tanjagnz's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it - will write a proper review when I have the brain for it
rclz's review against another edition
5.0
Good book in a really good series. Can't wait for the next one.
aphelia88's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Nevada's trilogy but Catalina has stolen my heart! I absolutely CANNOT wait for the third book, [b:Ruby Fever|39909230|Ruby Fever (Hidden Legacy, #6)|Ilona Andrews|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|61763703].
Set six months after the first book [b:Sapphire Flames|41088576|Sapphire Flames (Hidden Legacy, #4)|Ilona Andrews|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550080843l/41088576._SY75_.jpg|61763670] (you can read my review here), Catalina - protected by Alessandro as her official bodyguard - is getting the hang of her duties as Deputy Warden of Texas. It's difficult and unsettling work as part of the super-secret supernatural police but she's growing to meet the challenge.
The only drawback is keeping such a major secret from her extremely close-knit family.
When her boss, Linus Duncan, brings her in to investigate a failed effort to reclaim and develop The Pit, the magical toxic dumping ground that continues to expand and run amok - Catalina uncovers a hideous misuse of the banned Osiris serum that first gave humans supernatural powers.
It will take all of Catalina's siren charm and Alessandro's anti-magic null talent to contain the deadly abomination and prevent anything like it from happening again. The terrible truth behind Alessandro's playboy front is heartbreaking, and as Catalina falls for the man she's long loved from agar, their chemistry is combustive! Bring on the Fever!!!
Set six months after the first book [b:Sapphire Flames|41088576|Sapphire Flames (Hidden Legacy, #4)|Ilona Andrews|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1550080843l/41088576._SY75_.jpg|61763670] (you can read my review here), Catalina - protected by Alessandro as her official bodyguard - is getting the hang of her duties as Deputy Warden of Texas. It's difficult and unsettling work as part of the super-secret supernatural police but she's growing to meet the challenge.
The only drawback is keeping such a major secret from her extremely close-knit family.
When her boss, Linus Duncan, brings her in to investigate a failed effort to reclaim and develop The Pit, the magical toxic dumping ground that continues to expand and run amok - Catalina uncovers a hideous misuse of the banned Osiris serum that first gave humans supernatural powers.
It will take all of Catalina's siren charm and Alessandro's anti-magic null talent to contain the deadly abomination and prevent anything like it from happening again. The terrible truth behind Alessandro's playboy front is heartbreaking, and as Catalina falls for the man she's long loved from agar, their chemistry is combustive! Bring on the Fever!!!
alannabarras's review against another edition
4.0
This series is incredibly binge-able, I definitely read this instead of sleeping. The main relationship is what I wanted from Crescent City but never got, and the plot did a great job if building suspense without being too confusing.
My only real complaint was that i thought the authors missed a really cool opportunity to do something interesting with gender/lack of with the big monster reveal. The fact that they fell back into the traditional binary was fine, just a little disappointing.
Overall though still super fun, and definitely something I'll recommend to friends. Looking forward to the third in the trilogy when it comes out!
My only real complaint was that i thought the authors missed a really cool opportunity to do something interesting with gender/lack of with the big monster reveal. The fact that they fell back into the traditional binary was fine, just a little disappointing.
Overall though still super fun, and definitely something I'll recommend to friends. Looking forward to the third in the trilogy when it comes out!
denitsaivanova's review against another edition
5.0
I have to start by saying that the covers of the books in this series and its predecessor are the only negative thing I can point out. Because of said covers I didn't have high expectations with regards to the plot but I was incredibly surprised by how much I enjoyed this series. The writing is witty and fun, the characters are intelligent and headstrong, the plot well paced and easy to follow. I loved the family dynamics, each character in the family was distinctly different and lovable; my favourites besides the main protagonists were Grandma Frida and Bug without a doubt. The magic system was really interesting as well and it helped moved the plot and keep things interesting throughout the books.
The romantic relationship between the main characters, while prevalent, was not overpowering the rest of the plot and it only helped to enhance the story. The plot itself was super interesting and action packed; i can honestly say that there wasn't a lull in the story at any point.
