So far, Sapphire Flames has possible the most fun narrative voice out of the entirety of Ilona Andrews' works, and the difference between Kate/Nevada/Catalina really shows the range and ability of the authors to create a character with Kate's shrewdness merged with the voice and references of a young millenial.

As ever, the plot kept me guessing, and the twist at the end made me rage at the unfairness, but the prologue sucked me right back in and left me eager to see what will happen with Catalina and Alessandro.

This was a wonderful addition to the series. I would highly recommend reading the previous books first. If you enjoy books with alpha males, strong heroines, and dangerous magic, then this is the book for you. I will be anxiously awaiting the next installment in the series.

Hollis’ 4.5 star review

Was this everything I wanted it to be? Can I get a hell yeah? Did I love this Catalina-centric installment more than the Nevada-centric ones? Really.. long.. pause.

Maybe?

It’s been a while but I do have great memories of the trilogy that kicked this series off. And yet for some reason this one just shines a little more brightly. And not only because it’s obviously fresh in my mind.

<I>Other kids were encouraged to be cute, to perform for adults. If I smiled, the adults became mesmerized, and if I wanted them to like me, they would love me with obsessive intensity.</I>

Catalina’s struggles, and her struggles with her magic, just felt.. interesting. Fresh. Exciting. Her power is different and that gives her role something a little different. The love interest was a flipping delight, too. There are so many layers to Alessandro and I loved how they played off each other.

“<I>I found your vomit muffin. He’s driving a crappy silver Italian import. He’s about to merge on the 1-10. Where are you?</I>“
“<b>In the passenger seat of the crappy import.</b>“
“<I><b>This is a great car.</I></b>”

I enjoy the politics and the messiness of this warped world. All the side characters, too. Honestly there isn’t much I didn’t love. The only thing keeping this back from a full five stars is some of the intensity of Catalina’s feelings. I get she’s been invested for a while, and also somewhat resigned to a complicated future romance, if any, but it did come off strong. She was just very in it when it wasn’t really a thing to be in yet? Hard to describe. But it only came off weird a few times. For the rest? I was quite pleased.

“<I>But what would I do alone for hours with no one to admire me?</I>“
“<b>Take selfies, kill random people, take selfies of you killing random people?</b>“
“<I>Is that why you think I’m not a good person?</I>“
“<b>No, lots of people take selfies. You just do it more than most</b>.“

I have so many questions about where things are building, who is hiding what, and the authors did tease some things that I’m sure are to be revealed down the road. Hell, I’m still waiting for the reveal from the epilogue of book three. Did we get that? I can’t remember. Suffice it to say there’s so much more for this series to give us, so many places it can go, and I’m delighted there’s so so many characters that could take us to all these yet-uncharted areas. Want, need, more. But I always say that. These authors rarely, if ever, fail to deliver.

“<I>I don’t know if you know, but Leon is psycho. I heard him talking to himself when shooting people. He used funny voices, Catalina</I>.“
“<b>Your brother thinks he’s a werewolf</b>.“
“<I>Good point.</I>“

I’m so so excited for more of this world and it was such a delight to slide into an Andrews in this post-Kate Daniels world.

** I received an ARC from the author (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **

Warning: reading this may lead you down a rabbit hole of binge-reading the first Hidden Legacy trilogy and the Diamond Fire novella, and then rereading this book again. Book your time off now! How convenient that Sapphire Flames is released close to a long weekend (in the US/Canada, at least).

Readers will have more background information if they've read the trilogy and more about Catalina in particular if they've read Diamond Fire, which also introduces Runa Etterson. Runa is a poison mage, and in Sapphire Flames, her mother and sister have just been killed in a home fire, and it's not a potential accident as it appears it could be. This leads Catalina into a world of assassins, scientists, and Alessandro Sagredo.

Alessandro is less of an in-your-face alpha as other recent Andrews heroes like Rogan or Curran. He's here to get a job done and stop Catalina from doing hers in the process as he is aware of how dangerous the situation she is stepping into is (and of course, he has no interest in telling her why). His international playboy/man of mystery persona is intriguing and so is Catalina's reaction to it, years after their initial meeting. It's hard to tell what his motivations are an unwrapping them slowly will likely happen throughout the trilogy.

