Another five star book but I am unwell!! Without spoiling anything, this book had everything I needed it to have with all of the amazing elements I expect from an Ilona Andrews book but now it’s over!! The questions I had were answered and I loved the way it all played out. The Baylors and all the magical misfits that have joined them and become a giant, perfect found family have had my heart for years and I am not ready to let them go. I loved the growth and changes in Catalina throughout the series and am over here crossing fingers and toes and looking for something to sacrifice to a swamp witch to get an Arabella book because THAT EPILOGUE! I will continue to read every single book, novella, blog post, whatever they write and cannot wait for their next project! Note: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved this completion to Catalina’s trilogy! I knew from their blog the authors struggled with this one, but they must have worked through whatever issues they were having. It was a strong finish to this arc, with hints there could be more to come. I’d love to read future installments for any of the Baylor siblings, cousins, Cornelius or Matilda. The characters are all so great, I just want more and more.

The magical battles were vividly described, and there were many of them—not so many that they took over the book, but they kept the pace brisk. There were great family moments, sweet scenes between C and A, and as always, lots of snarky humor in the dialogue. I’m thrilled with this conclusion and hopeful to see the series continue through another character’s eyes.

It's always so nice to be in this world with this family, but I have to confess that while I enjoyed this book, I wasn't as swept away by it as I usually am by the books in this series. I feel like authors always have such a nice balance of the action/worldbuilding/plot, the fun dynamics with the family members and friends, and the romance in this series but I have to confess that here it felt like the action and the plot overpowered everything else. We got some snippets of the family dynamic and the romance, but actually in general Alessandro felt very in the background and an afterthought.

I definitely enjoyed reading it, but there's just something holding me back from loving it the way I have loved the previous titles in this series. I did think that this book did a good job of wrapping things up while leaving room to explore more in the future if they want to return to this world.

In the conclusion to the Catalina Trilogy, Catalina and Alessandro finally face the Big Bad that's been looming over them: Arkan. This book is packed with awesome magic, thrilling fight scenes, family drama, intriguing mysteries, and a satisfying conclusion to many plot lines from the beginning of the series. As always the duo Ilona Andrews writes a compelling, fun book, and I can't wait to see if there will be more from this world. I honestly want to go back and re-read the Hidden Legacy novels from the start.

What an exhilarating read. Ruby Fever is the love letter that we needed for this year. We see our favorite characters in the series make appearances that don’t seem forced. The only issue I have with this novel is that it ended. I now understand how Ruby Fever went from a novella to a novel. Ilona and Gordon for the win. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for creating a beautiful universe.

Thank you #NetGalley and Avon for giving me the opportunity to read this.

Even though each of the books in this series is written so they can stand alone, this is the third, and last in the Catalina saga. Catalina is one of three sisters in a House that lives in our future in which people have been augmented by a serum that allows different talents to manifest in the individual; and be passed along into the offspring.

In this world there are fights for power, and caste-like attitudes as well as lots of power plays. Because of this, there is a lot of action, and situations that get quite hairy at times for our protagonist. But, this is also a romance, and our heroine and her love do have some scenes that are more in line with affection than drama.

I have read the Nevada series (one of the other sisters), as well as the other ones before this, and I have enjoyed all of them, so I recommend that if you have not read them, they are also worth your time. But, this one is definitely one to put at the top of your To Be Read Pile as it is a well rounded story from start to finish. As I said, the author does a great job making sure you are not lost, so if you have had a lot of other books between the last one, you will be able to jump right in; and if you have never read the others, you will be entertained from page one.

One of the things I truly loved about the Catalina series is that she matures through the books. In this book, you get the strong, confident, and willing to do what is needed woman, and she is one I hope will show up again. I highly recommend this book.

I was so thrilled to get an early ARC of this much anticipated final chapter in Catalina and Alessandro's trilogy. Readers who are coming for the world-building and the family dynamics will not be disappointed. And the action is, as always, non-stop with a crescendo that kept me turning pages. The main quibble I had with this installment was how secondary the romance felt. Granted, all of the tension from their relationship had been resolved in earlier books, but even so, I'd hoped for more, since the romance is a large part of what draws me to this series. I'm excited by hints of Arabella's story and can't wait to find out who her love interest will be.

"Ruby Fever" hits the ground running in the third, and last installment of Catalina and Alessandro's story. Foes are confronted, battle lines are drawn, and secrets are unveiled.