I am super excited for the third book in this series and I think this is a strong start for my 2021 reading challenge.
The romantic relationship between the main characters, while prevalent, was not overpowering the rest of the plot and it only helped to enhance the story. The plot itself was super interesting and action packed; i can honestly say that there wasn't a lull in the story at any point.
I am super excited for the third book in this series and I think this is a strong start for my 2021 reading challenge.
reclusivereader's review against another edition
4.0
I'll be honest. Give me some Baylor family banter and hijinks and I'll pretty much be happy no matter what angst or torture this duo puts me through. Which is pretty much what happened in EMERALD BLAZE. Though it was light on both angst and torture so even better?
"He broke your heart."
"I broke my own heart, Leon. He was just the hammer I hit it with."
While I found the mystery of the Big Bad plot to be fine (not quite interesting, but not boring), I found the Big Bad Monster element of said same plot to be.. weird and whacky and freaky and fantastic fun. You might disagree about the fun part if you've read this but I just found it fascinating where this author duo's brain goes (yes, I made a brain joke, I am not sorry!).
"Your ego would survive an apocalypse."
"Thank you."
"It wasn't a compliment."
"It was to me."
For me, the star of this show, beyond the aforementioned Baylor Banter (copyright pending), was some of the insight we got into decisions made in the previous books. I'll admit I couldn't quite tell what was new information and what was just expanded upon which tells me I definitely should've done a series reread before this book (whoops, my bad), but nonetheless it felt mostly new and very shocking. I felt like every time the Evil Grandmother was mentioned I could never remember exactly what, or who, she had twisted to her own purposes and now? Wow. Cards are all out on the table.
I wasn't mourning Alessandro abandoning me. I was mourning the old me. For the new me to emerge, the old me had to disappear, and killing her bit by bit hurt.
So that was fantastic but so was the romance. I enjoyed the heck out of this dynamic in book four but I was so much more sold this time around. Because more cards are on the table for these two as well, yes, but I also felt they had grown as individuals, particularly Catalina. I find her such a great protagonist because she's strong but not invulnerable, either physically or emotionally, and she perseveres because she must. And as for Alessandro.. like.. be ready for some heartbreak.
"I do so love happy endings."
"Happy ending for you, maybe. I didn't get to shoot anybody."
As a bonus we also get some page time with Nevada and Rogan so truly this book is a gift that keeps on giving. Less lovely? That ending. I had seen some vague shrieking about it on the internetz before reading this book so I was expecting the worst and I mean.. it's not good but wow my brain is clearly a dark place because I expected something else. Also, for those of you unaware, this was also released by the authors but only to be read after reading book five. Don't you dare peek ahead of time! Not only do I feel a little more comforted about said ending now but also I totally want an Arabella-centic book. I'm sure it's coming. Maybe? Who knows. At the end of the day I just want IA to never stop writing; and I don't care what series it's for. Is that too much to ask?
----
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
"He broke your heart."
"I broke my own heart, Leon. He was just the hammer I hit it with."
While I found the mystery of the Big Bad plot to be fine (not quite interesting, but not boring), I found the Big Bad Monster element of said same plot to be.. weird and whacky and freaky and fantastic fun. You might disagree about the fun part if you've read this but I just found it fascinating where this author duo's brain goes (yes, I made a brain joke, I am not sorry!).
"Your ego would survive an apocalypse."
"Thank you."
"It wasn't a compliment."
"It was to me."
For me, the star of this show, beyond the aforementioned Baylor Banter (copyright pending), was some of the insight we got into decisions made in the previous books. I'll admit I couldn't quite tell what was new information and what was just expanded upon which tells me I definitely should've done a series reread before this book (whoops, my bad), but nonetheless it felt mostly new and very shocking. I felt like every time the Evil Grandmother was mentioned I could never remember exactly what, or who, she had twisted to her own purposes and now? Wow. Cards are all out on the table.
I wasn't mourning Alessandro abandoning me. I was mourning the old me. For the new me to emerge, the old me had to disappear, and killing her bit by bit hurt.
