glitterbomb47's review against another edition
4.0
A fun romp in another cool world dreamed up in Andrews' head.
hgranger's review against another edition
3.0
Good bones, exciting story and interesting characters. Brought down some by Nevada's incessant pontificating about how hot and attractive Rogan is.....
lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
5.0
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Oh my goodness! Rogan and Nevada are both characters I became slightly obsessed with at the beginning of Burn for Me, and now, I just know that I have to figure out what is up next. Ilona Andrews did it again - a complete winner!
There is something special with stories including magic. When those stories are written by Ilona Andrews, there is even more that is special about them! Burn for Me is a prime example of their excellent writing, world building, character development, story arc, plot and general awesomeness. I don't really know what more to say than that - it was as close to perfection as the written word can possibly be.
Rogan and Nevada are very different, and at the beginning of Burn for Me, I thought Nevada might be slightly weaker than other heroines coined by the Andrews. It didn't take me very long to realize that was all wrong, though, and that I was participating in the creation of something totally epic.
There is a lot going on in Burn for Me, both when it comes to the relationships between the characters, the suspense and the overall story arc that I'm sure will continue over the future books in The Hidden Legacy series. There is romance, too, even if it's quite far on the sidelines, but the promise of what it could become is very strong.
If you're a fan of strong female characters, a solid story, lots of magic and both mystery and suspense, Burn for Me needs to be added to your shelves!
Those who previously married for status, money, and power now married for magic, because strong magic would give them everything.
Men and women passed me, some speaking quietly, some deep in thought. Expensive clothes, beautiful faces, some so flawless that illusion magic had to be involved. There was a point where a human being became too perfect and lost whatever sexual allure they might have been born with. They became untouchable and almost sterile, like plastic mannequins in store windows.
Oh my goodness! Rogan and Nevada are both characters I became slightly obsessed with at the beginning of Burn for Me, and now, I just know that I have to figure out what is up next. Ilona Andrews did it again - a complete winner!
There is something special with stories including magic. When those stories are written by Ilona Andrews, there is even more that is special about them! Burn for Me is a prime example of their excellent writing, world building, character development, story arc, plot and general awesomeness. I don't really know what more to say than that - it was as close to perfection as the written word can possibly be.
Rogan and Nevada are very different, and at the beginning of Burn for Me, I thought Nevada might be slightly weaker than other heroines coined by the Andrews. It didn't take me very long to realize that was all wrong, though, and that I was participating in the creation of something totally epic.
There is a lot going on in Burn for Me, both when it comes to the relationships between the characters, the suspense and the overall story arc that I'm sure will continue over the future books in The Hidden Legacy series. There is romance, too, even if it's quite far on the sidelines, but the promise of what it could become is very strong.
If you're a fan of strong female characters, a solid story, lots of magic and both mystery and suspense, Burn for Me needs to be added to your shelves!
Those who previously married for status, money, and power now married for magic, because strong magic would give them everything.
Men and women passed me, some speaking quietly, some deep in thought. Expensive clothes, beautiful faces, some so flawless that illusion magic had to be involved. There was a point where a human being became too perfect and lost whatever sexual allure they might have been born with. They became untouchable and almost sterile, like plastic mannequins in store windows.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
5.0
Burn for Me
5 Stars
Tasked with bringing in a fugitive pyrokinetic, private investigator Nevada Baylor knows when she is in over her head. Things go from bad to worse when rogue billionaire, Connor “Mad” Rogan reveals an interest in the case and decides the best course of action is to kidnap Nevada and coerce information from her. So begins a volatile relationship in which Nevada and Rogan will have to depend on each other if they want to save their city from a rampaging psychopath who may have a hidden agenda …
Incredible world building, brilliant dialogue, sizzling chemistry and a gripping storyline - Ilona Andrews is beyond compare when it comes to Urban Fantasy!
Despite the recognizable similarities between this book and Andrews’ other series, Kate Daniels and The Edge, the differences are sufficient to make this story unique and interesting in its own right.
In a genre inundated with alternate magical worlds, Andrews has formulated a concept that is both original and compelling. Not only does magic in this world have a genetic basis, but it is also the foundation on which financial power and social status is consolidated. Thus, the various characters preoccupation and even obsession with magical genetics and hierarchy adds additional tension and nuance to the setting, characterization and plot.
Like Andrews’ other heroines, Nevada is intelligent, resourceful, snarky, feisty and loyal to a fault. She is also cautious and in possession of a level of self awareness that makes her particularly appealing. Rogan’s physical presence and power as well as his alpha tendencies are reminiscent of Curran yet the nature of his abilities, his family background and his dark and troubling past make him a remarkable hero.
The trademarks of Andrews’ writing are evident in Nevada and Rogan’s relationship whether it be in the sarcastic banter, the off the charts chemistry or the palpable sexual tension that build slowly but surely between them. The potential for romance is definitely there and it will be fascinating to see where it goes in future installments.
The plot is action packed with numerous twists and turns not to mention an abundance of corpses littering the streets (not wholly unexpected in an Andrews novel). Renee Raudman’s narration is fantastic as usual and no one could possibly be better at bringing these characters to life.
All in all, a must read for all lovers of Urban Fantasy and the only bad thing about the book is that it had to come to an end. It will be a long and difficult wait for the next one.