The action in this novel does not let up! And while the story is packed with revelations, it barely touched upon the interpersonal and romantic interactions between the characters. This imbalance was a bit disappointing, but I can see-from early reviews-that most people still loved the book and are pleased with the results.

The foreshadowing that amped me up occurred in the last five percent of the story when Arabella morphs into her monster form into order to fight another monster who is....well, you'll have to read the book and find out. I could feel the enemies to lovers tension, and I am so very excited and hopeful that Ilona Andrews wrote that scene for a very good reason.

3.5 stars!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this eARC thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#RubyFever #NetGalley

This is the last in the trilogy of Catalina and Alessandro’s story. It was full of action, revelations, and sweet romantic moments. The pace does not drag and it is not hard to follow the conflict. I think it’s also great to see Catalina’s growth. Going back to the epilogue of Wildfire up to this point you really see how she has grown. She is a wonderful head of house and it’s great to see the focus on family that gathers around her. We get some new characters who have interesting powers of their own and by the end you’ll want to learn more about them.

I really hope there is an Arabella book down the line because I love all the characters and want to see more of them.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars - Are we surprised that Ilona Andrews stuck the landing on this trilogy? No, no we are not. It was so satisfying to see most of my theories come true and see this chapter of the story wrap up! We got so much page time with Alessandro & Catalina together, and still had plenty of time with our favs, as well as some INTRIGUING new characters! My standout side character was Matilda, can't wait for her to grow up, and it looks like we're getting set up for the third trilogy starring Arabella which YESSSSSSSSSSS, I cannot wait! All in all, a worthy finale & cannot wait for more in this world! I think quality wise Hidden Legacy is the best series they have written

When her nemesis strikes too close to home, Catalina must protect her nearest and dearest with all she's got. Arkan has made good use of the serum, using it to gain himself powerful soldiers and to manipulate favors from those indebted to him. With the Russian Imperium interfering, and with her family coming under attack one time too many, Catalina has a lot to deal with. And that's without taking into account the skeletons hiding in her closet.

It's nice to see how Catalina matured over the series. From the shy teen flustered over a crush, to a woman trying to lead her House, and finally to a highly competent Warden (assistant) tasked with the safety of millions. But aside from all the magic and danger, my favorite moments are when the Baylor family puts aside war, financial issues, and all other minor life problems, and always remembers that family comes first. It's those little family moments, the friendly bickering, the concern they all share for each other, that makes this stand apart from all other urban fantasy novels. This book could've used a bit more of that family time, but it was still great.

Since this is the final book in Catalina's series, it did its job of wrapping up a lot of loose ends, some of them from Nevada's series too. The books repeat several themes between the Nevada and Catalina series. Obviously, for anyone who's read this far already, it's because they enjoyed it the first time and want to experience it again in a different flavor. So, while some elements may be predictable, it's the ride that matters, and this book certainly packs a good trip. Lots of guns, magic, and romance. Also, Russian princes and dark sirens.

Along with all the magic and fighting comes some more good messed up family moments and secrets. I think these are membership requirement for being one of the magic powerful Families. There have to be bad sheep, skeletons in the closet (the more, the better), and emotionally challenged forebears and/or offspring. I guess one of the series themes has to be a message about how power corrupts. And these Families have both financial and magical powers. Not at all a good combination for greedy human nature.

This book was a good conclusion to Catalina's story. I wish it had more family time and less fighting for their lives, but I enjoyed the moments it offered in between. Mostly, I'm excited for the way it setup a potential Arabella sequel. Of all the sisters, I think I like her the most now, which is a far cry from the immature teen she was in Nevada's story. But until then, Ruby Fever has a good collection of dark family secrets, new magics, romance, and plenty of guns.

Another fast paced story with satisfying character beats. So satisfying. This time around the Baylors take on Alessandro's past. It get's pretty dicey, starting off with the Warden in a coma making Catalina becomes Acting Warden. Family revelations spice things up, and Arabella kicks butt. As satisfying as the conclusion to the Catalina storyline was, I find myself eager for more Arabella. Because...she kicks butt.

It hurts to say this because I am really such a staunch supporter of the writing duo known as Ilona Andrews, but this book was not up to their previous standards. It's still a great book and a nice end to a series. It wraps up all the plot threads in a neat bow. (Too neatly if I'm truthful, as it lacked a bit of their normal polish and style.) It just doesn't feel like the stellar work I've seen on their other books in this world and other worlds. It felt rushed and not as passionate as the first book in the Catalina series, nor the great character development found in Emerald Blaze or any of the Nevada Baylor trilogy. (Which I still highly recommend regularly to all. Please check them out if you haven't already for a phenomenally good read.)