The Baylor family are also integral to this story, and Nevada and Rogan are largely AWOL as they're in Spain for Rogan's grandfather's funeral and legally obligated to stay for a certain time period. If they don't, Rogan's mother's inheritance is forfeit.

Sapphire Flame has some intriguing twists into the mystery of the Ettersons' fire and deaths. Catalina has more control over her magic to compel others and the life experience gained since taking over their house, which is necessary because her 21st birthday signals the end of a safety period for Baylor and leaves them open to attack, negotiations and approaches from other houses. They have chosen not to take any money or assistance from Rogan and it does cost them in terms of security, one of the secondary plots is about their inept head of security who is a former colleague of Catalina's mother.

I love Andrews' ability to keep the storyline deliciously tense for the romance between Catalina and Alessandro. Readers aren't going to be able to put Sapphire Flames down as they jump into the world of magic and mystery.

I had some doubts. I will admit it. I also stand competely 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 Diamond Fire 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!

Oh why did I read this so early? The sequel is a whole year away right now! Normally I wait until there's a whole series waiting, especially with Ilona Andrews' books. They're like eating Oreos - you WILL finish the whole pack in one sitting.

Nevada Baylor is on vacation, so little sis Catalina steps up into the heroine role. There's Andrews' usual mix of alpha romancing, dangerous enemies, and nifty superpowers as Catalina struggles to keep the fledgling Baylor House alive and out from under the thumb of more powerful Houses that would love to squash her flat.

It's a great world to revisit, and there's always action right around the corner. By "action", though, I only mean car chases and gunfights, obviously, because this is only book one in Catalina's story.

I received a review copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh Catalina! She is a heroine you can root for. Someone thrown into the deep end and left to be the Head of a magical family. If she fails her family is dead. Enter Alessandro. The man she has had a crush on since her teens. He is not at all what he seems at first glance. Throw in a murder, powerful people on both sides and you have a story that kept me at the edge.

Book 4 in the Hidden Legacy series is another excellent addition
in a chain of exceptional books in urban fantasy genre written by
Ilona and Gordon Andrews.
Intelligent and tough heroine, mysterious and delectable hero, magic and reality
masterfully bound together, witty banter, non-stop action, well developed impressive supporting characters make this breath-taking installment well-written, smart and engaging.

So happy the authors are continuing this series, which is my favorite of theirs as well as the Innkeeper series. The combination of action and humor make for great reading.

I'm a fan of all Ilona Andrews books. I haven't read them all but I'm enjoyed each of the ones that I have read.

I love the highly imaginative paranormal world Andrews creates and the stories are driven by well-written characters. It's been particularly interesting watching Catalina grow. She's burst out of Nevada's shadow and is easily proving herself worthy of her head of household role. She smart, dedicated, devoted and loving and up for every challenge thrown her way, and there are many!

Catalina must deal with the threats coming fast against their new house now that the initial protections are gone and in the process finds herself fighting side by side with her long-time crush, Allesandro. And what fun it is to learn who Allesandro really is. He's not the vapid royal Catalina and we the readers have thought him to be.

This book, like the others in the series, is full of highly engaging action, complex human emotions, monsters and magic. A good read from start to finish.

4.5 stars - surprising no one, I absolutely loved this first entry in the new arc of the Hidden Legacy series. I will post a full video review on my YouTube channel on the launch day, but for now suffice it to say: I am loving Catalina as our new POV character, I loved spending time back in this world overall, I loved the action/adventure plot & set up for a new political intrigue that we'll be exploring in the coming books, and I loved the ongoing family dynamics. Also the UST. Also a battle scene in a Sephora.

This made me so happy & I am PUMPED for more books! 2020, get here faster

Absolutely, positively, you will not be able to put this one down.

Clear your calendars for release day, folks, because Ilona Andrews nails another book in the Hidden Legacy series, and it is just as addictive as the rest!