5 Stars
Tasked with bringing in a fugitive pyrokinetic, private investigator Nevada Baylor knows when she is in over her head. Things go from bad to worse when rogue billionaire, Connor “Mad” Rogan reveals an interest in the case and decides the best course of action is to kidnap Nevada and coerce information from her. So begins a volatile relationship in which Nevada and Rogan will have to depend on each other if they want to save their city from a rampaging psychopath who may have a hidden agenda …
Incredible world building, brilliant dialogue, sizzling chemistry and a gripping storyline - Ilona Andrews is beyond compare when it comes to Urban Fantasy!
Despite the recognizable similarities between this book and Andrews’ other series, Kate Daniels and The Edge, the differences are sufficient to make this story unique and interesting in its own right.
In a genre inundated with alternate magical worlds, Andrews has formulated a concept that is both original and compelling. Not only does magic in this world have a genetic basis, but it is also the foundation on which financial power and social status is consolidated. Thus, the various characters preoccupation and even obsession with magical genetics and hierarchy adds additional tension and nuance to the setting, characterization and plot.
Like Andrews’ other heroines, Nevada is intelligent, resourceful, snarky, feisty and loyal to a fault. She is also cautious and in possession of a level of self awareness that makes her particularly appealing. Rogan’s physical presence and power as well as his alpha tendencies are reminiscent of Curran yet the nature of his abilities, his family background and his dark and troubling past make him a remarkable hero.
The trademarks of Andrews’ writing are evident in Nevada and Rogan’s relationship whether it be in the sarcastic banter, the off the charts chemistry or the palpable sexual tension that build slowly but surely between them. The potential for romance is definitely there and it will be fascinating to see where it goes in future installments.
The plot is action packed with numerous twists and turns not to mention an abundance of corpses littering the streets (not wholly unexpected in an Andrews novel). Renee Raudman’s narration is fantastic as usual and no one could possibly be better at bringing these characters to life.
All in all, a must read for all lovers of Urban Fantasy and the only bad thing about the book is that it had to come to an end. It will be a long and difficult wait for the next one.
lynseyisreading's review against another edition
5.0
He stepped lightly, his stride sure and unhurried, like a huge jungle cat, an apex predator out for a prowl in his domain. There was no hint of submission anywhere in his body. He walked like he didn't know his spine could bend.
Oh my goodness...
How do they do it? How. Do. They. Do. It?
How do they make starting a new urban fantasy series look so damn easy? Are they even aware that it's meant to be hard? That people try and fail at this all the time? Could this be why the covers are so bloody awful? Is it to give other authors a fighting chance?
Just kidding. Except not really.
So here we are, ladles and jellyspoons. The #writing #goals pairing that is Ilona Andrews is gifting us mere mortals with another UF series (not PNR, as the fugly covers might suggest!). It's called the Hidden Legacy series, and there are two, very soon to be three, books out in it so far. Its dominant features are its imaginative and totally believable worldbuilding - an alternative history version of Houston that I would say, even at this early stage, seems of be of equal brilliance to their blockbusting Kate Daniels series' on-again-off-again magical Atlanta; an amazing, kick-ass female protagonist (Nevada), and a delicious if slightly morally questionable potential love interest (Mad Rogan!); and, of course, the superb writing of Ilona Andrews, which by now feels a bit like meeting an old friend, a friend who gently strokes your hair with padded oven mitt hands until you fall asleep. Or something.
Within this new world construct, it's already easy to see the tremendous potential for future stories, villains and magical abilities. The Andrews have given us a basic world template, but haven't set down too many rules within it. There has been no limit set as to the type or amount of magic you can have, and abilities so far range from telekinesis to precognition to teleportation... Basically, if they can imagine it, we can potentially have it, which is just SO exciting as a reader!
The world in a nutshell - A century and a half ago, a serum was discovered that can bring forth people's innate magical abilities. These abilities vary in nature as well as strength, and once triggered, become hereditary. The present day result of all this is that magic=power, and the most powerful families or "houses" have already duked it out in years past to decide who's the top banana and have claimed territories and even have their own armies. Marriages are, for the most part, now simply alliances for creating the most gifted children to become heirs to each new branch, allowing the powerful families to stay powerful.
So, it's basically life [Jim], but not as we know it.
Our main character, Nevada, is a private investigator, and there was a healthy mystery element driving the plot here in Burn for Me. She's hired to bring in a rogue magic user hell bent on setting fire to the world, and in carrying out her duties, she inadvertently comes into contact with Connor "Mad" Rogan, a.k.a. The Scourge of Mexico. Doesn't he sound like a peach? Well, he was very interesting and complex, let me tell you. The two of them spent a lot of time together in this book, but it feels like we've only just begun to understand the many layers of Mad Rogan and Nevada Baylor. There's clearly going to be an ongoing will they?/won't they? here to keep readers glued to the pages. It already has me positively salivating and was my favourite aspect of the book!
As a first instalment goes, this was a lot closer to perfection than Magic Bites (Kate Daniels #1) ever was. The worldbuilding and characterisation is noticeably cleaner. Reading was effortless, and putting the book down was tricky, even when my eyes were getting sore and scratchy. This really is a drop everything and read them all type of series, and that's precisely what I plan to do.
For UF fans, this is a complete no-brainer. Go and buy it immediately.
5 Stars ★★★★★