I really appreciate that times have been very hard for all of us. I think this book from any other other writer might even have deserved 5 stars for technical proficiency and style. It just felt rushed and fell flat for me being from authors whom previously had never written anything that I didn't immediately devour upon receiving. I didn't have the driving need to finish this one though and even put it aside for a little while to finish something else first. The plot was just lacking, with little exploration of other characters or plot lines. Lots of exposition when supporting characters met up later and you were told what happened. Sigh.

The setup for a new series for Arabella felt forceably injected into this one, e.g. two sudden mentions of a previously undisclosed love interest, a second one, aka a naked prince shifter dangled in front of her in the last chapter? (Love triangle - YA style insert here, perhaps at the urging of their publisher?)

I think they need to write a project that they feel passionate about next. At least that is my hope. I miss the fire of an Ilona Andrews novel. This one was more like banked coals. Still warming, but lacking something extra. I will certainly read their next work though and hope that this was just a tiny blip, the smallest lull, in an otherwise phenomenal writing record.

Settling in with this book was the most contented I have felt in a long time. I love these characters and being back in this world. I have loved watching Catalina grow into herself and hope we get to continue on with Arabella”s story ( I hope with lots more Matilda). My only complaint was that there was so much packed into this book-so many threads to keep track of and so much action. The action can be fun but it isn’t what draws me to these books- the characters and world building do that. I appreciate that the stakes need to raised but I wanted more family time. I still read this book with a smile pasted onto my face.

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

Ruby Fever was a GLORIOUS end to Catalina’s trilogy. There aren’t many words to describe the book other than ‘WOW’.

As every book in the Hidden Legacy it’s filled with magic, love, power, twists and turns, family but most importantly amazing hilarious,charming and fascinating characters.

I loved everyone. From pacifist St. Teddy to Evil Grandmother Victoria. There are so many great moment that truly snare you in the moment, making you completely forget there's an outside world. I laughed, I cried, I screamed and I raged along with the characters, feeling every emotion.

The plot was incredibly thick as always and it had my mind like a scrambled egg. There are so many secrets and twists and plot ready to bite you in the ass.

I'm incredibly grateful to HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

Life is good for Catalina when she gets engaged and the Baylors agree on a new family compound, but Ruby Fever really begins when Catalina gets a call reporting that the Speaker of the House was murdered and Linus is unreachable. From that point on, the story is a blur of forward motion with a Russian Prince, Arkan’s numerous Primes, Alessandro’s family drama, a return of the Caesar plot, and more. It’s a lot and a little disjointed.

The prologue of Ruby Fever shows Catalina’s engagement to Alessandro, an event that isn’t really followed up on through the book. They don’t refer to each other as fiancé, they don’t make any plans for the wedding, and their life living together isn’t a focus. Even when the new fiancée Alessandro’s grandfather arranged shows up, no one mentions that Alessandro is otherwise engaged. Interestingly enough, in the epilogue there is a wedding, but it’s Runa and Bern who marry (although Catalina does catch the bouquet).

The prologue also mentions that Alessandro has been running himself ragged working for Baylor Investigative Services, an effort that makes sense after Emerald Blaze’s revelation that he is more pauper than prince. But readers don’t see this in the book either. Other than the favor he does for the DA, Alessandro only works with Catalina in her Warden duties in Ruby Fever.

While some situations set up in the book aren’t explored, there are some others that seem to be thrown in. Specifically, the Caesar plot gets brought up again, when Grandmother Victoria reveals that Linus was a deep-planted Caesar all along. This plot has been a constant in this universe but in no way a focus of Catalina’s story, and the way it was brought up in Ruby Fever was jarring. Its only real connection to this story is that two of the investors of the serum plot were supposedly neutralized by Nevada and Mad Rogan in their trilogy. Which two these were was not mentioned.

Another confusing tidbit brought up in Ruby Fever was Victoria’s use of the Beast of Cologne as a surrogate. Supposedly she traded that service for her protection of the Beast’s family who were desperate for it because someone had kidnapped one of their children. Who this child was and where they are now wasn’t explored further, so it’s curious that they made a point to mention it.

Along with this look to the past, Ruby Fever also seems to lay threads for the future, so while there are no official plans in the works, there might be another book in this world sooner rather than later. Specifically, Linus asks Catalina if she trusts Arabella’s taste in men before he mysteriously promises the Keeper of Records that he will stop standing in someone’s way. Very suspicious.

