

I cannot wait to get the next book, mostly because Alessandro is still an enigma. There’s more than meet the eyes about this Prime. He’s not all that he seems. Alessandro clearly keeps a secret and I want to see it out in the open. 

WHY IS THE NEXT BOOK NOT IN MY HAND RIGHT NOW?! WHY!?!?