I'm a superfan of Ilona Andrews, and I've loved each and every book in this series. I was beside myself when I found out that I got an ARC of Sapphire Flames, especially since I was in love with Diamond Fire. Just totally gagged. I tried to wait until closer to release day to read Sapphire Flames, but after a few meh books in a row, I knew I had to crack this one open.

And I didn't go to bed until the very last word, just before 3 am.

The plot? Exhilarating.
The danger? Cranked up to an 11!
The romance? Just getting STARTED.

I loved getting to know Catalina, who is a bad-ass in her own right, and seeing more of the extraordinary Baylor family. I loved getting to know Alessandro, who is SO much more than meets the eye. I loved the pacing, the energy, and the non-stop action. It is a must-read for those who have loved the other books in the series.

The book isn't technically a romance, but those of you who are familiar with Ilona Andrews know how they operate. I know there will be more Hidden Legacy books coming with how this one left off, and I'm WAITING ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT FOR MORE.

Ilona Andrews can't write fast enough to suit me.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

Note: This is the fourth book in a series that was previously a trilogy, focusing on a side character from the first three books. This review may contain slight spoilers! You can check out my review for the first three books here:
BURN FOR ME: https://onewayoranauthor.wordpress.com/2017/07/07/mini-reviews-urban-fantasies-with-magic-and-mayhem/
WHITE HOT: https://onewayoranauthor.wordpress.com/2017/06/05/arc-review-white-hot-by-ilona-andrews-hidden-legacy-2/
WILDFIRE: https://onewayoranauthor.wordpress.com/2017/07/17/arc-review-wildfire-by-ilona-andrews-hidden-legacy-3/

I first discovered the Hidden Legacy series a couple years ago, when the first two books were out. I waited patiently for book 3, which I thought would be the end. But of course, there was still so much to be explored regarding the explosive Baylor family, and well-constructed world, and even the authors couldn't let this story go. So here we are, with book 4 (after a novella as well), following the sister of the main character from the first three books: Catalina Baylor. And let me tell you - her story is as exhilarating, as action-packed, and as emotional as her sister's. Let's get to it!

"Here I am with all this power and I let everyone take care of me for most of my life, because it was too hard and scary and because I didn’t want the guilt of hurting people. It wasn’t fair. So, when Nevada decided to take a step back, I decided it was my turn to take care of everyone and do the ugly things nobody wants to do."

The book first starts with the introduction of Catalina as the head of the Baylor House. So... what exactly happened to Nevada? It turns out, she's helping Mad Rogan (her now-husband, then-love interest in previous books) with his own House matters and enjoying her own life, after being a leader of the family for years. Okay let's step back with some info... in this world, powerful magic-users inherit traits from their family, and they keep this magic preserved by grouping into "Houses" - mostly based on family - that pretty much control the inter-workings of the world. If you're born in a large, powerful house, you're set to go in life. If you marry into a House, you marry into their drama and politics. People are put in arranged marriages to create more powerful lineages. It goes on and on. In the Hidden Legacy series, the Baylor family was recently established as a House, and the 21-year old Catalina is the Head of it, as well as a powerful Prime (which you can probably guess what that means). And that's when the book starts: she's thrust into this role, while trying to navigate all the complex House politics and take care of her family. Things aren't helping when she finds herself involved in a murder mystery, and her old crush from high school coming back into her life...

And THAT is where the story starts. Nothing screams "CLASSIC URBAN FANTASY" more than a murder case to solve, right? Catalina's friend's family members are murdered, and it's up to her to get to the bottom of it. Not only because she can align that friend as her ally, but also because... it's the right thing to do. If there's anything about the Baylor family we know, it's that they fight for justice and make sure they can look themselves in the eye in the mirror at the end of the day. Secrets are revealed. City infrastructures become demolished. Assassins are uncovered. And the enemy they're looking for might have been next to them the whole time...