The references and threads for the future aren’t woven into the Ruby Fever as deeply as they could be, so instead of Easter eggs, they act as speedbumps. All in all, while I always love Ilona Andrew’s writing and plots, this was the roughest book they’ve written in a while.

I loved seeing the conclusion to Catalina and Allesandro's story. The story kept me engaged the whole way through and I actually really liked that their relationship was already so strong that the story could focus on the outside conflicts. Now I'm just hoping we get a trilogy focused on Arabella

4 ☆
"I asked for backup," [Catalina] said.
"And?"
"It's not coming."
"Did you expect it would?"
"Yes, I kind of did. I asked them for advice, and they made me [...] and wished me Godspeed."
"You got a promotion with extra responsibilities but without pay or additional benefits." Mom smiled. "I'm so proud of you. You're officially a successful adult."


Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews concludes Catalina Baylor's trilogy. When she was first introduced in the Hidden Legacy series, she was just 17 and known as the quiet middle sister. Now 22, Catalina has been propelled along the fast track of adulting after becoming the head of House Baylor. It was difficult enough to step into elder sister Nevada's shoes as the Head, but Catalina had to do so at the end of the three-year safe period for nascent Houses in the cut-throat magic-based society. Another threat level came from her own paternal grandmother, truth-seeker Victoria Tremaine, who wanted to secure the continuation of House Tremaine.

Linus Duncan had served as one of two witnesses to the formation of House Baylor. Not all were pleased when Duncan, who was the secret Warden of Texas, deputized Catalina, especially as the position carries a low survival rate. But fortuitously, Alessandro Sagredo, a very powerful anti-stasi mage, had also been roped in by Duncan to serve as the Warden's equivalent of a bailiff and as Catalina's bodyguard.

In Emerald Blaze, it was revealed that the Osiris Serum, which activated latent magical abilities, had been stolen by Arkan, an assassin trained by the Russian Imperium. The theft has been hushed up but it's imperative that the Office of the Warden retrieve the serum and punish the perpetrator. Because it's beginning to appear that Arkan has solved Osiris' lethal side effect issue and is amassing his own magically-mighty forces.


The Keeper held it up to the light and the die sparkled. A ruby?
"The fate of the mage." The Keeper showed me one side with the Greek letter Z. "Zeta. Sacrifice."
He turned the die to display a different side. "Beta. Demon."
Another turn. "Lambda. Growth. The three fates awaiting those who risk the [Osiris] serum. Death, distortion, or power."


Ruby Fever is the thrilling culmination and resolution of all of the external threats. Alessandro has his own grudge against Arkan, for he had murdered Alessandro's father. Catalina fears losing Alessandro as he seeks to avenge his father's killing. But a final confrontation is inevitable. The question is whether Catalina and the Offuce of the Warden can even the odds and prevail. And the face-off is becoming more imminent as a shockingly public murder bears the hallmarks of Arkan's team.

This e-ARC of Ruby Fever doesn't answer all the questions I have, and I wanted more in the ending. But after a start that's heavy on exposition, the authors turn up the Texan-heat and deliver adrenaline-filled skirmishes, a specialty of House Andrews, that culminate in the final one-to-one showdown. Many characters pass through this installment so key family members who provide comedic dialogue have shortened stage times. Readers unfamiliar with the Hidden Legacy series might be hard-pressed to appreciate fully all of the crucial characters' motivations. Overall, Ruby Fever is very satisfying but as usual the devoted fans of IA, aka the "Book Devouring Horde," will clamor for more.

Thank you to the authors, HarperCollins Publishers, and Netgalley for providing me with a digital ARC. My review reflects my candid assessment and feelings. Quotations in this review are from an uncorrected proof (ISBN 978-0-06-287840-3) and may differ from the final version. Publication date is August 23, 2022.

Oh my word this was amazing. Had to ration it out because I wanted to savor the last Hidden Legacy book (for the immediate future). I loved the first trilogy and still re-read and listen to the audiobooks. Dare I say though Catalina may be my favorite heroine of IA? Seriously a Kate, Nevada, and Catalina showdown would be epic. What I liked about the Hidden Legacy series though was the Baylor family and character development, including the side characters who are Baylors by extension. I wish I could restart this series as a new reader!

My god what a finale!! I don’t think there could be any better way to finish this series, it was simply phenomenal!!