So that was fantastic but so was the romance. I enjoyed the heck out of this dynamic in book four but I was so much more sold this time around. Because more cards are on the table for these two as well, yes, but I also felt they had grown as individuals, particularly Catalina. I find her such a great protagonist because she's strong but not invulnerable, either physically or emotionally, and she perseveres because she must. And as for Alessandro.. like.. be ready for some heartbreak.
"I do so love happy endings."
"Happy ending for you, maybe. I didn't get to shoot anybody."
As a bonus we also get some page time with Nevada and Rogan so truly this book is a gift that keeps on giving. Less lovely? That ending. I had seen some vague shrieking about it on the internetz before reading this book so I was expecting the worst and I mean.. it's not good but wow my brain is clearly a dark place because I expected something else. Also, for those of you unaware, this was also released by the authors but only to be read after reading book five. Don't you dare peek ahead of time! Not only do I feel a little more comforted about said ending now but also I totally want an Arabella-centic book. I'm sure it's coming. Maybe? Who knows. At the end of the day I just want IA to never stop writing; and I don't care what series it's for. Is that too much to ask?
----
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
reclusivereader's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely love how my brain is pure swiss cheese because other than the Big Bad/Monster of the Week I actually remembered only like two details about this book. And none of the ending. Which made reading my first-read review perplexing because I was shouting into the void in the direction of my past self, like, "what happened you idiot!!" but yes now I know.
Thank goodness for rereads. Not only because of said faulty brains but also I've had just such a great time revisiting these characters and comforting myself with the familiar and the good.
Is it RUBY FEVER tuesday yet.
Thank goodness for rereads. Not only because of said faulty brains but also I've had just such a great time revisiting these characters and comforting myself with the familiar and the good.
Is it RUBY FEVER tuesday yet.
fictionalkate's review against another edition
5.0
I'll admit to being a bit of an Ilona Andrews fangirl. And Emerald Blaze makes it so easy to continue to be one. I loved this book. I've been binge reading the series and read the first 4 books within a fortnight or so. This fifth installment to the Hidden Legacies series is a perfect continuation.
The magic and worldbuilding is fun. I like the magic and how differently it can be wielded. Just when I think I know how each character can use their power bam! There comes along another way which is unexpected yet makes sense based on what we know of that character so far. It keeps things interesting. I also enjoyed how elements like the Pit which featured in the first book of the series was revisited. The mystery was fun as was how they closed the case.
I'm also a fan of the characters. I liked Nevada who was the main character for the first three books but I adore her sister Catalina. Nevada was a bit more similar to Kate Daniels in many ways. I prefer Catalina as she's got more of a duality about her. There's the kind hearted softer side but then she's also got her BAMF part for when she needs to get stuff done.
The familial relationships are lovely and the romance is just lovely. All the side characters are interesting and I really liked how we see a different view of the same characters now we're following Catalina around from how Nevada saw them.
I can't wait for the next book and I hope the final book in the Catalina Baylor trilogy isn't the last in the series because I'm having too much fun living in this world.
The magic and worldbuilding is fun. I like the magic and how differently it can be wielded. Just when I think I know how each character can use their power bam! There comes along another way which is unexpected yet makes sense based on what we know of that character so far. It keeps things interesting. I also enjoyed how elements like the Pit which featured in the first book of the series was revisited. The mystery was fun as was how they closed the case.
I'm also a fan of the characters. I liked Nevada who was the main character for the first three books but I adore her sister Catalina. Nevada was a bit more similar to Kate Daniels in many ways. I prefer Catalina as she's got more of a duality about her. There's the kind hearted softer side but then she's also got her BAMF part for when she needs to get stuff done.
The familial relationships are lovely and the romance is just lovely. All the side characters are interesting and I really liked how we see a different view of the same characters now we're following Catalina around from how Nevada saw them.
I can't wait for the next book and I hope the final book in the Catalina Baylor trilogy isn't the last in the series because I'm having too much fun living in this world.
foesandlovers's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 STARS
Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Can't wait for the next one!!!!
Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Can't wait for the next one!!!!
oliviak_31's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5