And yet, amonst all the action, the authors still manage to create a careful exploration of Catalina's experience and characterization. As the younger sister of Nevada, we saw her as a bit on the introverted side, and willing to blend into the background. But in Sapphire Flames, she really takes control of her fate and sets the tone down with other competing Primes. She grows into her skin as the Head of the House, and finds confidence in herself to do the right thing. And THAT is what character growth looks like. Along the way, she also finds herself reunited with a teenage crush, Mr. Alessandro Sagredo aka Italian Prime of his own House aka who called to her window in the middle night like ROMEO for a night drive three+ years ago aka who literally disappeared from her life ever since, aka who picked up and dropped two fiances as well, these past few years. So as you can see, that is a fun subplot in and of itself, and their banter was super fun. ALSO those secrets of Alessandro... yum. Can't wait to learn more about them in the upcoming books. 

All in all, Sapphire Flames was an excellent addition to the Hidden Legacy series (as are all of Ilona Andrews's books tbh...), and I highly recommend this Urban Fantasy series to readers looking for a flamin' hot adventure with scorching romance, and lovable characters! The Andrews team has a great way of exploring characters (after reading 10+ of their books... I would know HAHA), and this one was no exception. It just left me panting for the next book!

Content/Trigger Warnings: violence, physical abuse/assault

Rating: 4 out of 5

Thank you Avon and Netgalley for the review copy!

Ilona Andrews does it again. With compelling characters, a reality close enough to our own to be believable and a romance that leaves you wanting more, Sapphire Flames continues the enjoyable arc begun in Burn for Me.

I always enjoy stories by Ilona Andrews so I looked forward to reading this novel. Immediately diving into a world of magic, power, and romance, I was not disappointed. Catalina has come into her own as the head of her house and has to make life and death decisions daily. To make a living her house takes PI jobs but Catalina's latest job is so dangerous that it may be her last. When her secret crush from her teen years, Alessandro, shows up to help her she realizes he's more than a male model playboy. I can't wait for the next book in this trilogy!

This book is fantastic! It is the first one I've read in the series (although not the first by this author). The characters drew me in and I became very invested in them. I was so disappointed when the book ended just because I'd reached the end. I will need to go back and read the first 3 in the series.

Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. - Amazing story! Looking forward to many more.

Sapphire Flames takes place three years after the end of Nevada's story in Wildfire. Catalina is now 21 years old and in charge of the Baylor Investigative Agency with her family after Nevada stepped down following her marriage with Rogan. In the years since we last saw Catalina, her family's new House is about the reach the end of the grace period given to new houses.
The shy girl afraid of her own shadow does not make an appearance in this book. In Sapphire Flames we get to see Catalina comfortable in her own skin and leading her family through investigations and death threats. She reminded me of Nevada at times, but still felt like her own well-developed character and honestly I'm pretty put out I have to wait for the next books even longer now.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. What a great book , I really enjoyed it. Highly recommend to everyone.

It was impossible to go into this book with anything less than the highest of expectations which is usually a recipe for disaster but I was not even remotely disappointed with this book. I may have been afraid that I would miss Nevada and Rogan but I honestly didn't. Catalina and Alessandro hold their own and make the change of focus onto them easy and intriguing. I liked them both so much and really loved their banter. Knowing that there are more books to come in this series just fills me with glee.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sapphire Flames arriving on my Kindle gave me a bit of a squee moment and it lived up to my expectations. When Andrews wrapped up the Nevada Baylor portion of the Hidden Legacy trilogy, there was hope left that the trilogy could become a series that turns to Nevada's sisters. And here it is! Sapphire Flames takes place about three years after Nevada's wedding to Mad Rogan and addresses Catalina Baylor, the world's only siren. She is also now Head of House Baylor and running the family's investigations business. Both of these things contribute to the case that is tossed her way. Warned off of it, Catalina is unable to stop herself from helping a friend, regardless of the danger and the interference of Alessandro Sagredo--after whom she has pined since her trials years before.

In all fairness, there will likely never be an Ilona Andrews book that I don't like. But in Sapphire Flames, the husband-wife duo have proven that they can create another full-blown mainstream urban fantasy series to fill in the gaping hole left by the well-timed ending of the Kate Daniels series. It is exciting, humorous, and, as always, insightful, and leaves no doubt that the next installment will be the same.